AND MORE! :)

01.08.2011

The first day of August. Can you believe it? The fact that I still don’t having housing arranged for next year at this point makes me a bit nervous, but it will all work itself out I’m sure. I could always live in a box next to Lake Calhoun? Maybe I’ll just reside in Katie’s convertible. I’d get a nice tan for the beginning part of the school year at least.

Anyway, I went to a huge antique fair with Annika and her husband on Saturday. It was really cool and really big with the substantial number of people selling old German memorabilia. Ceramics, war antiques, fabric, purses, jewelry, shoes, old police sweaters, etc etc etc! There was a lot of crap, but some of it was really neat. I saw so many swastikas on the antiques and was really shocked that people were trying to sell those items. Henryk explained that it was illegal to sell things with that symbol, but it was “under the table.” A bit eerie but also strangely exciting to be able to view things like that. I was able to buy a little medieval soldier made of pewter for 50 cent and an old art poster. Neither had anything to do with the Nazis but still a fun, tiny souvenir to remember the afternoon.

That night we all hung out at their apartment, and I met their good friend Kay. Later we all went to a club around 12 am. I was shocked to learn that their night on the town starts at 12 and ends around 7 am. In the US of course we go out around 10 pm and come back at 2 am. Quite the change. Lately I have been also going to bed around 10 pm and waking up around 7 am for work. Haha. My grandma lifestyle would soon be put to the test. It was a really fun night though, and I was able to stay awake the whole night. We went to a student keller or basement club. The bar required a passport, which is unusual for German bars or clubs. Annika and Henryk both needed to have theirs even though they are 30 years old and the bar’s age requirement is 18. We danced the night/early morning away.

My Sunday was spent sleeping. Lots and lots of sleeping. All together I’m really happy to get to know Annika and Henryk.

06.08.2011

I’m back and ready to update this journal, although there has only been a short week since last writing. It has been a slight blur of all my weekly activities. On Tuesday and Thursday I worked at the Kunstverein. Nothing too major. They are now having me translate their website and brochure also, which is good because there currently is limited work. I have a co-worker there all the time, who doesn’t have much work himself.

Last week I was invited to help at Lia’s kindergarten. We decided that this last Wednesday would be a good day for me to come in, and Lia’s teacher explained I should arrive at halb sechs or in English 6:30 am. Me being surprised by the early hour confirmed with Antonia that they in fact said 6:30, and she nodded yes. Oi. I woke up at 5:30 exhausted but ready to play with little ones. Arriving at 6:30, one of the helpers asked why I was there so early. I looked around and only four children were there. I explained the agreement from the previous week and she just looked confused.

It wasn’t bad being there so early, however I felt very sleepy. The German kindergarten is very similar to ones in the US. The building and rooms are filled with color, toys, puppets, books, and art supplies. I especially liked the fact that in their playground, the school had chickens and rabbits. I’m sure the kids love having these pets there. It’s a lot better in my opinion than having a class fish or hamster, much more interactive. Once the teacher, who I previously spoke with, arrived (around 8:00 am), she told me that we agreed on 10:30 am. There was no use disagreeing, and she let me leave for a break until then. A very, very large coffee and newspaper were calling my name. Later I returned and was able to paint with about 20 kindergarteners. They were all very cute and happily created lots of art.

On Friday I was able to ride the Molli with Annika and Henryk. The Molli is a black and red train with a steam engine and one of Bad Doberan’s major tourist attractions. This weekend is the Molli’s 125^th birthday, and Doberan had a small carnival with rides and booths celebrating the charming train. We took the train (or as Annika liked to say “drive the train.” Apparently Germans “drive” everything because the word fahren is used with so many things) to Kühlungsborn and back. It was beautiful day with lots of sun and laughs. After our Molli trip, we all went back to Rostock and met up with friends of theirs.

Today I worked at the Kunstverein again and had to say my final goodbyes to Thomas, Heike, Antonia, little Lia and Mats. The family is going to Copenhagen for three full weeks, and I won’t see them for the rest of my trip. It’s a bit strange that I’ll be here and my hosts will be on vacation. Who can blame them for wanting to travel on their holiday though? I certainly understand. For the next week, I’ll be house sitting for Antonia, feeding their guinea pigs and picking up their mail. I also have access to internet, a washing machine, their vast DVD collection, and the thing I look forward to most AN OVEN! (My very tiny kitchen only has a little fridge and stove.) The first thing I plan on making is lasagne, and I’m a weirdly jumping for joy to be able to cook and bake once more.

Things to remember:

1. Purchase final train ticket to Frankfurt.
2. Reserve a room at a youth hostel for Aug. 24.
3. Buy Andrew and Julie’s gifts.
4. Send postcards!
5. Find housing for next year or confirm living with Gail.

14.08.2011

I’m jamming out to Robbie Williams. What has Germany or Antonia done to me? Never before had I heard of this Robbie or his band before until Antonia asked me about him. She was stunned when I said I didn’t know him but only the actor Robin Williams. Apparently he’s some big shot singer from an old British boy band. Secretly I think I’m too young to really know his music, especially when he was in a band, but I don’t plan on telling Antonia that or she might feel old. His music is okay, but nothing too amazing. She seems to drool over him, but I think her obsession starts from her youth and is similar to me liking Backstreet Boys because I loved them during my sappy pre-teen years.

Other than the new music I have acquired and the numerous movies I’ve borrowed from both Antonia and Thomas/Heike, things in Germany are going as they were before. Life is filled with work and free time no matter where you are in the world. It rains all the time here and is starting to become a bit of a downer. I like rain but when it comes down everyday and sometimes for the whole day, my good mood gets a bit soggy along with the grass and trees surrounding me. That’s a little depressing, isn’t it?

The past week I have looked over the guineas and loved every minute watching over Antonia’s apartment. It is much bigger than mine and also has much more of a comfy home feel. I did laundry, cooked meals in an oven, and was spoiled with a bubble bath and glass of wine. It was my own little holiday. There was also much time, where I was able to talk to my family and Andrew on skype. These moments I most cherish because the only internet I received before was in my garden, and there isn’t enough reception for a skype conversation. It also rains so much that I can’t even get online from the garden. All in all, it was a really good, relaxing week.

On Tuesday, Elisabeth, the Kunstverein’s accountant, graciously invited me over to her apartment for lunch. I happily accepted and enjoyed a delicious meal of salmon, mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, and fruit. She’s a pleasant woman and it was real treat to spend the afternoon with her.

I worked at the Kulturhistorisches Museum on both Thursday and Friday. Even though the hours can be weary on my eyeballs as I stare at the museum’s website and translate the text into English, I enjoy being there so much. My time helping them is really rewarding, and I feel incredibly needed for my volunteer work. My boss Annelen is always cheerful, even when she has a head cold, and it’s really wonderful to have a conversation with her. We’ve chatted about everything from her upcoming exhibition for the museum and her dumb boss to activities I should do when I’m in Rostock. After work on Friday, I checked out the Hanse Sail 2011 Festival. It’s this enormous carnival, where big old-fashioned ships sail to Rostock and give people rides on the sea. The boats were extraordinary to look at, and people walked around in costumes. They looked like they belonged in Pirates of the Caribbean. The festival also had many rides from a tall Ferris wheel to colorful bumper cars. Stands lined the port walk way with delicious smelling foods, jewelry, and arts and crafts. I bought a massive bratwurst, which was perfect for that very cloudy, dark afternoon. It naturally was pouring outside and I decided not to stay too long. On my way home, I stopped for a coffee at a quaint shop called Café Paula. Every time I walk to work from the train station, I pass this little café and decided I should finally give it a go. It was definitely worth the visit.

I’ll be 22 years old in exactly nine days, and that feels a little strange. Things certainly do go by quickly. Myself, Annika, Henryk, Kay and some other friends will get together next weekend and celebrate. I’m really looking forward to that. They said they would take me to a bar, where people don’t wear shoes –  they only go bare feet. An odd theme for a bar in my opinion. Should be lots of fun though. :)

The rest of the weekend has been pretty slow. On Saturday there was wedding in the Kornhaus, which is about a 2-minute walk away from my apartment and Bad Doberan’s massive medieval cathedral. (I lived next to some pretty amazing sites!) It was neat to watch as the wedding party walked together from church to reception. Weddings happen in Bad Doberan all the time. It seems like the perfect place to be married being in such a romantic town from the Middle Ages, but I feel bad for them now because it always seems to be raining on their special day. However yesterday, the sun was finally shining and everyone looked beautiful. During the afternoon at the Kunstverein I spent some time on translating and sat on the pavilion’s steps with Stefan listening to a local country band play in the town park. After work I did a little grocery shopping, came back to make some dinner, and watched movies. Plans for the rest of today so far consist of a German aerobics video, going for a run before it rains, and then possibly hiking a nearby park if it’s nice enough outside. Tomorrow if I’m really lucky, it will be beautiful and sunny, allowing me to spend the day at the beach and catch up on some much needed reading time.

Cross your fingers that all will work out in the end. xxx

Things to note:

1. Look for package in the mail from mom and dad.
2. Mosquitoes are eating me alive! My body is covered in welts. Next time I travel, I NEED BENADRYL!