Lost in translation...

Learning a new language will obviously lead to some mistakes. Ok MANY mistakes. Take for example when I wanted to ask Nik's dad how he made the delicious chicken we enjoyed for dinner, I ended up asking him what sound a chicken makes. Joy. Everyone got a good laugh - I was insulted and red-faced. I know I really need to just take it as it is and laugh along. It's just frustrating at times - I want to be FLUENT! I want to be able to have meaningful conversations with people here, not just the, "Hi how are you?" that I can have now. Baby steps, baby steps. Rome wasn't built overnight. (<- is="" p="" saying="" that="" the="">
I went to my first European fooßball game! It was.... what I would have expected - crazy fans all pumped up on sausage and beer. I went with Niklas' parents. We went to the University to park and took the tram to the stadium. When we got there we had a sausage and some pommes with a beer. Took our seats. Did the song thing before the game to pump everyone up. The other team had their own section - it was very isolated, as not to start a riot I guess. Nik's mom told me that the other team's fans come in with buses, escorted by police. As soon as the game started the other team lit fireworks and it was on. Well not really. It kind of just ended with the fireworks. But it was still some excitement. There was more excitement when the game started - one of the best players on the team was seriously injured. From what I understand today, he fractured his skull and eye socket - ouch. The team we went to cheer for, Arminia Bielefeld, I'd say, was comparable to the Leafs - if you understand that, you'll understand how good the team was. They lost 3-0. It was a great first experience! Niklas' brother was also there - he was in the crazy fan part. If I am to go again, I'll want to go with him just to have that kind of experience. It looked pretty crazy (and FUN!).

This past week there was a holiday on Thursday which meant no school Thursday and Friday - long weekend! However, I lost a day at work but made up for it by substituting Wednesday night. I also picked up another class Friday afternoons teaching children! Slowly but surely I'm getting busier and busier. Wednesday night we went into Bielefeld to party to a club called 'Elephant'. It was definitely different from any of the clubs I've gone to before. It was much more 'upper class'. Girls wore heels there - not just sneakers (which apparently is totally acceptable here - girls all dressed up wearing chucks - I don't get it!!!!) Anywhooooo.... Germans will be Germans (and I just need to get used to it).

I'm really looking forward to the coming weeks - Oktoberfest, I want to make a traditional Thanksgiving for Nik's family (since they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here), and it's Niklas' birthday at the end of the month! Many fun times ahead! xo

Before the game next to the field with Nik's mom

One of the German food groups - Beer, fries with mayo and sausage (not on a bun, small dinner roll on the side) Nik's mom and dad

 



The fireworks from the other team - their very small section

The crazy fan section for Arminia (Bielefeld's soccer team)

 



 

Again, the other team

 

The soccer game - there were only 18000 people in attendance (the stadium holds something like 25000?) Jaaaa!

 



Ich heiße Mandy...

Hallo! Wie geht's? Ich heiße Mandy.... well my first week of German class is over. It's HARD. I mean HARD! There are soooo many random grammar things in German - like making a word plural. You can't just add an 's' ... no nooo. You need to either add an e, er, make a ü or Ä.... etc. This is going to take some getting used to. Also everything that's a noun is either masculine, feminine or neutral - so you need to remember what is what because it makes everything change - as in French but some of the things in French that are masculine, etc. aren't the same. Why it would  be masculine in one language and not another is beyond me. Obviously just to confuse me. I'm taking German Monday to Friday for 4 hours every morning. The teacher ONLY speaks German so you can imagine how awesome that was on the first day when she was trying to talk to me, ONLY in German, my response, I'm sorry I don't understand what you're saying. There are people from all over in my class - Mexico, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Russia - so even if the teacher spoke English, not everyone even understands English! Ohhhh mann.. I actually think it's ok though. A lot of times I just nod in agreement but I'm picking up A LOT which is fabulous! In no time I'll be fluent... *fingers crossed*

I'm also teaching English. I have one class and just picked up another so that's fabulous. All of my documents with my visa and working permit have been submitted so now it's a matter of waiting to see if they'll let me stay... haha... *fingers crossed* I'm so lucky Nik's mom has been a HUGE help - without her I'm not sure what I'd do. She's made so many calls to various offices, printed off so many things, translated so many things, taken me here and there and everywhere to get this all straightened out. I can't thank her enough.

What have I been doing lately? Well seeing as Niklas is almost always working I've spent a great deal of time with his parents. They've taken me to a few different markets in Bielefeld which were really nice to get fresh produce! There are a lot of similarities here as far as that goes but there are some differences too. Everything here is just foreign. I'm getting used to it. Hell I'm even driving all over now (thanks to the GPS button that says 'Home'). I can even go to the grocery store alone now - which took a lot of self convincing haha... I'm not sure if I'm just a super paranoid person but anytime I go out and can't speak the language (I experienced the same feelings in Korea) I panic a little if someone tries to talk to me. I always feel anxious - slowly I'm getting used to saying to people 'English' but luckily many people are able to respond - in English. If not sign language has come in handy - obviously not proper sign language haha... but when I want to order meat from the deli I can just point and use my hand to show how much I want.

At this point I've felt homesick a few times, naturally. I miss my mom (and dad). I miss my friends and everyone. The one night I was sitting outside of Nik's house, looking out into the field and I got super sad because I can't just get in the car and go visit anyone. I'm making friends here. I've actually met a few really awesome people! Like I said before, Nik's family and friends have all been so welcoming and amazing. I really like them! His little brother Lukas is now mein kleiner bruder. It's getting to the point when I'm out alone I'll see people I know, it's very 'small town' where I'm living.

Last week I went and got my dirndl for Oktoberfest! Niklas bought it for me! :) It's red and green... a bit 'Christmasy' but I fell in love with it when I put it on. It's so süß! I can't wait to wear it. We're going in a couple weeks to the small town next to Nik's to celebrate Oktoberfest. We're not going to any of the bigger cities but I guess there will be about 2000-2500 people where we're going, so not small! I can't wait!!

Everyday I feel like there's something I want to write about but it's  hard to just sit down and blog it. Now that school has started I'm doing homework and preparing for teaching. I had gotten into a good groove of walking/jogging in the woods near Nik's but it's getting colder out now and the motivation has dwindled... it's really nice here. I find it funny because so many times when people ask where I'm from and I say Canada they say "Oh it's sooo beautiful there" - I guess they're picturing B.C. or something because if I showed them a picture of Essex County they probably wouldn't be so excited!

I rode with Niklas in the tractor today :) It was nice to spend time with him while he was working. They're hardcore harvesting potatoes right now so he's working non-stop. Literally. A few weekends ago he worked 25hours - straight (is that even legal?). I'm hoping in a month or so it'll slow down so we can do more - we talked about going to Amsterdam, which is only like 3 hours away from where he lives! :D Seeing as I'm in Germany and everything is close I want to definitely hit up some different countries. In time. At this point I have no plan to go home - that will obviously change if my visa doesn't go through, but again *fingers crossed*. I'm so glad and fortunate to be here, learning a new language, meeting new people, seeing a new place, and best of all being with Niklas.

The pictures are a bit random. Below is Niklas and I at Blasheimer Markt

One of the markets that Niklas' parents took me to in Bielefeld. Lots of fresh produce, flowers, etc.

 



Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love dip - we got some pineapple curry, spicy/sweet something delicious and hummus.

Typical German street

 

 

Another market his parents took me to that had all these bottles with different liquors in them you could fill small containers for gifts

 

 

Hannelore (Nik's mom) and I at Blasheimer Markt in the beer tent

 

Hannelore and I at the Wine Markt in Bielefeld

 

Last night I went out with a new friend to a Mexican restaurant in Bunde - another town about 20 minutes from where I'm living. I've been there with Nik's parents as well. It's in an old train station. So cute. If you haven't tried Salitos with Tequila - you need to. After we went to another markt in the streets. It was great! Seeing as it was late the vendors were closed but there were different parties in the streets with music and beer. The little things like that here are so cool. It's so much easier going than in Canada. You can drink in the streets and it's just a ton of fun!







Weinmarkt, Crown building, disco parties and more...

What an eventful week I've had. It seems like a blur right now. Niklas' parents are home from holidays and have been amazing all week - taking me places, helping to sort out all of my documents to stay here, showing me new things, and more! I can't stress how wonderful they are!

On Thursday night we ventured to the biggest fair in the area http://blasheimermarkt.de/ There were tons of rides, tons of 'fair food', a massive beer tent with entertainment, carnival games, fire works - all that you'd expect but more. 'Fair food' in Germany consists of a variety of things - fries (obviously with mayo), sausages, delicious pork on buns, crepes, etc. They had a bunch of little booths set up for drinking beer. It was just a great experience there. I can't even really compare it to anything back home because it was just better (and no I'm not being biased because I'm loving my German experience, it just was better. Period.)

 

 Huge Ferris Wheel

 

 

Overlooking the fair from the Ferris Wheel

 

 

This week I was also invited - with Niklas - to go, what Niklas told me before we left to "build something" with some farmers. I had NO idea what to expect and it was actually super cool. Apparently here (not sure if it's all of Germany or just this area?) the young farmers are responsible for building a 'crown' of sorts to present at Thanksgiving to the church. There were probably a dozen of us there, up in the barn loft, listening to music, drinking beers and assembling this 'crown'. Below I've posted a picture of ours and a picture of what it looks like (since our picture is a little dark). It was so nice to see all these people working together to bring this whole thing together!

Our crown above and a different version below

 



 

Last night was the first time I have actually been to a 'disco'. It was packed and there were tons of rooms with all different kinds of music. It was a good time. Met some new people. Dranks lots of free beer (it was 6 euro all you can drink beer), drank some jager - obviously. It was a good night out!

Today I spent the day with Nik's parents - he was working. They took me into Bielefeld to the Weinmarkt. It was a wine festival that was in the 'old' city. It's so beautiful here. http://www.bielefeld.de/en/attractions/highlightsc/ We drank some nice white wine, ate some delicious treats and people watched. We also did some shopping at one of the malls in the 'new' city area. The picture below is from the Bielefeld website that just shows a little bit of what the wine festival looked like.

 

This week I also got my first piece of mail! Haha...I get excited for mail when I'm in Canada, can you imagine how pumped I was, after only being here two weeks to get 'post'! It was a letter from my school for when I'll be starting class. Only thing I need is 15 Euro for the book. It's free for me to take German classes here (possibly because I'm taking it through the school I'll be teaching at?) Monday to Friday, 830-1230 . Needless to say I was excited for mail, but am even more excited to start class! :) I went to the library here and got a library card - yay! Why you say? Well obviously to take out some children books! Nik's mom came with me and she found one that's perfect - tons of different categories all laid out with pictures and the word next to it. We started going through them but after two pages I was so extremely tongue tied we took a break. Ohhhh Germany! Ich liebe dich! xo





Oh my baking adventures....

Well I'm currently in the midst of what I'd consider THE ultimate humiliating experience - baking for the first time in Germany. I just keep reminding myself that, this like many more hiccups I'll experience, is to make me laugh - not get upset. Who gets upset over a bad batch of cookies?! THIS GIRL! As absolutely ridiculous as that sounds I pride myself on baking some of the best cookies...and whatever keeps emerging from the oven here is....interesting. Apparently my converting/measuring/mixing/different ingredients combo has offered up some flat, burnt, cloud looking mounds of... I don't even know....perhaps the dog will appreciate them?

As I said, this is just another minor difference in this past week and a half. Other experiences I've had thus far: difference between bread and toast....no not toast from the toaster. I guess in Germany they consider the white/brown Dempster type bread usually kids adore as 'toast' for the toaster.
'Normal water' here is (to me) not normal at all - it's sparkling mineral water. I believe it's called natural water....which how adding bubbles to water is natural is beyond me... For all the things I'd consider 'different', 'strange', etc I'm sure Nik's family/friends are wondering what planet I came from with eating Ketchup on everything, wanting to drink the tap water, putting mayonnaise on my 'toast' when eating sandwiches, etc. Mayonnaise from what I've seen is what you dip your 'pommes' - fries in NOT for a sandwich condiment. They also wonder why I don't slather my bread with margarine. I swear the delicious cheese and meat and mounds of carbs I'm eating everyday here is going to be the death of me...or more like me rolling back to Canada.

I'm still adjusting to everything and loving it - I'm lucky to have Nik's family to help me along the way. His mother has been wonderful in helping me sort my paper work and get all the appropriate documents together to work - which I've gotten a job as a freelance teacher. Hopefully this is just the beginning. I'd love to hopefully find something fulltime. I will also start German classes the end of September which I'm very excited to start! In the mean time I'll hopefully get a bit better at getting out and actually exploring... I'm considering taking the bike - drahtesel - wire donkey out. Yes Nik and his friends have some slang word they say which literally translated means wire donkey... Oh Germany. Ich liebe dich xo

GERMANY... yet another adventure!

For those of you who have been asking for updates on things....well here it is (from the beginning)...

From the first time that I met Niklas I wanted to go back to Germany with him - however, only knowing a person for a day and wanting to travel across the world with them is 1. extremely creepy 2. extremely aggressive 3. extremely unlikely. Well....6 months later here I am! Who woulda thought?! Actually forget that I asked that because anyone who knows me, knows this is something pretty typical of my spontaneous, aggressively creepy nature! (haha...kidding?)

Since about May I had been emailing different recruiting agencies in Germany and having little success. They all wanted me to know German - which as I'm learning is not so easy. Sure many words sound the same, are similar in nature, but let's not even get into the grammar and proper pronunciation of words...yikes! In July, Niklas and I travelled to Punta Cana where oddly enough we met some nice German people, one of which said she'd help me find a job! How amazing! When we were all finished our vacation she called around different schools for me (that were close to Nik's house) and she ended up landing an interview for me! I was so extremely happy and thankful for this kind gesture of a virtual stranger (sure we shared some great times in Punta Cana - but she really went out of her way to help me, something I will always cherish). I have my interview tomorrow (Tuesday) so I will see how it all works out (fingers crossed)!

Going back, again, a little. Niklas went back to Germany July 29th :( As soon as he left I naturally felt a little lost without him. He's such a great person, one who I was just not ready to say goodbye to. Sooooo....after weighing MANY options and thinking of every possible life scenario, I decided it was worth a shot to travel across the globe to be with him. We had talked about it many times before and his parents said I was welcome to live with them. After having broke the news to my parents the August long weekend, I got back to London the holiday Monday night, booked my one way ticket and went to work Tuesday and gave them my two weeks notice. The next two weeks would prove to be demanding, from organizing all of my documents, to tying up the loose ends on a few things, to even packing, it was all rushed and tiresome - obviously worth it though! As I laid many nights awake in the two weeks before I left I just kept thinking over and over of what my dad said to me when I asked him what he thought of my decision - life is all about taking risks and if you don't take the risk, you'll never know....YOU CAN ALWAYS COME HOME! It's so true! I pretty much have no major commitments that were holding me in London and if I can make a decent job situation out of teaching English here, why not do it?! Not to mention I get to be with Nik :)

My journey was a long one - starting from early morning-ish travels to Toronto with some great people (family friends who were bringing their daughter to the airport for her to start her own amazing journey- exchange in France!) I'm so thankful that the transportation arrangements worked out so wonderfully! My dad picked me up from the airport to hang out for a bit since I had a long wait (flight wasn't until 1035pm). It was so great to see him before I left- sad my mom couldn't be there. Saying 'goodbye' to him was the first time I actually cried about leaving- everything had just been overwhelming and it was finally hitting me that I was LEAVING! As soon as I got to the airport there seemed to be hiccup after hiccup- but thankfully nothing major. The flight over was awful, so much turbulence, ignorant neighbours, no sleep, bloody nose, TOO HOT air....it was awesome to land! But then another wait and short flight. Seeing Nik in Frankfurt was so great! Finally we were back together! I felt like I was in a dream though- having been so tired from everything. I told him I felt like I was in a movie. Everything here is obviously so different. Having never travelled to Europe, I figured this would be the case, but it's back to learning new things all over again- atleast it's not AS bad as arriving in Korea - all my baggage made it this time, nothing was broken or lost. I got to his house and his parents had made me a welcome sign, him and his brother even hung a Canadian flag on the flagpole outside of their house- talk about feeling so welcome!! It was great to finally meet his family! We shared a few beers, chatted and then finally I slept. The next morning we ate breakfast together on the patio and I unpacked. In the afternoon there was a soccer tournament Niklas and his brother played in. I went to watch with his parents. It was a beautiful day, we drank lots of beer together and I was able to chat with many people. It's funny because everyone I meet says they can't speak English, but they can. Everyone that I have met here has made me feel so welcome! I'm extremely lucky that I've come into such a great situation. My only obstacle, thus far, is the job situation, which as I said, I'm hoping to figure out this week. I know there will be other obstacles with language and being homesick, not having a clue where I'm going, not to mention driving - when I get the courage to do so...the roads here are unbelievably narrow- so much so I could consider them all one lane practically! At the end of the day though I'm sticking to getting the most out of this experience, it's a risk that so many people who I've talked to before coming here were envious of - and I'm so fortunate to be able to do this and have such a great support system here and back home - I can't express how kind and generous his family has already been to me!! Home is always just a phone call away! xo *hoping to post pictures soonish*

"PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT" - Love, Me

It's been a long while since I've written. Being at home has definitely been a whirlwind adventure! I have had my ups and downs these past 4 months. It actually is a lot of work readjusting to things back home. Catching up with family and friends. Getting reaquainted with all the favorite things I missed so dearly (in my case Cheez Whiz, all the clothes and shoes I couldn't afford to take in my luggage, etc.) I feel like nothing has changed in a way, but so much actually has. It's been pretty sad not finding a good job. Having to move back into my parent's basement after having my own sweet apartment- well that takes getting used to too. I'm actually living in London (ONTARIO- for all of those who are thinking England...) with my cousin for now, which has been nice. Every weekend has consisted pretty much of heading out of town- to Port Perry or Windsor. Busy busy!!

I will now get to the point of this post...I want to start by saying I've been giving this a lot of thought the last week or so. I don't want pity for having written about this. It's the teacher in me coming out and if I can help one person by posting it, then I feel I've done alright. It's educational and well, since I can't get a teaching job, I guess I'll start doing it on my own! ....

I have recently been diagnosed with Melanoma - aka skin cancer. The reason I'm writing about this is because if it wasn't for my persistance, I would still be in the dark about it and who knows how much longer it would have grown for! I had a funny little spot on my shin (where in most cases with women that's where it starts- common there and also on the back, men it's mostly the back). I brought it to the attention of my doctor who said it didn't look like anything to be concerned about, but if I felt more comfortable she would take what they call a punch of it (a piece). I had this gut feeling that she should just do it- thank goodness. She continued to reassure me that she was positive it was nothing after she had taken it and had to put in a little stitch. She was more concerned that I would be left with a scar where she had to take the piece. Thank goodness though! She called a week later to tell me the news. Malignant Melanoma. Now, as I previously stated, I don't want pity. I wasn't even sure it was anyone else's business. I asked my good friend if I should even write this. I'm still a bit torn on the subject but figured what could it hurt? I'm 27, relatively healthy. Who would have thought?! If you ever have a concern about something that doesn't feel right, ASK YOUR DOCTOR and be PERSISTANT! I wouldn't have considered myself to be a person who loved the sun. Ya I like a tan. Tanned in booths throughout University. Not all the time. Apparently enough though. I guess throughout all this I'm trying to stay positive (thanks to great support of my loving family and friends). I am getting a relatively big piece (toonie sized) of my shin taken out. I still need to see a specialist and will forever now be monitored for anything else (which I have other concerns but have to wait to talk to someone else). It's frustrating. Scary. All the above. As the title of this post states though, this is my public service announcement. I want everyone I know to pass it on- never be afraid to insist on something you're not comfortable with to your doctor. If they blow you off, see someone else. Check for any irregular spots on your body. There are tests you can do (change in size, irregular borders, color, etc.) I always lived with the mentality that so many other people do - "Won't happen to me!" Well this time it did. Thank goodness though I was smart enough to follow through with my instincts! Always trust yourself.

Bittersweet farewell to my love - Korea! xo

Sitting in the Incheon Airport waiting to start my journey home, I thought it only appropriate that I blog about my departure after having spent the last year of my life on this adventure (the reason I started this blog in the first place!)

It's been a whirlwind of emotions, sometimes sad, happy, exciting, depressing, all the above! I have definitely become a different person - both outward and inward. I have a new look on life, different cultures, travelling, meeting new people, and just getting out of my comfort zone. As a wise man said (my father), I have become richer (spiritually). I've actually become richer, both financially and spiritually, but there's no way that someone could even begin to put a price on the latter.

I want to thank Korea- yes, the whole country. I appreciate so much more. I appreciate attempts people make and the kindness, compassion, and patience they have had for me in their country. Leaving today, I still can't speak Korean. I can't even read it (shame on me). I know many words and phrases that have helped me along the way, but still. Most days are a struggle, but I've gotten by on the kindness of strangers who have helped me either translate or guided me with their sign/body language. I feel like I've finally gotten to the point where I can understand a lot based on words I've picked up and situations I've been in. It's a pretty good feeling.

I want to thank my family and friends- both old and new. There are people that I've met here in Korea I'll never forget. My children that I've taught. Not only was this my first official year teaching, but in a foreign land. I will never forget them, how could I?! They are all so beautiful!!~
My new friends/co-workers have been so great. There are some key people that I have fallen in love with, you know who you are- Helping me along the way from being homesick and needing a hug, to needing a partner in crime to cause fun trouble with. Memories I'll never forget.
Thanks to those back home for the postcards, packages, late night phone calls/Skype sessions- all of your love has been appreciated and very much needed this past year. It got me through the times I didn't think I was strong enough to make it through the year!- Now yes, I know, it was "only a year" as so many people have said, however, I dare you to come to the other side of the world, alone, not knowing the language, the country, the people....my year ended up feeling like a couple weeks in the end, I actually don't want to leave! I've fallen in love~

I have travelled, not extensively, but it's been wonderful to venture away from Korea and see other places like Thailand and Indonesia. It's been eye opening to different cultures and ways of life. I've certainly become more tolerable and patient, which I hope sticks when I return home. I've been the minority in a country where it's every man for himself (with millions of people in such a small metropolitan area, either you sink or swim- especially in the crowded subways, shopping complexes, etc.)

I've been in Korea at a time when I didn't know if I was safe. Sure, as so many people have said, the war between North and South has been going on for years, but this last year proved to be different. There was the sinking of the Cheonan and the bombing of Yeonpyeong Island. The environments around me were uneasy. I was getting emails from the Canadian Embassy in Seoul asking to be sure we were prepared to leave in a case of an emergency. I've grown up in Canada which is so peaceful yet now I was in the middle of something I clearly had no control over. I will say this though- what goes on between North and South has NOTHING to do with the fact that Korea is probably the safest place one could ever travel to.

I can easily say this was the most interesting year of my life. I've gotten out of my "box"- the comfort zone so many people are afraid to leave. I have faced some of my fears and feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. As much as this is now the end of my journey here, it's just the beginning of what I hope will be many more years filled with adventure, new places, and experiences. People keep asking me how I feel about leaving. The best I can come up with is bittersweet. I miss my friends and family back home. I miss driving and the little things I took for granted having at my disposal whenever I wanted. However, I will now miss all new things- Kimchi, K.Pop, Soju, my babies, my FRIENDS, running for buses, endless rainy summer nights, ajummas pushing me off the sidewalks, using chopsticks at every meal, chamchi kimbap, chamchi and egg sandwiches, my OWN apartment, $10 purse lady, the list is endless. No doubt in my mind I'll be back here one day, either to vist or teach again. It's just too good to give up yet!!!!~

I love you Korea - DAEHANMINGUK!!! ^^