It's been a while

Hey guys so my everyone is in the U.S. is begging for an update so I finally decided to sit down and do a blog. This past winter in Germany has been great!

 I have been singing a lot in another schools choir and recently got the chance to sing withe a very well known composer under his conduction. It was one of the most amazing experiences, Eric Whitacre was extremely talented and just to give you a taste of what it was like here is a video I found on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ockmouvews


This one is better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=pCrhKYHxqfs

Along with that I am lucky enough to have an extremely talented pianist as a host brother. We received the chance to preform in a benefits concert put on by Rotary.

Another exceptional thing that happened while I was here was that it was COLD.... So cold that  many lakes and rivers froze over so that you could walk and ice-skate on them. For example the picture to the left is a bunch of my friends ice-skating in my town on a little lake and the picture below of a friend and me in Hamburg on the Elbe River. This hasn't happened for the last 15 years and I was lucky enough to be there when it happened.

As for future plans the next two weeks are spring break for us but my family isn't planning on taking a big trip but rather little trips around northern Germany. I am going on the Euro tour from April 24th until May 8th. That will take me too all the cities pointed out on the map. I am extremely excited :)

I am in my second family and I love them to death. Here is a picture we actually took today for my older host brother birthday. The weather is a lot better than is has been and its really nice to be outside without a heavy jacket on.

As some of you know I will (unfortunately) be coming home on August 1st.
See you all then. <3

Hey there!

So I know it's been a while and it's really because I have been so busy! I really only have time of because of my little cold that I have. Well I have just really been trying to enjoy myself here and its been going well, I think of myself as beeing pretty well intrigrated with my friends and I really feel at home with my new family.

As for Christmas, well that is something I will never forget. Now the traditions aren't that different but the atmosphere is stronger. Most families don't set up their Christmas tree untill a few days before Christmas and dont put the gifts under until Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is the big day of celebrtion in Germany and the gifts are usually opened before dinner.

A common meal I have seen around Christmas and New Years in Germany is called Raquelt and lookes something like....

Its just like a make it yourself dinner.

New Years is also a way bigger deal in Germany. Almost everyone celebrates. I really can't believe almost half of my year is over.

Thank you all so much

Love Shannon