13 years…

13 years of school are finally over.
I’m not exactly sure if that’s a good thing or not – now that I think about it we kind of got through it all without working too hard. Without working at all in some cases, too.
But since the teachers keep telling us how we’re not only learning for school but also for life, I guess it would be a good idea to think about what exactly I’ve learned in these last 13 years.
In about 15 parts I will look back on each subject and see how much is worth remembering – I have a feeling that it will not be what the teachers would like to hear now…

I actually wanted to keep posting regularly on this blog but somehow… well, it hasn’t worked out so great. And everything although I promised to write more often after the last entry!
But since I’m (almost) done with the finals I’ll start posting again, soon. This time for real.
Right now, there’s not so much going on. That’s hopefully going to change soon so there will be some things to write about.
I’m also thinking about starting something that keeps me writing regularly – but I guess I still have to figure out what exactly this will be about.
So now, I’ll start working on something and post as soon as I can.

Still there

It’s been a long time, I know. Somehow, I never felt like writing or had way too much to do. So now, my list of things I should write about grows even larger:

Gennep, Schwerte, Föhr, Rome, Schwerte, Freckenhorst, Magdeburg

Apart from that, nothing has happened. Studying is what takes up most of my time right now. I hope there will be some more time after March 9th to catch up on all the trips. And after all, there are only 28 days of school left. I’m quite sure I’ll survive this – always with the prospect of a 6 months holiday.

Firsts and Lasts

For the very last time, I’m reading a book for my German class… no German or Pedagogy exam after Tuesday anymore. Ever. Yes, I do feel quite relieved about that. However, until Tuesday, there’s still a lot to do. Refreshing my knowledge of the financial crisis for a job interview, for example. Or cramming the key data of various companies. And reading “Kassandra”, of course. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be, though.

Kathrin’s Kokosmakronen, November 2008

And over the weekend, there were enough things to distract myself with, like usual. Sitting together with friends, talking, laughing and just enjoying a hot chocolate. Strolling over the closed Christmas market at night. Not lighting the first candle on the advent wreath because we don’t have one as yet. Baking the first cookies of the year. Making the first baked apples of the year – It finally worked out, after three weeks of not having crucial ingredients at home and endless discussions on the right time of day to eat a baked apple. Needless to say that I got my own way and we had simple but really, really good baked apples this evening.

So now, the stress is on again and I’ll leave it at this – basically having written about nothing at all.

PS: If anyone’s interested in the recipes, tell me!

Of Skiing, Horses and Pumpkins

Did I say I was happy about that little bit of snow that fell on Friday? Nothing to get excited about in comparison to what is happening right now…

When I woke up yesterday morning, sleepy and annoyed as always, I heard my mother call from downstairs – “Are you awake?? Hurry up!” – the usual. However, one thing she said made me wonder. “And take a look outside!”

Big and fluffy white snowflakes were falling onto the ground which was already covered with a thick layer of spotless white snow. The front garden, the street, the trees – everything!

Winter’s coming, November 2008

And while we were driving through the snow (and we apparently were the first ones!) I suddenly yearned for a holiday in the snow. Skiing, snowboarding… I haven’t done that for far too long. Speeding down the familiar slopes in Mühlbach on ski or trying not to fall every second curve with my feet clamped on the snowboard… The video Lars showed me a few days ago didn’t exactly help either. So what to do?

Snow, November 2008

Going to the Sauerland in the middle of the week and with all the exams approaching? Not likely. Going to Austria? Even more unlikely. So I just enjoyed the wintry landscape and went for a long run. Not perfect but it works, too. I realised I should have taken my camera with me – the fields really looked beautiful. But I won’t go running with a camera in my hand. On my way, I even made friends with a horse. But I’m still wondering about one thing: Why are there three pumpkins in the water lily lake?

Welcoming Winter

It’s snowing! It’s really snowing – and it’s not even December!

After coming home from school yesterday, tired, hungry and cold, I quickly huddled under my blanket to warm up a bit. It wasn’t even raining on our way back home but somehow it was even more uncomfortable than ever. Later, I had a look at the thermometer and it said 3°C – which should be reason enough to feel cold while cycling.

A Candle, November 2008

I lit the candle and started reading one of the new books from the library. And although one little candle can’t possibly heat the room up, just looking at it made me feel a little warmer and set me in a Christmas mood. I should do that more often – especially because I love the smell of it…

As if to remind me that Christmas really is approaching pretty fast, the rain turned into some blend of rain and snow. And after another five minutes, the snow and rain turned into big fluffy snowflakes. Sadly, the whole magic was gone within ten minutes and soon, everything melted.

A January Day, 2007

To make the whole atmosphere perfect, I decided to make baked apples. There were some problems, though: The apples were way too small, we didn’t have any raisins or nuts and also just a tiny bit of marzipan. Not willing to go shopping (remember – it was friggin’ cold!) I just changed my mind and made banana fritters – not as good as baked apples but it comes close.

It started snowing again just when we decided to walk to the party. It was cold but I didn’t even notice… and although the party was quite a letdown (standing in front of the gate together with about thirty other people and not being able to get in) I liked the whole evening. Especially since on our way back, it started snowing even more and my coat caught more snowflakes than the others’ jackets. I officially love my new coat from now on!

First Snow of the Year, 2008

Sitting on Nina’s couch and warming up under some blankets, we watched “Die Wilden Kerle 5″ – I can see where the first one may have been really cute but seriously, this one isn’t suitable for little children that have nothing but soccer on their minds anymore!

When I woke up this moring, the winter wonder wasn’t over yet… in fact, I think this is just the beginning. The whole garden was covered in snow and the snow hasn’t stopped falling since!

Now it’s time to win the next volleyball match. And remember: “Anything’s good – as long as you’re wild!”

Volleyball Life

The spell finally seems to be broken – The TV Lipperode volleyball team is ready for action and also ready for winning again!

Although Nicole and I both didn’t get a lot of sleep and were barely on time for the match, we were more motivated than ever. Nina gave us a ride to the gym and we quickly set up the net. Not an easy task for us as our trainer had already predicted. And of course, the other team captain already held the folding rule in her hand to take the measurement of the whole playing field. We tried to ignore it as best as we could and started limbering up.

In Action – by Valerie’s brother

The whole match went fantastic and although we lost, we reached all our goals for the day – we were playing against the team that had won against all other teams after all! Marie’s mom did a great job as our substitute coach and I must say that we played really, really good, too.

Yesterday, I started my “training” for the New Year’s Eve Run. Training meaning just taking the time and looking up the distance for a first. What a letdown! To keep up with everyone, I’ll have to run faster – and double the distance. Let’s see if I really get this, especially if you think of how cold and possibly rainy and snowy it will be… Only thinking of it makes me get cold feet – literally and figuratively.

Reunion in Arnsberg

A recap of Nicole’s and my short trip to Arnsberg (or Sundern, to be more precise).

After making the Hermann and attaching the instructions, we packed the car with our small bags and settled inside. Talking, listening to the radio and just enjoying the car ride, we made our way to Arnsberg.

I actually never drove on the autobahn in the dark before. I must say that I really loved it, though. It’s so much calmer and there’s also less traffic. And we were even making really good time – until the firm voice of the GPS instructed us to turn left. To our left, there was only one road. A very narrow and steep forest track. We quickly decided unanimously not to take that one, keeping in mind that there wouldn’t be any chance to turn and that I’m certainly no expert at starting a car uphill. A phone call later, we tried the alternative that already looked much more trustworthy. We found the house pretty fast but being me, I stopped the car while looking for the right street number. A quick look to Nicole told me that she didn’t think that was a good idea, either – releasing the clutch and stomping on the gas didn’t even bring us one centimeter forward but let the engine howl louder than I ever thought possible. It’s a good thing Anna’s boyfriend was used to these circumstances – he parked the car safely. I tried to ignore the squeaking tires and everything as best as I could.

Inside, we greeted Anna and Annika and talked about everything that happened since the last time we met – and everything that will happen in the next few months. Not thinking rationally, Nicole and I agreed to take part in a new year’s run… and I still don’t know how I got myself into that. I’m not even sure if I’m able to run 15 km as it is, let alone in the cold! This will mean lots of training, I guess…

People came and went and in the end, we almost fell asleep on the couch. Anna had already cleaned up and we set up our sleeping bags for the night.

In the morning, I took a snapshot of the village before heading upstairs for a nice breakfast with the girls.

Good Morning, Sundern!

Unfortunately, we had to leave real soon… there was a volleyball match to attend.

Making & Baking

What a weekend! Yesterday, Nicole and I visited Anna to celebrate her birthday and her very last french exam. Today, we returned just in time to leave for a volleyball match again. And tomorrow, all my relatives will come over for coffee and cake (or “Kaffeetrinken” as we call it). One thing’s for sure: There’s no boredom this weekend…

And so far, it’s been a weekend of baking.

It all started on Thursday, when I saw this quick and easy recipe for a 5-Minute-Cake out of the microwave. Yes, you’ve got it right: microwave.
The one and only time, I misused the microwave as an oven and tried to bake a cake with coconut flakes, it wasn’t very tasty. To be honest, it smelled like nothing at all and tasted like old car tire. This time, however, I just couldn’t resist, especially because I love quick recipes… and it wasn’t bad at all. I’d never choose it over any “real” cake, but still, I’m fascinated!

Yesterday, I rummaged in our cupboard a bit and couldn’t help trying out a variation of the recipe. Using unsweetened cocoa, lebkuchen spice blend (which should be similar to gingerbread cake) and dark chocolate chips, I quickly mixed the dough and put it into the microwave. The result was much darker, more chocolatey and the smell reminded me of christmas and winter in general. The downside of it: the cake was a little dry. Or maybe I just left it in the microwave for too long?

Chocolate Cake

Right after that, Nicole came over to make a Hermann for Anna’s birthday. Nina gave me the idea when she told me of a friend of hers making one…
So now you’re wondering who or what Hermann is?
Well… Hermann claims to be your new roommate – for at least ten days. He wants some time to adjust and be left alone, a warm place and he also wants to be fed and stirred – but only if he asks you to. After ten days, he gives you his children. Which means a whole new generation of Hermanns to grow.
To be exact, Hermann is just your average sourdough. The yeast has to rise and be stirred to spread the yeast throughout the dough and every five days, you can add some flour, sugar and milk. After ten days, the dough will be divided up into three parts: one to raise a new Hermann, one to give to your friends and one to bake a cake.

Today, Hermann likes it nice and warm

Thinking of nothing bad, Nicole and I took the huge glass (with almost no dough in it) and put it into the car – directly underneath the air vent, as we found out later. As we took the dough to the house one hour later, the whole glass was filled up… and it even exploded in the middle of the night. Apparently, it stood a little too close to the heater.
Our own Hermann isn’t doing so well, though. It’s not rising nearly as much but I refuse to give up hope.

As I didn’t want to leave Mama alone with all the baking for the relatives, I helped her out by baking some of those American Brownies everyone loves. I got the recipe a few months ago from Sandra who made them for my chemistry class. It quickly spread throughout my whole grade because (quoting Sari) “they’re simply divine“. The fact that there’s more sugar than flour in these brownies (and I didn’t even count the sweetened cocoa) should explain the rush people find themselves in after eating too many…

And tomorrow, we’ll finish up all the other cakes… and eat them, of course! Sour cream cake, apple-poppyseed-cake, egg liqueur cake and fruit tart – This is going to be so good!

Hochschultag in Münster

I wanted to write about my travels. So why not start with the first and most recent thing that comes to my mind? The “Hochschultag” in Münster, of course! On Thursday, the University of Münster offered lectures for students who will graduate from secondary school next year.

Prinzipalmarkt & Lambertikirche by Lars F.

As an obligatory school trip, it started way too early – at 7 am at the train station.
On our way, Valerie and I redid our plans for the day until we found something that was interesting enough and that we could actually reach in time.

The schedule:
9.00 Dentistry
10.15 Live-Surgery
12.15 General Information about studying
14.15 Swedish

After a pretty dry lecture about dentistry we were excited to watch the surgery. Unfortunately, the whole auditorium was crammed with people and there was no getting in. Some friends waved at us and told us to find the backdoor but after wandering about in areas of the hospital that didn’t look like we were supposed to be there, we gave up and searched for something else to do.

The new schedule:
9.00 Dentistry
10.30 Radiology
12.00 Infectology
14.15 Swedish

Although it wasn’t easy to find (it actually took us some time to find the right building and even there, nobody could tell us where to go until a nurse locked up the door to a rather hidden corridor for us), the lecture about Radiology was really, really cool. I never knew that it could be so interesting and complicated to identify tumors or to search for internal bleeding – I might have found a reason to go to med school now.

Erbdrostenhof by Lars F.

There’s no need to tell much about the other lectures. The Infectology building was even harder to find since there were several buildings with the same street number. The caretaker was also new and couldn’t tell us where to go. The lecture was… rather disappointing. But at least I got to know how much bacteria I host and how disgusting it is if people have scratched their head before shaking your hand. Knowledge I could have lived without.

Nicole, Lars and I were a little too early for Swedish which turned out to be a good thing because in the end, there were more people in the small room than space on the floor, let alone chairs. After everyone (!) had said their obligatory “Jag är [insert name]” and “Javisst! Jag älskar sverige!” we were already (or rather finally) done.

Ludgerikirche by Lars F.

Half an hour of shopping later, we went to the cathedral to meet Valerie again. Sitting there on a bench in the rather moist weather, we had a few moments to talk about the day and enjoy the city. We really should go there more often!
After Valerie had finally arrived (she didn’t see us sitting in front of the cathedral…), we went shopping again and grabbed something to eat. Lars wanted to go to Nordsee, of course. I tried the Fish’n'Chips and realized I actually did like them – maybe fastfood fish will bring me a step closer to liking “real” fish?

The train ride home was longer than expected and everyone almost fell asleep – I guess you could say it was a rather long day.

I forgot to take my camera with me – all credit for the pictures goes to Lars F.