I've been feeling kind of self depreciative over the past week due to a frustration with my grasp of the German language, in vocabulary, grammar and spelling (primarily the first). I have had to realize that coming here I must have been expecting to be fluent within days of landing, and that by now I would be gallivanting around the city speaking German "ohne Akzent" (unbetonte Deutsch) and appearing to all the world like the blondest German giant there ever was; Massachusetts? Never heard of the place. Ich bin Deutscher!
Clearly this was too high of an expectation for myself, and coming down from that has been abrupt, but more so it was eye opening and invigorating. I WILL be fluent by the end of this trip, but now I know I have to work hard to accomplish that. I can be confident of where my German is at now while recognizing that it has much further to go. I hate studying, and I hate home work, and I despise taking down notes (maybe not really...) but nothing is going to stop me.
The Hampshire group met up with Diana (I think that was her name) who graduated from Hampshire in 2004 and has been living in Berlin for the last 7 years. She did the Berlin trip as a student at Hampshire as well. Upon arriving here, she spoke next to no German. Since then, she has become completely fluent and even went so far as to write her master's dissertation in perfect German. Hearing that story has really put a fire into my desire to master this language, here and now. I feel confident, excited, eager, and totally terrified of failure. I'm exactly where I need to be.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
So apparently Berlin has like, a lot of art or something.
Every year there is an event called "Lange Nacht der Museen" which translates to "Long night of the Museums". This entails every museum in Berlin putting on special events and displays, that they stay open until 2:00 am, and that 10 minute bus routes connect all of them together. As it so happens, last Saturday evening was just that night. Each Hampshire student got a ticket and we met together near Potsdammer platz, the center of the bus routes, at the Gemäldegalerie.
Here's the website. If you use Google Chrome I know you can translate the whole site. http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de/
First I went to an exhibit on Greek and Christian mythological/religious art, which was exquisite. The halls made a kind of loop, with one direction starting in Greek art and the other with Christian. In the back they met together, where deities went from being nude to clothed and religious figures the opposite. I was not surprised to see a lot of depictions of humanity imbued with immortality; gods behaving badly or innocents being soothed of their pains. What did surprise me was the degree of imagination used to portray the manner of demons, devils and ghosts that are meant to "come and get you" for doing the wrong thing (or sometimes just being the victim of unfortunate circumstances). To be honest, I would not have thought that Christians had it in themselves to entertain that kind of imagination and still refer to it as religious (rather than refusing to acknowledge it). I found it very intriguing.
Then I went to an exhibit on a proposal for architecture and landscaping on an island in one of the rivers in Berlin, which is currently barren. The exhibit was small and underwhelming.
I went to the "Film und Fernseher Museum" where they had many displays, including an exhibit dedicated to The Jungle Book and other nature oriented tv shows. They had a great tribute to Marlene Dietrich, the famous German actress. Here are some famous pictures of her -1- -2- -3- -4-. The building it was hosted in was completely defective as a museum. It took the space of 4 floors, two exhibition rooms per floor that could each hold 30-45 people. Too much stair climbing, considering that all TV watching is done sitting down.
From there I took a bus to The Kennedy Museum, erected in Kennedy's honor (either after he went to Berlin or after he was killed). The museum was featuring JFK (of course) but Jakie was actually on the main stage for that evening. There was a small tribute to the Obama's as well as one for James Dean.
After that I went to the Komputerspiel Museum, or Museum of Computer Games. They had on display the history of gaming as inspired by the west and then later by Japanese companies as well. They also had some interesting interactive displays, like game related trivia questions while playing Pong. In the back was probably their most successful display, an interactive game of Pong where each player must place and keep his or her hand on a pad on the console. According to who is winning and losing, the players will get shocked, burned, or slapped with a rubber tube repeatedly. If you remove your hand before the game of Pong is over, you lose. I think I have about one game in me, ever, so I'm waiting to take Alex there to try it out.
Afterwards I went to the planetarium, but the line was so long to see the show that they were no longer admitting new people. I got to walk around the foyer and grab a pamphlet, but I'll have to go back some other time to see the show.
Here's the website. If you use Google Chrome I know you can translate the whole site. http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de/
First I went to an exhibit on Greek and Christian mythological/religious art, which was exquisite. The halls made a kind of loop, with one direction starting in Greek art and the other with Christian. In the back they met together, where deities went from being nude to clothed and religious figures the opposite. I was not surprised to see a lot of depictions of humanity imbued with immortality; gods behaving badly or innocents being soothed of their pains. What did surprise me was the degree of imagination used to portray the manner of demons, devils and ghosts that are meant to "come and get you" for doing the wrong thing (or sometimes just being the victim of unfortunate circumstances). To be honest, I would not have thought that Christians had it in themselves to entertain that kind of imagination and still refer to it as religious (rather than refusing to acknowledge it). I found it very intriguing.
Then I went to an exhibit on a proposal for architecture and landscaping on an island in one of the rivers in Berlin, which is currently barren. The exhibit was small and underwhelming.
I went to the "Film und Fernseher Museum" where they had many displays, including an exhibit dedicated to The Jungle Book and other nature oriented tv shows. They had a great tribute to Marlene Dietrich, the famous German actress. Here are some famous pictures of her -1- -2- -3- -4-. The building it was hosted in was completely defective as a museum. It took the space of 4 floors, two exhibition rooms per floor that could each hold 30-45 people. Too much stair climbing, considering that all TV watching is done sitting down.
From there I took a bus to The Kennedy Museum, erected in Kennedy's honor (either after he went to Berlin or after he was killed). The museum was featuring JFK (of course) but Jakie was actually on the main stage for that evening. There was a small tribute to the Obama's as well as one for James Dean.
After that I went to the Komputerspiel Museum, or Museum of Computer Games. They had on display the history of gaming as inspired by the west and then later by Japanese companies as well. They also had some interesting interactive displays, like game related trivia questions while playing Pong. In the back was probably their most successful display, an interactive game of Pong where each player must place and keep his or her hand on a pad on the console. According to who is winning and losing, the players will get shocked, burned, or slapped with a rubber tube repeatedly. If you remove your hand before the game of Pong is over, you lose. I think I have about one game in me, ever, so I'm waiting to take Alex there to try it out.
Afterwards I went to the planetarium, but the line was so long to see the show that they were no longer admitting new people. I got to walk around the foyer and grab a pamphlet, but I'll have to go back some other time to see the show.
First week rolls by
At this time I've officially been in Berlin for a week and a day. I've figured out the u-bahn (underground), tram, and s-bahn(above ground) transportation systems (I haven't needed to use the bus system much yet). I've cooked my own meals and gone out with friends from Hampshire, and still haven't had more than 2 beers in an evening. I've bought a cellphone and activated it online (on an entirely German website, no easy feat).
On the other hand, I still don't know where to take my trash or recycling, which will soon pose a problem. I have spent probably the sum of hours in deep philosophical contemplation and descending opinion with the washing machine, and yet I have not been able to convince it to function as I believe it should (blame the hardware). The water heater and I have a tacit understanding, that he is both spastic and lacking in concentration; therefore I spend a few minutes every couple hours tending to his frantic mood swings.
I'm not hungry and I'm not cold unless I go outside, and even then a walrus would say, "Muttergottes, was für scheis kaltes Wetter haben wir gegriekt?!" All in all, I think I will probably survive, at least until spring.
EDIT: I figured out the washing machine! Haha, victory is mine!
On the other hand, I still don't know where to take my trash or recycling, which will soon pose a problem. I have spent probably the sum of hours in deep philosophical contemplation and descending opinion with the washing machine, and yet I have not been able to convince it to function as I believe it should (blame the hardware). The water heater and I have a tacit understanding, that he is both spastic and lacking in concentration; therefore I spend a few minutes every couple hours tending to his frantic mood swings.
I'm not hungry and I'm not cold unless I go outside, and even then a walrus would say, "Muttergottes, was für scheis kaltes Wetter haben wir gegriekt?!" All in all, I think I will probably survive, at least until spring.
EDIT: I figured out the washing machine! Haha, victory is mine!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
First day of class
We had class Tuesday morning at the BIS institute (that might be wrong) on Kottbusser Damm. Maggie and I took the U-8 down there and on the way got some passport pictures of ourselves for the student ID's (mine looks alright). While waiting for an other tram we witnessed a theft; a tall, skinny guy (17 y/o?) with black hair nabbed a guys bag from under his arm and ran off. There was a brief and exciting chase scene; the guy wasn't as fast, but the kid tripped running up the stairs and it was very close. He got away in the end, but the guy didn't seem too upset, hopefully it wasn't anything particularly important.
Either way, I moved my wallet to my front pocket and carried my bag in front of me the rest of the day. I was assigned to the C-2 class, which is the most advanced one they have at the institute. It was certainly difficult (we nominalized sentences the moment I got there) but I like the classroom and the professor so I hope to not have to move down a level. She's going to give me a summarization of the last course's material so we can both decide where I'm at.
Afterwards the Hampshire group all went together to get cellphones (Handi's, as they're called here). We're using the Fonic network (9 cents a minute, including USA land lines). E-mail me if you want the telephone number.
Maggie and I went grocery shopping on the way back and got a tad bit lost, which turned out to be my fault because I was turned around immediately after getting off the train without realizing it. We got back at 6:00pm (18:00) and went to bed. This morning I woke up at 3:30 am, which is an hour later than yesterday. Slowly but surely my body is adjusting.
Either way, I moved my wallet to my front pocket and carried my bag in front of me the rest of the day. I was assigned to the C-2 class, which is the most advanced one they have at the institute. It was certainly difficult (we nominalized sentences the moment I got there) but I like the classroom and the professor so I hope to not have to move down a level. She's going to give me a summarization of the last course's material so we can both decide where I'm at.
Afterwards the Hampshire group all went together to get cellphones (Handi's, as they're called here). We're using the Fonic network (9 cents a minute, including USA land lines). E-mail me if you want the telephone number.
Maggie and I went grocery shopping on the way back and got a tad bit lost, which turned out to be my fault because I was turned around immediately after getting off the train without realizing it. We got back at 6:00pm (18:00) and went to bed. This morning I woke up at 3:30 am, which is an hour later than yesterday. Slowly but surely my body is adjusting.
Monday, January 24, 2011
An almost failed Monday, but a potentially successful Tuesday!
So my sleep schedule has been totally messed up. I've been either sleeping in until 3pm, or then staying up all night and part of next day and finally crashing, only wake up again at 10pm. Today I forced that 10pm to go on until 2:30 am though, so I'm hoping that although it's an extremely early morning, my body will last until Tuesday night (no earlier than 8:00pm) and I can finally sleep normally again. I've had such unpleasant and awful dreams in this state of mind; about being kidnapped, the zomb-ocalypse, a weird futuristic dystopia with alien snakes that slither into your body; the list goes on. And I STILL haven't bought hair conditioner, just shampoo.
I'm sure my house mate thinks I'm some belligerent zombie, we haven't shared a word since he first got here. I hope to bump into him when he wakes up.
Class starts today and I've figured out how to use the U-bahn; it's VERY convenient. I have to get ID photos before that though but there are supposed to be photo boths at some of the U-bahn stations. Afterwards I'll get a toaster oven for the kitchen and some more groceries.
All and all, I really like it here.
I'm sure my house mate thinks I'm some belligerent zombie, we haven't shared a word since he first got here. I hope to bump into him when he wakes up.
Class starts today and I've figured out how to use the U-bahn; it's VERY convenient. I have to get ID photos before that though but there are supposed to be photo boths at some of the U-bahn stations. Afterwards I'll get a toaster oven for the kitchen and some more groceries.
All and all, I really like it here.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A failed Sunday
Do to our Saturday night/Sunday morning antics, I woke up at 14:30 today, already late for our meeting at Jeff's house. I decided to try to sleep the whole day and night away, waking up early Monday morning to finally get on a German sleep schedule. Plan was foiled by the arrival of a house mate, Tobius. Nice enough guy, haven't talked to him much yet. Going to try to do that sleep now and finish my school work when I wake up. At least I have shampoo now. :)
Edit: That better not be MY bag of potato chips I hear him eating...
Edit: That better not be MY bag of potato chips I hear him eating...
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday's Schedule
Went to sleep: 8:30
Got out of bed: 14:00
Bought some groceries (they don't give you shopping bags free of charge in Germany).
Going to write my self evaluation for my Janterm class and turn in the last few things online. Need to buy some shampoo and conditioner asap. Taking the bus to visit Lindsay at 19:30.
German spoken thus far: "Hallo", "Fast alles", "Ja", und "danke".
Got out of bed: 14:00
Bought some groceries (they don't give you shopping bags free of charge in Germany).
Going to write my self evaluation for my Janterm class and turn in the last few things online. Need to buy some shampoo and conditioner asap. Taking the bus to visit Lindsay at 19:30.
German spoken thus far: "Hallo", "Fast alles", "Ja", und "danke".
Friday, January 21, 2011
First day in Berlin!
My flight from Logan airport to Teigel Airport in Berlin (connecting in London Heathrow) airport left at 6:10 on Thursday evening. I arrived in Germany at 4:30 in the morning East coast time, 10:30 in the morning Berlin time. Robert Sommer, our liaison, met up with me right after stepping out of baggage claim. We took the bus (u-bahn) to the train station, and the train (S-bahn) to a station near my apartment. A ten minute walk later, we arrived and he gave me the keys (which I have attached to my wallet out of fear of losing them) and we checked out the rooms. It has a shower, a toilet, a kitchen (with stove and refrigerator) and a washing machine (for which I am very grateful. As of yet, I am the only person living in the apartment, so I get to enjoy it all to myself for at least a few days.
After a bit of unpacking I fell asleep and woke up at 10:15 pm (or 22:15) Berlin time; so my sleeping schedule is completely screwed up. I hope to stay up all night writing some last minute items for class and unpacking. Tomorrow morning I'll go check out the area near my apartment and try to buy some detergent, shampoo and conditioner, and some groceries. I'll see about exchanging some dollars for Euros as well. At 8:00 pm (20:00) Lindsay is holding a small party at her apartment, so my adventure for the day will be figuring out the bus/train system well enough to get myself to her place. I'm a bit worried about this, as the gps on my cellphone hasn't been working since I got here and I can't rely on that to take me where I need to go.
I'll follow this post up with a quick tour of my apartment via uploaded video.
German classes start on Tuesday, und ich fülle mich bereit für den nächsten sechts Monaten nür auf Deutsch zu sprechen. (and I feel ready to speak only in German for the next six months)
After a bit of unpacking I fell asleep and woke up at 10:15 pm (or 22:15) Berlin time; so my sleeping schedule is completely screwed up. I hope to stay up all night writing some last minute items for class and unpacking. Tomorrow morning I'll go check out the area near my apartment and try to buy some detergent, shampoo and conditioner, and some groceries. I'll see about exchanging some dollars for Euros as well. At 8:00 pm (20:00) Lindsay is holding a small party at her apartment, so my adventure for the day will be figuring out the bus/train system well enough to get myself to her place. I'm a bit worried about this, as the gps on my cellphone hasn't been working since I got here and I can't rely on that to take me where I need to go.
I'll follow this post up with a quick tour of my apartment via uploaded video.
German classes start on Tuesday, und ich fülle mich bereit für den nächsten sechts Monaten nür auf Deutsch zu sprechen. (and I feel ready to speak only in German for the next six months)
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