The Journey, Pt. 2

June 20th, 2014

So, I haven't written here since I arrived in Germany almost 2 weeks ago. That's because Germany is AWESOME and I want to spend all my time exploring; writing blog posts would take too much time away from that! But alas, I have a few minutes, and I want to document this adventure!

First here are some things I've noticed about Germany:

1. The food is so delicious. Never once have I thought, "...is this meat real?" Meals take more time, eating is a family event rather than an obligatory routine.

2. People are less... social. They typically don't start up conversations.

3. The store clerks don't bug you to buy anything.

4. On the note of stores: all the sale items are at the front of the store, not all the way in the back like in the U.S. Definitely appreciate this one!

5. Road signs are different, but most of the rules are the same. Except for the lack of speed limits.

6. Public transportation is generally clean and easy to use.

7. I feel like an idiot more than I'd like; everyone here is nearly (if not completely) fluent in English, not to mention a few other languages. I can barely say 3 words in German.

8. I want to live here.

Granted, there are times when I miss Waco, my dear friends at Baylor, and all the many activities I do there, but part of me feels at home in Germany already. I even got the chance to talk with the music teacher on base to ask about what it's like to teach at a DOD school. What a cool job, to teach music overseas to military kiddos like myself! I'll definitely be applying for that.

So far, we've gotten to wander around downtown Stuttgart through some of the historic as well as modern parts of the city. For the most part, we are still getting used to our surroundings. We are preparing to go on a 2 week vacation all around Germany, Austria, and even Switzerland for a day!

Downtown Stuttgart, Königstraße

I think one of the things I am learning is that God is... gosh, just so much bigger than I ever thought. I don't give Him enough credit. He's been real to me in my life, supreme and sovereign. But now, coming to Europe, I see that He is present here too, in the furthest reaches of the earth that I will never see. And He loves me-- even if I am cranky from jet lag or cursing because my laptop breaks, or when I am embarrassed that I can't communicate with a stranger. I feel so blessed everyday just to be here, sitting in my hotel room, looking out the window at the cobblestone roads and pathways. He gives me peace to accept the things I can't understand and the passion to pursue the answers.

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June 23rd, 2014

PARIS FREAKIN FRANCE! Holy smokes, I get all in a tizzy just thinking about it.

Here's the deal: I've wanted to go to France for a long time (who doesn't?), but the desire to go heightened after the spring semester of 2010 during my first French class in high school. Part of that desire had a lot to do with the fact that my teacher, Mrs. Stoneback, was my cheer coach, student council sponsor, mentor, and spiritual guide; really, if she was involved in it, I was too.

I was actually pretty good at French. Did 4 semesters in high school, went to Haiti and got to speak there, tested into level II in college, and finished up French in Hawaii during summer classes. I've been in love with the language and the culture for the past 4.5 years. And boy do my parents know it.

Dad and Michelle surprised us with a hangman puzzle, the result reading, "Weekend in Paris". Well, I cried like a baby for a solid 15, then started packing.

We boarded the bus at 2:30AM, and 10 hours later (don't ask), we were in Paris.

Oh, the city was breathtaking. History everywhere, food everywhere, selfie opportunities everywhere. It was like a dream, like I had dove into one of my textbooks and rolled around in the pages. I was encompassed my Paris, totally absorbed in the Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the flow of the Seine. The Eiffel Tower was my favorite-- going to the top was actually quite scary, we were so dang high up! But the views were incomparable to any views I'd experienced.

Sommet de la Tour Eiffel

 As the only French speaker in the family, I got to order meals and ask questions. I felt like all my training was building up to this one trip.

False, 'cause Lord knows I'm going again.

It was only two days, which for me, was way too short. But I was so thankful to be there, even for a short time. This trip definitely confirmed my love for France, and I can't wait to see more!