A Christmas Story

We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve, which wasn't unusual for me at all, considering I have celebrated on Christmas Eve for sixteen years before coming to Germany.  Here, Christmas Eve is called Heiligabend, which literally means holy evening.  Christmas is actually played out in a three-day fest in Germany, but the two days after Christmas Eve, from what I saw, are more for relaxing with family.

On Christmas Eve, we sang in two different church services and opened presents in between the two.  The Christmas Tree was decorated in ornaments and real candles!  I received two hats, a scarf, a book entitled "How to be German," Anne Frank's Diary in German, a mug, recipe book with a few recipes already written inside, a coupon for the movies, some chocolate, face wash, and socks.  We had a nice dinner and then went back to church to sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

I had a really nice Christmas with my host family!

Oh Tannenbaum Oh Tannenbaum

Lina enjoying her cookie cook book for dogs

Tree Candle

Leonie, Kerstin, and I

{2014 Resolutions}

If you know me really well, you know that basically every year I establish resolutions, yet fail every single time.  This year I am determined to not let insufficient amount of motivation or my hatred of running get in my way.  I figured this year is the best year to do a lot.  I have so much time, allowing me to be able to do all of my resolutions.

1. Speak and read more German.  Obviously I speak German everyday, but I'd like to get to the point where I'm able to think only in German and finally be able to have the coveted German dream.  I think it would be pretty cool to say, "Oh, I haven't spoken English for a month," or whatever.

2. Take more pictures. I know I already take a lot of pictures when I go places, but there are more things I could take pictures of so that I can remember more with visual reminders after my exchange year is over.

3. Break old habits. As they say, old habits die hard.

4. Run more. Who am I kidding... Just run in general.

5. Write more posts. Considering my last post before my most recent post was in November, this is a must.

6. Enjoy every minute.

Happy New Years everyone!  Make 2014 great!