Goodbye 2008 - Welcome 2009
Kurz nach Weihnachten neigte sich dann auch das Jahr 2008 dem Ende zu. Dieses Jahr war das beste meines Lebens - bis jetzt! Fuer mich ist das ein Anlass, nocheinmal zurueckzublicken, was alles geschehen ist in den letzen 12 Monaten:
Januar - Die offizielle Bestaetigung war in der Post, dass ich von Wilhelm Josef Sebastian, MdB (CDU) nominiert worden bin, fuer ein Jahr als junger Botschafter fuer Deutschland im Rahmen des Parlamentarischen Patenschaftsprogramm 2008/2009 des Deutschen Bundestag und des US-Kongress in den USA zu leben.
Februar - The so-called placement records of the exchange organization to find a high school and a family had to be completed by me. With my class 10b of the private high school in Mount Calvary Ahrweiler I went for a week after Juenkerrat on retreats.
March - With the youth exchange of the county and municipality in the partner community Fauville-en-Caux, we traveled nearly 30 youth for a week in Normandy. From my members of parliament, I was invited to an educational tour of the Federal Press Office in Berlin. Together with members of the Junge Union (JU) Ahrweiler, and the Women's Union (FU), we visited the district government and other historically significant Sites.
A pril - The first quiet month for me this year. In addition to concentrating a few little things (that I myself can no longer errinnern already), I am most part to the school.
May - This month has changed my life instantly. On the Preparation Seminar (VBS) for my stay abroad, I met great personalities of which I have the greatest respect. What is even more important: I have found true friends for a lifetime. I also learned a lot and made many new experiences. Me a lot of it very difficult to reliably in Bonn the train and "goodbye" to say - at least for the next two months. Back to reality, my family and my school, believe me no one, that one can come in a week, so close. All participants made this experience. No one believed us. From the time, and we exchanged regularly with information from each other and prepared prior to our new life in the U.S. ...
June - With my brother and two classmates, I am moved to Warendorf to the Bundeswehr Olympix '08. Three days of competition and social program with youth from all over Germany. Then the summer holidays have begun. With the child and Jugendfoerderverein I went as a supervisor with the canoe on the Lahn. With my father I am to Frankfurt zum amerikanischen Konsulat gefahren um mein Visum zu beantragen. Das erste mal auf amerikanischen Staatsgebiet.
Juli - Die letzten Vorbereitung haben begonnen. Dazu gehoerten auch die ersten Abschiede. Gegen Ende des Monats, kurz vor meiner Abreise, bin ich mit der katholischen Jugendgruppe Gelsdorf ins Zeltlager nach Pruem in die Eiffel gefahren. Noch mal ein paar Tage "Urlaub", bevor es dann endgueltig auf in mein Abenteuer ging. Wahrenddessen, hielten mich meine Eltern stuendlich auf dem Laufenden, bezueglich meiner Gastfamilie, die nun endlich feststand. (7 Tage bevor es losging).
August - Endlich war es soweit. DER Monat stand vor der Tuer. MEIN Monat! Bevor es logsging ins Land of opportunity, it was said, however, take leave. The school had begun and so I went to my classmates and teachers all the best wish for the coming school year. On 7 August it was then finally go! As the plane took off in Frankfurt, there was no turning back ... Arrived in Washington, we had only once a policy seminar with sightseeing. Two days later we drove to the States with our host families. I was welcomed with open arms in North Canton, Ohio, both of my host parents and siblings, as well as the students and teachers at my high school. August went by very quickly. Everything rushed past me. In such a short time, I met so many new people, saw so many neue und fremde Dinge und machte so viele neue Erfahrungen. Ich kann durchaus sagen, dass dieser Monat einer der aufregendsten war.
September - Auch im September schaltete die Zeit fuer mich keinen Gang runter. Im im Zeitraffer zog alles an mir vorbei. Ich machte einen Ausflug auf dem Erie See und gegen Ende war auch schon der erste fomelle Tanzball der Schule - Homecoming. Die Fussballseasion war im vollen Gange. Jeden Tag zwei Stunden Training und mindestens zwei Spiele pro Woche.
Oktober - Fussball neigte sich so langsam dem Ende zu und wir bekamen einen goldenen Oktober. Die Sonner schien jeden Tag und die Temperaturen waren angenehm erfrischend. Ansonsten verging dieser Monat sehr ruhig.
November - A little adventure in my adventure. Over the Thanksgiving holidays I went with my host family in Rhode Iceland, to celebrate the festival. On the way made as a stop in New York City for 24 hours. I got almost every famous tourist spot to face ... Then we drove to Rhode Iceland, where we had the Thanksgiving feast with the whole family. In the morning I met Rachel for the first time in five months. The Friday before we were making on the way back to Ohio, we spent in Boston, MA. All in all, the part very exciting for me.
December - the last months of a memorable year, mostly full nature of of the American Christmas. As in the picture book. 35 guests came to our Christmas party on 25 December. Eve back in America is celebrated, but not like in Germany. Fireworks are prohibited and champagne, there are only very rarely. I have the last day of the year, celebrated with friends. Have in common is runtergezaehlt the countdown and the famous "ball drop in New York City seen in Times Square.
That was my year 2008! Indescribable and unforgettable. "May the best of your yesterdays be the worst of your tomorrows." When I think think, then 2009, only better!