Heimweh

Tags

Black Forest, Diet Coke, Freiburg im Breisgau, germany, Heimweh, Homesickness

Can you be homesick for a place that isn’t technically your “home”? One of the best and worst situations is feeling like you have two homes, whether they are physical places, or just in your heart. In this case, half of my heart belongs to America. The other half is in, you guessed it, Germany.

I feel as if I’m constantly being pulled between these two beautiful places.. I love Germany…the land, the people, the culture, the food (oh my goodness doener kebabs), the music, the language. Heck, I even love the Diet Cokebetter. Shout out to Cola Light!

I love it so. Now if only if didn’t cost three times as much as American soda…

On the other hand, I love my friends, family, networks, and support structure that I have in America. If only there was a way to mesh the two. I could ride the S-Bahn to see me friends Pam and Vanessa, drink espresso outside with a view of the Schwarzwald while also speaking with my mother. Even though there have been huge advancements in international communication, a “Skype Date” can’t (and hopefully won’t) take the place of actually seeing someone and talking to them. IMing someone about your day or sending someone a *hug* doesn’t feel as good as having somebody sit next to you on the couch and listen to you complain about your day and the stupid people you had to pretend to be nice to. Seven hour time differences aren’t exactly helpful either. Waking someone up in the middle of the night in Iowa to tell them about the awesome Spaetzle you had at lunch is apparently not good form. Schade.

On the other hand, looking at a picture of Freiburg doesn’t give me the same thrill as standing on top on Schlossberg watching a bright red sun sink behind the pines does. I miss walking (tripping and falling) on cobblestones, and the smell of bakery bread. I miss the horrendously aggressive pigeons. I miss silly things like being able to sort my trash at maximum efficiency, and doing the crossword in German, rather than English. I miss my bike and it’s stupid broken brake. I miss dodging the Asian tourists piled up by Schwabentor, and I miss hiking up the god-awful steep hill that leads up to Kastanien Garten. I even miss my roommates Kaja and Daniel fighting all the time about who gets more room in the fridge for their beer. Nothing in America can replace those perfect, hilarious, and even frustrating memories that I have of my year abroad.
I am going to start sending in applications soon for masters programs, in Germany. Most start in October…now I just have to figure out how to survive that long. Then after that, I’ll just have to remember how to survive without everyone here…

Reflections of the Day

Tags

9/11, Americans, Birthdays, Iowa

So I may be stealing a famous quote, but I think it is pretty much correct. Although I miss Germany horribly, it is nice to be back home. I’m enjoying the change of the seasons and the brisk fall air, and the football games and sweaters in stores. Fall is some of the best time in Iowa, and I am secretly glad that I don’t have to miss it this year.

I’m not doing much at the moment. Mainly laying around supervising the house. But I’ve applied a couple of places and should be getting answers soon. I still have to finish my research paper for a class in Germany. I’ve somehow hit a wall and can’t seem to finish it. Maybe because I find it fairly boring. But if I want my diploma, I’ll have to get it done soonish-like. Guess I better work on that.

In the Willett household, it is currently “Birthday Week”. My brother’s birthday was on Sunday, and mine is tomorrow (Please send all presents, puppies, and ponies to my parent’s place of residence). So things have been exciting. My mother made a KICK BUTT cake for my brother, with real butter cream frosting. After tasting it, I decided that I’d like to be buried with a jar of that frosting. DE-LISH-USH. I’m sure the 3 sticks of butter in it didn’t hurt either…

Continuing on the birthday week theme, I have realized that I am officially turning into an old person. Top things on my “list”? Memory foam pillow for my neck, stationary, and a Corgi puppy (kind of kidding, but not really). Bring on the dentures and Medicare. Oy.

What made me feel really old today, was the realization that is has been eleven whole years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01. For me, it feels like yesterday, sitting in my 7th grade homeroom and hearing the news. At the time, I didn’t even know what the Twin Towers were. But that day changed everything. Every year since, my understanding of that event has changed. When they play replays of that day on the news, I now feel a horror and a sadness that was absent when I was younger. A greater understanding of what people sacrificed on that day, what America lost. But also how America and Americans have changed, risen out of that tragedy. It’s a staggering thought, almost like staring up at the night sky and trying to count the stars. So much has happened in the days, months, and years since that tragic day. But despite the events and politics of the last years, I know that Americans, collectively, will never forget.

Back Home

Tags

Cedar Rapids Iowa, Culture shock, Denglisch, Iowa City

Well, I made it. After a year (and one loooong flight), I’m finally back home in the US. Hard to believe it, really. Germany has become my second home. It feels odd to leave it.

I have had a bit of reverse culture shock. I speak so much English now, and have to hold myself back from adding German vocab into conversations and stories. No one here understands my Denglish, or German plays on words. Hmph.

Additionally, I’m still not used to the food and portion size. I feel like I get served obnoxiously large amounts of food at restaurants, and I’m eating WAY less bread and cheese on a daily basis. On the upside, the bread that I do eat here is much easier to chew. Maybe that’s the “wonder” of Wonder Bread?

Something else that I’ve had to adjust to: AIR CONDITIONING. I know, I know. I complained about it, and even had a whole blog post whining about the lack of climate control in Germany. However, the AC here is SO cold in most places, that it has actually become uncomfortable for me. I find myself going outside every hour just to thaw out. I feel like the temperature difference is unsettling.

Other cold things…ICE CUBES. I am enjoying the heavy use of ice cubes in drinks here. I also appreciate cold fridges more than ever. Nothing like an ice-cold glass of milk (in contrast to a lukewarm one that can sit out of fridge and still be okay to drink)!

Driving is another thing I’m still getting used to. I miss my bike, and the freedom of walking and biking places. This thought hit me yesterday for the first time, while sitting in rush-hour traffic. I didn’t have to put up with that in Freiburg!! The lack of good public transportation here is disappointing. I miss the VAG! What I would give for a tram system in Cedar Rapids, or a train that could take me to Iowa City!

That’s about all I can think of for now. If I go on for much longer, I may start ranting (although not an uncommon occurrence for this blog). Suffice to say, despite the differences, I am glad to be home with my family, friends, and cheap fast food.

Sweltering in the Schwarzwald

Tags

Air conditioning, germany, Grocery store, Ice cream

I feel like I’m melting. It was 94 degrees today, and the high for tomorrow is supposed to be 97. And before you all tell me that this isn’t that bad, and Iowa/Colorado/wherever has hotter weather, let me remind you what Germany does NOT have….AIR-CONDITIONING. The Germans are huge fans of fresh air. Apparently even when that air is hotter than an oven and smells like sweaty tourists.

Unfortunately, I picked today to run all of my errands. AND I didn’t even wake up early enough to do them while it was still beneath scorching. That’s what I get for not being an early bird. I ran errands from approximately noon-5 pm, and had to stop three times to get either a cool beverage or ice cream. Not that I’m complaining about that. I love the ice cream here. My favorite combination of today was Lion (a type of candy bar) and mocha. Om

nom nom.

Chocolatey deliciousness. RAWR.

I still have lots to do…mainly take back all of the cans and bottles that are slowly dominating the hallway and allowing limited access to the rest of the WG. In Germany, Pfandgeld (money for bottles and cans), actually really pays well. Plastic bottles get 15 cents, glass bottles get 8, and cans get 5. And if you’ve seen the amount of beer my apartment drinks in a week, you will understand how we make quite a hefty profit off of Pfandgeld. The only problem is schlepping it all to the nearest grocery store. Ours is just down the street, but it’s annoying to make 3 trips by bike. At least I’m essentially getting paid for it!

My WG: Single-handedly supporting the recycling industry of Germany.

I haven’t even BEGUN to pack for home. That is gonna be a chore….let’s not think about that. Subject change please.

Later…

So it’s now almost 10 pm. And it’s still 85 degrees out. Sweating and sleeping do not go well together. I should just pack myself in ice and wait out this heat wave, gah.

For all of you reading this, I hope you aren’t sweating as much as I am (still). Enjoy that air-conditioning, ‘Merica.

Updates!

Tags

German, german breakfast, Ice cream, Lernhaus

So things are winding down from my year abroad, and I’m getting quite bored. Living abroad isn’t always sipping macchiatos in outdoor cafes and glamorous

parties. It also involves me working up the courage to make an appointment with my crabby Hausmeister, figuring out how to move all of my crap valuable possessions out of my flat, and watching as much internet TV as possible, so that I can be caught up on shows when I get back to the US.

I’m working everyday, for at least 3 hours, at the AYF office. I’m also working fairly often at Lernhaus, the place where I tutor kids in English. I have three students working towards their Eurocoms (English language placement tests), and that takes a lot of work and encouragement. The kids aren’t super motivated, but I can’t say that I blame them, considering my lack of motivation to work on my Hausarbeits.

I will probably get a “D” for “Don’t care”.

Other than those things, I’ve basically just been hanging around my WG doing things like cleaning and trying not to sweat. I have come to realize just how much of a luxury neccesity air-conditioning really is this summer!

However, my July and August haven’t been totally without excitement. There was a pretty good string of birthday and end-of.semester parties a couple of weeks ago. And I can usually tag along with people to hit up the Kastanien Biergarten or the MuDom student bar. Without classes, there just isn’t a lot of structure. Not that I’m complaining mind you. I LOVE not having to wake up until noon. Lunch is the new breakfast people.

Brunch. Breakfast for the unmotivated.

At least the weather has been good lately. Hot, but nice. Perfect Biergarten weather. Also perfect nap weather. And pool weather. Basically, perfect weather for not doing real work. Which is the best kind, duh. Freiburg holds the record for the “sunniest city in Germany”, and the past few weeks have proved why. Not a cloud in the sky, sparkling sunshine, lovely breezes.  People are out in full force…biking, shopping, eating ice cream (which is, I SWEAR, the German national  . They are ALWAYS eating ice cream. Maybe they are trying to catch up to America in being the most obese nation?), strolling through the picturesque Innenstadt. I have raised people-watching to a high art here. I can literally spend hours doing it.

At least this free time lets me work on my blog a little more. I feel guilty that I haven’t posted a lot this year. I guess it’s because I also keep a personal journal, and writing most of this stuff twice feels a little redundant. But I guess that I need to keep my loved ones updated on my extremely fascinating life….ha! I should also start adding some more pictures soon. I never took a lot of the obligatory “tourist” pictures at the beginning of the year, so sometime in the next two weeks I’ll have to run around downtown with my camera attached to my face. Hopefully I won’t look toooooooo nerdy.

Well…I should probably get back to work. Until next time!

My Realizations of this Year…

Tags

Denglisch, United States

Continuing the lists. ‘Cause I like lists. And I’m too lazy busy with important grown-up things to write sentences and paragraphs and stuff. So there.

Realizations and Epiphanies of 2011-2012:

• I like lists.
• I CAN NOT STAND people who use poor grammar and spelling. Sorry.
• If you haven’t traveled to a foreign country, you haven’t lived.
• Life is too short for crappy food. Always go for the high-quality stuff.
• Americans take so much for granted.
• It’s important to watch out for yourself. Because no one else will.
• Wanting to be happy is not selfish. It’s right.
• Midwestern English and Standard English are not the same things. Go figure.
• I don’t know how people lived before dishwashers. Seriously.
• TV is overrated.
• A life without pets is a lonely one.
• Denglish is the best language ever.
• The right piece of music can solve any problem.
• Americans really ARE as annoying as everyone thinks they are. At least when they’re outside of America.
• You can’t put a price on good beer.
• Think you are an adult and ready for real life? Live in a foreign country for a year.
• Boys are dumb. But let’s be honest, we all knew that.
• Girls are crazy. Duh.
• The people who promise never to make you sad are usually the same ones who hurt you the worst.
• A good friend is priceless. Truly priceless.
• Extremism of any kind is unattractive. At least to me.
• A good way to realize your strengths and shortcomings? Live in a culture with a direct communication style.
• Make-up is overrated.
• One compliment can brighten someone’s whole day.
• The Germans really are better at everything. Seriously.
• Cleaning is great stress relief.
• When I sing, I feel complete.
• If people are judging or criticizing you, then you are probably doing something right.
• An ice cream cone a day…well…makes me really happy.
• Tears are not a sign of weakness.
• Promises are not forever.
• If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
• I will never under-appreciate the following things again:
  ice cubes, free refills, air-conditioning, free ketchup packets, driving, laundry dryers, dishwashers, flat streets (no cobblestones).

Reasons I am excited to come home…

• The smell of Captain Crunch downtown in the morning.
• To be able to pet and play with my pets.
• To see my family.
• To see my friends.
• Double-Stuf Oreos
• Watching TV in English.
• Understanding what strangers say to me.
• CHEAP CLOTHING.
• CHEAP SHOES.
• Cheaper pop/soda, whatever you call it.
• Being able to contact my friends whenever I want.
• Being able to use German as my ‘secret’ language.
• Seeing my brother go off to college.
• Keurig Coffee Machines.
• Target. Yes, Target.
• The Gap.
• Aerie.
• Seeing wildlife in my back yard.
• The changing colors of an Iowa fall.
• Midwestern niceness.
• To be able to drive in a car.
• To be able to wear sweatpants out in public without people asking me if I’m exercising.
• To not have anyone correct my speaking or writing.
• Inexpensive cocktails.
• The delicious beer…. Just kidding.
• To be able to cuddle in my bed at night with my cat.
• Free condiments and refills at restaurants.
• Being able to pet other peoples pets on the sidewalk.
• Inexpensive haircuts.
• Less direct criticism.
• Iowa Beef and Pork. Yum.
• My mother’s coffee cakes. And muffins, and cookies, and casseroles, etc.
• Late night talks with my Mom.
• Seeing my baby brother go off to the University.
• Hawkeye Football. Go Hawks!
• Campfires in the cold Iowa fall.
• Soft, white, potato bread.
• Naked Juice Smoothies.
• Sun Chips. Any kind of chip that isn’t ‘Paprika’ flavored, actually.
• Chobani Greek Yogurt.
• Cheez Its.
• Peanut butter.
• Mexican food. Real Mexican food.
• Dancing (American style). For anyone who has ever seen a German person dance, they will know what I mean.
• Online banking.
• Using my debit card instead of cash all the time. 
• Not having to try to decide if it is a 7 or a 1. 
• AIR. CONDITIONING.
• Laundry dryers. With electricity and everything.
• Not having anyone yell at you when you cross the street without waiting for the walk signal. Because they really YELL at you hear.
• Being able to keep up with my friends without logging onto Skype.

        Being at HOME.

Things I will miss from Germany…

• Shoggi Croissants.
• Milchkaffee
• Trains
• My bike
• Sunny days spent laying on the Dreisam.
• The Hippies.
• The constantly screaming neighbor children. Haha, no I won’t. Little devils.
• German music.
• Speaking German.
• Hearing German.
• Speaking Denglish with my roommates.
• The children I work with at Lernhaus.
• The free coffee at Lernhaus.
• Watching dogs walk through the Bächle downtown.
• Sitting at Cafe Aspekt and watching tourists flood through, while I eat brunch.
• Clubs. But not Kagan.
• DÖNER. DÖNER DÖNER DÖNER.
• The amazing pastries. And the bread.
• The beautiful people. The skinny people.
• The handsome men. And their wonderful haircuts.
• European fashion.
• Hearing birds outside of my window every morning.
• The sun not setting until 10:00 at night.
• Sitting around the kitchen with my roommates drinking after the ‘Bierglocke’ has been rung.
• My roomates.
• My kitchen. Even though it’s always horrendously dirty. I love the decor.
• The hedgehogs outside.
• Well-trained German doggies.
• Well-trained German children.
• Ice cream! Especially these flavors: Joghurt, Lion, Mocha, Maracuja, and Straciatella.
• People asking me to teach them the English lyrics to a hit pop song. And tell them what the lyrics actually mean.
• Google asking me if I want everything in English translated into German.
• The German crossword. And the feeling of satisfaction that comes from finishing a crossword in another language.
• German babies. And the things they say in ‘Kinderdeutsch’.
• Having Umlauts actually on the keyboard.
• Having ‘Yes, I’m from America’ actually work as a pick-up line.
• The architecture. The feeling of history that is all around you at all times.
• Käsespatzle.
• Flammkuchen.
• Latte Macchiatos. Real ones.
• Being able to watch live operas for only 8 Euro.
• The feelings of being home. Even when I’m all the way across an ocean.

Summer Semester Super-Senioritis

Tags

Fourth of July, Motivation, Summer

Say THAT title three times fast.

As my alliteration suggest, it is, in fact almost the end of the summer semester here in Germany. And I, as a super-senior, have absolutely “kein Bock mehr” (ZEro motivation). Motivation to lay outside in the sun? Check. Motivation to look for jobs and housing for next year? Ehhhh, getting there. Check-ish. Motivation to research a topic and write a 15 page paper for my American Studies class? Ha…NOPE.

Despite my lack of motivation, I am keeping pretty busy. Although I’d like to, I can’t completely blow off put off my studying. Like I said above, I’m also looking for housing and jobs in the area, which is keeping me pretty busy. Unlike in America, it is almost impossible to get a real big-person well-paying job in Germany or the EU without a Masters degree. So, since I’ve already missed the Masters degree application deadlines…oops…I’m going to wait the year and then apply again. SO for the next year, I’ll (hopefully) be living in Heidelberg. Hopefully in a real building, not a box. And with a real job, not flipping burgers. Y’all keep your fingers crossed for me now, y’hear?

Not much else to tell about life right now. The weather is either super hot, or super rainy. Not much different than good ole Iowa. At least the temperatures aren’t as hot here as in the States…the Germans are not super fond of electricity. Eet eez uh vaste uff zee elehktrissitee.

I AM having a Fourth of July Party here at my WG tomorrow. It will be my first 4th of July outside of the States…it will probably be pretty weird…it’s just another day in Germany. No eating until until we fall over, no blowing things up in the neighborhood (fireworks only sold on New Year’s Eve), no parades and sparklers and face paint and balloon animals. I will, however, have burgers. Any plenty of beer…there is never a shortage of that in Germany. Should be a blast…maybe if I don’t forget completely have time I’ll write a follow-up blog and include pictures.

Until next time…those of you Stateside be sure to eat extra BBQ for me tomorrow!

An article worth reposting…

http://herbalwater.typepad.com/ayalas_herbal_water/2010/11/on-happiness-and-being-in-the-moment.html