I like having things to do.

Meine Damen und Herrn-

Wow, this post is late. In more ways than one, actually. Its almost one in the morning here, and what, four days after I said I would post? Oh well. I've been pretty busy lately.

I went to a Silvester (New Years) party at Tjark's house, and Harris made the observation that this would be the only time I would be with them for such an event. Its a strange thing. I don't really realize that all of the annual holidays will be one-time things for me here. I should probably get as much out of them as I can. The day after that was a recovery day, during which I slept and chatted with some of my favorite Americans. The day after (Friday) I went into Stade to help repair mat's at my Judo club at ten in the morning. We hung around the gym for several hours, ate pizza, watched the new Disney film Bedtime Stories, and talked about judo-people stuff. It was cool- really relaxed and even-paced, with little concern on WHEN we finished, only THAT we finished.

On my way out the door I checked my cell and saw that Esther had invited me to a shindig she was having with other AFSers. I agreed to come, and once I got there (a small adventure in itself. Her house isn't exactly close to where I live) I was pleasently surprised. It turns out that AFS people are actually a lot of fun when they're not doing anything... well, AFS. I mean no insult to the AFS organization, its just that the lack of structure makes for a good party atmosphere. There where talks about past AFS experiences, school, music, religion, economy, a little dancing and Twister, some drinking and finally sleep at about seven in the morning. The next day I made the trip back home (another small adventure) and had another recovery day. To late did I recieve the call informing me that my class's Jahrgangs Feier was that evening, and I really wasn't ready to go party again, so I stayed home.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to the service at the Baptist Church, like always, and from there to the home of some of the people I met through the church. We had lunch and talked, then went ice skating and returned home with two more of the young people from the church. We talked over this and that- a little music and so on (I was itching to talk about anything art-related. As I've said before, there is a lack of it here). I managed to get three seperate compliments from three groups of people on my German that day. I was pretty proud of myself. Once I got home from our little meeting, Mortiz and I watched Kung Fu Panda auf Deutsch. It was almost as good as the first time, even with the language switch.

Finally, we come to today. I woke up around ten, hurried to get ready, then the rest of the family and I went to Heide's father's house for lunch and to help move some things around. I attempted to repair his internet and failed. Thats the first time I haven't been able to fix such an internet-related problem, so it was kinda humiliating. I did have a time limit, though, and all the prompts were in German, and I didn't have much information to begin with. And probably a hundred other excuses, which I don't feel like listing here. Well anyway, here I am, and its one-thirty in the morning, and I'm pretty much done with blogging for now. One last thing, though- I got final conformation on my trip to Prague today! Its gonna rock so hard. I'll be sure to post some pictures. Well, bis dann!

-Elliot P.