Estonian Day No. 16.

Tartu again. With Leonie.

Spent 17,65€ on postcards and stamps today and by doing so, I found out that it wasn't as hard as I had thought it to be before to find postcards and stamps. That was a great conclusion!

I also explored the bookshop Rainis always raved about. It was astonishing. It looked amazing from outside but it was truly magnificent when you entered it. The ground floor was pretty with thousands of nice corners and seemingly billions of books, and then the upper floor (it had an upper floor!) was like one narrow alley along the walls with the big windows behind the bookshelves from where you have a great view all over Tartu.

Leonie and I had bought some sort of Janina's favourite cookies and chocolate cream and went to the Office. There, we found that Monique was visiting Janina, too. Later, shortly after Leonie had gone again to catch her bus, Aaron came. This all felt like kind of a class reunion. It was nice.

Estonian Day No. 15.

Andreas' birthday party was nice. I stood in the kitchen all morning, helping Ilona with doing all the food and even baked some of my nearly-famous applesauce-muffins. (I used applesauce with little pieces in it and it was nice, too. But if you should try this, use more applesauce than usually, because they don't get too juicy if you don't.)

Leonie brought my present for him (a game) and he just put it in his room. But later, when most of the guests were gone, he suddenly had it on the living room table and all the kids were playing with it. That was great. I don't actually know if they got how to do it, but the colourful sticks were fun all the same, I think. It's quite similar to this one:

Talking a lot of German again was nice. Rainis complained about it once, but soon lost interest. We played several games together, Leonie and I, and soon went to bed. The next morning, we slept quite long. After having breakfast, Ilona asked us, if we could help her and the others with harvesting the potatoes. They hadn't known that they would get the tractor that day, but now they had it and it wouldn't take more than two hours. Since we didn't have any plans for this saturday, we spontaneously agreed to help them.

Ilona gave us some old clothes (how exaggerated, we thought) and then we started. First, it was fun. Picking up some potatoes didn't seem to be too hard and we soon had completed the first row. After half of the second row, we couldn't take seeing potatoes any longer. After about the fifth row, we hated (sorry guys!) our little brothers (Leonie's host brother had stayed the night, too) and their two friends, because they didn't want to pick up any potatoes anymore and just had fun running around and laughing and throwing potatoes from one end of the field to the other one. At this point, we nearly died. Crawling over the field, half of the body in constant contact with the earth and the other half almost as dirty, our backs hurting and the work seeming endless, we simply couldn't understand how the boys could make it even harder. 

After some time (it felt as if we must have nearly reached eternity by then), Leonie guessed that we had done about two thirds of the field. Bringing our potatoe-filled buckets to Ilona, she explained happily that we should have done half of it by now and that this was the hardest day of all the year. Leonie, who wasn't supposed to stay for this day after the first plan, but spontaneously had decided to stay another night, wasn't quite as happy when I told her the "good" news. :D

Seeing dirt, potatoes and lots of insects all the time, we became lethargic. We knew, we couldn't just stop (or at least I couldn't) when even Jorma, who usually spent day and night in the garage, helped. We just went on and suddenly we were done. Finished. Ilona took photos of us in front of all the potatoes and sent us to the shower. Never thought I could be so dirty, never thought I would enjoy a shower that much.

We felt like goddesses, all clean as we were. We called Janina to ask her if she would like to have a picknick with us in Tartu. She agreed at once. So we went to Tartu (Ahti drove us) and met her and her host sister Kätlin. We went to the botanic garden and afterwards, they showed us their home. Back in Sojamaa, we played games again all evening and went to bed.

Monday morning, Leonie and her host brother left and I felt that she had contracted me - I sneezed all morning. Additionally, my legs hurt worse than ever from the harvesting. Harvesting! I never had aching muscles from harvesting before and I'm not planning to have them from harvesting ever again. The rest of the day was calm.

Today, I felt ill, but the cold was gone. (My legs still hurt badly.) Since Ilona had asked me for it the day before, I did some õunad-rosinad-muffinid after an Estonian recipe. Rainis was so kind to translate it for me. I already knew all the ingredients and he just told me how to do it. That was nice. Afterwards, I lay on the diivan all the time, sometimes with our ilus valge kass on my stomach, and tried to learn some Estonian from our "E nagu Eesti" text book. Two exercises later, I lost interest and couldn't concentrate on it anymore anyway, so I watched sports with the boys. (Juhani, who had a motorbike accident on our harvesting day, couldn't move, so he had to watch it (but I think he liked it), Rainis had chosen it, and I was too lazy to reach for the remote control and change the program.)

Tomorrow, I'll be meeting Leonie in Tartu (again) to have a look for a goodbye present for Janina, who invited us to her last party and leaves on next saturday. Rainis comes, too, but he'll just be buying the stuff he needs for school.

School starts on Monday, since the dorms are not ready yet and half of the pupils of the gümnaasium need to go there. So, everybody from class 10 to 12 can stay home for a while longer than the younger ones. Muarharharharhar!!

Estonian Day No. 11.

Forgot to tell about the best dancing experience in my life: in Estonia, they dance around the hole country, 1000km! They do it always in pairs or groups and each of those dances 200m. All the time, for five days. It was my host mother's turn at 1.30am last Tuesday. Juhani, Rainis, and I went with Andreas and his friend to watch it. It was bloody cold but worth it. That's what I call passionate dancing!

On Wednesday, I met Leonie in Tartu. We visited the YFU Eesti Office and had a look at an old cathedral. Then we bought a little present for Andreas (it was his ninth birthday) and then she offered me to come to her home. So we went to her place and later Ilona called to say she couldn't catch me and I slept at Leonie's place. We jumped on the trampolin (I haven't had that much fun for ages!) and played cards all night. (I won most of the games.) That was great.

Next day, we went to Tartu again and - again - visited the Office. We also had a look at some accesoire shops (the best I've ever seen) and I collected some ideas for the next birthdays (mum and Jasmin). We managed even to find postcards (harder than you can imagine) and stamps (even harder!). Andreas will get his present tomorrow, the day of the party. Leonie comes, too, and stays the night.

It was nice to talk this much German again. Never thought I could miss my native language after just a few days that much.

Yesterday evening, I went to Lähte by bike. Andreas led the way and showed me a lot.

Today, I took some photos in the nature around here. Later, I helped Rainis to bring the wood in. Then we went to Tartu (again!) and bought some stuff for Andreas' birthday cake that Ilona and I baked when we were home again. She also bought me a new mirror for my room. Ahti has already hung it up. That was really nice.

I did a lot of photos during the last days, but it seems like only Jorma knows, where's the card reader hidden. So maybe I'll ask for it again tomorrow.

Realized today that during the last five days, I have been in Tartu six times, and during these six times, I visited the YFU Office three times. :D

Estonian Day No. 8.

Had a nice day yesterday. I went to the YFU Eesti Office in Tartu with Ilona and visited Janina. Then we walked around in the old town and went back home again. Later, I went to Tartu again, this time with Juhani and Rainis to watch a movie. In the first cinema, there were no seats left, and in the second one, they didn't show the movie. So we watched soccer (Manchester United vs. Tottenham) at home. I hate soccer.

Today, Juhani went to the politsei office with me. It included the migration's office, where he helped me get my visa. Afterwards, Rainis and I went to the cinema finally. It's so cheap here! We watched "Crazy, Stupid, Love". I can only recommend it, we laughed all the time!

Then we walked around in the old town and Rainis told me, he couldn't show me anything because he doesn't live in Tartu. What should I say? I arrived only last tuesday and have never been to Estonia before!

Now I'm sitting at home again and will be watching soccer later. Again. I still hate it. (Mulle ei meeldi jalgpall.)

What did I learn till now? Playing some card games with Rainis, he taught me some Estonian phrases. Now I can say the following:

"Ma ei ole õel, ma olen lihtsalt hea."

(I'm not mean, I'm simply good.)

"Võta kolm kaarti!"

(Take three cards!)

I can say some more, but these are the most important phrases I know. ;) 

Estonia is great!

Estonian Day No 6.

I slept bad. First, I couldn't find any sleep at all, later it became better. In the end, it was okay.

A friend of one of my host brothers came. He was very nice and we had a lot of fun during the whole day. We played volleyball and he taught me two card games (I lost all of them) and how to mix the cards. We laughed nearly all the time. Later, I went into the woods with my host father Ahti and my youngest host brother, Andreas. I found two mushrooms. That made me proud. (To be honest, I found four, but half of them was poisonous.)

I just gave all my host presents to Ilona and Ahti. They were very grateful. Andreas had a lot of fun with the flag of Gera I gave him. He's still running around with it now and then.

Tomorrow, Ilona and I are going to Tartu. She teaches Janina, one of the team members from my Arrival Camp (she's German), Estonian, and afterwards we'll get my visa and buy food for the cat and some stuff I need for school. In the evening, I'll be going to the cinema. I'm very much looking forward to this.

Everybody is sooo astonishingly nice to me and tries to welcome me as much as possible. I feel quite a lot at home already.

Estonian Day No 5.

 Meeting my host family in 90 minutes' time. Jeez!

Later the same day.

Everything went fine. I'm at my new home now.

Estonian Day No 2.

Arrived safely. Later more.

One German Day Left.

What can I say?

Cinema was fun. Afterwards, we watched a recording of our last theater play, "The Dragon" by Evgeny Shvarts. Then - in bed - I talked with Sylvi till 3am. That was amazing. What a pity that our mother thought we'd gone to bed immediately after having watched "The Dragon" and made us get up at 10.

Today was calm. Sophia called to say goodbye. That was kind of weird. Goodbyes seem to be easier to say via telephone than personally. I like her. She's great and I know she'll be there for Jasmin when she needs her.

I packed the very last stuff and that's it. I'm still not excited yet. Seems like I haven't entirely realized what the hell I am doing here. Let's hope the realization will be good. I think my Estonian exchange year will be astonishing.

Vive l'Estonie!

Catching my train in seven hours from now. Jeez. It's finally getting too serious to ignore.

Two German Days Left.

Our neighbor visited us today. She's nice and younger than my sister which I find amusing every time I think about it. I like her.

Tonight, my mother, Sylvi, and I are going to the cinema. We'll watch "Bridesmaids". That's gonna be fun.

I'm already missing Jasmin. ♥ :'(

Three German Days Left.

How could I have refused to cry? I love her.

I've been deeply in love with Jasmin for nearly two years now. She's the most generous, beautiful, gentle, adorable young woman I know. I am so happy to be the one girl she loves. Her chosen one. And if we work for it, this won't change during the next eleven months.

I could hardly hold my tears back when I said goodbye to her mum and dad, whom I really like and who have done a lot for me during the last two years, but when she hugged me the first time it became bloody difficult. The second time, I had a pretty lot of tears in my eyes. The third time, we both cried heart-rendingly. I can only say it again: I love her.

Home again, we bought some last stuff and then my sister Sylvi came. I gift-wrapped all the presents for my host family and my mother and I packed some more clothes and other things. Now I'm just listening to music and thinking of my beloved Jasmin.

Darling, this one's to you and our relation:

♫ I'll cross the sea for a different world. [...] In many years they may forget this love of ours or that we met, they may not know how much you meant to me. [...] Without you now I see how fragile the world can be. [...] In my heart you'll always stay. ♫  

Jeez, it's getting serious.

Four German Days Left.

Had a nice day. Jasmin and I slept a lot and went out with her dog. That was great. We found plums. Tonight, we're going to a party. Kind of a grown-up one. Just food and dancing and staff like this. That's gonna be fun, I love dancing.

Met her brother Bastian for the last time today. He went up to Berlin with some friends and stays there till tomorrow afternoon. I'm returning home in the morning already because my sister visits us. Bastian is a weird guy but I like him. A real moment of saying goodbye might have made things a bit complicated. But he just went. That was alright.

Five German Days Left.

Bought the last host presents today and packed my second bag. Recieved a School Cone from my older sister Evi yesterday. I usually get some kind of present at the beginning of every schoolyear from my mother which I am very thankful for every single time. So it was extremely surprising for me to get one from Evi. You won't believe how happy I was! This was really amazing. Haven't opened it yet though.

I am at my best friend's now. I was greeted with "Thank God!" - but not by her but by her grandpa. He said Jasmin had been in a bad mood for several days. Gonna miss her.

Six German Days Left.

After two and a half hours at the doctor's and ten minutes at the photographer's (who the hell is so lazy to take only two photos and then say "ah, it's fine, let's stop here"?!), I'm sitting at home waiting for Luzie and Wilhelmine who come and bring me a Prague Spring. I've been looking forward to this for over a month. Sounds sad, me waiting for a cake? Yeah, might be. But this is more. This is all I missed during the last two school days when I was at my sister's wedding. I love Evi, of course I do, but it was bad timing.

So, maybe I will call the airline company today and ask how much it would cost to take one more piece of luggage. Or I will try to write them an eMail. Again. Last time, they wrote something back like, oh, this support can't help you, we have so many questions daily, we answer only the easy ones, have a look at our homepage. (The problem is, the information they have on their homepage is usually quite confusing and/or scetchy and/or inexistent.) So, let's hope for the best.

Later the same day.

I love Prague Spring! Although the strawberries were quite small... ;) Just kidding, the raspberries were delicious. Afterwards, we had a lot of fun playing several games together, Luzie, Wilhelmine, my mother, and I.

And I seriously called the airline company. The kind clerk let me wait for about four minutes when she had to ask something (which was not too nice of her because it was quite pricey) but at last I knew everything I had called her for. My mother and I decided to take another piece of luggage - that's actually not as expencive as you might think.

Estonia, get ready for all my clothes!

Seven German Days Left.

Just one week. One short week. One short week full of people to meet, bags to pack, and things to do. Jeez.

I nearly cried. It was when I walked through my old school building. I had tears in my eyes when I realized that this would be my last possibility to walk through it. I'd held back my tears the last time I thought it was my last time. But not today. It was just - I couldn't cry. I had already cried too much when I had to go there daily.

I'll miss it, but it probably won't miss me. There are too many other pupils left.

Later the same day.

I packed. And it was too much. How do I know? Trying to find out whether I packed too much, I broke the bag scales. Damn it. 

Eight German Days Left.

The weather went totally crazy. Today, it changed from sunny and hot to rainy and ice cold - and ten minutes later, it would change back again. I hope I won't get ill.

I had to go to the dentist's and to an insurance company. Both went well. Now all the organization is finally done. I enjoyed the rest of the day together with my mum. We watched "The Wizard of Oz" from 1939. That was fun.

Tomorrow, I'll start packing. - Seriously.

Nine German Days Left.

I finished my tour athrough Thuringia just a couple of hours ago. After one funny, exciting, astonishing week with five amazing friends, being at home is quite weird.

I cried. We stood at the station and Tanja said goodbye to me. I stayed calm, but I couldn't hold back those tears. Funny thing is: I hated her for fifteen months until we found out we're so similar, we should like each other. Now I love her. I enjoy every second we can spend together. And today I met her for the last time till June 2012. Unbelievable.

I should start packing.