One year later...

It's official. I have now been in Germany for one year. I myself can hardly believe that one year ago I met the family for the first time when they picked me up at the Dusseldorf airport, and how nervous yet excited I felt to be here. Or how surprised I was when the kids started singing Happy Birthday in English, even though they couldn't understand a word of what they were saying. They probably still don't really understand the song, but now, one year later, they understand almost every word that I say to them in English. Even Gustav, who was so angry with me every time he heard me speaking English (which was every time he heard me speak) occasionally uses English words now. Back then I was so hesitant to speak to anyone in German because I was afraid that I wouldn't understand, or I would make an ass of myself because I didn't know the words. Now I have friends that I only speak to in German, and aside from when I'm at home I speak very little English at all. This past year has been everything that I could possibly have hoped for and more. It truly has been the experience of a lifetime, and I will forever be grateful to Esther and Olaf for giving me this opportunity, and to everyone back home who supported me and helped me to get here.