Interkulturelle Workshop

An intercultural workshop is a very interesting idea, theoretically. We particpated in one today for 4 hours and I feel much worse about the Germans than I did before. The presentation centered primarily around the negative aspects of German culture. I guess it was more of a reality check for me. I guess I am currently in the 'Honeymoon Phase' of my year here. From here, I can only see all of the positive things about it. So, perhaps, in a week or two, homesickness is due to set in. The graph, as it was described to me, is like a rollercoaster. At least no one describes rollercoasters as boring.

Anyways, during the workshop, we had to perform skits. Mine centered around the German's eagerness to discuss politics, religion, and other tough issues with everyone. It was funny. This isn't really a problem that I have with the culture. I would certainly like to learn the vocabulary necessary for these types of discussions.

Most of the topics discussed in the workshop were actually interesting, but a bit difficult to describe.

I can definitely feel my German getting better already. I feel like every single day I learn a million new words. How much of this I retain is another story.

We went to the Mensa (cafeteria) today. We'd been there before, but today the ladies that were working it seemed so much meaner. They yelled at us for holding up the line and then one yelled at me for touching something and not buying it. (Actually, these are only my assumptions...I have not yet been able to interpret German when it is yelled in an angry voice, so they could have been yelling about something entirely different) Well, I'm not sure when we will be going back there. I don't like getting yelled at by old women.

We only have one class right now - our intensive language course - since the semester has not yet begun. I really like our one and only professor. She is very German, so she can seem strict and cold, but I really like her. I think she likes us too. She chatted with us during the break about her study abroad experience in America. Today, she was wearing her tradtional Bavarian dress, so I assume that she was headed to Oktoberfest after class. I hope that my first impression of her doesn't serve me wrong.

By the way, I am getting a bit better at joking in German...but I haven't got yet into any deep discussions.

Tomorrow morning we are going for an overnight hike in the Alps. So I won't be around until this weekend. I hoping to learn how to yodel or something interesting...but at the very least, it will be a much-needed work out. I've been eating so much junk lately. Was kann man machen...es gibt zu veil Cafes und Eis in die Strassen.

Mein Zimmer

Here's another extremely boring picture. I live in the Blaues Haus (Blue House) and the interior of my room is coordinated with the exterior of the building...but even that is not interesting... I'll save my picture of my bathroom for another day. Don't want to over stimulate anyone.

The sun was actually out for a brief while today so I took some really boring pictures. This is the view that I have from my balcony. It's not really very interesting, but you can notice how green Munich is. 

Deported?

I forgot to mention earlier that I did not get deported for doing poorly on my test (yet). It actually wasn't that bad. The two women that I had to speak with for the spoken part of the test were sooooo nice. They made it go much smoother than it otherwise would have. I just talked about San Diego and what I study in school.

Here's the best answer that we thought of while preparing for the questions that we thought might be asked:

-Warum studierst du Deutsch?
-Warum nichts.

(Translation:Why do you study German?Why not.)

I chickened out and did not answer it that way...but it is really how I feel. Instead, I tried to explain to them something that I can't even explain in English.

German Personality

I was talking with Emily and her friends this weekend about speaking in German (actually, I was talking about speaking in German and they were talking about speaking in French). We almost concluded that it is much more difficult to have a personality in your second language. We are trying to do so, but it is frustrating to have a deep conversation or joke in German. I haven't yet made deep conversation in German, but today I made my first real German joke.

It probably won't make sense...it's more like an inside joke...but I'll try to relate it:

We were on our way to a meeting with the Polizei (police) at Oktoberfest. It ended up being a lecture about random police statistics, but we weren't really sure at the time why we were going to Oktoberfest. Lena (the primary administrator of my program) was leading the way. I am really afraid of speaking in front of her so far because I think that she'll think I'm stupid. She's never said a word of English to us and her German is perfect (and easy to understand because she has an American accent). Now that I think about it, I don't think Lena really laughed at my joke, but she was laughing more at the fact that I was wicked excited about making a joke in German ( I just used the word 'wicked' -lol- I learned it from my new friend from New Hampshire -lol).

ME: Wir treffen dem Polizei zu trinken, oder?
Lena: Ja, ja in ein Beirzelt.
(Laughter)
ME: Hey, hey...I just made a joke auf Deutsch!! Kaum zu glauben!
(More laughter)

This will probably not make any sense to anyone but myself....sorry! The point is that I made a joke in German.

First Weekend

My first weekend is over.

I had an amazing time on Friday with doing a Scavenger Hunt throughout the city and then going to Oktoberfest. I have decided that if you've been to Oktoberfest (the real one, not a imitation) it must be impossible to label anything less a 'party' ever again.

Saturday, we went looking for a gym where we can take recreation classes throughout the year. We found it, but it was closed. It was right next to the Olympia Stadium, where the primary soccer team plays - FC Bayern. It definitely got me excited to go to a game. Then, I got a call from Emily, which was so awesome. So I met her at Oktoberfest. Emily and her friends had a table outside, which is not the same as inside, but it was still cool. Then we went dancing at an Australian club. It was more of a touristy experience than Friday night, which was more of a Bavarian experience.

On Sunday, I met Emily and her friends again to go to the Neue Pinothek, one of the many art museums in the city. It was really cool, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Cezane, Goghan...and plenty of other German artists that you don't learn about at school. Then we went back to Oktoberfest (which, by the way, us Germans call Wies'n) to look for Emily's camera. It was definitely a lost cause, but we got some good food while we were there.

On Sunday, especially at night, there is very little open around here. So we decided to cook dinner together tonight. I actually didn't cook, but I brought some stuff and chopped some peppers...I'm not really a chef. Anna, Tiffany, and I met at Ingrid's room (her's is the cleanest) for our little evening. It was really fun getting to know my new friends better. It is really funny trying to cook in the tiny kitchen that we have and we had to turn two trash cans upsidedown so that we had enough places to sit. It was sort of an adventure. I forsee the procedure improving in the near future.

German culture is not that different from in the US, so far that I've observed. You see alot more Lederhosen (but that's just during Oktoberfest, I think). Everyone speaks English, even if you don't want them to. The pillows are shaped like the ones that your dog sleeps on in the corner - big squares. The greatest sin that one could ever commit would be to recycle improperly (there's at least 12 different bins in some places, and I try to only sort mine when no one is looking). Drying machines are not commonly accepted, one should hang-dry all clothes (even if it's freakin raining everyday!). The air here is actually very dry, even though it rains alot (I don't get it). All the public transportation uses the honor system when it comes to paying. Nudity on TV is not frowned upon. The toilets are just not as efficient or functional (I think it has something to do with water conservation, but I'm still trying to figure it out). People are very friendly and have been very helpful whenever I've asked for help. I have definitely fallen in love with public transportation! Munich is a very international city, especially during Oktoberfest, so it's cool to meet people from all over the world!

Well, I have to take a German test in the morning. So if you don't hear from me in awhile, it's because I have been deported for being too stupid. (Just kidding!)

Does it ever end?

Ok, so I think the internet problems might be over...but now I cannot actually view my blog. I can add to it and edit it, but I cannot view it. If anyone is having a similar problem please let me know.

Also, it is kinda weird that the time that shows up on here is the time in California, not in Munich. I think I might change it to actually represent the time that I am experiencing. I hope that isn't too confusing.

France is definitely not this cold!

Emily at Oktoberfest. She came with her friends Bob, Larissa, and Courtney who are all studying in Aix, France. We had a blast...but Munich is a little colder than the south of France, as you can see in the picture. Hopefully, I can go and visit her soon.

Yes, it is really that gloomy...every day!

Here's a pic from the tower on top of St. Peters. It was a great view, but you can feel the gloom, can't you? That's the overall feel in Munich so far. But I love it!

Bon Voyage!

I am leaving in a few hours. If I said I was not anxious, that would be blatant lie. I am a little bit emotional right now, and even more nauseous.

Hopefully, I'll be back to blogging in no time!

Sometimes I feel like a 'Study Abroad Commercial'

It is somewhat of a big responsibility...as I remember some of my important decisions in my life, I recall certain people's comments and how they influenced my decisions. The voices just flash in my brain - they can be the voices of strangers, peers, parents - but they've subconsciously and consciously influenced my decisions. I'd like to think that decisions are made independent from the outside influences, but we don't live in a vacuum.

So I often find myself playing the role of the 'Study Abroad Promoter.' The problem is: I haven't even gone yet! Once I get there, I will be much better equiped for this role. Once I get back, I foresee myself embracing this role to its fullest extent. I will then be ready for all of my advice on the matter to be taken seriously (since now all of my advice is just speculative).

Here's a quote that I have found - as a part of my research for this role of mine:

"People-to-people diplomacy, created through international education and exchanges, is critical to our national interests. Americans who study abroad expand their global perspective and become more internationally engaged." (Colin Powell, Secretary of State, August 2002)

Museum of Tolerance

My mom and I went to the Museum of Tolerance on Sunday. It was one of the best museums that I have ever been to. I strongly recommend it to everyone who ever finds themselves in LA, Manhattan, or Jerusalem - I believe.

The museum seriously propelled me deep into thought. I find most things about the Holocaust to be indescribable - beyond words. This museum did an amazing job at conveying the feeling, the facts, the words, the emotions, everything that is that time period - probably the darkest time period of humanity.

On Sundays, they have Holocaust survivors avaible to speak and we attended one of these. It was an amazing story that I don't think I will ever be able to forget. The generation that actually survived the Holocaust is getting older and it may not be long until speakers like this are nonexistent. I feel priveleged to have heard her story.

So much of what I learned at the museum will become increasingly relevant as I attempt to understand the impact of the Holocaust on the German people. I hope to take a class this upcoming semester titled - Hitler in Munich. It will be so interesting to compare the perspectives - Jewish American perspective to a German perspective.

I am so thankful for the inciteful conversation that the museum provoked between my mother and me. I love learning and I love challenging my preconceived perceptions.

Shirt Color

I realized that I am wearing the same color shirt in all of the pictures that I have posted of myself until now. This annoys me...but I assure you that it is entirely a coincidence. I am really a colorful person (or at least I like to think so).

Dinner on Saturday

Cute pic of my dad and I - before we devoured our lobster, shrimp, and carne asade fajitas - after our wakeboarding adventure.

My Last Saturday

I just received complimentary feedback on my writing style. It was an especially potent compliment because it came from one of the most avid readers I've ever met. With narrative pieces being far from my fortay, I will probably prove the complimenter wrong with the following:

My last Saturday in the United States was one of the best days ever.

My mom and I went to the gym first thing in the morning. Then, we came home and cooked breakfast. We all got ready and made our way to a small bay nearby.

There began my first attempt at wakeboarding. It was a blast, but I was constantly reminded of my lack of talent when it comes to 'board sports.' I'd say when it comes to me wakeboarding, I am better at surfing but worse at snowboarding. If you haven't heard my snowboarding accident story, you're really missing out... Anyways, my brother and dad are so much better than me and my mother was a great water skier in her day - and it is still evident today. It was so much fun to watch them wipe out too!

To top off our pleasant afternoon in the sun, we went out for lobster and shrimp. I'm not sure there could have been a better combination - wakeboarding and seafood go hand in hand.

Then, in a throwback to the ole days, we went ice skating. My brother used to play hockey and we used to be at the rink multiple times each week. We had not done it in such a long time, so it was fun to reminisce. My brother, again, demonstrated his superior athletic ability (which does not extend into every sport, just most of them, by the way). Regardless, I really enjoyed the feeling that I remember so well - if I get going fast enough, the perfect icy breeze cools my flushed cheeks - that is best part of ice skating. It is a dangerous activity though, especially after a tiring day out on the bay. If you haven't heard the story about the ice skate, my pinky finger, and all of the blood, you're really missing out... (sorry, I just couldn't help but use that catch phrase once more)

Straight from the rink, I went to meet Cristina for dessert. Quite suprisingly, it turns out there was a suprise party going on for me. Cristina and Jackie organized a small gathering at Deepthi's apartment. It was so cute! They served strawberry shortcake and strawberry drinks in honor of my hair color! I don't think a better game of Charades has ever been played (Yes, we are nerdy, but how else would one act when celebrating with me? I am the Queen of the Nerds). I love all of the friends that I've made in San Diego and I hope they realize how much I will miss them when I am gone. Thank You!

And thank you to everyone else who made 'my last Saturday' one to remember - especially my family!

Oktoberfest Beginnt

Oktoberfest begins today, though I am not yet there...I will soon be exactly where the greatest party on the planet is! Here's the link for a webcam - who knows, if you look hard enough you might be able to see me one of these days.

I'll be meeting Emily there next weekend - I'm definitely excited!

Oktoberfest 2004 Poster

Messing Around with my New Camera

Here's a picture of Jackie and I (Nicole was too incompentant to work my new camera, so we had to take it ourselves). Jackie has been the best roommate anyone could ask for. But I didn't even ask for her - God sent her too me. And for that, I am truly grateful.

"EeeEee, Jackie, Tonnswaza!" (The only phrase that I know in Luganda...trust me, if you knew what it meant, you'd think it was funny)

High Tide

I went running on the beach this morning. I was the only runner there because, apparently, it was high tide. I wasn't about to let this stop me, so I made an adventure out of it. I was forced, at times, to climb the rocks whilst I ran. It was a wet feet/scraped hands adventure. Now my shoes smell like the ocean. I am considering leaving them this way - to stay in touch with my roots...

Thank God for the ocean and for Fridays.

Great Demonstrations of Generosity

I've recently encountered great demonstrations of generosity in both my friends and family. I do not know how to properly thank someone who demonstrates such generosity. It is not the just the money, it is the gesture. The gesture of support. I would not be anywhere I am today if not for all the supportive people in my life. Thank you! THANK you! Thank YOU! THANK YOU!

I think I am a model

Here's a lame picure of me in Balboa Park.
But isn't it always lame when you get a picture taken of yourself all alone in the frame?

I'd like to take this moment to announce my purchase of a digital camera. I am very excited about this - and the blog should be a bit spicier now...let's hope.

German Music?

It's difficult to find German music...even on this German radio station. Most of the music on the station is American, or British. I guess German is not the most musical or poetic language. But the greatest music really did come from German speaking composers - Bach, Beethoven, Handel...what happened to German music since then? Down the drain. There is a glimmer of hope...

My favorite German musicians:

Xavier Naidoo

Die Fantastischen Vier / an article in English about them
- will be in Munich on November 24th - might have to catch that!

(My attempt at consistency...)

German Phrase of the Day:

Traurig, aber wahr!
Sad, but true!

Don't Be Alarmed

Don't be alarmed. I just changed the template of my blog. The content remains the same. C'mon now, don't judge a book by its cover...

Daily Rambling of an Eternal Optimist

Lately, I have been posed one specific question quite frequently. Are you nervous? (Of course referring to my upcoming trip) I have decided upon a good ole optimistic response. The only reason to be really nervous would be if I were dreading something. I prefer to use the word excited. There are positive and negative aspects to everything and no decisions are without both negative and positive consequences. It is unavoidable. Therefore, it is more appropriate to try to limit the amount of negative consequences when making decisions. But when that is not even possible, it can be useful to resist dwelling on the negative by focusing on the positive. This is my chosen method when approaching my trip to Munich. The negative aspects of this decision are obvious - missing my family, my friends, my school. Let me try with the postitive ones now: personal growth, new perspective on life, new sense of independence and self-confidence, new friends, develop fluency in German, gain international experience for my resume, become more culturally aware... Choices in life will never be cut and dry - they will always be blurry. The blur is not a hindrance. The blur gives me the opportunity to use my God-given intelligence to weigh the consequences. This is the greatest opportunity for personal growth.

(I fear that I might have been oversimplifying the 'positive v. negative aspects of all decisions' argument. The reality of it is that all of these aspects are further divisible into more positive and negative parts. So a decision can be overtly positive, while it's consequences are divided among both positive and negative aspects. These aspects can then be further divided into both positive and negative elements. I may have made that sound like chemistry...I guess that's my attempt at a metaphor. I'm horrible with metaphors! I think the Dalai Lama could better explain it, but he's not here right now.)

Traffic is a blessing. I know that statement is contrary to many beliefs that I have previously expressed, but that's because this is a new revelation. When it comes to traffic, I have always dwelled on the negative aspects for lack of positive ones to focus on. Now I have found it. Traffic slows me down. This is very important due to my recent realization that I drive too fast. The traffic that slows me down, could end up saving my life - allowing me more time with my loved ones. That's about as positive as it gets. I wonder why I was so oblivious of this until now...

Thank you Jackie. Our conversation yesterday reminded me of a fundamental truth about life. She passed down her wisdom - it was powerful. The truth that I speak of and that Jackie taught me about - People can change. It seems so obvious when it is written out like that, but I sometimes find myself becoming disillusioned with humanity. This disillusionment threatens to spoil my optimistic outlook on life. Humanity, being a creation of God, cannot be the source of all evil. Evil does often emerge from people, but people can change. As long as people can change, the world can change. Again, I need to thank Jackie for restoring my hope. Hope that the world can change to become the place that I imagine it to be. My hope was not gone, it was just temporarily forgotten. Because through God, my hope is irrepresible. Irrepresible hope.

Wow, I sure did get deep today. I have a tendency to do that...so let me lighten it up for a sec:

German phrase of the day:

Mach dir sich keine Sorgen.
Don't worry about it.

Family Celebration

I spent Saturday at the beach with my family. The water was unbelievably warm and it was great fun. I will truly miss the beach this upcoming year, as I'm sure I will miss it every time I leave it - for the rest of my life.

Today was spent up in HB with my family. One could call it a Going Away Party, but it was very lowkey - just how I like it. The cake was amazing. It depicted a globe with an airplane in the middle. Across the plane 'Viel Glueck' was written ('good luck' in German). My grandparents, my aunt and uncle, my mom, dad, and brother were all among the esteemed guests of this shindig. It was great fun.

I got to see my favorite little cousin, which was awesome. At two years old, his laughter and smile can really light up my day! His comments are really hilarious as well. For example: "It's boken, I fix it. I fix it." Turns out, he was referring to the slit in my skirt! It was humorous, to say the least, but also so cute that he was offering to help me with this apparent problem.

It is so comforting to know how much support everyone is giving me for my trip. I know that this is what I am supposed to do, but I have trouble convincing myself of this sometimes. The support of my loving family and friends is what really convinces me.

On a lighter note, I experienced a random sitcom-moment this evening (I tend to observe and point these out often - go ahead and ignore this if you hate sitcoms). I had a ring stuck on my finger - don't ask how this happened - for a couple days now. It was really starting to hurt and my finger was actually swelling. So after many failed attempts, I pulled out all the stops in order to assure that I would succeed today. I soaked my finger in ice water for 10 minutes, my purpose being to shrink my hand (How often will I be able to say that?). Then I ran to the sink and put soap on my finger, while my mom pulled desperately at the ring. It took my brother's assistance to eventually remove the ring. The three of us pulling at my swollen finger in the kitchen must have been an odd sight. I had to laugh it off as just another sitcom-moment. Now, I feel so relieved to have that damn ring off of my finger. I feel like Frodo...

It was actually nice to share this sitcom-moment with my family. Perhaps when Teresa and I finally write our sitcom, this incident can be included. Don't hold your breath.

JYM Video

I found this video online. It is a promo video for my program in Munich with JYM (Junior Year in Munich). I really enjoyed the video, so I thought I would post the link in case anyone else was bored.

JYM Promo Video

The video was made by the cool kid Tyler - his website is worth checking out too.

Happy Birthday Teresa / Suburban Warrior Syndrome

Well, I must start off with a shout out to Teresa. Happy Birthday Chica! Feliz Cumpleanos! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! My little Teresita gives us all a reason to celebrate September 11th! (I'm posting this now because of the time difference - it's already her birthday where she is) I will toast to Teresa with my morning cup of coffee!

I was just reading my new copy of Psychology Today - my new favorite magazine, along with Budget Traveler - and I came across an article that described me to a tee. Often times I refer to myself as having a 'superhero-complex,' which Psychology Today calls 'Suburban Warrior Syndrome.' The article is very interesting and I hope they soon put in up on their website (currently the website just has articles from the previous issue).

Here's a quote from the article:

(We pine) for days when life seemed to be constructed around heroic deeds rather than menial mouse click.

Just for clarification, the author of the article does not find this syndrome to be unheathly. Therefore, I will proudly confess to my 'superhero-complex'/'suburban warrior syndrome' - whatever you choose to call it.

Well, that's enough psychoanalysis for now, but I'm sure this magazine will provoke much more in the future.

Posting a Picture in My Blog

Wow. I just learned how to post a picture in my Blog. This is definitely a good development seeing as though I am still incapable of updating my website. Computers can be evil...but I found a loophole and will now still be able to show everyone my pictures from Munich.

I have been practicing my German in preparation for my departure. However, the only person I have to practice with is myself. Good thing I enjoy talking to myself, otherwise it would be weird.

Even with my recent attempts at practicing my German (which I should have been doing all summer), I know that I will be one of the worst German speakers of my group. Being the optimist that I am, I have concluded that this will be opportunity for personal growth. Let me explain: Many people would be able to point out (probably only behind my back) that I can be a cocky ass at times. This arrogance stems most directly from academics. Therefore, if I (at least at the beginning) find myself as one of the worst in my class, it will be a grand humbling experience. Let's hope that I will be able to embrace this experience while it is happening, instead of being overcome with frustration.

Well, I am still so proud of myself for figuring out how to post a picture on my blog. Speaking of pride, I am extremely proud of my brother, who last night participated in his very first water polo match. I wish I had the courage to try such a new and different sport in high school. He's not one to waste the famed Kelner athleticism...my brother is such a stud!

Die Studentenstadt - The Student City - where I will be living in Munich. 

'Freaking Out!'

Ok, so I am leaving the country, my family, my friends, my home, and everything inbetween in exactly 2 weeks. I am freaking out!!! You see, this fact just hit me yesterday, so I'm slowly coping with the urgency of it all.

I'm not really sure what constitutes 'freaking out' in its generally accepted sense, but I will tell you my definition. When I am 'freaking out,' there are usually some physical reactions that I cannot control. For instance, right now I am experiencing shortness of breath along with endless thoughts racing through my mind. I would definitely classify this as 'freaking out.' Often times, when 'freaking out,' I find my emotions taking control of my body. This is not a comforting feeling and it definitely exacerbates my condition. It's quite cyclical...but if you ask me, most things are cyclical. C'mon, try me. Name something, anything, and I'll explain to you the cyclical nature of it. Deepthi seems to have a theory on dualities, but I have a theory on cycles...hmmm...I will further develop this theory and get back to it at a later date. I am too busy 'freaking out' to think clearly.

Other things that have induced a state of 'freaking out' recently:
-Discussing my basketball team's last game of my senior year...whew...don't get me started about this one...
-Having to go back to work after having an entire week off...it's like pulling hairs!! (ok, that might be the first time that I have ever used that phrase...I'm not sure how I feel about it...)
-Oh, and whenever I see the video for Bonecrusher - I Ain't Never Scared...AHHHHH!! It just irks me!!! It's completely irrational, but that guy causes me to 'freak out' just at the sight of him.

Well, all I can say, is you better pray that you never have to see me 'freaking out' - it ain't pretty. (A better way to insure this is to never bring up the aformentioned incidences, as this will not only cause me to 'freak out,' but I will be inclined to see you as a provoker...furthering the cycle...) Wow, this post is sure giving everyone a better understanding of the innerworkings of Courtney's mind (if that's possible).

On a lighter note, here's an excerpt from an interesting conversation of mine:

ME: Wanna know something weird?

My Mother: Maybe.

ME: I know exactly what I would wear if someone were to call me
up and say, 'Courtney, it is time to save the world.'

My Mother: Really?

ME: ....(actual description has been omited for security reasons)

My Brother: That's stupid!

ME: Oh yeah? What would you wear then?

My Brother: A cape!

This not only provides evidence for my severe 'superhero-complex,' but also my failure to state the obvious. My brother is much more gifted at this and at observation in general.

Well, I must get back to 'freaking out' - let's hope it's not as long between posts this time!