Monday, September 1, 2008

Mein Ersten Tag in der Schule

Today was my first day of school. My host mum drove me there, 30 minutes early so the principal could help me get my classes and such sorted out. The principal made me wait about 40 minutes (and my host mum had left by this time), and then escorted me to a classroom full of teenagers said I was a new student, and left me in the classroom. I was like WTF! What class even is this? What's going on? And everyone just chit chattered for another half hour or more, before the teacher, who happened to be the principal lady again, arrived, and was speaking in German and I'm like Ohhhh nooo, what is going on??? Anyway, she put all these papers around the room, and everyone was looking at them and writing stuff down, so I got up and looked, and they were class schedules, but my name wasn't on any of the lists, so I attempted to ask the principal what was going on.... she directed me to a gal named Christine, and said I would just follow her around for a week, and then change classes later if I wish.

So when Christine had her schedule sorted out, I looked at it, and it was mostly good (Math, german, english, chemistry, physics, biology, art) but also not great (french, geography, P.E., and history). And yes, all of those classes, amazingly fit onto one schedule. Now, I promptly got French switched out for Spanish, and with a bit of work I managed to worm my way out of P.E. (they call it Sport, but it sounds like "shport"). I thought about wriggling my way out of history too, but that would probabl be pushing my luck for the first day. I asked to be put into philosophy class, but apparently they only have it after normal school time, and it's not for a grade. I pointed out that for me, the whole year counted for nothing really, so not being for a grade doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Also before that, the principal went on about the class rules and such, which I pretty much didn't understand. She said something about eating and drinking, but I'm not sure if she said you ARE or AREN'T allowed to do such in class. I'm assuming its a no, just to be safe.

And then class got out at like 10! it was ridiculous. I was there until 10:30 (thats when I was getting my schedule rearranaged) and I was meant to ride the bus home (the public city transport, not a school bus) but I couldn't decode the bus schedule, and I think it said the next bus was coming in an hour, so I was like "wtf, I could walk home by then!" And so I did. It was better than paying money for a bus I would have to wait an hour for, and not even knowing if it was the right bus. I live 2.5 km from the school, so it was a long walk but not terrible. Kind of nice, except when I wasn't positive I was going the right way.

Anyway, so that, my dears, was my first day of school. Very confusing yet very uneventful. So, my classes, thusly, are as follows :: English, German, Spanish, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, and Art. And it's all taught in German. And YOU though YOU had a tough course load, eh? We'll see how this goes.

So, as for other news. I washed my clothes, and firstly, I never separate my lights and darks, because I usually only have one load anyway, and don't want to bother with it. I had a bright maroon pair of leggings I was putting into the wash, and I eyed them suspisciously as if to warn them "now don't you cause trouble, you hear?". And what do you know, all of my white clothes are now a soft pink. At first I was upset, but now honestly, I don't mind because its kind of a nice color. Well... I don't know why but I thought that was important.

Hmm what else? Two nights ago I had my first real conversation in german, meaning, one that was more than a few exchanged lines, and that didn't require constant translating into English. It was kind of nice, kind of fun. All of my hard work and frusteration is rewarded, by what? A 20 minute conversation in German... woo hoo? But really, this is my 5th week. How much spanish could you speak after 5 weeks?

Ahh, so viele Fliegen! Erg. Get, get!

My diet is almost entirely comprised of bread, nutella, rice or noodles, and fried vegetables with a little bit of meat. Also some cheese and fruit. That doesn't even sound very normal for germany, eh? From what I've seen, here is the most typical german meal imaginable.
To drink - Beer, carbonated water, and Apfelshorle (carbonated apple juice)
To eat - Bread, wurst (sausage of some sort), potato salad, and maybe sauerkraut salad.
Luckily I like all of those things except wurst and sauerkraut in excess.

Anyway, I supposed that's all my little mind can think up for now.

Tschüsie!

2 comments:

elb said...

Thanks for the update, mel! I enjoyed hearing about your first day and laundry fiasco! Have fun in Germany! I miss you!

janis said...

Pink is a good color for you.