Don't smile in Germany

Classes have begun. After only a few days, you can see the improvement and the room for improvement within our group. I find myself understanding German better and better with each day. I can now follow a lecture or conversation and not be completely lost. The classes seem promising and I'm excited for when I will be able to "read a newspaper after 4 weeks of German" like my host father said.

We visited Wartburg and Bachhaus yesterday which were both really awesome. Wartburg sits way high up so the climb up to the castle was pretty difficult for me. I found myself surprised to be tired after several flights of stairs when I had just climbed uphill with my family last week to a tower that sits high above Jena. Once the heavy breathing had subsided, I found myself amazed of the beauty of Wartburg and the view that came with it. The group had a tour of the castle and I made sure to take pictures. There are also pictures of the group on the Goshen SST website...not sure if y'all are keeping up with that.

After Wartburg, we went to the Bachhaus...you know, the famous Bach? Be jealous. Our museum guide was not only gifted in knowing information, but a wonderful musician who played a few of Bach's pieces on some very old instruments. We then traveled to the church where Bach first worked and got to listen to music played on this gigantic organ that Bach once played. It was absolutely amazing and I regret not getting more pictures of the organ.

Everything is going great in Jena. Me and my host family are getting to know each other more and more each day and I find myself enjoying the time I spend at home. Viktoria and Paul, my host sister and brother, are so much fun. Viktoria and I were dancing in my room to German music today and I enjoy watching the German game shows for kids after dinner. I have had really fun moments of trying to explain things like pancakes for breakfast (which Viktoria found really weird) and the pronunciation of the word "lawnmower."

My sleeping schedule is so weird now. If you know me pretty well, you know I usually go to bed around 3 in the morning and wake up around 1 or even 2. I can't imagine doing that anymore. I now go to bed around 9 or 10 and wake up around 7 in the morning. It feels completely normal now. I feel weird if I don't eat breakfast and I'm so tired by 5 o'clock. It feels weird but I like it. I feel like I have more time to enjoy the day and I'm getting sufficient amounts of sleep. I guess that's what SST does to you.

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