Update

I realize that I have been remiss in my blogging these past few weeks and so I think it’s time to fill you in on what has been going on here in Germany. Probably the first thing I should mention is that the Tim, little boy I take care of, finally has a full time aid at school again!! We all are very excited about this and so far he has done a wonderful job back at school. Tonight we celebrated having two weeks with no red cards!! I think that between the new aid and my host mom, Anja, being on maternity leave now, the stress that has been present for the past few months is going down. I think everyone is relieved that things are finally reaching a “normal” status again. I guess that will be changing soon though because there will be a new baby in the family within the next month!!
This past week has been good overall. I have been busy with my regular activities, attending to Tim, and I have also started to study U.S. history for an exam I am hoping to take soon. I have been shifting around my schedule some to figure out where to place all my activities in my free time, but I think it has been a good thing. There was also a misunderstanding between Anja and myself this week that added some drama to our lives. Thankfully it was all worked out and everything is back to normal  I have to say that it is not always easy living with your employer, and I am sure it is not always easy for the host family to have another person always staying with them. But I think we have been working well for the past, wow, almost five months. Since coming here though, I have realized that living in another family is one of the best ways to really experience a different culture because you are living with people who really understands what it means to be of that nationality. So I have to say this has been one of the coolest experiences of my life and my host family has greatly contributed to it.
This is the news to date. I have learned to take one day at a time, as no day is ever the same, and so far that is working. So, tomorrow I am going to enjoy the Sabbath. I hope you have a wonderful Saturday as well!!

My Travels, Part 1: Berlin

I realize its been a long time since I posted anything on this blog and I figured it was time I told everyone a little about what I have been doing over the past month. My life with my host family has been going very well, and I am starting to feel more and more comforable with them. My hours have also started to become more predictable, which is very nice. These past three months I have had the opportunity to travel to three different cities outside of my normal reach and that is what I plan to spend my time on in this post. I think I will start with my most recent trip, Berlin.
Last November, when I first arrived in Germany, my host family recommended I buy a round trip train pass that was being sold and I did. I ended up using that ticket to visit Berlin last weekend. I took an ICE train both there and back, which took about 6 hours each way, but I had a wonderful time watching the scenery and relaxing on the train. I stayed with a friend in Berlin, so I can't give any recommendations fora place to stay in Berlin, however I do have some suggestions about where to go and what to do. I arrived in Berlin at around noon and the first place I visited was the Pergamon, which I highly recommend. I really enjoyed walking through the different exhibits, including the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate, and Islamic Art Museum. It took my serveral hours to walk through the entire museum, but I found the guided tour to be well explained and interesting. It's well worth the visit. I spent Monday morning visiting the East Side Gallery which is the longest standing part of the Berlin wall and recharging my camera battery. Then went on the Brewers Berlin Waking Tour. This tour, or one like it, is a must do for Berlin or any other city you visit! www.brewersberlintours.com The tour is a great way to learn about the city, see the sights, and ask any questions you might have. I also went to the Topography of Terror on Monday and that is worth visiting as well. On Tuesday, I walked around Alexanderplatz and then finally made my way back home, exhausted but happy.
Berlin is an amazing city, huge and full of life. The city was so different from the other cities I have visited to this point and I wouldnt have missed. I wish I had been able to spend more time in the city, but I really enjoyed the time I had there.