In the Face of Reality

Reality is sinking in - the final months are upon our group.  Well specifically my journey in Germany and the travels to many other countries.  The first person to leave is Christina - she ends her journey early - for her uncle's wedding.  It is crazy that she has less than a month left here in Marburg.  I myself am scared at how fast these next weeks will fly.  I have been living here for 8 months now - it has become my home.  I know where to buy the cheapest things, where to shop, wheres "cool" to shop.. haha :P  What people do for fun.  Which bars are the best to go to - well mainly from hearsay but still.  I know the running paths now. That is something I am for sure going to miss - I love the running paths I have about 8 different ways to run and they are all different lengths perfect for those days where you just don't know how long you can go.  Just pick a path and finish it :)
It is sad thinking that they next time I see some of these people will be a long way off - it was the same with first semester but the people who have been here a year - that will just be crazy.. it is a lot like your freshman year at college and then you go away for the summer but in this case you don't necessarily get to see the people in the fall. 
luckily a lot of close friends of mine live near the midwest and those who don't live closer together - soooo.. if I needed to make a trip - which I am planning on doing (who knows when)  it will make it easier.
That part that excites me is that first semester people are already planning a reunion - in july - for GERMAN FEST.... is that not just awesome!  Granted that weekend or atleast that friday will be a bit busy seeing as it will be Amanda's 21st and my Uncles Greg's Birthday - but we will make it work I am fully determined!
Well - I look around my room and I can not even imagine not coming here and experiencing what I have.  It has changed me, made me realize a lot about who I am, what I am capable of, What I want in life, and Just how to be a better person.  I know everyone says this - but it is so true.  STUDY ABROAD - was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life and I would have regretted only staying for a Semester!
Yeah there are times where it sucks to be away from everyone, but those times - help you find yourself and help you become you.  You learn to rely on yourself- which is awesome - btw!

Anyways - I feel that I have rambled enough :)

<3 Ris

Valencia

As Promised - Easter weekend continued.
DAY 3 - VALENCIA
I can say we were ready to go - Seeing as we were hoping to catch the 9:33 train to Valencia for 20 Euros cheaper.  So we Hurriedly wolfed down some breakfast, checked out of our hostel, jumped on the metro and just made it in time to buy our ticket. Sadly the train was 5 hours long - but we got seats soooooo - not to bad.  Also I was able to read one of Karen's book that she brought - Frankenstein. I finished it on the Train.  It was a pretty quick/good read.  I would suggest it! :)

picture in our hostel <3

From there we arrived in Valencia and were off to find out hostel. Hoping that this one would be much easier to find and luckily it was :)  No mile hikes and late night wanderings this time. It was clearly labeled and had a huge Orange door [ it was awesome] So we checked in - switched to smaller bags and were off to explore the city.  Our first goal was the beach - Unfortunately my map skills were not acquainted with this map so it was a bit difficult at first but soon - I was a pro again.  We made it all the way to the bus -only for Karen to discover that she had left her passport and money and all of those essential things just laying on the bed in the room. So we quickly backtracked our way to the hostel. Where we found her things and nothing was taken.   So we set off again this time making it to the beach.

The SAND WAS SO SOFT!  It was not like that gritty sand that I seem to always encounter. All I wanted to do was just bury my feet - so I did.  Eventually we each had our own little photo shoot,courtesy of each other.  The beach is a perfect place for some awesome pictures!! Check them out!

 

After the Beach we headed back into town for some food.  Where basically we wandered around saw some really cool things and then we grabbed some Ice Cream. Seems to be a reaoccuring theme - Dessert then Dinner haha .. well your only in Spain once right?? :P

We eventually found this restraurant that the hostel recommended so we checked it out.  It was called 100 Montaditos - or Small sandwiches.  They were adorable :) and rather tasty - I got a chicken ceasar salad sandwhich and nachos & it came with chips.  (but i haven't had either in a while so i was okay with that) - simple things in life right?

After that we walked back to the hostel and just chilled for a while.. my feet were killing me so we rested up.  Then we set off to check out what was claimed to be a really cool place that is lit up at night -

FALSE, I mean they were really cool buildings but nothing special about the lighting.. so we just stayed on the bus and went all the way back to the hostel and called it a night.  I mean it was like we had our own private tour [we were the only ones on the bus]  So it wasn't so bad!

 DAY 4- DEPARTURE

We woke up walked around found a place that was actually open for breakfast - to bad it was in the train station where things are normally a bit pricey but it was all okay - we were starving!  Then we hit the town to do some last minute shopping to see if we could fine a dress for me, (which i have been looking for)  but no such luck.  We did find some pretty friendly people - so not a lost cause.  

Then we embarked on our journey home - metro, waiting lol flying landing - then another train and then a bus.  The buses in Marburg were jammmmmmmmmed.. it was intense so I just took the first bus that came and then treated myself to some dinner hoping that the buses would be better in an hour.  They kind of were but at least I had silenced my hunger. 

Finally making it home at 9pm it was a long day.  And to only add to the stress of the long day of travel I found out some not so awesomeness from my boyfriend.

His grandma had been sick, but she is no longer suffering and is a better place.  I was extremely upset when I heard this news - A. I can't be there B. It just flooded memories C. May is going to be Hard D. It's just sad

Anywho - All I can do is send my love and thoughts to him and his family <3

SCHOOL

To catch you up til now - Tuesday my class was canceled - so i was able to do some grocercy shopping and some major running - it was a pretty good day!

Wednesday - was my long day with back to back to back class/tutorial. But it was good nonetheless

Thursday - Convo class - something we have not had in FOREVER!! then I had some dinner at Paprika's with Steph, Brandon, Christina, & Alex  - it was good = good company and good food once they got my order right.  I had to send the first one back :(  Hey at least I can do that now in German - yeah that's right!

Friday - I met with my professor & tutor about my Martin Luther and the Reformation class - we talked in Danglish.  It was rather amusing one sentence in German the next in English :)  

Then silly me - I forgot my keys in my room soooo I patienlty waited for Sarina to arrive to let me in - :P

Then Beth came over and we cooked some chicken haha like usual with some pasta.  It was tasty and again good company - haven't hung out with Beth in Ages!!! 

Today- My plan was to go to Frankfurt but who knows whats gonna happen. Maybe I will clean some more or do some homework - like get a start on my paper that I should probably do or watch the movie I need to for class or even work on my presentation.

Oh the list of possibilities....It is endless at certain times :)

Well I should be off to work out - but we will see how that goes

Love you all 

<3Ris

Shout out to Miss Kayla Lenz- who turned 21 yesterday :) woot - I hope you can remember the night ;)

Barcelona - Mi Gusta!

so people I bet you are dying to hear about my trip to Barcelona & Valencia over Easter break.  Well I guess I should torture you no more: Here is what you have been long awaiting.

Friday April 22nd : Day of Departure

Phase One: WALKING
So like I stated in the blog prior  that I my train was at 4:12 in the morning, meaning the buses do not run that early- meaning I have to walk.  Well I started my trek, I want to say I set out at about 3:40 just to make sure I made it in time.  But as I was rounding the first corner, a taxi whips by in the other direction, clearly I just ignored it and kept on trekkin away.  But then like 2 min later the taxi whips back up besides me this time coming from behind and honks his horn, rolls down the window and says Hallloooo... lol so I said hallo back..  Then the conversation proceeded like this:
Are you walking to Sudbahnhof?
Yes
Do you want a ride?
How much is it?
Free Free
          so I gladly got in and then the convo continued-
Are you traveling for Easter
Yes - I am going to Barcelona
Oh you are spanish?  You have family there?
No- just visiting.  thank you so much for the ride
Not a problem- Have a good /safe travel
Thanks happy Easter
Thank you - same to you.
           Mind you it was all in German after having like no sleep... lol and it was perfect & the guy was extremely nice it saved me walking in the dark streets to Sudbahnhof at 3:50 in the morning.  It was a good way to start my trip :)
 Phase two: TRAIN
Anywho- I then waited for the train, Karen the girl I was traveling with was getting on at the main station so we said we would meet up in Frankfurt. So I got on and found a seat and tried to fall asleep sadly- that did not work and I just ended up staring out the window in the black abyss.  We then arrived in Frankfurt and I found Karen as we were leaving the train.  Then we were off to the next phase!
Phase Three: RYAN AIR BUS
For those of you who don't know much abut the cheap airfare over here in Europe - there is an airline called Ryan air.  I have used it maybe once before this time- b/c it can kind of be a pain.  But anyway I think I may have mentioned it before that the Ryan air airport claims that it is in Frankfurt.. well Frankfurt Hahn - so naturally we have to take a 2 hour bus to get to the airport from the main train station.  Which now costs 13 Euros per way.  (it used to be 12)  so we climb aboard - grab some seats way in the back and basically just chill out and talk - getting excited about our trip!! Cuz it was finally here.  [I still can't believe it has come and gone already]

Phase Four: FLIGHT

Well we waited patiently for our flight and then when it was called upon we rushed to get some seats.  The flight was pretty full - oh also with Ryan air the seats are not a signed so it is a free for all.  So you literally take the seat you want- which is pretty cool but also makes for a hectic boarding line - b/c everyone wants to be first!!  Well the flight went well, I grabbed a seat next to the window and was able to capture some cool pictures while we were landing.   So I guess I will share them with you :)  Btw - we landed in Valencia! 

Phase Five: Metro/Train
Now that we had made it to Valencia - traveling is over right.. WRONG - we were on our way to Barcelona, Valencia was merely a stop on the way.  So we had to jump on a metro and head to the main station in Valencia.  We then bought a ticket to Barcelona.  Not cheap I may add and it was a 3 hour train ride.  Which all the traveling was starting to add up and all we wanted to do was get there and relax and mb grab some food.  My stomach was rumbling by now.  Even with the PB & Banana sandwich I packed & the Oranges.  Well anywho.. we got on the train and made it to Barcelona.
Phase Six: Metro/Walking/Checking in
From there we had to go on another metro to a stop nearby our hostel - supposedly.  Which I mean in the long run it was only like a 10 min walk but when you are exhausted and just want to sit down and rest - it can feel like forever. But eventually we found the street that our hostel was on.... but we just could not find our hostel.  so we wandered and wandered until we ran into some German Ladies who were looking for the same hostel. Together we found it- only bad part was that - NO ONE was there to check us in!!!!! & there was a sign on the door that said call if Emergency - so we did but the phone rang behind the door - so tell me how good that does us.  Later we discovered a note that said we will be back at 9:00.  That was it, we did not know if that meant am/pm.  But we took our chances and decided to get something to eat while we were waiting seeing as it was 7 o'clock and we were hungry and exhausted.  So we found a place to eat, enjoyed it and found out that you don't have to tip in Spain- Yes!! lol I was a bit excited about that and Tap water was free... and they don't make a fuss about you ordering it. Around 9 we made it back to the "hostel"  but the person was still not there. By this time we were joined by the 2 German ladies, 2 people form Spain, and 2 others.  It was quite a crowd waiting to be checked in. Finally around 9:30 he arrived.  We checked in.. and we even had difficulties with that. On the website it said towels were free so we didn't bring any - the guy tried to tell me that it was only for private rooms.. but me being me persisted and said that's not what the website said so we got our towels - Point me!  Then we went up to our room - [we reserved a 4 person room]  We were in a 6 person room....so Karen and I went down and asked.. well Karen did the talking I was off looking at things to do.  But we got a total of 12 euros back 6 each.  Score us!  Thank goodness.  Then seeing as we had been up and traveling since around 3:00 we decided it would be best to call it a night.  So we hit the showers and then relaxed - awaiting an early morning to start exploring! 

DAY TWO - BARCELONA <3
 First thing on our to do list - was eat breakfast.  It was not a bad breakfast- toast, cereal, jam.  All good things.  When we were satisfied we were off to hit the road.  The main goal of the day - well for me at least see the the Sagrada Familia that my sister oh so loves so much!  <3  We did a lot of walking this day - well mainly b/c we walked EVERYWHERE - not complaining but my feet were not to big of fans lol. 

Anyways we made our way to the famous church where we came upon a HUGE line!!!! I tried to grasp a picture of it but - it did not work out to well.  We also found out that the tours were going to be closed until 3 - so we figured we would head to the park first and then hit the church on the way back.  So we were off again - walk walk walk!  
We made it to the park - I like to call it Gaudi's park - but I am pretty sure there is a different name but I like my name lol :)   Anyways the architecture was just awesome!  I loved it the tiling and the colors = :D
Yes I am a sucker for arts and I think my sister said it best when she said it felt like you were in Candy land.  and to be honest If i had to picture candy Land - It would be quite similar to what I experienced.    So while in Candy land we came across some musicians - a one man band and a Hand drum - Both are way cool my friend Karen bought the Cd's so I will be borrowing them from here to get the music - again way cool! 

 

Enjoy the Videos & I will post pictures of Candy land :)  

 Well anyways once finished with the park we started heading back to the church - hitting up the souvenir shops on the way and also looking for something to eat.  We did find a place to eat and we both tried the Spanish Tortilla.  Quite interesting - I liked it, couldn't eat it everyday but I liked it anyways :)  Oh we also had tomato bread - it was a Tapa or appetizer - interesting again but way to much tomato for me lol
 Finally we are at the church the line has dwindled to mainly nothing - but then we are informed that the towers are not open :( bummer but we decided we should still go in and see it - and man was it worth it. The inside reminded me of a forest - just like they predicted/hoped it would.  so much detail into one building no wonder why its not finished in all its gorgeousness.  When I was there I was just thinking how awesome it would be - when it is finally done to have a church ceremony there or a wedding or a baptism.  It just would be an awesome experience to be engulfed in this awesomeness to experience such an event!  I will show some pictures I hope it can do it justice!   

 

Our feet were killing us at this point - so we made it back to the hostel for a little breather than adventured out again - this time with different shoes :)  We walked down to the coast in hopes to find the beach - unfortunately it was wwwwaaayyyy to far away but we did get to see the Harbor and some of the night life, there was a carnival going on - or something they had what we would call "fair" rides there.  So who knows.  Anyways we soaked up the culture - satisfied our craving for ice cream and then found a place for dinner.  yes you read that correctly - ice cream then dinner haha - gotta love vacation!  For dinner we decided to try yet another Spanish dish - paella.  For those who are unfamiliar with it. Normally it is rice with meat and vegetables and its all cooked together and has some special sauce.  Karen got the Vegetarian dish and I got the Paella de Pollo - (chicken)  Which the rice was rather tasty the chicken.. ehh not so much lol.. but I am glad we did get to try it.  But I do have to say it - I did like Dude's (Amanda's Grandpa) Paella better- sorry Spain - yours was a bit to fishy tasting for me.  then again we walked back and called it a night again with a nice shower and a warm spot to lay our heads. 
  

 The next day we were off to Valencia- I think I will dedicate that to a new blog - this one is far to long to continue :)

“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.”

Well the time has come for ......... BARCELONA & VALENCIA
I am soooo excited.  :)  To bad I will not be sleeping at all tonight and I will have to leave my room @ 3:45 to walk to the Sud Bahnhof to catch the 4:12 train.. oh boy.. This morning shall be a fun one to say the least.  Gotta love it <3  Early morning traveling - so just to say my first day in Spain, may not be the easiest on my body.. but sometimes you have to sacrifice right?? haha Well I say it's a go!

Flash back through this week -
Monday - I found out that Kelly is coming to visit for sure during the month of may, who knows where we will end up traveling but nonetheless it will be a fun time! 
Tuesday - for Visualizing American History our lecture was about 9/11.  Interesting right?  Well not exactly, I felt more like it was attacking the day- saying we were making it this huge thing, granted it was all through the eyes of one person Art Spiegelman.  I will say that I did not enjoy his comics - others did, but I just felt very hurt, I am not exactly sure why... but I did not feel right after this lecture. 

Anyways the rest of my day got better, I was able to work out and then Rapheal was having a movie night so I headed on over.  The movie was called Lammbock.  It is a German movie, mostly about Weed- fitting seeing as yesterday was 4/20 right?? lol Well anyways it was interesting to say the less, not a typical movie I watch but it was in German - so all the better for practice and good company :D 
Wednesday was my full action packed day - well more so then the rest of my weekdays :P
I had class - Martin Luther & the reformation - I will say that I was able to understand more this time.  Luther was a very interesting man, who shared a fear of Thunderstorms- well at least at one time it helped him become a monk- go him!  lol
Then I had a two hour break where I read about Luther and then for my journal for month 9 :) and then I had tutorial about Martin Luther.. lol it was quite a fun day of German lol
After my Tutorial i went over to Steph's and we had some amazing Omlettes with Brocolli and onions & ham and cheese. It was rather tasty!  & healthy if I may add lol.
Then I came back here and pretty much called it a night.
Thursday -Today
was my day off - well kinda.. I worked out, wrote my journal, and then cleaned up the place a bit.  Wandered out side in the GORGEOUS 70 Degree weather and then discovered that my internet reaches outside.. how cool is that. So I sat out there for about 20 minutes soakin in the rays - trying to get some sort of base. lol Now that is funny :P
Anyways now here I am - probably going to take a nap after writing this.. then waking up as if it is a new day and preparing myself for BARCELONA!!!! One of my dream trips of this semester.  I am soooo Stoked! 
Well I guess Until next time <3

mucho Amor

Viel Liebe

Much love

~Ris~

Woche Eins = Fertig

I can't believe it - Week one of Classes is already over and done with- let me tell you about it!
So Sam was here and Yes we did make chicken - it was rather tasty (butter chicken) we have made it before, I think I should make that more often - its kinda healthy right?? haha

Wednesday was class and then I met my tutor - his name is Valentine, hes pretty cool
Thursday - was my free day because we did not have convo this week.  So that being the case I made my way over to Christina's place and we exchanged some photos of the year and then worked out P90X - lol piece of cake.. hahah hahah not - kicked my butt my legs are still sore.  Silly plyometrics!
Then I read oooooo and big news the Budeslandpraesident was in Marburg @ the Elizabeth Church.  Interesting right?? lol I thought so
Friday I met with my tutor & my prof - really cool guy, extremely knowledgeable!  Then I did yoga.  Great day <3 haha
Saturday - WIESBADEN was the destination.  For those who don't know Wiesbaden is the Capital city of Hessen, which is the State I am currently studying in. Overall, there was not much to see but we had a good time.  When I saw "We" i mean: Cathryn, Taylor, Karen, Christina & I.  We took lots of pictures in the tulips and tried some food at the market and ate some Thai food- way overfilling and just had a good ole time.  It was free so how could it go wrong.  I wish the weather would have been a bit better but.. oh well - Take whatcha get i guess. 
Here are some pictures :)

 

 Then after I got back I went out to dinner for Doener with Sarina and her friends who are here visiting.
That brings us to today.  Today was a lazy day, read (homework) worked out & then met with my tutor and here I am updating the world of my daily activities.  Well this week shall go by fast and then its Barcelona on Friday <3 I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
<3Ris

Checkin' In

So  .. remember a while back when I wrote a testimonial.. well I finally stumbled upon the pager where other people submitted theirs check it out!  Testimonials <3

On the other hand - I had one of my classes - both parts the tutorial and the actual class.... it shall be interesting, I am looking forward to the lecture next week it is about 9/11 and we will get to see the German take on it.  Should be fascinating.  Other than that I have to do a paper and a presentation & I guess also the final, which scares me a bit because pardon my french - but German tests are hard as H*ll.  Seriously.  If I were a German student the test would be my full grade and if I failed it I would get one more chance otherwise I have to retake it or the credits don't count.  I am so glad that in America we have hw and projects that count for the Grade because otherwise the tests would just kill me!  Oh well we shall see how this goes lol <3
Oh and for my other class well that is tomorrow.. Martin Luther & the Reformation - sounds exciting right?   Well I hope it is more exciting then it sounds - granted I am taking it to get specific credit, I'm wondering if it is really worth it - Well will see :)  right??
Well Sam comes tonight we are making Chicken (like usual)
AND I can not FORGET to REGISTER tonight :) 
I should work out - seeing as I have the time - yes that is what I will do!
Yours til the Cows come home!
<3Ris

Part 1= Done

Well this past week has been a reality hitter.  Seriously this past week concluded the first six weeks of the Spring Semester - Today I start classes for part 2. 
On monday of last week (4th)  we had class, got our tests back, and we went to the sprachzentrum- language center and had a preview of what we could do after class.  Its cool but its also available online so.. - that is much more convenient!  & in Culture class we learned about the Education system in Germany - its so different!
Tuesday- was just class lol.. the special thing about Tuesday- I did yoga!! lol That was for kayte.. i hadn't done it in forever.  :)
Wednesday we went to a Cafe for class - It was quite tasty, it is one of the oldest traditional cafe's in Marburg.  Granted I had been there before the semester before, but this time I actually got something - apply cake - it was yummy!!!  And I went running that day lol.  We also had convo class, which i like a lot better than last semester - mb its because my German has improved .. could be??
Thursday- Last Language test.  and then in Culture class we killed it on our presentation of the Average German - it was by all of the Old IUSP ppl (everyone from last semester)  It was really cool, we had the class laughing so major props to us.  We had a video and some personal experiences and I made a skit that was performed.. we used lots of different medias for the presentation and I think it played off :)  then it was off for a night of studying.. and OO i did go out for pizza with steph at Bazzo's it was pretty good.  :)
And then Friday - LAST DAYS OF CLASS!!!  We had a party and ate a bunch of food.. we also showed to different videos that our class made to the rest of the group. I think i can attach one.. the other I will have to post later lol.. - in one of them I am a star!! haha.. Anywho.. I found out i got an A- in my Language class :) so im pretty stoked about that.  and No clue about CC but we will see lol :)  here is Video one:

 yes It is a pretty awesome video - Props to Christina for making it :D

We are finally onto this weekend - Oh my I'm almost caught up!!  Well the original plan was that Christine and I were going to go to Wiesbaden, because it is free, but that plan changed.  We ended up going to Warburg where Stephan (christina's long time friend)  picked us up with his car & we drove to a castle in Warburg - or the ruins. It was a long hike up but totally worth it! 

 After climbing the mountain we were off to see the city center - Where it just so happened to be having a Renaissance market.  Way cool!  I was in heaven haha.. - uk me right??  Anyway that was cool - we walked around and then we got a bit hungry so we hit up a small Italian joint, I had some tortellini.. it was decent.  Christina also had tortellini while Stephan had Hawaiian styled pizza - it smelt good :)

After that we got back in the car and we were off to Paderborn - a bigger city about 25 min away. We walked the main strip of shopping stopped in one store smelt some cologne and contiuned to walk.. oh and we had  few pictures but i believe Christina has most of them - oh well.. shes always on top of things!

From Paderborn - Stephan decided that he would take us to his home town - Horn!  It was really cool... The drive there was even fun :)  We did jam out to Justin Bieber - lol judge all you want but it was really fun!  His family owns a Cafe and bed & breakfast and they make their own chocolate. So we got a piece of that I tried an Egg oh and then we got some ice cream from down the street.  (oh and I cant forget to mention they have some beautiful birds - scary but beautiful nonetheless) 

Oh and of course I got the most interesting thing on the menu - which consisted of Peaches.. lol It was actually really tasty!!  A lot but so very good!  then there was a carnival called Kirmes! It was pretty sweet, we even went on a ride.. Which I have bruises from but, i had a fun time anyways, always creating memories.. I did make a video but I don't think it is worthy lol Christina has one that is better because Stephan didn't go on the ride so he made a video and snapped some photos of the epic ride :P lol

 Anywho after having a little too much fun on the ride, we were off and going to look at some pretty cool rocks - which were awesome!!! :)  If I do say so.  There were also some paths that I walked up and it reminded me of Lacrosse and all of its trails to the Bluffs - it is just amazing how similar but yet how different things are.  I mean if we had these rocks in WI i would most deff utilize the paths for running and just hanging out.  Sometimes Europe can be just so Peaceful!  <3  I love it!

Then Sadly, we decided to call it a day - and we headed back to Warburg - which was 45 min away.  Driving again was fun, a bit scary but fun- it was like I was in a race.  Haha.. Gota love the way some people are so comfortable with the road :)  Yes - But I did end up coming home with a coaster and a bar of chocolate - it was a successfull day - 3 cities in one day!  Ha and we were only hoping for one!  Awesome!

Yesterday - was a day of picking/planning classes for next year back in Lacrosse I am all settled in now :) thank goodness and today I register- I just have to hope that not many people pick my classes!  Oh and I am taking a summer class :) HPR for all those who know what that is.  I'm excited.
Well I better go get ready for class in like 1.5 :)  I don't know how I feel about having the morning and pretty much all day free - oh well I'm not going to complain :) 
Loves!
<3 Ris