TATA BABA as time goes by...

Opening my Christmas present and laughing my head off because of what was inside...sweatpants.

Cheers:)

The Porta Nigra all decked out for christmas!

TAM TAM! He has a tamborin!

Alison also from the USA and I enjoyed a moment infront of Starbucks missing home together!

Yup, thats the grave from Beethoveen what more can I say. Deutschland is Leigt.

I really am going to miss christmas here.

MY new hair makes me fit in well with my host family!

Viva La sehr lustig abend...

OKAYY.
Lets see I am horrible at this whole monthly blog thing sorry. Since I last wrote to the world I have succesfuly turned Germany upside down, survived 3 months here, gone through excactly 100 days and lived to tell the tale. What can I say have I got talent or have I got talent?
I have done alot of thinking for this blog post and have decided I have no idea what to say.
You know that feeling of being alone in a strange land where its like OHH my what am i doing here please stop pointing and laughing noticing my accent and or talking to me in english and just flat out wanting to cry in the middle of the street. I have had alot of that feeling latley.
AND this is where the story gets GOOD!
I Amy Elizabeth Boggs have come to a few relizations in my life. After switching my host family and being taken in by a friend because I had to go. After crying in school because everyone was laughing at me because I couldn't saying the words in my Biogloy presentation right. After travling alone for the first time to a new city and thinking who I am...the conclusion is here! 
Bom Bom BOM
I am an American
I don't like to walk places and I eat everything from a box. My favorite place in the world is Giant and I cry a little bit everytime my friends say they don't know who Frosty the Snowman is. I love eating in school. I regret not being prouder of my country while I was still there. I am fat on the inside and skinny on the outside. Yup I am an American
I am a German
We take breaks in school more then anyone I have ever seen. I eat bread with ever meal and drink funny water. I say Danke not Thank You..Nothing is wrong with me when my door is closed I just like it that way.  I see 2,000 year old Romen Baths everyday on my way to school. No, I am a German.
I am Exchange Student
I am strong and weak all in one. Sometime I have no idea but that doesn't stop me. I eat everything and try everything. Everyday is a new day. I learn something new about my self  and in the process connect to others. I have overcame things people couldn't even dream of and in German. I know who I am...I am an Exchange Student.  
   


As Chirstmas rolls around I want to test my skills so:
Merry Christmas
Frohe Weihnachten
Vielz Naviedad
Joyeux Noël

4 languages I think thats pretty good:) For those of you who don't know the Germans celebrate on the 24th. So if you want to celebrate double christmas become an exchange student just saying because I am celebrating two Christmases. One German style and one American style. YAY!
Alles Liebe. Ich wunsche alles eine schöne Weihnachten! (Lots of love I wish everyone a beautiful Chirstmas),
Amyy

ohh the many things that I can do in a year...

Deutschland Bucket List:

So I got the idea to make a bucket list and it has taken me forever to tell the world about it. So here we go 20 thing I am going to do in the next 8 months

1. Bake a German Cheese Cake
2. Swim in the Mosel
3. Everything you can think of in snow
4. eat Gummy Bears till I'm sick
5. go inside the Porta Nigra
6. Fragt ein Junge "Bist Du am Facebook?"
7. Go to Berlin
8. particapate in a High risk activity
9. Eat a super long Wurstchen
10. go to a German Christmas Markt
11. Platzchen Backen!!! ;) (Natscha) 
12. give a German a hug
13. Glühwein Trinken (turns out it has achocol so that ones out unless I can find it with out)
14. Film night
15. Find a hot guy
16. bleand in with a group of tourist
17. ride a segway in Trier
18. read the the Book of Morman
19. hike an Alp
20. buy a Durndal and wear it home :)

I am sorry that I don't avaidly blog its just that I don't have time. Today was the first advent. We are kicking off Weinnachten. Its so beautiful here I can't describe it. Cold, but amazing. I love my friends. Oh, and did you know you can eat Döner, a delicous Türkish food, till 5 am in Trier so if your ever hungry in Germany i can hook you up!  I promise to upload pictures soon and tell you more about whats up. Bis Dann. Alles Liebe:) Oh and feel free to email me any one my email is kyaeb1@yahoo.com. I don't always write back that day, but relativly soon. I would love to hear from anyone. Frau if your reading this make them translate the whole thing for a warm up. No, I am joking but if you are reading this Hi GUYS!

one year.

'Twas the Night Before Departure Author: Tanner Orion Published: January 2nd, 2001 Views: 1388

'Twas the night before departure, and all throughout the land
Next years exchange students with plane tickets in hand they said their farewells, and hugged everyone goodbye not knowing of the crazy adventures in front of them that lie...  A room full of memories all packed in a hurry that night, "Hey Mom, can you sit on this for me while I zip up it tight?"
Visions of faraway places and foreign lands they dream
It's all fiction until tomorrow, when their planes will leave 
Half way across the world their new friends awake they don't know it yet, but he/she will be their best mate their dreams continue, all exciting and stoked little do they know, this time next year they'll be broke 
The moon gives way, for the bright sun the next day they wake up to reality, for today is the day
A day of tears, fears, and many make-up smears
A day of joy, adventure, and a little maturity I might add I love you so much, I'll miss you Dad. "Hey Mom, who's gonna do my laundry?"
"Just kidding, I'll miss you real bad."
"Hey Sis, I took your favorite dress (hehe)... no I didn't, but I wanted to real bad.
I guess I never said this, but I love you to death." 
The tears trickled through, but the excitement prevailed
All proud and adventurous, as my moms arms "flailed" goodbye I never thought
I'd miss them so much until they weren't by my side
The plane took off, and the flight attendant brought drinks, A little turbulence got me nervous, but I'm ok, I think... 
The flight continued, and in their dictionaries they looked
Actually, this was the first time they had ever opened this book
"How do I say 'Hi'? 'Goodbye'? What if I need do to go the bathroom? I don't know!"
The fear inside them began to grow.
Another night passed, and thus another day
They are all needles in a hay stack, special in their own way.
The flight attendant woke them all up, "hey lady, I don't want any orange juice, why did you have to wake me up?" They say...
A great way to start off such an important day 
A smooth landing and they were there at last about to meet their new host families, not knowing their year would go by real fast
A big smile, and some good-old morning breath
"I can't wait to take a shower, I hope they have one, I wept"  A new culture, a new family, a new language and land "Anything else? ... I don't even recognize the sand"
"Where am I, who are you, how do I say... and what's this?
I feel really lonely, I can't stop thinking about everybody I miss."
"I wonder what my friends are doing right now, what happened at the party, and who kissed."
The story continues on, for about a nine months to a year
The adventure has just started, and the end doesn't seem near.
Their days pass, and their friendships grow, "leaving my new home is the toughest part... I wish I had known." Their eyes are wide, they're flaunting overwhelming smiles alike
I hope mom and dad don't mind my new tattoo, curfew, study habits, and insight I've changed a little bit, gotten out on my own, you know I've lived by my own rules for a year, I thought you should know
It just won't be like it was before my friends I'm lost in my own paradise, I no longer need your advice.
Hey, what's up? Not much I say.
If I told you, you wouldn't understand, anyway 
The sun sets, and back in their own beds they lay
A year of their life, well worth the extended stay
So many stories, and so much to tell
The experience of a lifetime,
"I went through heaven and hell
I can't say it was easy, and I can't say I loved every minute
But I grew a lot, I learned a new language, and no that's not it sometimes I like to keep it to myself, that way I don't ruin it."

Ich verstehe kein Englisch nur Deutsch bitte...

so I am home sick yet again. I have been sick the inter week and I am trying to drink something warm since nothing else seems to help. I figured I would take this time to update you on the PARTY. My german is way better. I can like hold a conversation now and only make a couple mistakes. Everyone tells me that my German is better then most Americans so take that! I just got back from Orentation Camp and even though i felt like I may die the inter time it was really nice. I love when all the different kultars can mix together and talk about what problems we were having. We put on a talent show which was really fun there were six Americans there so we taught every one how to play American Football. The two kids from Thailand sang this song which was so cool (thats what the video is of incase you are wondering).  Schools going good I have found great friends who I really like. Did you know that they don't have cheez-its or Campbell's Chicken Noodel Soup in Germany? that should be a crime or something! I am going though withdraws! How are you supposed to get better when you are sick! Here are some pictures from the past week:

germans carve pumpkins too;) mine was a german flag and american flag!

So I worry sometimes about the people I know. For instints my host sister who is jamming to Party in the USA right now!

European Mann Tasche

this. guy. was. old. If he hadn't been old I would have asked him to take his picture because he was rocking that European man bag and I am pretty sure he knew it. When i say he was old I mean like he look like he could fall into cardiac arrest at any second. So when he sat in front of me on the bus I was like score old guy with a sweet European Mann Tasche can this day get any better? Clearly it did because when I was in the city later on I drank the world's most lecker (delicious) hot chocolate, learned how to use a German atm, and guess what I saw? You'll never guess what I saw so i will just tell you. I say a another guy with a European Mann Tasche.
LIFE IS GUT.
I have become so fascinated by the idea of becoming "sehr Deutsch" or very German. Everything around me is so new and interesting. I laugh because i know my host sister is probably thinking these crazy complex thoughts and I am thinking la de da the Mosel is very pretty. I can see the Porta Nigra every day and still marvel at its beauty. I wonder how i got so lucky in my placement. Why everyone else has got to go to orientation camp but me. I want to go to camp..I love camp. Plus what's better than going to camp with a bunch of people who can't talk to each other!
I also have become obsessed with cleaning. I think its because i have nothing better to do. So I just start cleaning my room. I organize my clothes according to color and session and make my bed at least three times. I find joy in vacuumming because it takes a while. I am going to start playing the piano. Starting next Saturday I believe.Yes, very exciting if I come back knowing one song it will be a job well done. I am shooting for "Mary had a Little Lamb".

EIN MONAT im Deutschland!

having reached the one month mark I thought I would make a list of all the things I have learned so far starting from the moment i got off the plane...

1) No matter how hard I try the moment I open my mouth they always know I am American even if I keep it simple with things like Nein!
2) Germans have a starring problem! If you are a exchange student considering Germany I am now speaking to you I hope you have alot of self confidence because for the first week all they will do is stare and stare some more and possibly in passing scream ahh there goes an exchange student! then return to starring!
3) Germans eat and they eat alot. They eat breakfest which you are expected to be up and ready for. Then you have a series of " Pause" or breaks they last 15 mins and during each of those you eat. You then return home for Mittagesessen which directly traslated is like middle of the day meal its like Lunch but its much larger. This is a common practice found in my family snacking while watching Greys Anatomy so that one has no idea how much they have actually eatten or the nutritional vaule of the foos that they have consumed. I am okay with it...I have embrassed the fact that I will indeed gain weight. Its worth it when your eating what I am. 
4) Opening your window. You must do it. There is no choice. Upon arrivial I got the sweet surprise that there is no air conditioning in Germany which means constant windows being opened no matter how cold the morning is. 
5) Germans have the best words. I love german words. I wish I could say them better though. I form these perfect sentences in my head and write them amazingly. However, I lack the confidence to speak them. That brings me to my next point.
6) German music is so cool. I love it even though i can't understand it. If your ever looking for some new music I have lots of recommendations now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgCOUO-s8nY
7) Lastly, I miss ever one at home alot. I know everday I am missing something but then I look at all then amazing things I am doing here. my year is nothing compared to anything I would have ever had if I had stayed home  I am so grateful for my experencie and for everyone who has helped me. From making pancakes with choclate chips and bannanna or going to Luxemburg I wouldn't give up my adventure in Germany for a single homecoming dance or football game.
Hope everyone had a good month!
 

Ferien!

In Germany there are a series of four "ferien's" or breaks. Right now is fall Ferien aka fall break which last about two weeks long. On the first Monday of Ferien it is also Tag der Deutschen Einheit its kinda like Germany's independece day. Overall no one has to work on this day My host family and I took the day and went to Luxemburg a small country about 6 miles away from where we live. It is so small there army consists of 200 people an the palace is garded by one person. This is a picture of the changing of the gaurd.

What is a better thing to do then eat cake and drink hot choclate milk? nothing. The Choclate House faces the palace of the king of Luxemburg.

I have no idea what this is. There are odd sculptures like this everywhere.

Meine familie ( Marion, Alisha, Joshua, Me) Not pictured Joanna, Rudi and Oma because she was taking the picture!

So a normal night for us consist of the same routine at 7:30 Greys Antomey comes on. We all gather in our respective spots and watch it together. I have no idea that is going on unless they have cancer. Then we slowly take turns going into the kitchen for food. Joann wasn#t to happy when i took this picture but I had to capture the moment.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow:Trier

                                     AFS Gateway Orientation in Washington D.C. My all my friends I made!

 Ellie (she's from Kansas) and had the privilege of sitting next to me on the plane!

 We hadn't slept much.

 Loading up the bus to the airport! Kendra, Racheal, Ellie and Myself

 Meliena and I joked that we were going to get on the plane like that!

 Waiting to board the plan as a group! all 92 of us!

 Last picture in the US!!!

 First picture in Germany. It was so early and none of us had slept!

 Treir:) This is the Porta Nirgra or Black Gate its huge as you can tell!

 H und M Deusch style!

Speedwell Scholarship Lunchen

In 11 days I leave for Germany. Before hand I had the opportunity to meet not only the Messners of the Speedwell Foundation ,but also the president of AFS. It was great to see that I wasn't the only one who hasn't started packing and just to laugh and talk with people who are going through exactly what I'm going through.
Still scared to death but now I'm a lot more excited. I haven't even left yet and I'm all ready planning all the other places I want to go.
There are 8 scholarship recipients going to Germany so that is nice. Its helpful to know that when I get to Dulles I'm not completely alone.
Its true what they say about AFS. Once you enter you step into a family. You step into a world of people who are so much like you and you begin to make friendships. I know that I am only starting this journey.
I have such a amazing opportunity.
Senior Year here I come.

Coming together or auf Deutsch Zusammenkommen:)

I can unofficially officially say yesterday was my last day in an American school! I am still waiting on graduation confirmation for Dr.Heasel. I went to work today bright and early at 9:30 today; which shouldn't have felt early. So much has got to get done before I go. I got my OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE from AFS-Germany when I returned home from work today.

Hi Amy,   Congratulations! AFS-Germany has just accepted your application!

I am working so hard to make sure I get everything done before I leave. The puzzel pieces are just coming together. I will never be fully prepared for what I am getting into untill I get there. Once I get off my plane I will go to a three day orentation about the coulture that also gives us (the students) a chance to connect with people all across the world. It also will teach us one more time what we can and cannot do, how to deal with home sickness, and advice on how to enter into a whole new world.

I am starting my connection to Germany by labeling everything in my house in German. If anyone has anyother ideas I would love to hear them. I would also love to hear from you. Hope everyones summer is amazing:) viel Gluck und viel Spass.

The Adventure Begins

Thanks to the Speedwell Foundation, I am 3 months and 8 days away from my departure to Germany. The Speedwell Foundation presents 20 scholarships in the Lancaster/Lebanon area every year. A representative from AFS gave a presentation at my school in April about the program and the scholarship. This was enough to convince me to go.

After applying for the program and scholarship I began to realize the reality of the decison I had just made. It was scary when I suddenly realized that I had made a commitment to go across an ocean without telling anyone.

I have been taking German for three years. Originally my plan was to go to Switzerland. The one thing I decided then I would maintain while abroad was going to church regularly. When I included this in my application I was told I couldn't apply to Switzerland. However things do work out for the best! I am now on my way to Germany with a wonderful host family.

I am excited to see how the experience will benefit me in the long run. I am sad to have to leave my family a year earlier than we all planned, but I won't lie to them by saying I can't wait to go!