HELP!

Today my English teacher asked me to come to his 12th grade English class tomorrow to talk about American society. He told me to be ready to answer questions that they might ask about Bush and other things relating to what is going on with the war and stuff like that. I am so scared to go to this class, because I have no idea how to answer those kinds of questions if they come up. I dont know anything about politics or what is going on right now in America... It seems that most Germans are more interested in this stuff than I am, and that is not good. Someone please prepare me for tomorrows questions! Just comment or email me and give me a little lesson on American society, politics, George Bush... Why does everyone here hate him so much? I need to be informed a little before stepping into that classroom tomorrow, because I will feel so stupid if they know more about America than me...

Anyway, heres an update on whats been going on lately... I have been baking cookies with my host mom all week. Everyday after school we make a different kind of Christmas cookie, and this goes on for a while. She said she makes hundreds of cookies every year for Christmas. Its pretty early for me, but they start Christmas a lot earlier here in Germany. Last night we went to a little weinachtsmarkt (christmas market) in a town nearby. On November 20th they start the weinachtsmarkt in Ulm, which is a lot bigger than the one I was in last night. It is very big and popular I guess...

Mom: you need to take a picture of the christmas tree when you put it up. My host parents asked about our christmas tree, like how it looks and how big it is, but i didnt know how to explain. I told them I would have you send a picture later.

The whole cheerleading thing didnt work out. My host mom said it would be too much of a hassle to take the train to Ehingen everytime we have practice or a game. Courtney didnt go to the practice last night either, because she was sick. But she is going next week, so hopefully she will be able to be on the team.

My little host brother is driving me crazy. He is always so grumpy and annoying, he makes me so mad. He always gives me dirty looks and makes stupid remarks to everything I say, and he thinks I dont understand him. He will like make stupid noises when we are all sitting at dinner, and everyone tells him to stop but he doesnt. And my host dad is always making stupid jokes that arent funny and gets upset when I dont laugh. Usually back home when Larry is being stupid, I just give him a dirty look or something and tell him he isnt funny... But since I am just a guest in my host dads home, I feel like I always have to fake a smile for him. He is nice and everything, but I wish he would just let me have one bad day and leave me alone for a while. He expects me to always be happy and its not that easy. I just have my days... Its hard to explain.

This weekend I am supposed to be hanging out with Julian again. He is the only cool kid in my class; I didnt have luck with the class I was placed in. Julian hangs out with all the 12th graders and they are a lot cooler so I am probably going to become friends with all of them. Julian's best friend is Julia, and she is the cousin of the Weikerts. She is really cool so I am hanging out with them on Friday I think.

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving as you all know, and I have been kind of bummed that I am missing it. But Courtney is cooking for her host family and her host mom just invited me over for dinner that night! I am really excited for that. Courtneys real mom sent her recipes and stuff so hopefully we will have a real nice Thanksgiving this year. Lets just hope Court can cook :)

Well, thats all for today. Sorry the updates have been so long lately haha. Remember to email me or comment on the American society/war/Bush/politics! Miss you all!

love, Megan