The months of January and February have been very busy -- celebrating my 18th birthday, going to musical events, skiing, and learning to snowboard.
Probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life was skiing in the Alps of Austria! After school was out on Jan. 26, many students from my school, the ASG (Albert Schweitzer Gymnasium), left for Salzburg, Austria, to go skiing. After two complete days of skiing, I was so tired and my legs hurt so bad that I could barely walk. Skiing in the Alps is just a little different than in Minnesota! The slopes are so long that we rode big heated gondolas to the top; sometimes it took up to a half hour just to ski to the bottom. We were unlucky on Saturday and Monday with weather -- wind, snow, bad visibility -- but on Sunday there was no wind, it didn't snow, and the sun shined. From the top of the mountain, the view is amazing! Snow covered mountains as far as I could see.
The week following the ski trip, I had to start cleaning and decorating the garage for my birthday party. I turned 18 on Jan. 25, but because of the ski trip, we celebrated my birthday on Feb. 3. Many people showed up; it was a good party. Finally, I am 18! As a birthday present from my host parents, the family and I went to Holiday on Ice in Munich. It was a very fun music ice show with people in colorful costumes, magic tricks, and awesome lighting and sound effects. Also, my siblings have given me tickets to a pro soccer game in Stuttgart on March 10.
The following Saturday, Feb. 9, I hit the slopes again with a group of friends, not to ski but to give snowboarding a try for the first time. That, I think that was the most PAINFUL day of my life! Surprisingly, no broken bones. I'm sure I slid down the slopes more on my butt and my face more than I did on the board! Although I was not very successful at learning how to snowboard, I did not give up.
From Feb. 16-20, I spent four days on the slopes in Bad Gastein in Austria with my host family the Bartelmesses, with Katy Hanselman's family, and a couple of friends. This time though, on the first day, I took a snowboard course to learn how to snowboard the correct way, and by the end of four days, I must say that I was very proud of myself! I could finally make it SLOWLY down the mountain without falling . . . a huge improvement from the first day of few weekends earlier.
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On Jan. 21 I had the opportunity to see the musical "The Three Musketeers" in Stuttgart, and on Feb. 9 traveled to Nuremberg to see an opera. Maybe if I would have understood a little better what they were about and what was going on, I think I would have enjoyed them more, but I am glad I had the opportunity to go.
The last week in February was Faschings vacation. Faschings is similar to Halloween or Mardi Gras, but celebrated a couple weeks long with costume parties and carnivals, and takes place before Lent begins. Due to skiing and other events, I wasn't able to attend any Faschings events. Kinda of a bummer, but oh well.
The first week of March will once again be moving week for me. I am definitely acquiring too much stuff! I will be moving to Ingerstheim, another little village next to Crailsheim. I will be living with Terry Worf -- an 11th-grader in my school -- and her father; that will be another totally different family lifestyle than I am used to.
I have heard that winter finally arrived in Worthington; so glad I don't have to shovel! We haven't had snow; just rain and temps in the 40's and 50's.
