[Schooltimes]

Hello together :-)

I only have one more month of school left which is great, but in response to Victoria's blog I'd like to explain how school worked for me here in Germany...

Well first of all it's important to mention that I'm attending a "Gymnasium". That's one of the three different schoolsystems we have here in Germany. It can be called the highest of all three 'cause it's the only system you can get your "Abitur" at the end, but if you start in an other system (which is a decision that is made after primary school) you can easily transfer to a Gymnasium, if your grades are good enough.

I've been to school for 13 years now (4 years of primary school and 9 years of Gymnasium). During the years 5 to 11 you only have to pass. During that time your not able to chose your subjects, because their set by the government to guarantee an overall basic education for everyone (exception is year 11 in which you chose between some subjects).

In the end, only the years 12 and 13 really matter ( 11 and 12 for younger generations, 'cause they only go to school 12 years). During that time you have two main subjects, in my case these are Maths and Geography (both 4 terms -> 1 year = 2 terms). Furthermore you have at least 7 other subjects. The number of subjects you have depends on different rules and your own interests (I wont explain that, because it took me a whole year to understand :-) ). In my case these subjects are: religious education (2 terms, compulsory), literature (2 terms, compulsory), history (2 terms, compulsory), politics (2 terms, compulsory), sports (4 terms, compulsory), german (4 terms compulsory), spanish (4 terms), french (4 terms), english (4terms) and biology (4 terms).

So, to get the Abitur you have to collect points in your subjects. Every term you can get a maximum of 15 points in each subject, while some (main subjects) might be counted double in the end. Consequently after year 13 you have (hopefully) got a bunch of points in every subject. Then you are allowed to do the final examns in your two main subjects and two normal subjects. 3 of these Examns are written: the two main subjects and one normal subject, the 4th examn will be held orally. After that you get points again for every examn (a maximum of 15 points each, which are counted 4 times). And in the end you'll have a number of points which shows the level of your Abitur. Most people have a level between 2.0 and 3.0. 1.0 would be the best while 4.0 is the worst.

Okay now I'll quickly talk about my points: till now I have earned quite a lot of points (I went out most subjects with around 13 points). But most important will be my last four examns and till then I might not have too much time to write long blogs (Excuse me!).

Hope you got a good insight of German school life (I am so happy that it ends this year, because I am really looking forward to university).

Yours Simon

[Finland]

Hello together :-)

That's what I wrote after I came back from Finland:

I am in the train right now and there’s nobody around. I feel a little lonely but I think it’s a good chance to rethink the last week.

I have spend 6 amazing days in Finland and that’s mainly because of all the beautiful and nice people I met! But first I want to say something about Finland:

                Finland is  extremly peaceful and a wonderful country. I have never seen so many forests and lakes. It’s a wonderful place to relax and chill. So if you want to have some time for yourself or want to escape the hectic of life go to the finnish countryside! But Finland has more to offer: Helsinki. Halsinki has some great cultural heritages and the clash between northern and eastern influences makes it extremly beautiful.

But enough about Finland let’s talk about my week:

Saturday/Sunday: We (Ninna, Mariliis and I) spent two great days in the Salminen’s summercottage. I really recommend that place because you have a lovely lake, a nice wooden cottage, a finnish saune (where I haven’t been because we forgot the time while building ships :D ) and there are even some swans around!

Monday: Visit of Soumenlinna. It’s world cultural heritage and a big fortress. We walked around the island and saw some interesting things as well as having fun. And when I talk about us I mean Ninna, Aino and me.

Tuesday: We went tot he capital of Estonia which is Tallin. We saw a lot of old buildings and a lovely city. And for sure Estonia is really cheap for shopping (in contrast to Finland).

Wednesday: The most exciting day oft he week J We went to school :D Yeah though I have got holidays I went to school VOLUNTARILY… It was great to see finnish people learn German and kinda be a part oft hat ;-) Afterwards we went to Helsinki zoo to see a moose but guess what… no moose in the zoo L :D

Thursday: Because the school day was extremly exhausting ( and a little boring except fort he German lessons) I slept in and then I had a wonderful long breakfast outside with Ninna’s mum Iina. After Ninna came back from school ( haha) We went to some Helsinki sightseeing (A MUST)

Friday: L I had to leave L A sad day but remember: no goodby just a SEE YOU LATER!!!

Okay and finally some last words about what was most important: all the people I met. It was so nice to see Vivii and Antti again (you are weirdos you two :D) and of course Markus J And  Mariliis <3 We had some great killer-moose stories and whenever I see the moustache boy I have to think about you. So you better ged oudda here! ;-) And my host family <3 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING and the nice and warm welcome!

I am so looking forward to my next trip to Finland! 

Yours Simon

[Back from the US]

Hello together :-)

Ricarda was just here and gave me some things she got in the US! Lucky her has been there the last two weeks spending time with Lauren and Victoria <3

Nevertheless, I will be in Finland the next week and I am soo excited (hopefully I am going to see a moose :-) I really really want to :D:D )
I try to upload and upddate my status daily but I can't promise anything! But you better watch my Blog in case I have to send you and S.O.S message or something through that (Moose are quite big and I believe they could kill me)

Yours Simon (mind the killer-moose!)

[What the hell?!]

Hello together 

Okay guys... It's like that: There are some groups on earth who say that 2012 will be the end of our world! Well honestly I do strongly disagree with that opinion, but they do have a point actually. I mean our world definitely seems terrible these days:

-People die because of a tsunami and the whole world is threaten by a nuclear catastrophe.
-Other parts of our world are threaten by earthquakes.
-Hunger eats up east-african hope.
-And over 80 people died in Norway because of one madman.

I see why people start believing that the end is near. But to me, it's not the world that will end our lifes. It's our stupid pursuit of more and more and more. I think we all should start thinking about what we do and what we want and how it affects others. I don't judge people who want to have a better life and who work hard for their goals but some times we should really think about the price we or others pay for all our luxury goods...

I think nobody needs two cars. You can only drive one car so why do you want a second one? Or a second house? Or a flat screen in every room of your house... Watching televison while you're on the toilet?! And how can we talk to each other while the television is following us in every room...

Well, honestly, I am a person who always wants more and more and more. So I work hard and try to do things properly to be successful in life. Consequently I as well am no perfect person but there's a part of me who wants to be caring and fair makes me think about the costs of my success. The price others pay. People I don't even know.
So this part makes me say: No! to a better cell phone because as long as my old one is still running there's no need to get a better one. No! to a large shopping-excess when my closet is too full to close it properly. No! to the car when the sun is shining and by bike it's only 10 minutes.

I know these are just little things but it's a start. And we can't success if don't even start, do we?

Yours Simon

Hello again!

I know it has been a while, but here is my next Vlog! It's again about my treasure cheast project :D

And do not forget to write a comment: 

Have used anything you got?

Love You

Simon

[Addiction]

Hello together :-)

Everyone has addictions :D I have got a lot but normally they don't appear in daily life. But what if one of the things you're addicted to is suddenly taken away? What do you do then? Well I did the following:

Well... I can live without the Internet for sure, but there are just so many interesting things to do and see. So tell me about your addictions and how you deal with them! But don't forget this, if your addiction is the Internet: You have a real life as well, which is most importat! Live you life :-*

Yours Simon

[WSF DVD]

Hello together :-)

Sorry for not writing in a while ... I was quite busy ... But today I simply had to do a small video because I sawour World School DVD for the FIRST time. I know it's incredible that I haven't watched it before, but there was simply no opportunity :-/ Well... Nevertheless I watched it and now look at my reactions:

P.S I am going to upload another crazy video tomorrow :D

Yours Simon