On Leaving

True Loves,

As I have to return the internet equipment and such I thought I would write my leaving blog now.

I don't know if there is any other time in life where you feel these kinds of emotions. You feel more independent than ever, yet have never been more excited to see Mommy and Daddy. You've never felt more content being alone, but if you have a partner, never felt more in love. You feel nostalgic and not quite ready to leave this home, yet impatient to get back to your other one. You feel smarter than ever after feeling dumb for 5 months (nothing like trying to explain your nose hole closed up in German).

You feel like there are friendships you should have nurtured more, and ones you held on to too long. You feel aware of how wonderful people back home are...or not.

You feel like a grown up but have never been more dependent on people's support.

You feel beautiful.

You feel fat.

And if you're me, you want to process and analyze every feeling you're feeling into neat little packages and find a perfect word for it. But sometimes, you just have to let it be.


Off to the United States on Saturday,


With Love,
Emily

On Things I WILL Miss About Germany

True Loves,

I'm in a very odd head space right now. I will be in the states, the US of A, America, in 10 days. I started packing today and I'm hit with a collision of "can't wait to get home see my friends, family, and mack on my boo" and "I just got here" and "I'm so...comfortable here, why would I leave?"

With final papers piling up, the heat only getting hotter (and Germans don't believe in fans or AC) and most of my friends just as busy as I, I'm alone, lying on my bed in the sticky irritable way that comes with summer and processing what I feel.

I think the "processing" blog will wait, for now, here are some key things I am certainly going to miss.

With Love,
Emily

On Things I Won't Miss About Freiburg

True Loves,

17 days left. In 3 days I'll start packing, in 16 I'll be on a train to Frankfurt, in 17 on a flight back to the States. It's crazy. I'm feeling all sorts of emotions naturally. Glee, sadness, I feel like I haven't had enough time, I feel like I've been ready to go home for a while.

I don't know if it's because homecoming is so close or what but lately I've been really appreciating things about Amherst that Freiburg just doesn't have, or things Freiburg has that I really wish it wouldn't (i.e. the flasher that hangs out by the path to my dormitory several times a week hoping to "get caught"...yes, I'm serious)

Anyway, we're in the final countdown, and I can't wait to see all your faces.

With Love,
Emily

Things I Won't Miss:

On the 4th of July

True Loves,

Holidays are the hardest thing for me when I am abroad. I have a really great network of people at home, people who are family, people who are like family, that I have the opportunity to celebrate with every year. I reconnect with friends from high school who still know me better than most others, and I get to celebrate with new friends who have fast become dear to me. I am blessed that I have such a wacky family that still manages to love each other. July 4th is particularly hard to miss because I can just hear my mom talking about how much she loves parades and what not. Oh and I'm missing the biggest BBQ of the year.

While I'll celebrate with my friends here I will absolutely be missing all of you back home in a big way tomorrow. So please know that you'll be in my thoughts, and hopefully I'll be in yours, and maybe we can meet half way.

With Love,
Emily

On Things I Miss From Home

True Loves,

Catherine created a blog on things she was excited for when she gets home. Now that we're in the final stretch I thought I would do the same.

Things I am SO excited for:


With Love,

Emily

On Elementary Thievery

True Loves,





With Love,
Emily

On People at the Train Station

True Loves,

Everything is closed here on Sunday except little America (the street with Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, SubWay and Hagan Daas all in a row) and the train station. This means on Sunday afternoons after I've laid in bed long enough to get restless I'll make a trip down to the train station. It's a little known fact that this is actually the resting place of the full moon.

What I mean by this is every crazy mo'fo seems to be at the train station. Long haired beggers who shake marakas at you, women with rashes on their faces and washed out eyes shaking their fists, and every pidgeon toed person you've ever seen...not that they can help it but have you ever seen a severely pidgeon toed person walk?

I don't know why I haven't learned my lesson, it goes from silly to creepy very fast. It's probably the only place in Germany where people make unwanted small talk with strangers. Ironically they'd all fit right in in the valley.

With Love,
Emily

On Tattoo and Piercing Parlors

True Loves,

DON'T WORRY MOM! I DID NOT GET ANY MORE PIERCINGS OR TATTOOS!

However, my nose hole closed up one morning and I needed to have it repierced. It turned out to only be 5 euros at the shop which seemed like a fair price to have it done by a professional instead of sticking a needle in myself. The procedure was quick and almost painless, and the lady who did it was super fly.

Catherine came with me on this little adventure and mentioned as we trecked up the stairs to the third floor that all tattoo parlors had to be on the top floor. This got me thinking about "Things All Tattoo Parlors Have"--Here is what I came up with :)




With Love,
Emily

On Taking Your Time...Or Not

True Loves,

Germans are known for their efficiency, but as an American I find that yes they are very efficient at some things, and other times, well, I get antsy. It's true that in a grocery story you see groceries bagged at lightening speed (I am sure there is a system here that I don't know about), and, at any given time of day you can see Germans racing to catch the trains that come generally only 5 or 10 minutes apart--this includes the crippled and the women wielding baby carriages.

On the other hand--Germans allow time for rest, eatings, walks with loved ones. I see fewer to-go cups and enjoy a lot more days off here. I don't know if I'll ever let go of my American "go, go, go" mindset, and frankly I miss the convenience of American consumerism daily, but that said, I really do enjoy my Thursday holidays.

With Love,
Emily

On Inventions from Germany

True Loves,

As it finally feels like summer out and it's the weekend I will not be doing a real post today. However; I will leave you with a couple things Germany contributed to the world :)

BLUE JEANS
Levi Strauss (1829-1902) was an entrepreneur who invented and marketed blue jeans. Trained as a tailor in Buttenheim, Bavaria, Germany, Strauss went to San Francisco, USA from New York in 1853. Strauss sold dry goods, including tents and linens to the 49ers (the people who came to the California gold rush, which began in 1849). In 1873, Strauss and Jacob Davis, a Nevada tailor, patented the idea (devised by Davis) of using copper rivets at the stress points of sturdy work pants. Early levis, called "waist overalls," came in a brown canvas duck fabric and a heavy blue denim fabric. The duck fabric pants were not very successful, so were dropped early on. His business became extremely successful (and still is), revolutionizing the apparel industry.

BUNSON BURNER
The laboratory Bunsen burner was invented by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen in 1855. Bunsen (1811-1899) was a German chemist and teacher. He invented the Bunsen burner for his research in isolating chemical substances - it has a high-intensity, non-luminous flame that does not interfere with the colored flame emitted by chemicals being tested.

GLOBE
Martin Behaim (1459-1537) was a German mapmaker, navigator, and merchant who made the earliest globe, called the "Nürnberg Terrestrial Globe". It was made during the years 1490-1492; the painter Georg Glockendon helped in the project. Behaim had previously sailed to Portugal as a merchant (in 1480). He had advised King John II on matters concerning navigation. He accompanied the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cam (Cão) on a 1485-1486 voyage to the coast of West Africa; during this trip, the mouth of the Congo River was discovered. After returning to Nürnberg in 1490, Behaim began construction of his globe (which was very inaccurate as compared to other maps from that time, even in the areas in which Behaim had sailed). It was once thought that Behaim's maps might have influenced Columbus and Magellan; this is now discounted. Behaim may have also developed an astrolabe. Behaim's globe is now in the German National Museum in Nürnberg.

PRINTING PRESS WITH MOVABLE TYPE...this one is for Andy
Johannes Gutenberg (the 1300's-1468) was a German craftsman, inventor, and printer who invented the first printing press with movable type in 1450. This invention revolutionized printing, making it simpler and more affordable. Gutenberg produced dies (molds) for easily producing individual pieces of metal type that could be made, assembled, and later reused. Gutenberg's new press could print a page every three minutes. This made printed material available to the masses for the first time in history. Religious materials were the majority of the early printed materials. The use of printing presses began the standardization of spelling.


And there are many more where that came from!

With Love,
Emily

On Germany Winning on Wednesday

True Loves,



With Love,
Emily

On the Worst Part of My Day

True Loves,

Every morning after my aforementioned awesome night's sleep, I have to force myself to crawl out of the warm comfort of my bed and arise into the day (ariiise and seize the daay..."Newsies").

Many find comfort in the fact that not long after leaving their bed they will soon be in the steamy bliss of the shower. Not I. My Shower, here in Freiburg, a mere cell of a stall, hates consistency. On my worst day, I am less ADD than this shower.

Hot, Cold, Ho---BURNING, cold, the temperature has me doing moves akin to a chicken dance...or perhaps one of those odd mating dances those puffy birds do that always seem to be featured in Animal Planet features. And it has me in a catch-22! Often even on the coldest temperature the water feels like the boiling "Ramen Noodle" water I spilled on myself as a kid!

Needless to say, when I finally finish my bathing regimine I am far less refreshed than desired and far more irritated.

With Love,
Emily

On Sleeping...Or Not

True Loves,

Falling asleep at 8, staying up until 6, sleeping until 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the afternoon, my sleep schedule here is well, F***ed. I don't know if my body subconsciously wants to be up with my friends at home or what but it seems hard as I try I simply can't change my schedule. I've tried forcing myself to sleep, pulling an all nighter in hopes that the next night I'll be back on track, tea before bed, warm showers, everything. And still, every night as my friends here in Germany are wrapped up in dream land I consistently look like this:



With Love,
Emily

On Produce

True Loves,

I've mentioned before that produce does not have a very long life here. This is one of those great things about Germany but in my American way I just can't get used to. Germans use a lot less preservatives and pesticides thus the not so long life of their fruit, but being someone who expects my food to last a week can't get in the habit of regularly going to the store. Instead I end up in a race against the clock eating whole boxes of nectarines or bags of apples in just a few days. Let's just say sometimes it is fiber overload.

With Love,
Emily

On Germaphobes

True Loves,

One thing that you notice quickly when traveling is what ticks, who off. Some people can't handle less than 9 hours sleep, others hate sitting in one place for a long time. Some people need to be around others, some people need their space. Some people (myself in this category) have no issue trying new foods, or care about the cleanliness of the kitchen while others are total germaphobes.

As I am not in the later camp I decided to illustrate my reason of why not.

With Love,
Emily

On Summer in Germany

True Loves,





With Love,
Emily


PS!
Happy Father's Day to my wonderful dad!!! We'll Celebrate the 19th :)

On Being Loved

True Loves,

I've been pondering this entry for a while now. I've been visited in the last three weeks by both Andy and my parents and I just feel...well so many things. It's an experience and I thought I would outline how a visit feels when you're used to being on your own, in another country, where people who speak your language are few and far between.

Why are you in my space?: This is absolutely the first thing I felt. While I was absolutely psyched to have my loved ones around me, having people to adjust my routine around was definitely a bigger shock than I anticipated. This was especially true with Andy as we were sharing a bed that I wouldn't doubt is the same make and model that serial killers use in hide outs. Thin mattress, narrow width, no room for escaping snoring. Thank goodness my sister sent me ear plugs prior.

Welcome to my world!: This follows naturally after the initial shock when you get to share your life changing experience with others. Taking my parents and Andy to my favorite places to eat and drink, watching them experience the same annoyances I did when I arrived (rain, rain, doors that look like they should be pull but are push, and more rain), and the droning back drop of the world cup was truly special. I felt blessed for the opportunities I've had and the people who allowed me to experience them.

Why are you leaving my space?: Saying goodbye here is different than any other goodbye I've ever had. I can't quite express it. Just as I'm getting used to having people I truly love and appreciate around me again they leave. It's sad, it's hard, and I'm glad that I have people in my life that I am sad to leave. Freiburg really does feel like home, but I don't miss missing these people, and it will certainly be really wonderful to be back in their presence when I arrive home.

Anyway, thought I would give you all a quick update on the visits,

Much Love,

Emily

PS.

Pictures from both visits are on my facebook page

On Language Gaps

True Loves,

One of the unique experiences I'm having to a lot of my friends is I am not a native speaker in the country I am studying in. Though I've improved greatly there are still times where if not better comprehension, at least quicker comprehension could be useful.

Andy (my number one lover) was here for the week. It was wonderful having him here and I felt pretty secure in my German leading him around Freiburg and translating for him. After dropping him off at the train station this morning I headed up to the platform to catch my tram, throwing my bag over my shoulder to hold my dress down in the breeze.

I walked around the platform, feeling melancholy as I had just said goodbye to my boo when a rather sketchy looking man (there are a lot of these in Freiburg, and in most cities I imagine), who started to talk to me. I simply said "Nein" or "No" before he got very far, assuming he wanted a cigarette oder Etwas (or something). He walked away hastily. It was only later that I realized what he had been trying to tell me was that my dress had gotten caught up under my bag leaving my butt cheek exposed to the world. Good news is I was wearing solid unmentionables and I will probably never see these people again.

One of those "don't judge a book by its cover" stories.

With Love,

Emily

On Grocery Shopping

True Loves,

Grocery shopping in Germany is a very unique experience when you're used to American super stores. The following are the top 3 things I've observed to be the most different.

1. Milk and Eggs are often not refrigerated

2. You must bring your own bags, using there's (if they have any) will cost extra
3. Because they use a lot less pesticides and preservatives produce can look...well...sad.

I've mentioned before that maneuvering around Germany's 1990s atmosphere can be difficult, but wondering the isles of a Grocery store can make you feel like you've gone even further back in time. Milk comes in glass bottles, there's a butcher and a baker, and you're half expecting a candlestick maker, not to mention the alcohol section that looks straight out of a specialty shop in the States.

It's time's like these I wish I had a video camera to allow you to observe these wonders in all their glory. On the bright side, most of the people who read this blog will be visiting me anyway.

With Love,
Emily

On Classes

True Loves,

I love economics. The closest courses they have to business courses here are economic ones and thank goodness, I have totally fallen madly in love. Business is definitely my passion and I am only slightly less surprised by this than I was when I discovered this in Entrepreneurship a year ago. Slowly but surely, however, these courses are making me understand why. Ready Mom? You're going to love this...

I think in a way business and economics is a marriage between some of my parent's passions. My mother a psychologist and my father, someone who considers "The Economist" candy for the brain may have subliminally and unknowingly been pumping business theory into my brain. There are so many psychological and analytical aspects. Psychological you say? Yes! For instance, have you ever heard of Hofstede's indexes? Basically (stop reading here if you aren't interested in my nerdiness and skip to the next paragraph) he created a system to measure cultures in different countries which transformed how international marketing and consumerism is approached. I.E. the masculinity index--how important women are in the workforce, or the individualism index, how much you rely on yourself for success (America is very high on that one). So cool.

While the rain continues to fall...and fall and fall, I'm taking comfort in the warmth of Aspect Cafe getting back to my Amherst "I'm a pretentious asshole who hangs out and 'does work' in coffee shops" roots. Which is why this blog was originally written in a notebook first, have to look the part!

With Love,

Emily

PS.

Dad--what do I do about this?

It started out as a callus, now it's blackish purple and bleeds a bit. Ewwwww.

On Homesickness

True Loves,

Now that I'm not homesick anymore I thought it was a good time to write about it. While in my room sulking I pondered the reasons for homesickness. One of the hardest things about being abroad is no one here has known you longer than a couple months. It's tough when you want to reminisce about that party or that adventure, you want to tell one of those "you had to be there" stories but no one here was.

It was really awful for a couple weeks. Readjusting friendships, missing friends back home, and family, and definitely boyfriend. When you're not at the comfort level of hugging the people your with life can feel lonely.

But now life is better. I realized the things I need to do to keep myself sane (i.e. hanging out with the other girls from UMASS since at least they know what Bueno is) and making sure to nurture my new friendships too. Most relationships take work and that's unfortunate but it's a fact of life.

I've finally become at ease here, now all I need is some warm weather and I can be at ease outside.

With Love,

Emily

On Becoming Friends With Girls

True Loves,

I think I have narrowed down bonding between women into three thruths. If you know me, you know that gelling with my fellow gender hasn't always been easy, largely because admittadly I am a bit awkward, can spit better than most of my male friends, and have perfected poop jokes. And yes, I still find them funny. But the fact is I am still a lady, and even I, with my unfiltered mouth less than graceful mannerisms apply to the following three things.

1. All (or most if you want to get all technical feminist on me) women are aware of their hair and the state it is in.

2. All/Most women have had a negative experience with a boy/girl/love interest/crush of some sort.

3. All/Most women can agree that Dirty Dancing is a great movie. RIP Patrick Swayze.

Okay, I am being a little facetious. But the fact is that no matter how dainty or...not we may be we do all belong to the same gender. There is a piece of me, and maybe this is my western MA dirty hippie mentality, that believes that there is something to be said for sisterhood and the ties that bind us. I'm willing to put money on it that if you start singing "I've...had..." in a group of ladies someone is bound to join in with "the time of my liiifffeee"

With Love,

Emily

On Feet

True Loves,

I think the key to not looking like a tourist is your feet. It seems while clothing fashion seems to be a global novelty footwear is its own story. While from the ankles up I couldn't tell you if the people sharing the sidewalk with me were from Germany or not, watching their feet can really give good insight. Rubber flip flops-tourist, gaudy sandals-resident, self altered converse-tourist, leather converse (I'm serious) -resident, running shoes-tourist, atypical sneakers - resident, and so on. It seems the key to fitting in is how you fit your feet. And that goes beyond shoes.

Pace is another way to determine who belongs and who is visiting. I believe there is an unconscious understanding of how fast you're supposed to walk down the streets and around shopping alcoves. I'm definitely a tourist here, maybe its the ADD but I just can not stop looking at and touching everything put out on the street by various vendors!

I believe the only exception to this rule might be gladiator sandals which seem to be popular everywhere. I want a pair terribly.

With Love,

Emily

On Bar Fights

True Loves,

I have now experienced my very first bar fight. I blame the ash cloud. No, but really, a British man, a Frenchman and an American man walked into a bar (I'm not making this up) the British man was the sensitive type and kept touching the Frenchman, the Frenchman being the rugged type told him to...stop it...in a more colorful way, the British man, being a little less than sober didn't seem to comprehend and then WABAM! Punched in the face by the Frenchman--another Brit tries to break it up but WABAM! On the ground and bloody. The American, not wanting to get involved since arrests were more than likely, went inside and had a pint.

Since my mom reads this: the two people who were fighting were arrested and everyone who was hurt is fine. Love you!

Today I am going to Stone Henge which I am very excited about. It is cool to have the opportunity to do things that most people only dream of doing. Things that are on other people's bucket list. I know there are ropes and you can't get all that close blah blah blah but still, you're seeing something that is STILL a mystery in today's high technology world. So. Awesome.

It looks like tomorrow we should be able to fly. I'll be sad to leave though, I'm starting to feel very at home in London. Oops.

With Love,
Emily

On Being Stuck in the UK

True Loves,

After a whirlwind of sights in London, a picturesque road trip to Scotland, and a walking tour of Scottish history and booze I was all ready to fly back to Germany when a little thing called a volcano erupted and we all found ourselves stranded. There are certainly worse things.

It's a fun mentality here, all the young people bunked in the hostel from Holland and Ireland, Sweden and China, Australia and of course the US all hanging out together making the best of an eruptive (ha) situation. Last night many of us shared some wine together and I'm pretty sure I offered someone a place to stay if she ever decided to journey over to the states. What fun a little despair and alcohol can do.

It turns out Brittany and Rosie, girls I went to high school with are stranded here too so I might actually be meeting up with them tonight! Fun times!

The silly thing is the volcano wasn't the worst part of the trip. The worst part was before it started when I spent the night in "Frankfurt Hahn" airport. I include this only as a warning to future travelers to never spend the night in an airport that is used mainly for freight. There are no carpets, no squishy chairs, and only florescent lighting. And if your traveling campanions happen to miss the last bus until 3am to join you? All the better. Beware I say!

Still I count my blessings, I've seen beautiful things, met beautiful people, and feel very lucky to have such accommodating parents.

With Love,
Emily

When In Rome...

True Loves!

Rome is a beautiful city. It might just be my favorite place I have journeyed to in Europe. Forget Paris holding the title of the "City of Love" because Rome has [Rome]ance bursting out of every perfectly intact statue.

Colosseo, Roman Forum, Palatino, Panthanon, Spanish Steps, Arco di Constantino, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona and more all in one day sprinkled with Gelato, pasta, and Capuccino (not the German coffee that my Roman-Native friend Laura calls "dirty water").

In Rome I also received an unexpected gift, appreciation for my program, because however terrible it is, it is significantly better than the program for UMASS students in Rome. Sara introduced me to her friend Corina who shares a room the size of mine with 2 others, 2 filthy kitchens and 2 filthy bathrooms with 35 others, and a closet the size of a broom closet. And that's being generous. She lives with all American students and if you have the washing machine and dryer running at the same time the power goes out and you lose all internet connection. On the bright side she can look out her window at the Piazza Navona and that's not too shabby. And she has a drying rack as Sara pointed out ;)

Vatican tomorrow!
With Love,
Emily

On Ice Cream

True Loves,

You know those days where its cold and miserable out, its not snowing, but the rain pelts down in icy sheets. Wind whips around street corners, and the only place you want to be is in a nice warm bed with cocoa?

Not Germans.

I have seen more Germans eating ice cream in this weather than Americans during summertime. Its like nothing, wind, storms, or monsters could keep them away from this once thought "summer" treat. Seriously, strolls with ice cream in hand are an every day sight, regardless of the weather.

Its just like walking their babies, it must be that fierce German vitality that keeps them going out into the ice storm with child and ice cream in hand.

Luckily its supposed to warm up soon so there will be less waterproofed baby carriages and more excuses for ice cream.

With love,

Emily

On PDA

True Loves,

Maybe it's because I'm American that sexuality and romance in the public gives me the willies, but after a month of being here I'm still not used to it. Face stroking, hand holding, cooing, whispering, kissing, kissing with tongue, stroking, the whole bit, I've seen it all. One of the things I've also noticed is that its mostly the men who initiate it. It always seems, to me, with my American eyes, that the ladies are a little pissed off and the men are dripping with affection. For instance, on the tram the other day I watched out of the corner of my eye as a young German girl sat in her seat with her arms crossed while her lover, seated across from her, reached out to her, looking at her with puppy dog eyes, rubbing her arms and shoulders like she was at risk for hypothermia. Luckily I've gotten used to tram motion and didn't vomit.

In other news, we went to the Thermal Baths yesterday. You should know, that this is the most euphoric activity. Its like being in a hot tub, the size of a small lake, with jets and waterfalls. More interesting than this, however, is the fact that we got flipped off when we were getting off the bus, presumably because we were American. Oh Germany.

With Love,

Emily

The 1990s

Things I Love About Living in the 1990s (Freiburg, Germany)

-Neon sneakers are hip again

-My favorite elementary school hits are radio friendly (say my name, say my name)

-Lady Gaga fits in

-Sparkles are acceptable at any time

-Brighter colors, on clothes and on faces

Things I Hate About Living in the 1990s

-People don't use e-mail

-Sex and the City's infamous scrunchie episode does not apply

-Shoulder pads in suits are not taboo

-You see runners with discmans more than mp3 players

-It takes weeks to do things like set up bank accounts, sign up for classes, set up a mailbox, etc.

Laundry. FLKJJLSKJGLKJSKLGJLKS. LAUNDRY! ARGHHH!

True Loves,

Doing laundry in Germany is its own adventure. Given that the degrees are given in Celsius, the directions in German, and a totally different breed of machine than I have back home I can only hope that in the 40 minutes I have before my clothes are clean they aren’t shrinking, bleeding, or shredding. I already know I did something wrong because three loads of laundry shouldn’t cost 9 euros. In addition, I was a sight walking over to the StusieBar (yes, the bar) to get tokens for the machine in a pastel floral skirt and a bright blue shirt with proud yellow “Say Hi” lettering on it. It was definitely time to do laundry.

...was what I wrote before I was filled with rage.

Germany, as I've said, is stuck in the 90s. This means, that anything you could not do in the 90s you can not do here. For instance, easily setting up a bank account, having internet in convenient places, and being able to easily do laundry. In Germany, the place to buy tokens is only open from 7pm until 8pm, and in Germany they neglect to tell you that dryer tokens are different than washing machine tokens, thus my clothes hanging around my room on my telephone chord (thank you Josh Miller) and off of every possible surface. Grumble.

With Love,
Emily

Food

True Loves,

One of the thigns I love most about Germany is their attitude about food. I have yet to see any young women counting calories or avoiding the chocolate croissants in favor of granola. I eat very well here. It's great because without intending to you eat at normal times and usually you take a long walk at some point during the day, I think my body is happier with me than its been in a while.

Another perk of being in a German language course right now is my friends from all over the world have been cooking for me. Marta made me italian food and last night Tereza who "doesn't believe in frozen food" decided to "simply whip up" an incredible pasta and vegitable dish. I definitely made the right friends.

One of the things I'm having a difficult time with is my sense of humor, it's probably the most American thing about me. Yesterday we went to a karaoke bar and I thought it would be hilarious to do a rendition of Marvin Gaye...apparently Germans take Karaoke very seriously. It was met with blank stares. Oops. I'll know better for next time. In addition to this the awkward humor that I find the most entertaining doesn't quite translate. Oh well, its an adjustment, at least I have some American friends here for when I feel the desire to make an innuendo or observation that might not entirely translate into other languages. Michael Scott would have a lot of trouble here.

Anyway, I should do some more studying. I'm in the Language Lab right now working on phoenetics and the Dative tense. Eugh!

With love,
Emily

O' Kelly's

True Loves,

Dad-this one is for you. Two words. O’ Kelly’s. That’s right, we found an authentic Irish Pub and I don’t think my life will ever be the same. My Brazilian friend Tereza said “I think that Irish Bars are the same in every country.” While I don’t have enough experience to know if this is true, I do know that it’s the kind of place you want to be a regular at. Where the bartenders have red beards, where you feel a foreign warmth that only comes from being around people that are drunkenly crowded into a bar, and where the Beer, Whisky, and Bailey’s are served quickly and in great portions. It’s the kind of place that even drinking responsibly gets you drunk. I went with my new friends and stars of my German life Josh, Martin, Martha, Elodie, Laura, Chris and many others. It is something else to sit in a cozy nook of a bar where there are Italians, Swiss, Brazilian, and American all together enjoying each other’s company. We drank until we were speaking German fluently.

The next day, Martin, Josh, Martha and I went to the Schwarz Wald or the “Black Forest.” It felt like we had stepped into the inner intestines of Christmas. You could smell the fireplaces, the pine trees were covered with snow, the shops filled with hand carved nativity sets. It truly is a beautiful place to be. It’s a place that makes you feel blessed. You wonder what you’ve done to deserve being in such a magical place. On the train ride back we debated what kind of magical creatures lived within the forest, I’m sure they exist.

I feel like I’ve fallen in love with this place in such a short amount of time. I love the streets, the food, the people. Of course I miss my friends back home. Not being able to text is especially hard to get used to, but it’s nice to know everyone is at home and safe and hopefully I can catch up on all your lives soon.

With Love,

Emily

The Night of the Not-Crepes

True Loves,

It is getting so frustrating to not be able to get in contact with you. I keep writing down my thoughts, hopefully tomorrow I can find a way to get in touch with the world.

I’ve met some really great people here. So far me, and my new friends Sara and Colin are sticking together. They’re both set on going on adventures so I’m glad I found them. We went in search for a sex shop (what else does one do in Germany?) ended up getting lost and somehow made our way back to the Stusies. Sara decided with gusto she was going to make us crepes (didn’t I tell you I chose the right friends?) unfortunately things didn’t go as planned. She accidentally used spatzel flour which resulted in a noodle like texture. It might be one of those “you had to be there” moments but we had a good laugh.

We ended up opting for doner kabap, which is Turkish food and many of the shops are open late. Probably one of the things I’ll miss most in the states. You pay around 3 euro and end up a giant serving of freshly cut meat, veggies, bread and sauce. Tasty.

Til tomorrow,
With Love,
Emily

So It Begins

My True Loves,

Trying to keep track of everything in my head is getting exhausting so I’m writing blog entries on word and then copying and pasting when I have internet. Tonight I was finally going to have a chance to go online at our StusieBar –the student bar where we live, but naturally the bartender had gone home sick and it was closed so I was unable to.

The flight was uneventful, I watched the Jeff Corwin Experience where I deemed his short shorts more adventurous than the jungle he was exploring. I also found myself surrounded by snoring elderly people but no one put their heads on me or drooled so I decided all in all it was okay by me. The most exciting part of the flight was when the flight attendants assumed I was German—I didn’t correct them.

The first thing I noticed about Germany was…babies. There are babies everywhere. I actually saw a carriage go by with four in it. A couple blocks later I saw 5 strollers go by and then a pregnant lady all in a row. So many babies. On the tram a baby and I got in a silly face fight, he won when he picked his nose and showed what he found.

The thing I’m most excited about is how quickly the German is coming to me. Being here for such a short amount of time already learning so many useful words, words I just wouldn’t think to ask in a class in the USA. “Would you like that to go?” –“Mochtest du mit nehmen?” Pull and Push “Ziehen und Drucken”…the list goes on.

I hope to have pictures up soon!

With Love,
Emily

Pen Paling of Sorts

In case any of you want to reach me...

for the month of March:

Emily Hartwell
SLI-Sprachlehrinstitut
Universitaetsstrasse. 5
79098 Freiburg im Breisgau
Deutschland

for April onward:

Emily Hartwell
Sundgaualle 40-01-07
79110 Freiburg im Breisgau
Deutschland

With love!
Emily

Final Countdown

My True Loves,

Here I am, the day before, the day before I leave. I find myself walking over to the room where my suitcase for Germany is located staring at it, leaving, and going on a trashy shopping excursion to calm my nerves. What do I mean by trashy? Let's just say I don't think I've been in any stores other than WalMart or the Dollar Tree in some time. And yes, I know, the labor and all that jazz, but the fact is yesterday I picked up some sweet Miley Cyrus sweat pant jeans for $7 and I'm proud, no pajama jean ( http://www.pajamajeans.com/ ) but good enough.

Admittedly, when I located that link for you all I got totally immersed in the infomercial and stopped blogging. Thoughts--do infomercials include big words just to make you think you're buying something not cheap, ridiculous, and unnecessary? The proprietary blend...

As I near the final days I've started to wonder what I'll miss most about the states and this little town. Certainly Bueno Y Sano, my favorite non-Mexican Mexican food restaurant, and watching my less than educated, more than entertaining, TV shows live--there's something sad about watching "The Real Housewives" on hulu. Naturally, my friends, family and boyfriend (and spooning with said boyfriend) and definitely American toilets.

Ah well, off to check the weather, again, and look at my suitcase a couple more times. Anyone have any hints on how to make 5 months worth of stuff fit into one suitcase and be under the weight limit?

With love,

Emily

My Life in a Suitcase

True Loves,

Two blogs in two days? No way! I'm mainly looking for an outlet to post all the stress--glad to know Catherine is experiencing it as well! My challenge today is trying to figure out how to pack my whole life into a suitcase and a carry on. Shoes are bulky and admittedly I probably don't need to bring as many clothes as I'm anticipating but it's frickin' Europe! Have to look fly!

Today I attempted to take the German placement test but for whatever reason it's not working. I e-mailed our UMASS home base lady, Regine, so hopefully that all gets sorted out. We'll have to wait and see!

I have this aching feeling the rest of these updates will just be about packing, so I suppose I can wait until I leave for Germany to provide you all with some snappy reading material.

Oh! And bachelor update, do we think Allie just wanted to make a dramatic comeback, do you think Jake will let her? Do we hate Vienna even more now? Isn't Gia wicked hot?! And Tenley is still totes his soulmate.

With Love,
Emily

Packing, Packing, Packing

Hello All of My True Loves!

I have decided to create this blog, mostly for my mom to read while I'm away but anyone else who wants to read, well, I'd be honored. I leave for Germany in 19 days and I'm feeling, well, nauseous. So far my days are spent with a blurred together montage of packing, unpacking, and then repacking. I also keep having anxiety dreams where I forget shoes...or underwear.

Exciting moment of the day? Buying an all in one converter and adapter for outlets while I'm out in gluten country (haven't entirely decided how seriously I'm going to take this "no gluten" thing).

Luckily I have the bachelor to break of the monotony of packing. Who read this week's USweekly? Even Vienna's friends don't like Vienna, get wise Jake!

Off to start laundry so I can do more...packing.

With Love,

Emily