nur 6 Monate

Second week of school:

-Dropped two classes which weren't working out for me--Sportsoziologie (could not get a schein, so could not receive a grade...plus no book. I need a book for these classes) and today I began (and ended) a German lit class. It was way over my head, I am not too experienced with german authors and such.

The schedule now looks like:
-Anatomie (Bewegungsapparat)=Detailed anatomy of muscles and bones
-Sportbiolgie
-Oberstufe I (advanced german 1)
-Landeskunde (learning about german culture/geographie)
-Phonetik (in a computer lab, we practice with a program how to speak...try to lose the accent. Also, a little theory of the spken language)
====This equals only 12 hours, but I also already took this intensiv course in March, which also gives me 5 credits...so I'm sure it's enough.

-Mo/Thurs/Fri=basketball
(Wanted to take a soccer course too, but it interferes with anatomy...at least there are plenty of people around to learn from)
We also have a really sweet Fitnessstudio (gym), which I got a membership card for today. Used it today for the first time after basketball, I will for sure be a regular there.

Parties still almost everyday (the ERASMUS life), but I'm slowing down a bit. Last night we had a dorm party, which was nice--up on the balcony. Tonight is another mensa party, but tonight is break time...so that I can enjoy my friday night tomorrow, as well as make it to class.

I notice things within me changing here. I believe I have become more bold than ever; I will do anything/talk to anybody...no fear, no shyness. Yesterday, I was on the bus and a group of kids, probably agas 11/12 were practicing English. I started talking to them and helping them. I see no more point in holding back. I could have just sat and smiled to myself, but I like interaction so much more! If I have something to say, I am going to say it. I talk to strangers (it's not so scary here in Germany), I am very open with new friends I meet (definitely more open than most of the Germans I meet...) Sometimes i am unsure if some of the German girls i meet want to be friends, but then I realize the interactions are just different. (For instance, I give hugs to EVERYBODY! Here, they are not as big on hugs. So, I make my friends give me hugs..or maybe I 'steal' them...I think it may make some of them uncomfortable, but this is the way I interact. haha, i hope I do not scare people off. Apparently not, since everybody still talks to me :) ) I make a stronger effort to invite people out or over, show that I have interest in being friends...be warm and friendly, as I am, or at least try to be.

Die Erste Woche

This was the first week of school, but most of my classes do not start until next week. This then, turned into going out for a lot of fun, meeting all of the new people coming in. I finally have a group of Germans to kick with with, who are chill and lots of fun. They only speak German, and with the girls from last night, many had a Schwabish dialekt or Oberfranken, etc. Some I could not understand, but it's fun this way, so I can learn to understand everybody. One of the girls speaks english to me, and I speak back in German. Then, we help each other along. So nice, I feel like my acquisition of the language is finally starting to pick up.

So, here are some pics from the end of my ferien ('vacation') in Wuerzburg. And a few from this week:


It's been like sommer here, we spend the days laying out here by the river


Lots of ducks! This one tried to run away from me...


Hier ist die Julia, Yago, und Cati


Und Marc, Michaela, und ihre Freundin


my buddy Layne, and Robin (robin is HILARIOUS, comes from England)


Matt and I, also from the SUNY program in New York


Last night, in the taxi coming home. Next to me is Verena, my Nachbarin (neighbor) and Lena, who plays soccer. Last night was the 'shuttle party'. 5 Euro, and its the eintritt (entrance fee) for 25 different diskos/bars.

woah.

Amazing night. ;) I could not ask for more. At this moment, I never want to leave.

Und die Uni fängt an…

So yesterday (Monday) began the first day of ‘real’ classes. Würzburg is like a whole new world! There are so many more people, which has many ups…and naturally a few downs (soo hard to squeeze into the bus now-haha or the Straßenbahn for that matter, but so it goes). Sports are starting up: I plan on playing basketball three nights a week, and then am taking a beginning women’s soccer class, which meets once a week. Today I finally figured out my classes (yes, the day after the semester began). Yesterday, I woke up, and realized there was a class I wanted to check out. It’s Christian art history—or something along these lines. After finding the building, I realized I would much rather take Sportsbiologie, which is on the same day. So…later that day I made my way over to Sportzentrum, across the river, where the class is held. Not many people showed up, and we were talking and wondering why—Apparently, the class doesn’t begin until next week. It’s so nice though now being able to make small talk with people, and nobody asks where I am from or tries to speak English with me. It makes me feel like they do not know that I am not from here (although many times I feel completely obvious). So, first day of school, no classes worked out, I decided to go get my sports ausweis (ID so I can play sports/use the Fitnessstudio—gym). The system always has to be difficult here, so I get up to the other sportzentrum but we need a passport foto with us. Oh well, tomorrow, manaña, domani, am morgan—this has become my slogan. No rush, there’s always tomorrow. I’ve become extremely chilled out here, unsure if this is a good or bad thing…hopefully not lazy-haha, I just do what I want to do, when I want to do it. So today (Tuesday), we went to sign up for DAF courses (Deutsch als Fremdsprache=German as a Second Language). Waited for TWO hours, then finally got in to sign up for classes. (Oh yeah, the day before I picked up my test from the Sekretar from my intensive German Course—got a 93%, so I can take advanced now). Signed up for a few classes there, which don’t start until next week. Then, a buddy of mine told me about an anatomy class he was going to check out. Of course, I was interested in coming along—so I just got back from this class now, and it was great! I understood pretty much everything (a lot is review, since I already had anatomy—most is in latin). We went and talked to the professor after class, so we are set. It’s taught by the medicine faculty, should be good for me to get the ball rolling back into the sciences after my semester break. I’ve also decided to take Sports sociology, which is in the morning. I really love taking these other courses as an actual student--I’m learning what they are actually learning here, the substance, not only language details (although that’s coming too…).
I feel so good at the moment, like every opportunity is at my fingertips. Part of me thinks about changing my career path a bit…a big step, which I had previously thought on, but was more of a passing thought. We’ll see…I’m looking at all of my options. I have one year of commitment left to Pacific, will leave with 2 degrees…some amazing experiences and a nice pumped-up resume. Then a world ahead of me to conquer. Haha.

and the fun continues...

It's soo beautiful here in Wuerzburg now! It's like summer--I can go around already with my board shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops..the last two days I've spent a few hours out laying by the river with friends. We can sit around and talk for hours (German and lots of Spanish as well), and take in the sun. aww I love it. The weather reminds me of California, but minus any beaches. I'm hearing so much more German now...everybody is so friendly. My new neighbor/kitchen roommate moves in tomorrow, and she already found me on the internet! (German version of facebook=studiverzeichnis). She seems really nice. Other than that, life is still good, as always. Going out tonight, although not yet sure where. AND I was invited today on a trip to Stockholm, Sweeden the end of next month. My friend Julia found plane tickets for 20 Euro! Then, all of us girls are going on our 'mojo' trip. ;) And the desination is...Italy!! Brie is coming in June as well. We are meeting up in Berlin, then plan on traveling also to Italy. I'm hoping Katie can make it over here too! Mom and Oma come in August, until I leave...so I imagine we will also get our traveling fix in. The other thing I am signing up for this week is a week surfing trip in France. It's lesssons and a competition, I'm trying to recruit some friensd to come along. It's beautiful, I want to see as much of the world as possible. I want to learn languages and about cultures, which I am here...each and every day.

"más bueno que el pan"

Also hier bin ich wieder in Wuerzburg. Das Semester faengt am Montag an. Das Leben ist gut...die Sonne schient, wie es Sommer waere. Vorgestern habe ich Muenchen gesehen. Diese Stadt gefaellt mir. Viele Leute, schoenes Wetter...alles das ich will. ;) Ich habe auch ein Freund von Pacific gesehen. Ich geniesse gerade Wuerzburg. Heute gibt es ein Spanisch/Deutsch party in eine Disko-immer viel Spass. Hier sind mehrere Fotos und schau mal auch daunter--es gibt mehr in der Letzte Post.

Back in Wuerzburg. Klasses start on Monday. So beautiful right now, sunny and warm. A few days ago I visit Munich, which I liked a lot. Lots of people and beautiful weather...and also got to meet up with a friend from Pacific. Now, i'm hanging out in wurzburg and enjoying my time here. Tonight in the club is a spanish/german party (i've pretty much been adopted by the spanish, i love that I am hearing both other languages.) Here are some more pictures and I also added more to my last post, so check it out!



by far the most breath-taking church I have ever seen


der Englischegarten--HUGE!


Site of the 1972 Summer Olympics


we walked up into the left tower of this building


Olympiazentrum and Also on the right, is the BMW headquarters


a Biergarten in the Englischegarten




From the tower (Turm)




a nice suprise


mmmm. eiskaffe...=coffee, ice cream, and whipped cream.


in the park


hola chicaa


The site of where the white rose group (there is a movie about it--sophie's scholl), was caught for spreading resistance against the Nazis. The film was also made in the same building where this happened. At the end of class at the university, Sophie dropped hundreds of papers about what was happening in the country. She was caught and executed. The movie was graphic for me. I walk into the building with my friend Jared (we had seen the movie in our second year of German)...and it was like deja vu. Seeing the hallway and building inside. Crazy.


random picture I foudn on the internet from the Stadtspiel back in the beginning of March. Playing a crazy version of football


Also from the game...


and to end it off...frohe Ostern from the little one (der kleine) and I!

Schöne Frühling-Grüße an alle!!!
Ich bin gerade hier in Münnerstadt mit meiner Familie. Ich habe Ferien bis 16. April. Dieses Woche bleibe ich hier bis Ostern. Dann am 10. April haben wir eine neue-Internationale-Studenten Party im Residenz (mit Essen und Wuerzburger Wein). Dann am 11. April fahre ich und 4 Fruende nach Muenchen. Es gibt ein ‚champions league’ Spiel: FC Bayern vs. AC Milano...das ist eine sehr wichtige Spiel...denk an was wir nennen ‚world cup’ diese letztes Sommer. Ich bin nicht sicher, ob ich zum Spiel gehen werde...die Karten sind sehr sehr SEHR teuer (fast 200 Euro)...aber ich gehe bestimmt nach München für 3 Tage.
Jetzt lebe ich das Leben des meines Träumes. Ich stehe fruh auf. Ich jogge zu der ‚Tallkirche’ und zurück (~10 km). Dann dusche ich mich und ziehe mich an...und laufe durch die Stadt. Dieses Woche kaufe ich Osterngeschenke und Geburtstaggeschenke (morgen ist meine Onkels Geburtstag). Alles geht so langsam...es ist schön. Ich gehe oft zum Freidhof und besuche meine Gross-Oma und schaue alles an. Ich hab’ auch einen cool Park gefunden. Am abends gibt es Basketball in der Sporthalle. Diese ist auch (wie Basketball für mich immer ist) viel Spass. Ich liebe diese Dorf, die so genannt „Mürscht“.
Die letzte vier Wochen habe ich meine intensiv-kurs fertig gemacht. Es war toll...ich hab’ so viele Leute getroffen und viel gelernt. Jede Tag hatte ich Klasse...dann habe ich mit Freunden im Mensa gegessen. Nach Mittagessen bin ich immer durch Würzburg spazieren gegangen. Ich höre alle die Leute an und schaue alles an. Ich will nichts vergessen. Es ist wie, ich lebe in ein andere Welt.
Ich war auch eine Wochende in Prague. Die ist eine sehr schöne Stadt. Ich will im Sommer wieder besuchen. Ich war da mit 9 andere Leute...und mit so viele Leute ist es ein bisschen schwer alles zu sehen und machen, dass man will. Aber doch, es ist auch viel viel Spass! Wir haben zwei Autos für die Wochenende vermietet. (Und ich war überrauscht, dass Prague nur 3~4 Stude weg ist.)
Würzburg gibt auch die beste Parties. Die beste doch war in unsere Mensa. Es gab 2 Bands und viele viele Leute. Jede Woche gibt eine Student-routine in die Diskos: Montag=Brauhaus, Dienstag=Studio, Mittwoch=Zaubergberg, Donnerstag=Airport, und FreitFreitag=(ich vergesse, aber iregendwo...). Wenn du ausgehst, wirst du bestimmt eine gutes Zeit haben. =) Meine Freunde hatten Recht, wenn sie immer sagen, dass in Deutschland die beste Parties es gibt.
Ich liebe die Leute aus Spanien. Sie sind alle so lebensvoll! Wir haben immer gute Essen und Trinken. Die Zeit ist nie langweilig. Ich spreche mit alle, die ich kann. Ich lerne von Leute auf dem Bus...oder in der Bibiothek. Ich habe keine Angst hier. Leute kann deken, dass ich ‚komisch’ bin...aber alle sprechen zurück mit mir. Ich habe eine Studentin in dem Bus getroffen. Die nächste Tag müsste ich eine Hörverstehen übungen machen. Ich wollte jemand, der deutsche ist, mir die Texte lesen. Sie war auch in der Bibliothek und hat mir geholfen. Viele Leute hier sind nett. Das freut mich sehr!
Also Frühling ist hier...und ich bin mich über das aufgeregt! Ich hoffe, dass alles Frühling—die Blumen, die Sonne, und alles, dass mit Frühling kommt...geneissen! Ich wüsche alles ein schönes Tag.

Liebe grüße,

Jen
Hey everybody, Spring is finally here!!

I’m spending this week until Easter in Münnerstadt with my family. I have vacation until the 16th of April, when my semester actually starts. On the 10th of April there is a reception for new international students in the Residence (one of the UNESCO world heritage---basically ‘must-see’ places). There will be food and Würzburg wine for us…I’ll be there. Then on the 11th I’m going with some friends down to Munich. I want to see the city…there is also a huge soccer game going on (between Germany and Italy)…very big because of the playout of the world cup this past summer. I am still debating on going to the game…tickets are expensive…but at least I’ll be down there for the excitement.
Right now, I’m pretty much living the life. I wake up early, go running down a path to the ‘tallkirche’, a small church in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by protected land. Then, I come home, shower, get ready and go down the town. This week I’ve been working on getting easter gifts together and also bday gifts (tomorrow is my uncle’s birthday). It’s so nice, the pace of life at the moment is soo slow. I always walk home through the cemetery and visit my great-grandma…and also have found a new park and trails while wandering. Then, at night, there is basketball in the Sporthalle, which as always, is fun.
I finished my intensive German class this past week. I learned a lot, met many people from around the world, and feel prepared to begin real classes. The 4 weeks of class went very smooth. After class, I ate lunch in the cafeteria with friends…then took the bus into Würzburg and observed everything around me: all of the sights, sounds, and smells. I’d go window-shopping and just take it all in. I want to soak everything in—so I don’t forget a thing.
I also went to Prague (Czech Republic) a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing! I did not know much about the country before going. I was with a group of nine Spaniards and Italians, which was a little hard to see and do everything I wanted to…but nevertheless LOTS of fun. I want to go back again in the summer, when the weather is nicer.
Long story short, Germany is great. And here are some pictures to share:

This week in Muennerstadt...spring is here






eine Schmetterlinge




the beginning of my running path to the tallkirche


eine Biene


haha i've finally got the scarf and the sunglasses (the germans LOVE their scarves)







Class Party in Wuerzburg:


my teacher


my class..


some girls from the class


we all sang a song from our country: Korea,


Japan,


Poland


China,


Nigeria,


and Turkey. (And the 3 Americans...what is more American than a song about baseball?)


two of the boys from our female-dominated class (from japan and Poland)

Fun around Wuerzburg:














meine Tutor, Bernhard


























the festung


one of the bridges I run over in my loop


the marketplace


Noelle and I




Mensa Party:












my friend Julia and her boyfriend





In Bamberg for my cousin Matthias' Birthday:
































un am Ende..Kaffeestunde



In Muennerstadt:

















Prague/Prag/Praha/Praga:


















me and ari, from Milano


we rented two cars...lots of fun :)


David from Spain...haha we found some weird stuff in the hostel


we get late starts






random band playing outside, as a marathon was blocking off the streets


my sight-seeing buddy because the rest wanted to just shop












some special dessert in prague






easter festival












not sure the story behind this one...




yea, italy has it goin' on




attempting to juggle here...although i have to admit tede didn't do a bad job








oh how i love road trips...


Snow in Germany on the way there


mcdonald's has pretty much taken over the world..






beautiful jewish temple






the marathon...which cati and I joined for a minute or so in order to get across the street.




















and here we found the finish line