Last night, my roommate had some friends over for dinner. No big. I don’t mind. It’s his apartment, too, and he and his friends are really considerate when they’re here.
This morning, I woke up to a green-ish brown lake in one of the sinks. Ew. Luckily we have drain cleaner. Eh. The sink was sort of clogging a little anyway before that. I just want to know what they tried to put down the drain.
The end of the year was sort of anti-climactic. I said goodbye, and as C and I left school that day, I didn’t feel as sad as I thought I would. I cried a little, especially when I said goodbye to U, my mentor teacher, because of how much had happened between us. And I didn’t cry when I got out of C’s car that day because we’re going to see each other again before I go “home.” Though, I did cry when I read the note that came with her gift to me. What a good friend she is. Though, she’s more like a mom friend. My German mom friend.
I can speak German because of her. Ha.
So that was that. It was a fantastic year despite the difficulties. I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve had some wonderful times, and I will never, ever forget the year I spent as a teaching assistant in Germany.
I found my spine again, too.
Tomorrow is the beginning of the end of my year at a German Gymnasium. I have made so many relationships and have had so many wonderful experiences.
I have a lump in my throat just thinking about it. I feel so much love from that school, and I feel so much love for that school.
Tomorrow is going to be difficult. Tuesday even more difficult. And Wednesday, the last day, will probably be wonderful and difficult all at the same time.
I am feeling a lot right now.
I can only imagine how awkward and horrible it’s going to be for his costars and the people behind the scenes.
Tina Fey’s response is perfect.
Argh. One of my students just found me on FB… Granted she can’t see my profile, but I’m thinking of making a “teacher” profile. Thoughts?
Well kids, it’s been a crazy year in Germany, and in 12 days, I will have survived a year teaching English at a German Gymnasium. Go me.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before or not, but usually I make a soundtrack at the end of a significant event in my life to kind of summarize it for myself and reflect on it. It’s quite a process, and I actually find comfort in it. There are actually quite a few songs that go with this year. They’re songs we played in orchestra and songs that I played in class, and they’re songs that I listened to get through some of the rough patches and songs I listened to during the awesome times (because there were so, so, so many).
At any rate, I already have ideas for a few songs that will go on the CD for sure. This is a rough list.
I’m going to have to work on it, but I think this is a good start.
…purge? Reorganization? Deletion?
So I just went through and deleted a bunch of FB friends, and to be honest, I’m really glad I did. There is just NO point in being friends with people who I’ve not talked to in year or only added because they lived in my dorm or I met them at a bar or something lame like that. Or met them once.
Yeah. I feel like a grown-up. Now I can’t stalk people I never really liked/knew/cared about anyway. Good.
<3. You’re all great in your own way!
American tumblroos, Ima gon’ sleep now, so while I do that, you should teol me your favourite thing(s) about where you live and where you’re from! Ask box, reply or reblog. Or do a new post. It’s neat to learn stuff.
Bye cutiepies! Have a good night!
Ps. Canadians I love you too obviously. You’re super sexy. And I like your country. Tell me stuff too!
Ahoy! Right now, I’m an expat living in Germany, but I’m from Michigan. I think I really like how the lower peninsula looks like a hand. We point where we live using our hands. It’s awesome. And you can make the upper peninsula with your other hand, too. Michigan is America’s high five. :) I also love the Great Lakes. They’re beautiful, and they’re huge! Lake Michigan is my favorite, and every summer, I make an effort to go there because it’s SO relaxing. I think the thing about Michigan I miss the most is the Great Lakes. There is so epic body of water near where I live, other than the Rhein, which IS pretty epic, but I can see across it, so it can’t compare to the Great Lakes. I’m actually looking forward to seeing them when I go home for the summer.
I love living in Germany, but my roots are in Michigan, and I proud of it.
In my lesson today students modeled disease transmission. We did this using Dixie cups filled with water. For each class, I added some fairly concentrated sodium hydroxide (strong base) to one cup. Students then “exchanged fluid” with one another and I used a base indicator to find the “infected”…
Mr. L. used to go up to people and pretend to poke them in the eyes if they didn’t wear their lab goggles…
I’m writing this to you because I’m currently working a school in Germany. At my school, the “seniors” are already done, but I’m working with kids your age, and I see them and remember myself at 18. I’m writing this to you because soon, you will graduate. You’ll get dressed in a plastic cap and gown; sit for hours in a stiflingly hot gym or auditorium or in full sun on your school’s football field; walk up on a stage; shake some hands, and receive an empty folder that will hold your high school diploma as soon as you pick up your permanent record after the ceremony. You’ll probably feel like this is the one of, if not the, biggest accomplishments of your life. (I didn’t. When I was 18, it was quiz bowl state meet that was my biggest accomplishment. I actually had to work for that…) You’ll take pictures with your parents and your grandparents. You’ll take pictures with your friends, and you’ll smile through the tears. Maybe…
At any rate, no matter how you feel about it, it’s a pretty big day. Huge accomplishment or not, it is a major milestone in your life. You just came to the end of your mandatory education. Congratulations! Now get over it and move on to bigger and better things. High school is not the best time of your life. I promise. It gets better. Even though terrible things will happen (because that’s life), life after high school is exponentially better than life during high school. Many of you will go to college, which is awesome. Your education is a privilege that many, many, many people will not get. Yes, you’ll probably have to pay through the nose for it, but I would pay it all over again. I do not regret a single penny. Appreciate it. Embrace it. Enjoy it.
Make mistakes and try new things. Don’t get your heart set on any specific major so much so that you miss out on something that you might love one million times more. Stay up too late working on a paper. Or stay up too late talking with friends. Both are important experiences. Go to the bar on a “school night.” Drink too much and go hungover to class. NEVER, EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DRIVE AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL OR SMOKING POT OR DOING ANY OTHER DRUGS. NEVER GET IN A CAR WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DOING ANY OF THESE THINGS IF THAT PERSON WILL BE DRIVING. SERIOUSLY. Be the designated driver for your friends, too. That’s fun in and of itself.
Speaking of friends: True friends are rare, and they are truly a gift. Take care of your friendships. Friends will come in and out of your life, and friends will certainly disappoint you. Some things are unforgivable, but people do deserve second chances. Surround yourself with the people who make you happy. Avoid those who don’t. Don’t be a fake friend and don’t have fake friends. Maybe you’ll be friends with the people you were friends with through school and maybe you won’t be. That’s life.
Study abroad. This was expensive, too, but it was one of the best experiences of my entire life, and it has brought me so much joy and opened so many doors for me - doors that I didn’t even know existed. And here I am, living in Germany - living a dream that I didn’t even know I had until I studied here. See?
Your parents love you. A lot. They are also pretty smart. They love you no matter what. They love you even when they yell at you. In fact, they yell at you because they love you. Hug your mom and dad. Tell them you love them every chance you get. However, you probably won’t be able to realize this until you leave home for the first time.
Siblings are great, too. It took me a long time and a really terrible situation to realize this. Siblings love you, too. Even though you might never get along, they love you. I promise. I would never trade all the pain and fear I feel watching my sister fight her cancer for a life as an only child. She’s my baby sister, and she will be for the rest of my life. I love her.
Love yourself. I’m pretty sure you’re a good person. You’re going to fail at things. You’re going to make mistakes. Some people will not like you. Some people will even hate you. That’s their problem, not yours. Don’t make it your problem. But don’t be an egotistical jerk, either. There’s a fine, fine line between the two. Find the line and respect it. Find the people who love you for you.
Congratulations on your graduation. It’s been a long road, but you’ve made it. Now go out there and make something of yourself.
Best wishes and godspeed,
Jessica
