Classes started in Mid-October and I've been super busy ever since. Whether it's studying, going to class, doing workshops, teaching English to a few students, hanging out with my friends, or traveling around Germany. I now have friends from all over the world. I've got friends from Germany (of course), friends from France, Spain, England, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, and Italy. No matter where I go in Europe, I've got help!

First of all, the holiday season is just now starting to kick off. It started last Thursday with Thanksgiving. And yes, Thanksgiving in Germany. None of my friends have really experienced a typical American Thanksgiving. So what did we do? We celebrated our own Thanksgiving here in Passau. Me and 3 other Americans were in charge of the feast for 16 other people. We ordered a large 18 pound turkey (because there was NO WAY I was trying to cook that thing), baked a
cherry pie, apple pie, peach cobbler and pumpkin pies from scratch, made mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, stuffing, and other typical Thanksgiving goodies. I must say, that it went over quite well. Everyone really had a good time being together and eating the entire day. Everyone was full and we had plenty of left-overs, so it was a definite success.

Next comes my birthday. This year I get to spend it in Vienna, Austria. There was a cheap trip through our University in a four star hotel and enough for all of my friends to go as well! We're going to go out to a really nice fancy restaurant and celebrate me turning the big 20! We had thought about going to the beautiful Opera House and see "The Nutcracker," but it was all sold out. Oh well, maybe I'll get to see it another time. :D

As for Christmas, my family is coming here to visit me! I'm excited to be a little tour guide. I get to show them around Passau and Bavaria. All of my other friends are going home for Christmas, so it's a good thing my parents are coming to keep me company. I'm not quite sure where all we're going exactly, but I hope they have a good time regardless. I'm even actually starting to miss them. It definitely will be good to see them again!

After that, we get to celebrate the coming of 2005. Most of my friends are flying back to Germany for a huge Passau New Year's party! We're going to bring in the New Year together! I can hardly believe it. Just 10 years ago, I was in the 4th grade celebrating 1995. WOW!

I hope that all of you and your families are doing well! I wish Happy Holidays to everyone whether you're in Washington Court House, Muskingum, somewhere else in Ohio,  Utah, Kosovo, Korea, or Japan. Please feel free to write me anytime. I love to hear from everyone. Whether it's an email or a small letter or post card by snail mail, I'd be happy.

Best wishes to everyone!!!
                                                 ~Ryan Bobst
 

     Ryan Bobst
    Bräugasse 13
       Zi 228                 or   rbobst@muskingum.edu

    94032 Passau
         GERMANY