29- fröhes neu jahr

the party! we were in charge of desert, so we brought tiramasu and cupcakes (ruth must really like these people to share her american frosting) after i got all dressed up (ya know, blue satin mini, fishnets, glitter legwarmers, false eyelashes, the whole 9 yards) ruth just laughed at me, but tobi was a bit freaked out- like i had suddenly changed his entire impression of me. the party was very successful. i was lost alot of the time, but i followed alot of the time, too. remembered most of the names. the food was good. everyone was impressed with my german. ruth translated the important stuff. i lay in bed that night with so much to say about the party, but now it's all gone, no more feelings, just facts. we had alot to drink- sekt, wine and these new things that are all the rage in spain- crushed ice, with squeezed limes, rum and brown sugar. there was pear schnapps, which i didn't think i wanted, but it seemed like everyone else was having, so i succumbed. upon sipping, it was clear it was one of the most disgusting things i'd ever tasted. they laughted at me and i whined it was just the pear, i hate pears, i'm not a wimpy drinker, honest. so they poured me some grape schnapps and i took it in 2 gulps- a big improvement ( and don't give me any of this you gotta take a shot all at once business. that's not me. i drink communion wine in 2 sips, eat a mon cheri in 2 bites, etc.) right before midnight, we all piled on the bed/ couch and watched dinner for one. horray for english language on german tv! meike told me i had to see it on new years, and so i was so glad it was important to bavarians, too. after the new year, ruth got really tired an stopped translating, and they were all talking about scouting things, anyway. later she started translating again, just to keep herself awake i think, and it was just as boring and pointless as she said. but then we did another cool german tradition. you melt these little lead charms in a spoon over a candle, then pour the lead into a bowl of cold water. you then decide what it looks like, and look that up in the glossary to get your fortune for the year. mine looked like a giraffe, which wasn't a choice. we finally decided a dragon. and i got a poor translation of the fortune, but i believe it was, don't fly. oh dear.