I am having a rough day.
On our way to class I tripped over something invisible and wiped out while crossing Engelbergerstrasse. I grabbed onto Julia but down I went. Timber. Totally scraped up the palm of my hands, which are important. Not to say that other parts of my body aren't important, but I use my hands a lot and now, it hurts.
I kind of sat in the middle of the street staring at my bleeding hands while Julia attempted to drag me up. Some guy appeared out of nowhere and started going on about an 'Arzt' (German for doctor) and magically whipped out antiseptic spray. This is my favorite part of the story because it is SO German. I mean, you have to think that a country has got to be doing something right if it's typical to randomly whip out some antiseptic spray. They are so sterile.
Anyway, it stung and smelled retched, so I started screaming to Julia about how he probably sprayed paint thinner on my hand or something. She told me I was talking crazy, which I definitely was. Then again, I don't especially like looking down and seeing bits of gravel stuck into my skin.
I also had to get through my first class without coffee, which I think is a form of torture in many areas of the world. Or it should be, anyway.
Afterward I rewarded myself with a Cafe Mocha at Aspekt, which is probably one of the most delicious things in the universe. I have two lists for delicious things. "Things that my father has cooked" and "Everything else". I very much miss sampling things from the former.
3 days to go, however. The worst part is going to be getting through the flights, because this time I know what I have to look forward to. Coming to Freiburg was exciting because I only had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. And the traveling itself was an adventure. Meanwhile, going back to Michigan means knowing exactly where I'm going, what I want to do, and who I want to see. The flight itself will be exciting only because I love airports and flying, but after about 2 hours I'll be bored. After 4 my headphones will start bothering my ears. 6, I'll be claustrophibic and unable to sleep. Argh.
Well I am just a ray of sunshine today, aren't I?
Ok, Tuebingen. I will talk about happy things.
Tuebingen was absolutely adorable. It's about 100,000 people, so half the size of Freiburg. I have no idea why it's the sister city to Ann Arbor. I asked a few people but no one could give me a good answer. Oh well. If anyone's wondering, it was a great choice.
If I had gone abroad for a semester, it would've been to Tuebingen. I have a few friends coming over in January and I do indeed plan on visiting. Now, I know that I laahke eet.
After taking roughly 96 trains to get to Tuebingen, we were met at the train station by a group of elderly women who divided us up like cattle. Alex, Julia and I ended up with Carolyn Melchers who organized the whole shindig and was awesome. She grew up in Detroit, went to U of M (and did my program while she was there) and stays in Glen Arbor, MI (by Traverse City) every summer for their art festival. Her husband, who was equally awesome, is German and never stopped smiling. They invited us into their home, gave us each a bedroom, made us some tea, and then we had a long conversation about various things. We talked a lot about differences in German and American school systems, immigration, our plans after we graduate, what Ann Arbor was like in the 60's, etc. She told us that while she was doing AYF, Kennedy was shot. She came to Germany after she graduated at U of M and has been there since.
(Right about now, this story is striking fear into the hearts of my parents)
After tea time, we had dinner, which was probably the best homemade food I've eaten in Germany. Then we went into town to watch a traditional German film that was shown outdoors, called 'Feuerzangenbowle'...Don't ask me. Feuer means fire and bowle means bowl but after that I'm lost. It's a drink I guess, where you pour rum over something, light it on fire, and then catch it all in a big pot. Crazy Germans.
The film itself was pretty cute and I understood it, but I was verging on hypothermia. Julia and I cuddled up to Alex, which was nice since I am cuddle-starved these days. Tuebingen was a lot colder than Freiburg. We saw dustings of snow on the countryside when we were on the train, which was very exciting for all of us. I miss snow so much.
We drank a lot of Gluehwein and crawled into each others coats, but after the film I was ready to go fall into a bed. They took us to the DAI (aka: German-American Institute) and made us talk with Americans who had moved over here and wanted to convince us to do the same. I did my best to be polite, smile, nod, and act alive, but I was not at my best. After however many hours making small talk, Carolyn said she'd take me home. Julia and Alex were fully prepared to go hit the bars, but I was ready for some REI! I heart sleep.
The next day I woke up to Alex standing in front of me wearing nothing but bright orange boxers and a beer helmet, saying "So...uh...I can't figure out how to work the hot water?".
He found the helmet in my room somewhere. It was a weird way to wake up, obviously.
Eventually we figured out the shower and went down to have another amazing meal. I can't figure out how to crack open soft-boiled eggs for the life of me. I was making a huge mess.
After that we got driven into the city, where Carolyn said goodbye to us, after she said "You are all such great kids, I have to say!" I now want to think of her as my German grandmother, even though I very much doubt she's old enough to be. She keeps insisting that we come back to visit and I think I'll take her up on that.
For the rest of the day Julia and I wandered around the Weihnachtsmarkt, which was bigger than Freiburg but comparable. Most booths were for pottery, knitted things, traditional German food, wood toys, or candles. We were given a map to the train station so we were allowed to head back whenever we felt like it, so by 4 we were more than ready.
On one of the trains back (this time we only had to take 93) we sat next to two adorable little girls, who were about 12 or so, and were fascinated with us. I remember how I used to look up to older girls when I was that age...the funny thing is I still feel like I'm their age.
I will be 21 in exactly a month. Wow.
Ok, well, I have about a billion little things to do to prepare my vacation to the US! This trip isn't quite a vacation, but it's not like I'm staying there.
I'm sorry I didn't provide intimate details about Tuebingen but my mind's all over the place right now. I will be home soon, however. I've got my flight info, a train picked out, two suitcases to fill to the max, a burned CD of pictures to show everyone and their mom, and stories galore.
I'm also thinking of bringing home a thing of milk, just to prove to everyone in the US that what they are drinking is not milk, but is in fact white water. Mommy will you get me some cream for my coffee, bitte?
I think I may go take a short Schalfchen. That means 'little sleep'.
The paint thinner is making my hand stick to the keyboard.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
cross-dressing in the library
I am updating only because I can feel my mother silently willing me to across the Atlantic Ocean. And she won't shut up about me coming home. I love this, because it makes me feel missed and loved and all kinds of warm, fuzzy things.
I've been busy. And actually busy doing productive, student-like things. Yesterday Julia and I had our Theater Referat, which is up there on the list of "Scariest Things I've Ever Done". (other favorites on this list are the Ferris Wheel at Cedar Point and taking my drivers test the second time)
Most German college classes don't have any homework or work sheets or busy work. Instead, all that's required of you is a Referat and a Hausarbeit. A Referat is kind of like a big presentation, but really you're kind of teaching the class for the day. You have to make a handout, be an expert on the reading, and answer all questions. And, seeing as I am absolutely terrified of speaking German in front of large crowds, I was on the verge of wetting myself throughout the entire thing.
Hausarbeit is basically a 15-30 page paper about what you do your Referat on. Absolutely nothing I would ever worry too much about. I would glady write a 50 page paper in German if it meant I didn't have to get up in front of a room full of people for 10 minutes, even. Gah.
Julia and I wanted to get our Referat out of the way before break, so we picked the day instead of the topic "Heiner Mueller and Mythology". Sounds harmless.
HA.
When we finally go to the library on Friday, and saw the entire section on Mueller, I think that was when we officially started to panic. Reseach is a pain, but imagine doing it in a language you're only half fluent in. And I think the Germans purposely make their libraries impossible to figure out. There is no rhyme or reason to the system. And you're not allowed to check anything out.
We basically unloaded about three shelves and went into overdrive. I pride myself on being a good student, but Julia is could win awards for how indepth she goes into things. However, she also procrastinates, stressed out, and puts too much pressure on herself, I fear.
Needless to say, we were quite the pair running around.
We returned Saturday morning, hungover, underslept, and wearing dirty clothes. We copied about 10 books and then crawled back into bed.
Sunday night and Monday morning were when we did the bulk of what we needed to, got to class late, gave our Referat, survived, and then got Burger King to celebrate.
I also gave Monday morning the official lable of LEVEL 5 HIGH STREE LOCKDOWN. I went back to bed, but Julia was at my kitchen table furiously writing. It was intense.
That afternoon, Julia called me "the most tolerant woman on the planet" and thanked me for her help. I was speechless. It was splendid.
Basically, Heiner Mueller was absolutely nuts. He took old Greek plays and made them crazy to understand. He was a Socialist in East Berlin during the 60's and 70's, so he was basically using these plays to slyly hint about his personal political and philosophical beliefs. He took out punctuation, staging, and many times, the subjects in sentences. And I'm not talking about reasonable stuff, like using passive voice. He prided himself on being a realist and didn't care if he just confused the crap out of everyone.
Now, that would be hard enough in English, but German? Psh?
However, I think we did very well. After we spoke, the class and our professor responded with some interesting questions, all of which we were able to answer. Stephanie told me I didn't sound nervous at all, which was nice to hear.
We don't know our grade yet, but I'm not too worried. I feel that we did well.
Obviously, my entire weekend was consumed by crazy Socialist playwrights, but Friday night Julia and I did decide to get our party on. Her WG was having an "Austausch" party, which I was initially wary of. Her WG is basically my second home, and I have an outrageous crush on her roommate Andi (who has an undeniably adorable girlfriend, of course) so I obviously couldn't miss it. I also simply had to walk up two floors.
Austausch means "exchange". The point of this whole shindig, was to come in clothes you didn't want anymore, because everyone was "exchanging" them the whole night. Everyone runs around stripping and putting on different outfits. Guys were in girls clothes. Girls were in guys clothes. It was amazing.
This all started with some crazy guy running up to me and saying 'WILLST DU DEINE HOSEN TAUSCHEN?'...so I gave him my pants and in exchange got some funky dress. Throughout the night I wore "Mom jeans" (high waisted with tapered bottoms...like my mom), parachute pants, a men's Large polo, a very short skirt, some kid's soccer shirt, etc. My jeans went through several different guys...I don't think I ever saw them on a female. And they didn't look half bad on German men, I have to say. It was kind of frightening. I had to eventually fight Garrett for them back at the end of the night. I left in my original jeans, but got some random men's t-shirt, which I actually kind of like. Julia says one of her roommates has my shirt. I hope she enjoys it.
I'm amazed at how comfortable German men are with sexuality. It's refreshing. For example, they're all phenomenal dancers. In the US I feel like a lot of college guys think being able to move to a beat isn't masculine, for some reason. Meanwhile, running around on a field and running into each other is, of course, respected.
And dancing in clubs in Europe isn't as insanely sexual as it is in the US. Dancing isn't even dancing anymore in the US, and it's obnoxious. Here it's still sweaty and loud and dirty, but you also get personal space. I happen to be a huge fan of dancing and personal space.
This weekend I got to Tuebingen for a night, and then I COME HOME. I am super super super excited for that latter portion. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss having a fridge that goes to eye level. Today I rewarded myself with a day of solitude, which was spectacular. I ran around the city picking up random Christmas gift and then sat in Aspekt...with a Milchkaffee...and Kartoffelsuppe. I got through half of 'Kafka on the Shore'. Niiice.
Ok I am out of whitty things to say so I believe it is bedtime.
My newly aquired men's t-shirt is great to sleep in.
I've been busy. And actually busy doing productive, student-like things. Yesterday Julia and I had our Theater Referat, which is up there on the list of "Scariest Things I've Ever Done". (other favorites on this list are the Ferris Wheel at Cedar Point and taking my drivers test the second time)
Most German college classes don't have any homework or work sheets or busy work. Instead, all that's required of you is a Referat and a Hausarbeit. A Referat is kind of like a big presentation, but really you're kind of teaching the class for the day. You have to make a handout, be an expert on the reading, and answer all questions. And, seeing as I am absolutely terrified of speaking German in front of large crowds, I was on the verge of wetting myself throughout the entire thing.
Hausarbeit is basically a 15-30 page paper about what you do your Referat on. Absolutely nothing I would ever worry too much about. I would glady write a 50 page paper in German if it meant I didn't have to get up in front of a room full of people for 10 minutes, even. Gah.
Julia and I wanted to get our Referat out of the way before break, so we picked the day instead of the topic "Heiner Mueller and Mythology". Sounds harmless.
HA.
When we finally go to the library on Friday, and saw the entire section on Mueller, I think that was when we officially started to panic. Reseach is a pain, but imagine doing it in a language you're only half fluent in. And I think the Germans purposely make their libraries impossible to figure out. There is no rhyme or reason to the system. And you're not allowed to check anything out.
We basically unloaded about three shelves and went into overdrive. I pride myself on being a good student, but Julia is could win awards for how indepth she goes into things. However, she also procrastinates, stressed out, and puts too much pressure on herself, I fear.
Needless to say, we were quite the pair running around.
We returned Saturday morning, hungover, underslept, and wearing dirty clothes. We copied about 10 books and then crawled back into bed.
Sunday night and Monday morning were when we did the bulk of what we needed to, got to class late, gave our Referat, survived, and then got Burger King to celebrate.
I also gave Monday morning the official lable of LEVEL 5 HIGH STREE LOCKDOWN. I went back to bed, but Julia was at my kitchen table furiously writing. It was intense.
That afternoon, Julia called me "the most tolerant woman on the planet" and thanked me for her help. I was speechless. It was splendid.
Basically, Heiner Mueller was absolutely nuts. He took old Greek plays and made them crazy to understand. He was a Socialist in East Berlin during the 60's and 70's, so he was basically using these plays to slyly hint about his personal political and philosophical beliefs. He took out punctuation, staging, and many times, the subjects in sentences. And I'm not talking about reasonable stuff, like using passive voice. He prided himself on being a realist and didn't care if he just confused the crap out of everyone.
Now, that would be hard enough in English, but German? Psh?
However, I think we did very well. After we spoke, the class and our professor responded with some interesting questions, all of which we were able to answer. Stephanie told me I didn't sound nervous at all, which was nice to hear.
We don't know our grade yet, but I'm not too worried. I feel that we did well.
Obviously, my entire weekend was consumed by crazy Socialist playwrights, but Friday night Julia and I did decide to get our party on. Her WG was having an "Austausch" party, which I was initially wary of. Her WG is basically my second home, and I have an outrageous crush on her roommate Andi (who has an undeniably adorable girlfriend, of course) so I obviously couldn't miss it. I also simply had to walk up two floors.
Austausch means "exchange". The point of this whole shindig, was to come in clothes you didn't want anymore, because everyone was "exchanging" them the whole night. Everyone runs around stripping and putting on different outfits. Guys were in girls clothes. Girls were in guys clothes. It was amazing.
This all started with some crazy guy running up to me and saying 'WILLST DU DEINE HOSEN TAUSCHEN?'...so I gave him my pants and in exchange got some funky dress. Throughout the night I wore "Mom jeans" (high waisted with tapered bottoms...like my mom), parachute pants, a men's Large polo, a very short skirt, some kid's soccer shirt, etc. My jeans went through several different guys...I don't think I ever saw them on a female. And they didn't look half bad on German men, I have to say. It was kind of frightening. I had to eventually fight Garrett for them back at the end of the night. I left in my original jeans, but got some random men's t-shirt, which I actually kind of like. Julia says one of her roommates has my shirt. I hope she enjoys it.
I'm amazed at how comfortable German men are with sexuality. It's refreshing. For example, they're all phenomenal dancers. In the US I feel like a lot of college guys think being able to move to a beat isn't masculine, for some reason. Meanwhile, running around on a field and running into each other is, of course, respected.
And dancing in clubs in Europe isn't as insanely sexual as it is in the US. Dancing isn't even dancing anymore in the US, and it's obnoxious. Here it's still sweaty and loud and dirty, but you also get personal space. I happen to be a huge fan of dancing and personal space.
This weekend I got to Tuebingen for a night, and then I COME HOME. I am super super super excited for that latter portion. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss having a fridge that goes to eye level. Today I rewarded myself with a day of solitude, which was spectacular. I ran around the city picking up random Christmas gift and then sat in Aspekt...with a Milchkaffee...and Kartoffelsuppe. I got through half of 'Kafka on the Shore'. Niiice.
Ok I am out of whitty things to say so I believe it is bedtime.
My newly aquired men's t-shirt is great to sleep in.
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