Yep, Frau Abercrombie is from Heidelberg. Though, of course, that's not why I'm going. I can't wait to hear all about everyone's Spring Break trips. We'll all have exciting trips to talk about! Not that Eating a Banana isn't exciting, or course. ; ) Anyway, I don't really have a lot to report today. My seminar yesterday was really frightening, because I had to get up and give a mini presentation. I think I did okay, though. Afterwards, I went to the cafeteria with a guy from Singapore named Damien. Then, I attempted to find this movie theater that shows films in the original language, so I could watch an English movie. (The normal theater here dubs all the movies, which I find really annoying. I hate watching films where the sound doesn't match the actor's mouth movements. Subtitles are so much better). I couldn't find it, and so I went home and I had nothing to do, because, you know me, I had already done my homework. Sometimes being studious isn't a great thing.
Today in class, our teacher spent a good deal of time working on our pronunciation. She said you should pronounce the vowels as if you were gargling water or trying to get phlegm to come up. We all had to practice doing that. It sounded really gross. Oh, well. That's what I get for choosing German over Spanish.
Okay, I think that's it for now. Sorry nothing really interesting happened, but I should be able to report on fun stuff this weekend. Wiedersehen!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Language Barrier
Jenny's right. Baylor is more Puritan than the rest of America, but I bet you'd still be hard pressed to find a dorm with a bar in it. Anyway, last night was really fun. Manuela also invited some of her friends to join us, and so I ended up having drinks with two Italians, a French girl, (What do you call people from France anyway? Franks?), a Serb, a Luxembourger, another American, and another guy whose nationality I couldn't figure out because he didn't talk much. We all decided that we should only speak German. This was really interesting, considering none of us are fluent in it. I still had a lot of fun, though. Manuela, Claudia, and I had fun talking about the Italian and American versions of certain television shows and movies. Mainly Mary Poppins. They would sing a line from one of the songs in Italian, and then ask me to sing the same line back in English. They thought the English version of Chim Chimney (or however you spell that) was really funny. Also Manuela wanted to know what the English version of Donald Duck's nephews are. (It took me a moment to figure out what she wanted to know because she asked me, in German of course, ''What are the names of Doonalt Dook's three children?''). She thought the names Huey, Duey, and Louie were hilarious. The Italian version is something like Quack, Quirk, and Quark.
Today has been really frustrating because I haven't used any English. Even though Claudia knows English, we still only speak German with each other in our attempt to be able to speak it comfortably. In the cafeteria I ate with Claudia and five other Italians which I didn't know. Even though the rule is we should only speak German, they cheated a lot and spoke Italian, so half the time I had no idea what was going on. After we ate, they wanted to go out for Italian coffee, so I tagged along, and then decided from now on, I will only go to Starbucks for my coffee, because Italian coffee is way, way, way to strong. So is German. Its also pretty disgusting. This morning I went to Cafe Europa (German Java City), and got Milschkaffe. It tasted like milk with a shot of espresso in it. Even sugar didn't help. I was so happy when I found a Starbucks. They don't have my favorite Pumpkin Spice, but Hazelnut Chocolate makes up for it.
The cafeteria here is really different from Baylor. When you get in line, you have two choices. You can go through the line where they're serving Essen 1 and Essen 2 or you can go through the buffet line. If you go through the first line, you have a choice between two plates, each with a different meal on it, and then you pay the fixed price. If you go through the buffet line, you get what you want, and then you pay based on how much your plate weighs. (?) There is no ice anywhere and the only water you can get is carbonated mineral water (really disgusting). Also, the food isn't that good. I'll never complain about the Baylor cafeterias again. Its so much better.
I had the chance to hang out with the Americans last night too, but they wanted to go to the bar in the dorm and play Beer Pong, something which they were amazed I didn't know about. Somehow, I didn't think that was a good idea. By the way, what exactly is Beer Pong? (I wasn't told. I guess they thought I should just experience it).
I signed up to go to Heidelberg today, and I can't wait for this weekend. I also signed up to go to Strasbourg, and Mannheim. There was one other city which I could have signed up for, but the entire trip consisted of touring New Age art museums, and that didn't sound very interesting. I really want to go to Mannheim, but I didn't have a choice about Strasbourg, because its a requirement for the seminar I signed up for. By the way, in order to get full credit for this course you have to sign up for two seminars held in the afternoon. Right now I'm doing one on the European Union, and next week I'll do one on Intercultural Competence. I also might do the one on German Film History, and see what I'm missing in the class that I would have been taking with Jenny.
Anyway, that's all for today. Bis Morgen!
Today has been really frustrating because I haven't used any English. Even though Claudia knows English, we still only speak German with each other in our attempt to be able to speak it comfortably. In the cafeteria I ate with Claudia and five other Italians which I didn't know. Even though the rule is we should only speak German, they cheated a lot and spoke Italian, so half the time I had no idea what was going on. After we ate, they wanted to go out for Italian coffee, so I tagged along, and then decided from now on, I will only go to Starbucks for my coffee, because Italian coffee is way, way, way to strong. So is German. Its also pretty disgusting. This morning I went to Cafe Europa (German Java City), and got Milschkaffe. It tasted like milk with a shot of espresso in it. Even sugar didn't help. I was so happy when I found a Starbucks. They don't have my favorite Pumpkin Spice, but Hazelnut Chocolate makes up for it.
The cafeteria here is really different from Baylor. When you get in line, you have two choices. You can go through the line where they're serving Essen 1 and Essen 2 or you can go through the buffet line. If you go through the first line, you have a choice between two plates, each with a different meal on it, and then you pay the fixed price. If you go through the buffet line, you get what you want, and then you pay based on how much your plate weighs. (?) There is no ice anywhere and the only water you can get is carbonated mineral water (really disgusting). Also, the food isn't that good. I'll never complain about the Baylor cafeterias again. Its so much better.
I had the chance to hang out with the Americans last night too, but they wanted to go to the bar in the dorm and play Beer Pong, something which they were amazed I didn't know about. Somehow, I didn't think that was a good idea. By the way, what exactly is Beer Pong? (I wasn't told. I guess they thought I should just experience it).
I signed up to go to Heidelberg today, and I can't wait for this weekend. I also signed up to go to Strasbourg, and Mannheim. There was one other city which I could have signed up for, but the entire trip consisted of touring New Age art museums, and that didn't sound very interesting. I really want to go to Mannheim, but I didn't have a choice about Strasbourg, because its a requirement for the seminar I signed up for. By the way, in order to get full credit for this course you have to sign up for two seminars held in the afternoon. Right now I'm doing one on the European Union, and next week I'll do one on Intercultural Competence. I also might do the one on German Film History, and see what I'm missing in the class that I would have been taking with Jenny.
Anyway, that's all for today. Bis Morgen!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
German Classes
I thought I was having trouble managing the publishing of my posts, but since Jenny commented, I must be doing it right. So far, I've had only two German classes, but I've learned so much already. (For clarification, this month, I'm taking classes to learn German, next month, I'll actually be taking normal classes. Providing I learn enough German, of course). I have class Monday through Friday from 9.15 to 12:30. I know that sounds really horrible, but we get a thirty minute break, long enough for the class to sit down and enjoy coffee at the German version of Java City. Also, our professor is so much fun. Its actually kind of sad when I look down at my watch and discover the class is already over. Or, well, at least it should be. Frau Nothen goes overtime a lot, but nobody minds. (See? Its not just me being totally geeky. The whole class feels this way). Anyway, the class consists of six Americans (me included), two Italians, a Norwegian, a Turk, two Koreans, and three Japanese girls. Its really cool to be around so many international students. I haven't made too many German slip ups yet. (Well, this morning I mistakenly thought the German word for mushroom was a type of beer, but hey, anyone could made that mistake, right? Pilze and Pils? My Italian friends thought it was hilarious).
Anyway, tonight, Claudie and Manuela (my aforementioned Italian friends) and I are going to go out for drinks. It feels really weird saying that. When I get back to America, I wont be able to say that again for another two years. Oh, well. Not that I really drink anyway. Speaking of drinking, I found a bar built into my dorm the other night. Too bad you all live in a Puritan society.
This weekend I get to go on one of the excursions offered by the language school. I can either go to Heidelberg or Basil. I can't decide which one. Either way, I'm really excited. Get ready for some pictures!
Anyway, tonight, Claudie and Manuela (my aforementioned Italian friends) and I are going to go out for drinks. It feels really weird saying that. When I get back to America, I wont be able to say that again for another two years. Oh, well. Not that I really drink anyway. Speaking of drinking, I found a bar built into my dorm the other night. Too bad you all live in a Puritan society.
This weekend I get to go on one of the excursions offered by the language school. I can either go to Heidelberg or Basil. I can't decide which one. Either way, I'm really excited. Get ready for some pictures!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Arrival and Culture Shock
Hello, everyone! I know I've now been in Germany for six days now, but due to troubles with my power converters, I haven't been able to use the Internet. (I've finally found the university's computer lab). Anyway, it took me a total of about 15 hours to travel from home to Freiburg. (Two hour flight to Washington, DC., two hour layover, seven hour flight to Frankfurt, an hour wait for a train, a two hour train ride to Freiburg, and then about half an hour of being totally lost, before I found the Foreign Student Office. At which point I was really thankful, because that meant they would give me my room key and I could sleep, sleep, sleep. Or at least that's what I thought. They told me the keys wouldn't arrive for another four hours and that I should come back then. So, I spent a long time wondering aimlessly around until I stopped at a little cafe and ordered heiß Schokolade. Then I finally got my key and directions to my dorm. Of course, I got on the tram that was going in the wrong direction, so what should have been a ten minute trip, was actually a thirty minute trip. Then, of course, with about twenty hours of zero sleep, carrying a hundred pounds of luggage, in the freezing cold downpour, I got lost again. It took me about forty minutes before I finally found the right building. And then I almost it took me another twenty before I could figure out the German key/lock mechanism. Whew!
Anyway, the next morning, I discovered I have a really cool dorm room. Its a single room complete with bathroom and kitchenette. The room has a desk with a swivel chair and desk lamp, a wardrobe with shelves and drawers, six shelves on the wall, a bed with a drawer underneath, another chair, a reading lamp, and a balcony. The kitchenette consists of a sink, two drawers, a refrigerator, and a stove top. The bathroom is really big. (We all know what's in a bathroom). In addition to all this, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, cushions, bed linens, and a portable laundry basket were included. To many, this may not sound very amazing, but those who know where I live when I'm at school in the States, can understand my enthusiasm. In fact, on my way to class this morning, two other foreign students, an Australian and a Swede, were completely astounded to learn what dorms were like back in America. Its kind of weird to hear them saying things like, ''Wow, I wonder what it would be like to share a room?'', or ''What!? Is America a Puritan society? Guys and girls live in separate buildings and have visiting hours!?''.
I've made a couple a friends so far, including an Italian named Claudie, and the cutest little Japanese girl named Maniwa, who doesn't speak English and only knows a little German. This morning, through broken German, an electronic English to Japanese translator, sign language, and drawings, she managed to communicate to me that her alarm clock was broken, and I managed to communicate back to her that I would wake her up until she could buy one.
I have discovered that the Germans are lot nicer and lot more fun than Americans have given them credit for. I can't tell you how many people stopped to help me with my luggage or offered directions when I was looking at a map. Also, they have a very sarcastic sense of humor. About three quarters of the people speak English. In many cases this is annoying, because I want to practice my German. However, as soon as I open my mouth, and reveal I'm a foreigner, they switch to English. In other cases it is extremely helpful, especially if I am really confused about something.
The second night I was here, the Foreign Student Office decided to introduce the new foreign students to the town by pub crawling. Of course I know next to zilch about alcohol, and so the Germans at the office have considered it their personal mission to introduce me to beer, the wine from around the region, beer, more beer, and also beer. The next day, after our placement tests, the office had a wine party for all the foreign students. (This is really a far cry from Baylor). One of the office workers saw me going for the orange juice and immediately dragged me over to another table and poured me a glass of wine. I'm surprised he didn't give me up for a lost cause after seeing the look on my face when I sipped it. (My friends know the look I'm talking about). I also had a coughing fit. I much prefer orange juice.
Okay, I think this was definitely a long enough post. I'll see if I can upload some pictures soon.
Tschüs!
Anyway, the next morning, I discovered I have a really cool dorm room. Its a single room complete with bathroom and kitchenette. The room has a desk with a swivel chair and desk lamp, a wardrobe with shelves and drawers, six shelves on the wall, a bed with a drawer underneath, another chair, a reading lamp, and a balcony. The kitchenette consists of a sink, two drawers, a refrigerator, and a stove top. The bathroom is really big. (We all know what's in a bathroom). In addition to all this, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, cushions, bed linens, and a portable laundry basket were included. To many, this may not sound very amazing, but those who know where I live when I'm at school in the States, can understand my enthusiasm. In fact, on my way to class this morning, two other foreign students, an Australian and a Swede, were completely astounded to learn what dorms were like back in America. Its kind of weird to hear them saying things like, ''Wow, I wonder what it would be like to share a room?'', or ''What!? Is America a Puritan society? Guys and girls live in separate buildings and have visiting hours!?''.
I've made a couple a friends so far, including an Italian named Claudie, and the cutest little Japanese girl named Maniwa, who doesn't speak English and only knows a little German. This morning, through broken German, an electronic English to Japanese translator, sign language, and drawings, she managed to communicate to me that her alarm clock was broken, and I managed to communicate back to her that I would wake her up until she could buy one.
I have discovered that the Germans are lot nicer and lot more fun than Americans have given them credit for. I can't tell you how many people stopped to help me with my luggage or offered directions when I was looking at a map. Also, they have a very sarcastic sense of humor. About three quarters of the people speak English. In many cases this is annoying, because I want to practice my German. However, as soon as I open my mouth, and reveal I'm a foreigner, they switch to English. In other cases it is extremely helpful, especially if I am really confused about something.
The second night I was here, the Foreign Student Office decided to introduce the new foreign students to the town by pub crawling. Of course I know next to zilch about alcohol, and so the Germans at the office have considered it their personal mission to introduce me to beer, the wine from around the region, beer, more beer, and also beer. The next day, after our placement tests, the office had a wine party for all the foreign students. (This is really a far cry from Baylor). One of the office workers saw me going for the orange juice and immediately dragged me over to another table and poured me a glass of wine. I'm surprised he didn't give me up for a lost cause after seeing the look on my face when I sipped it. (My friends know the look I'm talking about). I also had a coughing fit. I much prefer orange juice.
Okay, I think this was definitely a long enough post. I'll see if I can upload some pictures soon.
Tschüs!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Last Weekend in Waco!
I'm currently visiting my BFFs in Waco for the last time before I head off to Germany. This is quite sad. I wont see them again for five and a half months! I really can't believe that I'm leaving on Wednesday. I spent so much time working and planning for this trip and now its about to be a reality. This will be my first time traveling alone, visiting a foreign country, and living in a big city. (I know Freiburg isn't that big, but I live in a place where people put "Have you seen this Cow?" posters in your mailbox. I'm not kidding). Anyway, I'm pretty nervous about going, but I know its going to be the trip of a lifetime. I'm going to enjoy as much American culture as possible before I leave. Sadly, I think I'll miss Folgers coffee the most.
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