It's been busy! The first half of December when I was still in Deutschland, work was ridiculously busy, and life was ridiculously busy. Anna and Elisabeth came to visit, and I pretty much spent every night at the markets. This was a promise I made to myself, as I had been trying to avoid them until my dearest sister arrived so we could go together. In fact, I ended up going the night before. The lights were tremendous, I had glühwein in hand and it snowed. So I decided I might as well make the most of it! I did also intend to try some hot apfelwein, but sadly was too fixated on the grape variety. After being spoiled by Anna and Elisabeth, my mother then arrived and also spoiled me, which was exactly what I needed given all the business at work! I was making a few mistakes which I was super unhappy about, so it was good to have my mummy to tell me it was okay, as grown up as I may seem ;P
The next weekend, Amy From England came to visit and celebrate my German birthday! Germans seem quite strict about ONLY celebrating on your actual birthday (whereas I have had two for the last 2 years at least), but luckily the cheer people were already going out, so we hit a not-so-classy club and danced the night away.
Then the day after Amy left I came home! What a beautiful time. Firstly because I was telling everyone that I wish my mum and dad would pick me up but I knew they wouldn't because of work, and then Richie came and surprised me! What a guy.
I was (only) at home for two weeks, and I mostly did Christmassy family/eaty stuff, as I'm sure everyone else did too! I also can confirm that I am as in love with Northern Ireland as I ever was.
I meant to do lots of work, of all kinds including uni dossiers, but I did absolutely nothing and for this I am glad.
I was back in Germany on the 30th, with no Silvester plans. I really wanted to see the fireworks and thought it probably would make sense if I greeted 2015 on a bridge over the Main as a strong independent woman.
However, my lovelyyyy friend invited me to a dinner party and I thought I could say YES because saying Yes is good. It was a really good choice, because I got to eat German food, which I haven't really had the chance to eat at all! We had lamb, knödel and rotkohl, and also some hipster beer... was so so good. I was educated in German music (mostly rap) and board games (mostly confusing) and then we walked to see the fireworks.
...Except there wasn't really THE Fireworks, there was just fireworks absolutely everywhere! Basically, the only time fireworks are sold is between Christmas and New Year, so everyone just goes mental, buys everything, and sets them off no matter what time of day it is. The one time of year that Germans are unregulated and a bit mental!I was just confused the whole time, and slightly feared for my life but all in all it was pretty cool! (although I did get hit by a firework someone had throw into the square, I quickly recovered with some Sekt). Pretty sure we missed the actual turn of midnight because of all the noise, and I DEFINITELY missed Auld Lang Syne, but it was really nice to be with new friends :)
So now we are in 2015. I've come with very few resolutions, and definitely no concrete plans. What I would really like to do is use the money I finally got to go see some places...but not entirely sure where. One thing I did promise my mother, following 4 months of persisting with Frankfurt City Church, is that I would try an english speaking church.
WELL. I did not want to. I wanted to speak German all the time. I wanted to sing in German and learn about God in German and make friends in German.
But since the making friends in German, at least at church, wasn't going so swimmingly, I decided to keep my promise.
So, on the Saturday night, I googled english speaking churches in Frankfurt... Only to find quite a few churches that were either a bit strange looking, or far away, or both. I was about to give up, when I decided for some reason to click to the SECOND PAGE OF GOOGLE. And at Hope City Frankfurt I arrived at the next day. After being twice now, I have also met a Korean girl, who has been going to a Korean church for the past 4 months, but also went to the SECOND PAGE OF GOOGLE and ended up at Hope City. Wie komisch!
Anyway, it's a very exciting church, and although they are still quite new and don't have that many germans, are trying to do lots for the city. I like it. Even though it's in English.
I'm still debating whether or not to a officially leave the "irgendwie ruhig" (somewhat quiet/peaceful) FCC, but overall I think it's been good for me to go to Hope City and get a new perspective. Obviously, the majority of people attending are internationals, in positions not dissimilar from mine. There is something so fresh about people who ARE fresh to the city, and that gives me hope. They want to bring life and salvation to a city famed for greedy bankers and a thriving red light district. Because nothing is impossible with God and people are always worth saving! I guess just seeing other people believe it so earnestly has reminded me how true it really is.
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