‘Tis The Season

2 December: I woke up at 11 am and really just relaxed. I didn’t have anything specific to do, so I rode my bike to the city center and did some shopping and looked at all the Christmas things. Then, I tried to go to the library to work on some school work, but I didn’t know that you’re not allowed to bring your backpack into the library, so when I walked in, the man took a tone with me that made me want to cry. So I left and went to Dunkin Donuts instead. I stayed there for 3 hours and looked at some travel stuff and really just procrastinated my day away. Then, I went to the city market square and met 4 friends from my American Studies class and we all went to the Christmas Market together. It was so much fun talking with them and learning about their culture and Christmas traditions (they are 2 Italians and 2 Germans) and of course, the markets in Germany are amazing. After the market, I went to my English speaking theater group and as always it was so much fun! Right now I just have a tiny part with only 2 or 3 lines, but my directors said soon, I will get a really big part and I am so excited to see what they have in store for me! After our rehearsal, we went to a café and just talked and got hot chocolate. I’m really glad I’ve managed to integrate myself into the group so I actually feel like I am apart of it. When I arrived back to where my bike was parked, I found out somebody had stolen my bike helmet! I was so mad and scared of what I would tell my host parents. I decided not to worry about it too much and I watched a Christmas movie and then went to bed.

3 December: I slept in this day and really did nothing productive the entire morning. I watched a movie or two and just kind of dinked around until I went upstairs at 2 and I talked with my host mom for about an hour which was really good. It’s not very often that we have the chance to just talk without kids around so we could actually have a full uninterrupted conversation. I told her about my stolen bike helmet and thankfully she wasn’t mad at me, but rather at the person who stole it. Shortly after Oma Edith and Opa Kalli came over and they picked up the older boy from kindergarten. We had cake and coffee for my host mom’s birthday. We ate really delicious cheesecake. Then I went with the younger boy to his children’s gymnastics class. This was the first time we went together by ourselves and my first time pulling the trailer with my bike and both went really great! I think it’s always better when his mom isn’t there because I am the only person he has to entertain him, so we can actually be with each other. Sometimes it’s a little intimidating for me to be the only person speaking English surrounded by so many people speaking German. Especially around so many moms, so if my kid does something they don’t like, or if their kid does something I don’t like, we can’t really communicate that to each other. Also, sometimes the “coach” tries to talk to me as well and I get kind of flustered. It’s a slight stimulation overload for me. When the class was over, we were in the locker room area and the boy fell and he was crying so loud and everybody was staring at me and they were trying to help me and I was so embarrassed. One of the moms tried to help me but she spoke to me in English and I felt so stupid and helpless and embarrassed and that was kind of a weak moment. When he finally stopped crying though, all was well and we were able to ride home with no problems. We ate dinner together and then my host parents went out for my host mom’s birthday and I put the boys to bed. For some reason, they were so well behaved and they got ready for bed so quickly with no issues. I was really happy about that. I would classify this as a good day, of course. I stayed up until about 2 AM watching Christmas movies because I am in the holiday spirit.

4 December: I woke up early with practically no issues. I didn’t have to fight myself to wake up which isn’t always the case for me, as you have previously read. I rode my bike to my creative writing and free speech class and there were only 6 of us in our class that is supposed to have 20 or so. I really like my teacher and friends in that class, so it’s really enjoyable. After class, I talked to my friend Anna from Canada for a while and then I went to the library and worked on school work and did some planning. Then, I went to my Bamberg culture class and it was really nice. Of course, I love my teacher and talking to the other students in the class. We talked about German holidays and the religious separations in Germany which I found to be very interesting. After class, I rode my bike home and chilled in my room for a little while, then at 3 I picked up the older boy from kindergarten and when we got home I stayed and played with the younger boy while the older boy went to his music class. It was really cute because the younger boy wanted me to pretend to be a baby and to take care of me. So he fed me and gave me a bottle and put me to sleep, it was extremely cute! At 6 PM, I rode my bike back to the city for my choir rehearsal. I was so exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open while we were singing. I don’t know why I was so exhausted, but that happens sometimes. I was really happy though because during the rehearsal, I got a text from the director of my English speaking theater group and I found out I will be playing Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice in the scene where he proposes to Elizabeth. I am so excited! At 9, I rode my bike home and just watched Netflix until I fell asleep.

5 December: I woke up early and I went to McDonalds and got a cappuccino and a chocolate muffin. I stayed there for about an hour or so and worked on my blog, of course. Then, I went to the grocery store and picked up some groceries. After that, I went back home because my American Studies class was online this day so I worked on that. Then at 12:30 I went upstairs and ate lunch with the kids and my host mom which was pleasant as always! Then I was able to spend time with the older boy while the younger boy napped. We watched little Einstein’s and listened to music. Then at 3:30 we had 6 other kids come over for my host mom’s music class. I took care of the baby for the duration of the class and it went really well! Then, after the music class, I played with all 8 of the kids in the attic area of our house (it’s not a creepy attic, it’s a guest bedroom). I was surprised how well the kids played together and how well they got along with me. It’s really enjoyable for me to hang out with younger kids because I can practice my German and not feel judged or nervous. They make fun of me a little bit, but it doesn’t bother me. After the kids went home, I rode my bike to the city center and walked around and looked at the Christmas lights and I got falafel for dinner. I also went to the library and just walked around and looked at the books. Sometimes I think I have too much free time. At 9, I went home and watched some Netflix. Also, this day I booked my first ever solo trip to Copenhagen!

6 December: I was able to sleep in for a little while and when I was up and ready, I went to the mall and looked around h and m and a few other stores. I also went to the American store and bought some Hershey chocolate for a white elephant gift exchange that would be happening at my best friends Christmas party that evening. Then I rode my bike to the city center and as I was walking down the street, I suddenly heard, “Avery? Avery?” And I turned around and it was one of my best friends, Vera! Bamberg is very small. We went shopping together because I had time and it was so much fun! I bought a Christmas sweater which I am very excited about. I left around 2 and went to the grocery store and bought some more groceries for the Christmas party. Then at 3:30 I babysat the boys and we played and read together and all was well. At 7:30 I left and I went to Megan’s apartment for our Christmas party it was so much fun! I am so thankful to have such a great group of friends! We ate gingerbread and drank glühwein and it was so nice.

7 December: I woke up at Megan’s apartment at 7 am and I rode my bike back home to my house. I took a quick power nap in my own bed and then I went upstairs at 9 and we all drove 45 minutes away to Oma Edith and Opa Kalli’s house. It was Opa Kalli’s birthday party and it was so much fun! We ate waffles for breakfast and they tasted really great. I also had a croissant and some baguette bread, so my tummy was very happy! I spent most of the time playing with the older boy but I really enjoyed it because we get along so nicely together. I never thought I could have such engaging conversation with a 4 year old even when he’s sitting on the toilet. At one point, Oma Edith wanted me to try her homemade liquor so her and I took shots of homemade liquor which is just a very funny image. It did taste very good and I am continuously amazed by how many things can be home made and taste great. I also told Opa Kalli about all the trips I have booked for 2020 and he had books over every single place I’m going and so he got those out for me and we talked about traveling and he also gave me a book of limericks to read because he thought that would be something I’d enjoy and I did! I really love how both sets of my host grandparents always make me feel like another family member and do all they can to ensure that I know I’m considered another family member. After we arrived home from Oma and Opa’s, I had a two hour chill time and I took a nice nap and at 6 I went back upstairs, set the table and we ate dinner together. Then, my host parents went out to a birthday party and I brought the boys to bed and there were hardly any issues, thankfully! The older boy is so cute because I just have to tell him that I will give a good review of him to his parents if he’s well behaved and he gets himself ready so quickly. It’s quite impressive. The younger boy is a little difficult at times, but he’s just a 3 year old little boy, that’s why. I babysat until midnight and when my host parents got home I retreated to my room and went to sleep.

Now it’s Sunday and I have had one of the least productive days of my life but it really does be like that sometimes.