Every day is an adventure...: It's about time for an update......(part 2)

Between visiting people, German school, teaching, getting lost (with everything), Niklas and I went for a few hikes. It's funny to me that most people that I meet say, "Why are you in Germany?! Canada is so much more beautiful!". Ok yes, Canada is beautiful, but there's so much beauty to be had in Germany as well! They have great trails for hiking in the woods, and having grown up in Essex-County, I'm used to FLATTER THAN FLAT, and here they actually have hills? It's so nice when hiking! We climbed a look-out tower, saw the wild pigs, got extremely lost (like 3 hours lost), and it was all just so great spending so much time together outside!!

I will say this about November and December (well and January for that matter)....time FLIES! I can't believe that it's been over 5 months since I've been here. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what's been going on in November and December. There was a lot of preparing for Christmas, school, some work, visa stress (which is STILL on-going).... German tradition surrounding Christmas is that on the 6th (I believe) Nicolas comes and leaves treats in your shoes (that you leave out for him one night). We also put our "Wish List" in our shoes too and Nicolas took it. From there on the 24th of December when we're at church, the Christkind comes and leaves the gifts which we open Christmas Eve. So that was what happened. The holidays here were absolutely amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better family (besides my own) to be with. There was an abundance of food and drinking! I was royally spoiled by everyone. It was also so great to receive so many Christmas cards from home! Over the holidays we went to Niklas's parent's work Christmas party. We stayed in a really nice hotel with a nice spa we got to enjoy the next day. We also went to a really nice place for a very traditional German meal (pretzels, beer, stomping on benches...etc.). Such a great time! I also went to a Christmas party at the townhall with my good friend Jasmin and her parents. It was so much fun!!! Christmas Eve consisted of a brunch with some family friends and their little guys. Then I made Christmas morning breakfast (which needs to sit over night and is sooooo good the next day). Niklas and I took his Opa to church and when we got home we were greeted with Raclette which is the same concept as fondue, but with a little grill on the table and also little pans you can cook stuff in (which you melt cheese on top). It's actually really hard to describe so the best I can say is google it! It was a good time for sure! After that we opened gifts - so great! As I said I was definitely spoiled. I'm so fortunate to be with such a loving, warm, amazing family! I can't say enough good things about them. All of the things they've given me since I've been here (not only material) I could never repay with all the money in the world! They take in, essentially a stranger (well not to Niklas obviously) and from day one, treat me as family. It definitely made being away from my own loved ones so much easier through the holidays. I did miss my parents and everyone so much, as I do on a regular basis. Ok Ok back to Christmas....so later that night we went to the bar. Yes, bar. And Christmas Day too!! It's not traditional, persay, but MANY people are there. I guess the one thing that I've really learned about German people is that they LOVE to have a good time. I don't mean as in getting wasted and that, but just being super social. They are always up for going out (rain or shine!). Ohhhhhhhh I'm forgetting one of the BEST things about Germany this time of year! The Christmas Markets!!! From the day they first opened, Niklas told me he would take me to two each week and he was pretty spot on. They are in all the small towns. I would say the one thing I'm very amazed at is how more German aren't fat. The Christmas markets essentially consisted of LOTS of food. LOTS of food being fries, sausage, deep fried other stuff and gluhwein. Hmmm.... gluhwein is a hot Christmas wine which.... I'm not really fond of. I guess it's more of an acquired taste.

Santa and his extremely creepy helper with no face who apparently visits the bad kids....terrifying

(Osnabruck Christmas Market)

Above and below, also Osnabruck Christmas Market

My advent calendar! Each bag had a little charm in it that I could put on a necklace or bracelet

"Family" Christmas picture visiting an Aunt and Uncle from Niklas

Over the holidays there was also New Years Eve, which Niklas decided to have another party at the house and invited some people over. It was really nice to hang out at home and party in the deele (the deele is like a garage, but not). I will say the one MAJOR difference from NYE here and NYE at home are the fireworks. I seriously couldn't believe that literally every person in Germany lights off fireworks and not just at midnight, they start before, but obviously most happen at midnight. It was a really great thing to be able to start 2014 here in Germany!