Jen's Travels

Transition

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:48:00 +0000

It's been four months since I've signed onto this thing. I got to a point in Germany that I just didn't want to think about the fact that I would be leaving. The past months were full of amazing times with my friends. Tuesday Karaoke in brauhaus, thursday student night at zaubi, one friday a month at zaubi, basketball with my girls in the tgw, lots of coffee with my lovely anja, sponaneous evenings out til the sun came up, taco nights on a balcony overlooking the river, vodka brause (ex mixed feelings), another trip up to marburg with inga and her down to me for my last days!, time with the family, another visit from suse and some new jackets ;), wine festivals, beer festivals, and just growing closer to the people there in my life. My going away party was absolutely amazing, the weather was perfect, and I could not have imagined a better group of people to spend my time with. On the way to the airport, I was holding back tears. I went outside with one of my friends, and she held me while we both started crying. I couldn't stop as I went through the security gate, watching three very important people in my life cry and wave bye. I called Inga while I was waiting for the plane to tell her I thought I was making a mistake. The flights were so horrible. I got stuck in Texas and freaked out that everybody around me was American. At this point, I was certain I had made a mistake in leaving. I wanted to go home...back to my apartment in wuerzburg. I still think of it as home. I think about going for a jog down the river, going a few houses down to see if anja's home, catching the straba for basketball practice. It's so weird how quickly everything changed at once.

What a weird feeling once again to be packing up my life and leaving. Leaving the people who I love. Again. I won't do it again. I need some stability when I'm done with school...and I need to live somewhere with my friends, because friends are what make life so wonderful.

BUT...I did not make a mistake. I know why I'm here. :)

I have been back in the States a little over two and a half months now...and over two months in grad school. Unbelievable. I do miss my friends over there so so much, but I feel that is was a good thing that my transition here had to go so quickly--and that grad school keeps me so busy. I know we'll all see each other again, and who knows, maybe I will end up living over there again someday. :) I already had a couple of friends visit the first month I got back to the States, and another is coming in December. I also am so excited to see my friends in the States! There are a few loves of my life who I had been missing like crazy. I feel so far away being down here in so cal..but I know it's closer, because we can at least talk on the phone and be (more or less) in the same time zone.

School is kicking my butt, but it is exactly what I want to do. I know research is not my passion. I'd like to do projects to supplement my work as a clinician, but my heart is in working directly with patients. Three years of this...then I've got all my options open! And in the meantime, surfing with my new boards, enjoying summer-like weather in late october, gym & yoga dates with people from my class...and anything else that is free!

Juni

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:21:00 +0000

My friend Allen (from Sac) came to visit for a few days, which was amazing. It was the first mixture of my "American Life" and "German Life" that had nothing to do with each other. I'm so glad some of my friends here got to meet him/he them!

Now I'm getting ready to go to a friend's birthday party, where we are going to camp. I'm really excited!

My social life is going just fine these days, and I feel really happy. Work on the other hand...oh goodness, I think I have already mentally checked out. I'm ready for "summer break" until I go back to California.

:)

German Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:54:00 +0000

For my future reference: I am NOT a fan of the weather here. It rains. And rains. And rains. In summer. And I won't even start about winter...

The Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:46:00 +0000

I'm sitting back at work after a 3 day trip to Malta with my oma (grandma), which was wonderful. Swimming in the ocean and through the waves was so refreshing, and I am looking forward to having that opportunity more often. I'm at work with not a whole lot to do. (*I bet now that I've written that my phone will ring any minute.* ) As everything in Germany, processes are complicated. In this case, it is the process of how I can obtain more subjects/patients for my project. I am not allowed to find them through the internet, nor may I hang up posters. I've tested pretty much everybody I know here already, so now I am playing the waiting game to see if my adviser can find me some more subjects.

(*After waiting the whole morning, the phone did end up ringing.) It's been pretty busy since my oma got here. Two weeks ago was the big wedding (my cousins), then she was a week in wuerzburg, before we went to Malta. I'll be back in the States in 2 months from now! I'm really looking forward to starting up my new program and getting to spend time with family and friends again. I'm so excited to finally be coming back to California, not just for a brief visit, as is usually the case.

I'll write more later, but here are at least pictures from the last few months.

Urlaub auf Malta!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Starbucks in Frankfurt!

Our hotel room

And some local beer on the first night

Exploring the capital city of Valletta

the streets reminded us of San Francisco

the Grand Harbor

amazing seafood

in a British church: Malta used to be a British colony and played an important role in WWII

old school buses

near our hotel

Beach Day at Golden Bay. The water is soooo blue and warm enough for swimming.

near our hotel

the casino--oma wanted to go, but we didn't bring any dress clothes with

our hotel

from the rooftop pool area

Matthias & Kathrin Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:40:00 +0000

The day before:

some last minute dancing lessons: the disco fox and waltz, I think. Take dance lessons way in advance if you attend a German wedding.

the wedding day

my uncle and cousin hiding to surprise Matthias and Kathrin

Polterabend--we got to break dishes and the pair had to clean it up for good luck

Oma in Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Some schnapps on the first day:

out for a walk

At a festival in Bad Neustadt

In Wuerzburg

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Matthias and Oma made it to the top

Beer Garden above the city

The river at night, with the Festung lit up in the background

Matthias and Mayu baked some cakes

Out for some beer in Til Eulenspiegel

Out for some Franken Wine

Out in the country for dinner

The Frankenwarte: the tallest point in a 60 km radius

oma jumping the fence to get in

made it to the top!

the view

Spring Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:19:00 +0000

The Residenzlauf in April:

First Grill Party on the river:

Day in Frankfurt with Inga:
They were having the National Monopoly Championship at the train station. haha

Parties in Würzburg:

Work:

Kathrin's Bachelorette Party:

Cooking

Spring Break in Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Road Trip

Shopping with Anja in Brussels

Yet another way to spell my name

Belgium Beer

Waterloo

Atomium

Little Europe Park

Brussels

new piercings!

Brugge

The beach on the border with Holland

Holland

Köln

komm Frühling...komm!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Due to popular demand, here’s an update. ;)

Let’s see…what’s happened since the 9th of February?
-Vacation to Ireland
-Trip to Berlin for a Fulbright Conference
-Basketball season came to an end
-A new project advisor at work
-Spontaneous move to a new apartment
-Sent a letter confirming that I will attend Chapman in fall

Ok, a lot more has happened than this, but these are some of the highlights.

IRELAND was amazing! In September, Inga mentioned the possibility of going to Ireland to visit a friend of who is studying abroad there. Birgit (her friend) is studying there with her two children, ages 2.5 and 6. We had so much fun! She even let us use her car to get around. (Props to Inga for mastering the art of driving on the left side of the road. :) ) In a week and a half, we saw quite a bit. From playing soccer on the beach, hiking along the Cliffs of Moher, cruising along the Ring of Beara, kissing the Stone of Blarney, discovering Dublin, drinking in the Bishopstown Pub in Cork…there were lots of new experiences. The weather was also spring-like, which was wonderful. I felt like we were able to be so much more connected with nature, as it was still so cold…even snowing back home in Germany. (Weather is a very touchy topic with me at the moment. It snowed AGAIN earlier this week. I just want spring to get here already. The rumor is that it will get here Tuesday or Wednesday, but I’m not holding my breath.) Point about Ireland is, that it was beautiful and a much-needed break from my routine in Würzburg.

Then, about a week ago, I spent a week up in Berlin. Fulbright held a conference for all of the Fulbrighters here in Germany. They also invited people doing Fulbright all around Europe and German students who will be going to the States in the fall. I think there were over 600 participants. I definitely feel spoiled being a Fulbright. They put us up in this 4-Star hotel:
http://www.parkinn-berlin.de/

My room was on the 30th floor, with a view of the Fernsehturm and most of the major things to see in Berlin. My first reaction walking into the room (ok, second, after the view), however, was that the toilet and shower were not in a separate room. There was just a glass wall. And there was just one big bed. So I was a little curious how the roommate thing would work out. But it turned out, we all had our own rooms! Plus with buffet breakfasts and dinners and drinks, it was definitely a luxurious week. The meetings, panels, and workshops were held in various historical spots around the city.

The year 2009 is an important year for Berlin because it marks 20 years since the fall of the wall and 60 years since the reunification of Germany. Even though I do not remember the wall coming down, I am still able to connect it to my childhood. My uncle was in Germany at the time and brought pieces of the wall back home, so we have some at home. He also wrote our names on the wall, among the many others. It just so happened to be a portion of the wall that was photographed in an issue of Time Magazine. (I think I’ve got this right?) In elementary school, I think my mom once brought these to school for show and tell. Honestly, I had no idea what any of this meant. Unfortunately, I think it was not until I went to college to really deeply understand the meaning behind the wall and division of Germany. But as a kid, I knew I was “German” (which is quite different than how I identify here) and this somehow reflected part of the country my family came from. But back to Berlin…it was so much fun, talking to and meeting random new people and having adventures, like going up to the glass dome of the Reichstag (the parliament building, I believe) with new friends at night around 11. They even rented a club out the last night for us! It was a good time. :)

Basketball season came to an end…not a pretty one. We lost the very last game, which was crucial if we did not want to move down a league. There is still a chance we will not move down, but it was rough. On the bright side, eight friends of mine showed up to cheer us on. That was a HUGE surprise that all made it. Most of them play soccer and don’t quite understand basketball, but that’s exactly how I feel at their games. It made me feel so good to know I had people there to support me. Friends become your family when you are away from your home, whether they know it or not. The day before our last game was an away game. We had 7 girls against an undefeated team who pressed the WHOLE time. I don’t even want to talk about what the final score was. We tried to look at it in a positive note: it was like conditioning. Many of our girls are home for the semester break, and I’ve been gone the past couple of weeks. I will start back up again this week and continue practicing with the team until I leave, since the season doesn’t start up again until October. Maybe I can find something at or near Chapman??

Work…is moving at the quickest pace it has since I’ve been here! I have a new advisor who is very goal-oriented, which is something I need! I need small steps to work through, or else I will not accomplish anything. In the past week, he secured me my own room to run through my project, as carrying everything around is taking SO much time. Monday (tomorrow), I am hoping to get some subjects in.

I moved out of my old apartment, which had somehow become a nightmare. I was so incredibly unhappy there. Everything worked out so perfectly. I had looked at apartments awhile ago but then changed my mind because of some minor things. I had finally had it and decided I would search for something. If I found something, it was meant to me. If not, I would stick it out. It wouldn’t be forever. The following day I looked at an apartment, and the next day I had a phone call saying they would like me as their roommate. My room is about 3 times as big, I have the biggest bed of my life, can see the castle from my window, live on the same street as one of my closest friends here, have an outdoor track, soccer field, and basketball court outside my window, the swimming pool is on the corner, we have a kitchen (even with a sofa), and I could not be happier with my roommates. They are friendly, and I feel like we actually have things in common. And as it turns out, one of my roommates trains with the soccer club most of my friends play for, so they know each other! Würzburg is so small...everybody is connected. Although I guess that goes for the world, huh?

I kind of went into hibernation mode during winter. Basketball kept me active, but I prefer to be more active. I miss the luxury of 24 Hour Fitness or the campus gym. I jog a few times a week, which will hopefully be more as (when) the weather gets better. We had our time change today, so it will be nice to have the sun up longer. I’m hoping my schedule allows for the beginner’s crew class…rowing on the river. A friend and I want to try it out. Plus, I feel like I need to take advantage that I live a quarter of a mile from a river.

I am taking a written German proficiency test (equivalent of the TOEFL for the English language) one day this week, with an oral exam the following week. I did not study as much as I should have. I guess I will “cram” by doing practice tests the next few days. It is not something I have to have, but it would be nice to see where (and if) I place among the three levels.

The next semester starts in a few weeks, and I’ve got my schedule somewhat together. (For most courses, you don’t register, but rather go the first couple weeks and try out different courses, to decide what you want to take.) I found a German-English translation course offered from the English Studies department which sounds cool, Spanish, German grammar (maybe…it’s computer-based every other week, so it could be an easy couple of credits?), and 2 lectures from the medical department: sports medicine & orthopedics and rehabilitation & natural remedies. I’m always excited to start new courses…it’s refreshing in a way.

And…it’s almost Easter! The plan is to drive up to Brussels (Belgium) and spend Easter with my friend Anja and her family. I’ll see her tomorrow, so we can start to plan details, as it is coming up REALLY soon! As I’ve never been to France, we will also drive a day to Paris (1.5 hours from Brussels). I’m looking forward to seeing some new countries and having yet another adventure.

The weekend is coming to an end, and I have been working through lists of to-do’s the whole time. I am normally out with friends here, but I put myself on lockdown, since I have been out and about the past few weeks. I have made some really amazing friends, some of whom I have known 2 years now. The hardest part about going back to the States is going to be leaving the people in my life here and not knowing when I will be back. I feel so lucky that I’ve found friends who have my back here. This past week, I had a meeting with my former landlord, and one of my friends offered to go with. They watch out for me. But I am sure we will see each other again…and I’m sure they would be more than happy to visit me in California, of all places! I am excited to come back to California and be able to spend time with my family and friends there, and not to mention, enjoy the beautiful weather and coast. My goal was to live somewhere I can wear shorts and flip flops the whole year round, but somehow I am only getting further and further from that. Haha. Southern California will be getting back in that direction. I feel as if I have a double-life though. I was back in the States a year, before resuming my life here. Grad school is going to be a 3-year commitment, but despite loans and the economy, I know it is the next step. I think it may even be nice to live in one place for more than 10 months..? Every time I read my program’s description, it makes me excited to think about learning everything I will. Plus, with a doctorate degree, I believe I could instruct courses at a college, which would only open more doors. So that’s that. But I am really enjoying life here, and the fact that I am excited about my “next step” does not mean I don’t like it here. Too bad I can’t just be everywhere at
once, huh? ;)

That’s the end of my post. I know it's scattered, but I just started writing and kept going. I need to get back to my list. Here’s some pics from the past couple of months:

IRELAND

From Ireland

FASCHING party

From Würzburg, here & there

The new APARTMENT
from the window (I'll have to take pictures whenever we have some sunshine.):

From Würzburg, here & there

BERLIN
Suse and Micha

From Berlin

Berlin means I get to eat sushi. mm.

From Berlin

And amazing, cheap breakfasts.

From Berlin

my amazing room:

From Berlin

Reichstag Tour

From Berlin

These are all part of the Eastside Gallery...the longest stretch of the wall still standing

From Berlin

I love this ad. Only in Germany. It says that old fruit belongs in the compost bin. :)

From Berlin

Alexanderplatz, right outside the hotel lobby.

From Berlin

The last night, in the disko Fulbright rented out.

From Berlin

Back to Würzburg:

From Würzburg, here & there

Olivia, another Fulbrighter in München, came to visit on her way back home.

From Würzburg, here & there

The statues had a little photo shoot.

From Würzburg, here & there

So happy to be back and see my friends at home!

From Würzburg, here & there

Weekend in Münnerstadt, for my cousin's birthday
Bike tour one afternoon though some of the little towns

From Würzburg, here & there

Kathrin made him a piano cake.

From Würzburg, here & there

...und hallo Februar

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:33:00 +0000

I am sitting at work, waiting for a phone call to see if I have some patients to work with before the end of the day. Yes, I have FINALLY moved onto some hands on work. I have all of the equipment I need...am still testing some of it out, but it involves working with people. I am so happy to finally be into this phase.

So it's February. I have been here over 5 months. In total, I have lived here a year now. I feel completely at home here. There are things I miss about California (and Oregon), but when I was there, there were things I missed about Germany...about Würzburg.

The semester is finally over, which means focusing my time and energy to my project. It is still not moving quickly, but at least with each patient, I can see something quantitative that I have accomplished. It's something. My co-worker leaves in the next two weeks for Italy, but I leave on Friday with Inga for Ireland! So these next few days I hope to get a lot done.

Since I have been playing basketball here, we have had 4 games. We lost the first, but won the past 3. We won yesterday's game by two points! (Although I was frustrated with myself, as I had 4 free throws at the end...and only made one...at least the outcome was still in our favor, or else I would have felt really bad.) I am really happy to be playing again and have found a group of awesome girls to play with.

Inga and I fly to England on Friday! I am so excited for a vacation and to see something new. The flight is about as long as that between Sacramento and Portland. It is so crazy to think about how close everything here is, in comparison to the States.

Anyways, here are some more photos from January...random shopping trip in Nürnberg and ice skating. There will be lots more photos to come after the return from Ireland...

From January: Ice Skating, out and about..

Frohes neues!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:32:00 +0000

First week of 2009. Time...where does it go? I could talk and talk about that...but I am not even going to get started. ;)

"Real" life started up again today. (Although I found out tomorrow is yet ANOTHER holiday, Dreikönigstag (3 Kings Day. Is that epiphany? We have so many holidays here, and the only reason I know half of them are from the church seasons!) Having days off are nice, but I would be able to enjoy them more if everything was not shut down. Or if we had cafes which remained open. (Actually, McCafe may be open...American business taking over here...mixed feelings...) I am hoping to get a kick start on my project before not only my colleague with technical expertise moves to Italy, but also before my adviser takes a new position at another university hospital in Leipzig. He said he will still advise me and be in Würzburg once a week, which I hope actually works out. I am so ready to just start working with patients, but this "preparation" period is lasting way longer than it should, due to things I do not want to discuss here. I do have to admit that I am frustrated with the fact that I am doing a project in an area I have not studied the past four years, nor have previous experience in. But the only direction I can go is forward, despite the tempo.

Finals are coming up the end of this month, so I need to start getting to that studying thing. I find that it is so much harder to study when you are advanced in a language. I do not even know where to begin! Beginning language courses are so much easier. Make your vocab flashcards. Study some grammar. Bam. How do I study how to spend 45 minutes writing an essay, listening to a radio show and writing reponses? It reminds me of trying to study for the GRE or SATs where there is SOO much you could study, who knows if you will hit something pertinent to the test? Next semester I would like to take courses other than German language.

The weather is cold...really cold. (Well, to me really cold. New Years Eve was -10 C! The next night I was walking home from basketball and saw the thermometer read only 0 C...ONLY...a month ago I would have thought 0 degrees was so cold!) I woke up to snow this morning. I hope it sticks around awhile. Although this weather is preventing me from working out as often as I would like. I am afraid spring will get here, I will shed my big winter clothes and then notice how much weight I have gained! (Ok, not so dramatic...but I am not as active as normal. And my body is in hibernation mode and wants to eat a lot of warm foods.)

I realize that I am putting out a chunk of money for my basketball team, which I may not even finish out a whole year with. BUT...since I am not rich enough to pay for a personal trainer to hold me accountable to work out...being part of a team makes me accountable to work out at least twice a week. I considered joining a gym, but there is again the problem of whether I will kick myself in the ass to get there. With a team, you are a part of something. Another thing I have noticed is that I have been really moody lately. Not emotional, but just more moody/irritable. But once I get to basketball training, my mood is completely different! I am on a high and feel incredibly happy. Maybe this was a missing part of my life? I am also going to start weight training again. I have not lifted weights since I left the States. And that used to be a part of normal workouts a few times a week.

I have been coming to some realizations of who my real friends are here and who are just acquaintances. I would rather have one real friend than hundreds of acquaintances anyday...but sometimes coming to this realization is sad.

One good friend of mine who I met playing basketball wants to drive next weekend to the Rhön (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh%C3%B6n) to go skiing/snowboarding. I am excited! Hopefully it works out. Although now that it snowed here, I am not sure how the roads will be because she does not have snow tires...either way, I am ready for some more snow sport experience. :)

I wish you all a wonderful start to the new year, and that it is full of wonderful surprises.

lg,
Jen

Inga's first visit to Wuerzburg (But...Würzburg is MUCH more beautiful in summer. Here is the winter impression at least, you can see our overcast, depressing weather.)

My roommate Jenny made an advent wreath for our apartment.

What is a weekend with Inga without making tacos?

My roommate Jenny, Inga, me, and my friend Anja, ready to go to the disko.

I had soooo much Glühwein this winter!

At the Würzburg Christmas market

Solution to no kitchen table.

From Inga visit to Würzburg

All on my bed, watching Love Actually a few days before Christmas.

From Inga visit to Würzburg

Market in the daytime...giving Inga a whirlwind tour of Würzburg, before the rain came in.

From Inga visit to Würzburg

CHRISTMAS

From Weihnachten

A failed attempt at making "Feuerzangenbowle"...a warm drink with 80% rum, wine, and sugar.

From Weihnachten

SILVESTER...New Years Eve
I celebrated with my friend Anja and some of her friends...
We made fondue:

From Silvester

And as an appetizer...snails, which Anja brought from Belgium. :P

From Silvester

Yummy, huh?

From Silvester

It actually was not that bad, although my face says otherwise. (By the way, the green is herb and garlic butter...I thought at first it was the snail...)

From Silvester

Also important here on New Years Eve...melting pieces of lead and quickly pouring it into cold water to see what shape it becomes...it tells your future for the coming year. ;)

From Silvester

Mine fell into 3 pieces.

From Silvester

Midnight at the bridge (Negative 14*C!!)

From Silvester

Random Photos, out and about with friends:

From Parties, Friends in Wü: Okt/Nov/Dez

Frohe Weihnachten!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:10:00 +0000

I know I am not very good at this blogging thing anymore...but hopefully I can get to it once a month to fill everyone in on new happenings. (Sorry, I am also horrible at returning e-mails these days too.)

First off, let me say that I REALLY have problems with winter, with the lack of sunlight. (See what growing up in California did to me? ;) ) I realized this the first winter living in Oregon...and well, each consecutive year since then. It has nothing to do with my situation--I think it's just a matter of having the hormones produced by sunlight...or too much of the sleeply hormones produced in darkness. I realized I need something to look forward to after work. The sun goes down around 4:30 right now, so after work, I would just want to come home and sleep! The soccer thing wasn't working out too well because outside in literally freezing cold and often rainy weather is not quite my style. About 4 weeks ago I decided to start going to basketball open gyms at the university. We have no women's basketball team here, but rather basketball in clubs, "vereins". After a couple of weeks of open gyms with mostly guys, I went to practices with each of the teams in the area. I was so tired by the time I made it to the last team that I debated on whether I should even go. Good thing I did, because that is the team I am joining! The first night after practice they invited me to their team christmas party at Pizza Hut. (Yes, we do have Pizza Hut here..and KFC, McDonalds, Burger King...) The girls are really nice, and I feel like I can fit well into the mix as well as be challenged, so I can improve. I was pretty sure I had "retired" from basketball. Now it's just starting up again. Also, my coach coached Dirk Nowitski's younger sister, who went on to play at a Division 1 basketball team in the States. Dirk comes around in the summer too, when he is in town. There are 3 women's teams. Mine is the second team, so we play in the region here...but the first team is a professional German team! And a couple of the girls were recruited from Canada. It'll be interesting to meet them too. Friday is the whole Verein's Christmas Party, then practices will start up again on Jan 2nd.

Ok, enough boring stuff about basketball. :P My research project is coming along...slowly, but I guess that is how this research thing is. I have everything ready to start testing patients, but need to meet one more time with my advisor. It's all a waiting game. Classes are ok, but I feel like I learn so much more pertinent to life (regarding the German language) outside of class, that I sometimes struggle to sit through them. I have got a pretty good balance in life at the moment, better than usual.

The Christmas markets in Germany are amazing! I think they should be here the whole winter, because they make winter more beautiful. :) I am excited for Christmas, although it is awkward to think that I will be here rather than in California.

Time is flying by so incredibly quickly, that in the back of my mind I keep asking myself if I should stay here a little longer? I want to have all doors open. I found this program (maybe it was in my last post):
http://www.master.sport.uni-erlangen.de/index.shtml
It is an international Master's in physical activity and health. Studying here is SUPER cheap, so it would give me a way to stay here longer a couple of years...as well as keep moving forward. (Although I have to admit there are times that I wish I could do nothing other than wear my shorts, flip flops, drive to the beach, be with my fam/friends in the States, etc. BUT...I also know that it won't be realistic to just leave my career and move back to Europe for a year just because...these opportunites don't come around all the time. Pros and cons for both...but as long as all of my doors are open, I will be content for now.)

Anyways, here are some photos during the past month. I wish you all a beautiful Christmas and New Year's! Frohe Weihnachten und frohes neues Jahr!!!

PS. I have a request. I want to hang up some postcards in my room from friends/family around the world. Send me a postcard from wherever you are? If you want one from me, send me an email. (jenn3414@pacificu.edu)
My mailing address: Grombühlstraße 32
97080 Würzburg
GERMANY

Würzburg

Nürnberger Weihnachtsmarkt

Concert in Hirschaid with My cousins Matthias and Kathrin

Photo Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:17:00 +0000

First week in my apartment (not yet completely moved in...and the room was not yet finished):

Allerheiligen Feiertag (All saint's day) in Muennerstadt:

Out & About

After "break dancing" with Inga's roommate. haha.

Our Early Thanksgiving celebration

Peeling potatoes. Oh man, cooking Thanksgiving dinner is NOT easy.

Halloween Party

Election Party

A friend's bday party

Winter is on its way...

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:02:00 +0000

It's been a month since I have written anything here, so I guess it's time for a quick update. My life here consists of work, classes, sport, friends-family, and downtime. I feel like I have a really good balance at the moment.

Work: I finally am at the hands-on stage. I need to be doing something that keeps me on my toes and with which requires movement and other people. My project is finally in the trial-and-error stage. I am excited for it to be layed out and begin 'real' testing, although also a bit nervous to work with older patients and wonder if there will be any misunderstandings, as that could easily happen in my own native language...but it will make it all the more interesting. :)

Classes: My neurology leture has been really interesting lately. Some of the lectures have covered epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease...all of which I somehow have a direct connection to somebody who is or has been affected. German language courses are, as always, a highlight of my week. I am constantly absorbing more of the language everyday, but it is a different experience to sit down and learn in a more academic setting. (And actually have to pay attention to things like whether a word has a gender or not, and if so, what gender it is. haha.) Plus, it is so cool meeting other students from so many countries and finding out their stories.

It's getting cold. There are not so many hours of daylight anymore. At the end of the day all I want to do is go home and be lazy...but I am really trying to kick myself in the butt and at the least go for a jog each evening. (I know I still have it in me to run...I ran 4.5 miles on Saturday, running along the river. It's all a game with the mind.) I love the city here. There is some sort of excitement in the air, as Christmas is approaching. It looks like a fairytale when at the markets selling Glühwein (warm wein?...spiced). Advent calendars are on sale everywhere you go. I have to admit I am really excited to celebrate Christmas here this year. (The only thing that could make it better is if my family were here, but they are here in my heart...and I will be there in Cali in spirit.)

I am taking off for Marburg tomorrow to visit Inga. We will have a Thanksgiving celebration with some of her friends. (And attempt to cook my first thanksgiving dinner with what ingredients are available in Germany. hahah. We will see if it is a success.)

I feel really content here in Germany. It took awhile to adjust, but once I have...I feel lilke I am in a really good place. It scares the hell out of me how fast time is flying by, but as long as I am enjoying the time I have, that is what is important. Even though I always like to have an idea of a 'plan', I like even more to have all of my options open. In the past month, I have been kicking around the idea of extending my stay in Germany. I am considering applying for an international master's program here in Germany in Physical Activitiy and Health. Some of the major points are international rehabilitation, international public health, and I would get quite a bit of practical experience through interships. The idea of a degree that would be recognized worldwide is really appealing to me, because I do not want to limit myself to just one country. Another kicker is the cost. This masters program would cost about 2,500 dollars for the two years. (Plus I would be doing internships, which I imagine would be paid.) Going back to study physical therapy will put me between 100,000 and 150,000 dollars more in debt. AND limit me to working in the States. I am just opening all of the doors again, but I could realistically see myself staying here a couple more years before coming back to study or work in the States.

I cannot say that Germany or the US is better. But they are different. Sure I miss the beaches in California and Oregon. I miss the important people in my life. But I don't miss the fact that I never stop running around the the US and that we function on a 24 hour time clock. I like that I have so much of Europe here at my fingertips. I like that the average amount of vacation a person gets on the job is 30 days (plus 14 holidays), as opposed to our 2 weeks? The idea of going to grad school, being so far in debt, and not finding a job because of our currently struggling economy scares me. I could not even find a job at a fast food resturant this summer...that is sad. (I just got lucky with my connections to people.)

Another thing is health insurance...all have it here. I like this more social system. Of course it has its flaws, but I think nowhere near as many as the healthcare system in the States. And unfortunately, I honestly think the US economy is only going to get worse before it gets better. I am one of the millions of people who has hope that Obama will bring about some change...but change is not going to magically appear overnight on the 20th of January. Although I wish I could have been there for the excitement of the election, it was interesting to see it from the perspective here. Most Germans I know were following the US Election more closely than the upcoming German election! (And, we did have a little party at my place. :))

Ok, this is kind of some rambling, but these are the thoughts swirling around in my head. Hopefully if you take the time to read it you can make some sense out of it. :) Enjoy the weekend and stay warm!

The Weekly Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:08:00 +0000

I just got back into Würzburg and it is bustling with so much life...uni starts tomorrow!!!

Spent the weekend in Münnerstadt with the family and Saturday afternoon at the Schwimmbad in Bad Neustadt for Ramiro Jr's birthday. Ramiro took two kids, and I took two...although we decided one was so hyper that he counted as two.

Wednesday I should be able to move into my apartment. I came back today with my backpacking backpack full of dishes and apartment things.

Fall is so beautiful here. Today was a kids' day in the town over, so we took Ramiro. As we sat there the golden leaves were falling off the tree into our coffee and Kuchen. I just want to go jump into the piles of leaves...but would probably get quite a few stares here.

I am still in awe of all of the beauty around me here. Looking out the windows of the train or bus...observing the people around me...the nature...how green everything is...or the bright yellows and reds of the leaves....the buildings...it's amazing. I just want to savor every minute, every second of every day...regardless of where I am. I felt this way about Oregon last year. And California this summer. I don't want to get caught up worrying about the future, stressing about the past...what I have is here now. And I am happy with it. :)

Last week I got to mix some physical therapy rounds into the mix. One round was in the neuro intensive unit, which was unlike any of the experiences I have had yet. Most of the patients had sudden (acute) conditions, where they were unable to control their body movements in one way or another...one went from a normal everyday life to being quadriplegic, while a couple of others were in coma-like states. I like getting these new experiences which I have not yet been faced with. I feel like I can finally start applying things I have learned in courses to practical situations.

Anyways, here are some pics from the bday party:

Oktoberfest

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:33:00 +0000

I ventured down to Munich on Sunday to get a glimpse of this whole Oktoberfest thing. :) Here are some pics from this past week.

This is the "Rathaus", or city hall of wuerzburg...which I know way too well.

From one of the benches where I like to sit and do homework, read, or just reflect

Getting up at 5am to catch the train to Munich. This is in Muennerstadt. *Note to self: it is worth waking up early to see the sun rise!

Sun coming up as I wait at the train station.

Entrance to Oktoberfest

One of many beer tents

...and another

mmm gutes deutsches Bier

...und Brezeln dazu!

The big o fest.

Things I Have (re-)Learned This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:15:00 +0000

*Just because there is sun does not mean it is warm! (Nor does it mean it is shorts weather.)

*I am not a big fan of the cold AND rain combination. One or the other please. (If you don't hear from me sometime during the winter, the cold weather has killed this poor whimpy California girl.)

*I do not like being laughed at by a whole office for explaining that Fulbright will pay my tuition...especially after waiting 2.5 hours in line.

*Würzburg is a pretty small city. A girl on the Straßenbahn (street car) asked me today for directions to a street...she is looking at a room in the same apartment as me.

*I like running here in Germany better, especially around wide open fields where I am the only one and can sing along to my iPod as loud as I want and nobody will hear me.

*Living in Germany requires LOTS of patience. I missed my bus by ten minutes and had to wait an hour and a half for the next one.

*I am addicted to coffee now...which could be the reason I can't sleep at night. And then the reason I can't wake up on time...

*Once again, Würzburg is a small city. I met up with friends from last year, and one works in the same building as me.

*The beginning of a research project is harder than actually carrying it out.

*As much much of an anti-planner I am, I have made a rough plan of my year (and the places I want to see)...as well as a budget for it all. And I am happy with it.

*It is going to be sad when I am working in the States one day and get so little vacation time. (I will make up for it now...and enjoy this last year of semi-freedom.)

*Oh...did I mention that Würzburg is small? I got an e-mail yesterday from a girl with a job offer to help proofread a journal article (in English) from the psychiatry department before submission. She even knew what I was doing in the hospital and with which doctor. The crazy part is...she got my e-mail address from a friend, who I was supposed to have an appointment with to look at the apartment, yet fell through. And the only information I gave her was my name and than I am a student from the US working at the hospital. Weird. But the job sounds cool :)

*A relative of mine (Peter) is in the same building as me, recovering from surgery. Will visit him tomorrow.

*I love that I live in Bayern and can travel anywhere I want all day for only 19 Euro. (Sunday...Oktoberfest here I come!)

I should get back to my 86 articles I need to read through..I have made it through 11 in the past two days.

Here are a few photos. I take way too many photos. I am going to have my whole year documented.

Walking home from the bus stop Sunday...beautiful sunset. Don't think that happens to often here.

This is Nimba. :)

Up in my room here.

Erste Woche (wieder) in Würzburg

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:43:00 +0000

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

Where I work:

Würzburg...endlich wieder

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:54:00 +0000

I made it back to Würzburg yesterday evening and have been apartment hunting online ever since. This is actually kind of stressful, because I am just so anxious to have my own place. I am going to look at an apartment today, but it is quite a bit more than I wanted to pay. Unless it is amazing, I know I should wait for something cheaper to pop up. It is only 1.5 km from the clinic I will be working at though, so that is also a plus...

After the apartment meeting, I will head over the the university klinik where I will be working. I am a little nervous about this as well. But, it's time.

Can't belive I am already going on a month here. Time is always flying by way too fast. My bday weekend was great...got to celebrate both Thursday and Friday.

And now starts "real life" again.

Here are some Birthday Pics:
Thursday night in Marburg
Meeting up in the kitchen

Trying out my new star ice cube tray from Ikea: Orange juice cubes & Sangria :)

Ready to go brave the cold evening

Dinner at the "American" restaurant, Chevy's.

Yum.

haha I am not sure about this one.

Caipi-Abend!

Schluck. Schluck.

The sun actually out again one day in Marburg (but don't be fooled into thinking it's warm!)

FRIDAY
Birthday Breakfast with Inga and Julia

4 hours & 4 Trains

I have seen quite a bit through these windows the past few weeks.

Kaffeestunde & bday cake!

Meine Tante Cristel

und Onkel Paul

Geburtstagtorte

Out with my cousin's wife, Kathrin in Münnerstadt

At the Münnerstadt bar with cousin's friends and cousin's husband, Ramiro

Kathrin and some Münnerstadt guys

SATURDAY
Walking around town

Ramiro bigger than me...once. haha.

I <3 swinging. (schaukeln-->to swing)

Being a kid is way more fun.

Rainy Münnerstadt is still beautiful.
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Flowers...the way to my heart. haha just kidding...not exactly...but they come close. ;)

Crazy German Travels

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I just made it back to Marburg. (I accidentally wrote Oregon first-->apparently around Inga, I must feel at home in Oregon! haha. Or maybe it has just been long day.) Berlin was amazing...I am really attracted to the city. It has such a unique blend of old and new...and it's history is pretty intriguing. I could spend a month there visiting museums and exploring it all. We also spent less than 24 hours up in the town of Zinnowitz, on the island of Usedom, where I met Suse's family and got to visit the Baltic Sea. (Which surprised me was warmer than the Pacific Ocean! The air temperature was the same as the water...15*C I think?)

Monday-Wednesday was Fulbright orientation. I feel like I have all of the details of my program now and feel like there is much less pressure on us that I had expected. They stressed the importance of traveling through Europe and community activities. The project is of course important, but there is quite a bit of flexibility...and it is not the only focus. Which makes me happy.

Inga and I will take off on Friday for Münnerstadt to spend a couple of days with my family. And Sunday, I will finally make my way to Würzburg!

BERLIN [Day 1]
An "empty" building where people come and go

Our Berlin tradition: Sushi at Kitano (and caipis)...where Sushi macht glücklich! (Sushi makes happiness!)

Ok..I couldn't resist having a drink on the way to go dancing. It's so crazy to me that people can have alcohol on the streets out in public here, and it's totally normal. Here we are on the U-bahn. haha.

Dancing the night away

BERLIN [Day 2]

The world clock (Weltzeituhr)

Fernsehturm...which is cool that you can see pretty much wherever you are in Berlin

A church

Museum

Alexander von Humboldt...at the Humboldt Universitaet

Suse at her Univeristy library (As a non-student, I was not allowed in. We needed to find a bank. It turned out it was right across the street!)

Brandenburger Tor (Next time I want to come here at night when it is lit up!)

The brand new American Embassy...now right next to the Brandenburger Tor

Reflection of the German "Capital" in the American Embassy.

Looking through the Brandenburger Tor...what was the former East Germany

Reichstagsgebaeude (~German Capital)

We went on a little boat ride "am Spree". Here is the Bode museum...and...what else, but the Fernsehturm?

Another church

Government Building

Train station. Built for the 2006 World Cup. Supposively looks like a currywurst. :)

How Germans imagine they are on the beach...and that it's warm ;)

We went up to inside the Fernsehrturm at night...beautiful!

There we are too!

Kind of looks like a UFO here, huh?

S-Bahn at night

USEDOM [Day 3]
Suse and her little sister, Neele

Still waiting on the toothfairy to make her rounds...

A few blocks away, out on the pier, or "Seebrücke"

Suse and her childhood friend, Netti

Yay...Germany DOES have a beach!

When I have a doggie, I need to take him to the doggie beach!!

Crazy wooden statues

I <3 beaches.

Really interesting building...which is now boarded up. It was the "cultural center" of the town when Germany was divided, as this was East Germany.

Auf dem Spielplatz...at the playground with Neele

Faces in the crazy mirrors

On our way up...

...and back down together!

Another walk to the beach before dinner

AND...here are some "new" photos I got from Suse during her visit to Oregon in May!

Portland at night from the Portland City grill...sooo beautiful.

Graduation day, of course.

Grad night..walking out by the river in Portland

Downtown Portland

Aw with the girls. I miss these times in Portland. :(

Onto "Boxes"

Ricky!!!

At the Portland Saturday Market, the day before leaving for Peru

Randomly ending up at the Obama rally to see him speak

Day 10

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Going on a week and a half back here in Germany. It's been a relatively easy transition, although I am still far from "settled" (well, the ten months type settled). Tomorrow (Friday) I will head up to Berlin to visit Suse and also go to her hometown in Usedom. Then, Monday begins orientation...already! (Not even three whole days..)

I haven't written too much, as I have been trying to soak everything around me in. These past days I have been INCREDIBLY exhausted early in the day. Although the language flows, it does take a little more effort to understand at some points..or to get across. Perhaps my brain is just tired at the end of the day. haha.

I can't believe it has already been seven years since 9-11. It's interesting each year to talk to the people I am around, as everybody remembers that day so perfectly.

The more I am following the presidential race, the more I am realizing how badly I need to vote. I'm going to send off for my absentee ballot today. It's actually scary to think about what some of the people could do if in office...

And...as each post has had..here are some more pictures from the past few days out and about:

Treysa (Inga's hometown)
Dinner with a few elementary/high school friends

And super strong schnapps that you burn at home with her papa

Putting out the fire. haha. Important job. ;)

Today in Marburg!
Tretboot fahren! Paddle boating! Sooo beautiful and sunny today.

And finally..time for some "eis"...ice cream. :)

Pics from the past few days

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:32:00 +0000

A sunday walk though Marburg

Looking up at the "Kirche", or church

The flag (or crest?) of Hessen

The "Marktplatz", or city center

This is in the middle of the Marktplatz. It's for the blinde, so they can "see" the Marktplatz through the buildings and various ridges on each.

The castle peeking through this little street.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt

The "U-bahn" (subway) in Frankfurt

Train rides to and from Frankfurt

And home..in Inga's kitchen, both hard at work. haha. Uploading pics that is.

Das erste Blick an Marburg

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:22:00 +0000

After sleeping in til almost noon and enjoying a brunch complete with tacos and coffe(I know, delicious, right?), Inga and I set off to explore the castle and see some of this city. Of course, we were hit with rain and wind...which actually made it seem all the more like home...the Oregon one, that is. ;)

Morning bruch,

Inga's Uni (we decided we miss the Pacific library)

View from the castle

Trying to stay a little dry in the wind and rain

In the middle of the castle

A church in the city

I LOVE seeing bright flowers when the sky is so gray.

Walking home over the autobahn. Don't worry, I plan on coming back to the States in one piece. :)

And finally..a .short film clip from Inga and I up on the castle:

Tomorrow will be my first Sunday in Germany where everything is shut down. A day for relaxation and to be with friends/family. We'll see what the day brings. :)

Das Abenteuer fängt an..

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:00:00 +0000

Today started my journey around Germany for the next couple of weeks. One week with Inga in Marburg, 3 days with Suse in Berlin and Usedom, 3 days Fulbright orientation in Göttingen..then back to Inga's for a couple of days before heading back to my family's...and ultimately to Würzburg, where I will start working in the lab on the 22nd of September. So, LOTS of running around...but the fun kind. I'm excited to see these new places and moreso get to spend time with some amazing people.

Rainy morning at the Münnerstadt train station.

Still in good spirits after getting soaked in rain and sweat walking to the train station. haha.

Reunited with INGA!!

Aw I'm "home"...for a week at least.

The view out the kitchen window...not too bad. ;)

Here is a map of places I will be these next few weeks:

purple=Münnerstadt (where my family lives)
red=Würzburg (where I will live...and where my mom was born)
blue=Marburg (where Inga lives, and where I am now!)
green=Berlin (where Suse lives)
pink=Usedom (where Suse grew up)
yellow= Göttingen (Where I will be for Fulbright oreintation