5 months (freak out)

Yes, my wonderful blog-watchers, the five month milestone has come and passed, all while I was tucked up in bed with a sore throat, head ache and other aches in my joints. And a blocked nose. Think that's the worst, cos it means that when you wake up your mouth feels all funny...okay, it does for me, I don't know about the rest of you. Anyway, for the last few days I've stayed in bed, sleeping and reading (unfortunately the book I'm reading is rather depressive and doesn't really put me in the best frame of mind). But onto better things!

Last weekend I went to Munich. I really really really like Munich. Now I know I'Ve probably said it alot, but it such an amazing city. Reminds me of Brisbane. Big, but still small enough to manage, industrial but has beautiful parks and monuments, has all these historical parts, but still really modern (and expensive) stores, boutiques, etc. I have also completely conquered the public transport system... it really isn't that bad. And like everyone says, everything really is well signed, you just have to look...

So early Saturday morning we (my family) awoke (they were also going to Munich (saving me from taking the train) because of an EF meeting for Hannah, which was extremely convenient) and were on the road. I met Siggy 2 hours later and we bummed around Munich, not really doing anything in particular. Then it was time to go to the soccer match. But we went on the wrong metro. haha, it was amusing. it's hard to explain how we did it, but we noticed eventually. Anyway, we got off at the next stop and waited for the next one. (by this stage, the match had already started). We made it to the Olympic Stadium (ooh, historical note here: it was the last FC Bayern match at that stadium cos they've just built their own stadium somewhere else...and needed to build a whole new metro stop for it too!) Anyhoo, we certainly weren't the last to arrive. We took our seats among the red crowd (Siggy didn't have any red so wore green...said she was neutral). The seats weren't bad. Close, but not a very good angle (hehe, or angle in German 'winkle'. Isn't it sweet?) But I got some good photos and the crowd was great, all 63 000 of them! No crazy hooligans vaulting over barbed wire, throwing fire bottles, or weilding knives. And then that night Sig and I met Frau Holtermanns (our EF co ordinator) and had dinner in this typically German restaurant. They had a band and everything, in their lederhosen and hats. teehehe, also got a cool picture of that. Then Sig and I went to her new home (a really nice family, she's going much better, now) and stayed the night. The next day we went back to Munich (haha, having to RUN to the train) and then we decided to go to the Neue Pinacotek (art museum). Saw Renior, Renat (I forget his name; I'm just making it up, now. You know...'waterlilies' and something else) and the dude who painted the 'Sunflowers'. I took a few photos of some. We then had a couple of hours until our respective trains departed so we decided to go to the Alte Pinacotek. Man, that one is huuuuge. But so many were of the same style and subject, it quickly got tiring. But some were soo big, I wondered how they moved them hundreds of years ago. We made it back to the main station, and after a small panic about the trains, I made it home. So all in all, a really great weekend.

Ahhh, yes. Yesterday I also tried on this tradtional German dress which was quite nice. I took some photos and when I develop them I'll send a few home. Ofcourse, I was sick, so I don't really look too happy. (and my hair was a bit wacky, but it's me in a funny dress so laugh).

I hope all those going to WIntermoon have a good time. Sorry, Mo, you'll just have to enjoy it for me. Weird that it's a year already. I remember having my German dictionary with me trying to translate my 'Monthly Mailings' which were in German. And furiously learning physics. And me trying to help Nathaniel who was trying to ride a uni-cycle. hahaha, that was funny. Viel Spaß!!

I hope the musical goes well...whoa, also many flashbacks. Hope all those Uni people are going well with their Uni stuff.

Love, Alicia

Frühlings

Guten Tag alle Leute,

Heute ist nicht ein schöner Tag, weil es regnet ist. Shade. Aber, es macht nichts. Okay, I haven't really got anything interesting or exciting to say. Last Thursday the school had a concert and I got a lovely surprise. It was the last concert for all the 13 graders and at the end there was a little ceremony where they got their names called out and they walked to the ront of the hall dooby and got a rose (ooooh), a framed certificate congratualating them for the great musicianship-ness in the choir/orchestra/stage band/whatever and a card. Add to my surprise I got one too! (cos it was my first and last concert). And ofcourse I got the introductory speech of 'Our Australian host-student...' (collective sounds of exclimation from the audience, straining to see me and, perhaps, how different I looked...think they were disappointed that I didn't have an australian flag tatooed on my forehead, or kangaroo feet or something), but I got this big cheer from all the girls in my class, and everyone else who didn't know me, just because we exchange students are sooooo special and cool, and should always be celebrated. : ) yeah. that was nice. And in the card was a gift voucher of 15 euros (= $30 AUD) ! sweeeeet.

This weekend I'm going to Munich for 'ein Fußball spielen', I'm watching one, not actually playing soccer myself. FC Bayern (Munich team) who are really good. Will probably go off (though fear not, probably not in manner of english-soccer-match-fans-going-beserk) I'm going with Sigrid and staying with her. And in three weeks (! time has snuck away) I'm off to Hamburg. Woohoo. Very exciting. Have to stay there an extra night (with Siggy) cos the bloody trains trains were booked out (yes, all of them!)

Ahhh, just saw email inbow. overwhelmed by a heap of junk mail ('exclusive' protection...pfff, whatever) -- 'NO! I don't want FastHomeLoans, or 'little blue pills''.

Wow, can't believe a band is coming from Victoria to Yeppoon/Rockhampton. What a killer of a road trip. Ofcourse, thinking about it, a plane would be more practical. Either way, hope all involved has fun.

Naja, can't really think of anything to say. Ellen, I know totally what you mean re the churches and cathedrals and the not appreciating-ness-ness of the locals.

Okay, bye everyone!
(oh yeah, almost 5 months here!)

Alicia xxx

Letters, hurrah for letters

Okay, well I haven't recieved all the ones people have SAID they've sent, but they should arrive soon. Maya, thank you sooooo soooooo much. The photos, the bracelets (how tiny do you think my writsts ARE?!!!) were fantastic. (sigh) looking at my / our Shrooms bracelet. I will try to send a reply via snail mail soon (And to Grace too). Yes, and Josie and Lauren, tho I might wait for yours to arrive first so I can be informes of going ons. I don't think I have many (actually ANY) photos of my here in Germany. Well, okay, I have one, but it's bad so I thought I might send it to my family. And all the others with me in it are with strangers, so I don't think you'd appreciate that. I'll work on it, okay?

School's back. Totally sucks getting up early after a lovely two weeks of sleeping in. I still, and will always, maintain that Mondays suck.

I'm here in the 'Bibliotek'....whoop, the bell has rung. But I think I've got another spare. yay. and then orchestra. and home. and then 'Deutsch lernen' yay for me.

got to go.

love.