Dear world,

my year in the US of A is over now, but not over for me yet. I am not there anymore which is very sad, but I can still remember everything I did during my time with Nancy, Jeff and Phoebe. We had done so many things together and I have learned so much. Some think, that the only thing I learned is the language, but that is by far not it. I learned to be in another family, a new environment with new people, new food, new smells and sounds, I learned to be myself and that it doesn’t matter where I am, I am myself. It has been wonderful talking to so many interserting people around the country and getting to know some of Jasmines but more of Nancys and Jeffs friends. I also learned to love the nature in another way. With rock climbing I started to love the rock. With climbing I met new people and saw so many beautiful and amazing places such as the Red River Gorge, The New River Gorge, Ship Rock or Moores Wall. There are many others I went to and there are even more I still haven’t seen. My next destination witll be the western part of the States. But ;y time on the East Coast was great and I am thankful that I have had the cahnce and opportunity to do this.

If I had to pick a favorite place or day of my year in the US, I couldn’t tell you which one I would pick. There have been some not so great days exspecially when I was sick or other things went wrong, but most of the time was nice. As Isaid, I couldn’t have wished for more.

That was at the Red River Gorge and I did my secong trad lead in my life. :)

When we reached the day I had to leave, I told Nancy, that it still doesn’t feel real for me. It still just feels like a trip I take and I come home ( I consider Winston-Salem as my home, too) soon after. But I had to realize that I can’t go back the week after or some time soon. That was very hard for me and all of us. I had a very hard time saying goodbye to my new family in the States because we weren’t sure when I would come back so visit again. It was easier to leave Dresden a year ago, because I knew I was gonna go back. But I still don’t know when I get to see tha US and my family again.

Phoebe in Boston. I miss my little sister.

Now It feels very real to be home. More than I would have thought, because missed home in Dreden too. My first full day I spent in Dresden and I was very shocked. I wasn’t ready for the new culture shock in my own home town. I am still not fully home. I try to get the US experience on my walls, in my room and further in my mind, but it doesn’t really work. I will need some time to get my mind back to Dresden.

Well, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who made it possible that I could go to the US. Katja and Kai, thank you for letting me go and have this year and thank you for financial help and wonderful phone calls here and there. Anne, thank you for being a wonderful sister. Malte and Jasper, you know, I love you!

Jeff and Nancy, I loved it so mcuh to stay with you and your family. You took me to so many beautiful places and showed me around. Thank you for your patience with me and thank you sooooo much for having me. I miss you and I promise, I’ll come back!

Love you, guys!

see you soon