Guns and Butter

I haven't written in a while, but this should be the most interesting of them... I'll back track just a tad.

The international dinner was awesome. WOW what a smörgasboard of international foods! Everything from Baklawah to egyptian food to salmon sandwiches from Norway.

So we drank some wine, ate some popcorn balls, and did merry things. It was Kim's birthday, (in my class) from norway so we went to his favorite Stammkneipe to celebrate! that was awesome, and everyone got really drunk. Then we all walked to the favorite club called Zimmer. I ended up getting really bored and really hungry. So Johann and I left for some Dönner ( of course...). So we started play fighting in the patch of grass by the train tracks. Funny idea... the train that was passing thought that he was really "trying" to beat me up. At this point we were on the ground wrestling so the lady stops the train, gets out and demands to know if i needed help. We erupted in laughter and went on our merry way.

The next day was interesting. It was the last VISUM club night. I was a tad more interested this time around i suppose.
apparently I love Tequilla! after about 12-16 shots of tequilla, 4 Screwdrivers, and hours worth of dancing, I was ready to go home. The DJ is my new best friend and whatever I wanted to hear he played it right away!!!!! It was such an awesome night :-) But too much to write about ;-)

The next day was really interesting!
I went into town with Sydney and Ena. and then wandered off on my own.
I noticed that morning that there was an unusually large amount of police out. German police are never out unless something is wrong, and rarely ever are they patrolling the streets.
I walked back to my street and to my room. All of a sudden I hear such a commotion. So I grab my Ipod and running shoes and go out for a "typical run." 2 vital pieces of information here. 1. I did NOT bring my camera like I always do. 2. I live across from the prison.

I start running towards the jail and see hundreds of people. I start listening to what they were talking about and was so interested! They were having a protest! They were protesting that illegal immigrant offenders should be sent back to their country like Iraq or Iran, or turkey, because they were currently being held in the German prison. There were hundreds! And I think every cop in Germany was there. Complete with war attire. Even the horses had on pads! They were armed with assault rifles, and raid shields, and night sticks. They were REALLY intimidating! Paddy wagons lined the streets and the police on foot marched in perfect lines, ready for action. They followed the protesters as they marched around the back of the jail to the front. When "we" ( I followed behind" got to the front of the jail police with shields and HUGE rifles, and snipers hiding in the grass, were lined up protecting the entrance to the jail. All of a sudden some stupid kid starts trouble and all the police jump out of smart cars and jump off horses and chase the rioting protesters away from the prison. They then marched down the street again, ready to go into town and gather support. WOW that was the coolest thing ever!!! But i didn't bring my camera. I have such vivid images of this tho. But it would be nice to show you guys too!

That night Harold invited me to a party... in a castle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I grabbed sydney and we ventured off to Weinheim, where harold met us at the train station (in the kick ass BMW) and took us to his apartment at the base of the mountain. There we drank wine and admired the view from the terrace. OMG step out onto his terrace, look up... and you get the most AMAZING view of the sky, and the castle !!! I want a castle in my backyard!!!! So we drive up to the castle and enter the party. The cobblestone was amazing, the castle was amazing, the music was so awesome!!! and we had such a great time :-) This is the part of Germany that I love most. Screw the towns with shopping and tourist attractions, I like going into the woods and admiring castles, and most of all the view from the top. We get back to Mannheim much later that night and go home. Saw a friend on the tram and we started talking that we both needed to go running the next morning. Little did I know what I was getting myself into....

Met at 12 noon and started off on our run.... Ended up running 4 miles!!!! He had my running all along the Nekar, clear around Ulmenweg, towards the Uni Clinic... which is FAR!!!!!!! and then back around towards Herzogenried. One of these days I will may it out for you. However, it felt AMAZING!!! My body was nice to me today. I think I might be getting over whatever Illnesse(S) I had before. Just in time for classes.

I talked to Jamie, she's not doing well. :-( So i wanted to come home and make things better for her. But she won't let me do that. So now I made a promise to myself, that I will stay here and max it out. for her! Because shes expecting so much from me :-( I will do it all for her.

Tomorrow (today) We leave for Dublin!! I am so excited!

Tis all for now I suppose. I need some sleep before 5 a.m.

Tschuss alle.

The stuff legends are made from...

Last night was atrocious fun.


Came home after class and made popcorn balls.. that was fun. THEY WENT LIKE HOT CAKES!!!!! Everyone loved the marshmallowy goodness of popcorn.

So the international farewell dinner was awesome. I ate things from egyptian food to baklahva to norwegian food...by the way. Did you know that I can speak nowegian? I did last night apparently. And apparently it was darn good.

Popcorn Balls and Iyengar Yoga

Tonight is the International dinner. Everyone is to make a dish from their country... I make popcorn balls. :-)


and I realized today that maybeeee walking around in sandels is the cause of my SEVERE back pain. Considering we walk everywhere... so I started wearing real shoes, and did some yoga... and my back feels a tad better.


basic problem solving... I will do just fine in life.

Where the hell is Malaysia?

The past few days have been, quote, an epic fail, end quote.

I feel like I've been hit by a bus. Every joint, muscle, tendon, red, white and blue blood cell hurts. Its that bad.
But i'm living.

Class is almost over for the summer, then real University starts. I've been anticipating this for as long as I could remember... but waking up from my nap just a few minutes ago... I wonder... why am I doing all this ? Whose standards am I trying to live up, those of my own self? Or those of others. Do people really understand that this is a stepping stone to actually doing something with my life? Hm. Law School. Sounds about right.


Last night's pub quiz was awesome. Go Purple Cobras!!! SSSSSSSSSSSSS. We rocked house when it came to questions about Malaysia... don't ask me how I knew that the only gold medal won for Malaysia was in Badmitton... And that the largest suspension bridge is in Japan... and the theme song to Family matters (comeon... everyone knows that) So needless to say, the American's rocked house at quiz night at the Irish pub! Then I came back and did some yoga... my right hip is clearly off center... woke up this morning and clearly my left side hates me... I don't get it.

So the important stuff: I got my Deutsche bank cart... finally... After I stormed in there twice and demanded it after 4 weeks. (By the way... they think I am related to the almighty Goldman-Sachs... I wonder who led them to believe that ;-) ) HEHEHEHEHEHEH

I chose my classes. Im taking all German courses this semester, then next semester when I feel i'm a tad more proficient in German I'll take some econ classes, even though most of the classes here ARE taught in English, because that the language of business. Schadee...


Tomorrow night is the international pot luck night, cant wait for that... The americans are preparing good ol' fashioned "home cookin" With wings and cornbread (LMAO)

Tonight we are going to a concert, that should be fun.


What a crazy month its been Let me tell you....

I can only dream what the coming semesters will be like.


Now Im off to the pool at Herzogenried park with the girls to relax and read some.


Tschuss Alle!

The things they don't tell you on the tour!

So I watched this really interesting documentary on Hitler's family. Did you know that one of his sister Aloisia married a doctor from the Steinhoff Hospital in Wien? The doctor that was arrested by Hitler himself for giving lethal injections or *Euthanasia* to the mentally handicapped people. And one other of Hitlers relatives was actually admitted to the Hospital Steinhoff because she was mentally handicapped. (Aunt if i listened correctly).

I would have liked to see the Hospital itself and not just the church, maybe next time lol.


I just thought that was interesting.

A Yawn that won't come out!

Well kids... Im still sick... But slowly getting over it.


I am temporarily divorced for a week because Adam threatened me. He said that he wouldn't talk to me for a week if i didn't go to the doctor. It was the throwing up blood thing that he didn't like. Its better now. I understand the concern. But Doctor's aren't my thing. Its the natural healing etc. that does the trick.

Anyway. This past week has been somewhat of a blur. Its all going by so quickly. and as I sit back and look at all that has been accomplished. I pat myself on the back in wonder. One month ago I was a complete stranger to so many people. I was a young American in a new place with so much to learn. Now, I sit back as others ask me (of all people...) questions, and I guide them around the city that I now call my home.

Summer academy is almost over, some will return to their countries and look back on a memorable experience, others will continue on their adventures here in Mannheim and experience what it really means to be in a German school system. A new environment, new friends, new classes, and most of all a new language. We've all grown accustomed to each other, our accents, ways of doing things, social circles, and after school events. Now, we have graduated out of solitary confinement and thrown into the general population.
God Speed.


So VISUM took us to this AMAZING club the other night. 3 clubs in one, HUNDREDS of people, great time!
Ok... we WILL just leave it at that. Some of you have access to the pictures lol.

Then, despite the fact that we strolled in at 6, we woke at 10 and begun on our journey for Frankfurt. I knew this would be an interesting trip, not just for myself but for plenty of others because of our infatuation with money and banking. This, kids, was the financial capital, The Manhattan of Germany.
We took a really speedy elevator up to the 55th floor of a building and danced around on top. MAN O MAN! You could see the world from a top this building. If not clear across Germany.
Then we went to Goethe's house. That was really cool.
Then it rained. and we chatted in a nearby coffee house.

Im being terse in my description of the day, only because I'm tired. Sleep deprivation is catching up with me. I slept all this week because I was sick, but that wasn't really sleep ya know? Sick sleep is not the same.

I GOT A MOMMY PACKAGE!!!!! It had colorful binders and PENS! ( I LOVE! PENS!) and colorful folders and pencils and OVALTINE!!!!!!! I LOVE OVALTINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( Except I am afraid to drink German milk :-( ) I LOVED MY PACKAGE MOMMY AND HERMI!

But I am waiting on some others that were lost because the correct name wasn't on the mailbox... schadee... Ill do some investigation.

So its crunch time this week kids. WE HAVE A FINAL! I think I am the only person in this entire academy concerned with this damn test. The mentality seems to be "it doesn't count for our school and credits so I don't care..." Well... I care. I don't know if it counts, that would be lovely... but It does matter because I hate failing and I want to learn German. THERE I SAID IT!
OH NO! I HAVE DEUTSCH BAG FEVER!
and Gillian comes soon!

So this week I will be studying (Not partying) and learning etc. etc. Then at the end of the week when I completely kick that tests' ass I will have earned my right to fly to Dublin and Enjoy what is left of my summer vacation without guilt.
Then I will come back refreshed ready to kick Uni Mannheims tush.

HERE I COME! JA VOLL!!!!!!


Im going to Bett now.


And im going to watch a cool documentary on Hitlers' family during his Reich.
May I suggest watching documentaries on Joox.
Joox.net

great site. awesome movies and tv shows and documentaries.


Tschuss!

The Sick(e) Hund

So alot has happened since we've spoken last... My life seems to be a never ending adventure... trust me. it doesn't stop at the border :-)

Since we've spoken last I have traveled to the one- but not anymore- region of Chechoslovakia.... thats right! Chech! (it was a wierd but interesting place....) Then traveled to the mystical place of Würzburg, where Nazi's once roamed the streets and Fortresses guarded all that was important. (AWESOME place).

Since we've spoken last I have also fallen asleep on the train, (at 4 in the morning) taken the right train going in the WRONG direction (at 4 in the morning.. on a different night tho...) and oh yea... lets not forget that.. I learned some German!


For some more recent news... I be sick as a Hund.... thats right... whatever it is that I have, will NOT go away, will NOT let me sleep, definately will NOT let me eat... but it does allow me to be miserable...
Complete with a tremoring migrane that would take down California, gouging eyeballs and pulsating eye sockets, sore muscles and cracking joints (they do that anyway- just adds to the pain) Severe nausea, and we won't describe the rest. Im reallllllllyyy hungry, but do have to say that this is the best diet everrrrrrr. Don't know exactly what it is or how I got it. But As worldly as I am, I think I can fend, just bed rest and tea for me. Im sure I can nurse myself back to health, I don't take medicine, but for once I decided that mayyybeee some Advil might help the migrane... ya think 4 was enough?

I took my midterm today... barfing and all... thats all I have to say about that....

I met a bartender. :-) he works at a club called Ritz, which apparently only Rich business men go to... who knew :-) and when you walk in the door the bouncer hands you a credit card.... you don't pay any money all night, just at the end... So basically you charge everything all night :-) Great system.. I loved it even more when I found out that the bartender didn't "charge" me for anything all night :-) That was the same night we fell asleep on the train lol lol.


So.... as a present and kind of fun trip. WE ARE GOING TO DUBLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOOOOOO EXCITED! Because we know that once the school year starts were all going to be soo bogged down that we arent going to be able to travel as much as we'd like... Sure we'll get to travel, but not for prolonged periods of time... And the good thing about the people I go with is that we actually like to see shit ya know? Not so much churches, but castles and fortresses, and tombs...

So a funny thing I should mention. Picture this:
Standing infront of UNESCO (united amnesty international CASTLE) I decided to do some Yoga... So i did.... when I opened my eyes I had an audience... like...such an audience gasping in wonder and awe that i should have put out a cup or something... ( we have pictures... it was the coolest thing ever...) So then this Queen like looking lady in a wheel chair gets out of her limo in a black ball gown and claps for me as I start doing leaps and turns and ballet-ish like movements in her courtyard... Again... I should have put out the cup... So the onlookers are still awed, I turn to the fountain :-) So I get up on the edge of the fountain (yes mom I know... dangerous Pshh) and Start in my yoga poses on the edge of the deep fountain and then people start snapping photos...One wrong move or episode of misbalance and I was a goner...But i was good :-) so I beef it up a little and start OHMMMMMMMMMMM ing ... and that is my story...
so thats my story.
It was fun...
but again... i could have made a killing If I had put that cup out...or atleast been able to buy a beer.


So I just booked my ticket to Dublin. And now Im going to do some Deutsch homework... wish me luck...summer academy is almost over :-( Schadee... some people are leaving, other are staying. its going to be one hell of a first semester here in Germany lemme tell ya.

Penance

Music touches more feelings in me than the spoken word ever can...


I just want to dance :-(


I dance because I love to move
I move because I love being uninhibited
I love being unconventional in my movements


I love to dance

... Trav'lin the globe

TODAY WE WENT TO CHECHOSLOVAKIA!!!!!!! Lmao.


We went to a town called Würzburg today. We decided that since we have our semester tickets and we can go relatively far with them (all the way to france! ) for free, that we would travel as much as we could. It was a 3 hour train ride!!!!!

The town is also a Ringstra∫e. (Are most towns that way in Europe? From what i've seen...) It has alot of history and the fortress and the Marien Kappelle are sehr Nett!!!

Güte(insert adjektiv Endungen hier) Tag

Heute war ein Schönes Tag....

Besser als Gestern. (Thats for sure)


Class was awesome! and I learned so much! I like when Natalia is our teacher (Only on Thursdays and Fridays) because she TEACHES and she teaches well. We do mostly grammar with her, and we practice what we learn.

So I answered questions right, and I think that she sees im trying, so she constantly calls on me and explains (auf Deutsch) why it was wrong, and how to fix it. Which is awesome.

After class me and Sydney went to get some Dönner because our Reise nach Heidelberg.
The Heidelberg castle was FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the most beautiful day and the histrory behind the castle was way toll. We had a Bier before the tour and then after we all went to an authentic German restaurant and had more Bier and I had Schnitzel :-) Meine ertse Schnitzel in Deutschland :-)

Me and Andrew found the most coolest Hookah/Shisha store in all the land... and we even found....
Shisha :-) The man at the store was most informative about his products :-)

Today was good. I was a tad betrunken... but better now. Tomorrow I am going with hazel and some friends to VIENNA! AND I CAN'T WAIT!

Tomorrow I also meet with my German advisor who will help me choose classes for the year and my Termine mit K.7 Ist auch am Morgen. (So Ich würde ein Resident des Deutschlands bekommen) (whatever, its too late for grammar now...) :-)

BIS MORGEN!

Angst baby...

Ich hab' zu viel angst. ...


Uber was?

grammar thats what. I know, I know it will come. WTF

I failed my test today (but don't tell Dan) I studied and everything, but I didn't understand the directions and it all went by so fast... Its soo hard to understand everyone with different accents. And please... for everyone out there... DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES MUMBLE!!!!! It is soo frustrating! And especially if you have a spanish, korean, polish, russian, bosnian, serbian, Chineese, or ...alright alright... even an English accent.

Then we were talking about jobs and what value in a work ethic... I said that the things that are important to me are an interesting job, that I didn't mind where my job took me (traveling wise) and good money... and he says: Typical american.

THENNNNNN he said that all people in New York city did for fun was go to the bar and drink and dance. Directed towards me. (Being the only american in the class).
Then we were talking about Manhattan and I had mentioned that I go quite often.
He comes to find me after class and was so excited that i get to go all the time. Then we talked about the test we took and I voiced my concerns that people weren't speaking up in class and it was hard to hear and learn. Also, that I was getting frustrated.
I couldn't finish the conversation because the tears were swelling up behind my eyes. It was the worst feeling in the world. but I guess some days are better than others.

So after my atrocious day at school we had SCHOOL PICTURES! YAY! I love picture day!
It was nice and sunny and we all were excited. We took some awesome pictures in front of the Schloss that I can't wait to post.
Then after pictures we went to the Mensa and had lunch then grabbed a buddy going in our respective directions and went on our way. I grabbed Hazel and we both decided to go to Salsa class.

So we go to Salsa class and the instructor never showed. Schadee. So We grabbed Andrew and some of the Gang and headed over to the markt platz to the Hookah bar.
5 Euro for a Shisha and a drink. WOW! What a deal ! But before we got there we stopped for some Erdbeernoose Softserve. Damn good.
So We Hookahed for a while then I came back here. Yesterday came back after class and studied ALL night. But it didn't do much good. I feel like I study but I don't retain anything... you know they make medicine for that.
But I won't give into the drug addictions again. That was a mess last semester taking 6 classes including : 2 L courses AND an independent Study AND working 2 Jobs AND living on Blake Street AND trying to coordinate moving to Germany. That was an interesting semester. ANYWAYYYYY So im quite prepared to handle this learning situation without drugs. (That...and there are none here...) I'm detoxed.

So we went to go buy school supplies the other day...

DAN !!!!!! YOU DIDNT TEACH US THIS!!!
No kids, i'm not even kidding. I HAVE NEVER stared at paper so long. What the hell... why do they have a million colored pens? And no pencils that require sharpening... just mechanical ones... So i finally decided on a wierd notebook.

And a roomate moved out and I got all of her binders and report covers and 2 huge packs of computer paper and a bookcase bureau and a bunch of other scheisse. Way toll

So now I have to go learn reflexive pronouns in the past. .... what the hell...

I really hope I pass this summer academy.


So the Professor says: You have your midterm exam on Tuesday... but I will tell you more about it on Monday.

WHAT THE HELL

HIELIGE SCHEISEE! (Sp?)

Tschuss


Goldfarb

p.s. I decorated my dictionary today :-)
That makes me happy

check it out:

TSCHUSS

Am Sonnstag wir haben schon...

I really enjoy sundays because it really trulllllllyyy is a day of rest. Almost everything is closed... (please note I said ALMOS, because you can sure as hell still find dönner). So I got to sleep in today then i helped a friend on the floor move some furniture...into my room :-) She is moving back to Bulgeria forever and gave me all of her things :-) I inherited a bureau and a nightstand with shelves and a full length mirror, along with various pots and pans and dishware. Su∫ !
So Then I FINALLY cleaned and organized and then hoped the number 7 to the lake for the day.
There we played volleyball, schlucked Riesling out of the bottle, and went for a swim. It was fantastic.

Then David, Eric and I went to pizza at this amazing little Itallian place located on Q 14. I had Spaghetti pizza!! It really had spaghetti on it! I can't wait to take Adam to get spaghetti pizza when he comes.
Then I went back here and Skyped for a bit.

After that Sydney came home from her weekend trip to Köhn. We went to Barrios for happy hour (Even though it was 9 p.m.) for amazing frozen drinks. Then I came back here.

But I found out today that Phantom Regiment won DCI, and although I am SUTA excited for them, I'm wicked pissed that I didn't go on tour this summer... that could have been me with a gold medal around my neck :-( and I would have won a gold medal on my age out year :-( :-( :-( That would have been the most outstanding accomplishment of my life... but everything happens for a reason... right?


Thats what i was thinking about this morning... WAYYY before I even heard about Phantom, which is complete Deja Vu. I was thinking about what my Boss Lisa said, that everything bad that happens to you is really preparing you for something even bigger down the road. I've been through so much physically (Tour with Phantom) and emotionally ( Coming here to Germany) That i'm sure whatever lies down the road for me, I will be well prepared to handle.

Thats just the way I look at it.

I have sooo much homework to dooooo!!!!!!!! I love justifying things so here goes:

I went to the bar tonight even though I have homework because I enjoy talking with and meeting new German people. It gives me a chance to talk about things that matter and to speak German, not just practice verb endings on work sheets. So I went to the bar and met 2 new girls who are Davids friends. We talked about German music and movies and politics. German students are really well informed. We also talked about men and hamsters... (Please google that article online!). So it was another good run with German.

But now I am home... wishing I had my boyfriend, and herman here, along with a niced iced coffee.


OHH!!!!!!!!!!! I TAUGHT DAVID EBONICS!!!!!!!!!

Please translate:

Yo shawty Lemme get yo digits so i can holla at you. Can I get a lucy?
Yo man, don't scuff the kicks i'll put a cap in your ass.

Ok so I taught that to David who thought it was terribly funny. and then we used this example in context.
I was walking down to the pizza place today and they were sitting outside. All of a sudden a man on a bike comes up behind me and starts making small talk. He asked me (auf deutsch) If i wanted to get something to eat with him. Then he asked me where I was going, what I was doing, and so forth. All while David and Eric were looking mind you.
So he said something that I didn't understand, so he then guessed by my puzzled look that i was a foreigner.. he then said: I love american women, and food, mostly women.. he asks: when are you leaving Mannheim? I said: TOMORROW. (Thinking he would leave me alone) He says: oh we can do what most americans do then...
I say: what...
he goes: oh what do they call it? Fuck and run?

OHHH MYYYY GOODDD
So I walk over to David and Eric and they ask how long I have known the man on the bike, I mentioned that it was my first time meeting him, and that he just "Holla'd at me"

Ahhh... a lesson in context.

YA VOLL

Alter Feuerwache

So i told people that i would name this blog alter feuerwache because it is our favorite stop on the tram line... even though we don't get off there... but we like the way it sounds when the mysterious "lady" says it.

Yesterday we went to the winery which was flippin beautiful. We got to try about 7 different wines which were all amazing. even the red wines, and i don't usually drink wine. I got 2 bottles of riesling... for under 5 euro... how toll is that! The grapes were amazing, and the house itself was built in 1904 and was the most typical german country house n a winding cobblestone road with ivy and flowers... it was pure amazingness (pictures soon)

So we all got drunk at the wine tasting.... then continued back to Steingarten to contine the party.


This morning I woke up late... putzed around and THEN realized that if I wanted to go on the VISUM buddy event today i would have to be at the Hauptbahnhof at 9:30... and the bus stops at my house at 9:23.. I missed the number 60 but made it to the HBF at quarter to 10. we took the train to Heidelberg (WHICH IS SO BEAUTIFUL I NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and we took an hour and a half boat ride past the city of Hessen to a town called Dilsberg. We then CLIMBED AND SCALED a mountain ( me and patty were the first ones up!) and walked around this city in the mountains. The view from the top was incredible and you could see for miles. We had such a great picnic lunch on top of this mountain, climbed to the top of a tower, and admired the view. Then we walked into a cavern. Vodka was included in the picnic lunch... did I mention that? Along with wine and beer. (Typical German...) Did I mention the beer started at 11 am? auch, typcisch.

After we got back to the mannheim HBF we went to the pennymarkt and all bought meat to cook at the BBQ. Did I mention that more beer, wine, and sangria in a box was purchased?!?!?!? We walked to the Rhine and all had a fantastic BBQ complete with Bocci, a tight rope (which the germans call slack rope) and sangria in a box. The chicken came out to die for and we ate spaghetti ice cream, which is flippin amazing.


Ok... so now were drunk on box sangria and walking on a tight rope... then we head over to the sand bar... with real sand! it really made me miss home. lol. Sat around on beach chairs and had some more drinks.


Thats just the short end of the story. Im a little too .... Tired :-) to tell it all now... but the pictures will most indubitably speak for themselves.


I really need to go to bed now. I will write more in the morning before we venture off to the lake for the day. We decided to bring out Riesling and our homework.
Yea. I love days at the lake!


XOXOXOXOX
Tcshu∫

Ein Schnitzel von Deutschland

Hey guys :-)


Things are going much better for me. I really don't think that my teacher likes me... Its because i'm American :-( There are several students from Egypt, Tokyo, norway, korea, Russia, and me... the american, who he thinks is not that intelligent... but we had a different teacher today, and we did wayyyy more work (Which is a plus) and she called on me alot and she chose me to read passages in the text... wtf!!

Anyway. Today was a ground breaking day for me :-) I got to matriculate yesterday (FINALLY) after they sent me across the schloss to another building to get this and that paper (WARNING: TANGENT- Ya know the germans make things very difficult and include alot of red tape... but they are very helpful in making sure you know what to do next...) anyways... So i matriculated and today I got my Official university ID card !!!!!!! I really feel like a student here! But I also feel like a freshman again... what the hell.
I even got a lenyard to feel even more special.

So class was good today, and I got alot of things done... now the last step in the process in registering with the government AND the foreign office (Which are two separate entities (which sucks) because they are two separate processes, with two separate and equally long and painful applications. I got one out of the two done, which was the anmelung... that was the government one... then you have to make an appointment with the foreign office, and I got yelled at!!!!! I spoke German to her because I believe that when in a country with a different language, you should atleast try and learn it... so anyway... she yelled at me because she was talking soo fast and i couldn't understand her all that well... she wasn't speaking Hoch Deutsch thats for sure...
But my appointment is for the 15th (Friday.. and I have to miss the second half of class) but its worth it because I get this cool sticker in my passport that says i'm a resident of Mannheim germany :-)

We went to ikea yesterday and I got the COOLEST fish shaped rug for under my sink :-) and I bought a curtain which fell down during the night because apparently you can't hang curtains with tape... who knew?
And my tapestries fell down too because apparently tape is not the best thing to use when hanging tapestries... who knew??

I made a grilled cheese today for lunch, and it was a sandwhich with a story. because in the store an angry German man was cursing at the blue haired lady that worked the register. So I threw in a "Männer sind Schweine". and that made her laugh.

Tonight we are going to the bar, (even though I have homework..) really tho.. i can still get it done because I speak better wine when I have had some wine... duh

TOMORROW WE ARE GOING TO THE WINERY!!!! I AM SOOOOO EXCITED! I imagine it will be B E A UUUUTIFUL!

then saturday VISUM rented a boat and we are going on a hike... but I think that if I don't go to that there is a festival called Speyer with a kings table (you definately need to read about this!) and then sunday we are going to the lake.. which is awesome because I love playing volleyball, and the water is beautiful.. then back to class on Monday.


Did you know that Adam is coming for thanksgiving break <3. he already got his tickets, and he is bringing stove top stuffing :-* Whats really cool about this years thanksgiving is that we invited all of our closest friends, for instance, trina is from Australia and shes always heard about american thanksgiving but has never been to one, so shes uber excited, and then we have a girl from canada, and various others. This is going to be great! We plan on playing some american football too lol.


I think thats it for now. I need to clean a little before I go out..

ya know. I really think that living on my own this past semester (SHOUT OUT TO AARON, ANTHONY, and the men in my life and on blake street!) has prepared me for this adventure.
All things add up, I believe, and each door that is gone through, then shut behind you, can only lead you to the next door... and when one door slams shut in your face...
kick the damn door down.


oh... and dan... we got tickets for riding ohne Farscheine.... :-( Schadeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First day of School- and pre-test jitters

My hands have never shaken this hard before... ever! The entire introduction to Uni Mannheim was in German and I understood it perfectly! But when she handed out the test... Jitters to high himmel. Thats all I really want to say about that. I speak German very well, its wierd, I inherited Gillians German accent, along with the accent tones of other I'm around, and German's applaud my SPEAKING ability..however, when I see it on paper.... FREAK OUT! It must be all the Umlauts. lol.

So with that said. I opened my German bank account at the Deutsche bank! I can now start hiding funds overseas ;-) haha j/k.

Then I finally bought some flip flops, I FOUND ORANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Then I got some more bread, an umbrella and a few other odds and ends. I woke up to rain at about 6 a.m. and i think my computer got a little wet. Then it was sunny and warm the rest of the day.

After the day i hung out here and go to FINALLY talk and see Adam on skype. He is coming here over Thanksgiving break, even though we don't get a "thanksgiving." Im excited and already started making a list of Sehenswürdigkeiten that I can show him :-)

It was a nice sunset so Sydney, Rose and I decided to go to the Wasserturm and waste time. We stuck our feet in the water and took some pictures. Then we met up with David and talked about German movies, etc. David is awesome, he is one of the VISUM buddies who help show exchange students around and help them this this-and-that. But he hangs out with us for fun :-)

I had Dönner for Lunch in between errands, but it wasn't that good.

Tomorrow is also going to be a busy day, I have to get done all of the things that I didn't do today. Including registering for Uni so I can get my Ecum card, and really be a part of the Universität. Then I get to go on a tour of the palace!!

It should be a very fun-filled day. can't believe it's tuesday already. On Thursday we are going into Heidelberg!!!!

I miss GIllian and wish she were here, but its good that i can figure things out on my own, ja know? Ja voll!

Living here in Germany kinda made me think about all the "things" in Amerika that I can live without, not to be too specific, but things that aren't necessary, take up space, and are a waste of money.

I went shopping at Woolworth's today ( LOVE IT THERE!) and almost everything was a dollar, that why I love it.

And I found wine glasses for 49cents! So we can stop schlucking it out of the bottle.


Well, Its time for bed, tomorrow I get to find out what class they put me in and is the first real day of school! We go from 9-12 everyday.

Tschu∫ Leuchen!

Our Feet are the same!

A day at the lake

This morning it rained..

But we went to the lake anyway and it proved itself to be a freakin awesome day!!!!!


The lake was fabulous and the water felt so darn good. We all jumped in and lounged on the dock and on the shore.

Then we played volleyball... so this may sound wierd ( and most of you won't believe me) But I am kind of shy...
but I didn't think twice before walking over and playing volleyball. It was awesome and they voted me Mvp for most game play :-) I dove and we almost won. but the tree got in our way.

I met some really cool people today. It's wierd because there are soo many of us, and not everyone goes to all of the activities, so when new people some we don't know who they are. But I met really cool japaneese girls and we ended up getting lost in the city together. They get so excited to hear that i spend time in Manhattan. They plan to visit the city in a year or so and want me to show them around :-)
I made friends with the guys from Denmark :-) And yes... it is not a stereotype, they really are all blond haired with blue eyes and 12 abs... wtf......

Today was lots of fun... but the sucky part was that the dönner stand at the bottom of our stairs was all out of dönner!!! thatsok... I had it last night (this morning) after the club.

I got to watch Kayak polo on the lake which is soo cool!!!!!!!!


Tomorrow I have a German placement test... It places me in a class for the summer academy. I hope I do well.


it really sucks because when i have one glass of wine I speak fluently. Last night a random German guy sat next to us and began to speak to him in perfect Hoch Deutsch.. and he says: wow, your german is excellent, one would have mistaken you for a German... not an american! (compliment in and of itself lol).
anyway. I hope I do well.

I get to open my Deutsche bank account tomorrow and get my uni mannheim Id card :-)

Things are really starting to shape up around here. School is almost in full swing and I am very excited :-)

Wish me luck.

Going to watch wedding crashers with David now. love that movie.


oh and by the way....


hi hermi :-) I looooverrrrr youuuuuuu

Am anfang...

Last night was über fabulous, and today proved itself to be quite a day.


The mysterious cheque was finally deposited into my account so I can pay rent now and live quite merrily here for the first semester. I really hope this doesn't happen again at the beginning of next semester!!!!!!!!!!

Today was sehr toll, we took a very informative tour of my school and all the places in town that are useful, can I just say that I am in LOVE with LIDA which is the supermarket here. and every Sunday there is a farmers market in the center of the markt platz, with fresh EVERYTHING, and I have never seen flowers this beautiful, and roses that have bloomed so beautifully.
So we took the tour then we wandered down to the RHINE !!!!!! the Rhine flows right behind my school!!!!!!! i can take my lunch to the rhine and read a book! I think that is amazing! So we had a picnic there for a little while, then walked around town and picked up a few things for tomorrow since all the shops, supermarkts, and basically everything is closed on sundays.
Tomorrow we get to spend the day at the lake. (not sure which lake), so we all picked up some Riesling and some awesome turkish bröt, and are going to have a picnic, provided that the weather is nice, aber es sieht wie so regnet aus...


Funny story.
I heard a knock on the door at 6:30 this morning!! and i pretended not to hear it and wanted whoever it was to go away. I thought it was someone else to whom I told that I would show her the laundry room. But it wasnt! It was just syndney who
" Thought I might like to get some breakfast and take a walk" I thought it was hilarious.


So today was good. We had fabulous ice cream and listened to pipe players and i got to see my school. It has sooo many libraries (By the way my school is a huge palace! ) and the courtyard is amazing. What they do is set up chairs and tables outside the cafe in the courtyard at school (You can buy beer at this cafe and drink before class.....) and you can read!
I am so excited to be here.


At first I didn't want to go because I love the comforts of home and its scary to move... um... to a different country which has a language in stark comparison to our own. But it was well worth all the crying and hysterics and late night phone calls home to mom, but everyone has been extremely supportive and I love them for that! Thanks to my family for all the calls and the trips to the bank and worry for, and about me. I wouldn't have been able to do it without them.

I called the bank and told them about my card so they won't freeze it (Yes, mom, you can stop worrying).


Tonight we really are going to celebrate. and we have alot to celebrate and be thankful for.

Here, in germany I found MANY new friends, and people just like me who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the best education, because like me, have a passion for school and meeting new people, and heck, MANY of these people speak SOOOOO MANYYYY LANGUAGES! And its because they like talking to people just like me!
I'm going to have a great time, but its not going to be easy. Im going to get lost, just like any other freshman, and i am going to say wrong things, but its all in good fun.

Now that I am all settled in I can start having a life and enjoying the greater things in life so I can (eventually) come home, build a cute adirondack style house in the woods for daddy, buy mom a trailer for her bike, and maybe an RV so she too, can tour the country. Buy hermi all the pretty red shoes and clothes and books and send her to school in Taiwan or hessen, and buy lisa all the... um... ladybug things that she wants, and I will be a rich lawyer someday?


Jetzt es geht güt. I will worry about it one day at a time.


Tshu∫ leute!

Tapestries

even though my tapestry fell down again I can semi-stop worrying.


I LOVE GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!



we had our orientation this morning and I took the bus to the AAA office and got my information and met my buddddyyyy. Er hei∫t Jaoquim. then i came home and talked with Gillian on Skype for 2 hours !!! I loved seeing you Schatz!! now if only I can get my boyfriend on skype...


then we had a pub crawl!!!!!!! That was fun we went to several different bars and I spoke German the ENTIRE NIGHT!!!!! IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!!!! I really do like Germany, but I was filled with so much anxiety that I couldn't enjoy it. But I got the call from mommy today that my check came so now I can pay my rent and register for courses!


I had rhine wine today. I met so many awesome people and i am not alone anymore!!! I met girls from Russia, and men from Poland, even a guy from new york that also knows Renatte Seitz! I spoke German the entire night with a girl from UCF Florida and shes here also for a graduate program!

So I had my rhine wine at this pub called El Diablo, then we walked to the Journalist, then we walked to this club called.... ehhh... ich wei∫ es nicht.


anyway. tonight was awesome. Then Joaquim drove me home..

yes mother.. in his auto. because it was late and he didn't want me walking home at night and the busses stopped running.


Wie schön. :-)


Tomorrow we have another orientation and then we are going to the club at night.


then soon i can start classes. Am nexte woche.


I am really getting into this german thing. ( But don't tell Dan)


there are 3 levels of german that i can place into 1. 2. or 3. i will most likely get placed into intermediate, as I don't suck, but I am not fluent.

It really was a nice change to not have to speak any english all night. I learned so much about so many people, and I got to meet so many people who are all so friendly!

I love Germany!


xoxoxo


Tschu∫


ps. which is NOT what I was saying a few days ago, i understand that, but now I am not a billiger Schlumpige Schlume

Scared in a new city

Last night was a better night. My tapestry fell down again.


I am still very scared and worried. I need to pay my rent and my scholarship has not been posted to my bank account yet. I keep emailing and writing and praying but i wake up and its still not there. Patience is a virtue, but not when you have rent to pay. And it also sucks that there is such a large time difference (6 hours) because when i call or write it is a normal time here, but usually an ungodly time there.


on a lighter note, I get to to to the AAA office (akademishe Auslandsamt) (international office) they are very helpful there, and register for my summer international course. That starts on Monday with a placement test and a welcome reception. Today is move-in day so there should be many more people wandering around the building today.

Atleast I don't have to go to the smelly internet cafe and use their pc's.


I am putzing around this morning counting down the days till I can come home and see everybody and get actual hugs, instead of virtual ones. (but I love those too!)

It is Friday today and I'm going to read some german so I can do well on the placement test.


Tis all for now. Going to take a shower, put on the headphones and see what adventures lie in store for me today.

This weekend the Hugo's are going to take us around the city and do "fun things" with us. But If I keep worrying like this then i'm not going to be much fun .



Tschu∫ alle