Winter (formal)

Hey you! 

So, the last two weeks were sort of exciting. There were days which were more "ordinary", but all in all I enjoyed the last two weeks.

Last Friday we had a basketball game against Cresent Valley High school (CV). Games against CV are always super intense and excitng. The whole gym was packed and cheering was so much fun! We won the game and everybody was super happy! 

We have a new dance for cheer, so we danced it the first time at the game, and as far as I could tell, people liked it. That's great, because I personally, like it a lot. 

Nothing really exciting happened the week after that. I talked to some poeple I never really talked to and started spending more time with them, which I really enjoyed! 

We also had a game this Friday, which wasn't as intense, but still fun. We won again, but this time it got really close towards the end. 

We had to dress nice for school, to show the team some support (Idon't really get that part, but I don't mind, because all the other days during the week I mostly wear leggings, or something unexciting but comfortable (a lot of people here just wear yogapants and sweaters to school)). Without wanting to sound narsisstic, but I really liked my outfit :) I got new boots for christmas, and I wore them with overknee socks and my cord- skirt. It was actually really comfortable and warm and I felt good in it. 

On Saturday then was Winter Formal. I got ready with Lily and Anissa, a friend of Lily who graduated last year. Anissa is just a godess when it comes to make- up. She did both of our make- up and it looked so good. 

We went to Red Robin with six other people, so we were a pretty big group. The dance itself was ok. It was in a private middle school, so the location was a lot better than on Homecoming (we were in our library), but the music wasn't really great. We left a little bit before the dance was over and just hung out. I stayed at Lily´s overnight and the next morning we went out to breakfast. Lily had a cold  and we both were really tired, so none of us wanted to spent time on making breakfast. 

I can just say: going out was a great decision! We both had chocolate- banana- crêpes with fruits, I had a coffee mocha and Lily had tea for her throat. The crêpes were delicious and excactly what both of us needed. They just made me feel really happy and satisfied. I didn't even feel bad for eating all of it. I went home afterwards, made myself some tea and snuggled up in blankets in my bed. 

It was rainy and cold outside and just the perfect day to stay in bed, watch movies and listen to music. 

Unfortunately the week was clouded by some bad news. 

First, David Bowie died. He was such a good musician and When I heard his song "Heroes" for the first time two years ago, I fell in love with it. 

Second, Alan Rickman died. He was a big part of my childhood, because of Harry Potter. No one could have portrayed Snape like he did. Thank you!

Third, there was a shooting in Corvallis during the basketball game on Friday. It was in a restaurant nearby the school and one person died. I just don't understand the gun- laws in America. It is just shocking that everybody can go and buy a gun. 

I hope your weeks were great and happy and everything worked out like you planned it :) . Hopefully you are all doing great. I am really happy right now (my tummy is full of crêpes, tea in my hand, music in my ears, and the thoughts of no school tomorrow in my head!)

Love you all! Malin 

Lily & Anissa

Lily & Saul

Saul& I

Lily & I

The three of us

Lily's and my breakfast the morning after 

Happy new year

Happy New Year everybody! 

I hope all of you have had a great start into 2016! 

We drove to Seattle on 12/27/15 to spend New Year's Eve with Christine´s best friend, Sarah, and her family. The car ride was rather boring, but fortunately the traffic was good, so we arrived in Seattle after five and a half hours. 

On the first day, we went to Pike's Place market, which was quite an experience. It was stuffed with people and it was loud; the typical atmosphere at markets. We spent a little while at a stand which sold pasta, and different kinds of balsamic vinegar, like dark- chocolate- vinegar, or honey- rosemary- vinegar. I know that sounds wierd but it was surprisingly good. 

They had tons of different kinds of pasta, 'normal' pasta, like saffron, or tomato- basil, or lemon, but then they had super weird stuff, like chocolate- pasta, or peppermint. 

On the second day we went to the Pacific Science museum. That was interesting, even though I am not super into science. But they had different exhibititions, and one of them was a butterfly house, which was super cool. 

We had a reservation on top of the Space Needle for lunch, so we could go up there 30 minutes earlier without waiting for an hour. The view was incredible. The day was cold, but super clear ,so we were able to see all over Seattle and the mountains. It was great. 

The restaurant on the space needle spins, so while you're eating, you can slowly see the different views drifting by. The food was delicious. 

We met with Sarah and her family after lunch and took the monorail downtown, to see a gingerbread village in Star- Wars- style. 

On Thurday, Sarah, Christine, Iris, Ruby, Mattheus and I all went to the mall to go shopping. Christine, Sarah and Iris left after lunch, so it was just the three of us. I felt sorry for Mattheus, because he was the only guy, and even though he looks like he likes shopping and he never complained and waited patient until we were ready, I think he was bored. We went home after a couple hours, and prepared the New Year´s Eve meal. We wanted to make sushi in the first place, but we had so many delicious appetizer that we didn't make sushi. We played games, chatted and filmed their annual New Year´s music video. They didn't have fireworks which was a little sad, but it was a great New Year`s Eve anyways! It was different than in Germany because normally we stayed up till four or five o'clock, and here we went to bed around 2 o'clock. It was fine, because I had a little cold and a headache, but it felt weird. 

On Friday we hung out with them again. Jim and Mike took us kids on a ferry, which was cool and on the other side of the sound  was a crêpes- shop, which was quite delicious. Ruby and I shared a savory and a sweet crêpes together, which was great, because that way we can have the best from both sides. 

I have a couple New Years resolutions and I am determined to complete them! I hope all of you enjoyed your New Years parties and hopefully 2016 will be as great or better than 2015. 

Lucky for us, we didn't have school today, because all the roads were frozen, so I had a little time to write this post. Maybe I will reduce the time between my posts from one week to two, because sometimes nothing exciting happens, or I am just too lazy. 

Kisses, Malin

Pike's place market

Downtown Seattle

Christmas

Hey there! 

Christmas is over now, and we already started to pack away all the christmas decoration ,so we don't have to do it when we come back from Seattle next week. 

I spent Monday and Tuesday wrapping the last Christmas presents, writing cards and being in a stage of excitement for my first Christmas away from home. Ruby and Iris played Christmas songs on the piano while Christine and I baked some more Christmas cookies. I made a bunch of "Linzertorten" to give away for Christmas and just for us to eat. 

On Tuesday Christine's parents arrived with two people from Costa Rica, so the house was full, festive and chaotic. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to Jim´s sister and her family to celebrate Christmas Cve with all the cousins and the family. I've met them on Thanksgiving, so we already knew each other. 

Jim's parents are Swedish, so we had a Swedish meal with rye bread, pickled hering, beet- salad, meatballs and flatbread. It was different from the Christmas dinner in Germany, because it wasn't as decadent, but it still was really good. 

After dinner we played a game called "White Elephant". Everybody brought a present and then the first person has to pick a present and unwrap it. The second person can either steal the present or pick a new one, and so on. We didn't have valuable gifts, because it was more a just- for- fun game. I ended up with pineapple juice, that was pretty cool in my eyes. 

We drove home and we all went to bed, excited what will be under the tree when we wake up. 

And finally, Christmas morning was here! I skyped with my family and then went downstairs to see what was waiting for me in my stocking. Everybody else was awake waiting for me, so we could unwrap our presents. 

First, we opened our stockings. We all had some little treasures in it. and it was kind of a warm- up, like Christine said. Then we all went to the Christmas tree to attend to the real business. Iris had a Santa- hat, so she was the one to pick presents for everybody. I got some new clothes, and shoes, jewelery, decoration for my room, some food and I also got a package from home. 

I am very glad, because everybody seems to like the presents I gave them. 

In the afternoon, Jim's nephew and his wife came over and we ate more cookies, and played some Wii. It kinda felt like I was at my grandparents, because we always spent Christmas day with them and play Wii to burn all the calories from the food. 

I have two treasure boxes now, full of cards, pictures and little presents from friends, my family in Germany and my family here,plus some really cute stationary, so I can write letters and cards. 

The next days I spent cleaning my room, doing some homework, making posters for my basketball buddy and just hanging around. Next week on Tuesday we will go to Seattle, to spend New Year´s with Christine's best friend and her family. I am very excited to see Seattle, even though the car ride is about 6 hours (I know that's not super long for American standards, but you can drive halfway through Germany in 6 hours...)

I hope, all of you had wonderful holidays with your family and friends, and you're all doing great!!

Kisses, Malin

Ice cream- snowballs for dessert

I had my own beautiful stocking!

Opening mail from my aunt in germany

Lil' Santa

What's christmas without some happiness? 

Family & Friends

Hey there! 

I hope all of you are doing great! We finally have winter break for two weeks, which was hugely  desired by everyone! One thing I absolutely dislike about school here, is that they have so few breaks during the school year...

This week felt really long, I was tired the whole time, and then on Friday we didn't have school, because the river was flooding. We were super excited and I was so happy, because so I had the time to clean my room, bake, wrap presents and just relax. 

On Saturday we had our secret santa gift exchange from the cheer team, and it was super fun! I bought my secret santa a pair of super fuzzy socks with Aloe, and personally I love them, and I hope she likes them as much as I do. 
On Saturday we went on a trip to the coast, and I was so happy to see the ocean! There is just nothing more beautiful than the sea, besides the sky. It started raining and storming later and the water was rough and busy, but still so beautiful. We ate dinner at 'Local Oceans' , a restaurant in Newport, and it was super delicious! I am so thankful for that day!

So, and now I thought I will introduce you to some important people here: My host family and three of my friends. These are the people I spend most of my time with, and I wish you could all meet them in person, because they are just great! I asked all of them what are their three favorites are and then I asked everyone some different questions. 

I have four more family memebers, My host dad Jim, my host mum Christine and my two host sisters Ruby and Iris. They are a great family and they welcomed me so warmly and I am so thankful for being a part of this family for my year here! I couldn't wish for a better one. So here we go: 

Jim 

Animal: Red pandas

Food: Ice cream

Color: When I was little it was purple and nobody ever let me forget it... Alright, I'd say green

Christine

Animal: Zoey! Not dogs, but Zoey (Zoey is our dog)

Food: Thai red curry

Color: green

Ruby

Animal: dogs

Food: Burritos with Valentina (Valentina is a hot sauce)

Color: blue. like a nice blue, like the color of people's eyes

Iris

Animal: Hippos or manatees

Food: Pasta

Color: preiwinkel, thats a color between blue and purple

And now, my friends. These three people are the ones I spent most of my time outside of school with. They are all super nice, polite and generous. 

Lily 

Animal: Elephants

Food: Reese's fastbreak

Color: green

How would you describe the German stereotype?

Uhm, a lot of beer... and I know that sounds really bad, but I think about yodeling and shoes with a curved tip, like elves. And beer.

How would you describe the American stereotype? 

Fat and eating at McDonalds. Thats not true, I know, but I just think that everybody outside of the US must think that. 

And, yes, her eyebrows are naturally that way!!

Saul

Animal: white tigers

Food: chicken alfredo

Color: red

What's the best thing about America?

The freedom here, but that you still have rules, so controlled freedom (I still don't know what exactly he means)

What's the worst thing about America?

People have labels on them, and they are classified by money and they are put in a caste and it's hard to move up. That's easier in Mexico. 

Parker

Animal: Pugs

Food: Pizza

Color: blue

If you could change anything in America, what would it be? 

I would probably change how we do prosecute people in court. Some people go to prison for way too long for stupid crimes so I guess I would change some laws. 

What did you thought about Germany before I came here?

I thought people from Germany were grumpy, super classy and serious people.

How did I change your picture from Germany?

Well, you showed me there are funny and awesome sides to anybody no matter where you're from.

           

Alright, so now you have a few impressions of the people I hang out with and who has become important to me over the last couple months. I wish, you could meet them all in person, because spending time with them is so much fun! 

Next to these people are my cheer girls, who are all talented and super nice and a great team! 

Ans now here are some pictures from the ocean. The Oregon coast is dark and full of rocks and the sand is super hard at some spots, but it is so beautiful!

I hope you all are great and as excited for Christmas and the holidays and New Year as I am! 

Love, Malin

USA - Germany

Hello! 

I had a great week.  It went by so fast! Basketball season started, and during December we are cheering for the girls, and when the boys start to have home games in January, we cheer for them. It is so much fun cheering for basketball, because it is way faster and more intense than football. The game is more likely to switch at the end, which makes it more exciting. 

On Friday we had a short mini- day; that means, all classes are just 20 minutes long. We don't do much in class, but I enjoyed it anyway, because I got home at 12:45, which was very good. 

Christine´s best friend came on Thursday night for a visit, and to help a little, since Christine had a foot- surgery. She is super nice and I am looking forward to see her again during winter break. 

I spent Saturday with Lily, which was great. We made homemade macaroni-  and- cheese  and filled strawberries. In the evening, we went to a poker game with her mother and her fiancé. It was fun, and we did a really good job playing, even though we didn't win. 

Below I have listed some differences between America and Germany, or better some facts, since I am here, and I just want to share them with you. Not all people in America are like this, but just to simplify this, I will say 'Americans'. I don't mean to offense anyone. I hope you enjoy it! :) 

                                  1. The serving sizes here are much bigger

                                  2. They don't use knives while they eat, they cut everything and then eat

                                  3. Fast- food restaurants have very few vegetarian choices

                                  4. They have ice in every drink

                                  5. 'Bread' is very sweet and very white here

                                  6. You can fill your drinks up as often as you want

                                  7. Water in restaurants is free

                                  8. Water in supermarkets costs more than coke

                                  9. They cool everything down, everywhere

                                10. They just have roll- deodorants

                                11. They have flags everywhere

                                12. College athlethes are treated like celebrities

                                13. They have a lot of cars and drive a lot

                                14. They can give their babies weird names

                                15. Shops are open on Sundays

                                16. They think a german accent sounds good

                                17. They are willing to drive an hour to get lunch/ breakfast

                                18. Football coaches are the highest public paid employees

                                19. They think a 100 year old house is old

                                20. They don't have christmas markets !! 

                              

So, these are my 20 facts about America, maybe you have learned something new or at least were entertained :)

I hope, you all had a great week, and you are enjoying the Christmas season 

 lots of love, Malin

Lily's christmas tree

We had so much cheese for our macaroni

High school (musical?)

Hello there!

I have been in High school for 12 weeks now, so I thought I would talk a little bit about the big mystery of 'high school'. All the teenage- and chickflick movies set up expectations, and I am so sorry to tell you, that most of it is not true :)

So just to be clear: high school is not quite like this : 

Unfortunately there is no singing and dancing in the hallways or Sharpay rolling into the parking lot in a pink Capriolet. 

It's also not like this, but actually, we're getting nearer to reality: 

And High school might look like this for a few people, but I can tell you that  it is not that bad:

To be fair, this movie is hilarious, but it also doesn't come close to how it really is.

Ok, but enough joking around. So High school.... It is actually not a lot different than school in Germany. I was expecting more groups, or cliques. And I mean there are some groups, but it is not super obvious. 

The school system is quite different than in Germany. The students have to earn a certain amount of credit during the four years of school, Some classes will bring you more credit, some less. They have a lot more different classes, and they can decide which they want to take. Some classes, like English, science and math are required but other than that, they have a lot of freedom  to take what they want to take. The school year has two semesters. Some classes are all-year classes, some aren´t, so the sudents have a slightly different schedule in the second semster. We have odd and even days here, that means that we have all our odd classes Monday and Wednesday and all the even classes are on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday is an all-day, that means we have all our classes, but they´re just 45 minutes long. 

The teachers have their own classrooms, which means, that the students have to change the room,  not the teacher. That makes it easier to find a teacher, because they're always in the same classroom, but it is harder to find the classroom for your next class... 

The relationship between teachers and students is a lot more personal than in Germany. In Germany we don't ask how their weekend was, or how they spent yesterday. It is all about learning. Here it is different. Here you can chit-chat a little bit and they don't mind at all. 

It feels like the students don't mind to go to school much. I mean there are so many things which make school more attractive, like all the after- school- activities, like the sports, or clubs. And then there are school dances and sport games, and so many people show up! It's amazing how much the students support their teams. And when we have school dances, a lot of people come and they really like it. It's great. In Germany, we don't have school dances or extracuricular activities. We don't have this school- spirit, which connects all the students. I am so happy to have the oppotunity to experience all that! 

Our cafeteria

My psych teacher´s classroom

 So, and now enough about school... It's December, so everyone is thinking about Christmas! In our neighborhood there are so many house which are decorated with so many lights, that they light up the whole street. As soon as Halloween was over, people unpacked their Christmas stuff. But what is a little disappointing is, that they don't have Christmas markets here. Christmas in America is intense, but Christmas in Germany is just beautiful. It is so great, walking around a christmas market, and the air smells like cookies, sweet treats, glühwein and punsch. I miss that. But I´m doing my best to bring it to America, by baking cookies. Thanks to my parents, I have an adventcalendar with little recipes for everyday during December. Unfortunately, they don't have punsch here, but tea does the job too. We already bought our Christmas tree and I have my own stocking! I was so excited! Today is Santa- Claus- day and we had some presents in our wooden shoes. I am so thankful for that! 

Our HUGE Christmas tree

some Christmas cookies and tea next to the tree = well spent time

Santa is coming to town

I hope you all enjoying the Christmas season and that you had a lovely weekend! I also hope you guys liked this post and it was at least a little entertaining and you learned something you didn't know before. 

I hope you're all doing good!! 

love, Malin