It is week eleven or so, and I already know what I am doing when I get home. Monday night I had a dream about Grande Jakes. I don't know why because I like the tacos at Tacos El Norte so much better. But anyway, in this dream I ate a chorizo egg burrito, 15 steak tacos, and 3 chicken gortidas. It was the best dream ever.
Tuesday night, I went with the Rotary club to a Deutschland vs. Holland soccer game. One thing that cracked me up was that we went with our sister rotary club in Enschede, Holland. I was surprised there weren't any fights after Germany killed Holland, 3-0. Germans don't speak Dutch, and Hollanders speak german like there tongue is swollen. It was a night of english speaking. I don't know if I can say this, so I will just type it instead, The Hollanders were more fun than the Germans, oops. That is not completely true, but the Dutch club is just a younger crowd.
Petra is awesome, nuff said. For the four hour bus ride to Hamburg, Petra bought me candy to eat on the way. It was an awesome, unexpected surprise. Then the next morning whatever was leftover was eaten by Albert. The Hollanders also gave us boxes of food. These boxes had schnitzel, two sandwiches, meat balls, and a couple sausage links. There were also an Apple and Orange, but who cares about that. They also passed around boxes of the great doughnut ever, and some kind of almond coffee cake thing.
Speaking of soccer, I might have finally of chosen a German soccer club. Petra's friend gave Petra a Bayern Muenchen jersey that was too small for her kid, so that was passed to me. They are in the first place spot so it wouldn't be a bad bandwagon to jump on; Daniel would be proud, but I am not going to say anything. My Rotarian is Shalke so that might not go over well.
This week in English we finally got to talk about the downfalls in America. Guess who was the best? I don't think it was my first hand knowledge or anything. I felt so good to say those things too. My english book only talked about everything good in America and like it was written by a Uncle Sam himself. It is as if the crazy train crashed itself into the bullshit factory causing an explosion that spewed douchbagery everywhere. It makes me want to puke, but then it nice that we can celebrate our country. In the words of a german,"We can't be patriotic because if we do, then we are called nazis." That is sad, every country should be able to celebrate there heritage, but some need to know how to tone it down. I know I will sport a german flag and not think twice about it.
I had Liederkäse this week. Can I still get Extra Credit for that? It's not like lieberkaese was that exotic. I like liverwurst so it wasn't a surprise that I would like lieberkaese. If I had to describe the taste I would say Oscar Mayor Wiener Hotdog. Which made me wonder, is there liver in Oscar Mayor Hotdogs? It wouldn't shock me if there is, it's cheap meat.
Now that I have come pretty close to mastering German, I have taken on a new task, learning Spanish. I don't know why I am trying so hard to master Spanish. I think it is because I am in a spanish class too advanced for me, and I feel bad I don't completely understand everything. Yeli makes sure to tell five times a day that I am a gringo, but yo soy el gringo de favorito de Yeli.
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Oktoberfest in November!
It took me till November before I went to an Oktoberfest. It wasn't the greatest party in Germany, but it wasn't bad. They went a little overboard on the blue and white diamonds. There is more to Bavaria then the blue and white diamonds. I was hoping to see a Glockenspeil or two.
This week wasn't the most exciting week I have had in Germany. It was the second week of the fall break, which means I have school tomorrow. I spent this week sleeping. Petra made fun of me because I would sleep in till 11:30, except today that was 2. All my friends had to work this week so we didn't really do much during the week. German kids only work during the breaks from school, that kind of sucks because there isn't really a source of income.
It was a family week, my host cousin Helena came over Monday-Tuesday. On Monday we went to Enschede, its a small city in the Netherlands. It kind of makes me laugh sometimes, I am an exchange student to Germany, but I spend enough time in the Netherlands. I am really an exchange student for both countries, although I won't be learning Dutch. Anyway, Monday night, Rotary had a Halloween night Statlohn history tour. It was interesting for the Rotary people, I spent the night people watching. I have noticed that, I have perfected the perfect fake laugh. I got home around 11 and everyone was asleep. The next morning, Petra told me that last night Helena kept asking when I would be home or when I was getting up. Helena and I played a lot of board games to keep her occupied. Helena is 7 and scared of dogs, I felt like I already knew her.
Tuesday was my Two Month Deutschland Anniversary. It wasn't spent at the Kooks concert because the tickets sold out, and Niedersachen had school the next day. Instead it was spent with petra's side of the family. Helena and I made waffle batter earlier that morning, so we ate waffles. Then we biked to Alstätte and talked some more with my host aunt and uncle. I will never forget "Hi hUntair" that is how my Host uncle says my name, and it's always loud enough you can hear it a block away.
When Rotary picked my host family, they picked right. This family and I just get along perfectly, it's like my own family. Petra's parents are like my mom's parents, and the family on both sides is like how my family is.
I can't believe it has been two months. Time is flying by and it needs to slow down. I have learned a lot in the two months. I love biking, that isn't something I learned, but it is something I knew I liked. It really isn't easy to bike places in the US. They don't have endless bike paths like they do in Germany. I have learn sliced bread is only good for toast. Effing Bakery is the Starbucks of Ahaus, Wessum. I am going to miss rolls everyday. I have learned that less is more.
My house here has a smaller foot print than my house in the US, but the house here is bigger. We have four floors including the basement. This is a seven bedroom, 4 bathroom house. Everything is smaller and yet somehow bigger.
I like having a smaller fridge. Unlike America, grocery shopping is done every two-three days. It's nice because food doesn't go to waste, ok thats a lie, we were throwing out yoghurt yesterday. You don't put your leftovers in the fridge, you put them on the counter or in the oven, so that they will get eaten. Food safety in the us is too strict. I had day old lasagna that stayed in the oven for a day, and I am not dead.
I was an SUV person when I left. I am still an SUV person, but I have learned that you don't need a big car for the one time you will actually use it for the purpose. I have learned that you really only need anything for what will actually use it for. I europe a tiny geo looking opel can tow a horse carrier. When I saw that I pretty much shit my pants. Why can't cars in the us do that. Then we wouldn't need so many trucks. I hate my Truck, I did before I left so nothings new there. Opel has made a dent in the Germany auto market, and I think they need to bring Opel to the US. Yeah Opel is GM, and they are in the US, but you want more people to drive a Buick, drop the Buick name and make it Opel. The Buick Regel definitley looks better with an Opel emblem on it.
Finally. The best thing I love about Germany, there are no classes. My host dad is a surgeon, but he said that a dentist in Germany makes more than surgeons. My host grandpa is a blue collar worker, i think, he has a Mercedes E-class and a giant house. It is not like that in the US.
I am not going to lie, I am not missing home. My friend Suchi and I were talking about how we both feel the same way. Suchi is an inbound from India. She can speak three indian languages but english is her first language, that is cool. My family here and everyone I know have bonded so well, that Germany is my new home. Germany is how I wanted/want America to be. I am an American but I am by no means in love with America.
This week wasn't the most exciting week I have had in Germany. It was the second week of the fall break, which means I have school tomorrow. I spent this week sleeping. Petra made fun of me because I would sleep in till 11:30, except today that was 2. All my friends had to work this week so we didn't really do much during the week. German kids only work during the breaks from school, that kind of sucks because there isn't really a source of income.
It was a family week, my host cousin Helena came over Monday-Tuesday. On Monday we went to Enschede, its a small city in the Netherlands. It kind of makes me laugh sometimes, I am an exchange student to Germany, but I spend enough time in the Netherlands. I am really an exchange student for both countries, although I won't be learning Dutch. Anyway, Monday night, Rotary had a Halloween night Statlohn history tour. It was interesting for the Rotary people, I spent the night people watching. I have noticed that, I have perfected the perfect fake laugh. I got home around 11 and everyone was asleep. The next morning, Petra told me that last night Helena kept asking when I would be home or when I was getting up. Helena and I played a lot of board games to keep her occupied. Helena is 7 and scared of dogs, I felt like I already knew her.
Tuesday was my Two Month Deutschland Anniversary. It wasn't spent at the Kooks concert because the tickets sold out, and Niedersachen had school the next day. Instead it was spent with petra's side of the family. Helena and I made waffle batter earlier that morning, so we ate waffles. Then we biked to Alstätte and talked some more with my host aunt and uncle. I will never forget "Hi hUntair" that is how my Host uncle says my name, and it's always loud enough you can hear it a block away.
When Rotary picked my host family, they picked right. This family and I just get along perfectly, it's like my own family. Petra's parents are like my mom's parents, and the family on both sides is like how my family is.
I can't believe it has been two months. Time is flying by and it needs to slow down. I have learned a lot in the two months. I love biking, that isn't something I learned, but it is something I knew I liked. It really isn't easy to bike places in the US. They don't have endless bike paths like they do in Germany. I have learn sliced bread is only good for toast. Effing Bakery is the Starbucks of Ahaus, Wessum. I am going to miss rolls everyday. I have learned that less is more.
My house here has a smaller foot print than my house in the US, but the house here is bigger. We have four floors including the basement. This is a seven bedroom, 4 bathroom house. Everything is smaller and yet somehow bigger.
I like having a smaller fridge. Unlike America, grocery shopping is done every two-three days. It's nice because food doesn't go to waste, ok thats a lie, we were throwing out yoghurt yesterday. You don't put your leftovers in the fridge, you put them on the counter or in the oven, so that they will get eaten. Food safety in the us is too strict. I had day old lasagna that stayed in the oven for a day, and I am not dead.
I was an SUV person when I left. I am still an SUV person, but I have learned that you don't need a big car for the one time you will actually use it for the purpose. I have learned that you really only need anything for what will actually use it for. I europe a tiny geo looking opel can tow a horse carrier. When I saw that I pretty much shit my pants. Why can't cars in the us do that. Then we wouldn't need so many trucks. I hate my Truck, I did before I left so nothings new there. Opel has made a dent in the Germany auto market, and I think they need to bring Opel to the US. Yeah Opel is GM, and they are in the US, but you want more people to drive a Buick, drop the Buick name and make it Opel. The Buick Regel definitley looks better with an Opel emblem on it.
Finally. The best thing I love about Germany, there are no classes. My host dad is a surgeon, but he said that a dentist in Germany makes more than surgeons. My host grandpa is a blue collar worker, i think, he has a Mercedes E-class and a giant house. It is not like that in the US.
I am not going to lie, I am not missing home. My friend Suchi and I were talking about how we both feel the same way. Suchi is an inbound from India. She can speak three indian languages but english is her first language, that is cool. My family here and everyone I know have bonded so well, that Germany is my new home. Germany is how I wanted/want America to be. I am an American but I am by no means in love with America.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Fat American is Fat
This week I was the fat American. It all started on Tuesday; there was a line in the deli, so we went to the fast food place. I had currywurst, which is one of my favorite foods. When I got home Petra had made a couple cakes for coffee with her friends. She also had to show off her American, and when you sit even remotely close to a platter with food on it, and Petra is near, you will eat till you have three chins. My dinner that night was cake. I have eaten Mcdonalds once a week since I got here, it is the only place open at 2 in the morning. I always wondered why my food cost less then everyone else. I realized that I never ordered Ketchup or Mayo, which is an extra 40 cents. I tried mayo with fries and it is pretty gross, but ze Germans can't get enough of it. One thing I respect about Petra and Daniel, is that they don't keep "junk food" in the house. My host brothers go crazy when they get there hands on a bag of chips.
Everything has felt like home since the first week here, and that made me wonder, wheres my culture shock! As an American, I can never be blamed for my own problems. I am not sure who to put blame on, my German teacher for teaching so much about the German Culture, or The Germans for not giving me anything to gawk at. I did notice that I don't see my neighbors a lot. Its not like the U.S. where you are really close to your neighbors. Speaking of German teachers teaching things, I was never taught the future tense for verbs. That or I wasn't paying attention. Actually Germans do not use the verb Werden or add -te to the end of words to make them past tense. Petra said it is how they can see who is actually from Germany and who isn't. This week was Fritz's week to learn the future tense in English and I am so glad I was born in an English speaking country.
People who don't speak English tho, are my Physics Teacher, who looks like my dad, and the Polish cleaning lady that comes every Friday. I haven't practiced my Polish with her yet, but I think if I did she wouldn't clean my room. The kids here love the American slang I have been teaching them. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem is the soundtrack of this week, that or Welcome to St. Tropez by Dj. Antoine. I miss my altrock but I do have Sirius XM to fix that. I am learning to love house music because that always synonymous with a good time. Black Musik is a thing here, I am not sure what it is.
I never talk about my weekends, and you can probably guess why, but this weekend had to be one of the best parties so far in my exchange. It was a Brezel Party in Ahaus, which translate to a Pretzel Party but there were no Pretzels at this party. Someone took a warehouse and turned it into a disco. Thanks to the party, I know have a bruise on my cheek that makes me look like Will Smith after eating shellfish in Hitch. Its funny too, how the kids at my school are two different people. During school they are quiet and hate life but at night they let their freak flag fly. Next week tho, is Halloween in Index so I have big expectations for that one.
Forgot there was a recession in the U.S. still. Germany is like the U.S. 2000. Everyone has a job, they are happy, and they spend! I know that word is crazy spending, that is bad right? People in Europe work to live, and the people in the U.S.A. live to work. There is a new addition to the family this week. Petra wanted an Ipad, so Daniel bought a cheap tablet knock off, but Petra wasn't going to have any of that and she went out and bought herself a new Ipad. She wouldn't believe me when I said they didn't come in pink. She also wouldn't wait for the Ipad 3 in Janurary.
And finally, I must be doing something right because my 1:00 curfew has been lifted and It doesn't matter when I come home, I just can't ride home by myself. Fair deal, they really had to break my arm for that one. I also got an house key so I can't be that crazy. Really, I locked myself out of the house a few times.
Everything has felt like home since the first week here, and that made me wonder, wheres my culture shock! As an American, I can never be blamed for my own problems. I am not sure who to put blame on, my German teacher for teaching so much about the German Culture, or The Germans for not giving me anything to gawk at. I did notice that I don't see my neighbors a lot. Its not like the U.S. where you are really close to your neighbors. Speaking of German teachers teaching things, I was never taught the future tense for verbs. That or I wasn't paying attention. Actually Germans do not use the verb Werden or add -te to the end of words to make them past tense. Petra said it is how they can see who is actually from Germany and who isn't. This week was Fritz's week to learn the future tense in English and I am so glad I was born in an English speaking country.
People who don't speak English tho, are my Physics Teacher, who looks like my dad, and the Polish cleaning lady that comes every Friday. I haven't practiced my Polish with her yet, but I think if I did she wouldn't clean my room. The kids here love the American slang I have been teaching them. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem is the soundtrack of this week, that or Welcome to St. Tropez by Dj. Antoine. I miss my altrock but I do have Sirius XM to fix that. I am learning to love house music because that always synonymous with a good time. Black Musik is a thing here, I am not sure what it is.
I never talk about my weekends, and you can probably guess why, but this weekend had to be one of the best parties so far in my exchange. It was a Brezel Party in Ahaus, which translate to a Pretzel Party but there were no Pretzels at this party. Someone took a warehouse and turned it into a disco. Thanks to the party, I know have a bruise on my cheek that makes me look like Will Smith after eating shellfish in Hitch. Its funny too, how the kids at my school are two different people. During school they are quiet and hate life but at night they let their freak flag fly. Next week tho, is Halloween in Index so I have big expectations for that one.
Forgot there was a recession in the U.S. still. Germany is like the U.S. 2000. Everyone has a job, they are happy, and they spend! I know that word is crazy spending, that is bad right? People in Europe work to live, and the people in the U.S.A. live to work. There is a new addition to the family this week. Petra wanted an Ipad, so Daniel bought a cheap tablet knock off, but Petra wasn't going to have any of that and she went out and bought herself a new Ipad. She wouldn't believe me when I said they didn't come in pink. She also wouldn't wait for the Ipad 3 in Janurary.
And finally, I must be doing something right because my 1:00 curfew has been lifted and It doesn't matter when I come home, I just can't ride home by myself. Fair deal, they really had to break my arm for that one. I also got an house key so I can't be that crazy. Really, I locked myself out of the house a few times.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
I Need a Fucking Venti!
I am officially over my Coffee withdrawals because I started drinking it again, But ALL Coffee in Europe is served in tiny Cups! When I want Coffee I want in something anywhere from 18-32 oz. Anyone want to ship me one of the Bubba Kegs™so I take it into one of the Bakeries and show them what Coffee should come in. On a side note, The Coffee here is good, but I still love my D&D better.
In good news, I am finally an honorary Marpert! Except for the fact, I can not say their Name right. America is the only Country I now of that uses the hard "R" sound. The "R" here sounds like "air" and I can not get use to say "air". My friend Marleen and I spent at least five Minutes trying to get me to say her Name right. I just call her Marley. It is funny I spent so many Years perfecting the "R" that now I will come back saying "air" and sound like I am from the east Coast again.
I had to bake a Cake this week because I was late to Physic. In my Defense, I was talking to the spanish Teacher... in German. I tried to make Apple Bars from a Website that a certain Child Catering Service uses. It did not turn out so good; I mean everything tasted good but the Bars were only about a 1/4 Inch tall. Petra and Daniel like to cook, and they are really good at it. However, They don't have a pan close to a 9" by 13" so I use this thing I found in the oven and that is close to 12" by 18".
Food safety has never made its way to Germany. Petra and Daniel leave Pans and Pots of Food out on the Counter or in the Oven for a Day or two. I am surprised I haven't gotten sick. Petra and I were talking about Nutrition and Diets this week. She was shocked when I told that the American Diet is 2,000 to 2,300 Calories each day (hopefully), but most People can not do that and its really like 3,000. Petra has a 1,500 calorie Diet. She said that most People in Europe eat between 1,500 and 2,000 Calories each Day. America needs a Fat Tax like Denmark but stricter. For Example, if someone 250 or bigger tries to buy Something put an extra 4 cent tax on Them. We could make a so much Money that way, and to get rid of it simply loose Weight. Its a win, win Situation.
HP owes me Money for all the Time I have helped Someone with an HP Computer. A couple Weeks ago, I helped Petra delete her Facebook and ever since I have been helping her with Computer problems. It isn't as easy as back in the States because Everything is in German. I still haven't gotten use to the Idea of wearing a Jacket. I am so use of going from Car to Building and not needing a Winter Jacket that I am freezing all the Time. I made the smart Idea yesterday of only wearing a sweatshirt yesterday, when we went for a Midnight Mcdonalds run. It was only 35 degrees.
My German Tutor is a bigger Tree Killer than Frau. I get at least 20+ Sheets of Paper every Saturday. The class is a funny bunch of People. We all speak different native Languages. Russian and Turkish are the Majority. I am surpised that there are two German-Africans in the Class (I am not sure where they are from.) The Italian Guy is named Tony and I laughed. I made my first German mistake this week too. One of the ladies asked for a cup from the Bakery for Coffee they were brewing in the Classroom, but I didn't understand. I got a Cup with Coffee in it. When I got back she showed me the coffee machine on the floor.
I helped Albert get an 1 on his English Test. His English is pretty good, although we need to work on the "TH". I see Planes way up in the Sky but I have never actually heard one, and that is weird but nice. There are a lot of military Jets that fly over my house tho. It always makes me think World War III has started because you know its going to happen soon enough. This Week has been awesome because the Other Kids have had Exams so I have had those Periods off. Monday I went to School from 11-3:15, Wednesday 1:45-3:15 (I was still late for school). Friday I only had Sport (11:25-1).
That's all for this week I think. Is the every Sunday Blog good or bad, What do you think?
In good news, I am finally an honorary Marpert! Except for the fact, I can not say their Name right. America is the only Country I now of that uses the hard "R" sound. The "R" here sounds like "air" and I can not get use to say "air". My friend Marleen and I spent at least five Minutes trying to get me to say her Name right. I just call her Marley. It is funny I spent so many Years perfecting the "R" that now I will come back saying "air" and sound like I am from the east Coast again.
I had to bake a Cake this week because I was late to Physic. In my Defense, I was talking to the spanish Teacher... in German. I tried to make Apple Bars from a Website that a certain Child Catering Service uses. It did not turn out so good; I mean everything tasted good but the Bars were only about a 1/4 Inch tall. Petra and Daniel like to cook, and they are really good at it. However, They don't have a pan close to a 9" by 13" so I use this thing I found in the oven and that is close to 12" by 18".
Food safety has never made its way to Germany. Petra and Daniel leave Pans and Pots of Food out on the Counter or in the Oven for a Day or two. I am surprised I haven't gotten sick. Petra and I were talking about Nutrition and Diets this week. She was shocked when I told that the American Diet is 2,000 to 2,300 Calories each day (hopefully), but most People can not do that and its really like 3,000. Petra has a 1,500 calorie Diet. She said that most People in Europe eat between 1,500 and 2,000 Calories each Day. America needs a Fat Tax like Denmark but stricter. For Example, if someone 250 or bigger tries to buy Something put an extra 4 cent tax on Them. We could make a so much Money that way, and to get rid of it simply loose Weight. Its a win, win Situation.
HP owes me Money for all the Time I have helped Someone with an HP Computer. A couple Weeks ago, I helped Petra delete her Facebook and ever since I have been helping her with Computer problems. It isn't as easy as back in the States because Everything is in German. I still haven't gotten use to the Idea of wearing a Jacket. I am so use of going from Car to Building and not needing a Winter Jacket that I am freezing all the Time. I made the smart Idea yesterday of only wearing a sweatshirt yesterday, when we went for a Midnight Mcdonalds run. It was only 35 degrees.
My German Tutor is a bigger Tree Killer than Frau. I get at least 20+ Sheets of Paper every Saturday. The class is a funny bunch of People. We all speak different native Languages. Russian and Turkish are the Majority. I am surpised that there are two German-Africans in the Class (I am not sure where they are from.) The Italian Guy is named Tony and I laughed. I made my first German mistake this week too. One of the ladies asked for a cup from the Bakery for Coffee they were brewing in the Classroom, but I didn't understand. I got a Cup with Coffee in it. When I got back she showed me the coffee machine on the floor.
I helped Albert get an 1 on his English Test. His English is pretty good, although we need to work on the "TH". I see Planes way up in the Sky but I have never actually heard one, and that is weird but nice. There are a lot of military Jets that fly over my house tho. It always makes me think World War III has started because you know its going to happen soon enough. This Week has been awesome because the Other Kids have had Exams so I have had those Periods off. Monday I went to School from 11-3:15, Wednesday 1:45-3:15 (I was still late for school). Friday I only had Sport (11:25-1).
That's all for this week I think. Is the every Sunday Blog good or bad, What do you think?
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