Uni weekend

Mathias got stuck working, so it will be me chillin' with my studies this weekend. Not really so bad. And Steffi is having her birthday party tomorrow night, so now I can go! Anyway, Joe gets here Wednesday, so a weekend of hitting the books is in order.

The Netherlands kicked France's butt tonight, 4-1, and I am rather pleased. Oh yeah. : )

Oh, and it's cold here again. That is simply a factual statement, not a complaint. Sad that I already mailed my boots home, though. Lol. I am definitely waiting to send any more boxes home!

Croatia kicked our butt

Last night Kathi and I met up with a bunch of her friends to watch the Germany/Croatia match. Even though we scored three goals, only one counted. (I still don't get this whole off-sides concept and other things that make a goal invalid.) Therefore, Croatia kicked our butt 2-1. Although I do have to concede, they played quite well.

In the restaurant where we were, everyone was for Germany except for this small group of young people that were scream so high pitched everytime Croatia did well, and you could tell the Germans were getting annoyed. I just couldn't take the glass shattering screams. And when it was all said and done, they screamed so more, jumped around, and then raced out of the place. Outside, people were driving up and down the streets honking their horns and waving the Croatian flag from windows, sunroofs and had miscellaneous ones all over their vehicles. At the train station, there was a group of people jumping and running around in a circle waving big flags and singing/chanting. I had no idea what they were saying, but man were they enthusiastic!

It is not as crazy as the World Cup was, but people here are still pretty excited about their soccer.

And Germany is not shut out yet, we are still playing Austria on Monday. Now we just have to beat them!

Mathias

Mathias called me last night and we spontaneously decided he should come up for the weekend. I haven't seen him in years! And he's never been to Hamburg, so he'll come up Friday and leave early Monday morning before my Referat. That means he'll have to listen to me practice it this weekend. Poor guy.

Kathi and I seriously scrubbed the apartment last night. They are renewing their rent contract tomorrow and someone is coming by to look at the place. And I guess I am sort of not so legal again, because I don't "live" here, I am simply visiting Kathi. lol. Oh dear.

It has cooled down here again to the 50s and 60s. Now, normally that would make me sad during summer, but it has made our apartment livable, so I'm not too bothered.

Megan, watch out for those American bus drivers! I don't think they are as skilled as the German ones at avoiding bikers. I must admit, I love the feeling of weaving in and out of traffic on my bike! Ahh, freedom.

Referat

Ok, so I know I haven't blogged in awhile, but there really isn't much going on. I've been doing a lot of work on my big fat Referat (presentation) that I am giving on Monday, alone, for 1.5 hours. About educational theory. In German. I think I've already mentioned this, but just thought I would reiterate. So that is consuming most of my time.

Although, I did send a box home today, 18 kg! It was really heavy, but Jens came over, carried it down the stairs, and drove me to the Post. So that made it way easier.

It is the European Cup and there is soccer every night. Germany won their first round, and we are excited to watch them play again tomorrow night!

That's pretty much it. I'm excited Obama is the Democratic candidate. And it sounds like Iowa is about ready to float away! I can't believe things are as bad as back in '93. I was there at Auntie's and those were some crazy times!

Some pics from Lisbon

Me at a place with a nice view.



St. Anthony.



Nice church.




Modern art.




Rita and I by the water.




Rita and Theresa.




Me by another great view.




Rita and pretty view.







There are more I'm putting online, but the website is having trouble at the moment. They'll be up soon! : )

Hot

No Dad, none of the trips this month have cost you a cent, they have all come from my bank account. Poor bank account! lol.

It is really hot in my apartment, about 85 F. And we can't get it to cool down. So I didn't really sleep last night because silly me, I can't sleep when it's too hot. Now, it's not 85 F outside, just in our apartment because all the heat rises. Remember when I said we don't even heat the place in winter and leave the windows open? So summer is hot. Goodness gracious.

Megan, pics are coming soon. I took waaaaay too many and have to sort through them but will do that soon. And have fun in Ecuador! Take lots of pics.

Lisbon was great. And it was wonderful to finally see Rita again. We spent most days walking around the city and just seeing the sites. I ate more fish than I have in a long time. I definitely recommend Lisbon!

Lisbon

Yesterday was my first day in Lisbon. The city is absolutely gorgeous! And of course, it is really great to see Rita again.

We walked around a lot of the city, saw a lovely view of the water and city below on one of the hills (Lisbon has seven), saw beautiful churches, interesting architecture, had delicious seafood, then in the evening we went to a Fado restaurant where we ate and listened to the traditional music of Lisbon and Coimbra) where Rita is from. It was quite the day!

Next Trip

I'm off to Portugal to see Rita bright and early tomorrow (really early, as I'm getting up at 3:30!). And I'll be back late Monday night.

Dan, just so you know, I spent almost the entire day doing homework. : )

I know I didn't post pics from Brussels on this site, but I think I sent most people a link to them. If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll send it.

This is my last big trip for awhile, so I should actually be around after this! I think some people are also coming to visit, so that will be a good change.

I'm glad Dad is home safe and sound, if even if meant getting fired because of some anger challenged man punching him. Hmmmm. Dad, you're quite creative!

I checked the weather report for Hamburg and Lisbon, and here it's supposed to be really warm and sunny, there cooler and rainy. You think after three hours of flying south to Portugal I would get warm weather!

: )

Brussels

This last weekend in Brussels was pretty fun. Other than a bit of drama it was nice. Seeing Alison and Bernie again was great! We walked around the city a bit, went to a fun Uni ball, visited Delirium (a bar with 2,500 kinds of beer), ate lots of waffles, and just had a good time. The city has some really lovely architecture.

I went to the doctor today. Last night when I got home Jens and Kathi insisted I go because I sounded bad and couldn't stop coughing, but I said I'd be fine. Then today I started coughing and couldn't stop for about an hour, and I finally gave in and went to see someone. lol. So now I have meds and hopefully the whole, I can't stop coughing and people think I'm Sick Girl will stop.

Dad's had some interesting turn of events lately with the whole job thing. I'm not sure when he'll be home, I haven't heard from him yet.

That's my news!

Belgium

I made it to Alison's house (though she is still in Germany...) and it's a lovely area! I am excited to see Brussels. I also sampled a Belgian waffle on my way here and YUMMY!

Did I mention that I am trying to sleep with those sleep mask thingies? While they drive me nuts, the bright light of day at 4:30 in the morning makes it a tad trickier to sleep. It confuses me, thinking it's time to get up. And then I look at my clock, and it's not even 5. I usually then make an annoyed sound, fumble around my night stand for the hideously tacky and manly gray eye sleepwear, manage to bind it to my face, and roll back over. It's a lovely event. I'm sorry you all can't witness it.

I've also spent the day (or most of it) working on a 1.5 hour presentation that I am once again doing alone. My first partner left me, then I got switched to another group, and as of yesterday I am the only one left. Again. I'm not sure I entirely understood the first text, but I'm trying to put together a sound presentation on it before starting the next one. I wonder how it feels to look stupid in front of a group of people while you try to present something that was, originally, intelligent. As you stumble over words you know you pronounce a bit off, and sometimes completely wrong. Will they laugh? Or be nice and tolerate my nervous German. I'll let you know in a few weeks once I give the ,,Referat". lol.

Last night I saw a film with Kathi and friends (I really like her friends!) and tonight Emma and Chris have invited me over for dinner. That usually means a good amount of vegies, and I am honestly excited about that! I barely saw a vegetable (except for potatoes and lots of mushrooms that I slyly pushed to the side of my plate) during my time in Spain. Oh vegies, how I've missed you!

Electronic Frustrations

Does anyone else get really annoyed when their electronics stop working properly? I am not sure if it's because I have no idea how to fix them or what, but it really irks me. Anyhow, the sound on my laptop has not worked for days, my videos/dvds won't play, and after plugging in my ipod to charge it today, it froze. I can't even turn it off. Oh joy. And all of my computer savvy people are in the U.S., half a world away! Deep breath.

Ok, I know in the big scheme of things this is not a big deal. Maybe it's just a sign that I should be working more on homework and spending less time online? ; ) Or maybe not.

Dad is getting awfully close to coming home. Yay!

Monfrague

Adwoa, Joe and I with balloons.

Group shot indoors.

Ricki and I doing a skit.

A traditional Spanish group dance.

Group shot from the VaughanTown crew at Monfrague.

Joe, Sponge and I in bus on ride back.

Sponge loved the Spanish countryside.

And our hotel.

A cool bridge I walked to one day.

Me, Adwoa and Lorraine.

Joe and I.

I loved the stone walls and hills.

Me on path.

Nice flowers in town.

My room.

Our hotel.

View.

Madrid

I ate raw beef.

Cool street.

Cristina and I.

Meat in a supermarket. Mmmm. Can you see the hooves still attached? Oh yeah.

Beautiful monastery outside of Madrid.

Korean Cooking

Home Again

I'm back in Hamburg. Yesterday I got home after a bit of a long journey. The airport in Paris is crazy!

After I got home Eric called and said he and Nayeon were going to make a sort of Korean sushi, and he invited Chris and Emma as well. So we spent the rainy afternoon making fun Korean food, eating and drinking. It was great.

This morning I went with Kathi to help Jens and Silke paint their new apartment. Kathi and I ended up squished into a tiny closet, painting with a ladder. Needless to say we got a bit of paint on us. I think there's still several white spots in my hair.

As for my week in Spain, it was really great! I met awesome people, was in a beautiful hotel and beautiful area, and Madrid was nice as well. It made me want to move to Spain. I would also like to do VaughanTown's other program in Gredos.

Pics soon to come.

Anyone know what to do when your computer sound stops working?

Vaughan Town

I feel like I´m at summer camp, but in much nicer accomodations. The scenery around here is beautiful, the people are fun and interesting, and I´m really enjoying my "working holiday".

Busy

Hey all! This week is flying by and there's still so much to do! I am working on proof-reading another master's thesis (no, not my own), and between school, appointments and getting things ready for Spain it is craziness. But in a good way. Also, a friend from Tuebingen, Alexandra, is in town and I am seeing her Thursday. Haven't seen her in years, so it will be great to catch up!

Then Friday morning I leave at the butt crack of dawn. My resort is in the absolute middle of nowhere Spain (Caceres, Spain, where I am actually staying in a huge national park with lots of raptors and other interesting wildlife). You can check out where I'll be here: http://www.hospederiasdeextremadura.es/default.aspx?h=2&lang=1 or here as the second location: http://www.vaughntown.com/EnglishNew/towns.asp#monfrague

I've decided against taking my laptop because it is simply too much to haul. So I do not think I will have access to people while I am there. If you really need me, you can always call my cell. +49 175 66 22 699, or if you are calling from the U.S., 011 49 175 66 22 699. I'll be home Saturday the 17th.

Political Statement...beware

I was browsing the BBC News as I so often do, and just had to share this:

Speaking in Indiana, Mrs Clinton said she had no regrets about promising to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons - a scenario that was put to her two weeks ago.
"Why would I have any regrets?" she asked on ABC television.
"I am asked a question about what I would do if Iran attacked our ally, a country that many of us have a great deal of, you know, connection with and feeling for."

go here for full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7384859.stm

If that doesn't say enough, I don't know what does. I really can't stand that woman.

Weekend Fun

Chris playing badminton at the lovely Eppendorf Park.

Chris and Emma. The park is also next to a canal and you can see the water and it's really nice.

Us dancing in the month of May!

Silke and I at Kathi's birthday dinner.

Kathi unwrapped presents and cards.

Emma and I at the baseball game.

This week and weekend were quite a lot of fun! Wednesday evening was ,,Tanz in dem Mai" where you dance in the new month of May. So we we went out dancing and had a great time, getting home in the wee hours of the morning. Which meant Thursday I was a bit of a bum and just hung around and read (but it was a holiday anyhow). Friday night Emma, Chris and I went out to celebrate Emma's new job at Xing, a German online networking firm. It is a cool job and I hope she likes it! We got some yummy cocktails then called it an early night.





Saturday night we went out for Kathi's birthday, and it was a large group of us. We ate, drank, and had an overall fun time.





Then today, I got up early and went joggin with Silke, Jens's girlfriend. It was a beautiful morning! Then I got back and Chris and Emma wanted to meet some friends at the Hamburg Steelers baseball game, so I met them up the road and we biked past the airport, and after about 45 minutes we found the field. There were about thirty fans, max. No real bleachers. We sat on a grassy area and picnicked and just enjoyed. They kept yelling things in English so we were well amused! Then we biked to a park in Eppendorf that is lovely, played a little badminton, and headed home. Later Kathi and I went for a walk. I am now very beat. But it was a sunny and almost warm day, too nice to stay indoors!



This week it's Uni, lots of tandem meetings, and on Friday I am off to Spain for a week. I won't be taking my laptop and I don't think I'll have internet there, so if you don't hear from me for a week, it is because I am in the middle of nowhere Spain with no internet.