So then.

I just finished packing for our vacation to Sankt Peter-Ording. Hans-Peter's youngest (of his older kids) was just here; I don't know if it was just so she could meet me and I could be awkward or what, but that's pretty much what happened. I really hope that wasn't the only reason she came over. I would feel really bad. She seems cool, though. We discussed the fact that we both have piercings and tattoos and she asked me if I liked Tokyo Hotel and I thought she meant a Hotel in Tokyo. (It's a band...)

Anyway. Super interesting, right? I'm already beginning to feel like this is my home, and the good definitely outweighs the bad and awkward. Leonie and Silas are very friendly and love talking and sharing, so that's helpful. It would be really difficult if I had to initiate every interaction or got shot down when I tried to.

Silas got a Nintendo DS when we were at the Einskaufzentrum (fancy word for Mall) yesterday, so we've been talking about Mario Kart and Pokemon. Leonie reads 24/7, and it's really cute when she tells us about what's happening in the book. It sounds like it's really happening. Like yesterday, out of nowhere, she pops her head out from behind her book and yells: "Es schneit!" ("It's snowing!").

Last night we saw a play in a big outdoor ampitheater. It's called Halbblut and is about...Cowboys and Indians. Hahahaha. Except for the fact that everyone around me was speaking German and the show was in German, we could've been in America. It was very strange. It was also weird to be walking through this quintissential tiny German town, and then come upon this "Indian Village" with totem poles and the like.

Another weird moment was driving home after the show. "Barbie Girl" was playing on the radio, we were driving on a highway that looked like it could be Oregon except all the signs were in German, and I was with a family that only 3 days ago I had never met, but now already knew quite intimately.

Agh I have so many stories and want to just write them all down, but that would make this way too long and I'm sure they're not very interesting. It's just really exciting to be somewhere completely new with people who are so accepting and welcoming and friendly and open-minded and funny. The language is frustrating though, because I feel we would be able to talk about so much more, but I'm limited in my German and they're limited in their English, so we're forced into silence a lot.

Of course these things come with time, and I think they're really enjoying having me here. When we can communicate, I get along well with everyone.

Also, I just realzed this morning that I've been saying "ganz" when I should be saying "sehr". Why has nobody corrected me?? Gah.

Okay. I'm done for now.