Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Bad day.

Anyway, today. It started out awful. From the moment I woke up, I just felt like "What's the point of getting out of bed?". But I got up anyway, and was riding my bike to school, hating every bitter cold and muscle straining moment of it. Dima's path intersected with mine, (Dima is the exchange student from Russia at my school) so we were trying to converse in german, which is dreadful to hear, I'm sure, because neither of us speak german, and my bike started klinkalinking. I look down, and I'm not on the type of road that should make you klinkalink (aka something bumpy, or with grated lines), so naturally I became concerned. We were so close to the school, though so I kept riding, and then dismounted when we got to the big Hill (the hill which separates students into two types - Bike-walkers, those like me, who don't have the muscle strength to make it up, and most of the other girls too, and Bike-riders, young strong and adventurous lads like Dima and Dominik), and I stopped, and said "By the way I think my bike is broken" (in german), and sho' enough, my back tire is totally flat to the ground.
So, first I had german class, where I did absolutely nothing but read (in english) for an hour and a half. then I had Geo, but they were doing a big test, called a Klausur, and the teacher said I didn't have to do it, so I did nothing but read for an hour and a half. Then I had a free period, so I read, and of course by this time I had finished the book. Then I had Physik, and we were doing a test, and the teacher asked if I wanted to take it, and I said "No thank you" (lol), and he gave me one anyway, as a "souvineer". haha. The kids had to move around so they weren't sitting directly beside anyone, for the test, but there wasn't enough room, and Benedikt was sitting directly beside me, and the teacher said something in german, with my name and with Bene's, and everyone chuckled. And this pissed me off, because I was in a really pissy mood, and I hate not understanding, and I hate it when there are jokes I don't get, and I never know if people are laughing AT me, or what. Bene said it was like, of course he doesn't have to move because it's not like he could get answers off of me anyway. Which is what I figured. It wasn't a big deal, but I just get sick of it.
So then lunch. Normally we have little cards, and the machine will identify us, and tell the person which lunch we have selected (which is good because I never have to talk, except to say thanks). But today it didn't, and I had to choose what I wanted to eat, and I couldn't read the menu, and I wasn't even hungry, and I just wanted to say "I don't care, just give me something and I'll eat it", and Dominik was getting frusterated with me, and saying "Michelle, I can't help you if you don't know what you want." I would have gotten frusterated with me too, if I were him. Somehow I ended up with some sort of pasta, which was lucky.
I was feeling so pointless, why was I even at school, there is no point at all, and being really mopey, so that I was like on the verge of tears all afternoon for no (direct) reason.
And then I went to the office, and asked to call my host mom, because my bike was broke. Dominik went with me for moral support. I asked the secretary "Darf ich zuhause telefonieren, weil mein Fahrrad kaputt ist?" and she's like "Sorry, I didn't understand you" in german, and it's like, am I really so bad, that she can't understand me at all? Is my accent that thick? anyway, so we got it all figured out, and I called, and no one answered. And thank god, because I hate speaking german over the phone, and everyone was watching me, and I felt so awkward.
Then I was supposed to have Spanish, but Dominik had nothing, but he and Tim (a classmate) seemed keen to look at my bike and try to fix it for me. I felt like that would probably be more productive than me sitting in another class doing absolutely nothing, so I went with them.
We walked to tim's house, because he lived the closest. Well I walked my bike, and the boys rode as slowly as they could. It was really cold, and took a long time since I had to walk, and so Tim invited us in for tea. Apparently Tim's mum is an english teacher, so she spoke great english, although I attempted to speak german anyway. We had hot tea, and ate chocolate, and conversed (not me so much - hard to jump into conversations when you can only pick up half of it), and it made me feel much better, because I felt like these boys were looking after me. So then they went and attacked that bike, took off the wheel and then took the tire off the wheel, inflated it, found a hole, told me I need a new "Schlau" or a "Schlag" or something, I can't remember, and then handed me a phone to call my host mum. She answered this time, and I explained my situation, and Dominik gave her directions to Tim's house. She came about 45 minutes later, so we looked at baby pics of Tim and watched some Dragon Ball Z type of show but I couldn't really understand it because it of course was in german. (story of my life)
Anyway, so I'm home now, and my bike is not in one piece. I can take the bus to school, but I might not be able to take one home (I could wait 45 minutes, or walk home in 30, so I always end up walking). Oh well, I haven't got much better to do, I must admit, and walking for half an hour isn't so bad. Except it is rather cold.
Anyway, if it weren't for hot tea and kind german boys, I wouldn't've made it. Not as in I would've died, but I think the pointlessness of not understanding and thus not being able to participate in class that is sinking into me like a poison would have... idk, poisoned me.
But my bike has been taken to "Fahrradland" and we're picking it up tomorrow, and it ought to be better. Anyway, that was my day today.
tschü!

7 comments:

janis said...

Awe, Sweetie! I wish I could give you a hug. We all have crummy days, but I imagine, being in another country and the lack of cummunication can get frustrating. I know it's not the same thing, but when I started working at the Deaf School I would get so frustrated. The kids thought it was hilarious to make fun of me & other staff that had poor sign skills. I had to learn "bad language" & put-downs before other language. Also a couple of my friends were deaf & I had such a hard time keeping up in conversations, I felt so isolated. But, on a good note, I know you well enough to know this will make you stronger and more determined to master the language. I am so glad you do have some friends (they sound very helpful & kind).
Hang in there. I miss you Sweetie! I enjoyed your pictures (Annie shares with me your Facebook). And you know I love the Blog.
Have a better day tomorrow,
I love You!
Aunt Jan

Grannie said...

Michelle, your mom helped me get into this thing. We love you so much and are so proud. Hope your day gets better than the bad day. Take care, stay warm, remember we love you with all our hearts.

Brutus said...

Would it help any if I sent your violin to you?

Grannie said...

Hi Michelle, its your Grannie. We are going over to your folks house for hamburgers. We won't be together Thanksgiving so it will be nice to visit. I hope your life got better after your bad bad day. Wow. Anyone would have been so bummed out. So glad those nice guys came to your rescue. I ordered you something for Christmas and need to get it and mail before December 1. Well honey lets see if I can remember how to send this..all my love and pops too your grannie

janis said...

Hey Michelle!
Annie showed me a picture of you from facebook. She said you were Thanksgivingless. I miss you & so sorry you are so far during the holidays. We took a vote about going to the Reeds Lodge for a day to celebrate & the girls said, it would not be fun without Michelle. Also, Sergio has decided to start making Annie's loft bed.
Please write in your blog more often. I am not allowed on Facebook (there was that "incident") so I am craving to read about your day to day adventures.
Our Vet told me he & his wife just got back from Munic (sp). We talked about you & where all they were. Send me a postcard if you can (5225 Flintstone Dr. Indpls.46237)
I love you!
I love y

Mixxelle said...

Aw, thanks for all the loving support.

And it was a "Schlauch" that was broken on my bike, I know it now. Not that it makes a difference, because the germans use nonsense words instead of English.
;)

janis said...

Michelle~ It's been 2 weeks, time to make your blog deprived Aunt get an update! I miss you & gotta know that you have had some good days! Come on, jot a few sentences down in the blog. please...