As y'all can tell, it's been a while since I wrote... More than a week... And I really don't feel like I have much to tell... The big event this past week happened hundreds of miles away, at home, where my dad graduated with his PhD in History! So my attention strayed to another continent.
TUESDAY: As planned, I continued my schedule of reading. I woke up early and finished my homework for class. Headed to class... After class I walked home, where I got online and figured out how to reorder my debit card pin... I want to point out here that I got my bank account over 2 months ago. I have received 3 debit cards, but never a pin. I have gone in 3 times to reorder a pin, but since they can't do that... they always send a new card... and the pin NEVER comes. So I reordered the card and changed my address to include my room number (something that is not common here). After that, I headed walking to Starbucks. It is one and a half hours from my dorm, but I am loving getting to listen to "Anne Frank's Diary," while I walk. At the beginning, it really bothered me listening to it, since it is a teenager's view of things... and one can be incredibly vane and ruthless while judging others at that age.... As Anne grows, I become more and more interested in her story. Tuesday afternoon I skyped with my amazing thesis adviser, who gave me more guidance on the next steps of my research. As a result, I sent many emails and wrote many notes! Saturday night was a big night here!! Well not really here, but kinda. At home in Oxford, my aunt Elena was arriving from Uruguay to surprise my dad for his graduation. Since my sister had an exam, one of my best friends (ended up being two of them) drove up to Memphis to pick her up. The idea was to surprise my dad at the office, where he was grading papers, but instead, they were confronted with an empty office. My mom was giving an exam and Maia was taking one... so it was up to me to locate my dad. So... I called his cellphone, but he didn't answer... by that point Sarah, Claire, and Elena had gone to Newks to get a bite to eat. By the time dad noticed he had a missed call and called me, the girls were already at Walmart buying a balloon to surprise him with. Well... I didn't want to miss the surprise... So I stayed on the phone with him (Skype) and transmitted to Claire (via iMessage) where he was located in the house so they could be aware when they surprised him. After what felt like the longest time, dad says, "oh there come your friends Sarah and Claire." I acted surprised... Dad was expecting Katie, Maia's friend, who was supposedly coming to spend the night because she had to move out of her dorm early.... That's what Maia had told mom so she would have the house ready (up to mom's standards) for company! Sarah and Claire brought him the balloon, which he showed me and said, "can you believe they brought me a balloon." They told him they had something for him in the car that they needed help getting, so at that point... while mom is pulling in... they all head to the car. Mom said she expected a dog... and I don't know what dad expected, but they got tia Elena! What a surprise! And I got to live vicariously through the internet. Isn't it a wonderful thing!!!!!! After some time talking, I headed to bed!
WEDNESDAY:
Another early morning! I still had to finish reading the final pages of the book for class, but I got to my 8 o'clock class with all 200 and something pages (in German) read!!! Whooooohooooo!!! Then on to my 10 o'clock! Had all my readings for that class done too!!! Whoooo!! Then grammar! I hadn't been to this class in two weeks (due to the class excursion and a national holiday). I thought I had prepared everything, but I missed the email in assignment, because I hadn't been in class. Oh well! After class I went with two of the Dutch girls to get some ice cream in the cafeteria. After about 30 minutes of talking, we were joined by the Italian guy from our intro class. I realize how ridiculous it is for me to constantly write about these awesome people and simply identify them by their nationality, but if I used names, this would become sooo confusing, so fast! Anyway, we had a lovely time sitting outside, it was sunny at that point, and we discussed/planned their trip to Hamburg. If I hadn't felt so overwhelmed with homework/thesis, I think I might have joined them. But I have to prioritize, because I will get to have my fun in July and August. Now... I need to buckle down! After our conversation I walked home with my friend Anne Frank and settled down for a night of reading/thinking. I made some delicious home made (healthyish) french fries, salmon, and salad and talked to my aunt Marianne. Incredibly, our conversation led to some factual holes I have in my Uruguay facts, so she put me in contact with a friend of my grandmother's in Uruguay. I had a great conversation with them (him and his wife) over skype and I was able to fill in many holes! They were very very sweet and I was SUPER happy to hear their stories!
THURSDAY:
Thursday started lazy and late, but what is expected of (yet another) national holiday? This one came unexpected, if I had known, I would have planned a trip for my 4 day weekend... but oh well!!! I was actually awakened that morning by a call from Hannele, who wanted to check on
me, because she hadn't heard from me in a while. Sweet lady!! I feel
horrible about not having called her, but I really have had my mind on a
million things. I headed out at some point to Starbucks. When I left my apartment, it was sunny and clear, but by the time I got there... it was sooooo dark (and clearly about to start raining). I was wearing a white tank top.... Did I mention I don't have a car here? Soooo... after an hour of reading "Weimar Germany: promises and tragedies." I headed out to catch a bus to get me home! The plan was to buy food on the way, but thanks to the rain and my choice of wardrobe, I was left at home... with ZERO food. Hey... one night of no food won't kill me! On Thursday night I got to talk to another of my grandmother's family. This time, Omi! I had spoken with her about Oma's story when I was in Uruguay two summers ago, but she was once again incredibly helpful! I love to hear her stories, because I feel like my Oma is telling them. Omi is such an amazing spirit, I LOVE talking to her! I wish I could do it more often!
FRIDAY:
Friday started late, again... But oh well! I worked all week with mom and Elena and my sweet friend/boss Penny to get everything together for a wine and cheese party for my dad's graduation. (Side note: I really hope everyone who reads my blog knows that my use of run-on sentences, poor spelling, and horrible grammar is not done purposely and will continue to increase proportionally with the time I spend here) Anyway.... the planning was a blast, and I was looking forward to how they decorates, prepared, etc... Friday was THE night! As soon as I realized they were too busy to share the day via Skype, I hurried to Berlin to meet Alexandra and Colby. I didn't want to wait and think about how I was missing out on the big day and all the event planning (my favorite thing to do on this planet). So... instead... I ate! (Side note: on the way out I checked my mail (like I do 2 to 3 times a day) and found my 4th debit card! now... to hoping the pin follows) We got together and went to a Mexicanish Restaurant, where we ordered chips and salsa roja to start out with... Little did we know that it means chips with Ragu Spaghetti canned sauce. NOT RECOMMENDED! After that, we walked through the streets of Prenzlauer Berg! I love this place soo much! After much walking, we settled in for some coffee and cake at Anna Blume, a lovely cafe! We felt so full/guilty afterwards that we walked all the way to Alexanderplatz! Once there, I took the train back home (already 11:45) and I settled in to watch my dad graduate. It is pretty incredible what technology does! I watched it with my aunt Marianne... she watched in Uruguay and I watched here, and we chatted via skype as we watched! My pictures of my computer screen as dad walked across the stage turned out to be the best! hahah! At around 8:40, the graduation was still dragging on... I knew my mom must have been a nervous wreck, because all of the guests were scheduled to arrive at 9:00, and most of them weren't at the graduation!! So I text Maia, who said the three of them (her, Elena, and mom) were saying the same thing.... So mom sneaked out and headed home... in the pouring rain! I called her and tried to appease her nerves by telling her that Courtney, my best friend and her adopted third daughter, was on her way to help her. After that, I expected to hear from them... I was online and my cousin Lucia appeared with her husband Nacho! They had watched the end of the graduation and were waiting to Skype with them to congratulate dad. By then it was around 9:30, so I figured guests were already at home... In case you aren't doing the math.... it was... 4:30 am here!!!! But, I didn't want to fall asleep right when they were skyping me. Instead, I decided to skype with Lucia and Nacho for a while! We got to talk for about an hour and it was soooo great to catch up, but at around 5:45, I gave into my sleepiness... The birds were out and so was the sun. I figures no one was going to Skype, which clearly meant the party was a hit! I quickly fell asleep and did not wake up until like... 2 pm!!!!!
SATURDAY:
As expected, Saturday was a reading/studying day. I actually got some writing done! Clearly it is nothing that I would turn in as part of my thesis, but it is thoughts and stories, which is waaaay more than I have done in a while! I also transcribed an interview!!! That makes Saturday a success!!! In preparations for a visit from Alexandra and Colby on Sunday, I swept, mopped, and dusted! Then... I headed out to the grocery store, where I purchased all of the necessary ingredients for crepes (I know... I'm getting repetitive.. but what can I do, I just have a stove top!!! )
SUNDAY:
I spent the beginning of Sunday planning. As I mentioned, I LOVE planning and organizing! This time it was a trip! It is the "sister trip" that Maia and I will take in July! We are hoping to get to know some of Italy and the British Isles in just 15 days! That is one HUGE task! But we can do it!!!! After many hours on Ryanair and Easyjet, we Skyped and discussed our possibilities. Nothing has been concluded, but one thing we are doing for sure is "the Ring of Kerry" in Scotland!!! I somehow came across it online, and I have fallen in love with it!!! I can't wait to go. In the evening, Alexandra and Colby came over and we had crepes! They were a huge hit and we had a blast hanging out in my super empty/clean room! After they left, I continued talking the trip over with Maia until 3 am here... Didn't actually fall asleep until 4 am! That's what happens when you mess your sleeping schedule up!!!
MONDAY:
Oh well, I really hated myself Monday morning during my 8 o'clock, but it's ok. After class I walked home with Anne and started my reading for my 2:00 o'clock! I was sooo prepared for that one that for the first time ever.... I got to answer questions!!! Being used to my lovely Croft classes with over 100 pages of reading per class (clearly I never have enough time to do them all) and accounting classes, where I never know if I should attempt to answer a question.... it was REALLY great answering questions knowing that the answer I was giving was correct!! It didn't hurt that the class is in English and the rest of the students are German, but HEY!!!! A girl needs to feel like she knows something sometimes!!! After class I returned home, watched a quick movie and fell asleep at 7:30 pm. And... I didn't wake up until 8:30 am! Whew!!! Maybe I'm back on schedule!!!
Tuesday:
The early morning today meant that I was extra productive! Before my 12 o'clock, I prepared my homework for tomorrow and organized everything for this week (aka organized the million printed material that I have had stuffed in my back pack). At 11:30 I headed walking to school with Anne. I'm getting to the continuously depressing part of Anne's story and I know that I still have many more depressing months to go.... But it is very interesting.... Class was ok, but after class... the most amazing thing occurred!!!! I found my debit card pin in my mailbox!!!! Believe it y'all!!! I officially can access my scholarship!!! Whoooo!!! I guess it's time to pay my parents back! hahah! So... after that... I was ready to continue the exciting things! So I packed up my two humongous bags of dirty clothes and headed to the Waschbar, where Olga and Susi washed my clothes (the names of the washers) and Elvis and Bill dried them (the driers)... Elvis was a disappointment and shrunk a lot of my sweaters, but I guess I'll forgive him since they were a bit large to begin with. Once back at home, I have dedicated my evening to planning my trip this weekend! Did y'all forget??? I'm going to Scotland!!! WHOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! I cannot wait!!! Only downside is that my flight leaves from Berlin at 6:50, which means I have to leave Potsdam at 3:40!!! Gross, scary, and sooo not what I would prefer to do, but hey!! I'm going to Scotland!!! And guess what!?!?!? They speak English there!!!! I can't wait!!! And you want to know something else?????? I'm getting to see Ghost:the Musical!!! I think this weekend will be the perfect breath of fresh air that I've been needing!!!!
Anyway guys! I wanted y'all to be updated, since I know my next entry will be all about Scotland. The past few weeks have not been the most exciting or happiest of my life, but I'm making it over here in Germanland! I do wish I could share some of the walks or quiet study moments with some of you at home, but it is helping me realize how lucky I am to have people back at home that are as busy and studious as I am! It makes the whole process a whole lot less lonely! I have also made another big realization... not new though... I am BEYOND done with school! I know some people love it, but I am sooo not one of those people. I think I would like school much better here. There is less emphasis on tests and only emphasis on these papers that they have 1.5 months FREE to write them in... Like, really??? But even if I were living here with their lack of cares about grades, I think I would still be done. Planning this "sister trip" and my dad's wine and cheese stuff has reminded me of how much fun I had last summer at my internship, how much fun I had working with the Honors Retreat planning last summer, how much fun I have at work, and finally how much fun I have "working" as a whole... I love having a project, devising a plan, and executing... I don't like papers, I don't enjoy having mountains to read, and I REALLY don't enjoy feeling like there is SOOOO much to learn that I could never catch up. I think this is my major issue at the moment. My classes and my thesis deal with detailed topics that are based on all this general knowledge that I either lacking or not mastering... On the other hand, when I work... I can catch myself up easily on the projects and make sure I can complete the task. I guess it's good to have projects to remind myself that I do have LOTS of things that I enjoy doing. This is one of the main reasons that I am thankful to have RebelTHON next year!!!! I digress... so let me wrap this up altogether!!! Bis (till) soon!
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