hello january

i've been trying to write a proper post showcasing the end of two thousand eleven for a few days now. the new year should bring with it a fresh start, resolutions, recollections, and gratitude. while i am experiencing such things, i'm currently caught in the middle of a few transitions.

 i'm starting a new job [officially] on monday, teaching preschool full time.
i am beyond excited. this is what i have experience in, what i love doing, and i couldn't be happier. and any other things going on are boring, trivial, yet need to be done. once i get into a normal routine i think i'll be feeling refreshed and ready to make two thousand twelve my bitch best year ever.
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last week, we celebrated the birthdays of my lovely mom and step daddio with a joint celebration.
mama turned the big five-oh in november and tap [the endearing name for the step daddio] turned fifty on new years day.

it was a fun evening full of yummy drinks, street tacos, and dancing.
dancing that was caught on video but should never see the light of the internet due to the fact that people's employment and relationships could be in jeopardy.
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happy two thousand and twelve people, maybe tomorrow i'll post some resolutions...and stuff.

i tried to go home today.

but after sitting on the runway for a good two hours, our plane was delayed until tomorrow morning and i am back in osnabruck for one more night.

really only like six hours, but that's neither here nor there.

i'll go into detail about leaving another time, but for now, here are some photos from my going away party.

yummy food and jello shots.

received an inappropriate, yet awesome soccer football jersey from my lovely friends.

 yep, i only have guy friends.

i'm that girl.

it was one of the best nights, ever. really.

like, if you could plan a party with all of your favorite people present, this would have been that party.

the jello shots were a hit with the germans, and the best part was continuing the fiesta at my favorite club until the wee hours of the morn...host parents included.

and yeah, i used the same two pictures twice...who does that?! jeez!

love them. fo' reals.

until the good old u.s. of a,

xo, hay.

bowling in the streets...

did you read that with the tune from:

dancin' in the streeee-eeeets 

i did.

anyway, this past weekend meine deutsch familie y yo met up with friends for outdoor bowling.

(see what i did there, trilingual sentences. all the rage.)

and it is just as it sounds.

plus beer, and shots, of course. 

here is: elias' face after sour candy; a child lugging a wagon full of beer; and the two wolfgangs'

plus cajus, henning, and another little playing with sticks while the adults bowled.

 alex & zulle were in charge.

here they are getting everyone started.

henning is so attentive. 

i think i have a picture of him doing the exact same thing at the summer highlive party.

i'll have to dig it up.

this was only half of the group.

copious amount of people.

love all of the hats.

 best friends: cajus and henning. 

so stinkin' cute.

how much reflective gear can i get in one photo?

emma, klaus, and henning

this was fun to play with.

the kids waiting patiently to get started.

[marlene, elias, cajus, rebecca,____, emma, & lani]

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carnival is on saturday

here is a little preview:

we'll make sure to document the weekend craziness.

buenos noches, amor.

prom...

last saturday was the "festball" for the scouts

and we also called it prom

it was so fun to dress up again like we were in high school

my friend marian from german class came too

and we had a blast

:]