Start where you are...

Starting multiple posts with the same topic, never finishing one and trying to think about a good way to express your feelings... 
All these things happened to me, when I tried to write a new post. 
I wanted to start it with the typical "New year - new me" headline, when I thought about how I changed already...
The thing is that I did not change just because a new year started. I am still the same I was yesterday or the day before (how ironic to read this, while I only talk about dates in 2016 but I think you'll get it... :D)
And even if I am still the same person I changed completely. 
How does this makes any sense? 
Well, just imagine a person getting thrown into another life, a life that's completely different from what you are used to and definitely out of your comfort zone. 
By making this big change in your life, it's nearly impossible to stay the same. 
Don't get me wrong - I am neither saying that change nor staying the same is a bad thing. 
I can just talk about my personal experience and I changed. 
Personally, I met people who inspired me, I am more independent and confident and got a second family, who travelled through the states with me.

And most important is, that I realized how precious time is and to use every chance you get. 


Ok ok, enough deep thoughts... How I spend my Christmas break?

Literally on the road babyyyyyy :D

Starting at the 24. with gifts at my hostgrandparents house right down the street, we drove down to Holland (the one in Michigan ;p) on the 25. and had a big family christmas party... 
I'm serious guys, you know you are in a big family if they sing a christmas song in a canon with three voices... :D 

Look at all those gifts... :0

Well then on the 26. we drove down to Detroit to visit my hostmoms parents and stayed there until January second. 

All in all I had a really funny break even if I think that it was way too short :D 

So here are some pictures and see you soon!

XOXO

Alina

I'm in love with cities I've never been to, and people I've never met.

This weekend, I went to Chicago with 7 other exchange students. 
It was an amazing weekend, we saw so much of the city (we walked almost 18 miles) and learned something really important... 

The difference between American and European time! :D

You want to know what the difference is? 
Well, my amazing LC told us that we always have to be on time this weekend - and by 'on time' she means 5 minutes early... 

So what is the well behaving exchange student doing? Being on time of course! And then? Waiting for at least 15 minutes for the LC... ;D 

So after the first day, we figured out the difference ;)
And asked every time we got free time if we are meeting on European or American time :D 

It was just super funny and it kind of made us all laugh every single time :D

It was an amazing time with friends and I can say that we all grew together as friends! I love these guys so much and couldn't be more thankful to know them!!




XOXO
Alina

Four months review

Well, it has been almost 4 months since I left my home in Germany and stepped out of my comfort zone to start the biggest adventure of my young life. 

When I started my new life I kind of changed it completely... From an only child to 3 siblings, up to living in the country instead of the city. 
Even though it was kind of weird sometimes I think I adjusted pretty good.

I mean I can't even nearly describe how I feel right now. It's been so overwhelming and exciting the last few months. 

I don't want to talk about everything I experienced so far.... I sure will, at the end of my American dream from which I actually never ever want to wake up from. 
I more likely want to talk about how much it influenced and changed me already....

From being a rather quiet person in Germany, I was kind of afraid to start completely new... New friends, new country, new language... 
At the point where I decided for myself to step out of my comfort zone I started living... I know, this wouldn't have happened if I would still be in my 'safe environment'.

What I had to learn from the beginning is that you have to trust in other people. I mean you basically move in with complete strangers and kind of expect them to give you a place to sleep, food and make you feel comfortable... 
Even if this sounds weird but you will notice how your host parents become like your second parents and random people at school become your best friends.
You will have inside jokes, get involved and at some point you start feeling like a family member. 

Seriously there is no better feeling in the world than getting hugged by a two year old before he is going to bed... Not because he has to tell you good night but because he wants to!

I finally realized that the only thing that matters is happiness. Nobody needs tons of money or a well trained body or whatever kind of status symbol, when you are not happy. 

And I can proudly say: I am happy! (@Claire: maybe not at six in the morning when the little ones are banging on my door... ;D)

So you could basically say that my first four months taught me how to be comfortable with myself and with others. 
It taught me that I can be successful on my own. As an individual, independent person. 
I now know that I can reach everything as long as I really want it and I'm willing to fight for it. 

I'm sorry this is kind of a cheesy post but before I close it I'd like to become a little bit poetic...
So just think about that: 

'We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.'

XOXO

Alina