As I was thinking of the title for this blog entry, the noun "reflection" crossed my mind. Generally meaning to look back in a contemplative and peaceful manner, it seemed appropriate for my current mood and activity. (Dancing to Lady Gaga in My Room would have worked as well, but let's keep the level of dignity a bit higher for this bit, shall we.) So here are a few reflections on my part which I wrote while in the city today:
If I gave you ten chances, I bet you wouldn't guess where I am writing from. But to those of you who possess psychic abilities, yes, I am sitting on the edge of the Neptune Fountain. The watermarks on this paper would have been a bit of a giveaway, but I cannot exactly add watermarks to my blog, now can I? Then again, it may not have been too much of a help anyway. Berlin is a city of rivers. Since the city began to expand in size and population, the numerous lakes and waterways, once a sort of highway between Berlin and the rest of the world, have become the circulatory system of the city itself.
It surprises me how peaceful this spot is, right in the middle of a city. And trust me when I say that Berlin has just as much "hustle and bustle" and approximately ten times the amount of construction as New York, London, or Paris. Everyone, myself included, is always rushing to some place or other to relax. (Yes, it sounds odd, but it's true.) And now that the comfortable summer weather has finally taken hold, it's so lovely to just stroll along the cobblestones and pass by streets lined with modern or vintage boutiques, or to sit on a part bench reading literature or simply admiring the beauty of the day.
Although I am eager to return to my loved ones in the United States, I do admit that a part of me shall remain in Berlin. Even after I board that plane going West, a shadow of me will walk the streets of this city. (A bit like Guinan in Star Trek: Generations! Okay, maybe comparing Berlin to the Nexus isn't the greatest idea, but still..) You see, I have come to love this city. It's people, its history, its culture. And while I have and always will think of myself as an American, I know in my heart of hearts that I am also a Berlinerin.
Yes, this place has altered me; how and in what way will only be determined with time. There will be challenges in my future, of this I am sure. But of this I am also certain: the roadblocks and hindrances that I have had to overcome have already prepared me for what is yet to come in the story of my life. And sitting here, with two worlds dancing and combining inside me, I must admit, that it looks like it's going to be an amazing ride.
Hello! Me from the present here, again! I think I will conclude this post now. Even though it is somewhat shorter than my previous blog posts, I believe that it says just as much. (And I, as the author [without an editor at this point] have the final call, hehe!) So I hope that you liked reading my thoughts. Dancing to Lady Gaga in my room, TGWTC ;)
11.6.11
6.5.11
You're Crazy!! ...And??
So when my host sister came into my room and saw me fully dressed, applying makeup at 7:15 this morning, the look of utter confusion was clearly apparent on her face as she asked me why the heck was I up. You see, due to the increasingly odd and incomprehensible schedule changes, I do not have school today until 12:45, and then only for one and a half hours. So why the heck did I drag myself out of bed at 7am? Well, the answer has something to do with my nature, and something I have discovered about myself since I've come to Germany. That is (drummroll, please) that I cannot wake up after 8:30 without feeling as though I have wasted my morning, and therefore, at least a third of my day.
My family is a bit like this, too. We like to be on the move, doing something, not wasting our time. Oh, there are exceptions to my 8:30 rule. Such as, if I was out partying the night before. Then it is certaintly okay to get eight to ten hours of sleep, lol. I'll let you speculate as to when I get back after a club night with friends. ;) Also, the first two days of break, I can sleep in without feeling bad about it or anything. And yes, it is odd that I have a criteria that dictates when and how much I should sleep, but hey, it helps me.
The reason I even wanted to get up fairly early today was so I could get to Starbucks, which as everyone knows, is the plethera of yummy coffee, free wifi, and a relaxing yet productive atmosphere. I feel proud that I have graduated from hanging out at the mall to claiming my comfy chair with small side table at Starbucks. Like Tom Sawyer when he testifies an evil which he knows will then threaten his life because of his action, I am growing up. (Note: You do not have to like coffee to be an adult. This is a myth!! Or alcohol, for that matter. So don't make fun of me when we're at a bar and I order a milkshake or hot chocolate. Thank you.)
There's another thing about growing up: peer pressure. I never thought I'd encounter this; it just seems like such a brainless thing that someone would judge you because you always order something non-alcoholic. I mean, most of the time it's just that you have to say no every time and come off as a sour puss or the baby, even though you may be older than the majority of people who are drinking. You may seem to be not so adventurous because you don't want to try smoking or ever get drunk just to see what it feels like, or in more serious situations, because you have no interest in trying a drug.
But as long as you have confidence in yourself and your decision, nothing can get to you. I will admit that I have tried a few alcoholic beverages, and they all taste absolutely nasty to me. And I do not like the feeling of fumes rising up my nasal cavity. (This could just be a mental reaction, but I swear it feels like it irritates my nose, lol.) Maybe when I'm older, my taste buds will change, and I may appreciate a drink with my dinner, but for now, no thanks. And I never want to get drunk. You miss out on so much, and a lot of the time, you can say things you didn't mean to say and do things you didn't mean to do. And it can still sting someone else even if they say to themselves, he's drunk, he doesn't mean those things. Because there's always that doubt, that maybe he did mean it, he just never said it before because he had a filter between what he thought and what he said.
I am in no way saying that people shouldn't have a good time. But why are the concepts of getting drunk and having a good time seemingly always connected to one another? Do people just want an excuse to do things they would never attempt while sober? Why should people get a hall pass for messing up "because [they] were drunk"?
And a few words about drugs. Even if they aren't addictive, they are harmful. First they burn through your wallet, then through the people you love and care about, and all the while through your body. I was offered a cigarette at a bar once here, and I declined it. The scary thing is how easy it would have been for someone in my position to take it. More kids smoke in Germany than in America, at least from my experience, and it is almost comic how incredibly simple it would be to acquire cigarettes over here. Which is why all those drug free lessons we had in elementary school are sometimes completely ineffective. Because what it really comes down to is you. Whether you can overcome the curiosity and, for lack of a better word, temptation of drugs. It's up to you; I have no influence. I am just a bunch of black and white pixels on a screen. But know that the people you socialize with will not have to live with your decisions; you will.
Well, sorry to be so somber, but that just felt like something I should get out there. I've recently come across a writer's concept which has been ringing pretty true lately. That if there is something you would like to read about, or that you think should be read, that is not availabe or does not yet exist, then it is because you should write it. So long as there are things that should be read, there will be writers to write them.
NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so now I'm at home, and just a wee bit annoyed. At Starbucks, I had written what I thought was a pretty dang good blog post. And then, when I klicked post, it lost half of it. *Sigh* I will admit to some of the blame due to the fact that I lost track of time. But really, Starbucks! Must I lose all that work because you chose to make the limit two hours instead of two and a half?! I think not!! Well, anyway, I will try to put a bit of the substance back into this post. At least the hard-core-facing-an-issue part didn't get deleted. :)
So, in my original blog post, I quite eloquently thanked my friends who had sent me letters during this year. I just wanted to relate to you that I didn't receive a few until recently because they were sent to my first host family... I'm not quite sure how they got to me! Anyway, your letters pretty much made my week. The start to my week wasn't going so well and it's always nice to know that your friends and family are thinking of you (hopefully fondly!). And then I went on to describe, in detail, how I react to unfavorable and even crappy situations. (Excuse my French.) Basically, I tend to hold it together until the crisis is averted, and then, when I no longer have to make any important decisions, I end up crying because of something as simple as my favorite tube of lipstick breaking. So, really, I'm a good person to have on your side when the going gets tough... just don't expect me to be in the mood to go out for coffee afterwards. ;)
I cannot recall the next section too well, but I remember having written something about the youth of today feeling invincible and therefore not backing up their essays and other work onto external drives/sticks/whatever you use for an info storage thing. Oh, the irony! Speaking of which, time to plug in the laptop so I don't have to face yet ANOTHER technology shortcoming! Losing some of my blog post wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. I could have lost all of it, or worse, my laptop could have been activated by the cube, transforming into a bionic robot, bent on destroying all forms of life on earth. Fortunately, that did not happen, lol. At least, not yet..
I think this is about the original word count that I had the first time I wrote this blog post, so I'll end here, for now. I hope you all have a lovely day and a wonderful weekend. TGWTC, inventing the art of productive chillin'. :)
My family is a bit like this, too. We like to be on the move, doing something, not wasting our time. Oh, there are exceptions to my 8:30 rule. Such as, if I was out partying the night before. Then it is certaintly okay to get eight to ten hours of sleep, lol. I'll let you speculate as to when I get back after a club night with friends. ;) Also, the first two days of break, I can sleep in without feeling bad about it or anything. And yes, it is odd that I have a criteria that dictates when and how much I should sleep, but hey, it helps me.
The reason I even wanted to get up fairly early today was so I could get to Starbucks, which as everyone knows, is the plethera of yummy coffee, free wifi, and a relaxing yet productive atmosphere. I feel proud that I have graduated from hanging out at the mall to claiming my comfy chair with small side table at Starbucks. Like Tom Sawyer when he testifies an evil which he knows will then threaten his life because of his action, I am growing up. (Note: You do not have to like coffee to be an adult. This is a myth!! Or alcohol, for that matter. So don't make fun of me when we're at a bar and I order a milkshake or hot chocolate. Thank you.)
There's another thing about growing up: peer pressure. I never thought I'd encounter this; it just seems like such a brainless thing that someone would judge you because you always order something non-alcoholic. I mean, most of the time it's just that you have to say no every time and come off as a sour puss or the baby, even though you may be older than the majority of people who are drinking. You may seem to be not so adventurous because you don't want to try smoking or ever get drunk just to see what it feels like, or in more serious situations, because you have no interest in trying a drug.
But as long as you have confidence in yourself and your decision, nothing can get to you. I will admit that I have tried a few alcoholic beverages, and they all taste absolutely nasty to me. And I do not like the feeling of fumes rising up my nasal cavity. (This could just be a mental reaction, but I swear it feels like it irritates my nose, lol.) Maybe when I'm older, my taste buds will change, and I may appreciate a drink with my dinner, but for now, no thanks. And I never want to get drunk. You miss out on so much, and a lot of the time, you can say things you didn't mean to say and do things you didn't mean to do. And it can still sting someone else even if they say to themselves, he's drunk, he doesn't mean those things. Because there's always that doubt, that maybe he did mean it, he just never said it before because he had a filter between what he thought and what he said.
I am in no way saying that people shouldn't have a good time. But why are the concepts of getting drunk and having a good time seemingly always connected to one another? Do people just want an excuse to do things they would never attempt while sober? Why should people get a hall pass for messing up "because [they] were drunk"?
And a few words about drugs. Even if they aren't addictive, they are harmful. First they burn through your wallet, then through the people you love and care about, and all the while through your body. I was offered a cigarette at a bar once here, and I declined it. The scary thing is how easy it would have been for someone in my position to take it. More kids smoke in Germany than in America, at least from my experience, and it is almost comic how incredibly simple it would be to acquire cigarettes over here. Which is why all those drug free lessons we had in elementary school are sometimes completely ineffective. Because what it really comes down to is you. Whether you can overcome the curiosity and, for lack of a better word, temptation of drugs. It's up to you; I have no influence. I am just a bunch of black and white pixels on a screen. But know that the people you socialize with will not have to live with your decisions; you will.
Well, sorry to be so somber, but that just felt like something I should get out there. I've recently come across a writer's concept which has been ringing pretty true lately. That if there is something you would like to read about, or that you think should be read, that is not availabe or does not yet exist, then it is because you should write it. So long as there are things that should be read, there will be writers to write them.
NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so now I'm at home, and just a wee bit annoyed. At Starbucks, I had written what I thought was a pretty dang good blog post. And then, when I klicked post, it lost half of it. *Sigh* I will admit to some of the blame due to the fact that I lost track of time. But really, Starbucks! Must I lose all that work because you chose to make the limit two hours instead of two and a half?! I think not!! Well, anyway, I will try to put a bit of the substance back into this post. At least the hard-core-facing-an-issue part didn't get deleted. :)
So, in my original blog post, I quite eloquently thanked my friends who had sent me letters during this year. I just wanted to relate to you that I didn't receive a few until recently because they were sent to my first host family... I'm not quite sure how they got to me! Anyway, your letters pretty much made my week. The start to my week wasn't going so well and it's always nice to know that your friends and family are thinking of you (hopefully fondly!). And then I went on to describe, in detail, how I react to unfavorable and even crappy situations. (Excuse my French.) Basically, I tend to hold it together until the crisis is averted, and then, when I no longer have to make any important decisions, I end up crying because of something as simple as my favorite tube of lipstick breaking. So, really, I'm a good person to have on your side when the going gets tough... just don't expect me to be in the mood to go out for coffee afterwards. ;)
I cannot recall the next section too well, but I remember having written something about the youth of today feeling invincible and therefore not backing up their essays and other work onto external drives/sticks/whatever you use for an info storage thing. Oh, the irony! Speaking of which, time to plug in the laptop so I don't have to face yet ANOTHER technology shortcoming! Losing some of my blog post wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. I could have lost all of it, or worse, my laptop could have been activated by the cube, transforming into a bionic robot, bent on destroying all forms of life on earth. Fortunately, that did not happen, lol. At least, not yet..
I think this is about the original word count that I had the first time I wrote this blog post, so I'll end here, for now. I hope you all have a lovely day and a wonderful weekend. TGWTC, inventing the art of productive chillin'. :)
2.5.11
My Two Cents
Hello Everybody! I hope that you are all having a good day, and if not, then I hope it gets better. :) Sometimes life throws you curveballs: for example, an odd bugbite that hurts when you touch it, a German telling you how to play basketball, coming to the realization that you will NEVER be a composer, walking the beagle in 10 degree celcius weather. But after all of that, tomarrow is going to be another day.
Time just keeps coming at you, not stopping, not even slowing. Someone once said, "Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." (For you other Trekkies out there, yes, that was a Picard quote from the movie Star Trek: Generations.) No matter your opinion of Star Trek (*cough* IT RULES! *cough*), the idea of time being a friend is a pretty insightful one. So whatever life threw at you today, take a breather and remember to "Just keep swimming!"
So, down to business. The last two weeks were my Easter break, which is now over. Today, being the first day back after a very relaxing and independent break, was probably the worst. In Fitness, I discovered that I do not, in fact, possess frog DNA. And there was a very interesting slide show about the Holocaust in my history class. The presentation was accurate, but what really interested me were my German classmates' reactions. Like most non-psychotic human beings, they sobered up pretty quickly. And that was about it. The solemnity weighed down the room like a canvas tent that had suddenly deflated, but other than that, just human beings learning about a darker point in human history.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the LA Times Festival of Books this year. (If you haven't guessed by now, I'm in a country whose name begins with "Germ-" and ends with "-many.") Some of the things I missed this year: author panels, lemon shaved ice, the cute little Japanese erasers and pens, and BOOKS. I am a book fanatic. Anyone who has seen my overflowing book cases will know that.
Well, I think this may be a bit of a shorter, not-so-hilarious blog post. I'm plum tuckered out from Fitness today (and yes, a German told the American she was playing basketball wrong..), so not to be narcissistic, but I think I have earned a little me time today. :) Take care! TGWTC, aka temporary zombie due to too much exercise.
Time just keeps coming at you, not stopping, not even slowing. Someone once said, "Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." (For you other Trekkies out there, yes, that was a Picard quote from the movie Star Trek: Generations.) No matter your opinion of Star Trek (*cough* IT RULES! *cough*), the idea of time being a friend is a pretty insightful one. So whatever life threw at you today, take a breather and remember to "Just keep swimming!"
So, down to business. The last two weeks were my Easter break, which is now over. Today, being the first day back after a very relaxing and independent break, was probably the worst. In Fitness, I discovered that I do not, in fact, possess frog DNA. And there was a very interesting slide show about the Holocaust in my history class. The presentation was accurate, but what really interested me were my German classmates' reactions. Like most non-psychotic human beings, they sobered up pretty quickly. And that was about it. The solemnity weighed down the room like a canvas tent that had suddenly deflated, but other than that, just human beings learning about a darker point in human history.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the LA Times Festival of Books this year. (If you haven't guessed by now, I'm in a country whose name begins with "Germ-" and ends with "-many.") Some of the things I missed this year: author panels, lemon shaved ice, the cute little Japanese erasers and pens, and BOOKS. I am a book fanatic. Anyone who has seen my overflowing book cases will know that.
Well, I think this may be a bit of a shorter, not-so-hilarious blog post. I'm plum tuckered out from Fitness today (and yes, a German told the American she was playing basketball wrong..), so not to be narcissistic, but I think I have earned a little me time today. :) Take care! TGWTC, aka temporary zombie due to too much exercise.
18.4.11
Hop, Hop, Hippity, Hop
Whew! It's only 3 in the afternoon, and I'm already beat! Right now I'm sitting in the Fantasia del Gelato Cafe with a 2/3 finished "After Eight" glass of ice cream in front of me. Let me just say that the Eis cafes in Germany are pretty darn amazing. Their picturesque towers of ice cream in artistic glass bowls are meant to be admired and then devoured. So, basically, it's a pretty damn good bowl of ice cream. Of course, the fancy-schmancy mints with which they topped my ice cream raise the price a little (which is why I have waited eight months to get one..). But you can't really blame them when your tastebuds are screaming, BELGIAN CHOCOLATE!!!
Now you may be thinking, oh, goddness, how am I going to get rid of all the deliciousness I just consumed. Well, I have a solution for you: go to the Berlin Zoo! I did earlier today, and I walked around for three hours. I didn't realize how excited I'd be when I saw the African lions, and Bengal tigers, and polar bears- oh my!
Speaking of polar bears, in case you haven't heard, I should take upon myself the sad task of informing you that (If you are reading this to your children, I beg you to skip to the next section; this could really hurt their little hearts!) Knut [pronounced ka-NOO-t, but in one syllable] died earlier this Spring from causes yet unknown. Investigation into the zoo's poster-animal's untimely death has revealed that Knut may have suffered from a brain condition such as epilepsy, an attack of which may have instigated the animal's death.
Okay, so I know that none of MY readers would EVER be immature enough to laugh at this, but in case there is someone out there who just happened to laugh at this news, let me tell you something. Knut was abandoned by his mother when he was just a young cub. He grew up in the Berlin Zoo and was mothered by a zoo keeper. When he came into contact with other polar bears, Knut had just as much if not more trouble making friends as you on your first day of school. He captured the hearts of millions of visitors from around the world, just by being himself. So let him go with dignity, and remember him for the great animal he was. Rest in peace, Knut.
Sidenote: Knut's death has rocked Germany. Everyone (myself included) could not believe what they were hearing when Knut's death was made public. Oh, and polar bear stuffed animal sales have gone up by like 100%.
All done with my ice cream now. (By the way, "After Eight" means mint over here. I was completely unaware of this before I came to Germany... O.O) Now I understand why so many writers go to cafes to write. The atmosphere is so nice; a little background noise, maybe a little music, nice comfy chair, and no need to worry about getting food, lol. It's so nice to just sit and write and RELAX.
But you don't want to read about that, hahaha. Who ever read a book about someone who just sits around relaxing?! What a boring idea for a story!!
So, on to the adventure of the asian supermarket! I had been walking along the street in the close-to-blazing sun. My feet were beginning to scream uncle, so I decided to call it a day and hop on a bus and head home... but two stops later, I saw this asian supermarket! Going with my gut, I jumped off the bus and headed through the door. You know that fear when you walk into a completely culturally different store and you're clearly the only *cough* white *cough* duck out of water? Well, after meandering around Mitzua Marketplace AND going to the Nisei Week Parade in LA about half a dozen years in a row, I am pretty much fearless when it comes to being the only cuacasian in the room. (Oh, and did I mention I went to Japan as a kid?)
Today, I was on a hunt for something. The surprisingly ellusive Japanese treat known as Mochi. I had just about run out of aisles when I found some! And pocki sticks! And candy with edible rice paper! It was like finding a jackpot on Treasure Island! Man, you have no idea how thrilled I was. Gee, I hope the cashier wasn't too freaked out by my cheshire-cat-worthy grin...
When I get back, I am going to make, I mean... encourage my host family to try some of my Japanese treats! ;) Woohoo for multiculturalism! (It's supposedly what got Elle into Harvard.) TGWTC, munchin' on mochi!
Now you may be thinking, oh, goddness, how am I going to get rid of all the deliciousness I just consumed. Well, I have a solution for you: go to the Berlin Zoo! I did earlier today, and I walked around for three hours. I didn't realize how excited I'd be when I saw the African lions, and Bengal tigers, and polar bears- oh my!
Speaking of polar bears, in case you haven't heard, I should take upon myself the sad task of informing you that (If you are reading this to your children, I beg you to skip to the next section; this could really hurt their little hearts!) Knut [pronounced ka-NOO-t, but in one syllable] died earlier this Spring from causes yet unknown. Investigation into the zoo's poster-animal's untimely death has revealed that Knut may have suffered from a brain condition such as epilepsy, an attack of which may have instigated the animal's death.
Okay, so I know that none of MY readers would EVER be immature enough to laugh at this, but in case there is someone out there who just happened to laugh at this news, let me tell you something. Knut was abandoned by his mother when he was just a young cub. He grew up in the Berlin Zoo and was mothered by a zoo keeper. When he came into contact with other polar bears, Knut had just as much if not more trouble making friends as you on your first day of school. He captured the hearts of millions of visitors from around the world, just by being himself. So let him go with dignity, and remember him for the great animal he was. Rest in peace, Knut.
Sidenote: Knut's death has rocked Germany. Everyone (myself included) could not believe what they were hearing when Knut's death was made public. Oh, and polar bear stuffed animal sales have gone up by like 100%.
All done with my ice cream now. (By the way, "After Eight" means mint over here. I was completely unaware of this before I came to Germany... O.O) Now I understand why so many writers go to cafes to write. The atmosphere is so nice; a little background noise, maybe a little music, nice comfy chair, and no need to worry about getting food, lol. It's so nice to just sit and write and RELAX.
But you don't want to read about that, hahaha. Who ever read a book about someone who just sits around relaxing?! What a boring idea for a story!!
So, on to the adventure of the asian supermarket! I had been walking along the street in the close-to-blazing sun. My feet were beginning to scream uncle, so I decided to call it a day and hop on a bus and head home... but two stops later, I saw this asian supermarket! Going with my gut, I jumped off the bus and headed through the door. You know that fear when you walk into a completely culturally different store and you're clearly the only *cough* white *cough* duck out of water? Well, after meandering around Mitzua Marketplace AND going to the Nisei Week Parade in LA about half a dozen years in a row, I am pretty much fearless when it comes to being the only cuacasian in the room. (Oh, and did I mention I went to Japan as a kid?)
Today, I was on a hunt for something. The surprisingly ellusive Japanese treat known as Mochi. I had just about run out of aisles when I found some! And pocki sticks! And candy with edible rice paper! It was like finding a jackpot on Treasure Island! Man, you have no idea how thrilled I was. Gee, I hope the cashier wasn't too freaked out by my cheshire-cat-worthy grin...
When I get back, I am going to make, I mean... encourage my host family to try some of my Japanese treats! ;) Woohoo for multiculturalism! (It's supposedly what got Elle into Harvard.) TGWTC, munchin' on mochi!
17.4.11
Almost-Sunny Berlin
It is a wonderful day in Berlin, everyone. The weather is like Goldilocks, and the all-around mood is lazy contentment. I myself am sitting on a low cement wall encircling a patch of grass in front of the Berlin Dom. Across the river to my right is a flea/art market which I strolled through before sitting down at this lovely location to type a little bit.
There are so many upsides to Spring that I never even noticed before; changing seasons is something new to this California girl. People go out just to be outside, they relax and meander through the steadily blooming parks and green places in the city.
Okay, side-note here. This is the third time that someone has come up to me asking for money, and in the same manner, too. I gave a little to the first woman who asked me just to be charitable, but this is really getting out of hand. The second and third human beings who asked me for money were both children. The indignity of the whole thing is beginning to get on my nerves. I mean, it is altogether too obvious that they are working together, and I’m not sure if I believe that story of theirs either. Well, I just hope that they haven’t resorted to pick-pocketing.
Okay, fourth person, a woman again, just came up to me! Gosh dang it, can a writer have no peace? Must we always be forced to think of world hunger, and the suffering of others, and whether or not someone is trying to con you? I do recognize that helping others is an important piece to being a complete person, but if a group of people are going to go around asking for money, could they not, oh, I don’t know, give me a sign to put on my forehead saying, “I gave your group a euro”?
Well, due to these circumstances, I think I shall save and make the trek to Starbucks. Besides, the sun is a bit bright (God, third child asking for money!!) for my laptop anyway. Okay, I need to get out of here before I go on a weird guilt trip or something. See you in a bit!
A little later: Hello! I'm back! I have made it to Starbucks without getting trampled by tourists or sidetracked by sweets! Although I may just have to get a crepe later, hehehe. ;)
Speaking of tourists, guess what!! It's TOURIST SEASON!!! This is both a good and a not-so-good thing. On thee one hand, tourists mean that there is suddenly a lot more to do in Berlin. People open shop, Spring carnivals are starting, and the city bustle is just that much more apparent. The down side is that prices do go up a bit, and sometimes you can be mistaken for a tourist if you speak a language other than German.
Sometimes being a tourist is fun, especially when one does so in one's own city. ;) Then it's REALLY fun! I have every intention of speaking German whenever possible when I get back to the US. Washington, DC, and Disneyland should be especially interesting places for my little experiment. The question is this: Could I pass myself off as a German tourist in America?? And here is a special notice for everyone who hangs out with me: If you blow my cover, I will shout at you in German. It is not a pleasant experience, trust me. So just don't blow it please.
Well the plan for the rest of this afternoon is to go with a friend to a large swap meet. (Remember, this is Berlin. Not everything is smaller here. Except the cars... Yeap, the cars will never reach big ol' American truck status, lol.) And then tomorrow is a Berlin Zoo day. I am going to get there relatively early, walk around a lot, and have a blast reminiscing on my childhood. I may have to buy a hat, just so that I can look like a silly zoo enthusiast.
This has been a very relaxing first Sunday of my Easter Break. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. It's nice to know that this blog isn't wasting away on the outskirts of the world wide web, never to be read. (Sorry if that image brought you down any!) Anyway, I'm off to have a lovely rest of my Sunday! Tschuss!! TGWTC
(P.S. Happy belated Birthday to my brother back home! Love you, dude!)
There are so many upsides to Spring that I never even noticed before; changing seasons is something new to this California girl. People go out just to be outside, they relax and meander through the steadily blooming parks and green places in the city.
Okay, side-note here. This is the third time that someone has come up to me asking for money, and in the same manner, too. I gave a little to the first woman who asked me just to be charitable, but this is really getting out of hand. The second and third human beings who asked me for money were both children. The indignity of the whole thing is beginning to get on my nerves. I mean, it is altogether too obvious that they are working together, and I’m not sure if I believe that story of theirs either. Well, I just hope that they haven’t resorted to pick-pocketing.
Okay, fourth person, a woman again, just came up to me! Gosh dang it, can a writer have no peace? Must we always be forced to think of world hunger, and the suffering of others, and whether or not someone is trying to con you? I do recognize that helping others is an important piece to being a complete person, but if a group of people are going to go around asking for money, could they not, oh, I don’t know, give me a sign to put on my forehead saying, “I gave your group a euro”?
Well, due to these circumstances, I think I shall save and make the trek to Starbucks. Besides, the sun is a bit bright (God, third child asking for money!!) for my laptop anyway. Okay, I need to get out of here before I go on a weird guilt trip or something. See you in a bit!
A little later: Hello! I'm back! I have made it to Starbucks without getting trampled by tourists or sidetracked by sweets! Although I may just have to get a crepe later, hehehe. ;)
Speaking of tourists, guess what!! It's TOURIST SEASON!!! This is both a good and a not-so-good thing. On thee one hand, tourists mean that there is suddenly a lot more to do in Berlin. People open shop, Spring carnivals are starting, and the city bustle is just that much more apparent. The down side is that prices do go up a bit, and sometimes you can be mistaken for a tourist if you speak a language other than German.
Sometimes being a tourist is fun, especially when one does so in one's own city. ;) Then it's REALLY fun! I have every intention of speaking German whenever possible when I get back to the US. Washington, DC, and Disneyland should be especially interesting places for my little experiment. The question is this: Could I pass myself off as a German tourist in America?? And here is a special notice for everyone who hangs out with me: If you blow my cover, I will shout at you in German. It is not a pleasant experience, trust me. So just don't blow it please.
Well the plan for the rest of this afternoon is to go with a friend to a large swap meet. (Remember, this is Berlin. Not everything is smaller here. Except the cars... Yeap, the cars will never reach big ol' American truck status, lol.) And then tomorrow is a Berlin Zoo day. I am going to get there relatively early, walk around a lot, and have a blast reminiscing on my childhood. I may have to buy a hat, just so that I can look like a silly zoo enthusiast.
This has been a very relaxing first Sunday of my Easter Break. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. It's nice to know that this blog isn't wasting away on the outskirts of the world wide web, never to be read. (Sorry if that image brought you down any!) Anyway, I'm off to have a lovely rest of my Sunday! Tschuss!! TGWTC
(P.S. Happy belated Birthday to my brother back home! Love you, dude!)
14.4.11
Dieting in Germany and Other Myths
Dear Reader, I have something to tell you in this post that may startle you. Are you sitting down? I don't believe that you are sitting down. Because in the time it takes for the average person to read that four-word sentence, you could not have gracefully pulled up a chair, while reading, and sat down. Now, you could have plonked yourself on the carpet, but, dear Reader, I know from personal experience that to go from a standing position to a sitting lotus position with laptop in hand can be a jolting, if not completely traumatizing thing to go through. If you are still reading this and have not already sat down, then I advise you to do so now. I will even be so kind as to insert a paragraph break here. :)
(Note: Most people sit when they surf online. Four-legged creatures, Fish, and the Flash do not apply to this scenario. A lot of the people who read my blog refuse to put the book down in the middle of a paragraph. Therefore, for my standing, two-legged friends, the paragraph break, lol.)
Anyway, back to the awful and all-too apparent truth: It is nearly impossible to diet in Deutschland. At least, for us American kids it is!! I mean, their bread and chocolate is just so dang good! And, if you have ever heard of Nutella, you will know that these wonderful Europeans have invented a way to combine the two! And it's considered an appropriate breakfast food as well! (Chocolate Croissonts are a different category entirely. They are under the "pastry" instead of "bread" section.)
With all the wonderful, delicious calories, it's just altogether too difficult to diet. Possible solution: exercise, or as it's called in Germany: Sport. I myself have become rather fond of a jog every now and then around the neighborhood. (God, I sound like Mr. Collins!! But of course he would have said something like "turn about the grounds." The word jog could have been seen as crude by the upper classes during that time period. Well enough about the pathetically unromantic, could bore an insomniac to sleep, ends up marrying Charlotte [don't worry, I didn't just ruin the WHOLE book] Bennets' cousin.)
Onto this round of Odd Encounters of the European kind:
They have licorice here, but not the long rope kind. It's only in pinwheel form. Black and red, but no vines, like in the USA. I was not aware of this sad fact of life until recently.
It is extremely hilarious when a German teenage boy (typical blonde hair and blue eyes included) sings, "I am the girl with the golden hair," out loud, especially when you know he has a girlfriend.
Being told you wrote the best English essay in front of the class is only slightly less embarassing when you're a foreign exchange student in a country whose native tongue is not that language. In America, the other students blame it on your expanded vocabulary and the stack of books by your bed. In Germany, they blame it on the fact that you have been studying this language every day of your life since you were born. The second can be interpreted as brain wash, and you can't really blame anyone for that. ;)
Differently shaped chocolates taste fancier as well as look it.
The public bathrooms that actually MAKE you pay (turnsdail, who'da thunk?!) are slightly nicer than the regular ones. I vote yes to put a turnsdial bathroom on campus back home. (Yeah, girl! Right after we get the paper towels that aren't made of sand-paper! Like that'll happen... [insert eye roll, if so desired].)
Well, I do have one more day of school before my Easter Break (which I am allowed to call Easter break since that is it's name here), so I had better get an adequate amount of sleep tonight! Hope that wasn't too similar to wading through muck. Until next time, TGWTC!
(Note: Most people sit when they surf online. Four-legged creatures, Fish, and the Flash do not apply to this scenario. A lot of the people who read my blog refuse to put the book down in the middle of a paragraph. Therefore, for my standing, two-legged friends, the paragraph break, lol.)
Anyway, back to the awful and all-too apparent truth: It is nearly impossible to diet in Deutschland. At least, for us American kids it is!! I mean, their bread and chocolate is just so dang good! And, if you have ever heard of Nutella, you will know that these wonderful Europeans have invented a way to combine the two! And it's considered an appropriate breakfast food as well! (Chocolate Croissonts are a different category entirely. They are under the "pastry" instead of "bread" section.)
With all the wonderful, delicious calories, it's just altogether too difficult to diet. Possible solution: exercise, or as it's called in Germany: Sport. I myself have become rather fond of a jog every now and then around the neighborhood. (God, I sound like Mr. Collins!! But of course he would have said something like "turn about the grounds." The word jog could have been seen as crude by the upper classes during that time period. Well enough about the pathetically unromantic, could bore an insomniac to sleep, ends up marrying Charlotte [don't worry, I didn't just ruin the WHOLE book] Bennets' cousin.)
Onto this round of Odd Encounters of the European kind:
They have licorice here, but not the long rope kind. It's only in pinwheel form. Black and red, but no vines, like in the USA. I was not aware of this sad fact of life until recently.
It is extremely hilarious when a German teenage boy (typical blonde hair and blue eyes included) sings, "I am the girl with the golden hair," out loud, especially when you know he has a girlfriend.
Being told you wrote the best English essay in front of the class is only slightly less embarassing when you're a foreign exchange student in a country whose native tongue is not that language. In America, the other students blame it on your expanded vocabulary and the stack of books by your bed. In Germany, they blame it on the fact that you have been studying this language every day of your life since you were born. The second can be interpreted as brain wash, and you can't really blame anyone for that. ;)
Differently shaped chocolates taste fancier as well as look it.
The public bathrooms that actually MAKE you pay (turnsdail, who'da thunk?!) are slightly nicer than the regular ones. I vote yes to put a turnsdial bathroom on campus back home. (Yeah, girl! Right after we get the paper towels that aren't made of sand-paper! Like that'll happen... [insert eye roll, if so desired].)
Well, I do have one more day of school before my Easter Break (which I am allowed to call Easter break since that is it's name here), so I had better get an adequate amount of sleep tonight! Hope that wasn't too similar to wading through muck. Until next time, TGWTC!
4.4.11
Blumen! Sonne!! Bauschmerzen...
Scene: Lovely day outside, birds singing, flowers blooming, pretty pretty yada yada. Girl sitting inside at her computer with a stomach ache...
Yes, this is me at the moment, unfortunately. But on the upside, I decided that I should probably write another blog post. So here you go, it may not be very long, though. It all depends on if I end up getting too drowsy to write, lol.
For starters, has everyone heard?! It's spring!! Flowers are popping out of the ground, well, like daisies, lol. I finally understand where that phrase comes from.. The weather's been fluctuating a bit, but when the sun's out, it's out!! It was so warm yesterday that I had to take my jacket off (which, in case you didn't know, is warm for Deutschland).
I went on a weekend trip to Bonn/Koeln (Cologne) a little while ago. It was so much fun, and I got to see everything while enjoying the nice spring weather! One of the highlights was the Schokolade Museum. Yes, you guessed it. That translates to (trumpets) the Chocolate Museum!!! (And before you ask, no, it is not made of chocolate. It is your fault if you go and get kicked out for chomping on the cornerstone. And no, I will not know you and help you out of the situation with my basic german skills, lol.)
This place was like Willy Wonka's factory. My favorite room in the museum has to be (the giftshop doesn't count; I would say the giftshop, but then the people who know me know that I usually like giftshops, hahaha) the room where people were decorating all the chocolate figurines. This one woman was painting the inside of a mold with white chocolate so as to achieve the different colored hexagons on a soccer ball. (They are hexagons, right?) And there was also a workshop where people were learning to make truffles! They even had a truffle machine!!! Hey, Santa? Uh.. I sorta kinda would like one of those if you can fit it on the sleigh this year. ;)
A brief note to my brother back in LA. Dude, I would have totally gotten you one of those chocolate soccer balls if there would have been any chance that it would have come through the mail un-destroyed. But alas, we have yet to invent an international system which is reliable and delicate, lol.
Oh, so I went to what was like a swap meet yesterday. (It was one of the only things open, besides restaurants. Sundays can be really annoying if you don't have a list of things to do!) It was lovely weather (Did I already talk about the weather? Oh, well, I think I can go a little crazy about it after the cold icy snowy cold rainy icy MONTHS that we had.)
It was actually a rather large market, much like the ones I'm used to in LA. It was so much fun to just go around with friends for a while and look at all the crazy stuff! One guy had a pair of helmets from WWII and let me just say that if you want to find something with communist symbols on it, look in a German swap meet, hahaha.
Well, I suppose that that's all I'm going to write for the present. I hope that wasn't too bad! Until next time, TGWATA (That Girl With A Tummy Ache)!
Yes, this is me at the moment, unfortunately. But on the upside, I decided that I should probably write another blog post. So here you go, it may not be very long, though. It all depends on if I end up getting too drowsy to write, lol.
For starters, has everyone heard?! It's spring!! Flowers are popping out of the ground, well, like daisies, lol. I finally understand where that phrase comes from.. The weather's been fluctuating a bit, but when the sun's out, it's out!! It was so warm yesterday that I had to take my jacket off (which, in case you didn't know, is warm for Deutschland).
I went on a weekend trip to Bonn/Koeln (Cologne) a little while ago. It was so much fun, and I got to see everything while enjoying the nice spring weather! One of the highlights was the Schokolade Museum. Yes, you guessed it. That translates to (trumpets) the Chocolate Museum!!! (And before you ask, no, it is not made of chocolate. It is your fault if you go and get kicked out for chomping on the cornerstone. And no, I will not know you and help you out of the situation with my basic german skills, lol.)
This place was like Willy Wonka's factory. My favorite room in the museum has to be (the giftshop doesn't count; I would say the giftshop, but then the people who know me know that I usually like giftshops, hahaha) the room where people were decorating all the chocolate figurines. This one woman was painting the inside of a mold with white chocolate so as to achieve the different colored hexagons on a soccer ball. (They are hexagons, right?) And there was also a workshop where people were learning to make truffles! They even had a truffle machine!!! Hey, Santa? Uh.. I sorta kinda would like one of those if you can fit it on the sleigh this year. ;)
A brief note to my brother back in LA. Dude, I would have totally gotten you one of those chocolate soccer balls if there would have been any chance that it would have come through the mail un-destroyed. But alas, we have yet to invent an international system which is reliable and delicate, lol.
Oh, so I went to what was like a swap meet yesterday. (It was one of the only things open, besides restaurants. Sundays can be really annoying if you don't have a list of things to do!) It was lovely weather (Did I already talk about the weather? Oh, well, I think I can go a little crazy about it after the cold icy snowy cold rainy icy MONTHS that we had.)
It was actually a rather large market, much like the ones I'm used to in LA. It was so much fun to just go around with friends for a while and look at all the crazy stuff! One guy had a pair of helmets from WWII and let me just say that if you want to find something with communist symbols on it, look in a German swap meet, hahaha.
Well, I suppose that that's all I'm going to write for the present. I hope that wasn't too bad! Until next time, TGWATA (That Girl With A Tummy Ache)!
19.3.11
Crazy is a Double-Edged Sword
This section of my post will not have the usual humor and wit that some have begun to associate with my blog. I feel that I have some duty to point out the differences, as well as the similarities, between the two countries in which I have lived. During my exchange year, I have come to realize that the differences, though sometimes questionable and even odd, are what make our regions of the world unique. Diversity makes us stronger, not weaker.
Of course, you may already know that. Travellers and world thinkers have been preaching the same thing since the concept of seeing the world and becoming tolerant, if not understanding, of other peoples and their cultures.
But something you may not have considered are the similarities, and the consequences they bring. Human nature is a strange thing, which man has pondered over since he learned to become intro-spective. We have all seen the good and the corresponding bad sides of human nature to some degree or other.
Well, this thursday I became aware of just how alike we humans are. (Before I tell you what transpired, or rather, did not transpire, allow me to assure you that no one was hurt, at least not physically.) While the better side of mankind was sending aid and organizing global efforts for the people of Japan, someone was composing something far less honorable. An online threat to the students and staff of my Gymnasium, or school here in Germany.
The threat was posted on an online gossip site, and simply said that on Friday the piece of scum in question would kill whoever was attending school that day. The police became involved, and Friday passed normally, save for the fact that there were only six people, including myself, in my final two periods of Chemistry.
The online threat also brought this gossip site to the public's attention. I have personnally seen the website, and I am disgusted and, frankly, disappointed with the level of inhumanity or rather humanity of it. The reality is that the site has become a forum where anyone may say whatever they please about anyone else with the double-edged sword of being anonimous.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, to be truthful, it is. A sword can only cut flesh, but words can cut into someone's very soul. The misuse of words pains me as a writer. Please, dear reader, do not make the mistake of using words malevolently.
I can only hope that humanity's similarities will be remembered for the good that we have done and continue to do, not the wrong that we do upon ourselves. TGWTC, leaving you with a little something to mull over.
Of course, you may already know that. Travellers and world thinkers have been preaching the same thing since the concept of seeing the world and becoming tolerant, if not understanding, of other peoples and their cultures.
But something you may not have considered are the similarities, and the consequences they bring. Human nature is a strange thing, which man has pondered over since he learned to become intro-spective. We have all seen the good and the corresponding bad sides of human nature to some degree or other.
Well, this thursday I became aware of just how alike we humans are. (Before I tell you what transpired, or rather, did not transpire, allow me to assure you that no one was hurt, at least not physically.) While the better side of mankind was sending aid and organizing global efforts for the people of Japan, someone was composing something far less honorable. An online threat to the students and staff of my Gymnasium, or school here in Germany.
The threat was posted on an online gossip site, and simply said that on Friday the piece of scum in question would kill whoever was attending school that day. The police became involved, and Friday passed normally, save for the fact that there were only six people, including myself, in my final two periods of Chemistry.
The online threat also brought this gossip site to the public's attention. I have personnally seen the website, and I am disgusted and, frankly, disappointed with the level of inhumanity or rather humanity of it. The reality is that the site has become a forum where anyone may say whatever they please about anyone else with the double-edged sword of being anonimous.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, to be truthful, it is. A sword can only cut flesh, but words can cut into someone's very soul. The misuse of words pains me as a writer. Please, dear reader, do not make the mistake of using words malevolently.
I can only hope that humanity's similarities will be remembered for the good that we have done and continue to do, not the wrong that we do upon ourselves. TGWTC, leaving you with a little something to mull over.
17.3.11
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!! (HUH?!!)
Top o' the mornin' to ye, I be here to be explainin' a bit abou' St. Patty's Day. 'Tis a wonderful holiday, and it be a pity tha' the folks across the sea aren't a wee more knowing 'bout it.
*Clears throat* Please excuse me for that feeble attempt at a written Irish accent. I apologize to the people of Ireland and anyone with red hair. But I can assure you that my odd start to a post will quickly segue into what I would like to write about.
St. Patrick's Day. That decades-old holiday which originated in the land of leprechauns and has worked its way overseas to America. (It pains me that America now looks strange to me when spelled with a "c" instead of a "k," lol) I'm guessing that it probably started to really come to the United States during the Industrial Revolution and the Potato Famine, during which many Irish people immigrated to America to seek better opportunities and basically not starve.
Every year since before I can remember, I have worn green on St. Patty's Day to celebrate the day (and avoid getting pinched! YIKES!!). My freshman year of high school, I had an orchestra competition on that day. I had to come to school ready to drag myself on that awful school bus and go to where the festival was being held. Okay, now I'm going to give you all a minute to thing about typical orchestra attire. When you go to a concert, what are they usually wearing? (Band uniforms don't count. A common mistake, but seriously, people, there is a difference between a flute and a cello, sheesh!)
BLACK, we're always wearing BLACK. Sometimes we really go out on a limb and wear a white top with black slacks, but that's about as colorful we get. I have no idea why we all dress like we're going to a funeral, probably supposed to appear sombre and therefore professional.
Anyway, the night before the festival (and St. Patrick's Day), I was about to lay out my clothes when I thought, oh, this is just grreeeaaatttt (think Frosted Flakes, only Tony the Tiger has suddenly turned into a sarcastic leopord), I am going to get pinched until I'm black and blue tomarrow. But not to fear! Converse Girl has the superpower of creativity!! So, dedicated as I was, and still am, I made myself a green necklace and earrings for the next day. (I didn't have a green shawl, and this was like 9pm, but nice try, guys, lol.)
In case you missed the point of the story (which probably wasn't very difficult to do, considering that my CDO seems to be creeping up on me again...), it's that I like holidays. I like celebrating holidays for the sake of celebrating, and I'm dedicated to that. So this St. Patrick's Day, I was one of the half a dozen or so kids at school who were wearing green. (Take note that at least a third of that half a dozen just happened to be wearing that color today, lol.)
I talked to someone about St. Patrick's Day and they were entirely oblivious to it. I must admit that at times I miss the apparently American mentality of "Let's go crazy and celebrate for the heck of it!" This is why I'm glad that I'll be home in time for the 4th of July. Because sometimes being the insane American is great, but to be considered moderate sometimes is just fine by me. ;)
I suppose at least one thing that I've come to learn about myself during this trip is that I don't have fun standing on the sidelines or sitting around at a party. I don't know if you'd still recognize me if we randomly met at a dance. I'm that girl who's having a good time dancing her socks off and who really doesn't Frankly Miss Scarlet what anyone thinks. And if you don't care, other people don't care either. Trust me, it's a lot more fun to just recognize the fact that, yes, I am a geek, and yes, I am cool with that. TGWTC, decked out in green.
*Clears throat* Please excuse me for that feeble attempt at a written Irish accent. I apologize to the people of Ireland and anyone with red hair. But I can assure you that my odd start to a post will quickly segue into what I would like to write about.
St. Patrick's Day. That decades-old holiday which originated in the land of leprechauns and has worked its way overseas to America. (It pains me that America now looks strange to me when spelled with a "c" instead of a "k," lol) I'm guessing that it probably started to really come to the United States during the Industrial Revolution and the Potato Famine, during which many Irish people immigrated to America to seek better opportunities and basically not starve.
Every year since before I can remember, I have worn green on St. Patty's Day to celebrate the day (and avoid getting pinched! YIKES!!). My freshman year of high school, I had an orchestra competition on that day. I had to come to school ready to drag myself on that awful school bus and go to where the festival was being held. Okay, now I'm going to give you all a minute to thing about typical orchestra attire. When you go to a concert, what are they usually wearing? (Band uniforms don't count. A common mistake, but seriously, people, there is a difference between a flute and a cello, sheesh!)
BLACK, we're always wearing BLACK. Sometimes we really go out on a limb and wear a white top with black slacks, but that's about as colorful we get. I have no idea why we all dress like we're going to a funeral, probably supposed to appear sombre and therefore professional.
Anyway, the night before the festival (and St. Patrick's Day), I was about to lay out my clothes when I thought, oh, this is just grreeeaaatttt (think Frosted Flakes, only Tony the Tiger has suddenly turned into a sarcastic leopord), I am going to get pinched until I'm black and blue tomarrow. But not to fear! Converse Girl has the superpower of creativity!! So, dedicated as I was, and still am, I made myself a green necklace and earrings for the next day. (I didn't have a green shawl, and this was like 9pm, but nice try, guys, lol.)
In case you missed the point of the story (which probably wasn't very difficult to do, considering that my CDO seems to be creeping up on me again...), it's that I like holidays. I like celebrating holidays for the sake of celebrating, and I'm dedicated to that. So this St. Patrick's Day, I was one of the half a dozen or so kids at school who were wearing green. (Take note that at least a third of that half a dozen just happened to be wearing that color today, lol.)
I talked to someone about St. Patrick's Day and they were entirely oblivious to it. I must admit that at times I miss the apparently American mentality of "Let's go crazy and celebrate for the heck of it!" This is why I'm glad that I'll be home in time for the 4th of July. Because sometimes being the insane American is great, but to be considered moderate sometimes is just fine by me. ;)
I suppose at least one thing that I've come to learn about myself during this trip is that I don't have fun standing on the sidelines or sitting around at a party. I don't know if you'd still recognize me if we randomly met at a dance. I'm that girl who's having a good time dancing her socks off and who really doesn't Frankly Miss Scarlet what anyone thinks. And if you don't care, other people don't care either. Trust me, it's a lot more fun to just recognize the fact that, yes, I am a geek, and yes, I am cool with that. TGWTC, decked out in green.
7.3.11
Monty Python Moment #142
I actually have not been keeping track of how many times I have drifted out of a situation simply to look at it from an objective angle and think, "Here's yet another instance in my life that greatly resembled a Monty Python skit."
So today the schedule gods were nice to me and gently guided my Geography and History teachers to not show up. No voodoo going on, and no ironic twist. The magical deities of school classes just decided to cut me a break on a Monday. (Which, unless there is a shuttle launch or some other remarkable event is scheduled, tends to be the least-looked-forward-to day of the week.)
After English, I went home and got to chill for a while before going back to school for Fitness, aka Sport, aka Physical Education, aka why do we have so many darn names for running around the track? Well, something to ponder tonight when you, dear reader, are trying to sleep but cannot due to the fact that I have now made it practically impossible for you to forget this singular question. Oh, find the cup if you can, but be wary... (Sorry, Dumbledor snuck in there...) So just warning you lovely people that this little thought has now been embedded into your subconscious. Your Welcome ;)
Now, where was I? Oh, yes, that institution of mandatory physical activity to which all students are subjected. I have already told you how the idea of me successfully learning to juggle is simply inconceivable, but hey, I deal with it. I try, and when the teacher comes around to tell me what I should be doing, I try to take the advice as it is intended, not as my sensitive American ego perceives it. That is, I try to not let the tone of superiority I half-imagine and control my urge to hurl the cursed tennis balls at the wall as hard as I can. I am very glad that our teacher had the foresight not to ask us to juggle baseballs...
Later in the class, we worked with jump ropes. Now, in the US, jump ropes are for children, having fun, and then for crazy competitions where you attempt to catch sight of the rope as it reaches supersonic speed. In a German PE course, you better take "Skipping Hearts," seriously. But really, can you blame me if I fail to suppress giggles. I mean, come on! It's like I'm eight again!! To me, the jump rope signifies something that does not require me to be the best in order to have fun.
And now I get to work out by skipping rope? Heck yeah!! It brought back so many memories. Way back to that time when I wore my hair in a pony, instead of a bun. Back to when the sun beat down on the blacktop and the sand from the sandbox gave off this dry, desert smell. So there I was, attempting the tricks that had been assigned to my partner and me, when my Sport teacher comes up to tell me not to stomp.
Wait, wow, wow, wow... Did someone just come up, ruin my reverie, interrupt my fitness activity, to accuse me of stomping?! I am sorry, sir, but have you seen me? I am no cream puff or daisy. I am a good ol' American girl, and sometimes, we stomp! (And I would like to admit that my accussed "stomping" was not affecting my skipping rope in some drastic, apocalyptic manner.) It felt like someone had gone back to my origins and told me that I had been wrong. How I jump rope is like how I ride a bike, or form a sentence. It's something I learned very early on, and it's not something that's going to change any time soon.
After this ran through my head, I thought about the irony of the situation. My teacher really needed to help everyone improve how they jump rope for... what exactly? And then the word stomping brought to mind an American elephant (hey, maybe it was born in a zoo) who doesn't give a darn if she steps around daintily. My train of thought then naturally ran to the Monty Python skit in which a man speaks of the life he dreams of, singing, "Oh, I'm a lumberjack and I don't care!"
So I would just like to thank Monty Python for reminding me to take everything with a grain of salt and just keep spinning the rope. TGWTC.. WALASDC (whose a lumberjill and she don't care! jk, Leute, I would never do that to the trees, hahaha!), taking it one PE period at a time!
So today the schedule gods were nice to me and gently guided my Geography and History teachers to not show up. No voodoo going on, and no ironic twist. The magical deities of school classes just decided to cut me a break on a Monday. (Which, unless there is a shuttle launch or some other remarkable event is scheduled, tends to be the least-looked-forward-to day of the week.)
After English, I went home and got to chill for a while before going back to school for Fitness, aka Sport, aka Physical Education, aka why do we have so many darn names for running around the track? Well, something to ponder tonight when you, dear reader, are trying to sleep but cannot due to the fact that I have now made it practically impossible for you to forget this singular question. Oh, find the cup if you can, but be wary... (Sorry, Dumbledor snuck in there...) So just warning you lovely people that this little thought has now been embedded into your subconscious. Your Welcome ;)
Now, where was I? Oh, yes, that institution of mandatory physical activity to which all students are subjected. I have already told you how the idea of me successfully learning to juggle is simply inconceivable, but hey, I deal with it. I try, and when the teacher comes around to tell me what I should be doing, I try to take the advice as it is intended, not as my sensitive American ego perceives it. That is, I try to not let the tone of superiority I half-imagine and control my urge to hurl the cursed tennis balls at the wall as hard as I can. I am very glad that our teacher had the foresight not to ask us to juggle baseballs...
Later in the class, we worked with jump ropes. Now, in the US, jump ropes are for children, having fun, and then for crazy competitions where you attempt to catch sight of the rope as it reaches supersonic speed. In a German PE course, you better take "Skipping Hearts," seriously. But really, can you blame me if I fail to suppress giggles. I mean, come on! It's like I'm eight again!! To me, the jump rope signifies something that does not require me to be the best in order to have fun.
And now I get to work out by skipping rope? Heck yeah!! It brought back so many memories. Way back to that time when I wore my hair in a pony, instead of a bun. Back to when the sun beat down on the blacktop and the sand from the sandbox gave off this dry, desert smell. So there I was, attempting the tricks that had been assigned to my partner and me, when my Sport teacher comes up to tell me not to stomp.
Wait, wow, wow, wow... Did someone just come up, ruin my reverie, interrupt my fitness activity, to accuse me of stomping?! I am sorry, sir, but have you seen me? I am no cream puff or daisy. I am a good ol' American girl, and sometimes, we stomp! (And I would like to admit that my accussed "stomping" was not affecting my skipping rope in some drastic, apocalyptic manner.) It felt like someone had gone back to my origins and told me that I had been wrong. How I jump rope is like how I ride a bike, or form a sentence. It's something I learned very early on, and it's not something that's going to change any time soon.
After this ran through my head, I thought about the irony of the situation. My teacher really needed to help everyone improve how they jump rope for... what exactly? And then the word stomping brought to mind an American elephant (hey, maybe it was born in a zoo) who doesn't give a darn if she steps around daintily. My train of thought then naturally ran to the Monty Python skit in which a man speaks of the life he dreams of, singing, "Oh, I'm a lumberjack and I don't care!"
So I would just like to thank Monty Python for reminding me to take everything with a grain of salt and just keep spinning the rope. TGWTC.. WALASDC (whose a lumberjill and she don't care! jk, Leute, I would never do that to the trees, hahaha!), taking it one PE period at a time!
24.2.11
Kein Pw...
So this morning I heard the alarm ring and pressed "snooze," just like every school day (6:40). Then, five minutes later, my alarm rang again and I hauled myself out of my nice, warm, cozy bed to face the reality of another school day. Not the top of my list of "places to be," but it's not at the bottom either (6:45). I got dressed, put in my contacts, and brushed my teeth. Then I went back to my room to get all my school stuff together (7:00). Got all the books in my bag, turned of my phone and stashed it in my backpack, did a quick swipe of makeup, made sure that my hair wasn't a mess, and all the other random little things I do every morning. After I was ready, I went downstairs (7:15). Said goodmorning to my host mom, popped some bread in the toaster, grabbed two bottles of juice, took bread out of the toaster and smeared it with yummy cheese, packed up everything, got bundled up in my coat and scarf, said goodbye to my host mom, and left (7:25).
I'll fast-forward through my whole walk to school. It's not all that interesting, and a bit like many of the passages in Victorian period novels. That is to say, it would leave you wondering, why the heck is she telling me all this?? (Well back then most authors were paid by the page, so now we have to trudge through chapters about nothing but how the house was situated on a large green hill, but that's another story.)
When I arrived at school, cheeks a bit pink from the cold wind, I still had about ten minutes before the first class started (7:50). I went over to the board where the sheet of teacher absences hangs like a bulletin telling you when you get to stop cramming your head full of information and go home. I checked today's sheet first, double checked it, cross-referenced it with my schedule, and sighed.
My first class of the day was Politikwissenschaft, commonly abbreviated simply "Pw." I had spent almost two hours the night before working on the homework and learning about the German Bundesrat. (Thank-you to my CR for all her help!!!) After Pw, I would have had two free periods. I could have gotten up about three hours later, if I had chosen to do so. Now, looking at the paper on that wall, part of me wanted to find out my teacher's phone number, call him, and then complain in spanish so he hopefully wouldn't recognize who he was speaking to. Thankfully I have managed to restrain myself from any such action (8:00).
And now I'm here, at my house, letting you all know about my interesting morning. Sometimes the German school system works to my advantage, letting me have a couple free periods here and there to relax a bit or sleep in. Not to mention that every day is a different set of classes since we're on a block schedule. But sometimes the whole when-your-teacher-isn't-there-you-don't-have-to-come thing gets on my nerves. It's like someone takes my schedule and, every day, decides what arrangement of holes to punch in it, leaving me with a plan like swiss cheese.
Well, time to get ready for the rest of my school day! I have an English speech about American school pride to make, and some home-made rice crispie treats to take to school! Wish me luck! TGWTC, navigating her swiss cheese schedule.
I'll fast-forward through my whole walk to school. It's not all that interesting, and a bit like many of the passages in Victorian period novels. That is to say, it would leave you wondering, why the heck is she telling me all this?? (Well back then most authors were paid by the page, so now we have to trudge through chapters about nothing but how the house was situated on a large green hill, but that's another story.)
When I arrived at school, cheeks a bit pink from the cold wind, I still had about ten minutes before the first class started (7:50). I went over to the board where the sheet of teacher absences hangs like a bulletin telling you when you get to stop cramming your head full of information and go home. I checked today's sheet first, double checked it, cross-referenced it with my schedule, and sighed.
My first class of the day was Politikwissenschaft, commonly abbreviated simply "Pw." I had spent almost two hours the night before working on the homework and learning about the German Bundesrat. (Thank-you to my CR for all her help!!!) After Pw, I would have had two free periods. I could have gotten up about three hours later, if I had chosen to do so. Now, looking at the paper on that wall, part of me wanted to find out my teacher's phone number, call him, and then complain in spanish so he hopefully wouldn't recognize who he was speaking to. Thankfully I have managed to restrain myself from any such action (8:00).
And now I'm here, at my house, letting you all know about my interesting morning. Sometimes the German school system works to my advantage, letting me have a couple free periods here and there to relax a bit or sleep in. Not to mention that every day is a different set of classes since we're on a block schedule. But sometimes the whole when-your-teacher-isn't-there-you-don't-have-to-come thing gets on my nerves. It's like someone takes my schedule and, every day, decides what arrangement of holes to punch in it, leaving me with a plan like swiss cheese.
Well, time to get ready for the rest of my school day! I have an English speech about American school pride to make, and some home-made rice crispie treats to take to school! Wish me luck! TGWTC, navigating her swiss cheese schedule.
3.2.11
Winterferien! :D
I'm on Winter break at the moment, because yes, it is still Winter here in Germany! I've decided to devide this entry into two main parts, each recounting a bit of the two travelling adventures I've had lately.
I'll start with the basics: You are hiking in the Japanese mountains, two snow leopards are stalking you, and your katana is frozen in its sheath.. jk, random quote from this season of 30 Rock. Couldn't help myself. ;)
Now, onto the real story. The weekend before last I went to Cologne and Bonn for the mid-year seminar for my foreign exchange student program. Ich habe viel angst ueber ein Sprachtest gehapt, aber wir haben das nicht genommen, weil wir sind total BOSS! (I was anxious about a speaking test, but we didn't take one because we are so... well, you can understand the last part, lol) It was great to get to go around these amazing cities with my language camp friends, most of whom I hadn't seen for about five months.
Apart from the spectacular architecture (and, frankly, SCHLECHT weather) that we got to see, there were also some interesting, often amusing highlights. (Really, fifty nearly German-ized American exchange students all together for a weekend. Classic slip-on-banana-peel just waiting to happen!)
So there was obviously this odd sort of language going on. Sometimes we find it difficult to think of the name for something in English, Deutsch, and, sometimes, either language. What results is our own version of "Danglisch." The especially funny cases of this occur when a student uses both English and Deutsch in the same sentence. (For example: Dude, gib mir a spoon, please. Meins ist.... uh, uh, what's that wort nochmal??) You can see how it is gradually becoming more difficult for other people to understand us when to communicate with one another, lol.
In addition to our odd language development, I've noticed some other changes in the CBYX-ers. When the other Berliners (not a donut!!) and I coincidentally ran into/ on purpose found a group of our long lost friends in the train station upon arrival, I couldn't help but give them all a twice-over. Some were taller, some had more defined features, but almost all of us were dressing like GERMANS! (Note: When you start dressing like a German, it is one more sure sign that you are becoming German-ized. At least, in my opinion.. And this blog is pretty much composed of my opinions, so I expect my readers to take comments like this as opinion, not fact. But I'm pretty sure that you loverly people knew that already) ;)
The regional placement differences really started to become prominent when we started speaking to each other auf Deutsch. Sometimes someone from the far north would be speaking to someone to the far south and they would have to switch to English because the accents would be too difficult to decipher. And those of us living in Berlin apparently tend to say more of an "Ick" instead of "Ich." I, of course, being the odd ball that I am, have settled on something in-between.
But I must say that, apart from the personal crazy and funny anecdotes that I have acquired, the most amusing part of this trip occurred when we were all waiting in line for dinner... I'm not sure quite how it started, but someone started boasting about the soccer team of their region and then someone from an opposing region started arguing with them. And they were "discussing" this all auf Deutsch! They looked so much like typical, devoted German soccer fans that it was all I could do to not burst out laughing. Those who know me know that when I laugh especially hard, I usually end up with tears streaming down my face in a torrent. And at the end of that weekend, I had shed enough "laughing tears" to fill the nearby Rhein River.
Whew, now, onto this week! Well, after having an odd and surprisingly short week of school, I am now on Winter Break. It has so far been a very relaxing and revitalizing experience. (Hanging with my CBYXers was also revitalizing, but relaxing? Nope, we're too insane and interesting and there are simply too many of us for that to be relaxing, lol. Love you guys!!)
For the break, I went to Dresden with my host family. We went with my host mom's aunt and our adorable little (LOUD) beagle as well. (Lotte, baby, du bist ein sweetheart, aber manchmal du bist wie "Moaning Mertle"!) We stayed at this wonderful hotel which is also a wellness center right on the Elbe River. I got to have a back massage as well as a face and neck massage. And the pool that they had was not too warm, not too cold. (Unlike CA pools, which almost always seem to be freezing! Unless, of course, it's a jacuzzi.) Above this Goldilocks pool was a ceiling with lights that changed colors, so it was pleasant to just float on the surface and watch the colors go from one to the other, like a pretty, alien sky. (Or did she mean "pretty alien"? lol. The world may never know- quote from the movie they show you in line for the Indiana Jones Ride at Disneyland.)
We made two trips into Dresden itself, which is simply a beautiful city, with old palaces, new shopping malls, and reconstructed bits all in-between. (In case you didn't know the history about Dresden, it was fire-bombed during the second World War. The bombing is still considered controversial due to its lack of industrial targets. What was destroyed the most was Dresden's architecture and population.)
Today, on our way back to Berlin, we stopped by Meissen, which is where Meissen porcelain is created. The tour was ingenious, taking us through rooms in which an artist would show us their craft while an audio-recording explained what they were doing. I dare you to think of extraordinary craftsmanship, and then multiply it by ten. This is what they do at Meissen. (Oh, and by they way, their price tags reflect that. Just so you're aware..) If you'd like to identify something as Meissen porcelain, just look for the Meissen mark of two crossed swords (in blue) on the underside of the piece. DO NOT PASS THIS UP AT A GARAGE SALE!!!
And in addition to all this excitement, I still have a few days left until the week (and school) begins. I think I'll go for a jog, drink some hot chocolate, and work on my German conjugating skills (or lack thereof- House, M.D.) I think that brings me to three random quotes in this post? Man, I've got to stop remembering every film or television episode I've ever seen! TGWTC and her odd memory, back in Berlin.
I'll start with the basics: You are hiking in the Japanese mountains, two snow leopards are stalking you, and your katana is frozen in its sheath.. jk, random quote from this season of 30 Rock. Couldn't help myself. ;)
Now, onto the real story. The weekend before last I went to Cologne and Bonn for the mid-year seminar for my foreign exchange student program. Ich habe viel angst ueber ein Sprachtest gehapt, aber wir haben das nicht genommen, weil wir sind total BOSS! (I was anxious about a speaking test, but we didn't take one because we are so... well, you can understand the last part, lol) It was great to get to go around these amazing cities with my language camp friends, most of whom I hadn't seen for about five months.
Apart from the spectacular architecture (and, frankly, SCHLECHT weather) that we got to see, there were also some interesting, often amusing highlights. (Really, fifty nearly German-ized American exchange students all together for a weekend. Classic slip-on-banana-peel just waiting to happen!)
So there was obviously this odd sort of language going on. Sometimes we find it difficult to think of the name for something in English, Deutsch, and, sometimes, either language. What results is our own version of "Danglisch." The especially funny cases of this occur when a student uses both English and Deutsch in the same sentence. (For example: Dude, gib mir a spoon, please. Meins ist.... uh, uh, what's that wort nochmal??) You can see how it is gradually becoming more difficult for other people to understand us when to communicate with one another, lol.
In addition to our odd language development, I've noticed some other changes in the CBYX-ers. When the other Berliners (not a donut!!) and I coincidentally ran into/ on purpose found a group of our long lost friends in the train station upon arrival, I couldn't help but give them all a twice-over. Some were taller, some had more defined features, but almost all of us were dressing like GERMANS! (Note: When you start dressing like a German, it is one more sure sign that you are becoming German-ized. At least, in my opinion.. And this blog is pretty much composed of my opinions, so I expect my readers to take comments like this as opinion, not fact. But I'm pretty sure that you loverly people knew that already) ;)
The regional placement differences really started to become prominent when we started speaking to each other auf Deutsch. Sometimes someone from the far north would be speaking to someone to the far south and they would have to switch to English because the accents would be too difficult to decipher. And those of us living in Berlin apparently tend to say more of an "Ick" instead of "Ich." I, of course, being the odd ball that I am, have settled on something in-between.
But I must say that, apart from the personal crazy and funny anecdotes that I have acquired, the most amusing part of this trip occurred when we were all waiting in line for dinner... I'm not sure quite how it started, but someone started boasting about the soccer team of their region and then someone from an opposing region started arguing with them. And they were "discussing" this all auf Deutsch! They looked so much like typical, devoted German soccer fans that it was all I could do to not burst out laughing. Those who know me know that when I laugh especially hard, I usually end up with tears streaming down my face in a torrent. And at the end of that weekend, I had shed enough "laughing tears" to fill the nearby Rhein River.
Whew, now, onto this week! Well, after having an odd and surprisingly short week of school, I am now on Winter Break. It has so far been a very relaxing and revitalizing experience. (Hanging with my CBYXers was also revitalizing, but relaxing? Nope, we're too insane and interesting and there are simply too many of us for that to be relaxing, lol. Love you guys!!)
For the break, I went to Dresden with my host family. We went with my host mom's aunt and our adorable little (LOUD) beagle as well. (Lotte, baby, du bist ein sweetheart, aber manchmal du bist wie "Moaning Mertle"!) We stayed at this wonderful hotel which is also a wellness center right on the Elbe River. I got to have a back massage as well as a face and neck massage. And the pool that they had was not too warm, not too cold. (Unlike CA pools, which almost always seem to be freezing! Unless, of course, it's a jacuzzi.) Above this Goldilocks pool was a ceiling with lights that changed colors, so it was pleasant to just float on the surface and watch the colors go from one to the other, like a pretty, alien sky. (Or did she mean "pretty alien"? lol. The world may never know- quote from the movie they show you in line for the Indiana Jones Ride at Disneyland.)
We made two trips into Dresden itself, which is simply a beautiful city, with old palaces, new shopping malls, and reconstructed bits all in-between. (In case you didn't know the history about Dresden, it was fire-bombed during the second World War. The bombing is still considered controversial due to its lack of industrial targets. What was destroyed the most was Dresden's architecture and population.)
Today, on our way back to Berlin, we stopped by Meissen, which is where Meissen porcelain is created. The tour was ingenious, taking us through rooms in which an artist would show us their craft while an audio-recording explained what they were doing. I dare you to think of extraordinary craftsmanship, and then multiply it by ten. This is what they do at Meissen. (Oh, and by they way, their price tags reflect that. Just so you're aware..) If you'd like to identify something as Meissen porcelain, just look for the Meissen mark of two crossed swords (in blue) on the underside of the piece. DO NOT PASS THIS UP AT A GARAGE SALE!!!
And in addition to all this excitement, I still have a few days left until the week (and school) begins. I think I'll go for a jog, drink some hot chocolate, and work on my German conjugating skills (or lack thereof- House, M.D.) I think that brings me to three random quotes in this post? Man, I've got to stop remembering every film or television episode I've ever seen! TGWTC and her odd memory, back in Berlin.
17.1.11
Wait.. Reverse That, Play it Back
Alrighty, so, another day, another post. If you've noticed how I tend to start my posts like this, it's because I need a few lines to compose myself and organize my thoughts. It's like a speech, only electronic and I can't see to whom I am speaking or their reactions.
How bout we start this entry out with what's on my mind at the moment. One, physical education and I do NOT mix. (My elbow, hip, and head are reminding me of this right now.) Long story short, I started Fitness in school today, and I slipped and fell on my side, banging all of the above mentioned body parts against the hard wood floor while I was at it. I got back up, and after a bit, kept going. Then I managed to hit MYSELF in the head with a rubber ball. But wait, it gets better...
Though the accidental self-infliction of injuries was over, the instructor had to take it further by having us learn how to juggle. Yes, that's right. JUGGLE. In no way, shape, or form; in no point in my life; in no alternate universe; can I possibly come close to being able to attain the skill of juggling. So basically the picture was me standing there, sweating, hair a bit messy, holding juggling balls in my hand, thinking, uh-uh, nope, ich kann das nicht machen. (Oh, I tried of course.) Aber neh, ich kann das nicht machen, lol. You know, Bella Swan was considered a klutz, but she has NOTHING on me. (And no, I am not endorsing Twilight or any works of Stephanie Mayer, all rights reserved, copywrite prohibited.)
Two, now that the sun is gracing us with it's occasional presence, I can tell when it sets here, and I have to say, it is WAY too early.
Three, I am going to be one of the worst examples of a typical college student ever. I will not stay out late partying, and I will drink non-alcoholic beverages. (Because I'm just strange that way.)
Four, Rosetta Stone is most likely going to scream at me when I finish this entry and work on that again. R.S., I would like to formally apologize for my behavior as of late. I have neglected our relationship, and you have every right to be angry with me. But please, don't take back the software, lol. (If your name happens to have these initials, I would also like you to know that this is absolutely NOT directed towards you in any way... but I would be interested to know if there happens to be the coincidence, hahaha.)
Five, I had one of the craziest Saturdays one can have without going to Vegas. Read on before you judge. Day started out normal. Went to a Japan Festival in Berlin to see the Taiko drummers with a couple of exchange student friends. (I've been to the Nisei Week Parade in Little Tokyo in LA several times with my Dad and Brother, and I didn't realize how much I'd missed my Lil' Tokyo. I'm from the LA area, we sometimes speak that way, lol.) Then we went to an Irish pub/restaurant afterward to catch up. I got home around six using public transportation (s-bahn and bus), and this is where the crazy begins...
My host sister's birthday was Sunday, so she had a party with two other girls whose birthdays are also around that time. The party was fun, but I really just cannot function past 12:30 in the morning. I left around 1:30 with a few friends in the hope that I could get home and just go to sleep. But fate had other plans.... On a bus on the way home, a fight nearly broke out because this one (probably intoxicated) man got the strange idea into his head that one of the guys from our party was part of a gang because of the color of his scarf. We managed to escort the man off the bus, but not before the bus driver had called the police. The police showed up, and we sat and waited until they were done interviewing the people involved. By the time I got home, it was 4:30am, and I was beyond exhausted. On the up-side, I won a solitaire game on my phone while we waited for the police to finish. Hahaha :)
Six, the birds are coming back to the area as the weather gets a bit warmer. I can hear them in the morning, before the sun's up. It's so nice to hear the sound again. (Sidenote: No, I am not going soft, I am just appreciating things for what they are. I have analyzed Snow White, and while I have not yet isolated the exact reason for it, I have come to the conclusion that something is not right behind those big brown eyes... If I did not mention this beforehand, let me say it now: Please to not read my blog to your children if you think they will be upset by my attacking Disney characters with logic; I'm likely to do this a few more times before the year is out. I simply cannot help myself.)
Seven, authors are cruel. Yes, some are kind enough to weave an intricate plot and to create intriguing characters to carry it out. And then, they have their fun by pulling their readers right and left in a sometimes-exhilarating, sometimes-terrifying ride to get to the end, the finale, the conclusion, the resolution. Now, I'm not saying that every story should have a definitive conclusion and resolution. I have come to find that many short stories are even better for leaving the reader with certain unanswered questions. (For example, the thoughts that stayed with me after finishing Dracula still pop up in my head once every now and then. Oh, and DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to read this book at night. This is not some kind of reverse psychology statement; I sincerely care about your mental state. For those of you who ignore my warning, I will not speak to you when you happen to be up freaking out at two in the morning and I happen to be online because of the time difference, so there.)
Back to authors... ah, yes, stories without a conclusion. Allow me to phrase my next few ideas in the form of a statement to authors: As a reader, I dedicate my time and my imagination to books. I read quite avidly, glancing at the clock and then reading just one more page, just one more chapter.. I wait as patiently as I can for the next book in a series to be released. And when finally the last book comes out, I savor it, just like the dessert after some tasty meal. So, my dear authors, I pose to you this question: why have you created world and woven these complex scenarios and problems, so tangled and interlocking it sometimes requires pen and paper to keep it all straight, and then build and build upon it like some great structure, reaching for the sky, all to chop it off at the top? As a reader, I implore you not to create problems in your literature to which you have no possible solution. Because, trust me, if we do not do our characters and our stories justice, someone else will...
Well, seven's supposedly lucky, so I'll end off here. Was lovely just ranting like that. I wonder if that's part of what makes a writer, his ability to rant... oops! different tangent, lol. Better go before I'm tempted to write about any other random topic!! Tha' gerl wot has tha' convers, pa'in' 'er respec' t' won a' them books ;)
How bout we start this entry out with what's on my mind at the moment. One, physical education and I do NOT mix. (My elbow, hip, and head are reminding me of this right now.) Long story short, I started Fitness in school today, and I slipped and fell on my side, banging all of the above mentioned body parts against the hard wood floor while I was at it. I got back up, and after a bit, kept going. Then I managed to hit MYSELF in the head with a rubber ball. But wait, it gets better...
Though the accidental self-infliction of injuries was over, the instructor had to take it further by having us learn how to juggle. Yes, that's right. JUGGLE. In no way, shape, or form; in no point in my life; in no alternate universe; can I possibly come close to being able to attain the skill of juggling. So basically the picture was me standing there, sweating, hair a bit messy, holding juggling balls in my hand, thinking, uh-uh, nope, ich kann das nicht machen. (Oh, I tried of course.) Aber neh, ich kann das nicht machen, lol. You know, Bella Swan was considered a klutz, but she has NOTHING on me. (And no, I am not endorsing Twilight or any works of Stephanie Mayer, all rights reserved, copywrite prohibited.)
Two, now that the sun is gracing us with it's occasional presence, I can tell when it sets here, and I have to say, it is WAY too early.
Three, I am going to be one of the worst examples of a typical college student ever. I will not stay out late partying, and I will drink non-alcoholic beverages. (Because I'm just strange that way.)
Four, Rosetta Stone is most likely going to scream at me when I finish this entry and work on that again. R.S., I would like to formally apologize for my behavior as of late. I have neglected our relationship, and you have every right to be angry with me. But please, don't take back the software, lol. (If your name happens to have these initials, I would also like you to know that this is absolutely NOT directed towards you in any way... but I would be interested to know if there happens to be the coincidence, hahaha.)
Five, I had one of the craziest Saturdays one can have without going to Vegas. Read on before you judge. Day started out normal. Went to a Japan Festival in Berlin to see the Taiko drummers with a couple of exchange student friends. (I've been to the Nisei Week Parade in Little Tokyo in LA several times with my Dad and Brother, and I didn't realize how much I'd missed my Lil' Tokyo. I'm from the LA area, we sometimes speak that way, lol.) Then we went to an Irish pub/restaurant afterward to catch up. I got home around six using public transportation (s-bahn and bus), and this is where the crazy begins...
My host sister's birthday was Sunday, so she had a party with two other girls whose birthdays are also around that time. The party was fun, but I really just cannot function past 12:30 in the morning. I left around 1:30 with a few friends in the hope that I could get home and just go to sleep. But fate had other plans.... On a bus on the way home, a fight nearly broke out because this one (probably intoxicated) man got the strange idea into his head that one of the guys from our party was part of a gang because of the color of his scarf. We managed to escort the man off the bus, but not before the bus driver had called the police. The police showed up, and we sat and waited until they were done interviewing the people involved. By the time I got home, it was 4:30am, and I was beyond exhausted. On the up-side, I won a solitaire game on my phone while we waited for the police to finish. Hahaha :)
Six, the birds are coming back to the area as the weather gets a bit warmer. I can hear them in the morning, before the sun's up. It's so nice to hear the sound again. (Sidenote: No, I am not going soft, I am just appreciating things for what they are. I have analyzed Snow White, and while I have not yet isolated the exact reason for it, I have come to the conclusion that something is not right behind those big brown eyes... If I did not mention this beforehand, let me say it now: Please to not read my blog to your children if you think they will be upset by my attacking Disney characters with logic; I'm likely to do this a few more times before the year is out. I simply cannot help myself.)
Seven, authors are cruel. Yes, some are kind enough to weave an intricate plot and to create intriguing characters to carry it out. And then, they have their fun by pulling their readers right and left in a sometimes-exhilarating, sometimes-terrifying ride to get to the end, the finale, the conclusion, the resolution. Now, I'm not saying that every story should have a definitive conclusion and resolution. I have come to find that many short stories are even better for leaving the reader with certain unanswered questions. (For example, the thoughts that stayed with me after finishing Dracula still pop up in my head once every now and then. Oh, and DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to read this book at night. This is not some kind of reverse psychology statement; I sincerely care about your mental state. For those of you who ignore my warning, I will not speak to you when you happen to be up freaking out at two in the morning and I happen to be online because of the time difference, so there.)
Back to authors... ah, yes, stories without a conclusion. Allow me to phrase my next few ideas in the form of a statement to authors: As a reader, I dedicate my time and my imagination to books. I read quite avidly, glancing at the clock and then reading just one more page, just one more chapter.. I wait as patiently as I can for the next book in a series to be released. And when finally the last book comes out, I savor it, just like the dessert after some tasty meal. So, my dear authors, I pose to you this question: why have you created world and woven these complex scenarios and problems, so tangled and interlocking it sometimes requires pen and paper to keep it all straight, and then build and build upon it like some great structure, reaching for the sky, all to chop it off at the top? As a reader, I implore you not to create problems in your literature to which you have no possible solution. Because, trust me, if we do not do our characters and our stories justice, someone else will...
Well, seven's supposedly lucky, so I'll end off here. Was lovely just ranting like that. I wonder if that's part of what makes a writer, his ability to rant... oops! different tangent, lol. Better go before I'm tempted to write about any other random topic!! Tha' gerl wot has tha' convers, pa'in' 'er respec' t' won a' them books ;)
9.1.11
Finnland?
Okay, so here's an interesting story for ya: One day not too long ago we were all sitting in Deutsch class, just chilling, because the teacher is nice like that. :) The only real downside that I can come up with for that period is that I sit right in front of the door. And no, this is not figurative. I literally am squashed between my table and the only door leading in and out of the room. Yeah, great seating arrangement, lol.
Anyway, back to the story... So occassionally the teacher has the students play a game where one will try to go around the room and say the name of all the others. I'm new, which would usually make me the most forgettable, save for the fact that I am also a foreign exchange student, and therefore somewhat exotic, lol. (I'm talking about personality, not looks here, people :P) On this particular day, a boy sitting across the room from me attempted this task of naming everyone. Naturally, he had to start with me. At first I didn't get this, but then as the girl sitting next to me began to pat my shoulder and look at me with a sympathetic and somewhat amused expression on her face, I got it: this dude had forgotten my name.
I sat up straiter in my seat and crossed my arms, attempting (and failing) to smile at this guy. I just find it so amusing how the discomfort that sometimes comes with being the new kid (and a foreigner!) had been completely switched around. The tables had turned, so to speak, and I have to say I enjoyed seeing the apologetic look on his face. Finally someone else remembered my name and whispered it to him, and you would think that that would be the end of the matter. But no.
(I am taking liberties as a writer to edit the next thing that I said so that I use correct German grammar. This is for my pride, thank you very much.) "Aus?" I posed the question. He definitely struggled with that a bit; no one on his side of the room had gotten to know me enough to know that. "Aus... Finnland?!" Yeap, that pretty much sent me, and the rest of the class, into a wave of uncontrollable laughter. Random guy in Deutsch class, you just made my week :D
And now for something completely different! I would like to personally file a complaint against Apple's spedometer feature for iPods. I've taken to walking places a lot, so I decided to use my iPod to track how much. It claimed that I walked just over 1,000 steps, and that I only burned about a hundred calories!! Well, it probably didn't take into account the heavy backpack I was lugging. Hmmm, and here we come again to the swallow-and-coconut conundrum...
There is one thing I need to say to all my fellow Americans. My people, our pretzels are no match for those made in Germany, and neither is our chocolate. It's time that we move on and work toward a better future, one in which we all suck it up and beg our friends in Germany to send us these wonderful foods.
I think I'll add one last thing before I sign off for now. My school has three stories, and the building is laid out so that most of the classrooms have an entire wall of just windows. This can be pleasant, what with the natural light, but NOT when someone from across the room decides to open the window to let in the freezing cold air directly behind YOU. For future reference, the best thing to do in this situation is suck it up and bring a jacket, lol. As a side-note, I've seen these notices on the windows, and I'm pretty sure that they're warning you not to fall out of the window... Yeah... We live in interesting times. :)
Thanks to y'all for reading!! TGWTC, aus Finnland ;) jk, I'm American, we all know that.
Anyway, back to the story... So occassionally the teacher has the students play a game where one will try to go around the room and say the name of all the others. I'm new, which would usually make me the most forgettable, save for the fact that I am also a foreign exchange student, and therefore somewhat exotic, lol. (I'm talking about personality, not looks here, people :P) On this particular day, a boy sitting across the room from me attempted this task of naming everyone. Naturally, he had to start with me. At first I didn't get this, but then as the girl sitting next to me began to pat my shoulder and look at me with a sympathetic and somewhat amused expression on her face, I got it: this dude had forgotten my name.
I sat up straiter in my seat and crossed my arms, attempting (and failing) to smile at this guy. I just find it so amusing how the discomfort that sometimes comes with being the new kid (and a foreigner!) had been completely switched around. The tables had turned, so to speak, and I have to say I enjoyed seeing the apologetic look on his face. Finally someone else remembered my name and whispered it to him, and you would think that that would be the end of the matter. But no.
(I am taking liberties as a writer to edit the next thing that I said so that I use correct German grammar. This is for my pride, thank you very much.) "Aus?" I posed the question. He definitely struggled with that a bit; no one on his side of the room had gotten to know me enough to know that. "Aus... Finnland?!" Yeap, that pretty much sent me, and the rest of the class, into a wave of uncontrollable laughter. Random guy in Deutsch class, you just made my week :D
And now for something completely different! I would like to personally file a complaint against Apple's spedometer feature for iPods. I've taken to walking places a lot, so I decided to use my iPod to track how much. It claimed that I walked just over 1,000 steps, and that I only burned about a hundred calories!! Well, it probably didn't take into account the heavy backpack I was lugging. Hmmm, and here we come again to the swallow-and-coconut conundrum...
There is one thing I need to say to all my fellow Americans. My people, our pretzels are no match for those made in Germany, and neither is our chocolate. It's time that we move on and work toward a better future, one in which we all suck it up and beg our friends in Germany to send us these wonderful foods.
I think I'll add one last thing before I sign off for now. My school has three stories, and the building is laid out so that most of the classrooms have an entire wall of just windows. This can be pleasant, what with the natural light, but NOT when someone from across the room decides to open the window to let in the freezing cold air directly behind YOU. For future reference, the best thing to do in this situation is suck it up and bring a jacket, lol. As a side-note, I've seen these notices on the windows, and I'm pretty sure that they're warning you not to fall out of the window... Yeah... We live in interesting times. :)
Thanks to y'all for reading!! TGWTC, aus Finnland ;) jk, I'm American, we all know that.
1.1.11
The Aftermath
So the holidays are finally over, and what are we left with? Empty champaign glasses, leftover party snacks, a colossal mess of streamers and burnt-out firework remnants, and plenty of memories :) As with all celebrations, the aftermath leaves us with a somewhat bittersweet feeling brought on by the promise of a return to school and work, but we hang on to the great moments we had. (I am rather stubborn on this point. I still have birthday cards in a box under my bed at home from two years ago!)
I've been around for three major celebrations since I wrote last: Christmas, my 17th Birthday, and New Year's. (auf Deutsch: Weihnachten, mein 17te Geburtstag, und Silvester) How about we start from the top and work our way down then, shall we? (I promise to add in little trivial events in-between, lol)
For Christmas, we baked bread like my Grandmother used to make. It was really tasty, and my host family enjoyed it, which was a definite plus. The bread itself ends up being in the shape of a Christmas tree, with candied cherries for ornaments on the branches. It felt sooo unbelieveably good to be able to share traditions with my host family and have them share their holidays with me in return.
Christmas was fairly quiet, with us exchanging gifts at home after having a meal together. My host sister and I clung obstinately to our conviction that a Christmas tree should be inside and decorated for Weihnachten, else it's just an evergreen, barely above a fern in ranking, when you think about it. So on Christmas morning (the 24th, in Deutschland), we brought it inside, dried it off, and got it all ready for it's debut as a bonafeid Christmas tree with glass baubles and ornaments. I have to say, it looked like one happy tree!
My birthday was also pretty quiet. My host sister and I got haircuts. God, I didn't realize how badly I needed a haircut until I took a serious look and realized that it was around three to four inches longer!! And anyone who has long hair will know how nice it feels to have a professional wash your hair and then cut and style it. Oh, so that's another first to add to my list. I have now, officially, gotten a haircut in a different country. How many people can say that? :)
Later that evening we went to a Greek restaurant for someone else's birthday which had been the day before. I've started to notice a pattern here... many Greek and Asian restaurants--along with lots of pizza joints!! And then there's the places where they serve Eis. Those places drive me just about over the edge because it's negative ten outside and they're serving ice cream!! And it's delicious because it's from Europe and not like that stuff we get at our siblings' baseball games from the man with a cart which is decked out with bells to make it impossible to ignore. I don't think that bells is the correct word, really. Glocken might be more appropriate, given that they have a certain inharmonious quality which appeals to the more impatient side of one's nature. In short, it makes me want to start a conversation as to why exactly a less discordant noisemaker cannot be selected.
The last major event of last year, and the first of this year, for that matter, was New Year's. I actually like the German word for this time better than the English one. Silvester sounds bright and new, and well, more sparkly, which is what New Year's stands for. The bright, new, and yes, even shiny beggining. One of the major differences between my home and Berlin is that, here, bottle rockets are legal, lol. Yeap, almost like when I happened to be in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day, hahaha!
Well, that pretty much wraps up the last of my 2010! Come to think of it, I can't really believe that I've spent half of it in Deutschland!! How time flies :) TGWTC, signing off! P.S. I need to remember to write about Miss Sophie's 90 Geburstag oder Dinner for One in my next entry, lol.
I've been around for three major celebrations since I wrote last: Christmas, my 17th Birthday, and New Year's. (auf Deutsch: Weihnachten, mein 17te Geburtstag, und Silvester) How about we start from the top and work our way down then, shall we? (I promise to add in little trivial events in-between, lol)
For Christmas, we baked bread like my Grandmother used to make. It was really tasty, and my host family enjoyed it, which was a definite plus. The bread itself ends up being in the shape of a Christmas tree, with candied cherries for ornaments on the branches. It felt sooo unbelieveably good to be able to share traditions with my host family and have them share their holidays with me in return.
Christmas was fairly quiet, with us exchanging gifts at home after having a meal together. My host sister and I clung obstinately to our conviction that a Christmas tree should be inside and decorated for Weihnachten, else it's just an evergreen, barely above a fern in ranking, when you think about it. So on Christmas morning (the 24th, in Deutschland), we brought it inside, dried it off, and got it all ready for it's debut as a bonafeid Christmas tree with glass baubles and ornaments. I have to say, it looked like one happy tree!
My birthday was also pretty quiet. My host sister and I got haircuts. God, I didn't realize how badly I needed a haircut until I took a serious look and realized that it was around three to four inches longer!! And anyone who has long hair will know how nice it feels to have a professional wash your hair and then cut and style it. Oh, so that's another first to add to my list. I have now, officially, gotten a haircut in a different country. How many people can say that? :)
Later that evening we went to a Greek restaurant for someone else's birthday which had been the day before. I've started to notice a pattern here... many Greek and Asian restaurants--along with lots of pizza joints!! And then there's the places where they serve Eis. Those places drive me just about over the edge because it's negative ten outside and they're serving ice cream!! And it's delicious because it's from Europe and not like that stuff we get at our siblings' baseball games from the man with a cart which is decked out with bells to make it impossible to ignore. I don't think that bells is the correct word, really. Glocken might be more appropriate, given that they have a certain inharmonious quality which appeals to the more impatient side of one's nature. In short, it makes me want to start a conversation as to why exactly a less discordant noisemaker cannot be selected.
The last major event of last year, and the first of this year, for that matter, was New Year's. I actually like the German word for this time better than the English one. Silvester sounds bright and new, and well, more sparkly, which is what New Year's stands for. The bright, new, and yes, even shiny beggining. One of the major differences between my home and Berlin is that, here, bottle rockets are legal, lol. Yeap, almost like when I happened to be in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day, hahaha!
Well, that pretty much wraps up the last of my 2010! Come to think of it, I can't really believe that I've spent half of it in Deutschland!! How time flies :) TGWTC, signing off! P.S. I need to remember to write about Miss Sophie's 90 Geburstag oder Dinner for One in my next entry, lol.
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