Who Says You Can't Go Home?

Although the title of my post is a very popular song by 2 of my favorite artists, Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. My title has an unfortunate bad connotation. Yes, I realize I post a lot of negative stories/topics but soon, there will be extremely awesome and happy ones.

Story time,

I am from a 2-mile town. We have a lot of people but we are crammed. I went to a predominately wealthy high school where all the cliques ended up at the same colleges (mostly community college). I don't think for one second in high school that I wanted to be like them because 7 out of 10 times, the "wealthy" were getting the cops at their houses for parties or in detention for being morons.

I only like coming back to my hometown for the 1 reason of seeing my mother. Freshmen year of college (Fall '09), I came back and attempted to see high school friends. Saw them for about 2 hours, some I would've loved to have seen again but scheduling was off. Others, I haven't seen or spoken to them since, which, I am 100% okay with.

The friends I like who still live in town, I give them adequate notice of when I am coming and how long I am staying. They pull that "let's get together" crap until the day I get here then nothing. They don't reply to text messages whether 1 of us initiates the conversation. At this point in my life, I don't really care anymore. I have officially given up on Lake Mary/Orlando.

The Germany Breakdown

Alright, we are about to break down to the reasons why I am going to Germany because ignorant people think I'm in danger being a Jew in a country that hasn't seen openly versed anti-semitism since the 1950s or that I am disrespecting my grandmother because of her suffering in the Holocaust. If there are any countries/organizations that are anti-semitic in the 21st century, they are: Spain, Italy, and terrorist groups. Even then, those are just speculation.

Learn the facts! 

1. NO, I am not disrespecting my grandmother. Look at it in this perspective: I can go to Hitler's grave (which I hear is a parking lot now) and spit on it.

2. The University of North Florida requires all International Business and International Affairs students to study abroad before graduation. It is also highly recommended for Transportation and Logistics students. It satisfies 3 credits.

3. I learned Spanish up until the10th grade, I was sick of it and did not wanna start it all over in college but I knew I couldn't pass the placement exam. Plus I am not interested in working in South America. Spicy food and I do not get along.

4. I need 4 semesters of language for my major. Just gave my reason for not taking Spanish. No one takes French at UNF even though it is offered. Chinese is a joke because the passing rate is 45% because it is so damn hard. Italian was not even offered until this semester. That leaves us with German! Ta-daaaaa!

5. The program I am going on is the German Language and Culture Program. I get 15 credits just for walking around the country and learning to get along with the people!

6. The money $$$$$, that is such a burning question amongst many a family member. The beauty of my program is that it is an exchange program! It is 1/4 of the price of the Spain, England, and China semester programs and just as cheap as the month long summer programs.

People, open your eyes to a new world!

Repercussions

I've been dealing with an extreme amount of repercussions for all of my travels because of where I've been, where I am going and who I am going with, especially from my recent trip to California.

For the record, I am 100% single...I go on dates but am upfront about my intentions. I am not tying myself down now nor do I plan on it until I get back from Germany. But apparently with me leaving, the radar in guy's brains says, "Invade her life, drive her nuts". I can guarantee if I weren't leaving for 3+ months, half the guys in my life would be ignoring me. Some guys are okay with me leaving but I've been on trips before with a boyfriend back home and it has never worked out because I had started dating the a VERY short time before I'd leave (less than a month before the trip). It's different if you have dated them maybe 4 or more months before a big trip but it's different with every person.

I went to California to visit my best FRIEND. Yes, I have guy best friends, 5 to be exact. I grew up with 2 brothers, played basketball and soccer on all guys teams, and was mostly raised by my dad until I was 8. I cannot help that its easier to make friends with guys then psychotic girls who just bitch and make me feel like I need to bitch and gossip just to fit in.

Some people in my life constantly remind me why I don't like to be in 1 place for too long or else I get very annoyed. I need breaks every now and then. I've only been back in Florida for 3 days and I already can't wait for Germany. My mom wants me to start packing and I think that's what I'm gonna do to get my mind off the drama.

California Fun!

This past weekend I spent time in Los Angeles and San Diego, California. My best friend is in the Marines, he deploys in December, and I leave in January for Germany so being the amazing best friend he is, bought me a plane ticket to California to attend the Marine Corps Ball with him. Pretty much I paid for everything else while I was to make up for half of the plane ticket's final cost since I love him dearly and because well...he's a cheap date lol. Minus some plane technical difficulties resulting in a cancellation and me getting to Cali 6 hours later than anticipated, I had a fun yet relaxing time with 1 of the people I care about most in the world. Plus, I got treated like a princess. He knows me as well as a few of my other best friends so I got to do almost everything I wanted to. I got to play at 3 candy stores that are only in California, we tried to find me penguins to pet at the San Diego Zoo (they hid from me), and finally we attempted to walk on Hollywood Blvd but we were both getting annoyed/creeped out so we peaced that bitch. I was sad to go but I know I'll see my bestest again once we are both back from overseas and we can be goofballs once again.

A Day I'll Never Forget

Today, 5 years ago, I lost 1 of my biggest role models who loved his family more than anything. He taught me algebra, how to wiggle my ears, and I'll never forget watching him do crossword puzzles everyday. Miss you everyday Papa. RIP 5/25/22-11/8/07

We buried him on Veteran's Day 2007 and he was a veteran of the Air Force/National Guard (my grandma can't remember).