The Return.....

I told you so!

No matter which class you are in..   the last thing I said to you was "Ill be back soon, do don't do anything stupid!"


Well, I'm coming back!

Basically, those of you who know me well, will know that I am now back at Uni ..  I have SUFFERED 2 German lessons..  and I have decided that Its not as good as where I was, so i have to come back to speak more German!

Well, When I decided to come back. there were 3 major issues..

1) How am I going to get there?
2) When am I going to go?
3) How many German Lectures can I avoid in one go

Well, the answers are as follows

1)  KLM..  no other option really...  hopefully, they will remember my bag this time

2) When?? There is only one option really..  KALTERMARKT!
3) this is only a guess, but experts seem to think about 6


I have missed germany since leaving. I have had a hell of a summer that meant that I have not had much time to miss it, but there were times when I was all up for flogging my xbox and selling my brother to go back again. though that would only make me about £100 and the xbox is worth £99.   Still, It seems like every day at some point I think "what was i doing 1 year ago?"  or telling someone about what I did in germany - even if they don't seem to care!

After a lot of thinking - I decided that I deserve it. I worked hard over the summer and I am desperate for a break. So this is it. Admittedly, I want to put everything else on hold until it happens, but it gives me a chance to get over and have a real break


The best part so far, is that with all of my KLM miles..   It has only cost me £86 return!!





IMMA COMING SCHLÜCHTERN!!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgu6EeyAz1Q

Finally.. I have come back!

Christmas this year was very interesting..      I spent plenty of time away from home, seeing my mates, my dad and stepmum and the rest of the family too..     so all was good!!

I am now back in Germany.. and - apart from everyone wishing me a "Happy New Year!" , its pretty much like I have never really been away!  The town's Christmas Decorations are gone, the sales are over and the only real sign that it is (near) Christmas is that there is a slight dusting of snow on the floor right now.

This makes me realise that I was actually really comfortable here.. I put that partially down to the people of the school and local area.. but it was really nice to come back and slip in as if nothing had happened.

The three weeks of Christmas flew by in one respect, and dragged in another.  I was really happy to be going home for so many reasons. The break was great and the lie ins were awesome! I managed to see most of the family and even travel to London to see (one of my two) best mate(s) for new years Eve!  it was the first time for a few years that I didn't work for it !  so I could also afford the odd drink!

The Christmas period was typical. ..  the usual stuff that every family tends to do (and some things that other families just don't do..  especially this year...)   and it as the same in that we got all excited for something that is the same every time!!

It was the first Christmas that I noticed the change since turning 18..and not being a kid anymore.

Christmas eve was spent in the Indian - very sophisticated- with Prosecco and curry!

the run up to me coming back to Germany was slightly rocky..  I had other things on that were unavoidable and due to this, I didn't actually manage to pack properly.. and - I would say that the two things I forgot were some of the most important .. like...  towels.. and my bed sheets..  dammit!!

The day that I was flying came and I was waiting at the door like a dog for my dad to pick me up..  it was definitly time to get back to what has now become normality with some great colleges and some great friends now too!  I enjoyed seeing everyone.. but the time to go back was the right time!!

I am now here till may.. I may have the odd adventure here and there.. but only the one planned so far.. ..    I cant see it being difficult to stay here for a solid 5 months..

sorry that this entry is a tad on the "mopey Christmas" side and very little to do with my "adventures in germany"  but , I thought it was time for an update.. and to let you all know that I am enjoying this year abroad so much, that I was actually desperate to come back !!

cheers!

There is no place like it... Home

Home.  There are lots of different definitions of it, but I usually use the on that is "Wherever you feel at home",

I have a few places that I consider Home. Sunderland is my second Home.   I have made some amazing mares there.
but the other one is that place I grew up in.  Where my parents are.  and , In less than 75 hours. That is exactly where I will be!

I had a small taste of it last weekend, I flew to Sunderland to see one of the two people I call my "Best Mates" . The weekend was one I will never forget for a lot of reasons. But one of the main reasons was the sheer Horror that I had with Public Transport.

Being clever, I decided to choose the cheapest. This was with KLM and it was from Frankfurt to Newcastle with a change of flight in Amsterdam.
As a lot of people will tell you , I plan everything down to the last second. It will be followed to this plan, and If it goes astray, then, the world may aswell end.
I knew that this was especially important here, because of the change over in Amsterdam, which I had less than an hour for.

The way there was not too bad.  Big Shout out the the "best mate" I was visiting who told me to sit at the back of the plane.   Cheers mare !  We were swapped onto a rear- engined plane...  it was awful! But , in true mate style..  he found this Hilarious!

My 'Window' is hidden.. its behind the engine... -_-

I got to Amsterdam with the constant ring of D# in my ears..  Then, I had to go for it .
- Check in to next flight
- Passport control
- Security Check
- the 7km (well, that is what it always feels like!) walk to gate D24

sorted! got to the flight in time, and made it to Sunderland.

Typical LADS weekend really:
- Beer, Steak, Football, Half of Batman  (inside joke!)  and buying DVDs that are on the 2 for £10 at HMV
(although, that can be baffling at times, too..  )   (another inside joke!)

I Enjoyed the weekend. Seeing my mate, and being back 'home' was night. I did speak German to people and I forgot that the cars come from the other Direction.. but apart from that..   fine!

It was on the way back.

Dear god.
I think I lost about 10 years off my like due to this trip.

Set off from Newcastle, Slightly late (don't know how, only about 4 planes go there) and Arrived in Amsterdam late too.  Had 50 mins to get to my next flight...

GO!

- Check-in was terrible.. machine was very slow and  took about 5 attempts -_-
- Passport control: some advice - if there are well over 500 people queuing to have their passoort checked..  maybe it worth opening a second line??     just a thought
- Security.... well..   do I have to say anything??   I chose the one queue where no matter how much they checked..  that guy still sets the scanner off..    annoying..

then..  Gate..

E89     ..  I was like Basil Fawlty!
"Well, that is just perfect!"

Off I went..       and got to the plane late..  the plane held 100 poeple..  I had 99 of them starting at me..and then an announcement..
"Sorry ladies and gentlemen, we are going to be delayed slightly, as we have a passenger from Newcastle who's bag needs to be loaded on"

THAT WAS ME!

got to Frankfurt late, Schedule was Ballsed and I really needed to get home.  I was pleased with KLM. None of the delays were their fault, I was late in and they waited for one passenger.   I would recommend then to anyone!
I got on the train from the Airport to the main station, I got the platform and could have Waved goodbye to the driver.   SHIT..  missed it..

Double Shit...  Last train of the night...
triple shit..  what the hell do I do now...

see...  no train....    :/

I was a minute too late.

I, being smart, went to the pub!  It had Wifi and I could form a plan!
Wifi was broke..  luckily the pump wasn't - I could have drunk it dry.   partially for missing the train, partially for doing that thing that Mr Bean does  on "Mr Bean's Holiday" when he did the same.

Well, I had no choice, I was stuck..  I was going to spend the night there, but how and where?
there were 3 options

1- the 24hr Mcdonalds
2- sit in the station and listen to music
3- find a hostel.

I went with number 3. Reluctantly. After being in the pub it was now 1 am and the first train was at 5:26 am. But I was tired, slightly fed up, and it had begun to rain.
I found one, and got my head down for a few hours kip.  Caught my first train, and managed to do a day of work too..     How.. I dunno..  well.. I do..  I had Irn Bru from the UK!


But anyway. Though my ell with public transport makes me want to walk home, My flight is at a good time, I will be on the first train I can be after work so I definitely don't miss the flight, and the flight is a direct Lufthansa flight.   So - hopefully, no issues!


I cant wait to go home. There are some aspects that I can wait for - and not always the ones that are always there, but I need a break, and I need to say hello to the Family.  It has been the same amount of time as it would have been at University, but taking in all that I have, from the sights, sounds and smells of Germany, to the Culture, Language and routine. I am tired.   I am pleased that I had a visitor halfway through, cause It broke it up and Im always happy to see a good mate :)

I feel weird about it. Im looking forward to it (my suitcase is already packed) but I know that I could stay here If I needed to, easily. I guess after the tough weekend of transport before, and the taste of the UK.. I am pretty ready to head back to the family.

So. I hope this week goes fast, I hope that I can get home and Enjoy a beer with my dad and see my brothers again.  I have a small trip planned for Xmas, but the plans need to be finalized there.

I don't know when this will next be updated.. but If I don't see you, or write another one...  then Have a good Christmas.. and all the best, for 2013

2013 is set to bring a lot. F1, more Germany, the start of my final Uni year and some other stuff that I am very excited about too.  It is gonna be hard at times..   but - if its easy, where is the point?

till next time!

Its the start of a 365 page book.. When you write it, make it a good one...