Thanksgiving/Birthday

Plain and simply, my 19th birthday was awesome. I was woken up by my hostmom with coffee, shortbread cookies and tea candles. We had breakfast together then went into the city to by some warm boots for this awful german weather. The boots ended up turning into a coat instead. Then we picked up my hostsister and our friend from school and went home to make "Kartoffelpuffer" for lunch. They are basically like hashbrowns but we eat them with applesause! So yummy! After lunch I opened presents. The most awkward part of a birthday for me. I got some really nice gifts and I feel like I cannot express well enough how much I appreciate them. I got a new pair of pajama bottoms, some really good quality art supplies ("So you will stop borrowing mine!" said Maike) a dvd, chocolate and a few other things. Then we hung out a bit and the grandparents came over for coffee and cake. It was really pleasant. At around 5 we drove to my german course where my class surprised me with sparklers hugs and a birthday film. It was so sweet I wanted to cry. Afterwards my friends and I went out for a few drinks before we went dancing. It was just a really nice way toalt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415415847581983458" />

Birthday: become a year older.
The next week was Thanksgiving. I made a small dinner with some vegetarian favs like greenbean cassarole, mashedpotatoes, and stuffing. It turned out pretty well except my stuffing was a little dry from lack of broth. The next day I went to my american friend´s house to celebrate a little more lavishly. There were more people,great music and games, but it still didn´t prevent me from being a little homesick afterwards. :(
These last couple of weeks have been pretty normal except that I got my wisdom teeth out on Monday! It was so quick and painless, I didn´t even realize they were out until the orthodontist said I could leave. I had no swelling afterwards and close to no irritation. LUCKY! The other side comes out in January. Why they do it in two sessions, I don´t really understand.
I have been racking my brain lately trying to think of good Christmas presents. It is hard to buy for people who already have everything! Maybe I will just resort to making something like I normally do...
Hope everyone is winding down for Christmas break. Please let me know what you all are doing! My family and I are flying down to Spain for 10 days. I can´t wait to get some sun and practice my spanish a bit!
Schöne Grüße,
Elena