Thank you

There are several different ways to say thank you. You can say it in different languages, with gestures, with different words but at the end of the day does it really matter how you say it?

We are taught from a young age to mind our manners and to say please and thank you. So it is something truly engrained within us. It is something we never forget. But can these simple words be enough. Two words, that is all they are; and they are the same for every situation.

I've been thinking recently about what I am thankful for. The Americans celebrate thanksgiving giving those two words a day of their own but why is it only one day. They can mean so much and show the true gratitude of a person. I think it is easy for me to quickly rattle of things that I am thankful for but once I really think about it, it comes down to the major things that have shaped me. That sounds selfish and rather corny but oh well.

So what am I thankful for?
Firstly, my wonderful parents. They were there through thick and thin, supporting me in everything. Without them I couldn't have got to where I am today and where I will go in the future. It is down to them that I am the person to them and I could never thank them enough.
Secondly, to friends and family I am grateful. For those who have stood me year after year, put up with me and shown me laughter. Again I could not be who I am without them.
Thirdly, I am thankful for my experiences. Good or bad they have allowed me learn something new. Without these experiences I would have no good memories to bring me joy or bad memories to make me sad. It is only through these experiences that I have grown and will continue to grow.
Finally, I am thankful for where I am now. That I am in Mostar, that I have found people all over the world, that I can travel, that I am doing something worthwhile. I feel torn between places and people but it's worth every second.

So, what more can I say but thank you. Truly and utterly, thank you.

Ich bin nach Deutschland gereist ...

This week was the second Bajram break so I went with my friend to stay at her house. The first day was a long day of travelling. A bus to Split, then on to the plane then another few hours from the airport to her house in a car. Greeted parents and quickly hit the hay.

The next day we had toast for breakfast something you cannot get in Mostar, it felt like a luxury. Afterwards we went to Castle Frankenstein which was cool especially our descent home down the mountain along a mountain bike trail. When we finally reached the house we made pizza and relaxed in the evening with a Macdonalds, another item foreign to Mostar. It's amazing that not being able to get something even if you didn't particularly like it makes you crave it!

On the third day we travelled into Darmstadt down town, on a tram!! We did a bit of sight seeing, visiting a beautiful Russian chapel and seeing a lot of Jugendstil style architecture. I tried some traditional German pastries which were very yummy. We then went back to the house and watched a film (in german). We attempted to make a gingerbread house.... without ginger bread. We met another old friend and had a nice meal.

We then went to Mainz, a very pretty city. Again more sight seeing and a little bit of shopping. Home and too bed. The nest day we headed back in to Darmstadt down town, went sight seeing, shopped, met some old friends and then back to the house.

All the time we were there we tried some really good food, a lot of it traditional and all of it very tasty!!

On the sixth day we went to Frankfurt. Again more sight seeing and shopping and another friend to meet. Then we went to the zoo, it wasn't too bad but still a zoo is a cruel place. Home, eat, watch some German films and sleep.

The final day before we left we went to my friend's old school to give a presentation about UWC. Afterwards we went ice skating and in the evening went to see the new Harry Potter. It was all in german with no subtitles so I had to concentrate a lot to keep up!

The next day we travelled back to Mostar. Slightly stressful as our plane was late and we thought we would miss out taxis but luckily they waited and everything was fine. It was nice to arrive back in Mostar!!

Really loved the trip, learnt a lot about Germany and improved my German.

The Dom

Cathedral

The Russian Chapel

The Treacherous Mountain Bike Trail!

Castle Frankenstein

Gingerbread House.....the attempt

Frankfurt

Turning Seventeen

On Sunday I turned 17 but what made it even more memorable was the fact that it was the first time I had not spent my birthday with family and friends at home. Instead I spent my birthday in a strange city and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I had a brilliant day. Playing rugby in the morning, eating lots of nice deserts and hanging out with friends. In the evening I was blindfolded and taken down to the canteen, which was decorated with balloons and filled with people, where my friends had thrown a surprise party. I had an awesome cake, my own personalised party hat and some presents. My presents had been confiscated and saved until this party so I was finally able to open them! But one of the best things was a video from most of the students in the college. All wishing me happy birthday and with many very funny bloopers. It was amazing and it was a moment that makes you realise how welcomed you really are. Thank you everyone for everything. The night was spent procrastinating and having a laugh :D