Back in the US of A

To all those people in the US...I'm home! 

Most importantly my number while I'm here is 717.514.5648.  Important note:  it's a relic, from the turn of the century and I can not get txt's so don't bother sending them.  If you want to communicate with me, you have to do it the old fashioned way and call me.

So, I arrived yesterday at Newark with relatively few hangups on my trip.  Saturday night before I left I got a full 2-3 hours of sleep, so I really well rested as you can imagine, and as many of you know I truly find flying to be an enjoyable experience (haha well maybe after the 4 klonopin).  But yea, despite my first flight being super delayed I still made my connection and made it home on time.  My first meal in the US was a delicious Arby's value meal with a Jamocha shake.  It wasn't chpotle, but that's because that will be lunch today. 

Last night I went to bed at 7:45 (2:45 Euro time) and woke up this am at 830.  I was completely exhausted and definitely needed....13 hours apparently.

Lots to do today, but give me a call if you're in the Harrisburg Metropolitan Area (such a metropolis) and we can figure out sometime to meet up.

To all my friends back in Berlin:  Keep your heads up, I'll be back in just 17 short days  :-P

Construction in the Kitchen and Empty in my Stomach

Several things to write about today.  One...it's 5, so far, I've had breakfast, been to class, the gym and now I'm blogging, but it's been dark for almost and hour already and it feels like 830.  It's no wonder there are 5 million places to get coffee here...it's essential to make it through all the dark hours of the winter.

Okay, so first up.  I have been compiling a list of all the things that I must get in the US to bring back with me.  I'm returning to the US with two empty suitcases and a weekend duffel bag with just a few select items.  When I return to Berlin I will have refilled suitcases with more (warmer) winter clothes and shoes plus whatever I decide is necessary or only available in the US.  I'm open to suggestions but also need some advice.  So winter's here are...well rougher.  And the cobblestone sidewalks really just don't ever get de-iced or dry so I must buy a pair of waterproof boots to make it through.  I'm really struggling here because I understand function is most important but I refuse to wear something heinous, I also don't want to spend a ton.  Timberlands are really popular here and not completely offensive looking.   Would I be completely remiss to purchase a pair?  Also, I'm wary to buy anything black leather as this is Berlin after all and I don't want to appeal to the wrong demographic...  Anyway, like I said, I'm taking suggestions.

Second up, the gym was quite pleasant today.  Lots to look at...although I have to say I did happen to pick a locker next to the most putrid smelling b.o. I've ever experienced.  It was so bad it made my eyes burn and of course he was decked out in the standard man capris, tank top and fanny pack (they are really popular  here...it's sort of tragic how bad it looks and they are always Eastpaks, think Disney World vacation style circa 1990).

Lastly, we're having the kitchen and dining room of our flat repainted and it makes both rooms pretty much off limits.  In addition to not being able to use them, work starts promptly at 7am which is why I think I will be trying to sleep out for the next couple days.  It is my last week though, I definitely do plan to go out tonight and Thursday night at least.

Well to all you back in the US.  I'll be seeing you soon!  I will be posting my phone number as soon as I figure out what it will be so stay tuned.

I'm A Celebrity

DISCLAIMER:  So, I don't want to brag or anything, but I'm basically a German celebrity now.  I thought I should let you all know that you're reading a famous person's blog right now. 

I was casually meandering through the Gedarmenmarkt Weihnachtsmarkt and some lady came up to me to interview me about why I chose to go to the Weihnachsmarkt.  Tonight, I'll be broadcast into the homes of billions of Germans on their evening newscast--pretty much making me an overnight celebrity.

I promised that I would post some pictures of one of these Christmas Markets.  Now, I've been to a couple but I only took my camera out a few times and par usual didn't document the actual cute part...just the parts that I thought were completely random.  Obviously Germans have a completely different understanding of Christmas than we do...

yea...Carni Christmas anyone?

Nothing says Christmas like a zombie in a cage.

I love Halloween...but really?  At a Christmas Market?

I refuse to ride anything that can be assembled in 2 days.

Those are swings that are like 120' in the air!  Terrifying not to mention freezing!

Okay, so that is just the really commercial Christmas Market...the other ones are actually charming all though entirely too crowded for my liking.  Below are photos of one of the nicer ones in Berlin (but this is just a sample of more than 40 this year).

In other news, I apologize for not blogging much lately.  It seems I've been in sort of a sour mood all week dealing with the (endless) German bureaucratic bullshit.  I'm trying to put that behind me and look forward to the upcoming holiday season.  That being said you all are welcome to send me good luck in my job pursuits.  The whole task at the moment seems daunting.

Holiday Travel Itinerary

So here are the dates I'll be in the States for the holidays.  Please plan accordingly (that means make time for me because you might not see me again for a while!)

I leave Berlin Sunday, Dec 19th.  I will be landing sometime in the afternoon at Newark and proceeding directly to the nearest Chipotle.

• Harrisburg/Central PA - Sun, Dec 19 - Sun, Dec 26th (roughly, wow that sounds brutal)  I imagine I'll be taking some mid week road trips in there.  A week in Harrisburg will make me crazy.
• I'd be willing to make day trips, let me know if any of you have days off during the week
• DC - Sun, Dec 26th - Fri, Dec 31st
• Philly - Fri, Dec 31st - Sun, Jan 2nd
• TBD - Jan 2nd - 4th
• Return to Berlin - Wednesday, Jan 5

 Please let me know if you will be around so I can start making plans to do things.

See you all soon!

Snow Means Sleighrides

So there are 3 things I want to mention.  The first I've noticed for a while, but now it has developed a tinge of irony.  Germans love to wear board shorts to the gym.  I'm talking bright, colorful floral patterns down to their knees and with drawstrings.  It's um, well an interesting fashion statement because they are usually paired with euro-esque tennis shoes also often brightly colored and a graphic tee.  Initially I thought it was funny, but now that it's -12 and snowing--working out in board shorts may just be a bit of wishful thinking...

Second:  Kids in Berlin have it MADE.  It's sort of adorable and I really need to get a picture of it, but the snow has fallen and out pop the sleighs.  Parents all over are dragging their kids behind them on these little sleighs.  I must say I'm totally jealous.  I'll have to figure out a way to get a picture of it, or better, to get a ride on one, although I don't think it would support my body weight.

Third:  Christmas Markets are pretty sweet.  I'm not a HUGE fan of Christmas and I hate crowds, so one might think that I would not be a fan of Weihnachtsmarkte (Christmas Markts), but there is something charming about them here.  It is sort of like an art show where artisans have their booths in bavarian style huts selling their goods and then there are tons of food stands (which is obviously my favorite) selling sweets, savorys, and gluhwein.  Also, did you know gingerbread is originally a German thing?  I guess it makes sense...seeing as Hansel and Gretel is a German fable.  Anyway, I must say I'm a fan of the Christmas Markets and I will be photo documenting one as soon as I remember to take my camera with me.

Language Update:  So I guess you could say I've made progress with my Deutsch.  Primarily in writing, the grammar is coming along nicely.  Unfortunately as I learn more, I realize more and more complexities about German and really I'm at a point of mass frustration.  I've decided I need to get more serious about the conversation aspect so I am heading over to a friend's now to just practice speaking.

Nightmare on Busselstraße

I know I'm way overdue for a post, and I'm going to keep this brief because I'm typing on a German keyboard and it is really annoying (the letters are all rearanged and jacked up with German characters: öäüß^).

This morning I decided that I must finally go to get my visa extended so that I can stay here in Berlin beyond the 90 day tourist pass.  Well the place in Germany where one goes to complete such a task is the 'insert long German word that i can't pronounce' and they, of course, speak no English there.  Imagine the DC DMV but instead of angry black people it's angry German speaking people...  sort of terrifying.

Anyway, thanks to my awesome anxiety I slept for about 45 minutes last night. After a few hours of tossing and turning, I finally got up at 3:40 to check for the 29th time to make sure I have absolutely every document they could ever possibly want. 

I got to the office at 6:30 (they open at 7) and it was -10C outside and naturally they make you queue outside.  Well after that, consider me blessed.  I was in and out in an hour AND the lady was not only pleasant she gave me a 2 year visa which saves me the trouble of reapplying in May!

Needless to say I'm on cloud nine.  It's 9 am, I have 45 minutes of sleep and I'm bouncing off the walls.

Today is a great, although freezing cold day in Germany.