Erste Woche (wieder) in Würzburg

Made it through week one. This week has been quite a challenge. The first few weeks were challenging my last time here, but I assumed since I knew what was ahead of me, I would not have any problems. This, however, did not go as expected. I had some crazy mood shifts...actually just negative moods and a breakdown (thanks family and friends who let me vent and take care of me, even from a distance :) ), which I am sure are not completely over...but I hope the rest of my transition is smoother. As of today, I am finally feeling much more at ease. The sun even came out!

I met Dr. Claßen Monday afternoon, after the first of my many meetings to look at apartments (Besichtigungstermine). He is a very nice man full of ideas, and I am looking forward to working with him. I also met the rest of the workers (Mitarbeiteren), mostly doctorate students and med students. The labs (and my desk) are in the Neurology department of the hospital, which is pretty neat. Every Thursday we have *journal club*, where one person presents a scientific article. I definitely have the good end of the deal as a native English speaker...but when it comes my turn to present the article, but in German..that will be the challenge. My co-workers are really nice. I spent lots of hours this week watching them run their experiments (and being a subject) to get an idea of what we have to work with. Hmm what else about work? I am changing my research topic to fit more of what we have in the lab...should be more interesting. I am set with 50 or so articles to get started. My weekend is cut out for me. ;) I also met the boss (chef) of the department today. He hooked me up with lots of classical music cds and even a dvd in which he plays the violin. hehe.

AND...what really has made the difference today...was FINALLY finding an apartment. It was stressing me out trying to find an apartment because I was not sure how selective I should be. Should I have just taken the first thing, even though it didn't feel right? The answer is no (thanks mom and dad!). I ended up getting really lucky with the place I found...at least will be really lucky with the place after I sign the papers tomorrow morning. It's an older building, but they have completely re-done the inside. I am on the third floor and it's around the corner from the uni-klinik, where I work. AND...it's 100 euro less per month than I had planned on paying. *crosses fingers* or as they do in germany, *pressing the thumbs* that all goes well tomorrow. I am SO burned out on looking at places. Plus, this place gave me the "this is the one" feeling. And I am learning to trust my intuition..it hasn't failed me yet.

I guess there is not much else exciting going on. I am trying to deal with the German bureaucratic system in getting myself registered as a resident, get my Visa, matriculate as a student (which I tried, but they wanted 500 Euro...but Fulbright has come to the rescue). But these steps also require my address. Which I hope to have soon...as well as so I can finally get mail. I know you are all dying to write hand-written letters...or at least postcards for my room ;) School starts on the 15th. In addition to choosing courses, I am looking forward to getting my sports id card (Sportausweis) so I can sign up for some sports groups...I need some more activity. I'm so tired every day. Especially with the weather and not really having people I can just go hang out with yet. And the language...oh the language makes my head hurt sometimes. Too much thinking! That will come, I'm sure. It's also weird doing this a second time around with most of the people I knew back in their home countries.

Well...all is going alright here. (Which you would not have believed earlier in the week, nor would have I.) I am moving back up, especially now that the biggest thing can hopefully be eliminated from never-ending to-do list.

Liebe Grüße aus Würzburg,
Jen

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