Hey, all... For those of you that don't have Facebook, these are the links to my photo albums:
H-Town
Faschingsdienstag 2011
Am Bodensee (On Lake Constance)
Belgien
München (Munich)
And possibly more to come! I do update H-Town from time to time with more photos, so if you want to check up on it every now and again, you can do so.
15 May 2011
14 May 2011
I Aintent Ded!
My dearest friends,
This is a periodical post to let you know I have not sustained any horrible bodily harm up to and including death. My health is nominal, and no one should be concerned. I warn you though: my English is becoming worse every day. This is not to say I am becoming actually proficient in German, though. Because we all know that would just be pure crazy talk. Anything after this message is just the normal meanderings of your favorite spaz...
So here I am. It has been close to 2 1/2 months since I arrived in Heidelberg. My semester abroad is half over, and it feels like merely a blink of the eye. The people I have met here humble me with their intelligence, wit, grace and acceptance. I love it here so much that I cannot begin to express it. However, I shall try.
I haven't gone through and looked at my previous posts (all 3 of them), so if I repeat myself please bear with me.
I first need to talk about all of the stunningly amazing friends I have met here. It might be easiest to go by nationality since most of them are from countries, and so here goes:
The Kiwis: The New Zealanders are one of my favorite groups of women in the universe. That's right... I can say that with confidence even though there could be entire planets full of groups of women that we don't even know about.
Jess: I have never heard Jess complain about anything. She fell into the Neckar River (which is disgusting), cut open both of her feet and her wrist, and the only thing she was worried about was if her friend's iPod was okay. She is in a constant, infectious state of wonder and joy. She makes everyone around her feel special by the way her eyes light up when she sees anyone she knows.
Cathy: Cathy is like a cool aunt who happens to be 9 years younger than I am. She is always in the mood to grab a drink at Bar 3, or go to the Neckarwiese (a field that is alongside the Neckar River), or help me translate a ridiculous economics article for my Business German class. She will listen when you need to talk, give solid advise when you ask for it, and forcibly MAKE you have a good time when she is around.
Lydia: Lydia has this smile... it is kind of hard to explain. When she smiles, it looks like she has a wicked and exciting plan hatching. Whenever I have been in my room all day studying, she will be the one to text me and make sure I am still alive and have had at least some fun. When she laughs, you can tell she is honestly amused. She will also help me with some difficult German when need be. She has saved my behind on more than one occasion.
Kate: Kate is sarcastic and snarky. Whenever I need a laugh, I know I can get one from her. The woman is hysterical. I mean, she calls me Puppy. I think she might call everyone Puppy, but it is just so... ridiculous that I have to love it. She is also the most, well, ballsy of the 4. For example (in German that is zum Beispiel, or zB), New Zealanders drive on the Left. She spent 5 days driving the 4 of them through 5 different countries, all of which drive on the Right. She had never driven a car on the right-hand side of the road before. I don't think I or many people I know could do that...
Grace: I haven't spent much time with Grace. She is from Auckland, while the other Kiwis are from Dunedin (Pronunciation: Duh-NEE-dinn). She is a little quiet, and it seems she keeps to herself a lot of the time, but she is sweet, kind and a good person.
The Brits: Two of the people I hang out the most with are from Manchester, England and are a (might as well be married) couple. I watch football (soccer for you Americans out there) with them, I play football with them (raise your hand if you ever thought I would say that... No. Put your hand down. You didn't think it would ever happen.), go hiking and walk around Heidelberg with them.
Tobias: Bias (do NOT call him "Toby") is a Manchester United fanatic. He also has unlimite patience for answering questions about the team and the sport from the stupid American (my words, not his). He's sarcastic, and always good for a (dirty) joke. The man gets everyone together for a game of football, and then yells at the groundskeeper who says we need an Ausweiß (ID proving we can be there) when not 5 minutes earlier another group of people were playing in the exact same place. He is pretty damn awesome.
Lizzie: Lizzie is the first person I go to if I need to talk to someone. We just understand each other. She's helped me through a couple of confusing and/or awkward situations, and I am just really grateful I know her. And today is her birthday, so Alles gut zum Geburtstag, Lizzie! Herzliches Glückwunsch! You, my fine feathered friend, are amazing and a half.
The Aussies: Another couple of people with whom I hang out an inordinate amount of time are from Adelaide, SA, Australia. They are crazy. Do not get me wrong; they are wonderful and fun to be around. They are the best kind of crazy. They turn your life upside down, and you turn out better for it. I spent a while teaching them the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs in German. For you English majors out there, I think you know that sometimes it can be quite difficult to immediately pick up on the difference. Now imagine it in a language that is not your mother tongue. They got it like whoa. They are incredibly smart. And more fun to be around than should be allowed.
Laura: Laura is a devoted Freundin. She wants nur what is best for die Leute she cares for. And von Zeit zu Zeit, she will let her friends wissen when they are not doing as they should (soz about it). She has a boyfriend named, well... we call him Jonny. He is from Stuttgart, and we see him here probs once every other Wochenende. (She speaks in Germish -- or 'Denglisch' if you aren't from the US -- all the time. Well, all three of us do, really...) We all will pile into a room and watch movies, or make dinner and cookies, or any other number of things.
Sarah: Sarah worries about me. I keep on telling her that I am fine, but she always checks in to make sure I am alright. You see, even though I'm having a truly wonderful experience here, I am under a lot of stress due to a couple of classes I am taking. I see her most every day, and she makes sure I haven't pulled all of the hair out of my head. We stay up ungodly hours trading music, watching movies and making merciless fun of each other (and I quote: "Wow, Grant. I sometimes forget you aren't Australian until you open your mouth!" "Soz über es, aber I can't understand you with your terrible American accent."). Komm schon, Sarah, komm schon!
I love my friends back home. That is a given. But I love my new friends here. I really, REALLY hope all of you know that. I will do anything for any of you.
That's enough for now... next time, you will meet the Americans, the Estonian, the Romanian and the younger brother I never knew I had from South Korea. You will also hear about the classes that Grant the Dumbass decided to take this semester. I will also talk about the City of Heidelberg itself. There is the possibility that the explanation of my new nickname, "Apotheke Grant/Ping" (depending on who you ask), will be forthcoming. Finally, I will answer any questions I get in my mailbag. Stay tuned... The State of the Grant Address will again interrupt your regularly scheduled programming soon.
Much love and don't die,
Grant
This is a periodical post to let you know I have not sustained any horrible bodily harm up to and including death. My health is nominal, and no one should be concerned. I warn you though: my English is becoming worse every day. This is not to say I am becoming actually proficient in German, though. Because we all know that would just be pure crazy talk. Anything after this message is just the normal meanderings of your favorite spaz...
So here I am. It has been close to 2 1/2 months since I arrived in Heidelberg. My semester abroad is half over, and it feels like merely a blink of the eye. The people I have met here humble me with their intelligence, wit, grace and acceptance. I love it here so much that I cannot begin to express it. However, I shall try.
I haven't gone through and looked at my previous posts (all 3 of them), so if I repeat myself please bear with me.
I first need to talk about all of the stunningly amazing friends I have met here. It might be easiest to go by nationality since most of them are from countries, and so here goes:
The Kiwis: The New Zealanders are one of my favorite groups of women in the universe. That's right... I can say that with confidence even though there could be entire planets full of groups of women that we don't even know about.
Jess: I have never heard Jess complain about anything. She fell into the Neckar River (which is disgusting), cut open both of her feet and her wrist, and the only thing she was worried about was if her friend's iPod was okay. She is in a constant, infectious state of wonder and joy. She makes everyone around her feel special by the way her eyes light up when she sees anyone she knows.
Cathy: Cathy is like a cool aunt who happens to be 9 years younger than I am. She is always in the mood to grab a drink at Bar 3, or go to the Neckarwiese (a field that is alongside the Neckar River), or help me translate a ridiculous economics article for my Business German class. She will listen when you need to talk, give solid advise when you ask for it, and forcibly MAKE you have a good time when she is around.
Lydia: Lydia has this smile... it is kind of hard to explain. When she smiles, it looks like she has a wicked and exciting plan hatching. Whenever I have been in my room all day studying, she will be the one to text me and make sure I am still alive and have had at least some fun. When she laughs, you can tell she is honestly amused. She will also help me with some difficult German when need be. She has saved my behind on more than one occasion.
Kate: Kate is sarcastic and snarky. Whenever I need a laugh, I know I can get one from her. The woman is hysterical. I mean, she calls me Puppy. I think she might call everyone Puppy, but it is just so... ridiculous that I have to love it. She is also the most, well, ballsy of the 4. For example (in German that is zum Beispiel, or zB), New Zealanders drive on the Left. She spent 5 days driving the 4 of them through 5 different countries, all of which drive on the Right. She had never driven a car on the right-hand side of the road before. I don't think I or many people I know could do that...
Grace: I haven't spent much time with Grace. She is from Auckland, while the other Kiwis are from Dunedin (Pronunciation: Duh-NEE-dinn). She is a little quiet, and it seems she keeps to herself a lot of the time, but she is sweet, kind and a good person.
The Brits: Two of the people I hang out the most with are from Manchester, England and are a (might as well be married) couple. I watch football (soccer for you Americans out there) with them, I play football with them (raise your hand if you ever thought I would say that... No. Put your hand down. You didn't think it would ever happen.), go hiking and walk around Heidelberg with them.
Tobias: Bias (do NOT call him "Toby") is a Manchester United fanatic. He also has unlimite patience for answering questions about the team and the sport from the stupid American (my words, not his). He's sarcastic, and always good for a (dirty) joke. The man gets everyone together for a game of football, and then yells at the groundskeeper who says we need an Ausweiß (ID proving we can be there) when not 5 minutes earlier another group of people were playing in the exact same place. He is pretty damn awesome.
Lizzie: Lizzie is the first person I go to if I need to talk to someone. We just understand each other. She's helped me through a couple of confusing and/or awkward situations, and I am just really grateful I know her. And today is her birthday, so Alles gut zum Geburtstag, Lizzie! Herzliches Glückwunsch! You, my fine feathered friend, are amazing and a half.
The Aussies: Another couple of people with whom I hang out an inordinate amount of time are from Adelaide, SA, Australia. They are crazy. Do not get me wrong; they are wonderful and fun to be around. They are the best kind of crazy. They turn your life upside down, and you turn out better for it. I spent a while teaching them the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs in German. For you English majors out there, I think you know that sometimes it can be quite difficult to immediately pick up on the difference. Now imagine it in a language that is not your mother tongue. They got it like whoa. They are incredibly smart. And more fun to be around than should be allowed.
Laura: Laura is a devoted Freundin. She wants nur what is best for die Leute she cares for. And von Zeit zu Zeit, she will let her friends wissen when they are not doing as they should (soz about it). She has a boyfriend named, well... we call him Jonny. He is from Stuttgart, and we see him here probs once every other Wochenende. (She speaks in Germish -- or 'Denglisch' if you aren't from the US -- all the time. Well, all three of us do, really...) We all will pile into a room and watch movies, or make dinner and cookies, or any other number of things.
Sarah: Sarah worries about me. I keep on telling her that I am fine, but she always checks in to make sure I am alright. You see, even though I'm having a truly wonderful experience here, I am under a lot of stress due to a couple of classes I am taking. I see her most every day, and she makes sure I haven't pulled all of the hair out of my head. We stay up ungodly hours trading music, watching movies and making merciless fun of each other (and I quote: "Wow, Grant. I sometimes forget you aren't Australian until you open your mouth!" "Soz über es, aber I can't understand you with your terrible American accent."). Komm schon, Sarah, komm schon!
I love my friends back home. That is a given. But I love my new friends here. I really, REALLY hope all of you know that. I will do anything for any of you.
That's enough for now... next time, you will meet the Americans, the Estonian, the Romanian and the younger brother I never knew I had from South Korea. You will also hear about the classes that Grant the Dumbass decided to take this semester. I will also talk about the City of Heidelberg itself. There is the possibility that the explanation of my new nickname, "Apotheke Grant/Ping" (depending on who you ask), will be forthcoming. Finally, I will answer any questions I get in my mailbag. Stay tuned... The State of the Grant Address will again interrupt your regularly scheduled programming soon.
Much love and don't die,
Grant
13 March 2011
And It Starts...
Hi, all! This one is going to be a little long, but I should have more and shorter posts from here on out. So here goes:
Peterskirche
1 March 2011 (The First Day)
So Clark and I arrived at Frankfurt's airport about 20 minutes early. This was fortuitous, as we had both been on a plane for about 19 hours all told within the past day. Strangely enough, we were able to both speak with and understand most of the people we needed to. Secretly, this was a HUGE relief for me. I was really scared that I wouldn't be able to communicate at all. All of the people were quite nice (I think it was obvious that 1) we were both Auslandern (not from Germany), and 2) we were both trying extremely hard to speak to them in their native tongue. After a much needed restroom break, we picked up our bags and trudged through the labyrinth that is Frankfurt Airport to our bus stop.
We both had reserved seats on a shuttle bus, but my reservation was lost, and the shuttle driver told Clark he would have to pay an extra 30 euro to get there because he had too many bags. We were unamused. So now, we are sitting at the train station to catch the next train (Zug) to Mannheim, and then onto our new home via light rail. Wish us luck… more later.
****
Well, okay. It was a LOOOOONG first day. I am (unlike what I believed) living in a dormitory-style building, but the restrooms and showers are right across from my door, so I can't complain too loudly. My building number is 683. I am one the erste Stock (1st floor). In Germany, this means that I am on the second story of the building. This is the view outside my window:
Yeah… so no picturesque views, but that's fine. Clark is in building 682 on the 10th floor, and has some great views of the old city (Altstadt) and the surrounding countryside. I am a little jealous, but I like my dorm, I think. I now have to finish unpacking and get bedding, etc. Until later!
****
Got some of the bedding I needed. The essentials, anyway. Worked on my room for a little bit. Clark came over, and we were going to try and find a place to get something to drink and found out there is a bar in the basement of my dorm. A bar. In the basement. AMAZING. You need a key from 683 to get in. It is small and dark and constantly filled with cigarette smoke. And that's the way I likes my bars.
People I met today:
Wolfgang - PhD Candidate, München
Nellie - U Mass Amherst
2 March 2011 (Mein Gebürtstag)
I have the worst memory ever in the history of ever. Not only did I forget my supply of soft contacts and my calendar at home, I had to go to the stores around town to pick up things for the room 4 different times because I kept forgetting this or that. And it isn't a quick walk to Woolworth, Galeria Kaufhof, dm or Penny Markt. It is a good 20 minute bus ride to the other side of the Neckar River.
Those of you who got SoGAs before know how much I talked about the food. It is better than I remember. Truly amazing. And CHEAP! We went to a little shop and got Döner. These are something like gyros in the States, but so much better. They have shaved beef or chicken (Kalbfleisch/Hänchenfleisch), lettuce (Salat), fresh cole slaw, onion (Zwiebel), tomatoes (Tomaten) and both a yogurt sauce and a kind of chipotle-like spicy sauce (Scharf). They are on a fresh baked, crusty roll, and I cannot explain how great they are. Just trust me… Price? 2,70 euro. Yeah. AWESOME!
Kalbfleisch Döner mit alles
Tonight I went to Bar 3 again (the Kneipe in the basement). I was given several drinks by many patrons because of the birthday. While I am not a drinker at all, especially when it comes to beer, the Dunklesweisbier (a dark wheat beer) here is pretty spectacular.
People I met today:
Jenn - Eastern Carolina University
Nichole - U Mass Amherst
Donna - U of A (Don't worry... she's transferring to ASU next semester)
Tommy Dickey- D.C.
Rich - U Conn
Laura - Adelaide, Australia
Jess - Uni Otago, New Zealand
Rosaria - Chile
Chris - U Mass Amhurst
4 März 2011 (Pub Crawl!)
This evening was Wolfgang's birthday. He invited Clark and me up to his floor to have a little get together with some of his friends. They were all native Germans, and so I felt a little intimidated to speak German. However, once a German learns you are American, they want to practice their English with you. We had grilled steaks with Brötchen (rolls) and Sanf (mustard). Great meal. Great conversation. We were invited to a hookah party that is held every Thursday which will have mostly German students. I think it will be good for my speaking ability.
After dinner, all of the exchange students went on a school-sponsored pub crawl throughout the old city (Altstadt). Our leaders were Chris and Julia, and are amazingly cool. Chris made us speak in German as much as possible, and it really helped us feel more comfortable with the language. And honestly, it helps to have a little alcohol in your system. I believe it's because you lose a little bit of your inhibition, and so aren't so self conscious.
We went to 3 kind of awesome bars. We were supposed to end at The Brass Monkey (the 4th Kneipe), but we had to catch the last bus home. Maybe we'll get there tomorrow.
People I met today:
Eugenia - Germany
Chris - group leader
Julia - group leader
Claudia - Leeds, U.K.
Evelyn - ASU
Kate - Uni Otago, New Zealand
Cathy - Uni Otago, New Zealand
Lydia - Uni Otago, New Zealand
Andy - Uni Otago, New Zealand
5 März 2011 (City tour)
So the Heidelberg old city (Altstadt) is ridiculously beautiful. Take a gander:
 |
| The Necker River and some of the houses on it |
Peterskirche
The Necker River from the Altebrücke (Old Bridge)
People I met today:
Erin - UNC
Mari - Sao Paulo
Grace - Uni Auckland
There will be more later!
05 March 2011
Quick Hello
Hey, all... Sorry it is taking so long to post... No internet in the room for another couple of days. But fear not, true believers! I have been writing down thoughts and what has been going on. When I can connect my computer zum Internet, I will have many pictures and stories to share.
Until then, much love and don´t die!
Until then, much love and don´t die!
26 February 2011
< a Weekend Left
So, I leave in less than 2 days. I haven't packed a thing, my room is a disaster area and I need to go to work tonight for my last shift. This is starting to get real, my friends.
These are the thoughts running continuously through my head:
Do I have everything I need? No clue.
I have all the time in the world, right? Nope.
Have I been able to see everyone one last time? Not even close.
And so, here I am. So paralyzed with stress and fear that I am writing a blog post instead of working on my final preparations. I really should be getting clothes in the wash, packing up my belongings and getting myself into good headspace. I think I will grab some lunch instead. Sometimes neuroticism can be really enjoyable. Somehow, this is not one of those times.
Once I get to the airport on Monday morning at a disgusting 5:15am, things will be better. I am not going to sleep Sunday night, or for the first flight from Phoenix, AZ to Atlanta, GA. I will pass on the Atlanta-Frankfurt leg. If my calculations are correct, I should arrive in Germany without any jet lag. And we shall see how that goes, hmmm?
Until then, my comrades, Auf Wiedersehen!
These are the thoughts running continuously through my head:
Do I have everything I need? No clue.
I have all the time in the world, right? Nope.
Have I been able to see everyone one last time? Not even close.
And so, here I am. So paralyzed with stress and fear that I am writing a blog post instead of working on my final preparations. I really should be getting clothes in the wash, packing up my belongings and getting myself into good headspace. I think I will grab some lunch instead. Sometimes neuroticism can be really enjoyable. Somehow, this is not one of those times.
Once I get to the airport on Monday morning at a disgusting 5:15am, things will be better. I am not going to sleep Sunday night, or for the first flight from Phoenix, AZ to Atlanta, GA. I will pass on the Atlanta-Frankfurt leg. If my calculations are correct, I should arrive in Germany without any jet lag. And we shall see how that goes, hmmm?
Until then, my comrades, Auf Wiedersehen!
25 January 2011
T - 1 Month, 3 Days
So, as many of you may know, every time I go on an adventure I have sporadically sent out State of the Grant Addresses. What would be a better time to start this trend again than on the day where someone else will be giving a different address about the state of something else?
From here, you should be able to find out what is going on in my life, who I have met, what hospital I'm in, etc. I will arrive in Heidelberg, Baden Würtemberg, Deutschland on the 1st of March, 2011. that gives me one day to get everything set and ready to go before I have to deal with my 29Ath birthday. Don't know what I am going to do or where I am going to go, but it should be one to remember, let me tell you.
Feel free to comment on things and let me know what you are thinking. From time to time you could have a choose-my-own-adventure! Hooray travel by proxy!
Know that I am going to miss you. I am not going to say this will be easy for me. I depend on a lot of you for so much. Thanks for caring about me and my life.
And with that said, I will talk to you all more soon.
From here, you should be able to find out what is going on in my life, who I have met, what hospital I'm in, etc. I will arrive in Heidelberg, Baden Würtemberg, Deutschland on the 1st of March, 2011. that gives me one day to get everything set and ready to go before I have to deal with my 29Ath birthday. Don't know what I am going to do or where I am going to go, but it should be one to remember, let me tell you.
Feel free to comment on things and let me know what you are thinking. From time to time you could have a choose-my-own-adventure! Hooray travel by proxy!
Know that I am going to miss you. I am not going to say this will be easy for me. I depend on a lot of you for so much. Thanks for caring about me and my life.
And with that said, I will talk to you all more soon.
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