A few more pictures. Because I didn't get to have a thanksgiving dinner on thanksgiving, I volunteered to make one for my host family for christmas eve. 6 hours in the kitchen turned out pretty well. Here is me with the remnants of my turkey (it was delicious).

Well I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Here are a few pictures of my (reasonably) new surroundings.
The first picture is my favorite and the building is actually full of tobacco and the slats on the side can be opened to air and dry the tobacco out.
And the second picture is my German Advent Calendar: a little gift of candy each day.

I realized something today:
Whenever I'm watching german TV or movies, I understand more when I don't really focus on it; when I just sit there and take it all in, it makes sense. When I actually pay attention and listen and listen to the sentences, I realize I don't understand much. And I think it's kind of funny, ironic almost. It's like the paradox of life. If you focus completely on something, the you're only looking to understand something, a small part. But when you sit back and just take it all in, not focusing your attention to one detail, everything presents itself. And only then can you understand.