So good so far Hi Gals,
Nice to get yr update. I've just come back from Holland and Friday nite was the good one for a brilliant thunderstorm and wind lashing etc and then it was all over as soon as it started. I'm glad to be back home after just three days, where everyone, but everyone speaks English better than I do. I'm so impressed that you've thrown yourselves so wholeheartedly into the German experience - especially when you've been plunged into having to understand and speak the language, which sounds very very difficult to me. So total respec! Sending you both loads of love and thanks for all your exciting news and adventures. I shall miss your bulletins, that's for sure. Keep it all up - home will soon be upon you!
Work hard. Play hard. Blah! Blah! Blah! Sorry to hear about Sarah's yellow card (I am a bit behind on reading your entries - whoops & sorry) It sounds like a soccer game to me. You will have to learn how to curse in German the next time that Joanna steals your food. How about "Donner und Blitzen" (also known as two of Santa's reindeers) or "Sweinhund" (also known as Max or sometimes George)
Also sorry to hear that you are having to work so hard. Don't these university people have ANY heart? This is meant to be a holiday. You are meant to be having fun. (Keep up the good work - only a few more days to go before you can crash on the Port Colbourn or Port Perry beaches - if you can clear a little space amongst the debris)
Over here we are basking in heat and rain, alternated with tornado warnings, so you are not missing a whole lot.
Arbeit stark aber haben Spaß
Love to you both
Pops
Das es gut! Hi Frauleins! Just to say how much I love your blogs - something to show your grandchildren, I'm sure. You're going to have such wonderful memories of your youth ... and I quite envy you, cos I was slaving away in a job from aged 19 onwards, with just 3 weeks holiday a year (sob, sob). So postpone that career as long as you can and enjoy every moment like you are (and never mind the poverty). With those words of wisdom, just sending you loads of love from all your fans in UK. Lol, Auntie P. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kassel, the museum city Don´t miss out the Sepulkralkulturmuseum, the Stadtmuseum (They have nice models of the city; showing Kassel before and after the war) and the Galerie Alte Meister at Schloss Wilhelmshöhe. And in case you should still be here; go see the documenta!
good to hear from you Hi Sarah and Jo
it was very good to hear your voice yesterday Sarah. What an exciting time in Berlin. If someone had asked me if I could imagine my baby girl touring Berlin in a couple short decades I would have said "naaaa" or would that be "nay" or "nine." For me, the most exciting part is the realization of how small the world really is...and how much alike we are around the world. We really are all connected too...as you spoke of your experience in the cellar of the concentration camp I got shivers down my back. You certainly are very brave and I am extremely proud of you. I am sure that God has a special plan for you and your life. Perhaps you will have an opportunity to witness to these experiences and hopefully help avert future horrors. "Knowledge is power" as they say. Will got hired at the bank and Luke is applying for a job in an auto parts factory today...hopefully gets it as it is $20/hr. Love from Mum
Das is goot! Hi Sarah. Just a quick note to say hi and let you know I am following along. Glad to see you are having fun. Cheers to both you and Jo.
Uncle Brian.
Joke of the Day You remind me of that schoolboy joke about a book that has just been published "Twenty Years in the Saddle" By Major Bumsore
I have plenty more jokes like this - as Joanna well knows to her shame.
You seem to be fitting in very well and having a great time. Its nice to chat on the phone but your blogs are brilliant (better than my jokes) Keep writing and we will keep reading - Pops
good to hear from you Hi Sarah
good to hear from you. We were in Gravenhurst this weekend and everyone is asking about you. It was Aunt Linda's 60th Birthday. We had a surprise party for her and we kept it a surprise which is pretty amazing considering how nosey and in touch she is.
Sounds like life in Kassel is pretty good. I bet the family you are staying with is very sweet. Glad to hear that you went to the football game...hope you did (didn't get another yellow card did ya?) Luke's girl friend and his room mate Jordan are both here. They are going to a party on Silver Bay Rd tonight with Jordan Scott. Did you hear that my class won first place in the music festival? They did choral speaking...oh yeah i think i wrote that in an email.
better go
love you and hope to talk to you soon
love from Mum
Dear Jo
So sorry to hear about your bottom. I think I have experienced a similar experience. You do sound very diligent...committed to excellence no doubt. Keep up the good work. Hope the football game was fun.
love Mum
What a life It sounds like you two are into this adventure full time now - now that the 'holiday' part is over. Welcome to the university of life.
Have fun learning and take lots and lots of photos. Make friends and get involved. (but not arrested!)
Your blog is very good, so keep up the good work. If you decide to go hang gliding or bunjee jumping (again) let us know AFTER the event rather than before so that we do not have to worry. (I am NOT trying to put ideas into your head)
Stay sober (if possible) and have fun
Tres bien merci! Dear Jo and absent Sarah,
Thanks for your updates and lots of congratulations on progress being made, even though it's being forced on you somewhat. Nothing like getting lost to focus the mind on mastering the language, is there?? So this is just to cheer you on - and to let you know I think you're incredibly brave and courageous to be doing all this. I think once you can survive something like this you can survive absolutely anything!!
Loads of love,
Auntie Pat
spider man 3 hey Jo! Did you enjoy spiderman in german? 'Cause it wasn't that good in english...lol.
Please tell me you took a picture of the spaghetti-icecream.
Hope your having a good time so far! We miss you!
Amanda L
have a nice trip, you should know that england food is one of the worst in the world. but do not worry you can always go to Spain to try the good food cooked with olive oil. Also very expensive England
good to hear ya It's so good to hear from you. Keep up the blogging. It is wonderful. Sadly I am living the great European Adventure vicariously through my daughter and her friend...speaking of my daughter, why is she not writing? I guess she must be "mushing" with her fella. That is likely what she was doing in the next booth. I must stop my thoughts there as I was a madly in love 19 almost 20 year old once myself. SARAH!!! stop mushing and start blogging! GLad to hear the beer is cheap!! that is very important.
Love Mum
bragging Hello you two
I sure hope you told Jo's Auntie Pat about my dad (the ladies man) who "set fire" to 10 Downing Street...in a manner of speaking!!! He really was very handsome...Sarah can tell ya 'cause she has seen pictures. Wish I could be there (and be 25 years younger too). Don't miss a thing if you can help it...and speak loads of German so you have no regrets.
Love Mum
We are Jo Hancock and Sarah van Ruyven. This summer we are travelling around Germany and England. We are both minoring in German and studying German is the purpose of our trip. We set up this blog to avoid having to send everyone and their neighbour an email. We appreciate any comments, and send our love from abroad.... full info
Auntie Pat
non-member comment
So good so far
Hi Gals, Nice to get yr update. I've just come back from Holland and Friday nite was the good one for a brilliant thunderstorm and wind lashing etc and then it was all over as soon as it started. I'm glad to be back home after just three days, where everyone, but everyone speaks English better than I do. I'm so impressed that you've thrown yourselves so wholeheartedly into the German experience - especially when you've been plunged into having to understand and speak the language, which sounds very very difficult to me. So total respec! Sending you both loads of love and thanks for all your exciting news and adventures. I shall miss your bulletins, that's for sure. Keep it all up - home will soon be upon you!