Lazy....

Soooo... it has been a while! In these almost FIVE months that I have not written a lot has happened!

First I completed my first year of teaching and my first year in Germany. I had many ups and downs but I made it! Oh and I decided to stay another year!  So the ups to this experience:  I finally learned a new language (learning).  I may have written this before I am not sure, but I am not very successful at languages! I tried learning Spanish in high school and that was an absolute fail. But German... it is different, it is interesting and I need to know it now that I am living here.  Another up! I have met some interesting friends (some German and some from around the world).  These are friendships I would have never met if I hadn't taken this chance!  Another up from this year is becoming more independent.   I know this sounds silly but I liked to be dependent in college (especially on my mom :p). But moving to a new country on a different continent and having my first "real" apartment ( I am not counting the one I had in college) I feel that I have "grown up" a lot this year and I am very happy with my progress.  There are so many more ups that I don't have time to write them all!  A few downs were obviously I missed a lot of special holidays and events with my family and some days it would be just so nice to call a friend or a family member just to talk but its not so easy anymore.  There is a lot of planning that is now involved in any contact at all! This truly makes things hard.  Another down is that everything is so new and therefor also very stressful!

Next I completed my fourth German course! B1.1 that's right! I am moving on up!  It was another Intensive course... that't right four hours a night for days a week for four weeks!  It was intense but I made it and in a few weeks I will be enrolled in B1.2.  I will write more about that later.

Finally I just started my second year as an English teacher and I can tell right away many differences.  Because I already know the kids, (and speak a little German) I am able to console/ control them a little easier :p.   I feel much better about my work situation now that I know the ropes and I am not worrying about surprises that may arise. Everyone was right after the first year it does get better!

Hmm not sure who reads my blog but... Do you have any experiences on living in a different country for long periods of time? How big of a culture shock was it? What did you do?

Pay Your Parking Ticket!

My family came to visit and got to see this wonderful thing! Ha they don't mess around with unpaid parking!  Happy Saturday! 

Learning German II

So I finally finished my intensive course a few weeks ago (I forgot about this draft so now it is more like a month ha).  It was hard, I was exhausted, and I was afraid I would not pass but I did it!  I finished the class with a 2,3 it is not a 1,0 but I was extremely happy! During this class I had to give a 10 minute speech (okay so I only made about 5-7 minutes of that), we talked in only German, and  I got to meet more students that were at my same "German level".  I found this class more challenging and more enjoyable than the first class.  Although, when it came to an end and it was time to sign up for the next semester of classes I decided to not continue to the next level class. Instead I chose to take a speaking class to help with my communication in the community and to help at work.

This course is only 2 hours a week one day a week.  I have been attending this class for about three or four weeks now.  I am enjoying it and it is relaxing.  I am glad that I chose this course because of my added work load these past few months.  I have found some downsides though.  I haven't needed my German as much lately (funny right... I am living in Germany) I haven't been using it as much and I have been loosing some of it.  I have started trying to add more and more in my daily life.. this should be easy right.  BUT!!! Living in a university town I have to opportunity to speak English which was nice at first but now I am seeing it as a downfall.

I have also had some help from my colleges at work.  It is helpful to me but I think they also get enjoyment out of it.  They have started speaking only in German (Some speak English when it is important).

I am starting to enjoy learning a new language but it doesn't change the fact that it is difficult.

Please! If anyone has language tips let me know! I know it takes time but I want to start hitting it harder in learning and using this new language.  what are your experiences in learning a new language?

My Favorite German Food

Since I have come to Germany and even before (seeing as we have our own Hofbäuhaus remake in Pittsburgh) I have also found some new favorite food.  Here are some German and some, that even though they are not German, other food that is rarely or not available in the U.S.  Those of you who don't  know me, food is a big part of my life...seeing as I absolutely love it.

Schweinhaxe with Kartoffelknödlel (potato dumpling) and Hofbräu Bier on the left and on the right is Haxe with Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes) and Sauerkraut 

Früstück- German breakfast.  This usually consists of bread and buns, cold meat and cheeses, soft boiled eggs, some fruit, jelly, honey, and Nutella.  Oh and don't forget the coffee!  This is of course my favorite meal! 

On the left is a mug of chocolate drink (yes it is call a drink and not hot chocolate... these two things are different I have not figured out how yet but they are) and a cake this one happens to by plum. I have come to notice this is usually eaten in the afternoon between lunch and dinner.   

On the right is one of my favorites. It is Wurstgulasch also very good.  A lot of German food includes wurst and sausages kind of like what, in America, we would consider hot dogs (only better).

And of course Weißwurst and Brezel and of course a beer!  With this meal you eat it with Senf or mustard. 

Only in Germany a Schnitzel Pizza :p

Currywurst and Pommfritz a must have in Berlin

Hmm more sausages but this was an interesting street "stand" 

Döner so delicious! This is a Turkish German fast food that you usually find on the street! I absolutly love it which may be dangerous but worth it! Here is a just opened store in the United States that now has three stores. If you are close to here or in Germany try it out! 

These two are not German but I absolutly love pasta and I had to show some of the pasta I have had in Germany including some authentic Italian!



Tell me what your favorite German food is have you had it in Germany or in a different country?

German class update!

Big news! I went to my new German Class A1.2 and the first day I was required to take a placement test to make sure everyone was in the correct class.  The next day when I went to class they shared the results.  I had scored well on the placement test and was moved up to A2.2.  At first I was very nervous about the big jump.   I am still hesitant because it is a harder class, but I feel it is a better fit for me and I think I am doing much better in this class.  The one major difference of this class that I am having trouble with is the speaking.  I can understand just about everything the teacher and students are talking about but I am having trouble keeping up the communicating and talking myself.  I hope to be able to speak more and to break out of this shell.  I am half way through this A2.2 class (two weeks left).   I will keep you updated on things to come!

What to do on Sunday?

What do you normally do on a Sunday? 

*shopping?

*house work?

*romp around the house?

Well I have come to learn that here none of those happen very often.  All store are closed on Sunday.  Even grocery stores!  (I have become a victim of that and not having anything in the house to eat!). I have come to find it really nice though.   Instead of complaining I now try to go for a walk, grab a coffe and maybe a snack, or maybe I relax at home.  

I have come to really enjoy this "tradition" of a rest day.  What do you think?

Learning German

*forewarning!  I tryped this entry on a German computer so hopefully I didn't make too many mistakes that I didn't catch.

So before coming to Germany I thought that I would learn some German.  I tried to learn simple frases to help with the move and to help adjusting to life in a new country.  I failed misserably trying to teach myself, bu t then again I have never been one to be able to learn on my own (being a teacher I would have thought otherwise).  So after I finally made the move I gave in quicky and signed up for a German course through the local university.

Possibly what I looked like before moving to Germany.

 Luckily in Germany to take classses at a university is not as expensive as in the United States.   I was nervous that not only would this be so tough but also break the bank.  Coming out of a four year university myself I am well aware of the costs of one class especially being a guest to the University.  I sucked it up and paid the fee that came out to around 140€ (while it is still not cheap it is doable) for the semester.   This was the best descion I could have made.  I was able to meet some new people who are also new to the culture.  And I was able to start from square one and learn all of the basics and rules of German that are not easily self tought.

In Europe there is a system called The Common European Framwork of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  This system classifies a persons knowledge of a language from A1(little to no prior knowledge), A2, B1, B2, C1,all the way to C2(Master and profeciency of the language).  After completing a test you are recognized with a certificate stating your profcency.

Needless to say I started at the very beginning.  I started with class A1.1.  I was able to learn the basics and being able to practice my german daily I have really been able to see an improvement in my skills.  I still cannot speak well but I am understanding more and more each day.  I recently finished my first semester with a final grade of 1.0 (which for Americans probably sounds bad).   In Germany 1.0 is the best and 6.0 is the worst. A well deserved pat on the back if I do say myself.

We are always told that it helps to learn a language being emersed in the country itself... I must say its true. In the past I have tried other languages especially three years of Spanish in high school.... I probably couldn't even introduce myself properly. I was happy to see that this time around I am doing much better.  I do truly think that it is a gift to be able to speak more than one langauge.  I feel that, often, native English speakers find no point in learning another language unless they plan on visiting or they have family that speaks another  language. But the truth is once you learn one new language it then becomes a little easier to pick up on other languages as well.  I think it is important to try a new language and then mab take a trip where you actually need to use the language.

I must say I practice German everyday with my boyfriend and that helps but the best practice I get is when I try to talk with the students at the school I work at.  they are brutally honest and they also get very excited if I speak correctly.  It feels quite rewarding.

As of now I am signed up for an intensive course through the same univversity.  This class is four weeks long but it is Monday through Thursday 4 hours a night.  This starts next week!  Hopefully I can complete this course without becoming to stressed.  This class is the A1.2!

Tschüss!