The Affection of a German Class While Ice Skating

This week was the hardest one I've had here in Germany. It's the first time I think I was noticeably homesick. Chances are you see that I posted two blogs today; this one and "Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend." On Monday when I returned from Münich I discovered a close Friend had passed away on Saturday morning. I won't go into the details since I wrote the memorial blog.

But I will expand a little on my "family." I have a constantly growing family feeling. It never ceases to amaze me how easily I can get to know people and quickly consider them family. I think this song best describes it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjO1F6oCab8

My family has grown even more here in Germany and I am truly grateful for it. They have really been a great help at dealing with the passing this past week.

I tried to keep my head up and continue life as normal.

Wednesday I headed down to the Ice rink with my class. We had a good time, and it was very comical watching everyone on their skates.

 These kids really have grown on me. I never thought I could actually enjoy working in the school. But as time goes on I came to adjust and really enjoy my time. I feel a connection between with them. Maybe it's because we are all ausland students, or even it's the closeness in age. I think its because I give them a mutual respect, and push them to do more. I could simply give them the answers to their questions and let them go. But how do they learn then. I often wonder if they are really content to be simple laborers for the rest of their lives. Or if they believe that is all they can achieve, if they just need that push to be better to learn more to unlock possibilities. I feel that somehow I have inspired one of the students with my time there.

Later that day I had a meeting with the GIZ representative for NRW. Just a simple how are you doing, is there anything you need help with, is your living situation ok.... so on and so forth. She informed me that she was a little surprised I got the internship with the police. Apparently others had tried and always been turned down. I'm the first student to get accepted for a long internship. I'm also the first who went on a state hunt, and as far as we know the first participant to go hunting at all in Germany. I know this year we have a few people who are going; just yesterday Kyle (yall remember kyle) went hunting down in Saarbrucken.

After the interviews the group of us went out to the christmas market and a bar for casual conversation. Cole and Nancy joined us in Münster for these interviews so they where along.

We decided to also check out the Münster hall of peace for a audio tour. Very interesting history, by far my favorite is this....

Woodwork

and This petrified hand. 

After a drink with everyone we parted ways, even though they were going to stay in town for another couple hours I had to leave. I had been invited to the apartment of my tandem partner Johanna for a glühwien drinking evening. After some trouble finding the house, I wrote the house number as 6 (which was a bakery) instead of 16. The evening was very enjoyable I made some new friends, and had lots of conversation in German, YAY. 

Friday was our last day of class before the break, we had a Christmas Breakfast within our class. A light breakfast and conversation was greatly appreciated. By all of us. 

As we sat there, and talked about our plans for the break, one of the girls asked if I would be returning after the break. I was surprised at how quickly the whole table was quiet, waiting for the answer. As I told them that I would probably be there until February, and then move to the Police, a feeling of sadness was detectable. They all had the I'm happy for you but do you really have to go look in their eyes. ... I told you I thought I was making some kind of difference here.

Saturday I finished my Christmas shopping, got the gifts wrapped, and placed them under the Weihnachtsstern in my room. We have a tree but we won't decorate it until Monday, so they will live here until then.                                                                                                                                                                                  I'm still waiting to hear that the package I sent home made it safe and sound. Hopefully also before Christmas, even though I'm doubtful. 

Today is a relaxed day for me, just sitting around finishing these blogs. Later I will be going to my Host moms Christmas concert. Then after hopefully talking to the coffman clan back home, since I haven't talked to them in a while, and with the loss considered. 

To everyone I wish a safe and warm Christmas and a Joyous new years. I'll probably wright a short blog on Christmas and post the Advent calendar I made. 

As always,

Cody A Glick