Lass uns zum STRAND ☼

 today was {a beach day!}

I've lived to see the German Summer!!! Oh, sweet lord. the weather in Germany was so bad this year, i honestly thought that I would have to go back to america without actually experiencing a German Summer. It snowed on Easter, and throughout the entire spring season, so, yeah, i was really scared. and, dum da da dum! it's here. 25 grad. 77 degrees :) It was gorgeous. and, don't be fooled. it's not a beach, like on the shore. with an ocean, and never ending for miles. this is Germany. it's a lake. but a really GORGEOUS one. i never saw anything like this in America. It was lots of fun. and this memory, definitely deserves to go in the scrapbook i've kind of ignored this whole year and and rushing to fit all my pictures in. No idea how i'll get that thing home. it's getting so thick, i think it weight more that me.

with lots of foreign love,
- janeen

ps. of course we had a picnic too! steaks, salad, sausage and wursts :D

TODAY WAS {SUNNY}

today was {sunny}

one of things that i have learned to live with here in Germany is that fact that the weather are not one of the characteristics that made me want to come here. don't misunderstand this, there the amazing culture, the unbelievably complex and anciently rugged language, (my goodness) the schnitzel, a numbers of things that make this country great, but the weather drives me nuts! one day, it's freezing cold, and the next its warm enough for the wind breaker, and then two days later, BAM! it's snowing. yes, i know, you probably don't believe that and, sadly, no i'm not exaggerating, that was literally last weeks weather. and so, i come to you now, with a hardy smile and rapidly happy fingers because, finally (endlich) we have spring weather!!! yay! 70 degrees. sun. flowers. beautiful. i almost cried. and it's been this great the entire week! and today, my host dad and i went for a walk together on the Rhine. that lovely, thriving, ancient river the runs through the city. and i just felt so ... relaxed. and happy, and i am not quite sure if i can properly explain that luxurious, arms-crossed-behind-your-head, well awaited nostalgic feeling of not have to wear you three layer snow jacket in spring time, but i'll try. all i can say is, it felt pretty darn good soaking in some well needed sun and taking in the gorgeous view i'm living by for a year.

with love,

janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {CLOUDY}

today was {cloudy}

of all the things that i forget to post about, I can't believe that i have yet to post about the german weather. let's make this simple, and start of with the obvious; what comes to mind when you think of german weather? rain? water-proof boots? umbrellas? more rain? and then - taking a long-shot here- maybe... more rain? well, congratulations! your correct. we can make this even simpler, and end off there as well.

- Bye.

TODAY WAS {VINTAGE}

today was {vintage}

today was so precious. my host parents are back from america and she was so jet-lagged from the long plain plain ride that she needed to get out of the house. sunday was such a beautiful day here, still cold, but better than the usual weather. we went together to the flee market that was in town for the last day on the bikes. if you don't already know this, i love old things. i think that there is something so precious and delicate about things that have a history older than you, a past and somewhat of there own aura. I know, i'm janeen. I hit the jackpot actually. i spent almost nothing and i got so many beautiful things. and then after we went home, we ate the left over birthday cake and drank tee. it was a beautiful day. vintage, oder, what that word really represents to me, precious.

with love

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {WARMING.}

 today was {warming.}

this is a short post. sweet and short :) today was pretty sweet. the holiday break is coming to an end which, of course, is a bit sad. it felt so good to be able to sleep in and pretend (until i woke up) that i had nothing to do. (online classes don't have holidays. ) but saturday, we had a little celebration...more like, a backyard party. small, and intimate. the neighbors and us made a party of 8. food and grilling and laughter and the four year old little girl i babysat. the party was actually just because of the amazing weather we're having. it's really sunny, and there's no rain. it's like their summer, and i've been told that they had a rainy summer this year. the last grilling party that'll be had this year. it'll be too cold. this was a good saturday :)

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {FUN.}

i went to the fun. concert in Cologne yesterday! still i can't hear right. my voice sound like an 80 year old smoker. worth it. THEIR SO MUCH BETTER IN PERSON! HE'S AMAZING, IT CAN'T BE DESCRIBED!

today was {fun.}

Fun. Köln. 2012

did i tell you that the day after we got home from austria we were going to a Fun. concert. my goodness! to amazing to explain in words.  i think what i can explain is why listening to a song on your ipod or the radio is not the same as hearing them live. in concert, the singer is actually their, they talk to you, you see them in their element and it feels like you become a part of the song. i could feel the emotions behind the music when i heard Nate Ruess sing in concert. he's just so amazing. it was very special for me. and i truly believe that you have to go to a concert of your favorite artist to truly get what i'm saying. i know, now for sure, that i will be a life time fan.

and an upcoming group i also also love, Walk The Moon, opened for them. they are so nice! we talked about New Jersey together. today was definitely a highlight of my time in Germany. one of many :)

- janeen mickayla

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THE {SWEETEST} HONIG

today was... {the sweetest}

today was so very beautiful. we're in austria, i've already told you why here, and we're in the cutest town, mentioned here, and my host parents wanted to get some fresh Honig (honey). oh my, i didn't know there were so many different types of honey! it makes sense, but i just never knew. they tasted so good. some sweet, some not so sweet, some creamy, some thick and heavy. overall, i tasted some of the richest honey i've ever had.

danke österreich :)

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {A PICNIC DAY}

 today was {a picnic day}

a simple picnic with the fam.

happy summer

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {BEAUTIFUL}

today was {beautiful}

every thing just looked so beautiful today so i had to capture the moments. and, of course, i want to enjoy my wonderful friends. we look nuts in the last picture - we were laughing so hard.

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {SWEET}

today was {sweet}

today was a good day. It started with an extra yummy breakfast and, of course, tea. (what can i say, i'm Jamaican.) i took my brother outside to run around a bit and there was just the loveliest sunset - so i took a picture! and, to make this day even better, Sue - an amazing person that works with the exchange students from AFS-New Jersey - told me i got the rest of the funding for my tuition! now all i need is to raise spending money for my 10 months there. i'm thrilled! i hope your day was as lovely as mine.

happy wednesday. =)

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {PATRIOTIC}

Happy fourth of July to all Americans and anyone else who likes to celebrate! This is one of my favorite holidays. Today, in my small town, there was a  sort of mutual happiness that coated the air. It was  sweet and [not to sound too corny] it felt truly American. Today I spent the morning with my family and we grilled hot dogs and fried chicken [we ate lots of American food] and I drank lot of tea....because i'm always drink tea. I spent the afternoon with my good friend: we went to my house, we walked around town -- it was SO HOT -- we went to her house, watched some American movies, [Comedy skits and X-Men] had some tacos -- not very American -- and then we walked around some more. Ice cream and movies and hot dogs and, of course, fireworks. A few block from my house my neighbors had street fireworks in their yard, which gave the night a euphoric feeling...I felt: happy to be where I was, in America, with my friends enjoying the day :) I was a very happy camper.

It may not sound extremely "American" or like I did much celebrating but, to me, it was a good fourth of July. My day was filled with laughter and smiling and enjoying life with good friends and family, which is what I believe is the best way to celebrate American Independence day.

Happy fourth of July!

- janeen mickayla