So on Friday night I moved into my flat properly (and by about Sunday morning actually began to believe I live here). I think I will be really happy here, I just need to find a rhythm between me and my flatmates that is comfortable. They are both really accommodating and welcoming, so that's really great! It's just a nice extra thing to not have to worry about awkward people. I am however already hating the bus journey to the train- it's supposed to be 12 minutes but feels like 1000. But I may be able to borrow a bike to cut that out of the equation.
Speaking German has been at times exhausting, so on Saturday I just took the whole day off and stayed in and watched Girls instead. Then on Saturday night I finally met my other flatmate! But I was dreading Sunday anyway because I wanted to go to church, and the one I had chosen was super far away (about an hour, with many changes), but I wanted to go anyway, so I did.
I went to a church called CZF (translates as Christ Centre Frankfurt), heavily influenced by their website. It was really nice- I LOVE singing in German. I find it a lot easier to pick up pronunciation, and I understand what I'm singing because I am familiar with the songs in English :) listening to a German talk was interesting too, but a bit long for my brain. After the service, a girl called Muriel came straight up to me and was really nice. A group of people had organised to go to Museumsuferfest, so she invited me to that. Then I left, still feeling a bit unsure (especially because it takes about an hour to get there), but glad I gave it a go anyway.
The Museumuferfest is a festival where all the museums open their doors, and you can pay like 7 euro and get into ALL OF THEM. But I did not do that :P Instead, I made sure I saw every last stall that lined the banks of the Main. It was loosly separated into different lands of influence; I saw in particular a Finnish bit, and Asian and African. There were stages dotted across the place- including one with a cheer performance! After all the walking I got pretty grumpy so I went home before meeting up with the church people.
It was really nice to have met lovely people, and they made it a lot easier to speak German! We sat and listened to an 80s cover band, drank beer and waited for the fireworks! One of the girls really intrigued me- she loved travelling and has been all over the world, just making her dreams come true really! She was amazed that I had travelled so much in half as long- it was good to have someone prompt me to appreciate everywhere I've been! But it also made me appreciate what a privilege to learn about people and their stories, and how much I love that. So we saw some fireworks (http://instagram.com/p/sZzTWDre-N/ I thought they were great, but apparently v disappointing compared to Silvester, which is NYE) and I went to bed late... rather unprepared for my first day at work!
This week I have been given the (rather large) task of translating the SKI website. There are definitely a lot more words than I thought. It's a good way to work through something though, and learn the vocab and some idiomatic phrases. What I've really learnt this week is that Germans have probably too many words that don't seem to mean anything, and also tiny prepositions that completely change the meaning. But yeah that's basically all the work I've been doing all week- hoping to finish tomorrow [Friday] but it might be a bit ambitious! Have been checking accounts too so need to do that tomorrow!
On Monday, Lili's mum had arrived and she cooked us dinner- it was really cute to eat together, speaking any combination of German, English and Chinese (Lili's mum doesn't speak German, and obvs I don't speak Chinese... learning is now looking very attractive!). We had a good laugh, soothing to my soul after every day's little bumps.
On Tuesday we got pizza for lunch, v exciting- but as I was taking it home, and walking with Yasemin to the train station, I managed to get the wrong train (mixed up Friedberg and Friedhof dammit). But I managed to get off and go back just 1 stop to get the right one. And see a different train station! Also that day, I went to register my living in my apartment- was much less painful than I expected, and I got a welcome book! #presents! http://instagram.com/p/sdEeRUre1y/
Wednesday I went on a bit of an adventure to try an register at the doctor. Basically, I was told you could just go to the doctors with your EHIC, but when I went they said I needed special vouchers from the general health insurance people (AOK) so I went to their offices a few towns across, only to be told that it doesn't work like that and I was right the first time! But they phoned up the doctors I had been to, and they said they didn't want me if that was the case. Rejected!
It also is nearly impossible to change money or take money out. Completely different culture and attitude to money. There are hardly any ATMs anywhere, and apparently one place where you can change money (I have forgotten the word... a symptom of being immersed in a different language!), at the main train station.
Anyway, on Wednesday I went to cheer! I was rather late (because I got lost, and naturally have to internet for Google maps to help me, just the picture I had taken of it beforehand!) I went to the uni team, and it was really nice to actually exercise, and do something I was familiar with. But obviously my expectations were met in that I knew they would do things slightly differently- their jump counts are different! But it was fun anyway and I got the bus some of the way back with 2 girls who were lovely. I feel like I have made many acquaintances, and look forward to eventually making some friends! One of the girls was telling me about the Erasmus nights out, which would be great but they are during the week... doesn't really fit with my 9-5!
So it is now Thursday, and to be honest I am really tired, and wondering how I can get up at 7.20 every day and be able to speak German... But people really have been kind, and even though sometimes people speak to me, or something happens and I think I might cry everywhere, I make sure that I don't, because I know there is something good in every day, and I don't even have to look hard! Whether it's Christina helping sort my life out, laughing with my flatmates, or dancing on my own in a lift to T.Swift- I know I'm going to be okay!! More than that, I actually believe it.
Before I left home, I read this verse, Psalm 65.5:
"You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our saviour.
You are the hope of everyone on earth,
even those who sail on distant seas."
And therefore I am reminded over and over that God has come with me on my year abroad, His faithfulness as gone before me, and his goodness and mercy have followed me over distant seas. I've only been here a week, but I can already see that God has answered my prayers when I am overwhelmed, and He is my hope that I will make it out alive!!
