Thursday, July 26, 2007

O How Wonderful

You love me
I love you
You love me, God

Getting back into the hang of things

I'm sorry for not writing for a few days. I'm still getting used to being in Canada again. I guess now that I'm back here I don't have as much to write about anymore. It's not like its as exciting as being in Europe. But I truly hope that my family, and the others of you that have been reading my blog will still check this site out every once in a while.

Life is a lot easier now that I can understand everything around me. I guess I didn't realize how hard I had been working to understand German until I came home and realized that I can speak without thinking about it first haha

However, I've been using my German/English dictionary these past few days. In other words, I've still been learning a lot. I plan on keeping it up, and I hope I'll be able too. I just need someone to keep me accountable. I think that won't be that hard though because I'm emailing my cousins in Germany.... In German. Hehe cool. And they respond in English so it's practice for all of us.

I'll be at Family Camp next week, all week. I'm pretty excited.

So yea, There's really not much more to tell. My adventures for now are at a minimum, they'll kick into over-drive again sometime soon. I'm sure of it.

Kirstyn

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Goodbye

So, it's here, my last night in Deutschland. I had an amazing last weekend. My cousins Björn and Dennis came over and stayed for the weekend and we had so much fun. We went to Switzerland on Saturday and saw some mountains (but the weather was bad, so we didn't get to see that much.) but it was still fun. I ate Cheese fondue for the first time. Then this morning I made pancakes, and we had an American breakfast haha. It was a hit. We did some more sight-seeing today and just talked and enjoyed eachother's company.

I've learned a lot about myself this past month. I can't really place my finger on everything yet, because I'm still trying to figure out just how significant my time here has been. But even without knowing what in me has changed, I know something has. I hope you understand what I mean.

I've definately seen another side of me, a side that can handle a lot more than I ever thought I could. A side that sees that I am beautifully and wonderfully made in God's image. A side that loves adventure, trying new things, stepping out of my comfort zone. A side of me that realizes that things change, views change, feelings change. A side of me that knows that I can't go anywhere in this world where God won't follow me, protect me, hear me, and love me.

So, I had to say Goodbye again tonight to my cousins, and it was really hard. I won't lie. But, Goodbyes are part of life, they just happen. And no matter how hard I try, I cannot make time stop, nor should I want it to. Instead I should take each day for what it is. I should enjoy it to the best of my ability. And when it comes to an end, instead of being sad about saying goodbye, I should be ecstatic because I made another adventure, another experience, another memory.

So for the last time, ich bin die Kirstyn in Deutschland.

Ciao

Friday, July 20, 2007

My last day with the kids

So, today was my last day in the Kindergarten. It's really been a good experience, and they all helped me with my german a ton. The kids and Gabi put together a little going away obstacle course for me today. The blindfolded me, and brought me into the little gym they have in the kindergarten. When I walked in all the kids were singing a song that they had learned for Sommerfest (the end of year celebration they had last Saturday). Then after they had finished singing, Dominic (one of the little boys) took me by the hand and started leading me through the room telling me to lean down every once and a while and feel a 'present' that was on the ground. There were about 5 different little presents that I got for going away. Every time I would reach a new one I had to feel it and then guess what it was. The last gift was a photo album. The first page had a picture of all of us that Gabi had taken in the woods. After that the book contains little drawings and pictures that all the kids made for me that day. I few of them have airplanes, and me. It was really nice. I'm going to miss those kids.

Anyways that's all for now

K

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Schwimmbad

Heute war Schwimmbad tag mit die kinde. (Or in other words, today was the day that we took all of the kids from the kindergarten to the Swimming pool.)
It was actually very nice. At first my goal was to not get my hair wet, because I didn't really feel like it, but that didn't work out so well. Leon, and Samuel were chasing me around the shallow end haha, grabbing onto me. Then Leon started splashing me, and then I just gave up and dove under the water. Felt good. This week, my last week, we are finally getting some nice weather. Tomorrow we might have a bit of rain, but other than that its going to be warm and sunny.

I've started to tell the kids at the kindergarten that this is my last week. I keep on telling them 'Ich gehe nach Canada Montag' It's actually pretty sad, but their summer vacation starts in a week and a half anyways. I just thought it would be smart to warn them in advance instead of showing up this Friday and saying... this is my last day! Not a good idea. Anyways, they really are a great group of kids.

Today Gabi and I took a trip to Basel, Switzerland. It's about 20 minutes from Fischingen or so. I ended up buying my first piece of clothing. I've bought many other small things during my stay here, but never clothes before, so that's cool. Not that you guys really care about that haha.

Basel is really gorgeous. The Rein river goes through the city, and we took a ferry across the river, just because it was fun to do. We had an Eis, and some Apfelsaft (Ice cream, Apple Juice) We did some walking walking, talking, taking pictures lol. It was quite enjoyable.

The plan for the rest of the week is going to Freiburg once more, probably making one more trip to Basel, and maybe Lörrach again. Then this weekend we plan on going to Switzerland to see some mountains (the Alps). It's going to be a good last week :)

Ciao

Kirstyn

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Family

If there's one thing I've learned in Deutschland it is definately the importance of Family. This trip has made me realize that my family goes way beyond the nation of Canada. In fact it reaches all the way across the Atlantic ocean to the wonderful country of Deutschland.

I have met so many new family members during my time here in Deutschland, and even though it may only be my first or second time meeting them, I already feel like part of the family. My family in Deutschland is a nice, generous, beautiful, amazing group of people and I already love them SO much. I know I've met amazing people when I feel like I've known them forever after saying my first hello.

Arthur's party was beautiful today. I felt completely at home. I laughed, I talked, I ate, I sang, I cried.

You know that saying 'It's better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all'? Well today that saying actually has real meaning to me. Even though I will miss all of my family greatly, I would not trade the experience for anything in this world. It was better to have met you all, and miss you know, then to never have known you at all.

So, my tears are over for now, but the memories are going to last a lifetime. And that, my friends, is priceless. I owe it all to my family here in Deutschland who I've known only for a short time, but already love to bits :)

This post is for everyone of my relatives here in Deustchland. May God bless you abundantly, for I will never forget how you have blessed me.

'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future' Jeremiah 29:11

I love you guys.

Kirstyn

Saturday, July 14, 2007

So, I have some MAJOR catching up to do! Man, so much has happened in the last 3 days.

Freiburg on thursday was So much fun. It was just Gabi and me that went, and we had a blast! The cool thing about Freiburg is the fact that they have these little gutters with flowing water in them on the sides of all the streets. I had to be very careful not to step in one. Gabi and I did some major shopping, got some cool stuff. We stopped for an Eis (ice cream) and we did a lot of walking. It really was schöne. We will probably go back next week which I am excited about.

Yesterday I took the train to Ravensburg to meet my cousin Helen. It was my first time taking the train and I thought it a cool experience. I met up with Helen in Ravensburg and tagged along with her to one of her University lecture. It was only an hour though so that was fine. After that, we met up with Angela (one of Helen's friends), had some lunch, and did some walking in the old city of Ravensburg.

Then in the evening we went to the 'Kino' which is the what we call the movie theatre. Helen and I saw Shrek 3 in german haha. It was cool because I had already seen it in English so I was able to follow along, and even laugh in some parts.

Today Helen and I had a very busy day. This morning we climbed a mountain near her house. It wasn't a huge mountain, maybe 25 minutes to climb. But the view was very spectacular. After that we made our way to a castle. My first castle in germany!! It was töll. I loved it. We then made our way to Tübingen, another small town near Helen's parents place and walked around there. There was a cool circus that some young people had put on. Very good actually. Tonight we are having a BBQ with some of Helen's friends and tomorrow is Arthurs party. So... I'll write more later, I really should get going :)

Love to all who read my blog. Miss you!
K

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I have nothing else to do at the moment, so I thought I'd post something considering the fact that there are actually people reading my blog this time. Woot.

Anyways, I'm starting to forget the fact that it really is summer because it has been SO cold here this past week. It's warming up this weekend, and it's supposed to be sunny, but today It felt like late fall. No joke.

Yesterday Gabi and I went shopping in France. That sounds extravagant, I know, but Gabi and Henry live about 15 minutes from the border of France and Gabi knew this little place we could go so we did. I didn't end up buying anything because the stuff that I liked ended up being to expensive (figures). Lol, but It was still a lot of fun. I love listening to the French Language. One thing I've realized however, is the fact that after spending a few weeks trying to fill my mind with German, German, German It feels like the space of my brain that contains all of that French vocabulary has dissapeared. I can slowly remember stuff if I really concentrate on it, but It's really hard to speak french after juggling English and German. Haha, oh well. This week has been pretty good as far as me speaking German, well except for today. Don't really know why that is, but maybe because I'm tired.

This afternoon Gabi, Henry and I are driving to Freiburg for the evening. That is about an hour from where they live. We'll do some shopping, some eating, some walking, and some cafe trinken. It should be fun. I'm looking forward to it.

Tomorrow morning I'm taking a train (my myself) to stay with Helen (one of my relatives/cousins) for the weekend. We'll probably visit the other cousins as well or whatever. But I already know that it is going to be a very busy weekend. I'm really excited.

Anyways, pray for good weather for me bitte.

Tschüs

Kirstyn

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

All of the red dots on my 'People visiting my blog' map are multiplying like crazy. Granted most of them are family members that are reading this little journal of mine, but it still makes me special! So keep reading, and keep commenting.

The kindergarten was tiring today haha, but still good. Gabi tells me that on the days I stay home, the little guys ask where I was. So cute. Today we went to this Dinosaur park outside. It was raining, again, but whatever. I've gotten used to it. The strange thing about the dinosaur park was the fact that I only saw one fake dinosaur, no others, just flowers and trees and grass and ducks in a pond. It was quite confusing, almost seemed like a contradiction. Thankfully, we didn't pay to get in.

There is one girl in the group that I help Gabi with named Lisa. She has this little school girl crush on this other little boy named Marcel. It's so cute because Marcel tries to avoid Lisa like she is the plague, but Lisa is bigger than Marcel, and I would not be surprised if she was stronger too so that doesn't work out so good. At the end of the day today Lisa was hanging around Marcel again by the stairs and then I heard it. The question. 'Bist Du mein Freund Marcel?' haha, which translated into English is pretty much asking him if they were a couple. Marcel then proceeded to yell 'Nein!' and run down the stairs. It was cute.

Well, that's all for now.

Kirstyn

Monday, July 09, 2007

So, I'd say it's definately time for another post. I decided to take it easy today. Stay home and upload pictures, write a blog, read my book, write letters etc etc.
I had the best weekend ever in Italy these past 3 days. I saw the most amazing, beautiful, spectacular views I have ever seen in my entire life. Gabi, Henry and I left around 4 p.m. this past Friday evening for Italy. It was about a 6 hour drive or so, and all I did the whole time was look out the window. Most of the trip was driving through Switzerland and it was breath-taking. I have never seen such a sight. The mountains went on for hours, each one different, yet each one just as gorgeous. If there's anything that prooves that there is a God, its those mountains.

Once we arrived in Italy late Friday night we met up with Eva, and Hans-Martin (Henry and Gabi's friends that we were staying with) They took us to this amazing restaurant. It was around 11p.m. and all that was open was the Pizza oven, and so we ate Pizza. It was so good. After our meal we went for a walk in the old city of Bergamo, Italy. It was beautiful. It might have been late, but I'm convinced that nobody sleeps on a Friday night in Italy because everybody was still walking around and partying. The one thing I loved about Italy was that it lived up to all the Stereotypes that people have given it over the years. When somebody says Italy I automatically picture Hot Italian boys riding vespa's on small winding streets, and people going out to eat Pizza and drink espresso. Well, the crazy thing is that all of that is true. It's exactly the same. It wonderfully the same. I must have seen a million vespas. It was amazing.

Henry and Gabi's friends rented this little cabin in Bergamo for the weekend so that is where we stayed. Although the cabin wasn't anything overly special the view from the Terace was spectacular. The view was of a big lake surrounded by mountains. Both mornings we put on our bathing suits and made our way down to the lake. There was a small dock that you could jump off of. The water was perfect, and it was so amazing to swim in such a peaceful, beautiful, open place.
On Saturday we left Bergamo and drove to Venice. We then took a train to get to the old city. It's everything you imagine it to be. A city on water. There are no cars because there are no streets. Therefore you get around the city by boat, or by Gondola, or by Ferry. It was very beautiful in Venice. It holds so much character and history.

The last day we spent on Monte Island which was the Island we could see from our view on the Terace. We had to take a Ferry to cross the lake, and then once on the Island we rented some bicycles and rode around the Island. That was quite exciting except for the fact that Henry, Gabi, Eva, and Hans-Martin rode very slow haha, but it was all good.

God is revealing himself to more and more everytime I see something for the first time. It's trips like this where you need to take the time to reflect.
Anyways, that's all for now. Check out my pictures on Facebook, if you have Facebook that is.

Kirstyn

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Strange Weather

I told you in my last post that the weather changes super fast here in Germany. Well, I experienced that again today. We went for a walk with the kids today on a road that led up a hill into the forest. The sun was shining when we left, and once we had gotten up into the forest a bit more (maybe 20 minutes later) it started pouring. I'm talking cats and dogs.

As we made our way back to the kindergarten Leon kept on jumping in puddles by me, and wouldnt stop. So, I got soaked. (the kids have rain jackets, and rain pants, and rubber boots that they put on every time they go outside so the rain was not an issue for them)

Anyways, the thing that got me was right after we made it back into the kindergarten for lunch (Mittag essen) the rain ceased to fall, and out came the sun. Now that's ironic. Haha... Oh well.

The weather forcast is rain for tomorrow and friday, but then sunshine for the weekend, finally. Anyways that is pretty much the only update I have.

Alles Gut!

Kirstyn

Monday, July 02, 2007

New Things.

New Language, New people, New time, New place, New food, New culture, New sights, New feelings, New experiences. That's what Germany has been for me this past week.

This trip is significant. I can already feel it. I feel like I want to try, and see, and do as many new things as possible. I want to have the time of my life. Is Germany going to live up to that expectation? You bet.

Today was a Monday which means going back to the Kindergarten. The Kindergarten really isnt anything all that spectacular, but I love it. And I'm starting to love the kids too. Everyday there is a time in the day where we take the kids outside for a while. Today I caught grasshoppers with all the little boys. Leon caught a HUGE one, and then put it under a bucket as a temporary home, but that didn't last long because someone told him that grasshoppers need sunshine lol. Another little boy at the kindergarten is Mike. He is the cutest little thing since ever, and he has this little blonde faux hawk. He's very shy, and quiet. Leon asked me where I lived today (in Germany), and then he continued to tell me his phone number. Drei, Drei Drei, Fier... I don't remember any more. lol. It was so cute. But I told him that I wouldnt remember. Leon is the only boy at the kindergarten that does not get frustrated when I don't understand. Most of the other kids will just walk away or go on with playing if I don't understand, he'll say what he wants too a million different ways until I know what he said.

One thing I've noticed in Deutschland is that blue eyes are everywhere. Blue eyes like you've never seen before. Granted, you can find blue eyes in Canada, quite easily you might think. But nothing like in Germany. So blue that it feels like they see right through you, penetrating you soul. Blue like the sky on the nicest summer day. Blue like a tropical sea. And you see them everywhere. Beautiful blue eyes.

Gabi took me for a walk in the vineyards up in another little villiage about 15 minutes from Fischingen today. It was very beautiful. Then we went and ate at a restaurant. I had this french dish. It was this thin crust bread with cheese and little pieces of meat on it. Very salty, but pretty good. There's another thing that was new today.

The weather has changed a million times today. This morning it was raining, and then it was cloudy, then sunny, then raining, then windy, then cloudy, and finally as I look outside my window the sun is shining down. If you are reading this blog right now, please pray for good weather. It's been cold and rainy a lot lately, so please pray for sunshine. Tell God to give me some summer weather ja? He seems to be listening because I asked for sunshine today and I got some.

Anyways, I think that is enough for now. I miss everyone very much. Know that you are loved.

Alles Klar, Kirstyn