A Day in the Life

It's been a while since I've really had anything to write, but I suddenly have the urge to update this the eve of my first exam... coincidence? Unlikely.

So I sit here in my favorite little restaurant/bar, surrounded by books, laptop, half-eaten supper, and a motley bunch of older German men giving me odd looks as they sip their beers and discuss this and that with the bartenders. "What are you studying there?" asked one of them earlier, peering around at my book. "Oh, Deutsch," I said, feeling sheepish as he just smiled knowingly and nodded, all nice-like. The first bartender on shift here (who, dearest folk from the Kickapoo Valley, is a German twin to Mr. Wiegel) was very kind to me and patient with my lack of conversational skills, and even answered some silly grammar questions and translated a few words for me. Yes, of course he speaks English! He even stopped by as his shift ended to wish me luck. I think I'll come back here to study more often.

And oh goodness, a bunch of British gentleman just sat down at a table nearby. Lovely! Hearing them converse is more fun than it ought to be, haha! :)

I've barely gotten anywhere with my studying, but for some reason, I'm not too worried. I should be, because I'm not quite prepared, but I just don't think forcing myself through more grammar exercises and translations is  going to help. I just feel like I know it. Is that good enough? I sure hope so... tomorrow at 9 AM is a written exam comprising of three parts: a text production, a listening comprehension, and a grammar test. This isn't so terrible. What I dread lies on Tuesday, where I have to pass an oral exam. Supposedly I'm to be given a comic or caricature of some kind, put in a room to analyze it and prepare for 15 minutes, and then I meet with my teacher and some other guy to describe it, and then answer whatever questions about it they throw at me. I know, doesn't sound scary, but it really actually is.

Auf jeden (in any case), here are some pictures I've snapped with my iPod as I venture through my normal daily routine in Germany. They are pretty boring, actually, but these views should be new to some of you. Some of them aren't great since they were taken on the go, but here they are.

                                    A warning to all those who dare venture on the trail to
                                 get to the busstop: no one maintains it for ice and snow
                                during the winter. So basically, it's your own fault if you
                                 wind up going ass over teakettle back down the hill.

                                              
                                              On my way to the busstop in the morning... gotta go to school.

                                                      At the busstop with my two Kelli/ys! :)

                                                 OMFG it's so effing cold, hurry up bus hurry up
                                                  hurry up I can't feel my face hurry up hurry up!!

                                                           DER BUS KOMMT OMGGGG

                                                        Yeah, we're walking to class. Nbd.

                                               This girl is adorable! Kelly is also from UWEC and
                                          I'm lucky enough that she lives in my building and is also
                                                                     in the same class.

                                                   Surreptitious picture taking FTW.

                                                 Class is over, we're waiting to go home,
                                                 I hope the effing bus comes soon because
                                                once again I can't feel my face meehhhhh

                                          The view from the entrance of Lomonosov Haus, where
                                          I live. Charming, yes, I know.

                                           Walking through the tunnel on my way into town.

                                       Graffiti is not, in fact, a sign of poverty or the presence of gangs,
                                    rather, bored and expressive teenagers and probably young adults,
                                                                        as well.

                                            What's it say? No idea. But it's lovely.

                                                        A little antique shop somewhere in Oberstadt.

                                                         Walking around, shopping a little.

                                                  The river Lahn finally froze! Note the beer bottle.
                                                     Someone wasn't convinced, obviously.

                                                     

                                                        Ohhh yes, the juice aisle in Edeka,
                                                      a grocery store. By the way, grocery shopping
                                                  without my trusty Impala? Royal pain in the ass.

But I've just ordered a Schoko Bailey's (hot chocolate with Bailey's, of course!), so it's time to get back to work.