Hello family! (and a high-five to all my other readers)
You are coming to Europe soon, and I know you've all been reading/stressing about it. Yes, it's literally freezing here, and yes, it will probably stay that way BUT--
You'll get over it!
Isn't that fantastic news? I actually love the cold now; it's just something you have to embrace and run with, otherwise you'll miss out on some great adventure. Alles klar?
Tips for traveling abroad:
Use toilets any chance you get, and stay hydrated. These two fairly common American conveniences do not exist in Europe. (Free toilets/free water)
Do not interact with beggers/sellers-of-junk. At all. Do not make eye contact.
Be painfully polite, especially if you do not speak their language.
Be painfully aggressive on public transportation-- they will show NO mercy to your hesitance.
Do not give out extra information to waiters/hotel receptionists/grocery store clerks etc. Unlike in America, they won't fake caring, and you'll feel like an ass for it. Trust me, haha.
Only get cash out of ATMS attached to banks. Kinnnnnd of obvious.
and most importantly:
Stay calm! Enjoy the wonderful stress of traveling and feeling out of place- you're not alone!
My cell number: 0049 0152 2769 7688. Just in case of absolute emergency.
Good luck, and I can't wait to see you!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Life's crazy sometimes.
A college-age death this week.
A college-age pregnancy this week.
Man, aren't you guys glad I'm queer and come from a supportive family?
I AM!
A college-age pregnancy this week.
Man, aren't you guys glad I'm queer and come from a supportive family?
I AM!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
GRRRAWWWRRRR
My laptop is being fussy. It hasn't allowed me to post the last few videos I've made. I'm trying something new tonight (it takes all night, and I can't start until I go to bed), so hopefully it'll be up in 16 or so hours.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Back safe and sound!
I am so beyond exhausted that it's not even funny... yet. ;)
I've made a 12 minute video about my weekend in Rome because there's no way I could write it all down. It will literally take all night if not longer to upload it, so sit tight until tomorrow and I'll post it as soon as I can.
By the way, how is it already December 13th? Time flies!
Stereotypes I fulfilled in Rome:
- I ate (read: devoured) true italian pasta, pizza, gelatto, and Limoncello (typical/unique Italian alcohol)
- I blessed myself with holy water at St. Peter's Cathedral
- I threw a coin into Trevi fountain (wikipedia that tradition if you don't know of it)
- I toured the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and St. Peter's
- I drank water out of the public fountains
- I climbed to the top of the Spanish steps
- I got kissed by our italian waiter (photo evidence to be shown later) and even we all did that scary kiss-on-the-cheek goodbye
Yeahhhh, that's all I can think of right now. Must sleep. Or do laundry. Or take another shower, lol.
I've made a 12 minute video about my weekend in Rome because there's no way I could write it all down. It will literally take all night if not longer to upload it, so sit tight until tomorrow and I'll post it as soon as I can.
By the way, how is it already December 13th? Time flies!
Stereotypes I fulfilled in Rome:
- I ate (read: devoured) true italian pasta, pizza, gelatto, and Limoncello (typical/unique Italian alcohol)
- I blessed myself with holy water at St. Peter's Cathedral
- I threw a coin into Trevi fountain (wikipedia that tradition if you don't know of it)
- I toured the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and St. Peter's
- I drank water out of the public fountains
- I climbed to the top of the Spanish steps
- I got kissed by our italian waiter (photo evidence to be shown later) and even we all did that scary kiss-on-the-cheek goodbye
Yeahhhh, that's all I can think of right now. Must sleep. Or do laundry. Or take another shower, lol.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Get rained on, sit through class, cook something. Repeat.
I'm sorry to say: I have nothing to say!
haha
I like the life I've made here. It's easy and comfortable, but unfortunately, with weather like this, I feel no need to go out and do weird things. Instead, my friends and I are holing up with comfort food, card games, movies, and chilling. I finished my first paper in nearly six months, and it was cake. Hmm what else? I had my first tandem learning session. Basically the cute guy from my class asked if I wanted to tandem with him, and I said yes! So, once a week we'll grab coffee, or make a pizza at my place, or go to soccer games or whatnot. An hour of English, an hour of German. Awesome, eh? I like him; we have a lot in common, but sadly, we are both mumblers. haha =]
I'm coming back Valentine's Day if all goes well! AND THEN ELTON JOHN A FEW DAYS LATER OHMYGOD.
I guess I'll go to the gym now?
haha
I like the life I've made here. It's easy and comfortable, but unfortunately, with weather like this, I feel no need to go out and do weird things. Instead, my friends and I are holing up with comfort food, card games, movies, and chilling. I finished my first paper in nearly six months, and it was cake. Hmm what else? I had my first tandem learning session. Basically the cute guy from my class asked if I wanted to tandem with him, and I said yes! So, once a week we'll grab coffee, or make a pizza at my place, or go to soccer games or whatnot. An hour of English, an hour of German. Awesome, eh? I like him; we have a lot in common, but sadly, we are both mumblers. haha =]
I'm coming back Valentine's Day if all goes well! AND THEN ELTON JOHN A FEW DAYS LATER OHMYGOD.
I guess I'll go to the gym now?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Ta-Da!
Cook together:
2 chicken breasts
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 an onion
2 Tbs butter
At the same time:
Boil 300 grams noodles
Prepare cheese sauce packet.
Cook/drain baby spinich
When sauce is finished, add a head of broccoli, cut up in small pieces.
Drain noodles, combine with broccoli/sauce mixture. Add chicken and spinach
Pour contents into an 8x11 pan. Add sliced almonds, any seasonings that tickle your fancy, cheese, and more cheese. Go wild and add bread crumbs if you're feeling sassy enough.
Boo yah-
(My apologies for the unclear instructions; I kind of just came up with this recipe as I was cooking, haha)
2 chicken breasts
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 an onion
2 Tbs butter
At the same time:
Boil 300 grams noodles
Prepare cheese sauce packet.
Cook/drain baby spinich
When sauce is finished, add a head of broccoli, cut up in small pieces.
Drain noodles, combine with broccoli/sauce mixture. Add chicken and spinach
Pour contents into an 8x11 pan. Add sliced almonds, any seasonings that tickle your fancy, cheese, and more cheese. Go wild and add bread crumbs if you're feeling sassy enough.
Boo yah-
(My apologies for the unclear instructions; I kind of just came up with this recipe as I was cooking, haha)
Practically tropical!
Finally, after a two+ week cold snap, Freiburg is a balmy 36, with a high of 40! And by Wednesday, we should be in the high 40s! Wooo, lol.
Nothing really going on here. My weekend was fun and party-filled, which is rare, but it allowed me to meet new people, so I'll call it successful. It's pretty miserable outside (remember: my home is a construction zone, dass heisst- mud, gravel, small moats etc) so my friends and I have been burrowing. Last night I made them all Joe's Special and we hung out for an hour or so before they all disbanded for homework.
I got a postcard today from my friend Jacob! It has a funny map of Oregon printed on the front and I love it haha!
Anyway, I think I'll go cook something and read for history. I enjoy my lazy Mondays.
Nothing really going on here. My weekend was fun and party-filled, which is rare, but it allowed me to meet new people, so I'll call it successful. It's pretty miserable outside (remember: my home is a construction zone, dass heisst- mud, gravel, small moats etc) so my friends and I have been burrowing. Last night I made them all Joe's Special and we hung out for an hour or so before they all disbanded for homework.
I got a postcard today from my friend Jacob! It has a funny map of Oregon printed on the front and I love it haha!
Anyway, I think I'll go cook something and read for history. I enjoy my lazy Mondays.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Those Germans...
I've been thinking about a blog post about the differences between Uhh'mericans and Chermans for a while now. This list will hopefully grow, but here's what I've noticed (and remembered so far)
- Americans are corner-cutters. If we think we can get away with riding the bus for 10 minutes without paying, by God we will! Germans NEVER Schwarzfahr (ride trains, busses, trams etc without paying).
- Americans have places to be; we will J-walk at any opportunity. Germans will absolutely not j-walk, even when no cars are in sight; they will wait in the snow/rain for the little light to turn green. Weirdos.
- In some cases, Americans are more in Ordnung (in order) than Germans are: lines (at grocery stores etc) are sacred. In general, we do not cut in line- Germans definitely do. It's not punk teenagers, either: it's middle age moms and old people. I have no idea what to say about this; we Americans are still flabbergasted.
- There are formalities. Most of the time, people can bring a +1 friend with them to any party/gathering and it's not even thought twice about. Here, you MUST ask the host if it's okay if a friend can show up, too. Also: if you say you might meet a group later (perhaps at a bar, or karaoke or at the Christmas market) but you end up not going, you must let them know, even if you didn't give them a clear "yes" or "no." This one was a tough lesson to learn.
- Germans are not impressed with snow. Only the Americans have been playing in the snow so far that I've seen. We probably look ridiculous to them, but we don't care!
- An obvious one: Americans keep their bedroom doors open, so people can come and go, and Germans keep theirs shut. The same amount of welcome is waiting for you at each room, the door is just simply shut for privacy.
- I'm not sure how to explain this one, but it feels like German social conversation is very structured and similar to discussions in the classroom. Things are analyzed and argued, like a debate, even if the topic is "skiing or snowboarding?" I actually really like this. I can't remember how American teenagers communicate, but this feels more involved and genuine.
Anyway, that's all I've got for now! I'm going to go on a walk with Cat in the gorgeous sunshine. I think later we're all gonna go play with Becca and her visiting boyfriend, Aiden.
- Americans are corner-cutters. If we think we can get away with riding the bus for 10 minutes without paying, by God we will! Germans NEVER Schwarzfahr (ride trains, busses, trams etc without paying).
- Americans have places to be; we will J-walk at any opportunity. Germans will absolutely not j-walk, even when no cars are in sight; they will wait in the snow/rain for the little light to turn green. Weirdos.
- In some cases, Americans are more in Ordnung (in order) than Germans are: lines (at grocery stores etc) are sacred. In general, we do not cut in line- Germans definitely do. It's not punk teenagers, either: it's middle age moms and old people. I have no idea what to say about this; we Americans are still flabbergasted.
- There are formalities. Most of the time, people can bring a +1 friend with them to any party/gathering and it's not even thought twice about. Here, you MUST ask the host if it's okay if a friend can show up, too. Also: if you say you might meet a group later (perhaps at a bar, or karaoke or at the Christmas market) but you end up not going, you must let them know, even if you didn't give them a clear "yes" or "no." This one was a tough lesson to learn.
- Germans are not impressed with snow. Only the Americans have been playing in the snow so far that I've seen. We probably look ridiculous to them, but we don't care!
- An obvious one: Americans keep their bedroom doors open, so people can come and go, and Germans keep theirs shut. The same amount of welcome is waiting for you at each room, the door is just simply shut for privacy.
- I'm not sure how to explain this one, but it feels like German social conversation is very structured and similar to discussions in the classroom. Things are analyzed and argued, like a debate, even if the topic is "skiing or snowboarding?" I actually really like this. I can't remember how American teenagers communicate, but this feels more involved and genuine.
Anyway, that's all I've got for now! I'm going to go on a walk with Cat in the gorgeous sunshine. I think later we're all gonna go play with Becca and her visiting boyfriend, Aiden.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It's my weekend!
So last night I had a make-up lecture for my EU class, and it was actually kind of interesting. This lecture had a beginning, middle and end. A structure. I could follow and take notes- it was a miracle. I hate that none of my DAF classes have any structure. Meh.
I just got back from my lone Thursday class, which is becoming more and more ridiculous and out of hand. The teacher is very sweet, but she has no idea how to but together a lesson plan or execute her questions in an understandable way. I love history and I have a high level of comprehension, but I absolutely cannot follow her. Plus, she picks on one or two students a lesson and doesn't let up! The entire class can be sleeping (or paying excellent attention) and she will only call on those two students. I am always one of those students. :-|
Anyway! It's nearly 1pm: I'm going to eat some leftovers (including a fresh loaf of bread I just picked up from the bakery) and head out to Ikea to pick up a few things. (i.e. measuring cups, glasses, maybe christmas stuff).
A special note of thanks to Mama Moyer for my advent calendar! I had to destroy it and rebuild it because it did not survive the journey over here.
I just got back from my lone Thursday class, which is becoming more and more ridiculous and out of hand. The teacher is very sweet, but she has no idea how to but together a lesson plan or execute her questions in an understandable way. I love history and I have a high level of comprehension, but I absolutely cannot follow her. Plus, she picks on one or two students a lesson and doesn't let up! The entire class can be sleeping (or paying excellent attention) and she will only call on those two students. I am always one of those students. :-|
Anyway! It's nearly 1pm: I'm going to eat some leftovers (including a fresh loaf of bread I just picked up from the bakery) and head out to Ikea to pick up a few things. (i.e. measuring cups, glasses, maybe christmas stuff).
A special note of thanks to Mama Moyer for my advent calendar! I had to destroy it and rebuild it because it did not survive the journey over here.
Foooooood
So, I am slowly becoming a real life adult, and I know this, because I've moved away from grilled cheeses and frozen pizzas. Here's what's cookin' this week:
-Shepherd's Pie (turned out awesome)
- Bacon and Potato soup (stuffed with veggies)
- Joe's Special
Do you guys have any good-for-freezing-weather-and-good-for-leftover recipes? I could use some more :)
The view out my window. I couldn't even be bothered to get up and take it, lol. (It was taken over my head)
-Shepherd's Pie (turned out awesome)
- Bacon and Potato soup (stuffed with veggies)
- Joe's Special
Do you guys have any good-for-freezing-weather-and-good-for-leftover recipes? I could use some more :)
The view out my window. I couldn't even be bothered to get up and take it, lol. (It was taken over my head)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I feel like such a boss!
(Slang translation: I feel awesome/unstoppable/badass etc)
How I love the first of the month! Finally, I get to feel like a real person and buy real food and purchase legitimate clothing for below-freezing weather! =)
Today started out "early" (read: 8:30). I decided to get up early enough to shower, which is a new thing on Wednesdays, lol, and wow; it really makes all the difference in the world when it comes to alertness and attention span. Class was actually really cool today- someone delivered a short presentation, the teacher talked about a movie called Persepolis, and then we watched most of it. I'm hooked; I must see the rest soon!
After class, it was time to SHOP. I first went to Karstadt, which is a high-end Macy's to find gloves and a beanie, and was assaulted by their prices. The cheapest pair of gloves I could find was 12.50; the highest was 50. :\ I then limped over to the New Yorker, which is a trendy young adult store, and bought a warm flannel shirt and a hoodie which was on clearance- SCORE! lol
Then it was off to find boots. This took many shops because 1) I'm cheap 2) I'm genderqueer.
(Slang translation: I don't fit in to either gender. In this case, I'm referring to snow boots- feminine snow boots look ridiculous on me, and fat man boots look even worse.)
I finally settled on a pretty unisex pair of shoes, which were also on clearance. On my way back, I stopped by a book store and purchased two Christmas Yankee candles and a ticket to tomorrow night's Puccini opera, Tosca. I am ecstatic about this! There was only one ticket left and I got it, 15 rows back, directly in the middle. Wooooo
In the last hour I've started my laundry and made Shepherd's Pie. It looks ugly, but I know it'll taste delicious, haha.
Tonight: Consume dinner, finish laundry, attend a make-up class (read: it's happening tonight instead of Friday at noon), deep clean my room, make a pile of stuff to get rid of, and perhaps write some letters while listening to Christmas music.
Oh yeah, did I mention: it snowed again about two hours ago!
Me, heading out to the grocery store in the snow.
How I love the first of the month! Finally, I get to feel like a real person and buy real food and purchase legitimate clothing for below-freezing weather! =)
Today started out "early" (read: 8:30). I decided to get up early enough to shower, which is a new thing on Wednesdays, lol, and wow; it really makes all the difference in the world when it comes to alertness and attention span. Class was actually really cool today- someone delivered a short presentation, the teacher talked about a movie called Persepolis, and then we watched most of it. I'm hooked; I must see the rest soon!
After class, it was time to SHOP. I first went to Karstadt, which is a high-end Macy's to find gloves and a beanie, and was assaulted by their prices. The cheapest pair of gloves I could find was 12.50; the highest was 50. :\ I then limped over to the New Yorker, which is a trendy young adult store, and bought a warm flannel shirt and a hoodie which was on clearance- SCORE! lol
Then it was off to find boots. This took many shops because 1) I'm cheap 2) I'm genderqueer.
(Slang translation: I don't fit in to either gender. In this case, I'm referring to snow boots- feminine snow boots look ridiculous on me, and fat man boots look even worse.)
I finally settled on a pretty unisex pair of shoes, which were also on clearance. On my way back, I stopped by a book store and purchased two Christmas Yankee candles and a ticket to tomorrow night's Puccini opera, Tosca. I am ecstatic about this! There was only one ticket left and I got it, 15 rows back, directly in the middle. Wooooo
In the last hour I've started my laundry and made Shepherd's Pie. It looks ugly, but I know it'll taste delicious, haha.
Tonight: Consume dinner, finish laundry, attend a make-up class (read: it's happening tonight instead of Friday at noon), deep clean my room, make a pile of stuff to get rid of, and perhaps write some letters while listening to Christmas music.
Oh yeah, did I mention: it snowed again about two hours ago!
Me, heading out to the grocery store in the snow.
Icing on the cake of today-
Pentagon: Letting openly gay troops serve won't hurt military""
Today was fabulous. I woke to a blue, sunny sky, but unfortunately also to the sound of my loud house phone. For some reason, I am the mail bitch (pardon my german). Whenever someone's not home to pick up their package, the mail guys choose me to hold it for them. This is the fourth time! It's not really that bothersome; it's just scary waking up to a german man on the phone, lol.
I went to the gym and listened to more of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and then went to tutorium which was only an hour! I then hung out with my two germans and Chris before heading out to my rendezvous with Tarlie. It was definitely below freezing, but the Christmas market offers many forms of warm alcohol to help fight off the chill, and Tarlie and I took advantage of it!
Tonight, I chilled with Tim (Ireland) and Alex (Portland) and Jess (Corvallis). I love Skype dearly.
And now, just before bed I did a news scan, and this lovely nugget presented itself. It's about damn time, too. (Pssst- Europe thinks we're idiots and that DADT is absurd.)
Good night and thank God it's December.
Today was fabulous. I woke to a blue, sunny sky, but unfortunately also to the sound of my loud house phone. For some reason, I am the mail bitch (pardon my german). Whenever someone's not home to pick up their package, the mail guys choose me to hold it for them. This is the fourth time! It's not really that bothersome; it's just scary waking up to a german man on the phone, lol.
I went to the gym and listened to more of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and then went to tutorium which was only an hour! I then hung out with my two germans and Chris before heading out to my rendezvous with Tarlie. It was definitely below freezing, but the Christmas market offers many forms of warm alcohol to help fight off the chill, and Tarlie and I took advantage of it!
Tonight, I chilled with Tim (Ireland) and Alex (Portland) and Jess (Corvallis). I love Skype dearly.
And now, just before bed I did a news scan, and this lovely nugget presented itself. It's about damn time, too. (Pssst- Europe thinks we're idiots and that DADT is absurd.)
Good night and thank God it's December.
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