A better day

My class today was better than yesterday.  I seemed to understand more and was able to express myself verbally better than I have in the past.  I still use my hands a lot, but I do that anyway. The topic in class was how I spend my free time, which since I am not working one would think I have a lot of.  However, that does not seem to be the case, unless of course studying for at least three hours per day is free time :)  

I really dislike Wednesdays

It is Wednesday so I had the teacher I don't like as well.  I went into today with a positive attitude, told myself today would be different I just needed to believe it would be better.  What a bunch of psycho-babble, and I should know!  The class started out fine and then after the break I just couldn't understand a word she was saying.  Not one.  I asked her to repeat herself but still nothing.  So frustrating.  She eventually gave up on trying to explain it to me and I just stopped listening and worked from the workbook.  Maybe tomorrow will be better???

A tear came across my face

Not really, but it was close.  Tonight was the second to last episode of the train wreck of a show Paris Hilton's New BFF.  I still think I should have been on that show.  I mean, who would make a better friend for Paris than me?!?  Who else has bought all of her music?  No one, that's who!  Okay, i need to calm down...this won't get me anywhere.  Anyway, it is down to two people and net Tuesday i find out who she picked.  The one I have wanted all along is in the running, so if it can't be me maybe it can be her :)

On a roll

No, not a dinner roll, just another good day.  Though it would be nice if we could have some sun here or at least have the rain stop for a bit.  Seriously, I have rode my bike in the rain to school everyday since last week Wednesday.  As Donna summer says, Enough Is Enough.  I spent three hours on a homework assignment that was due today and when I finished reading it the teacher said, "Wow that was really good, but a bit too complicated.  Why don't you try to make things simple?"  If only I had known that beforehand.  Oh well, now I know!

I had planned to go running again today, but the wind is fierce, yeah I just typed that, and I don't think I could make it very far.  It was challenging enough riding my bike against the wind.  So, if it is sunny tomorrow I will run again.  Of course if I had a gym membership this wouldn't be an issue ;)

A great start to the week

Today has been a fantastic day.  I slept fairly well last night and was able to wake up this morning feel refreshed and ready for the week.  I studied for about 2 hours and then went to school.  On my way there it started to rain and then sleet.  Man did that hurt my face.  Of course it wouldn't be so bad if my skin wasn't so dang soft and sensitive.  I mean it's like porcelain, but enough about that.  I finally made it to school completely soaked.  My class was fantastic and while there the weather cleared up.  So, when I got home I changed and went for a run.  I love how running makes me feel.  I am glad I have found it again.  Anyway, now I am going to do more homework and then start making dinner.  

Scary stuff

Carsten sent me the following link and said he thought this was one of the funniest things he has seen.  I watched it and thought "wow, that is some scary stuff!"  I love horror movies but what in the world is this creature?!?

A pretty good day

Today has been a productive and pleasant day, with only one odd blip, but I will get to that momentarily.  My task for today was to do my taxes, which I am happy to say I completed.  I also did some cleaning and even went for a run.  Running outside is really fantastic, even when it is cold and windy, as it is here today.  I feel so rejuvenated, blah, blah, blah after a run.  However, during my run I encountered an older woman, and by older I am guessing 70 or beyond.  She was walking her dog in my direction as I was running and she politely moved to the side as I was approaching to ensure room for me, her and her dog.  However, as she was moving to the side her foot slid off the curb and she fell on her butt.  Stop laughing, she is elderly!  I freaked and asked if she was okay, though I used the informal way and not the formal way, but I panicked.  She laughed and said something in German and then got her self up and walked on.  I had put my hand out to help her up but she did not take it, maybe thinking I would just push her back down.  So, that is the blip; kind of odd but it could have been much worse.

Happy Birthday Craig

Today is the birthday of my dear friend Craig.  He is in sunny Phoenix while I am in cold, cloudy Germany.  I wish we could spend the day together.  Thinking of you and wishing you the best.  Much love!!!

Ugg this is frustrating!

The early part of today was spent cleaning.  I am loving our new vacuum cleaner, though let's face it, how doesn't love to vacuum :)  The afternoon and early evening Carsten and I spent looking at furniture. We only went to two stores and somehow that took up roughly 6 hours.  In the end we bought nothing.  I know, I am as surprised as you (note the sarcasm).  As usual, we found lots of things we like, are concerned about the cost of everything and realized that what we want to get for the bedroom doesn't really fit in terms of the space we have.  We also found items for our dining room and living room and we were quoted a cheaper price than we obtained from another store one month earlier for the same items.  So, perhaps next week we will get those.  Whatever we decide to get, it appears that the mean wait time is 8 weeks.  What that means to me is that it will be summer before I am sleeping in a proper bed and not just a mattress on the floor!

Sad news

I received an email from my father that my paternal grandmother is in the hospital and is not doing very well.  Please send positive thoughts her way, as she is a remarkable woman who has endured many hardships in her life and seems to always come out smiling.

Another German Film

Tonight Carsten and I watched another German movie.  It was made by the same people who made the movie I saw last Sunday, the spoof on Star Trek, Star Wars, etc.  This time the movie spoofed Westerns.  They really are funny, off-the-wall humor movies.  This one was called Der Shuh des Manitu.  I liked the other one I saw better, but this one was still quite entertaining.  

My best yet

Since it is Friday, that means I had a test in my German language class.  However, this week I scored higher than I ever have, with a 46/50!!!  I about got up on the table and danced, but I told myself that type of behavior was all in the past.  So instead I just smiled really big :)  Now, let the weekend begin!

A better day

Yesterday was not one of my better days.  In addition to feeling as though I was going through the day in a fog, I found myself to be irritable and things just weren't going as I would have liked.  I began to feel as though being here in Germany away from everyone was becoming too much and and that I should think about returning back to the States.  I also felt overwhelmed with the German language and wondered if in fact I could improve in this area.  Lastly, I feel quite unsettled in the apartment without a proper bed, anything to put our clothes in and using cardboard boxes as a coffee/eating room table.  Later in the evening I shared my concerns and frustrations with Carsten and this was his response.  Well, what did I expect, he is German after all :)

All that being said, or in this case typed, I feel much better today.  Life is still a bit foggy, but some of it has lifted.  My class went better today and although I continue to feel overwhelmed with the language, I have to accept that for now this is my life and I need to just make the most of it.  Gosh I hate being so mature and "grown-up" about things!!!

Ever have one of those days?

It feels to me that today either my brain cells are dead or they are misfiring, or both; I mean, why chose between the two.  I was completely lost in class today and it feels as though I am in a fog.  Even typing this now things just feel a bit off.  Carsten was ill yesterday so maybe his bug jumped ship and onto mine.  Whatever it is, I don't much care for it!!  Thankfully I have Hart-to-Hart to look forward to.

Sending out positive thoughts!

In recent weeks I have heard from a few friends and family members of the difficult times they are enduring.  Though I can't be with each of you in-person, know that I am always here to listen and provide support and encouragement.  I would be nowhere without my friends and family and I hope you all know how much you mean to me!!  Much love to you all :)

Could it be?

Am I looking old?  The teacher that I have on Mondays and Tuesdays asked me today if I was 46 years old?!?  When I said no, I was only 36 his face turned red and he apologized saying that he is 46 and that he thought we were the same age.  Um, 46...really, he thinks I look 46.  I think someone has cataracts, and it isn't me!  I still think he is  great teacher, but saying I look 46 is going to take me some time to get over :)  

Not sore :)

I woke up this morning without any pain from my workout yesterday.  This makes me quite happy because otherwise I fear my bike ride to school today would be quite painful.  However, I feel great and hope Carsten and I can agree on where to have a gym membership soon.  

Back from the gym

Carsten and I had looked at two gyms in the area last week Thursday and today we were able to try one of them out for free.  We were there for roughly two hours.  It felt great.  I used some machines for my arms, abs and legs, I ran on the treadmill for 4 miles, used the elliptical machine, rowing machine, did lots of sit-ups and then walked for 15 more minutes on the treadmill, before riding my bike back home.  I forgot just how much I enjoy working out.  However, I am scared of what tomorrow will bring.  My hope is that my legs won't be too bad since I ride my bike everyday.  Off to relax now before going to sleep.  

Great day at school

I had such a great day in class today.  I don't know if it was being around German speakers all weekend or what but today really felt good and natural in the class.  I also had the better one of my two teachers here in Freiburg, which helps as well.  I started my new "advanced" class today, so let's see how it progresses.  Whatever happens, the first day was a success!

Back in Freiburg

Carsten and I had a birthday party to attend in Stuttgart on last night.  As planned, we went to the party and spent the night there.  The party was different than anything I have ever been to in the US.  When I think of a birthday party I think of food to munch on, a variety of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), lots of people talking, music blaring in the background and maybe some dancing.  This was not that kind of party.  Let me set the scene.  It was 6 couples (12 people in total for those of you who need help with the math).  We sat in a circle in the living room and were informed when the main meal was ready.  We were told we could have only one of the main dish (which was a wrap of some sort).  For beverages we had our choice of juice, water and soda.  This was a DRY party!  Then for the next four hours or so the conversation felt more like group therapy, with one person talking at a time.  The entire night was in German, so I did not partake in the conversation, as I could only understand words and not whole sentences.  Needless to say I could not wait for bedtime, which occurred around 2am.  At 9am we were all awake and taking showers, etc before having breakfast together.  Oh, I should add that three of the couples spent the night.  So, Carsten and I shared a room with two other people, who were complete strangers to me.  It has been a long time since I slept in a room with a stranger...or two.  After breakfast everyone talked for a couple more hours and then we left for home.  My head hurt, not from drinking, clearly, but from thinking so much and trying to understand what everyone was saying.  In the end, not the most restful weekend.  However, tonight I watched a German film that was in the genre of Naked Gun.  Very funny.  It was called (T)raumschiff Surprise: Episode 1.  It spoofed Star Wars, Star Trek, Robin Hood and westerns.