Well, on Tues and Thurs I have to be there at 7:10. The bus comes at 7:30, so clearly I can't ride the bus. That's fine for now (it isn't really, but I pretend so) but when winter comes, I refuse to ride 5 km a day in the cold and perhaps snowy weather! This morning it was really hard for me to do it, and I got tired really really quickly, and it was a dreadful ride. I think it's because I was running off pretty much zero energy. The ride home wasn't nearly as bad, but I think that could be due to the fact that a lot of it was downhill.
So, first class, math. The teacher handed out textbooks, and then said they were one short, and promptly took mine back. At first I was confused, and then I was a little offended because I had assumed that she thought that since I'm not a real student, I should have last priority or something. But I think the real reason was because since I signed on for that class later than everyone else, my book hadn't come in on time. That makes a bit more since. Anyway it doesnt matter because at the end of class she gave me one anyway, but told me I had to give it back at the end of the year (oh my god, what a sacrifice that will be). Anyway, the math itself was easy, but I couldn't understand the directions in German... there would be like a bunch of F(x) equals something, and I didn't know what to DO with it. But once I figured it out, it wasn't so bad. They're already deriving, how fun.
Then double spanish. At first it was a relief, because when the teacher spoke (in spanish) I could understand about twice as much spoken spanish than spoken german. But when he started teaching grammar, it was in german, and I got lost, and it was like 5th year spanish anyway, so I'm behind : ( And although I can understand spanish, I can't reproduce it anymore. What comes out of me is an awwwful spanrussgerman mix. It's muy dificil.
Then double geography. I didn't understand a SINGLE FRIKKEN WORD. And he talked so slowly too! It was the dullest thing ever. Imagine the dullest subject ever, taught by the dullest man ever, in a language you don't even understand. I'm just going to tell him not to give me grades and doze off. I keep getting confused even when people speak in english to me, because they're like "do you get marks?" and I'm like HUH?? until I figured out marks is the british term for grades, and I was like "idk, what diff does it make anyway lol?"
And then German. They frikken put me in the most advanced german class (that most GERMANS have trouble with) without telling me. Anyway I didn't understand anything, and I talked to the teacher after class, who luckily is also an english teacher and spoke english just as well as I do. Except with a british accent. Very educated germans speak english with a british accent, and I think its kind of funny.
Anyway, I'm the awkward kid in the back of the class. Today I feel so... exhausted, and frail and week. Like I could pass out whenever. I dont know why. I eat food, and drink water, I dont understand what else I'm supposed to do to nourish myself. Maybe its from awaking so early.
K that is all for now.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
HALLO MEINE FREUNDEN
Liz told me that I have to start a blog so I can share my long german tales with everyone. So, HI LIZ! HI EVERYONE ELSE. First, I have to tell you, that German keyboards are queer, and the y and z key are switched, so if I ever slip up and say something like "Have a nice daz, and i like to eat piyya" then you have to be forgiving of me. Also, I havent actually found the apostrophe yet, I think this is it ´ but its hard to reach, and I pretty much dont use it. Got it? Good.
Anyway, what did Michelle do today? Well my "siblings" took me on a mini tour of Falkensee, by bicycle. I havent really ridden in a long time. I can ride a bike just fine, no problems... except the bike was too tall for me (figures) and I cant stand still on the bike without hopping off the seat or falling off. How am I supposed to balance if my legs dont reach the ground, and Im not in motion? Anyway, so every time we had to stop at an intersection, I caused a big fiasco and embarressed myself, and attempted to explain in German... "Ich kann gut fahren, aber ich kann nicht halten oder gehen! Ich bin sehr kleine", et cetera. Anyway, so we went down to a small lake, which Im asuming is the Falken See itself. We got ice cream, which in german is just "ice" but its spelled like "Eis". And then rode back, idk how long, I think someone said it was 6 or 7 km.
So later, we had to make an escapade to the store. On bike. My rump was realllly sore, and when I got back on the bike, it was terrible because it was hurting me in the exact spot that I was sore! Maybe Im just a baby. Anyway, so yeah, we had to buy Bröt und Bananen und Äpfel und Käse und Kartofeln. What joy, what joy.
So now, here I am, with a terribly sore bottom.
Oh, but wait, my bed struggles! Okay, so my bed is like a futon. For the first two nights I just slept with it couch like, because it was comfortable enough by me. But then I decided to expand my experiences and try it folded out. Its the exact same except twice as big now. But for a foot or so, just on one half, it folds up (jeez, I am explaining this poorly, just pretend you know what Im talking about) and now I cant get it down. I should ask for help eventually. And my windows, now! I have these amazing blinds that completely block out the sun, which is great for sleeping, except I never want to wake up, because I feel like its 4 am even when its 10:30. I think I should com-promise with one window blinded and one not... wow I am so boring, I ought to cease typing. IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED LIZ?
Okay well thatll do pig, thatll do.
Anyway, what did Michelle do today? Well my "siblings" took me on a mini tour of Falkensee, by bicycle. I havent really ridden in a long time. I can ride a bike just fine, no problems... except the bike was too tall for me (figures) and I cant stand still on the bike without hopping off the seat or falling off. How am I supposed to balance if my legs dont reach the ground, and Im not in motion? Anyway, so every time we had to stop at an intersection, I caused a big fiasco and embarressed myself, and attempted to explain in German... "Ich kann gut fahren, aber ich kann nicht halten oder gehen! Ich bin sehr kleine", et cetera. Anyway, so we went down to a small lake, which Im asuming is the Falken See itself. We got ice cream, which in german is just "ice" but its spelled like "Eis". And then rode back, idk how long, I think someone said it was 6 or 7 km.
So later, we had to make an escapade to the store. On bike. My rump was realllly sore, and when I got back on the bike, it was terrible because it was hurting me in the exact spot that I was sore! Maybe Im just a baby. Anyway, so yeah, we had to buy Bröt und Bananen und Äpfel und Käse und Kartofeln. What joy, what joy.
So now, here I am, with a terribly sore bottom.
Oh, but wait, my bed struggles! Okay, so my bed is like a futon. For the first two nights I just slept with it couch like, because it was comfortable enough by me. But then I decided to expand my experiences and try it folded out. Its the exact same except twice as big now. But for a foot or so, just on one half, it folds up (jeez, I am explaining this poorly, just pretend you know what Im talking about) and now I cant get it down. I should ask for help eventually. And my windows, now! I have these amazing blinds that completely block out the sun, which is great for sleeping, except I never want to wake up, because I feel like its 4 am even when its 10:30. I think I should com-promise with one window blinded and one not... wow I am so boring, I ought to cease typing. IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED LIZ?
Okay well thatll do pig, thatll do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)