One guy dead....

Austin, May 28th

No thats not a late, yay, Osama is dead! message. Someone else died. Happens surprisingly often here, we have in English class something called 'Good things & Current events' and at the current events part we learn who died and such things.

Anyways, Loran and I decided to go to San Antonio, one of the big cities around here. We were in the Mercedes, top down, listening to Nelly, and I watched who was around us. I saw two guys on motorcycles passing us. I was thinking, 'Oh boy, they should better be wearing helmets' and then I focused again on other things. Suddenly the car infront of us slowed down, so we had to take car that we don't hit him. And that the guy behind us wouldn't hit us. I tried to see what happened, and then I was like, 'Holly Shit, this dude from earlier lays on the road!' As soon as we realized what was going on Loran and I called the police. Well, he called them, I tried getting the key lock turned off, so I could dial 911, but somehome I must have missed the key... Loran told the police about the accident and gave me the phone, in case they say something he couldn't hear. Then we drove away, we didn't see what happened, and there were already about 7 guys around him, so we couldn't help anyone. When we passed the body we saw that he was covered with blood and didn't move. I really hope he lives.

In San Antonio we went to the Alamo. There i learned that 2 Germans fought and died in the battle of the Alamo.

That's is something my history teacher never told me. There is even a German flag inside the Alamo. There were people from 6 nations, except for America, defending the Alamo.

After we visited the Alamo, we went to Ripleys Believe it or Not. There was a lot of incredible stuff. We had lunch in an Irish pub. I was short inside to watch the Soccer Champions League game.

On the way back to Austin, there was the traffic suddenly backed up for a short distance. Two lines of the interstate were closed for a few yards, because of an accident. On the road was a person, covered with a yellow blanket. I guess this dud did not survive the accident. He drove a motocycle, just like the guy from this morning.

My very last High School Football game

Austin, May 27th

Today we had our Spring Game. The whole football team, freshmen, JV and varsity was divided into two groups. The Black and the Red Squad.

So after school we went to the study hall where Coach Vincent hold a speech. I didn't know that he would talk, so I waited with Haley at the bus lane, until her bus came, so I was late.

After the speech we ate pizza and drunk Gatorade. I will miss that stuff in Germany, there we just have Powerade. Then we waited. After we put on our pads, we started hitting each other. We rather hurt our fingers than the guy we hit. One of my friends slipped with his fist on my shoulderpads and hit my hin the neck. That really did hurt. But I didn't say anything, so some of them were impressed that nothing can hurt me.

Then it was time to play. My last High School Football Game. We had rotations, but since I'm leaving pretty soon I the coaches did not put me in any rotation. Coach Rushing put me in the end of the second quarter in the game for a single play. It was 300 x-scissors. That's the exact same play we used when I got my first pass in the fall. The big difference, this time not the quarterback screwd up, but me. I caught it, but when I started running, the tight end who blocked the corner, was so far on my left, that I decided to run right. Big mistake. The play is so, that the tight end blocks the guy in fron of me and pushes him to the sideline. The inside receiver blocks an other guy to the middle of the field, and creates so a hole. Me idiot did not use the hole. So I got stopped after 6 yards. Still a good play, 6 yards is more than half of what we need for a 1st down. But I was planning on a touch down. But whatever, it's just a game, and we played against our own team. I had a lot of fun, although I had a little headache after I got blocked, I hit my head on the ground.

My team, the Red Squad, won 35 to 30. And on tuesday I will hopefully watch myself playing in a football game on video tape.

Prom

Austin, May 21st

I slept long, because I expected a really long night. Then I watched some TV and ate. When Steffen and Kym came I started get dressed. Put suddenly one of the buttons of his jacket ripped, so we looked for something to sew it on again. Looks like I'm the only here who can sew a little.

When we were dressed we took a few pictures and left to pick up the girls. Kym and Steffen went ahead and Loran and I got lost. The neighborhood wasn't in our Navi and we couldn't see Kyms car. So it took a lot longer than expected. At Abis house we waited for Trey and Ashley. And for the girls to come out. In the meantime we talked to some other people, parents and friends of our dates.

Then we took some thousand pictures. Apparently Kym looked up what other people do in their Prom pictures, so she helped us to take ours.

My Promdate Andrea looked really good in her blue and green dress. 

After everyone arrived and all the pictures were taken, we all went to the Oasis for dinner.

Then we went to the Doubletree Hotel, where the Prom was. We danced and talked to other people we knew and took pictures for a flipbook.

We left at around 11:30. The girls were tired, so they went all to Abis house, where they spend the night. Steffen and I went to the party of our friend Ryan. But we couldn't stay to long, Steffen had to be home very early too. So I was already at home at 2:30 a.m. or so.

Getting ready for Prom

Austin, May 20th

First thing I did when in lunch, was buying the Prom tickets. Steffen bought his, too, so when we both stood there, the teacher who knew us, asked if I buy his ticket, too.

The buying process seemed to take for ever. They first had to fill in the receipt, then they had to find my name on the list. I don't know what there problem is, it's long, starts with a not very common of letters, and it's impossible to pronunce for at least 95% of the Americans.

Then they had too find my dates name, unfortunately I wasn't sure about her lastname. But Steffen knew it. By now I not it too, but that would have sucked if I couldn't buy tickets, because I don't know the full name of my date.

Then they wrote my name on the chart behind my dates name and vice versa. And then the same with Steffen.

After school Steffen missed his bus, so we decided to walk to my house. Unfortuntely he is not allowed to take my bus, without permission of school and parents. Then we went to a store to order the flower wrist corsages for Andrea and Ashley.

Later Steffen picked up his tuxedo and came then to my house. Daniel joined us later, too and we watched TV and practiced a performance to the song Just A Dream, by Nelly, which we want to perform at Prom.

No mother, but a cheerleader

Austin, May 19th

Ookay, now I have a little reason to get nervous. Prom is in two days, and I need a date. Asking someone is no problem, I'm not the kind of boy who is afraid to ask questions. But will SHE have enough time to get a dress? I guess I just have to try.

The girl I choose, I met about one month ago at the RADD lock-in. Her name is Andrea and she is a sophomore. 16 years old, not a mother, very good looking and friends with Steffens date. We sit at the same table during lunch on B-days, for the last couple of weeks. So I decided to ask her after lunch, when Jessi, if she sits with us, left and Steffen is busy with Ashley.

And guess what, she first couldn't believe it, and then she was totally happy. She later told me I made her day, she didn't expect me to ask her, but was very happy.

 And her best friend (and my 'bestie') Abi, too. Because I'm friends with her date, and so Abi, Andrea, Ashley and we three boys could go all together to prom.

So, long story short, Marky Mark goes to Prom, and his date is a cheerleader!

No Prom date

Austin, May 18th

That was a great day. With highs and a pretty bad low. I guess I just start with the worst. I got a really bad turfburn. This morning I played 1on1 against a tiny little freshmen cornerback. And the coach asked me if I'm able to run a extended 4. In the past weeks the 4 became my favourite route, and running something rare like a extended 4 against a freshmen who might never have seen it before? Of course I will do that. The only difference it, that at a 4 I run 12 yards straight, turn to the sideline and back to 10 yards. And extended means that I run 17 and 15 yards. So I run towards the corner, but I did not turn at 10 yards like he expected, nor did I try to pass him. He looked like he was afraid that I will run over him, but then I stopped and run to the sideline. It took him a second to realize what I was doing, but then he tried to push me so I could not catch the ball. Since the ball was already close to the ground, I kind of slided on my left leg over the ground so I would not be to high with my hands. The result is a bad turfburn.

But the highlight is, I got the ball, and won about 16 yards for my team.

Of course it doesn't matter how much we gain, in a practice, but I'm still proud, I knew the route in theory, but never actually run it before.

Next low, Kelsey said she doesn't think she would go to Prom, there were a couple of reasons, I just remember the funniest, the world will be destroyed on saturday, thanks to gay marriage, and just in case it really happens, she want to be with her daughter. Did I ever mention that Kelsey has a daughter? A cute little girl of 11 months. I learned that about half an hour after I asked Kelsey out.

I'd really have like to go out with her, I'm sure it would be very interesting.

But okay, I'll find someone else.

Next high of the day, I had fun in school. We didn't do much, I let people sign my yearbook, it's already almost full, but there are a lot of people who still have to sign it. But the day was fun.

EOC Algebra

Austin, May 16th

I actually planned on talking to Kelsey about Prom. But we wrote our End Of Course Exam in Algebra, and we had assignet seats, so there was no chance to talk to her. I guess I'll just have to do that on wednessday.

The EoC was a joke, there were a couple of problems I was too lazy to solve, so when I had answercoices I just guessed, or when they wanted a number, I just wrote stuff like 666.

Then I draw stuff on the papers, the American flag for example. I think I did pretty good, and if not... who cares? My average is a 100 in the moment, I don't think I'm able to fail this class.

Movienight

Austin, May 15th

I went with Steffen to the pool, and then to Carolin to watch a movie. She complained that she never sees Stefen and that he never answeres her texts. Well, now she can't complain anymore, we spend some hours at her house.

Bretts Birthday Party

Austin, May 14th

I had a great breakfast at Texas roadhouse. The 8 ounce steak was really good, but to small. The vegetables testet watery and the beans tasted weird. But I came because of the steak, not to eat vegetables. Two of my friends told me this week that they are now vegetarians. I could never do that, I just love medium rare steak to much.

Before I left I wrote a phone number, or actually just random numbers, on the bill. That had the result that every waitress said smiling of laughing goodbye.

At around 5 I went to Walgreens to get a toy. Brett asked us to bring a toy, instead of a gift to her party, so she could donor it to the Dell Hospital.

At 7 I left for her party. The Navi send us a super long weird way, she lives close to Vista but we drove for like 20 minutes in an unknown area.

Baily, a girl I met ages ago in Spanish class took the plastik stuff of the toy I bought, a sponge-like football, and she, Evan, Steffen and I throw it until it landed a couple of times in the pool. A short time later we, or actually I, thow something else in the pool. The birthday child Brett. Good that we partied at her house, because she as not wearing her bikini, but a dress. Now her dad threatened me, that I will land sooner or later in the pool too. Later he gave me the choice, he will push me or I go by myself. Going by myself is no fun and since I throw Brett, we thought it would be fair if she pushes me now. Good for her that she was wearing a bikini now, because i picked her up and jumped with her into the pool. Steffen and Evan were in the pool a short time later too. Evan and me in full clothes, Steffen without his shirt. Evan had a second shirt in his car, but I wore for the next half an hour or so a shirt of Brett. Of course she gave me a absolutely girly shirt, but whatever, at least its dry.

The we danced, the music sucked. I like real songs better than the remix of a song. Surprisingly they played Disco Pogo from Die Atzen. Since we are here this song became quite popular. Steffen and I sung and danced to that song, while everyone else was watching and cheering. It was a lot of fun.

Later many of us were in the pool. Since my pants were already wet I didn't change them, so I had dry swimming trunks for after the pool. I took Steffen on my shoulders and we fought against the others. No one could beat us, even when they all together attacked us, thay weren't able to get us down. Although I swallowed at least five gallons of water, Steffen stayed on my shoulders.

The we went inside and talked to Bretts dad. We tried to armwrestle him, but he later told us that he was second best armwrestler in the world about 30 years ago, so we had no chance.

Then he told us about Psycho-Cybernetics and some other stuff.

At around 11:15 I got picked up by Loran.

Candy, Movie and a wet floor sign

Austin, May 13th

It's Friday 13th, and like often, not such a bad day. It could have been a little better, but actually it was pretty good. I didn't need to be up as super early as monday through wednesday. Although I couldn't sleep as long as yesterday. I had to be in front of my locker at 7:40 or the coaches count me as late for our morning workout. Quarter to eight is not bad, and the workout wasn't bad either. But I forgot to bring my protein powder and I have had just two slices of bread for breakfast. So I was starving by time I had lunch.

Photojournalism was alright, the class has to learn how to use the pentool in Adobe photoshop. She told us the names of some 'experts' in this class. Like Carolin, one of the German girls. I don't think she knows that I use the pentool perfectly well, so she didn't say my name. So nobody asked for my help and I had time to cut out Anakin Skywalker in a Star Wars poster and drop a red shadow behind him. Since I needed just like 5 minutes for that I dropped a blue shadow behind Anakins shadow. And the last 60 minutes or so of the class I just talked to friends.

The we had boring Ranger time. We will probably have that now on fridays, instead of wednesdays, because of some stupid tests.

In Football we watched the scrimmage videos of yesterday. We watched like 50 playes, some of them in up to three different angles.

What i did i mulitmedia I don't even remember anymore. But I guess I just read stuff in wikipedia and listened to music in Youtube. Sometimes it's not good to be done with all the projects so early.

In Theater we watched a part of Westside Story. I still dont like it.

I styled Dianas hair. First I braided her hair, and when I finally liked the way they were braided I put the up and fixed them with one of Haleys hairpins.

After school I went with Steffen to the Cinemark and we waited about one hour for Diana and her friend. Two other guys came as well. With one of them, Limon, we went to Target to get some candy. There was a soda clearance, so we got 12 cans of Pepsi for just 3 dollar.

Then we waited again. When everyone was there we couldn't decide what ovie we were goint to see, so we went to a restaurant instead. And then to Starbucks. For some reason I decided to take the Floor Wet sign as a souvenier. Now it's in the back of Garys truck, I will use it when we clean the house the next time.

At Starbucks we decided to go to my house and watch a movie there. So I called Gary, we went to a Redbox, where we got the movie 127 hours and then to my house.

It's not as bad as I thought it would be. But I can't believe this guy cut off his arm with this tool-knive. I have one just like that at home, and I would never be able to use that to cut of my arm. I just couldn't. With a swiss army knive or any other high quality knve maybe. But not with such a knive. It's a good tool, but nothing for surgeries. But I truely hope I never come in such situation. I could hardly watch him cutting himself, I don't know I would be able to do that.

By the way, I when I informed Kelsey that I want to get our prom tickets, she told me that she is not sure if she will be able to make it to Prom. Not good...

Prom date?

Austin, May 12th

So Prom is pretty soon, but I don't have a date yet. I guess I should change that. I asked Kelsey, in my opinion the most beautiful girl in my Algebra class. She was first thinking a little, but said then smiling yes.

Well, that was easy, now I just need to get the tickets. I guess I'll get them tomorrow.

Day of relaxation

Austin, May 8th

I slept until 2 o'clock. Then I took a shower and Gary and I went to Baby A's. Thats a Mexican restaurant. When we arrived there, I hadn't eaten in 15 hours! I don't know how I could survive that.

I had a huge burrito.

On the way to Baby A's I told Gary that I'd like to ride my bike sometimes to Steffens house, so i don't depend always on someone with a car. He lives close to Tiffany and I discribed Gary the way the cab driver brought me home. It's actually not that difficult to get to Lakeline Boulevard. I just have to go down Avery Ranch Blvd, then either go a little bit along 183 or Bells Drive and then turn right on Lakeline. So we drove the way back and forth to figure out what would be the safest way to go to Lakeline. I guess beeing so close to a Interstate is not very safe, but Avery Ranch is connected to a couple of neighborhoods wich are also connected to Lakeline. I don't know why I didn't thought of that earlier, probably because who ever drives me, usually goes a different way. Lakeline is a curved street, and most people don't go left on 183, but right. Or they drive to Vista Ridge Blvd and then to Lakeline. And that seems to take forever.

But now I have a pretty safe way, and I will test that some times next week.

After we ate Gary showed me Pennybacker Bridge. A bridge across Colorado River, with no support in the water. And it's made of the same materials Pennies are made.

Back at home we made sure that i can ride the bike, I didn't use it since last fall, and the tires were flat and we oiled the chain.

Tiffanys birthday party

Austin, May 7th

Today was Tiffanys party. It actually started at 2 o'clock, but I couldn't get a ride until 3. I wanted to go by bike, but I have to cross 183, and go under a interstae, so Tiffany absolutely didn't want me to do that.

So I waited until her stepdad picked me up and in the meantime I skyped with Tim, a friend from Germany.

 At Tiffanys we went to the pool in their neighborhood. A shot time later Steffen texted me that he is in fron of the house and don't know where to go, so Tiffany and i picked him up. When we came back one of the manager or so made some trouble, apparently it's not allowed to have more than 2 guest in the pool area.

So we went inside again and she unwrapped her gifts.

Then we went to her boyfriends pool. The water was a litte cold, so Steffen and i kept us warm by throwing things. Or better little freshmen girls.They found some water gun-like tubes and shot at us, so I used one girl as shield while I was looking for an other tube to shoot back. Poor Tiffany got a lot of water in the face when her boyfriend shot at me and I just hold her body in front of my face. Later three girls hold each other, because they thought we couldn't pick up all of them. Well, wrong guessed, they are not really heavy and in the water, picking up 3 of them wasn't that hard, and when Steffen helped me we could even throw them. i think we all had a lot of fun. Later we just sat at the pool and talked. When we went back to her house, we watched some movies. Steffen left at around 12. His host dad didn't allow me to spend the night at their house, and Gary was already in bed. Tiffanys parent were in bed, too. So I decided to call a yellow cab after we ended the second movie. Tiffany thought it's crazy, but she had no better idea what to do, so we watched a third movie, until my cab was there at around 1 am. It turned out that the yellow cab is not yellow, it was black. I don't think I was ever in a black cab.

Watching football

Austin, May 6th

We had no practice today, so we went to the weight room instead. Since there are AP tests in our study hall, we had to be really quiet. When we were in the weight room during period yesterday, we were not allowed to shout and cheer to our team mates, what we usually have to do, so it was a totally weird workout.

Today the receivers and backs were in a different weight room. The one the basketball and swimming and probalby the soccer team usues. It's much smaller than ours and the racks are older. I don't like this room.

During period we watched the scrimmage videos from yesterday. After that I asked the coach a lot of questions, because I'm still not sure about what to do at some plays.

We will start to practice cutting next week, I like that, I always wanted to try that in a game, it's basicly rolling over the feets of a other guy to make him fall. And I think we will practice 'X scissor', one of my favourite plays.

Scrimmage

Austin, May 5th

No football this morning, so I didn't wear contacts to school. I don't like wearing glasses, but contacts are annoying after some hours. I'd better wore contacts, because we had our first Scrimmage after school. Scrimmage is like a football game of our offense plays against our defense. And everything is videotaped, so we can watch it tomorrow. 

Looong day

Austin, May 4th

Last day of football practice this week. It was so freezing cold the last to mornings, so I wore the blue long sleeve shirt from yesterday, and the black shirt from monday. And then the weather got a lot warmer then the last two days. It was almost a little too warm with two long sleeve and one short sleeve shirt.
We had offense practice first, then pass hull, and then defense practice. Since I'm a offense player only, I stayed with my coach and together with Hank, Tyler and the freshmen receiver I did all the exercises again. We showed the freshmen how the exercises work, and lead the lines, so they could watch us first, before they did the exercise. Not all of them need that, some are just as good as we JV/Varisty player. And pretty sure are some of them better then I am.
My highlight of the practice, I caught every single x-cruze pass. In the practice last friday I messed that up, and I know I'm good at x-cruze. Jailbreak I have to practice again, I was really good at Jailbreak and Bubbles, what is almost the mirror reflection of Jailbreak, last year. But today I dropped pass three and four. The coach told me to make the route longer, and then I caught the last two passes again.
All in all a pretty good practice, but I hope it will be warmer next week.

I was so tired that I almost fell asleep in Algebra.

Later today i went to Steffens'a and we went to the pool in their neighborhood. For dinner we walked down the street to an Asian restaurant. I don't like to food there very much. Then we stood in front of his house and talked. We talked until it got to cold and so we went inside. At around 1030 I texted Gary to pick me up. He didn't respond so I texted him again and again, in case he just didn't realize he got a message. At around 12 we interrupted Daniel at his homework to drive me home.

I found later out, that Gary went to the hospital and got there some medications, which made him sleep. he doesn't felt too good the last dasy, and until he is better, I better don't stay out too late, or make sure that I get a ride home from someone.

Build-a-bear

Austin, May 3rd

Tiffanys birthday is this friday, so it's getting time to get her a gift. I asked her a couple of days ago what she wants. Of course she didn't want anything, so I asked and asked and asked until she told me she wants a stuffed animal. I was first thinking about buying a huge teddy bear or penguin, but then I decided, that it would be a much more personally gift, if I take her to build-a-bear and we build together a stuffed animal. And I wanted to see how build-a-bear works. Loran told me it looks like a lot of fun and some other people, who actually did that ensured me that it is fun.

So we went to the mall and built our own little football bear, called Carmel. We even have birth certificates. Our bear has to hearts inside, one with the initils TB and one with MS on it. We found a football outfit in the colors of our school, but I'm not really happy with the number on it. It's 00. In Germany it's mean to call someone a 'doppel Null'. Anyways, we are in America, and I saw a lot of Jerseys with the number 00, usually in soccer, but I guess there are football players with that number, too.

I took the bear home, and will wrap it some time this week.
Then we spend some hours looking at shoes, dresses and jewelry, and just walking through the mall. There are some things I never realized they are there, like a model of a city on the ceiling!

Loran left today to visit his dad, he will be back next week.

Spring football!

Austin, May 2nd

I went early to bed yesterday, but I was so excited, I couldn't sleep a lot. At 530 in the morning Austin picked me up. Then we picked Dalton, one of our team mates, up and went to school. After I got dressed I had time to eat a little bit, then we went outside for football practice in the dark on a freezing cold morning. I wore a long sleeved shirt, but I was still cold. At 8 we could go inside, take a shower and go to the cafeteria to get something to eat.

We first had position training and then pass hull. I talked to Grant, his only position is X-receiver, just like me, so on Defense days we often help out with the Quarterback training, or talk, and we made fun about the player communication. We think it would be really funny when I start in germany to shout 'Liz Liz' or 'Hit, Hit' or 'Pass pass, Ball ball, Bingo!' and all the other stuff we player use to communicate during the game, and start throwing footballs. Altough none of us knows what all that means. At least not the defense words. Or what the Quarterback says, when he is not talking to receivers.

After school i didn't really do anything, and went early to bed again, I will have football practice on tuesday and wednesday too.

Rest

Austin, May 1st

I slept in and then I watched some movies. I think thats all I did. 

Tomorrow is my firts Spring Football Practice, and i just want this day to be over, so I can play some ball!

So I got up late, watched some movies, and went to bed early.

And tomorrow football HELL YEAH! *cough* Heck Yeah!

Isn't it funny that ther is a appropriate way to curse? Steffen and I talked last week in theater class about that. We should have that in Germany, too. Not that cursing is there a big deal, but something like Dang, Heck, Shoot, Gosh and so on, would be nice.

A pretty good day

Austin, April 30th

At around 2 I went with Kai, Steffen and Steve to Texas Paintball. It was the first time that nobody had to sign my waiver as 'guardian', the first time in my live that I sign something completely independent as an adult. That makes me a little proud.

And what makes me even prouder is, that my team of four people beat the other team of 9 or 10 people in the first three plays. I liked the second game best, Steffen and an random guy who was part of our team shot at Kai and the few who actually left the base to shoot at us, while I was running to their start base and eliminated one after another. In the beginning they didn't even realize what happened. All in all I shot today at least 20 guys. But when those guys who own really good high-tech paintball guns came, we had really big problems to win. It's just unfair to play against those guys who have guns who shoot 10 times faster and 20 times more precisely!

I was really happy that we played the map 'Normandy', I played the first time as defender, what actually fits better to me than attacker, because I'm one of the few real Germans there. Kai and I defended one of the dirt bunker for 7 minutes, then we were allowed to leave the hills and attack the attackers. So we cleared the closest truck and used it as protection to shoot on the last two attackers. But suddenly our own people started shooting at us. They, especially Steffens hostbrother Steve, thought we are attackers, that we were with the back to the hills and shoot on the guys at the beach they didn't realize. So we eliminated the last two attackers and had to take care that we weren't hit by friendly fire at the same time. Difficult, but we made it.

Steve seems to be worse to have in your own team than as opponent. Nothing against him as person, but he shot Steffen close distant in the arm, what left a huge bleeding spot. Later he pushed him into a flying bullet at at the last game he pushed me into a bullet. Luckily it hit me in the facemaske, the only place where it doesn't hurt. And then he made everyone of our team shooting at Kai and me. Nothing of that by purpose, but still, nothing of those actions were really helpfull.

After paintball I hurried to take a shower, bought some grapes and went to the movie night a friend of me had at her house. I was about one and a half hour late, probably a little more, but it was still nice. I wainted the fingernails of the left hand of one of the guys, or actually i painted the whole fingers. We watched two movies and talked a lot. it was a pretty nice day.

Last Taks Day

Austin, April 29th

It's the last day of TAKS. I slept in again, had a late breakfast and went to school. I finished my football poster in multimedia and started to put my portfolio together.

In Football the headcoach told us they would make us run untill we die if we are late on monday morning (streching begins at 630) or have any equipment issues. In PhotoJ we watched Finding Nemo and in Theater we played an improv game outside.

It's funny, I just tried the last couple of days to figure out, how I became friends with all the girls in theater class. And Tiffany I got to know at exactly that game, when we sat at exactly the same stone wall and played exactly that game.

At around six I met Tishya and some of her Junior and Freshmen friends at the cinema. We watched Fast5 with a fight between Vin Diesel and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Great movie, but since it's part of the Fast & Furious series I think they should have shown more tuned cars and a lot more car races.

By the way, it's so cool that one of the last scenes is the Asian guy and this girl driving on a German Autobahn towards Berlin. THATS where you drive such sporty cars, in Germany on the Autobahn, were no stupid speed limits stops you from driving a sportscar like it's supposed to be driven: FAST!

On the way back from the cinema I met Steffen, Kai, Hunter and Ashley, and invited them to come to my house to watch Faster.

Taks day three

Austin, April 28th

 Every grade but Seniors have TAKS today, so I slept in. I had a late breakfat and went then to school. We watched the rest of Forrest Gump in History. In Football the coaches threatened to made us run untill we die if we have a equipment problem on monday morning. So everyone checked their equipment. I adjusted my helmet, fits now pretty good. In Algebra we just talked and in English we watched the beginning of a movie with George Clooney. Based on Homers Odysee, but taking part in America.  

Taks day two

Austin, April 27th

Today the Junior have their first TAKS. I skipped the first two classes and went with Kai and Steffen to the mall. We all bought sun glasses, Kain and I bought shirts at Abercrombie & Fitch and Kai got some Jerseys and stuff at at Football Fanshop.

Then we went to school. I did not a lot in Multimedia, because I'm almost finished with my project (football poster) and were more interested in listening to music at Youtube.

In Theater we continued a movie about Broadway musicals.

After school i went with Steffen and Kai to the pool. We fought with whatever we could find there, sticks, the life belt thing, stairs, tables, shoes, whatever we could find. The big loser of today, my left flip flop. It's broken.

We also ate my HUUUGE donut. It tasted great! Kind of like Berliner.

Then we went to my house to watch Due Date.

Taks day one

Austin April 26th

The sophomores had today their first TAKS. Thats a stupid exam the students in grades 9 to 11 have to take. My Algebra class was pretty empty, so we played Phrase Catch.

In Football we Juniors got our pads and I got finally my helmet -not the one from last year, it mysteriously dissapeared- and pants.

Hell Yeah! Football is back

Last day before Taks

Austin, April 25th

We started our nature project in PhotoJ. We didn't have enough cameras for everyone, so Carolin and I had to share one. I'm not very sure how it happened, that she got the camera, because she told me that she already has a lot of pictures. But when she saw that I was about to get a really good camera, she suddenly was next to me, and for some reason she got the camera. Then we went outside to take pictures.

In football we had primary day, so I had receiver practice and in the end we played offense against defense. I screwed up a x-cruise. Actually pretty easy, but the last time I did it, Kyle ran into me. How Jeremiah told me last friday, it was not an accident. And I really hurt. So I wasn't totally focused and dropped the ball right after I caught it. That really sucks, I'm going to practice the cruise hard this week!

Easter Sunday

Austin, April 24th

BOOORING day. Everyone spent the day in church or with family, so I had nothing to do.

I went with Loran to a garden center to get some flowers for our backyard, but that was pretty much all I did today.

Baseball

Austin, April 23

Matt picked me up with his really cool Ford Mustang. Coolest car ever (next to the Corvette). We went with his parents to the Dell Diamond to a baseball game of Round Rock Express. They played bad. Highlight of the game, I found out that Round Rocks Number 6 has the last name 'German'! 

After the game Matt convinced his mom to let him drive me home, so I could show him something on the computer, but instead he dropped me off and went to Tiffany.

Good Friday

Austin, April 22

We ended the lock-in at about 7. An hour earlier than planned. Gary didn't respond when I asked him for a ride, so Naiha offered to drive me home.

I went to bed for a couple of hours, until Daphanie came. I got a HUGE donut from her. Did I ever mention that I love donuts?

Then I went to bed again. Then it was time to buy some CD's for my birthday party tonight.

Matt came about an hour early, so we went to the pool. Second was Jordan, but he had to leave very early because of some family things. Gary picked Tiffany up, because her mom is sick. Tishya couldn't stay for a long time, tool. Later came three of the football and three of the soccer team. For some reason a lot of the people who said they would come never came. I learned later that some had to work longer because of Good Friday, other were sick, weren't allowed (because of Good Friday again), test track meetings which were longer than planned and a loong row of other excuses. In addition to that many people couldn't come because of soccer, volleyball and a couple of other sport events. i think celebrating of Good Friday was not a good idea. But we still had fun.

Matt gave Tiffany later a ride home, and then they spend the next couple of days together, too.

I got from Tishya and Tiffany soooooooooo cute cards, and my absolutely favourite gift was a picture of Tiffany and me. I put it on my nightstand. I love this foto, we took it at the day after she got rid of their braces.

Birthday

Austin, April 21

Steffen, Kai and Daniel came this morning and woke me up. At around 12:00. They spanked me 18 times and put a big 18 on me with whip cream.

Then I unwrapped the gifts from Loran and Gary, I got handkerchieves, a Kindle-like thing and a radio controlled car.

When they left, Steffen forgot his cell phone in my bedroom.

Before school I met with the Mexicans, I actually waited for Steffen to give him back his phone, and to get my BIRHDAY BALOON! But he was late so we met before US history.

My History teacher made the class sing Happy Birthday for me.

In the school bus I Ms Charity made everyone to shout Happy Birthday Marc.

Maddi gave me a unbreakable bubble for birthday. That is soo cool!

Later that day I went with Steffen, Daniel and Kai to Bone Daddys. We had to hurry with eating, because Steffen should get a French Award at the school. We still were half an hour late. Since Steffen was the first one who should get a award, we had to wait until all the other languages were done, and he got at the very end his award.

Afterwards we went to the RADD lock-in. We spend the whole night at school, mainly with some cheerleaders we met there. 

Spring Show

Austin, April 15th

I got up early for the morning workout. Like almost every day, so nothing special anymore, but right when I came Coach Vincent told us, that it's sign up day for one of the basball team. That means he will get a scholar ship for a college. And the coach wanted to be a lot of guys there to watch and cheer and so it's a nice morning for this guy. And since we football player are usually some of the first students in school, we should come to that. So I went to the weight room for a little bit to do benchpressing, and then we went to Study Hall for the sign up. We were there until 20 past 8. I returned to the weight room until I remembered that school withh start at 8:45 and I need to get dressed and if possible take a shower. Unfortunately I didn't found Milton, the guy who takes care of laundry and towels. So I couldn't shower. i just washed my hair really quick, shaved, and went to class. I met some friends, but the music today was so bad, I wanted to escape to the quiet class room.

In Algebra we did TAKS practice in teams. I felt like drawing so instead of do all the math stuff, I drew little pictures and solved basicly every problem with a picture. I needed 6 pages for 28 problems, the other three guys in my group just one. I feel like I wasted a lot of paper.

Football was fun, we thro and caught balls. Plagge suggested Coach Rushing that I should get an award for the most improved player this year. Well, that easn't really hard, I knew less about football than the freshmen in the beginning of the year. And now I'm proud to say that I help the newbes in the JV team and especially the freshmen.

In history we have a new seat chart. i was looking forward to it, but now I must say, I liked me old seat better. Now I'm very close to the teacher again and can't text during class anymore.

English was alright, we presented our junior Research Project to little groups. I think i had like the leat interesting topic on my group. Maybe the second least iteresting, I don't care a lot about the war in Iraq. but torture (human beings are SOOOO sick) and plasitc surgery are very interesting. I asked the girl who presented the surgery stuff if she has anything done. She hasn't but she want's a surgery. I won't tell what, it's inappropriate and nobodys business.

When i came home, I heard the garage door closing. I thought maybe Loran came just home. Turned out, he and Gary left for a dinner at Serranos right when I came home. At least they were back in time so they could drive me back to school. I had a ticket for the Star Steppers Spring Show. It was awesome. A lot of dancing, and I knew some of the dancers. Collin, Steffen, Kai and I really enjoyed the show, but it was a little bit to long. Two hours and forty minutes!

After the show we went to the flag football game. According to the scoreboard we were losing by one point. but for some rrason we were the visitors in our own staduim! So we won by one point. I congratulated Taylor, she is not just in flag football,  but one of the student trainers as well. So I see her almost every day in the weight room or on the field when she gives us the water bottles.

Then we waited for Naiha, Steffen was mean to me, like often, that's our thing. Being mean to each other, but he is way better. But when I hear the people Steffen knows for months longer than I know them, saying I'm there favourite German, than it's absolutely worth it. 

Steffen and i make either fun of each other, or about everyone else. that's the good thing of being German, if someone annoys us, we cant make fun of them and they just know we are talking about them. A lot of people drives that crazy! 

State Semi Final

Austin, April 14th

I knew it already at the beginning of the playoffs. Our girls soccer team will make state this year. They are damn good. I think they scored about 30 times in maybe four games, and the opponents didn't shoot a single goal.

But now they are in the State Semi Final against a really good team.

They play already at 11 or so, so we got permission to leave school and watch the game. I took the spirit bus to the game in Georgetown. the busses were seperated after lastnames, so I didn't know a lot of people, so I just talked to new people. I talked to a guy called Daniel about music.

I sat with some of the football team, were close to some friends from football and theater, and at the end of the game I sat with Brett, a girl i met a couple of weeks ago. The game was great, but they played dirty. The other tem had to play with just 10 players after about 20 minutes, because one of their players kicked our goalkeeper in the stomach. She didn't even try to make it look like a accident. The goaly lay on the floor to get the ball, the other girl got angry and kicked her. Stupid bi***! That was a reason for a red card. I'm glad that the referee was not so shy with the cards this time. Although, Megan got a yellow card for no reason, at least i didn't see one. I think she played totally fair. And everyone played agressive, that is what girls soccer is about. That's why it's so much more fun to watch (I wouldn't say that the boys game were boring, they have a couple really amaing players this year). The game ended 1:1. We won in th shoot outs. That's a one vs one play. A player runs with the ball from the 35 yeard line and the goalkeeper trys to stop her. It was incredible! I'm so proud of the girls, on saturday they ight became State Champs! The best female highschool soccer player in whole Texas! I need to go to that game!

Class Ring

Austin, April 7th

I got up very early and had already to hurry to get dressed, because the text message that Austin is on the way to pick me up came about 15 minutes earlier than usually. He still came at his nomal time. It was not much traffic and we were fast at the school. We found the locker rooms closed and had to wait until a coach came and opened them. In the meantime I had time to eat a banana to get something into my empty stomach.

I worked out with Austins brother, he has about the same max weight then I do.

Then I did my math homework until class started. Math was boring, but I had fun in football. History and english weren't really interesting either. But the ride home was fun. I talked to some of the girls infront of me. One thought she met my mom, until i told her, that she is at the other side of the world, and pretty sure not somewhere here around.

Later I went with Steffen and Daniel to Burger King and then to a pool. I think it was the very first time in my whole life that I was at Burger King. The fries are good, but the burgers not. I prefer Whataburger.

Later came a text message that my class ring came. And I LOVE it!

Bad Weather Make up day

Austin, March 28th

Because of the day of, some months ago, we had school today. A lot of classes are behind on B-day schedules. For me it was basicly a day like everyone else. Get up in the morning, sit around in Photo-J, run a little in football. We did a speed test, I need a little over 5 seconds for 40 yards. I actually tried to be under 5. At shuttle-run I needed 4.83. That was okay, but I try to get under 4.5.

The weather was pretty cold, so we didn't run a lot in track. Just 3 times three hundret, two times 100 sprint and jog back. And then a test how far we can run in 50 seconds.

Garden work

Orlando, March 16th

Today we worked in the garden around the trailer. Looks pretty nice now.

We wanted to charge the electro scooter but the batterie was broken.

The evening Steffen and I spend in the Hot Tub where we met an retiered teacher who explained us how bad the American school system is. He compared it to the Canadian end even the German school system.

For dinner we had chicken. We wanted to eat outside, but right when we started it got dark and the mosquitos came.

Universal Studios

Orlando, Florida, March 15th

Todays Park is the Universal Studios Park. I really liked the Mumie ride. The line was in a museum. So we could see things they used in the movies, things we could see in an actual egypt museum and they even played parts of the movies.

Steffen and I bought matching bracelets with Universal 2011 S&M on it. My hostdads and Laura, the German girl from Houston we met some weeks ago, were the only one who realized the meaning of S&M, I mean other than Steffen and Marc. The idea we got from Rihannas song called: S&M.

Steffen and I were volunteer in a street show. Actually they wanted some who lived in the 80's, but they till took us. I guess they just wanted to embarrass us, because we had o idea what they were talking about (do the Wave? what is the wave??)

 I think the best ride we were today was the 4D Simpson ride. It was like a whole episode with us in it. We started on a roller coaster and end being chased by Sideshow Bob who wants to kill Bart. It was just great.

Then we wanted to do the Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil statue together with someone in a monkey costume. But we messed up.

We went to a Harry Potter Store where we dressed as Griffindor Students and run around with little plastik brooms and wands. The prices were insane, but it was a lot of fun.
Steffen and I went on the Hulk ride as single riders. So we wouldn't have to wait so long. And exactly when we were on that ride they had some problems and we sat like 20 minutes in the car, just short before we were at the station to leave the car.
After that we waited like 2 and a half hours for the Harry Potter ride. We walked through a Hoghwart copy and waited and waited and waited. they had technical difficulties while we were in a room where harry, Ron and Hermione talked about something. It was annoying to listen to them for 20 minutes. The ride itself was cool. Another 4D ride.

Disneys Hollywood Studios

Orlando, March 14th

We went to the first Walt Disney World park, the Hollywood Studios Park. The first thing we did was going to the Rock'n'Roll Coaster, a really fast roller coaster. The best one in this park. After that we went to the Tower of Terror, the coaster is actually a elevator which stopps suddenly and falls down. Goas up and down again. And even forward!

Steffen and I bought necklaces.



Steffen bought a Mickey Mouse necklace and I a Tower of Terror dog tag



Steffen, me and my hero: Darth Maul

In this park was an American Idol Experience show. Its like American Idol, just for people in the park. The winner get's tickets for the real American Idol.
We saw the final show, Steffen and I cheered for one of the candidates so loud, that the moderator and the candidate noticed us. The singer even said we would be cute.
It's funny to be in one of the last rows and the whole audience stares at you, because the people in front of the camera are talking about you.

Florida

Leesburg, Florida, March 13th

We drove the rest of the way from Mississippi to Florida. And then down to Leesburg close to Orlando.

We had dinner together with Lorans mom and dad.

Roadtrip!

Somewhere in Mississippi, March 12th

We left for Florida today. We actually wanted to stop in New Orleans, but we continued driving until we came to a little town in Mississippi.
For dinner we went to Chili's. Loran dared me to signalize the girls on a close table i would love them. I did it and they hided laughing under the table. The mother laughed as well, but the dad, I don't think it was so funny. We four had a lot of fun there.
We had a room in a motel. Steffen and I wanted to go to the pool, but it was too dirty. So we went to the Holiday Inn the street down, and went there to the pool. We took two towels as souveniers. We had them around our hips, when we walked back to our motel, and infront of a night club, we were asked why we wear towls. We answered we felt like it and left.

Football rules

Austin, March 11th

Last day of school! Then is finally spring break!

Loran took me early to school, I had some time before I went to the weight room, so i decided to shave. I'm not perfectly sure if thats legal in school, since razor have sharp blades. And in a counrty in which lighter count as weapons, I don't know what they would count as a tool. But no teacher saw me and my football mates have no reason to tell anyone what the German dude does in the restroom.

Then I worked out with a few of the freshmen and one guy from the track team. I love working out before school. It makes me wake up.

Then I went to the cafeteria where i met some friends.

In Photo-J Matt and i worked on our Gummibears fight Gummi Octopus Stop Motion project. We have a little trouble with creating the video. it lags extremely.

Between first and second period was a tug of war competition. If you look at the teams, you would expect the Senior bos to win, they are beasts! Full of muscle, at least 6 feet and 2 inches tall. probably more and their clothes look like they would rip if the flex their muscles. But they lost already in their first game against the champs, the JV football team!

In football we had competition day and played Ranger ball. It was the first time that we Swoldiers WON every game! Usually we lose.

In study hall the coaches told us that everyone has to find a Sponsor for a hole at the golf fundraiser tounament for the Football Booster Club at the memorial weekend. I will talk to Loran about asking his boss as a sponsor.

Later I went with gary to the movies, we watched Battle Los Angeles.

Soccer game

Austin, March 8th

After a log school day and a even longer track practice I watched the soccer game. We played a tie, not really good, especially since it's about a place in the play offs.

Pole Jump

Austin, March 7th

I didn't go to the morning workout. Austin's car is broken again. No problem, so I can sleep 30 minutes longer.

We had a terrible track practice. The coach made us first run 500 meters. And after we finished that, we should run 400 more. And then another 300. And then really quick 200 more.

I skipped the cool down, I went to the pole jumpers. i know two of them, one from the football season and one I got known one or two weeks ago in the locker room. he is a freshman, so i didn't met him earlier. They introduced me to Vicky, one other pole jumper. She showed me how to do the pole jump stuff and I tried it a few times. I always landed on my feet and on the mat. What is not bad, like they said. But I don't think I could do the crazy high jumps I saw them doing!

risk

Austin, March 6th

I woke up pretty early. Like often on sundays. i don't know why, but when i can sleep long I'm usually not that tired. i watched a little TV until Loran and Gary got up. then we went to IHOP (International House of Pancake) for breakfast. Then we watched a little more TV and went to Popeyes for dinner. Not the sailor guy, that's a chicken fried chicken and biscuit place. the biscuits are disgusting, but they made the best chicken all over the world!

Later I went to Carolin's house and we played Risk A.D. 2230 or so. Some kind of futuristic Risk. I lost, i made a little mistake and didn't attack who was most dangerous for me, but the guy who had hismwhole army in Australia. And I wanted to see how much damage I could do with just 6 troops. Well, he lost half of his arm, and I the whole game a few rounds later.

In this version of Risk there are islands or territories or something in the water.. One of them is called Atlantis. I wonder why Atlantis is ther in the pacific ocean, shouldn't it be in the atlantic. Isn't that where the name comes from Atlantic/Atlantis?

AIDS thing

Austin, March 5th

Gary, Loran and i went to a AIDS charity event and worked there the food tables. We were there hours and hours and didn't really had a lot to do.

They had loud music, a not very good show, and a silent auction besides a lot of food tables from different restaurants and donations. The only thing from the Auction I was interested in was a dallas Cowboys football helmet with signature of one of the players. It was sold for about 350 bucks.

I took a little souvenier from the food table. Heat in a can. It's like a mini one-time-use grill. I don't know what I will use it for yet, but I'm sure I will find something to burn. Not the cats, unfortunately my hostparents have a problem with that.

Early Call

Austin, March 4th

Some idiot called me at 6 in the morning. I don't know who, it was a number from Michigan, and the only phone number from there is my own. And at 6 a.m. am I not picking up the phone for someone I don't know.

I couldn't sleep after that anymore, so I was tired all day.

After school Loran and I went to the Kung Fu Buffet. Actually not a really good buffet, but you can eat as much as you want and I was really hungry.

Most important event today:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA

TAKS

Austin, March 1st

Today was TAKS Tests day. TAKS are some kind of a exam that the students have to take every year until Junior Year. We Exchange students are excluded, so we didn't have to go to school until about 1 o'clock. And then we had every class for about 20 minutes. All in all a very senseless day. Except for Track practice, something little like a exam is no reason not to do track.

First football practice with ball

Austin, February 28th

Yay! We practiced catching in football class. It was a little cold and windy, but I missed the practice with the ball. We have a new quarterback and I guess it will take some time until we all play as good as last season.

In track was our coach not there. The girls coach timed us but warm up and cool down we had to do by ourselves. So Three of the boys (including myself) led the running warm up, a girl led the stretchings and for the few who stayed for the cooldown -my and three other guys- I led a quick cool down.

I run better than last week, my ankles still hurt a bit, my knees started after the fouth 300m run to hurt, but my hip feels much better.

After track I went to the weight room. Austin, the boy who picks me often up in the morning for the workouts, texted me this morning that his truck doesn't work. Loran brought me to school, but I missed the morning workout.

Gym and movie

Austin, February 27th

Steffen and I went to Gold's gym today. My favourite gym at 1431 didn't let him in, because guests need to be 18 or need a guest pass. But we didn't want to pay for this pass.

So we went to an other gym in Round Rock, they wanted to see an ID of Steffen so they knew that he is 18. He didn't had an ID, but they let him still in. It is weird, some gyms don't ask for an ID, some make you fill out a lot of paperwork and some need just a sign.

We worked out a little and went then to the pool, hot tub and sauna.

Gary invited Steffen for dinner, so we ate at our house and went then to Jessica to watch a movie.

Big Mall

Austin, February 26th

Since Coach Baily don't want me to go to the Track meet today, I had time to go with Steffen and Carolin to Barton Creek Mall. It's much bigger than the Lakeline Mall, where we usually go to.

Caro wanted to meet a friend of hers, Laura, who is a German exchange student in Houston. Her hostbroher had a German Competition in Austin, and so they decided to meet.

We went to some shops. Steffen and i got job offers at Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. To bad that we are exchange students, I'd love to work there.

I finally bought the christmas gift for Steffen, sweatpants from Abercrombie.

Class ring

Austin, February 25th

I ordered my class ring today. It will be silver with a red stone. One one side is the Vista ridge mascott, and on the other side a little football, a football helmet and winged shoes, that refers that I was a football player and track runner.

Relax

Austin, February 24th

Pretty boring day. The football class was really tiring. And since i was before school in the weight room, and after track practice again, I didn't feel like doing anything but relaxing at home. 

Stop motion project

Austin, February 23rd

We have to create a stop motion video for Photo-Journalism. Matt and I will work together and let gummi bears fight against gummi octopusses.

In football class we had a competition day. My competition team, the swoilders, have never been so successfull. We lost basketball very close, but the relays we absolutely won, we beat the other team in all 5 games. And in 'Rushing ball', a modified version of Ranger ball we won, too.

Track meeting

Austin, February 19th

I spend the whole day in Georgetown at the track meeting. It was sometimes boring, because everything took so much time. But most of the time we had fun.

Actually we planned to be back at school at about six o'clock. We wended up to be there at about eight.

The other runner in my heat, or in the 400m event in general, were really fast. I tripped at the last 50 m and almost fell, so I got unfortunately last in my heat. But at least I didn't get last of the event.

Qualified for first track meet

Austin, February 17th

Today Coach Baily told me, that I qualified for the 400m run at the track meet on saturday. I got some track clothes- a slider (underwear), very short pants, a tank top, a rain jacket and a red bag.

Together with me is Kimbrough and Tristan in the 400m team. Kimbrough is really fast and he looks like he never gets tired.

Class Ring infos

Austin, February 16th

It' wednesday. Rangertime. But not for juniors! We should go to the auditorium to get informations about early college start and CLASS RINGS! I think I'm going to buy one. The ones in gold look pretty nice, or maybe one in silver, with black finishing and a red stone, so I have all three school colors. Since I'm not graduation here, I wont have the year on the ring, but the school mascot maybe, I have to think about it.

The other three don't want to buy one, they say it's gay. but what do I care what they think? I wear a lot more jewlry and asseccoires than they do. A watch and between one and four wristbands.

And a class ring is a really nice souvenier and memory to my year here.

We had a competition day in football class. My team lost all four games of Rangerball. I got hurt in the first game. I caught the ball and run to the endzone, short before I arrived, someone from the other team attacked me harder than he should. Instead of just tipping me, he pushed me hard enough that I slided about 5 yards on the turn. Result: a huge turfburn. Hurts like hell. But that didn't stop me from making a touchdown in the second game. The only game we almost won.

Mail from a College

Austin, February 15th

I got mail from a College today! the Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont invites my to a open door day. I guess i pass on this one, Vermont is a little bit to far away. Although the brochure looks very interesting. As far as i know, am I the only one of us four Germans who got mail from a College, I wonder where they got my adress. Maybe the woman from the Art College in Austin shared it with some colleges.

Valentines Day

Austin, February 14th

It's Valentines day, in my opinion a completely unnecessary 'holiday'.

One of my friends got a pink shirt with a lot of glitter and other decorations. He hates it, but he wears it for his girlfriend. I got a card from a girl in my English class. Actually a donut cupon with heart on the backside, but I will keep it as souvenier.

Paintball

Austin, February 13th

During the last week I called and texted a bunch of people and asked if they want to go paintballing. We ended up with a group of seven people, and we played for about 3 hours. I found out that the staff guy who supervised us goes to high school and knows a German exchange student as well. And guess what, Steffen introduced me to her this morning in church! We could talk him into letting our little group play some 2 vs 2 after the manager already said they want to close the paintball area for today. But hey, we are Germans, this guy knows a German, someone we know, he can let us play a little bit more. Funny how easy we always get what we want.

After paintball, I returned to my own house, my hostparents are back from their cruise.

The Domain

Austin, February 12th

Caronline, Steffen and i went to the Domain today. It's like a neighborhood, manly made of shops and restaurants. But unlike other outside malls, the domain also has living houses.

We spend a lot of time in the Apple store, we looked at their Ipods and Iphones and computer and found out, that a lot of people use the Iphones in the store to log in at facebook, and then forget to log out. Honestly, it's no wonder that so many people get 'hacked' when they don't log out at a public computer!

We met two guys from loveishere.com. They interviewed us about what we think about love. They liked our torys what we (Crazy Germans) did in our short lives so far. It was interesting talking to us, and they were glad to talk to Germans. One of them even tol dus she wants to name her child Berlin, thats the capital of Germany. Terrible name, in my opinion, but if she wants that, I will not stop her.

Goalie warmup

Cedar Park, February 11th

Steffen had his second game today. Since I thought I would have Track practice until five, I planned to go to his game at 5:30 right after practice. Unfortunately I forgot that on fridays Track is in the morning and the weight room in closed after school, so I had nothing to do. I decided to meet Steffen in his locker room, but until I was there, they had to go to the field for warm ups. So I went with them and helped to warm up the goal keeper. I stayed with the team during the game, played sometimes ball boy or talked to the player and coaches. The family of the soccer headcoach came from Germany, so he spoke a little German.

We won this game, 6 to 0!

Power lifting Competition

Cedar Park, February 10th

Back to school! And I spend pretty much the whole day in school.

We came almost to late, because Steffens little hostbrother needed for ever to get ready, and we had to bring his other younger hostbrother to Elementry School first.

After school I had my first power lifting competition. Did I ever mention that I'm in the power lifting team? If not, well as football player I am expected to help at competitions at Vista, and when I have to be there, I thought it's more fun to compete, than just help and watch. So now I'm part of the team.

I sucked. I usually do very good at squats, but at my first try I didn't go deep enough so it didn't count. One of my third trys wasted. And in bench pressing I started with a to low weight. I was at 125 pounds at my second try and wated up to 160 for the last. But my limit is at bout 150/155 lbs and I wasn't able to lift so much. At least I raised my limit in power clean by 5 pounds!

So I didn't win a medal, but I'm still pround of my power clean. 

Freezing cold day

Cedar park, February 9th

It's the last day of the february convention break. Actually Steffen and I wanted to go to the Uinversity of Texas to see the campus. Unfortunately he had soccer practice, because of the lost game yesterday. And Carolin, who was thinking about going with us to the UT, wasn't allowed, because of the weather. It was apparently to cold. But going alone is boring, and it was really a little cold outside, so it wouldn't be fun.

So I slept until Steffen's soccer practice ended and then He, Daniel Brandon -a guy from the soccer team- and I went to Whataburger for dinner.

Soccer game

Cedar Park, February 8th

Steffen has his first season soccer game today, so we had to leave South Padre this morning and drive back to Steffens house in Cedar Park. I watched his game, it was pretty good, but some how Vista Ridge managed it, to lose 3 to 4. The strong wind stopped the ball short before the goal and mad a tie in the last minute impossible. Well, it's like our first football game, we played good, but in the last half our opponent beat us.

Hilton Garden Inn

South Padre Island, January 7th

We changed hotels, we are not in the La Quinta. It's a few dollars cheaper and the rooms are just... crap.

The only thing that is better, compared to the last hotel, is that we have much more TV channels.

Steffen, Daniel and I sped the day driving around and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, running to the pool and warm then up in the hot tub.

Sometimes very late tonight, we decided to check out the pool of the Hilton Hotel next to our hotel. So we went to the beach and looked for the entrance to the Hilton backyard. It's pretty nice, the pool is huge, but cold. Even the hot tub is colder than in our hotel.  

SUPER BOWL! GO STEELERS!

South Padre Island, February 6th

SuperBowl Sunday

We got up very late, and we left even later to find a nice sportsbar for the SuperBowl. Until we found one we liked, without hundrets of (smoking) people, they played already 10 minutes.

We had dinner and wathced the game at Big Boys. Steffen and Daniel were the loudest fans of the Greenbay Packers. Some of the Steelers fans got a bit angry because of them. I was the loudest Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Even the restaurant manager recognized us. Not a bad thing, he came to us and asked if we want to take part in their Chicken Wing Eating Contest. I'm not a big fan of chicken, but I love free food. Out of the 14 wings and legs we had to eat, we three ate just 4 per person, then the first two guys had already eaten all of their wings. But we could keep the rest of our wings. 10 wings for free! And they were really good. Very spicy, and when we got them extremely hot!

Then we watched the second half of the game. It was exciting, but unfortunately the Steelers lost 25 to 31.

They got a good chance of making one more touchdown, together with an PAT they would have won. But the ball got intercepted at their last try, so the Packers won. They were just better, especially in the first half.

When we came back to the hotel we still had our wings and a lot of soda in our room. So we went with all that stuff to the hot tub and spend there the next hours. We left long after the pool was actually closed, but the guy who tried to throw us out yesterday, didn't even try today. 

VACATION!

South Padre Island, January 5th

Loran and Gary go to their cruise today, so I will stay at Steffen's until next sunday. Since we have no school until Thursday, Steffen, Daniel and I decided to go on vacation. Steffen and i aren't allowed to travel without an adult, so we had to take Steffens hostfamily with us.

We went to South Padre Island at the Gulf of Mexico. We stay at a Holiday Inn. the room is okay, but we won't spend much time in it.

In the evening we went to the beach, but the water was to cold to swim, so we bought some soda and chips and chilled at the hot tub of the hotel. Actually we spend most of the day at the hot tub. Someone told us we had to leave, but he didn't care much that we stayed even after he told it us a second time. 

We watched Lucha Libre (mexican show restling) until about 4 a.m. I guess.

No school

Austin, February 4th

I woke up early to see online, if we have school. Nope, we have almost an inch snow, to much for the Texans to go to school. It wasn't very cold outside. I went in pajamas outside to 'ski' in the driveway.

Tonight I went with Steffen, Jessi and Melina, a German exchange student who lives somewhere downtown Austin, to a Rave in sixth street. The first DJ sucked, we went outside again and walked aroud at sixth street. When we came back a band started, they were okay, but really good was just the last DJ. Unfortunately we had to leave already at about 1230, so we didn't hear much of him.

But it was still a nice night.

Freezing cold

Austin, February 3rd

Apparently it's freezing outside, so school was two hour delayed. Tomorrow the school might even stay closed, we have a 80 something % possibility of snow.

It's dark inside

Austin, February 2nd

It was Signing Day. That means a lot of very good Ranger athlets signed their letters with their future Colleges. And of course the football team was expected to be there. On the way to school Loran and I recognized, that the traffic lights didn't work. Loran was concerned that the school wouldn't have electicity either. And really, we waited about 15 minutes in Study Hall without light. Then finally we could start with the sign ups and taking photos and all that stuff. We needed longer than planned, and of course we started later, so we came to late to class. Just a little bit, and my class started later, too, so I hardly missed something. 

Has Black and Yellow anything to do with the Steelers?

Austin, February 1st

Second day of max out in football. My power clean is a whole lot better than last time. More than my own weight!

I found something important out today. Like most people, and prett much every American knows, is on Sunday the SuperBowl! The Pittsburgh Steelers play against the Green Bay Packers.

In the radio they play all the time the song 'Black and Yellow' and today came me the thought, this song came out, short before the SuperBowl, and the title are the colors of the Steelers, is it possible that the song has something to do with the Steelers?

So I wrote a text message to the only person from who I know, that she is Steelers fan and asked her. And the respond was: 'The song has everything to do with the Steelers!'

Max out

Austin, January 31st

Today we tested our limits in weightlifting. I got stronger! My squat limit is now about about 20 pounds higher than last time.

The Other Guys

Austin, January 30th

What a weird day. It seems like everybody is spending it with his or her sister. Anyway, we couldn't find anyone for a movienight, but Steffen and i wanted to watch the other guys. So it was just the two of us.

It was still fun. We played on my guitar, throw the cats through the rooms -I think they hate my by now- and of course watched the movie.

Cinema - a little bit different

Austin, January 29th

Yea, I know, we are here to spend time with Americans, learn about their culture and all that stuff. And I really try. If I meet with friends, I always invite a few Americans. Mostly girls, but that's just because I know them better than most boys. But in the last time I usually meet the other Germans. When we went to the cinema tonight, we didn't have any Americans with us. Steffen invited a girl from an other school, Melina, she's from Germany, too. But that was not the only difference, we also invited Carmen, a Spanish girl.

On our way to the cinema, Steffen and Carolin talken in German, so Carmen wanted me to promise that I will not speak one word German. I tried not to speak german, but from time to time I did... Or I mixed my sentences with English and German words, that happens all the time, I sometimes really have problems just to speak proper German.

We all talked about when we met each other the first time. Pretty easy, Steffen at the first school day after school in football practice. Caro, if she wants to believe it or nt, at the second day in Multimedia, I was about 5 minutes there and then I changed schedule and had multimedia one period earlier. Jessica at the second day, too. I switched out of Multimedia and into Theater, where i met her. Carmen I met at the basketball game about two weeks ago and Melina today.

The movie, we watched The Rite, was very boring. Carmen was very scared and hided most of the time behind Caro. So I spend my time watching Caro smiling when somthing 'scary' happens -she's a weirdooo- and Carmen hiding. It was very funny. I also tried to make conversation with the old guy next to me. It didn't work, I think he was afraid of me.

When Steffen, Caro, Carmen and I looked for a restaurant that was still open, Carmen told us, that we germans aren't so cold, how she always thought. Just because our language sounds cold, it doesn't mean that we are cold, too!! And by the way, German is NOT cold! And it doesn't sound like just half sentences either! I don't know why everyone says that. I grew up with german, I heard it my whole life, I can't find anything cold about it.

After the Cinema, Steffen, I and Loran went to Whataburger, because we couldn't find an open restaurant at the cinema, but were very hungry.

Run Forest, RUN!

Austin, January 28th

Little change in practice schedule. I didn't had track after school, it was before school. The choaches wanted us to be on the field at 7 a.m. So a lot of us were outside, dressed in sweater and sweatpants. Some even with gloves and caps and everything to stay warm. But when you have to wait 30 minutes for the coaches you still get cold. Wasn't nice of them to let us wait.

But when you run a few laps you get warm again. And the freezing shower cools you down again. No wonder that most guys didn't shower (YOU PIGS!). One even left the shower after I told him that the water is bone chilling.

But it's still better than having track practice after school on a friday.

Before English class I had to go to the Clinic. they made an ear and eye test. I wonder why they need it, I went to a doctor in the beginning of the year for my physical, there is everything they need included.
Well, my eyes are terrible bad, i know that they don't really need to test that. But for that I wear glasses, so I don't have any problems to see.