I am proud to be an American (or at least I'm not ashamed)

There's a lot of talk out there about how now is a bad time to travel as an American, because of our government and our reputation as ignorant people. People are so quick to slap on a Canadian flag patch on their bag, before boarding the plane.
That couldn't be more wrong. One should try to hide what they are, really it's only the geographical location one happens to be born in. Nor should an American think that it is a bad time to travel abroad. In fact, it is just the opposite. The fact is, the bar has been set so low, a baby could crawl over it. Yeah, maybe when you first let someone know that you are an American they will assume the worst (most don't). However, it doesn't take much to impress them and change their view of you, and then maybe even their view towards Americans as a whole. In reality, people do base stereotypes of a society on very few encounters or more pathetically-on hearsay.
I have found language to be a very simple way of impressing and also just learning a little about the world around you and not only from an American perspective. But about language, as an American one doesn't have to know much of another language, they just have to try. But nobody is impressed if a German, or anyone else for that matter, is speaking English. Of course they can. It's English.
Really when it comes down to it, don't act like the "ugly american" people expect you to be and nobody will give you trouble. I promise it's not that hard. So I just thought I would share that.

While I'm venting, and sort of on the topic of languages. One thing that bugs me in German is when I hear English words that have a different meaning in German. I'm sure more example will come to me later, but one I can give is "handy", which is a cell phone. Then one can't imagine it would be a different word in English. Understandably, but what dumbass thought of the word in the first place. But then I realized that we have plenty of words like that in English. Like "salsa", it means sauce in Spanish or "gelato" in Italian, it took me a while to realize that it simply means "ice cream", nothing specific. We specify general terms. These things could bug Spanish or Italians. But only the fussy ones like me of course.

I promise I will write about my life soon. It's just that Rebecca and I were talking about these things the other day, so I was thinking about it and I though I'd write about it.

This blog needs to be modified-any suggestions?

I am now writing from the same laptop in a new room, in a new house, in a new family, in a new town, and even a new country (this country being Switzerland). Which is great, however, the title of this blog doesn't really fit. So please tell me what to do about that. I hope this incoherance doesn't keep you from reading.

So let's get to the point and roll another j-. Never mind-song. Once again I have too much to write about. It always happens.

I left Schowalters on the 30th of January. The Saturday before I spent the day shopping with Mirjam and went to see Bee Movie. So that was some good quality time together before I left. That Sunday in church Sonja made me say something to the church. She didn't tell me before which was probably for the better. Public speaking is one thing-but in German...ehhh. O well. Egal. In youth group they did a little going away thing!! So sweet. Well I will put a picture. They even made me a picture book. Awww. The day I left I had a little "kaffee und kuchen" going away thing which turned out really well. I was very pleased. Unfortunatly I didn't plan my time well (story of my life) and I kind of left my room a mess. Which I don't think Schowalters were too happy about, well they wrote me and told me. So I just want to say to them Es tut mir sehr sehr leid!!! I do feel very bad about that. oops. Anyway so then the next week was spent a lot en route.

Wednesday I traveled overnight to Listal where I met Jessica and dropped my huge suitcase off. That worked out really well. Then...I went to Basel airport and hopped on a plane to London. So I went to London. I stayed part of the time with Kate and Ben. Ausralian friends I met at the Hofbrauhaus. I know that sounds slightly ridiculous but it's not. Just have to change your thinking. *cough mom. I sightsaw a lot by myself but then did some with Kate and Ben which was a lot of fun. I even went out with her coworkers and talked after lunch with kate and her boss. Three of the nights I then stayed at the mennonite centre in London. There's a lot to see in that city-like infinite things to do. It drains your money though, i'll tell you what.

A week later I took the plane to Dortmund, then from there I went to the Midterm conference at Thomashof. I thoughoully enjoyed my time there. It nicely organized-i think. Well...okay we went to an opera which I don't really like. But I'm glad I went because I think in order to acheive a "cultured" status one has to see at least one opera. We had a few formal discussion things about culture and stuff which to me is always an interesting topic.

Monday morning I said goodbye to the other trainees and we were all sent off to our new placements. Now I've been here for almost a week. I really like it so far. But it has only been a week. I love my host family so far, although they don't speak ANY english. So communication is not always the best, but I can tell it won't really matter. Except that my host dad Andre is one of those people that knows a lot and like to talk a lot and fast and with a swiss german accent. It's good practice for me, but he has to know that I'm not really understanding everything and I just nod and smile. I'm noticing things here that I missed at Schowalters but didn't really know I was missing, which is good. For example, being nearer to other trainees, good public transportation, and having more of a nanny job than just cleaning. Sarah, the 12 year old with down syndrom has been at camp since I got here so that will be different dynamics when she is here. But I love Simon, the 5 year old who I spent a lot of time this week with. He's incredibly cute. Like how he says "amerita" not amerika. But this week is not a normal week in this canton. While everywhere else in the world mardis gras/faschings/carnival whatever you call it is over. Here it is the monday, tuesday, and wednesday after ash wednesday and here it's called "fasnacht". Everyday there are parades and musik and such. So those three days we went to parardes. It's definatly a unique experience that I didn't even know I would get to experience. The parades consists of marching bands all wearing masks with some theme and then wagons with people also in costumes that give out candy, flowers, oranges and some random things like little toys, tester products, and really random things like leeks, carrots, and potatoes. Really they are more willing to give to kids. But my host mom, Elke and I still left with full bags. The other thing is that the throw out confetti and tons and tons of it. I've never seen so much in my entire life. They even sometimes grab you and rub it in your hair. It was really quite the experience.

This morning I went shopping in Germany, (because its cheaper and we're only 25 minutes away) with Debbie, an intermenno comitee person who also lives nearby. Later we're going to Andre's mom's house and between then, well I've been doing this.

note: i don't know why the spell check isn't working but its not.