Frohe Wiehnachten!

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Frohe Weihnachten! I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Today is the first day I've had time to write to you all- its been a buys two and a half days. Lets see...

Heilige Abend (Wensday, Dec. 24)-

In the German Christmas tradition, Christmas Eve plays a much bigger role than I've experienced in America. We prepared and so on all morning (actually, Philip and I played Santa Claus to one of the friends of the family while Heide did most of the preperation), then we went to the Kleine Kapelle (the local chapel) for a small service. Afterwards, we came home, had and amazing deer dinner and then, around nine o'clock, Christmas REALLY started. In order to get your gifts (which you recieve on Christmas Eve in Germany) here you must first read a poem (of your own selection) to the family. I read one entitled 'Heilige Nacht' and for it recieved:



Oreos, an electric picture frame, a normal picture frame, a case of Weizner beer, two Czech beers, a phone card (which I actually haven't seen), chocolates, a print of an American flag done by Keith Herring, and a book about Advent and Weihnachten in Niedersachsen.

Erste Weihnachts Tag (Thrusday, Dec. 25)-

Otherwise known as Christmas in America. On this day we all slept in until at least eleven, while myself and the rest of the children had stayed up until 2:30 playing German boardgames (which are actually very popular here). Then around three we shipped out of Heide's father's house, where we had a miniture Christmas with the extended family and had an extravagant and deliscious four-course dinner, provided by the family of Heide's brother. Then came more boardgames and an early bedtime.

Zweite Weihnachts Tag (Friday, Dec. 26)-

Early to bed, early to rise. More church today, this time in Stade. The service there was bigger and a little better organised than the one on Wensday, probably because the church itself was bigger. Then we went back home, ate a late breakfast, and then Warhammer 40,000 until around five. I loved spending the day with the guys and so on, but that evening the long days and strain of Christmas kind of caught up with me.

Anyway, I slept in till eleven today, too, and had a slow day around the house. Heide's father came to visit for tea at around six, and now here I am, well rested, relaxed, only slightly bored, and iching to watch the second Lord of the Rings movie with the family, which is airing for the first time on German television today. I hope your Christmas was as good as mine. Please, feel free to leave long comments or email me about what happened over there. I'm planning to use this break to answer some of the letters I've recieved, so if you sent me any, be looking for the post in about two weeks.



-Elliot P.

Schwer Weihnachten

Meine Damen und Herrn-

This was a difficult week, to be honest. More for the von Limburg family than for me personally, but the statement holds true. For those of you who don't know, Heide's mother died on Sunday evening. We had the funeral yesterday, along with the funeral for Tatze, the family dog. She died on Wensday. What a terrible way to meet the extended family for the first time, ya? Everything else this week was sort of over shadowed by these events, so as a result I don't really have much to say.

I managed to make it to the Baptist church last Sunday. I like it there. The people are warm and welcoming and the services are a little more relaxed (not a LOT more, just a little: The Catholic influence is still very evident). I took a German test in English (yeah, I don't know how you can do that, either) and I think I did pretty well. Tomorrow I will go back to the Baptist church and then to Tjark's house to (hopefully) finish this movie. Its supposed to premier the day before Christmas, so we're cutting it pretty close.

As for the videogame...oh wait. Did I mention that? I'm making a video game in my spare time, by the way, and its coming along very well. I finished my first extremly basic AI yesterday and progress should grow exponentially now that I've figured out the basics of Python coding. I went out with some AFS people today. We went swimming in Lüneburg and then on to the Lüneburg Christmas Market. Other than that there's not much to report. I hope things are going a little better for you guys back home.

Merry Christmas!
-Elliot P.

Computers and the Great Outdoors

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Once again, sorry for the tardiness of this post. I had not time on Thursday, as I am weighed down with requests for things involving my 3D modeling capabilities. Three videogames of varrying sizes and two animations. I don't know how I managed to get so many requests in a matter of weeks, but I guess its just as well. I have a lot of free time, and Blender is something I enjoy doing, so all is well. And don't worry, I'm getting out enough as well. I've got a meeting with Philip and Tjag tomorrow to study for a German test, and I'm gonna try to finally hit this Baptist Church. I hope its as different as they say it is. I really need some spiritual support right about now...

On a totally different note, I went hunting with Moritz this morning. Well, not just with Moritz. With most of the hunters in the area. And not just this morning. We were out there from about ten thirty to three. I didn't shoot anything. Partially because I had no gun, and partially because if I DID have a gun, AFS would probably have a hernea and a stroke at the same time. Speaking of AFS, it turns out that they might actually do something cool and send me and a group of other exchange students to Prague for two weeks. That would be awesome. All it will take is some sweet talking and a little negotiation with the school, and I should be home free. Or it could blow up in my face and result in dissapointment and AFS disliking me more than they already do.

I just took a look at my calendar (actually, I just thought of the next few weeks of my trip. Don't get your hopes up, mom. I still don't keep a calendar) and I realized that the next few weeks should go by pretty fast. Next week is the last week of school before Christmas Break. In this time I've got Christmas, a small outing with my Judo team, and a New Years Eve party that's supposed to be pretty cool. Then I've got two weeks of school, another party for all of the kids in my grade, then a Praktikum (miniture internship for all students in the 11th class), then on to Feburary, and with any luck, Prague. Well, not much else to report, other than a large tournament coming up in January, I believe. Wish me luck!

Oh yeah. Pictures-

Weihnachts Markt!




Cookie, a classmate, before class on Wensday


Afrika and Mini (To protect the safety of the innocent, all names posted here are actually nicknames)


One of the many halls of Pferd und Jagd


-Elliot P.

"Remember the old adage: Starve a cold, feed a fever, behead a zombie."

Shoehat Candy!

Meine Damen und Herrn-

I know, I know. This post is late. I apologize for all the distress and confusion I must have certainly caused you. I was at 'Pferd und Jagd' ('Horse and Hunting', a convention in Hannover) last Thursday and I just haven't gotten around to blogging since. This event is something of a von Limburg family tradition and they actually pulled me out of school four hours early in order to make it on time. The convention was interesting but somewhat pointless for me. I don't hunt, so anything I might buy there would be pointless for me to have.

We met up with some of the von Limburg's extended family and watched a miniture dog show (the show was miniture, not the dogs). I thought about buying a new backpack there, seeing as mine had finally fallen apart on the way out of school to the car, but everything there in regards to clothes was green. On the way back home we dropped Annebelle off at a train station (she was returning to Berlin). Heide and I were alone, in the car, for two hours solid. Talk about awkward pauses. Its alright though. By the end half hour or so we finally loosened up and had a very interesting conversation about the terrorist attacks in India, the history of violence in the name of Religion, and my future plans for school, work, ect.

Earlier on in the week I met up with my entire class and Herr Schuster (my German language teacher) in one of the rooms of a local fire department and watched 'Elliot die Schmutzel Monster'- a children's film that was chosen for viewing in my honor. It was a very interesting night. Then again, yesterday, I met up with some schoolmates on my way to Stade from school and they helped me look for a new backpack (to no avail). We later met Herr Schuster in the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) that takes place every weekend in December until Christmas in Stade. I'll have pictures of it up later. Anyway, Herr Schuster offered to help me find what I needed because the others had to head home. We searched until around five o'clock and found gloves, shaving razors, shaving cream and glühwein (a traditional Christmastime drink) but no backpack. I hate shopping.

Well anyway, I managed to bail on two parties last night and still end up sitting at home doing nothing. Discouraging. One was at a local disco that the girls in my class seem to like but all the guys say is a drag. This one I bailed on in favor of a party with some of my friends in a nearby town. Only too late did I realize that I had no ride and couldn't get there on my own, so it was just a long, lonely night for Elliot. Ugh. I hate that. Oh well. I have a meeting with Max planned for today and I'm gonna try to go to the Baptist Church in Stade tomorrow morning. Then I've got some Gears of War 2 (thank you, Alex) to play on Monday with its lucky recipient. Hopefully Elena will get on the ball and we can finally hang out this week, too. And finally, next weekend, I'm gonna meet with Tjag and Philip to study for an upcoming German test and figure out what we're gonna do in regards to this movie we're making. Tjag says it has to be finished by Christimas. Wish me luck!

-Elliot P.

PS- Oh yes, I woke up this morning and found this in the entry way to the house. Appearently its St. Nikolaus Tag today.


Yes, that is a hat, full of candy, stuffed inside my shoe. I love this place.

Ups and Downs

Meine Damen und Herrn-

This past week was really... decent. The tournament on Saturday was a total bust. I lost both of my matches quite quickly and definately. Kind of a dissapointment, after having passed up going out with friends for the tournament's sake. I am getting better, though. Just not good enough yet. The reason the tournament was so small probably had something to do with the snow we got earlier that week. Yeah. Snow. In Germany. It was kind of a big deal for the people here. We got quite a bit, even by my Missourian standards, and I found time to snap a picture of it on the way in to school that I'll post today.

The encouraging point to counter the discouragement of the tournament happened the next day. I went to Tjag's house and taught him a little Blender, and we decided to make a film (something he does quite frequently) but then add digital effects using Blender. I'll be doing the Blender-ing, of course, and we'll probably post it to YouTube once its finished. I hope you all get a chance to see it.

I took a Biology test today. It was interesting. As always, I was only able to complete about half of it, but this time the reason for the missing second half had very little to do with the language barrier. It was because half of the unit the test was over occured before I started attending school here. I was able to answer the question (that I knew the answers to) totally in German, and it was very satisfying. Tomorrow may not be so satisfying. I have a Polotics test I have to take and I have no clue what's going on in that class...

Well, other than this, I've been pretty bored the past few days. I met a girl in my grade named Elena, and she seems to have the same problem. Just the price you pay for living in small towns, I'm afraid... We might meet this weekend, though, to see if we can't fight off this plague of complacancy. I also heard about a Baptist Church in the area which is 'As close as you can get to American Church in Germany,' says my Religion teacher. I hope to check it out this week or the next. Speaking of church, I'm still waiting for that video, Steve!

Note to Middleman Games: Start looking back into Blender's Game Engine. It uses Python as well, and I've been toying with it in my spare time. They recently updated Blender, and nearly the entire update was focused on the Game Engine. It looks promissing.

Now, as promissed, my life in pictures:

Awesome Motorcycle from the outskirts of Hamburg.


Its soooo beautifuuul.....


Tournament from two weeks ago, NOT this past week.


Me, with my new haircut. I'm not sure if I like it...


Wicked cool table graffiti from Vincent Lümbeck Gymnasium.


-Elliot P.

It goes by so fast...

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Another week gone. This one flew by, just like the last one. The tournament was pretty cool. I'm still looking for a way to post video, though... The internet here is very slow, so its a little difficult. There's another one this Saturday, as I said before, and I'm hoping Esther can make it to this one. Heide is trying to get me to give English lessons after school. I might, but I dunno. I'm finding that short of writing and speaking it, I'm not that good at English. At least, not the technical side of it. My german is getting a lot better, though.

While studying the jetstream in Erdkunde (its like Geography class, only a little more complicated) I had yet ANOTHER idea on how to solve the energy crisis (something people seem to have forgotten about in light of the credit crisis...). The idea involves windmills and gigantic balloons, but that's all I'm gonna say. Don't want anyone taking credit for what I came up with...

A friend of mine from school, Tjag, is showing some interest in learning 3D imaging with Blender. I'm going over to his house some time this weekend to teach him what I know. He's planning to use it to add effects to real film, though, so I'm thinking it might be a little different skillset, but the basics will be the same. I've been trying to avoid working on Blender that much, though, because I know that if I start, its highly likely that my social life will go down the tubes.

Well, another week, come and gone, with nothing much to say. Its kind of boring around here sometimes... I'm gonna have to find something to spice it up real soon, or I'm gonna go crazy. I'm also having trouble finding 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' in German. I have to read it for Deutsch Klasse. It's looking like I'll have to buy it... Ugh. Books in German are expensive. We're hoping AFS will pay for it... Well, I hope to hear from you guys soon. Whoever you guys are... I don't actually know who reads this blog... Oh well. I'll want to have it when I get back, I guess, so I'll keep it up.

With regards,
-Elliot P.

The Results:

My Weight Division (66kg):
1st Kampf- Lost
2nd Kampf- Slaughtered (Lost)
3rd Kampf- Won

Took 3rd place

Open Division (All Weights):
1st Kampf- Won
2nd Kampf- Destroyed (Lost)
3rd Kampf- Lost

Took 5th place

Still working on video...
-Elliot P.

Pictures and People

Meine Damen und Herrn-

This week has gone by really fast. I don't really know why, it just flew by. I've been trying to get a haircut (I REALLY need one) but it hasn't been working out. Too much to do. Had French for the first time in a week today. Ugh. Not a good time. Also not a good time: Having to hand in a Music test totally blank, bombing half of a Physics test, and getting a migrane last night when I should have been studying. Man, I hope the migrane was just chance. If they're this frequent the entire time I'm here, I'll have had more migranes by the time I leave than in my entire life beforehand.

The good news is I'm really catching on in school. AFS is right. At this rate, I'll be thinking, dreaming, and writting German in no time. It probably has a lot to do with the private German lessons I'm taking. The teacher is very good and also very interesting to talk to. I've been getting along socially quite well. I've got a party on Friday at a friend named Enno's house. It should be pretty fun. That Sunday I've got my first German judo tournament. That should be even more fun, given I recover from the party in time and make weight and all that. I might have to fight as a yellowbelt, though. Appearently they have 'judo passports' here. Basically just detailed documentation of your judo history that you have to present upon sign-up to any tournament. I'll be sure to post pictures of the tournament and so on soon afterwards.

I met with Esther this past Friday. We walked around Stade and ate and talked for something like four hours. It was pretty cool. We really are friends now, as opposed to just people assigned to one another.

I think thats all for the time being, but, as promissed, I'm going to post some pictures of things I've seen in the past week. Enjoy.


The leaves are changing.



Yum. Doner.


A good example of architecture in Stade.


Esther on the phone. She denies it, but I am under the distinct impression that she knows everyone...


Kaminzimmer, where we watch TV and have fires.

-Elliot P.

Normal-ish

Meine Damen und Herrn-

This week has been... normal. Interesting. I now have a definition for 'normal' life in Germany. Not much really happened. Went to a birthday party for a schoolmate last Saturday. Messed up my hip during a faux-wrestling match with said schoolmate. It was fun, but my hip still hurts and judo tonight didn't help it. Nor did the cold I got a couple days ago that I'm still fighting with.

Won a bet with my Deutsch teacher on who would win the election. He has to wear a skirt to school now, and he's not too happy about that. There's a LAN party tomorrow at Max's house. Should be pretty fun.

My German is getting better all the time. I found out that I actually speak better German when I'm totally worn out and/or my adrenaline level is high. I was able to hold an intelligible and somewhat interesting conversation with Mereike on the way home from Judo tonight. Mereike is another Judo fighter who lives in Hammah, so we've started going there together. Appearently there's more than one competition coming up. One on the 16th and one on the 22nd. Did I not mention that before? Oh well... I'll be sure to get pictures and maybe some video. Judo competitions are significantly larger here, so it should be something worth seeing.

Other than that, there's not much going on here. Took a Religion test that was kind of a stretch. That's alright though. The teacher in that class likes me because I have a solid opinion and belief system that I'm willing to stand up for. I know this is kind of a short post, but I really don't have much else to say. Like I said, its been a 'normal' week. If I think of anything else in the next few days I'll add it to this post. I hope I'll have more to say next week... Oh yes, next week. Next week is the first bi-monthly 'photo day' here at Middleman. Every other week I'm going to post around five pictures of daily life here in Deutschland. This is for our more 'visual' followers (Dad, Mom, Amber, ect.) and also to be sure that I have an effective way to remember what my life here is like. Let's see... 5 pictures every other week for roughly 36 weeks... That makes about 90 pictures posted here during the course of my stay. Here's hoping the habit will catch on.

-Elliot P.

Berlin, in pictures

The pictures from my trip to Berlin, along with various other things. Enjoy.

Me, in front of... Something. I can't quite remember what that is... I know its between the Deutsch and Französiche Dom, but what it is, I can't really say...


The DeutscheBahn Building in Berlin. Although it is one of the most hated organizations in Germany, its building is pretty cool...


Parliament


Brandenburg Gate


Typical German decoration: Umbrella, umbrella, sword that's older than the United States, umbrella...


The previous location of the Berlin Wall. Sorry about the angle of the picture...


The Sony Dome. Pretty cool design, I think.


The Holocaust Memorial, located in the middle of Berlin.


You asked for it, Dad. A beer I drank while in the pub under Philip's appartment. This one is called a Berliner, as it was brewed in Berlin.


A Government building built to make up for the lack of space in Parliament.


A salt and pepper Shaker set from Moritz's uncle's home that look suspiciously like a set my family used to own...


Statue of Fredrick the Great


A Museum, one of the many on Berlin's MUSEUM ISLAND


The Deutsch Dom


A Statue outside The Deutsch Dom


The Berliner Dom


And finally...


They even know it in Germany!

-Elliot P.

Berlin, in words

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Unfortunately enough, due to a technical difficulty involving batteries, I will not be able to post pictures of my trip to Berlin tonight. I will, however, post them as soon as I get my camera opperational again, wether or not it is a Thursday. On the bright side, I can tell you about my trip in exruciating detail so that pictures will not be necissary. Moritz and I arrived in Berlin on the ICE (a really fast, really comfortable train) at about five in the afternoon on Friday. About twenty minutes thereafter, we took another, slower train to a suburb about a half hour out of Berlin. We then met with Moritz's uncle and aunt, with who we would be staying for the weekend. They were a nice couple, very proper and, surpisingly enough, vegitarian. After dropping off our luggage and having a quick cup of tea, we again departed to the heart of Berlin, to see the Government quarter and meet up with Moritz's brother Philip.

An interesting fact about Berlin is that, for the most part, it is an unfinished city. This is because of the split during WWII. Everywhere you go you see renovation and restoration begin done to the still war-torn buildings. Another interesting side effect of the split is that, while the buildings that made it through the war are preserved and restored to their former mideval/gothic-style glory, all of the new construction is done in an extremly modern style. Unfortunately, you loose some of the effect without pictures... Anyway, we met up with Philip and had a couple beers at the pub atop which Philip lives. The next day, we went the more Religious route and saw three of Berlin's major churches: The Französische Dom, The Deutsch Dom, and of course, The Berliner Dom. We had to wait until the next day to see the inside of the Berliner Dom, but man, that is possibly one of the fanciest churches I've ever seen. I think the fact that we, even in our fallen state, could build something like that by God's will, truly expresses the vastness of His power...

The 'main event' of the trip, the AFS Deutschland 60th Anniversary, turned out to be a total bust. It was pretty much just a huge meeting of something Moritz and I have come to refer to as the 'AFS Cult'. Moritz was never that into AFS, and I don't think I will be either. The people are fine, its just that since AFS is run primarily by volunteer workers, they have a way of making zealots out of people... Well, we got back from Berlin at about eight in the evening on Sunday. It was a good trip, although I would have liked to see more of the night life... Speaking of 'night life' (not really, I just needed a segway...) I went to another party at Philip's house last night (not Moritz's brother Philip, another Philip) and we hung out most of the day today. Just walked around Stade and talked about nothing all day. It was pretty cool.

School starts up again on Monday... Ugh. Same old, same old. By the way, Ben, you brought up a good point in your last comment. A lot of people who SHOULD know about my blog DON'T. Get the word out! I want people to know that I'm still alive over here. And don't be afraid to comment. Even if its nothing important or profound, I still love hearing from you guys. I'll have pictures up as soon as I can get my hands on them. I'm gonna go eat something and go to bed. Judo tonight was killer.

Bis bald!
-Elliot P.

Sehr Schwehr

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Its getting harder. I'm starting to see the differences between the German and Amercian cultures. Every social interaction outside the family is difficult. Even getting around is a challenge at times. Don't get me wrong. I like it here. Its just... frustrating. Its like I'm a small child or early teen-ager again. All of the independence I earned in the States counts for nothing here. I am completely dependent on those who understand the system. Gives new meaning to the phrase 'born again'. You have to learn EVERYTHING again, because you are new to this part of reality.

Anyway, the past few days have been REALLY slow. I guess it just gives me insentive to get out there and make some friends, though. I did go out with Moritz and his friends a few times, though. Watched a soccer game between Germany and Whales. Didn't see the end though. I assume Germany won. The basic vibe I got was that Whales didn't stand a chance, but that might just be patriotism. Here, if something is German, then it is good. Not only good, but better than the equivilant from any other country. The people here REALLY love their country.

This blog will have to be short. I have to get up in the morning to pack for the trip to Berlin. Appearently, this party AFS is holding is gonna be pretty fancy, so that suit we packed is being put to good use, Dad. I'll be sure to take pictures while I'm there to show you guys. I just hope I have enough batteries. The battery charger I brought isn't working properly... Ugh. So tired. Another outstanding Judo class. It was Egon's birthday (he's the head coach), so the class consisted entirely of ron-dori. If you don't know what that is, I'm very dissapointed in you. It literally means 'free practice' which translates to 'fight your opponent like you would in a real match'. Jammed a finger. Good stuff.

Keep praying for me. I miss you all very much and look forward to RECIEVING YOUR LETTERS. Ya, you should probably get on that...

Bis dann,
Elliot P.

Meine Damen und Herrn-

How's everyone doing? I'm alright myself. Been sick this week, but thats to be expected with all the stress and such. Nothing too serious. Just some minor aches and pains. The German is coming along well. By Christmas I will probably have started double-posting - Once in German and once in English. Not much has happened this week. Went to a party on Saturday with a couple of my classmates. The Germans might be hard to get to know, but once you know them, man, they're an interesting lot. The rest of the week has been decidedly slow, what with Mortiz concentrated on his finals and me skipping out on Judo today (still not feeling well). There's more fun on the way, though. Going to a gathering of classmates on Saturday. Main event: Super Smash Bros Brawl. A little taste of home to take the edge off.

Speaking of taking the edge off, I found myself actually wanting a beer the other day. Don't be alarmed. I'm sure you know drinking is quite common here, and I've only had maybe four beers since I've been here, but still. It was an interesting realization. I've never really been all that interested in drinking, and now I actually want a beer. Anyway, we've got the next two weeks off of school. 'Potato Holiday' Heide calls it. Then we all laugh. Its become a joke with us that most of the German diet consists of potatos and meat. Unfortunatly, its not that much of an exageration... During the second week of this wonderful holiday, Moritz and I will be heading to Berlin for some sort of AFS party. Should be fun. All of the AFS people here are very younge. For example, Esther, my AFS contact person, is nineteen, and she just returned from her AFS year in the Dominican Republic a matter of months ago. She's really cool and fun to spend time with, but not exactly what you'd expect a 'contact person' to be. I think I like it better this way.

School right now is ganz einfach (totally simple). I'm actually a year ahead of them in most subjects, and everyone is impressed that the American understand German schoolwork, when he can't even speak the language fluently. I took an English test earlier this week. Yeah. That was a joke. The math test I took today was challenging, considering the directions were in German, but I think that I did well on it anyway.

Faith, once again, is a struggle for me here. In Religion class (don't let the name fool you), a classmate asked me 'Who is God?' I choked. I couldn't believe myself. I had nothing to say to this. I know who God is. I know that He is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Creator and Redeemer, the Almighty. But the challenge of expressing that in broken English-German to someone with a completely secular point of view was to much. I also started reading my Bible in school, which has gotten a lot of interesting questions. Everyone is so interested in what I believe, but thats the thing with the German culture. They want you to be middle-of-the-road. Wishy-washy. They want an answer like 'I believe in freedom' or 'I believe in science'. They are completely taken aback when I say 'I believe in God and ultimate Truth'. They don't like that they can't talk me out of what I believe.

Anyway, I must leave you now. I'd like to end on a happier note, so here's something fun I dug up from ancient Internet history. Hope you like it.



-Elliot P.

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Thus ends week two of school. As I learn more German, I'm beginning to realize that I've already learned most of the content being taught in class. Its ok though; this will make it easier to focus on learning the language and the cluture, instead of having to fight to keep up in school. I went to Judo again today. Another exhausting practice, to my delight. We're learning combination techniques and counter-opponent's-block sequences. I've been dreaming more, which is weird. All of them have something to do with my life back in the States. There is a party hosted by a classmate on Saturday, and I'm going to attend. Tomorrow (Friday, Oct. the 3rd) is the 'Tag auf Deutsch Einheit' which literally means the 'Day of German Unity', the day the Wall came down (not the exact day, but that's the basic geist (another German word) of it). Annebell is back home, so now I have a Gastschwester. Philip is also coming home from Berlin of the holiday, to join us for the meal (apparently at a seafood restraunt across the Elbe).

I've officially learned a new skill besides speaking German during my AFS stay. A few days ago, Moritz taught me how to clean a shotgun. It was pretty cool. Seeing as this house is equiped with two shotguns, a rifle, two chainsaws and a plethora of ammunition, I'd say we're pretty safe in the case of a zombie attack (here's hoping!). By the way, I've been hearing a lot about the American economy tanking lately. This seems like a pretty important subject, so I was hoping you guys would keep me posted as to how things are going over there. You can do that at , or send whatever you want. Frau Biermann and Herr Frank, you should probably brush up on your German in the next few months, because once I get back, I'm gonna need someone to talk to.

In closing, I'd like to tell you that I've been drawing a lot more. This won't seem important to some of you, but to the rest it will mean that there's something new in my head. And indeed, yes, I have an entirely new concept in the works. The style of the art is completely new for me, and unfortunately (for you, at least) I have decided not to post any of my artwork on this blog for the time being. It will pour out like a flood upon my return, but not until then. Well, bis dann!

Aufwiederlesen!
-Elliot P.

Meine Damen und Herren-

Well, this week has been an interesting one. I went to school for the first time on Monday. I was greeted warmly by my class, who had been waiting for my arrival the entire year. They refer to me as either "die Americaner" or "Big El". Its interesting. This year, which is technically my Junior year and should be one of the hardest of my school carrier, actually makes no difference in the German school system. The students have two more years before they graduate and these classes don't even count towards their final grades.

The classes are done entirely in German, so its a bit of a struggle to really understand what is being said and done. Needless to say, I'm a hit in English class. The students who I spend most of my time with always speak to myself and each other in German, as well. It's hard and I'm quiet a lot of the time, but I'm getting better. The school is run more like a college than an American highschool. If your teacher is absent, they don't use substitutes. You get that period free to do as you wish. During one of these free periods, a group from my class and I went into Stade because they insisted I try a local dish called a döner. Its actually a Turkish dish, but known very well in Germany all the same. Its something of a mix between a taco, a gyro, and a salad. So basically, a lot of food for very little money, and very tasty.

I was not able to attend Judo today. Heide was off on business and Moritz had to study for some of his exams. For those of you who figured out the time difference on this post (we're 7 to 8 hours ahead here) you'll notice that I'm writting it at about 12:30 in the morning. I had a migrane and had to go to bed around seven, so I just woke up. I'll probably go back to sleep when I'm finished writing.

As for faith here, guys, its straight-up Jesus Freak. NO ONE goes to church every Sunday, or even attempts to do so. I'm looked at like a fool for believing in Intelligent Design. Bill, you were right- they do teach that sex before marriage is legitimate in church. Everyone who really puts effort forth in faith is at least thirty years old. The strange flip-side is that they seem very interested in what I believe and respect it to no end. They seem to be very proud of being one of the world's most liberal countries.

Well, thats all for now. I'm still waiting on receiving letters, you guys. PLEASE write. It would gratify me to no end. And please, feel free to give out this blog address to anyone who knows me. I miss you all very much and hope you are doing well. I will write again next Thursday, as I hope to be my habit from now on.

Aufwiedersehen,
-Elliot P.

Judo, at long last

Meine Gute!

I can barely move. I went to the new Judo club for the first time tonight. It is beyond anything I could have imagined. Every person there could rip any Judo player I've met in the States to shreds. Including me. They are all very nice and seem to be accepting of my presence, but I simply cannot keep up with them. They think and move and attack in ways totally foreign to me. They practice twice a week for an hour and a half. The instructor seems like a good man, but he can speak nearly no English, so I guess I will have to work on my German. The rest of the students (ranging from age 19 to 40-something) all speak English well. I wish they didn't. Its hard enough learning a new language, without the temptation of slipping back in to the old one hanging over you head. I thought I had endurance. These people are unbelievable. When I come back, I'll be able to lift Bill Brown over my head, while fighting Duane with only my feet. Maybe.

I know, I didn't say anything all that important or coherent to anyone but me, but I don't care. That was amazing.

Bis Bald-
Elliot P.

What its like over here

Meine Damen und Herren-

How are you all? I must say, not enough has happened, really, to merit this post. Other than I went to my first German party two days ago, and I had my first AFS meeting today. The real reason for the post is because I hear you are all eager to see my German home. I took some pictures this morning, so here they are:


Mein Hause. Its name is "Hetlingen". I don't think it means anything, or has a simple English translation... But it is very old and very beautiful.


The back of my house.


A small monument in the Garden for all of the von Limburgs who have died protecting Germany.


Ich, mit Tatze. She is a old dog and I don't think she actually likes me much...


The road into the Moor. This is where I run.


The living room. I read a lot on the couch in here.


Another angle of the living room.


The train I arrived on on the first day. I have found that I am not good at trains.


The train station in Hamburg-Harburg


P-Dog and Spongebob Gansta-Pants. Some graffiti in Hamburg-Harburg.


A statue in Hamburg-Harburg to the soldiers from the area.



I will post again when there is something to post about.

Bis bald!
-Elliot P.

Pictures (I know they're before the post)

Asleep on the plane.


AFS friends chillin after 24 hours without sleep.


My roomate Micheal from Boston. I don't know how he does it, but he was still speaking complete sentaces after the plane ride.


Stephen, definately makin' a pizza.


Me, upon passing customs in Germany. You can tell I was thrilled.