'Tis the Season

Hello everyone!

I hope December has been treating you all well! It's such a fun time of year because it's the only acceptable time to sing our favorite Christmas carols and gives us an excuse to buy sweet gifts for friends and family. I have enjoyed doing all of the above this year in the cute Christmas markets in the various cities. :)

So apart from a wonderful visit from my dad and Kristy, my recent good news is that my backpack was finally located! In case you didn't see the posts on Facebook, about a month ago I fell asleep on a train and had to hurry out to get off at my stop, and in my grogginess and sense of urgency, I left my favorite backpack on the train which contained Christmas gifts, my make up bag, two sweaters, my headphones, and most importantly my passport. I filed it immediately with the train company and then waited and waited. The whole month I was so worried it had been stolen and then just a few days ago I received an E-mail with a code saying it had been found and was in Würzburg, which I was conveniently travelling through the next day to return back to Schmalkalden! I was so relieved to get it back with all of it's contents untampered with, but I was frustrated that just two days before I had bought a new passport at the Embassy in Frankfurt... but oh well, lesson DEFINITELY learned.

The Brandenburg Gate with dad

Fredrick the Great of Prussia's summer mansion in Potsdam 

Nuremberg "Schönnen Brunnen"

Nuremburger Bratwürste and potato salad! My favorite :)

I've had a really fun and busy week! I had such a great time with Dad and Kristy and was sad that they couldn't stay longer. We saw Berlin and Potsdam, then on the way to Schmalkalden we visited the Erfurt Christmas Market and looked around the city, then I showed them a little bit of Schmalkalden, and then we went to visit Sonja and Rainer in Emskirchen and Nuremberg. I think they got the best of Germany in from side to side. Berlin is this very modern and businessy city, then they saw the rolling hills and green scenery of Thuringa, and then to Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where they got to see lots of traditional German architecture and experience Bavaria.

Erfurt Christmas Market

Cute little guest house in Rothenburg on der Tauber

US Embassy in Berlin


I couldn't even pick out a favorite part of the week if I tried, I just enjoyed every minute of being with family. I loved the sightseeing tour in Berlin and eating at the Hard Rock cafe, I enjoyed Christmas markets, and I REALLY enjoyed the delicious foods we ate!!

So now I will study for a week and rest up for my mom and brother's trip to see me on the 21st! I am beyond excited to see them. We will start in Munich, then see the Neuschwanstein Castle, then Nuremburg, then Schmalkalden, then fly over to London for New Years, and then back to Germany from where they will fly home. I'm really REALLY excited!! I'm just so glad that my parents have taken the opportunity to spend some time with me in Germany for the Christmas holidays.

Now my classes are winding down for the holidays and I will have plenty of time to rest up and enjoy my friends before we all go our separate ways for the holidays. When I get back in January it will be time to begin studying for my exams that are at the end of January/beginning of February. I'll also begin taking Human Growth & Development online from UNA next semester to make up a little bit for a lost semester, then take at least four class over the summer to REALLY make up for it. Watching people my age start to graduate has really motivated me to get my butt in gear if I want to walk the stage with anybody I know!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! You will all be in my thoughts and prayers as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and enjoy being with our beloved family members. Next year I hope to be surrounded by all of family in Louisiana. I would never encourage any one against studying abroad, but it takes a lot of strength to be away from family and friends for so long. Right now I am missing my best friend's graduation from UNA and my sweet little baby cousins are growing up too fast. It's so hard to be away, but I think everyday about how wonderful it is to be experiencing Europe at a young age. I'm eternally grateful for my time here. So treasure your family this year and enjoy your holidays!

Lots of love,

Bethany