the problem with not writing in a while is that all these events pile up and then all of a sudden, i don't know what to write about. the details of each moment get lost and it just becomes an event - i remember the time, date, what we did, but not really anything about it... which is such a pity because i was there. and if i was there and i can't even describe it, then how on earth will i be able to relay it to somebody else?
i've had a lot going through my mind these past couple of weeks, but i've been able to blurt some of it out to a few unlucky people (although blurt isn't the word i'm really going for, it's more like a dam breaking and water overflowing in which i just go on and on...whereas blurt is just, a tiny leak? i'm talking about lots and lots) ... at various times. but yeah, it feels too simplistic just to summarize it. yeah. i guess i'll just have to gloss over it for now.
i think that's the other thing with not writing for a long time, you look back on it with older eyes, and everything just seems so childish back then. but to be able to see and understand remember something from that perspective, that's pretty special i think. it helps us to relate to other people. helps us to empathize. ... i feel like people don't do that enough, they're in such a rush to be more mature (guilty) and look back on that time that it actually backfires. oops, talking about two separate things now, whatevs.
----
anyway, i'm writing down my little goals (for myself) because i can begin to feel the fire/passion start to fade... and i want to remember? to stay encouraged? to not get distracted or feel like i don't have the time?
i'm listening to the "overboard" song by ingrid michaelson. :) i was so happy when i first found it because that was how i felt people ought to be: to be strong by themselves, and then being cognizant enough to realize when to fall/bend. mmmm. it's my hopeful song. except i was watching a house ep the other day and house was telling me (ok fine, the patient, but i like to feel like he's speaking to me through them) that hope was for losers, and to actually go out and try... ok, something like that. it was the ep. with the soap opera star.
hrm, speaking of good quotes. last one. i was at a potluck yesterday and they have kids so i was flipping through their daughter's hannah montana chapter book. anyway, one of the pics had the dad giving the son advice about a girl. so the caption said, "it's not hard to say something to a girl, it's having the guts to stay something. just be yourself."
aw...it's pretty true, i think. the older you get the wiser you are as to "what to say" and "what to do." but i mean, actually having the ability to say what you really want to say, doing what you really want to do, pretty special as well. :)
it's a similar thought process to a sermon i heard by andy stanley as to change your heart. and how the way we interact with people, we know what we need to say to be accepted. but how every once in a while, when we're feeling tired and just can't hide it well, our true self comes out. and how people might say, "oh! that was so uncharacteristic of you" but well, in reality, it's just who you are but can hide.
.. hrm, although someone was pointing out that wasn't who you tried to be just every much as part of you. that was in another house ep. i think it was the one where the husband was a super nice guy and that was his symptom. i think it also had the scene where wilson rejects house for the monster truck tickets, and then kutner comes up with the metaphor (agreeing with wilson) saying it's harry potter all over. how the sorting hat wanted harry to be in slytherin but he wanted to be in gryffindor so he won.
yeah...
told you there were just a lot of random thoughts going in/out...and those weren't even any of the big issues.
ok time to study. fun? >.<.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
6 months
so 6 months ago, on april 29th (2009), i was the first of any member of the shih family to land on german, or for that matter, euroepan soil. crazy huh? it's been 6 months already, ... enough to even earn the nicknames german karen, bayern karen, ... ok fine, so i mostly named myself that heh. :)
it's just, i'm moving on... oh, so you can only live in the boardinghaus for 6 months, so as of saturday i'm being kicked out to another one of the apts. down the road. it's just a 5min. walk away, but i'm slowly washing and cleaning the apt, just like i found it. saying gbye to the sheets i've slept in for the past 6 months, the room i found solace in, usw...
>.<
it's hard to imagine. but spring semester is coming up (i register for classes this saturday), and just like that, nothing stops and i continue no... i can't wait to get back home. :)
german karen
it's just, i'm moving on... oh, so you can only live in the boardinghaus for 6 months, so as of saturday i'm being kicked out to another one of the apts. down the road. it's just a 5min. walk away, but i'm slowly washing and cleaning the apt, just like i found it. saying gbye to the sheets i've slept in for the past 6 months, the room i found solace in, usw...
>.<
it's hard to imagine. but spring semester is coming up (i register for classes this saturday), and just like that, nothing stops and i continue no... i can't wait to get back home. :)
german karen
Saturday, October 24, 2009
getting back into the beat of things
it's so curious how easy it is to fall back into things. or how easy it is to forget something that you know you should do... you know?
i stopped going on fb a couple years ago, but then some ppl from germany fb-ed me, or some ppl from home tagged me, ... and then all of a sudden i remember why it was so addicting. and good, in a way. catching up.
and i stepped away from AIM back in freshman year, but then..i realize i've been substituting that with gmail chat. i actually refused to chat on them up until a year ago, until i realized ... i was chatting on it. pretty regularly. meh, i guess i still find a way to get around it.
i guess the thought of how easy it is to get back into everything has been on my mind lately. i'm nearing the 6 month mark, and i already have less than 2 months left here at work...so i've been thinking about home. especially this week as i've been signing up for classes.
i decided to go easy and only take 14 hrs, two hard classes and 2 eeshy one. yeah. i mean, i haven't been in school for the past 3 semesters (so a year) and i wonder how easy it will be to get back into things.
i also wondered about hours-wise. i've always has trouble getting up in the morning, so i never took 9am classes if i could avoid it. but at work i have to get there at 9am, and i've been able to wake up regularly at 8:30, further so, i find that sometimes i even wake up before my alarm clock after just 7 hrs of sleep. i mean, maybe sometimes things do change. besides, i'm getting tired earlier, and can't stay up as late as i used to be able to. maybe some things do change.
oh, so i have the option, on friday, of having either:
M:: 11-12
T: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
W: 10-11, 11-12
R: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
F: 9-11, 11-12
M:: 11-12
T: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
W: 10-11, 11-12
R: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
F: 11-12, 1-3
i like the thought of being done by 12 on mwf. however, the time to wake up for all the days are a bit different - 9, 9:30, and 11.
i like the thought of not having class until 11 on friday because i have XA on thursday, so i might be up later doing hw and such. that being said, i have found out from work that i get really sleepy after lunch (or maybe it's just because i eat big lunches here), so having class after unch also does not seem to bode well.
i guess a lot of this is just about how much i've learned about myself, and i guess how much it holds true.
----
on another note, people have been telling me i look sad lately, and asking me what's the matter. i think it's just my thinking face. i mean, i've been trying to live without regret, and i haven't had any. not really. i just...think. :/ i did tell myself i would stop trying to overthink. heh... no, i didn't overthink that one. i guess i just think about other circumstances.
i don't know what i want exactly...i wonder if i ever will. probably not. i guess i'll probably stop caring about it in the future, or more like realize it's not important. but i mean, it's what i want, how can that not be important? hm, not phrasing it right...
(yeah my english has gotten considerably worse lately, must be the 6 month mark. aghhh and my typing is officially confusing because of the german keyboard as well...)
... oh i don't know. i should have just stoped with, i don't know what i want.
yeah, someone asked me what i wanted to do, or "what have you always wanted to do"... and i couldn't think of anything, i mean i thought of lots of tiny things, like eating out with mmy parents, hanging out with friends, etc. but nothing major like go visit this place, or skydive, or... anything.
gagh just blabbing now. blab blab blab... i think i said a year ago i'd try to write more poetically, hahaha. oh funny me.
i stopped going on fb a couple years ago, but then some ppl from germany fb-ed me, or some ppl from home tagged me, ... and then all of a sudden i remember why it was so addicting. and good, in a way. catching up.
and i stepped away from AIM back in freshman year, but then..i realize i've been substituting that with gmail chat. i actually refused to chat on them up until a year ago, until i realized ... i was chatting on it. pretty regularly. meh, i guess i still find a way to get around it.
i guess the thought of how easy it is to get back into everything has been on my mind lately. i'm nearing the 6 month mark, and i already have less than 2 months left here at work...so i've been thinking about home. especially this week as i've been signing up for classes.
i decided to go easy and only take 14 hrs, two hard classes and 2 eeshy one. yeah. i mean, i haven't been in school for the past 3 semesters (so a year) and i wonder how easy it will be to get back into things.
i also wondered about hours-wise. i've always has trouble getting up in the morning, so i never took 9am classes if i could avoid it. but at work i have to get there at 9am, and i've been able to wake up regularly at 8:30, further so, i find that sometimes i even wake up before my alarm clock after just 7 hrs of sleep. i mean, maybe sometimes things do change. besides, i'm getting tired earlier, and can't stay up as late as i used to be able to. maybe some things do change.
oh, so i have the option, on friday, of having either:
M:: 11-12
T: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
W: 10-11, 11-12
R: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
F: 9-11, 11-12
M:: 11-12
T: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
W: 10-11, 11-12
R: 9:30-11, 1:30-3, 3:30-5
F: 11-12, 1-3
i like the thought of being done by 12 on mwf. however, the time to wake up for all the days are a bit different - 9, 9:30, and 11.
i like the thought of not having class until 11 on friday because i have XA on thursday, so i might be up later doing hw and such. that being said, i have found out from work that i get really sleepy after lunch (or maybe it's just because i eat big lunches here), so having class after unch also does not seem to bode well.
i guess a lot of this is just about how much i've learned about myself, and i guess how much it holds true.
----
on another note, people have been telling me i look sad lately, and asking me what's the matter. i think it's just my thinking face. i mean, i've been trying to live without regret, and i haven't had any. not really. i just...think. :/ i did tell myself i would stop trying to overthink. heh... no, i didn't overthink that one. i guess i just think about other circumstances.
i don't know what i want exactly...i wonder if i ever will. probably not. i guess i'll probably stop caring about it in the future, or more like realize it's not important. but i mean, it's what i want, how can that not be important? hm, not phrasing it right...
(yeah my english has gotten considerably worse lately, must be the 6 month mark. aghhh and my typing is officially confusing because of the german keyboard as well...)
... oh i don't know. i should have just stoped with, i don't know what i want.
yeah, someone asked me what i wanted to do, or "what have you always wanted to do"... and i couldn't think of anything, i mean i thought of lots of tiny things, like eating out with mmy parents, hanging out with friends, etc. but nothing major like go visit this place, or skydive, or... anything.
gagh just blabbing now. blab blab blab... i think i said a year ago i'd try to write more poetically, hahaha. oh funny me.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
daylight savings
i used to have trouble remembering how daylight savings worked, heh... so i had a special way just for myself, based - of course - on feelings. i remember in the spring, there was always this one day that i was a little bit sadder. so of course that meant i got one hour less of sleep.
yeah, the typical: "spring forward, fall back" didn't really work, i mean, doesn't "spring back, fall forward" work just as well? i mean, people fall on their face all the time (fall forward), and who hasn't sprung back in fear when they've seen something scary? exactly.
anyway, so my german coworkers were talking about how it has been getting dark even earlier nowadays as winter approaches. i remember when i first got here during the summer it used to get dark around 9 (starting to) or 10pm (for reals) but nowadays it starts around 7 or 8pm. anyway, they said it would get even worse once we gained (?) an hour. they were saying how it gets depressing because you would go to work when it's dark (those that like to go at 7am or so...shudders...) and then you leave work and it's dark.
AH! but what happened to my memory trick? that means...means... >.<
yeah, the typical: "spring forward, fall back" didn't really work, i mean, doesn't "spring back, fall forward" work just as well? i mean, people fall on their face all the time (fall forward), and who hasn't sprung back in fear when they've seen something scary? exactly.
anyway, so my german coworkers were talking about how it has been getting dark even earlier nowadays as winter approaches. i remember when i first got here during the summer it used to get dark around 9 (starting to) or 10pm (for reals) but nowadays it starts around 7 or 8pm. anyway, they said it would get even worse once we gained (?) an hour. they were saying how it gets depressing because you would go to work when it's dark (those that like to go at 7am or so...shudders...) and then you leave work and it's dark.
AH! but what happened to my memory trick? that means...means... >.<
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
HIMYM & Glee
started watching two neat/hilarious/whacky shows: Glee & HIMYM (how i met your mother)
i think i like HIMYM because it's about a guy also looking for the love of his life, and usually it's girls doing that but this one's about a guy. aww... and neil patrick harris, haha. hilarious.
and glee, the songs. of course. that feeling you get inside. ahhh.
i think i like HIMYM because it's about a guy also looking for the love of his life, and usually it's girls doing that but this one's about a guy. aww... and neil patrick harris, haha. hilarious.
and glee, the songs. of course. that feeling you get inside. ahhh.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
house S6E1 quotes
thought-provoking house S6E1 quotes (mon, sep. 22)
- why do you think people will like you less if they know the truth?
- you gave him a moment of pure happiness (and i think to myself, how often can we say that for ourselves? that we've experienced)
- why do you value your failures more than your successes?
- ahh, house is so smooth. going from a hug to a dance. :)
-----------------
aw, i just realized my last post was my 50th!
- why do you think people will like you less if they know the truth?
- you gave him a moment of pure happiness (and i think to myself, how often can we say that for ourselves? that we've experienced)
- why do you value your failures more than your successes?
- ahh, house is so smooth. going from a hug to a dance. :)
-----------------
aw, i just realized my last post was my 50th!
Monday, September 14, 2009
spoiled
reminder: do not compare situations. relativity, ... in moderation.
anyway, i just realized i have been really spoiled. especially in keeping touch with my friends, and how, amazingly, i still am. very much. i just realized that roughly, every time i check my email (which must be ~2x a day, hah...), there is usually something new awaiting me. i mean sure i subscribe to the wiki daily article and all, but besides that ... usually a friend has emailed me back. (when everyone tries to at least once every 2 weeks it is not as difficult as it sounds, or at least that is when their rebound rates are.)
anyway, i realized this when last night i checked my email and bradley had emailed me (after a week). and this morning shune had relied back, and then tonight jonathan had replied back (after a month), it's just ... yeah. it's pretty neat! :)
so i decided that i am indeed spoiled by my friends. thanks!
and all the ppl that talk to me on gmail chat while i am work...aww... yeah i was worried i wouldn't be in the loop but i feel like --indeed-- i am still very much in it!
yay for karen's friends! (i feel like barney..didn't he say something like that?)
------------------------------------------------------------------
and new songs:
- dance with me by jimmy wayne
"dance with me, i want to be your partner can't you see?"
and comebacks:
- poetically pathetic by amber pacific
" If you ever had the chance,
Would you make your life seem right?
Or would you only hold it back,
The good times, the hard, and the bad.
Whatever you say is alright,
Just as long as there's no doubt.
Could you look me in the eye"
- gone so young by amber pacific
"I never thought that this could go
And take me away from all I know
And leave me to think I'm on my own*"
* this is so me in germany right now! woah! (!)
------------------------------------------------------------------
OH and my ultimate team rocks...grab yo pheet... oh MAN - 1st place intramurals for now. 3/3. 13 pts - 3 pts. mercy ruled. owwwwwwww!
http://gatech.imtrackonline.com/im/client/home/top_ten_list/48?last_page=sport
anyway, i just realized i have been really spoiled. especially in keeping touch with my friends, and how, amazingly, i still am. very much. i just realized that roughly, every time i check my email (which must be ~2x a day, hah...), there is usually something new awaiting me. i mean sure i subscribe to the wiki daily article and all, but besides that ... usually a friend has emailed me back. (when everyone tries to at least once every 2 weeks it is not as difficult as it sounds, or at least that is when their rebound rates are.)
anyway, i realized this when last night i checked my email and bradley had emailed me (after a week). and this morning shune had relied back, and then tonight jonathan had replied back (after a month), it's just ... yeah. it's pretty neat! :)
so i decided that i am indeed spoiled by my friends. thanks!
and all the ppl that talk to me on gmail chat while i am work...aww... yeah i was worried i wouldn't be in the loop but i feel like --indeed-- i am still very much in it!
yay for karen's friends! (i feel like barney..didn't he say something like that?)
------------------------------------------------------------------
and new songs:
- dance with me by jimmy wayne
"dance with me, i want to be your partner can't you see?"
and comebacks:
- poetically pathetic by amber pacific
" If you ever had the chance,
Would you make your life seem right?
Or would you only hold it back,
The good times, the hard, and the bad.
Whatever you say is alright,
Just as long as there's no doubt.
Could you look me in the eye"
- gone so young by amber pacific
"I never thought that this could go
And take me away from all I know
And leave me to think I'm on my own*"
* this is so me in germany right now! woah! (!)
------------------------------------------------------------------
OH and my ultimate team rocks...grab yo pheet... oh MAN - 1st place intramurals for now. 3/3. 13 pts - 3 pts. mercy ruled. owwwwwwww!
http://gatech.imtrackonline.com/im/client/home/top_ten_list/48?last_page=sport
Thursday, September 3, 2009
coping
it's been hard being over here. well i mean in the same ways i thought it would be, but you never really know to what degree you are dealing with things, until well, you do? you know? like i'm always afraid of doing things, but that's because i don't know what's in store. but then once i do it, it's really not so bad. hm, i just contradicted/counter-pointed myself.
anyway, i've been coping by watching the oc like a maniac (i'm talking 4+ episodes daily), currently on season 3. and then rereading harry potter 7. it just reminds me of home so much :)
then i go to bed exhausted, sleep immediately, go to work, and cycle continues. hmm.. yeah.
but this wknd and next will be the penzberg volksfest, and then the next next next wknd after that will be oktoberfest, so it should be nice to get out. hm, yeah.
anyway, i've been coping by watching the oc like a maniac (i'm talking 4+ episodes daily), currently on season 3. and then rereading harry potter 7. it just reminds me of home so much :)
then i go to bed exhausted, sleep immediately, go to work, and cycle continues. hmm.. yeah.
but this wknd and next will be the penzberg volksfest, and then the next next next wknd after that will be oktoberfest, so it should be nice to get out. hm, yeah.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
heart bursts
i read these emails, and i don't know how else to explain it, but my heart bursts, it is just filled -overwhelms- with, love/fondness/sadness/pride/longing/fondness/etc...
------------------------
Swing Class!, Aug. 22
------------------------
Starts Sept. 13, Sun. from 4-5PM (beginner) and 5-6PM (intermediate)...anyone? Early registration until Sept. 11...
http://www.fun.gatech.edu/options
------------------------
practice grabbing them pheet-ahs, Aug. 25
------------------------
please note that september 13th, we're playing two matches:
sunday aug 30 -- vs mario brothers (2 pm)
sunday sep 13 -- vs theta chi independent (2 pm)
sunday sep 13 -- vs choppers (lambda chi) (11 pm)
sunday sep 20 -- vs big cuddly men (2 pm) --> you'd think there would only be one big cuddly man... and that would be me... i know graydon agrees.
sunday sep 27 -- vs navigators (2 pm)
these really are some of the loves of my life.
------------------------
Swing Class!, Aug. 22
------------------------
Starts Sept. 13, Sun. from 4-5PM (beginner) and 5-6PM (intermediate)...anyone? Early registration until Sept. 11...
http://www.fun.gatech.edu/options
------------------------
practice grabbing them pheet-ahs, Aug. 25
------------------------
please note that september 13th, we're playing two matches:
sunday aug 30 -- vs mario brothers (2 pm)
sunday sep 13 -- vs theta chi independent (2 pm)
sunday sep 13 -- vs choppers (lambda chi) (11 pm)
sunday sep 20 -- vs big cuddly men (2 pm) --> you'd think there would only be one big cuddly man... and that would be me... i know graydon agrees.
sunday sep 27 -- vs navigators (2 pm)
these really are some of the loves of my life.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
(so) far away...
sometimes i'm so bothered that i'm miles (plus an ocean, or even...nautical miles, if that is more than the land miles) away from everybody. i feel like i'm falling behind as everybody (or fine, just the people in my year) prepare to graduate, are looking for jobs, etc... while i just, put life on a standstill and spend the rest of my time in germany. you know, being in no hurry to graduate, to get a job, to get back to ... my "real life," or "life as i know it?"
:sigh:
but i still wouldn't change a thing. i wonder what that says.
:sigh:
but i still wouldn't change a thing. i wonder what that says.
Monday, August 17, 2009
what's truly embarassing
so the following thoughts have also been swimming around in my head for quite some time. i wanted to wait until i had more time to write it more poetically, or fine, just coherently, but like i tried to explain below, i feel like it just might burst so i'm going to go out with it
i've been mulling over what's truly embarassing, and how what embarasses us shows a lot of who we are. are we embarassed about the clothes we wear? what we look like? or how much better off we are than some people? hurting other people's feelings? everyone staring at you? (hmm..i remember having better examples)
i guess i remember mostly when i was young, playing truth or dare, and if you chose truth, you asked the most embarassing question you could think of, which was almost always - who do you like?
and it's just, why should we be embarassed about that? liking someone? who we like should be someone we're proud to show off, someone who matches/meshes with us well/like us (and how often do we admit we're ashamed of ourselves). besides, loving someone is rather beautiful, and truly liking/loving someone, rather rare. i don't see anything embarassing about that.
on another hand, dishing out nasty insults about people. i think that's pretty embarassing, i don't want people to see that side of me, and i try to, hm, "modify my heart." and yet, we do that all the time, as if we're not really ashamed of it.
yeah, just some thoughts. it's such an interesting topic, i wish i had had more time to mull things over but it has been weeks now and nothing new has cropped up.
i've been mulling over what's truly embarassing, and how what embarasses us shows a lot of who we are. are we embarassed about the clothes we wear? what we look like? or how much better off we are than some people? hurting other people's feelings? everyone staring at you? (hmm..i remember having better examples)
i guess i remember mostly when i was young, playing truth or dare, and if you chose truth, you asked the most embarassing question you could think of, which was almost always - who do you like?
and it's just, why should we be embarassed about that? liking someone? who we like should be someone we're proud to show off, someone who matches/meshes with us well/like us (and how often do we admit we're ashamed of ourselves). besides, loving someone is rather beautiful, and truly liking/loving someone, rather rare. i don't see anything embarassing about that.
on another hand, dishing out nasty insults about people. i think that's pretty embarassing, i don't want people to see that side of me, and i try to, hm, "modify my heart." and yet, we do that all the time, as if we're not really ashamed of it.
yeah, just some thoughts. it's such an interesting topic, i wish i had had more time to mull things over but it has been weeks now and nothing new has cropped up.
fortunate son
heh... well i am a daughter, and sister, not a sun, but as far as i know CCR did not write a song about fortunate daughter/sister, so in order to make the title kind of cool, fortunate son it is! except the song is about the war, and i just wanted to write "fortunate"
hm..maybe it should just be: i feel fortunate/priviledged
----------------
so recently (even before i came to germany), i've had this feeling that i am just really lucky. and rich too. (not in the monetary sense, well, that too, but that's not what i mean.) it's just i've never really had to worry about anything, having money for food, clothes, even school. not really. it's always been, self-imposed.
hmm, this thought seemed so much larger in my head. the can' contain-all-of-it-and-must-write-down-now-for-fear-of-forgetting-everything. you know? the feeling you get when you have a dream once you wake up in the morning and you have to hurry and have to remember your dream before you do anything else or else you'll forget it? (i have this thing about how you forget your dreams once you use the bathroom.) and goodness knows how big your bladder actually is. well, i'm asian and a women so it probably is a lot bigger than mine.
hm..maybe it should just be: i feel fortunate/priviledged
----------------
so recently (even before i came to germany), i've had this feeling that i am just really lucky. and rich too. (not in the monetary sense, well, that too, but that's not what i mean.) it's just i've never really had to worry about anything, having money for food, clothes, even school. not really. it's always been, self-imposed.
hmm, this thought seemed so much larger in my head. the can' contain-all-of-it-and-must-write-down-now-for-fear-of-forgetting-everything. you know? the feeling you get when you have a dream once you wake up in the morning and you have to hurry and have to remember your dream before you do anything else or else you'll forget it? (i have this thing about how you forget your dreams once you use the bathroom.) and goodness knows how big your bladder actually is. well, i'm asian and a women so it probably is a lot bigger than mine.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
German Letter 3
Gruß dich! (Greetings to you)
So…I guess a good bit of you are preparing to go back to school soon, I know that the techies go back tomorrow. o.O Wow, I guess the summer really has passed by quickly (sehr schnell!). I mean, for me it’s just another weekend but I guess that’s what happens when you start working. Or at least kind of, for me. It doesn’t really seem like working, just, going into lab for another long day. Which is typical of school…except with everyone speaking pretty good English. Heh, anyway.
Hi again! Yep, still here in Germany. I was looking over the dates with my boss on Friday (how long I had been here, and how long I still have left) and I have been here for 3.5 months, with another 4 months to go. Halfway there. Oh boy.
I’ve never done a short internship before, or at least, without the intention of going back, so I really don’t know how people just do 2 or 3 month internships. I mean, I’m finally making real progress, and able to stack experiments back to back. And it took, I’d say, 2-3 months. (Hm…albeit if it was in the US learning the equipment it might have shortened the time considerably.)
I understand why people were always looking for co-ops now. Well I mean I always understood before, but now I understand, more fully? Haha. Well my boss (and his boss) seem excited, that’s to say the least, that I will still be here for a while. I guess it’s because I’m not working on the same projects as them, so while they all have deadlines to fulfill, I just get to do basic research, and experiment with whatever variables whereas they have to, …hm, do their job? :P
So work is good. I really like what I’m doing. (So because some of you have asked.) Quick briefing/overview without giving away too many secrets :P. Still working in downstream processing (purifying your product). I’ve been lipidizing ( adding lipids) protein (apolipoproteinA-1, aka apoA-1) in the hopes of creating HDL (high desity lipoprotein, good cholesterol, takes fatty deposits and excretes it). The hope is to be able to inject this into people with a high risk for cardiovascular diseases and decrease the fatty deposits in their blood vessels.
So my work has to do with creating HDL and then purifying it. (usually the starting material I get is pretty dirty, or unpure, nothing you want to put into a human body.) The main method being chromatography (separating different liquids). It’s pretty cool because I had never worked with chromatography before, and only briefly knew the concept. Anyway, I’ve been playing around with variables like: lipid:protein ratio, incubation time, diff. columns, etc. Each “experiment” takes about 3 or so days, and then depending on how much I want to purify it, could take a total of around a week.
But like I said, I’ve learned to stack my experiments, deeming me quite useful. Plus I get to listen to music which always makes the time go by fast when I need to read articles. I found out on Thursday and Friday though that they blocked gmail which makes time go by … considerably slower. I’m hoping it’s just the computer I was on though, and that maybe on Monday the restriction will be lifted, … I hope.
So for the rest of the day, what have I been doing in the tiny town of Penzberg. Hm, not sure. Time has been going by fast though. I feel like I rarely ever have time to do things, but that may be because I recently hm… how to phrase this … found my American outlet? Haha. So my friend showed me his tv/movie collection, and I have been busy catching up on: Season 1 of OC, Season 4 and 5 of House. Plus I have been borrowing some books from people, and have caught up on Twilight Book 4, and Harry Potter Book 6 and 7. It’s been great. Plus movies to watch.
But besides that, I’ve been out and about. (Although, sadly, I only have 5 more vacation days left, and have 3 days of train travel left on my German Rail Pass. I’ve been looking at tickets for England and they are around 100+ for sometime in November so that I think is about 70% certain. Not sure where else.)
- 4 days in Valencia, Spain
- 5 days in Nice & Cannes, France (1 day in Monaco)
Since I live so close to Munich, then I get to go to nearby places like Salzburg (Austria) and Fueseen (where Schloss Neuschwanstein, the orig. Disney-like castle) quite easily. I’ve been to Berlin twice, Aachen (west Germany) to visit Leslie. Perhaps someday to Dresden (east Germany) to visit Leon. And of course soon Jorge will be in Zurich so have to go visit him as well.
For pictures of trips please visit: picassa.com/lilkarenn
Ohhh, and while I was in Nice, I was rooming in a hostel with an Australian and New Zealander and I got my first taste of vegemite. O.O is what I have to say, hard to describe, like salty, solidified soy paste. I always wanted to try it ever since I heard it in the Land Down Under song, hehe. I’m glad I get to experience so many different cultures while I’m here, I’ve been very ignorant of the European cultures untilj/still now.
Hmm, I still can’t speak German. I don’t really count simple sentences when it takes me 30 seconds to think of one. I feel like I just don’t know enough verbs yet, and honestly, how often do you use … I don’t Know, eat or drink. Hm, okay a lot but still. Maybe it’s time to have more convos with myself and just try to translate that to German. But, I can read it OK, lots of lucky guesswork. I still hope I will be able to speak it by the time I get back. If anything, I’ll take classes when I get back so at least not all will be lost.
Yeah, I’m getting held back a lot by the vocabulary. And the desire to speak with perfect grammar which is easier said than done. First of all, all the nouns have a gender (masculine, feminie, neutral), which is one more than Spanish (masculine, feminine). Then after that, you have to remember their plural forms. In English we have only one (kind of two, I guess). Most nouns because plural with just a simple –(e)s. In Chinese I don’t even think we have one. (That’s ok, we get them with the tones haha.) But in German, there are 8! Acht! (ahhhh….hahahha.)
Plus I’m learning about the different kinds of err….sentences, idk. It’s easier to understand texts and dialogues now, because I don’t have to worry about the verb order. E.g. The imperative (command) form is the same as in the infinitive (not conjugated) for the Polite he/she/it, but the order of the pronoun changes, which is how you can tell whether it’s a command or sentence. Or maybe you just bark the order out. Heh.
That being said, I am kind of learning German from friends. I have two friends that I take turns have German/English and German/Chinese lessons with. Pretty neat huh? I feel so bilingual (even though I am well on my way to becoming quad-llingual)! Hee… There’s Holger who wants to improve his English (it’s pretty good I think, except for certain unused phrases that he just needs to get rid of, no accent really.), so whenever we meet we just talk about idioms and such, commonly used phrases. And then there’s Michael (pronounced Mik-ha-el) who wants to learn Chinese so that is starting completing from scratch although he tried studying from a book earlier before so he knows bits and pieces, but has trouble connecting relationships, which is what I’m here for!
It’s a funny thing about languages, and hearing what they think is appropriate English. A lot of times people will say to me, “let’s make an appointment at 18:00 at the café” or “make a picture.” Or hearing people translate Oktoberfest into “pi jiu party.” (Chinese for beer party). Hmmm. Ja. It’s kind of contagious though, I find that my English is slipping a lot of timesf, and I have trouble recalling words. >.<
I … hate when some things are lost in translation. I was watching the Simpsons in German, and they did not copy Homer’s D’OH over. I was pretty shocked, I mean, that has to be the trademark of the Simpsons but it was just..I don’t know what it was, because I didn’t hear it. Blegh.
Hmm, I am used to typing on the German keyboard now? Although, it has kind of affected my typing at home on my laptop (whoa did I just refer to Germany as home? In a way, it kind of is, my 3rd home, tech would be 2nd). Yeah… so now I make a few mistakes on my German keyboard, and a few mistakes on my English keyboard. Oh man, I was typing an email on my friend, Celine’s keyboard, and it was French. Oh that one is so messed up. The a is all the way on the 1st row (? The one above the home key row) where the Q usually is … and and … the M was on the main row. Simply awful. I’ve gotten used to the Y and Z mix-up on the German keyboard though.
OHHHH! Neat neat fact. Did you know that when er, some words that look like the same as their English counterpart but do/don’t mean the same, occurs in German as well. It happened all the time in Spanish and most other romantic languages I imagine (I forgot the word…I keep thinking conjugate but I don’t think it is. Maybe cognate….grr…) So this is seen most neatly with the cardinal numbers. Oh dude! And North American and Brit English have different meanings for the numbers!
Interesting German Cardinal Numbers - Numbers over 1 000 000
German N. America English Brit English
1 000 000 (1E6) eine Million One million One million
1 000 000 000 (1E9) eine Milliarde One billion A thousand million
1 000 000 000 000 (1E12) eine Billion One trilllion One billion
The million and billion is different! So cool. Well, if you know it’s cool, and since you read my emails, then you do know!
Oh dude I have to go back to the german keyboard again. So I am really proud that I know certain shortcuts in German, hehee! Yes they’ different. Okay well not the vital ones like ctrl+x,c,v,y,z, but the next important ones like bold and underline! Nein, not the same! To bold is ctrl + shift + F (yeah they put too many shortcuts on the keyboard so they have to go into overdrive with ctrl + shift), and italitcs is ctrl + shift + K. and…. Underline is still U. I forgot what the german word for bold (F---) and italitcs (K----) are, but I know the shortcut works. Hehe.
OK that’s enough for now. I miss you all, and think of you often. Let me know how you’re doing
Mit freundlichen Grüßen (with friendly greetings).
Karen
So…I guess a good bit of you are preparing to go back to school soon, I know that the techies go back tomorrow. o.O Wow, I guess the summer really has passed by quickly (sehr schnell!). I mean, for me it’s just another weekend but I guess that’s what happens when you start working. Or at least kind of, for me. It doesn’t really seem like working, just, going into lab for another long day. Which is typical of school…except with everyone speaking pretty good English. Heh, anyway.
Hi again! Yep, still here in Germany. I was looking over the dates with my boss on Friday (how long I had been here, and how long I still have left) and I have been here for 3.5 months, with another 4 months to go. Halfway there. Oh boy.
I’ve never done a short internship before, or at least, without the intention of going back, so I really don’t know how people just do 2 or 3 month internships. I mean, I’m finally making real progress, and able to stack experiments back to back. And it took, I’d say, 2-3 months. (Hm…albeit if it was in the US learning the equipment it might have shortened the time considerably.)
I understand why people were always looking for co-ops now. Well I mean I always understood before, but now I understand, more fully? Haha. Well my boss (and his boss) seem excited, that’s to say the least, that I will still be here for a while. I guess it’s because I’m not working on the same projects as them, so while they all have deadlines to fulfill, I just get to do basic research, and experiment with whatever variables whereas they have to, …hm, do their job? :P
So work is good. I really like what I’m doing. (So because some of you have asked.) Quick briefing/overview without giving away too many secrets :P. Still working in downstream processing (purifying your product). I’ve been lipidizing ( adding lipids) protein (apolipoproteinA-1, aka apoA-1) in the hopes of creating HDL (high desity lipoprotein, good cholesterol, takes fatty deposits and excretes it). The hope is to be able to inject this into people with a high risk for cardiovascular diseases and decrease the fatty deposits in their blood vessels.
So my work has to do with creating HDL and then purifying it. (usually the starting material I get is pretty dirty, or unpure, nothing you want to put into a human body.) The main method being chromatography (separating different liquids). It’s pretty cool because I had never worked with chromatography before, and only briefly knew the concept. Anyway, I’ve been playing around with variables like: lipid:protein ratio, incubation time, diff. columns, etc. Each “experiment” takes about 3 or so days, and then depending on how much I want to purify it, could take a total of around a week.
But like I said, I’ve learned to stack my experiments, deeming me quite useful. Plus I get to listen to music which always makes the time go by fast when I need to read articles. I found out on Thursday and Friday though that they blocked gmail which makes time go by … considerably slower. I’m hoping it’s just the computer I was on though, and that maybe on Monday the restriction will be lifted, … I hope.
So for the rest of the day, what have I been doing in the tiny town of Penzberg. Hm, not sure. Time has been going by fast though. I feel like I rarely ever have time to do things, but that may be because I recently hm… how to phrase this … found my American outlet? Haha. So my friend showed me his tv/movie collection, and I have been busy catching up on: Season 1 of OC, Season 4 and 5 of House. Plus I have been borrowing some books from people, and have caught up on Twilight Book 4, and Harry Potter Book 6 and 7. It’s been great. Plus movies to watch.
But besides that, I’ve been out and about. (Although, sadly, I only have 5 more vacation days left, and have 3 days of train travel left on my German Rail Pass. I’ve been looking at tickets for England and they are around 100+ for sometime in November so that I think is about 70% certain. Not sure where else.)
- 4 days in Valencia, Spain
- 5 days in Nice & Cannes, France (1 day in Monaco)
Since I live so close to Munich, then I get to go to nearby places like Salzburg (Austria) and Fueseen (where Schloss Neuschwanstein, the orig. Disney-like castle) quite easily. I’ve been to Berlin twice, Aachen (west Germany) to visit Leslie. Perhaps someday to Dresden (east Germany) to visit Leon. And of course soon Jorge will be in Zurich so have to go visit him as well.
For pictures of trips please visit: picassa.com/lilkarenn
Ohhh, and while I was in Nice, I was rooming in a hostel with an Australian and New Zealander and I got my first taste of vegemite. O.O is what I have to say, hard to describe, like salty, solidified soy paste. I always wanted to try it ever since I heard it in the Land Down Under song, hehe. I’m glad I get to experience so many different cultures while I’m here, I’ve been very ignorant of the European cultures untilj/still now.
Hmm, I still can’t speak German. I don’t really count simple sentences when it takes me 30 seconds to think of one. I feel like I just don’t know enough verbs yet, and honestly, how often do you use … I don’t Know, eat or drink. Hm, okay a lot but still. Maybe it’s time to have more convos with myself and just try to translate that to German. But, I can read it OK, lots of lucky guesswork. I still hope I will be able to speak it by the time I get back. If anything, I’ll take classes when I get back so at least not all will be lost.
Yeah, I’m getting held back a lot by the vocabulary. And the desire to speak with perfect grammar which is easier said than done. First of all, all the nouns have a gender (masculine, feminie, neutral), which is one more than Spanish (masculine, feminine). Then after that, you have to remember their plural forms. In English we have only one (kind of two, I guess). Most nouns because plural with just a simple –(e)s. In Chinese I don’t even think we have one. (That’s ok, we get them with the tones haha.) But in German, there are 8! Acht! (ahhhh….hahahha.)
Plus I’m learning about the different kinds of err….sentences, idk. It’s easier to understand texts and dialogues now, because I don’t have to worry about the verb order. E.g. The imperative (command) form is the same as in the infinitive (not conjugated) for the Polite he/she/it, but the order of the pronoun changes, which is how you can tell whether it’s a command or sentence. Or maybe you just bark the order out. Heh.
That being said, I am kind of learning German from friends. I have two friends that I take turns have German/English and German/Chinese lessons with. Pretty neat huh? I feel so bilingual (even though I am well on my way to becoming quad-llingual)! Hee… There’s Holger who wants to improve his English (it’s pretty good I think, except for certain unused phrases that he just needs to get rid of, no accent really.), so whenever we meet we just talk about idioms and such, commonly used phrases. And then there’s Michael (pronounced Mik-ha-el) who wants to learn Chinese so that is starting completing from scratch although he tried studying from a book earlier before so he knows bits and pieces, but has trouble connecting relationships, which is what I’m here for!
It’s a funny thing about languages, and hearing what they think is appropriate English. A lot of times people will say to me, “let’s make an appointment at 18:00 at the café” or “make a picture.” Or hearing people translate Oktoberfest into “pi jiu party.” (Chinese for beer party). Hmmm. Ja. It’s kind of contagious though, I find that my English is slipping a lot of timesf, and I have trouble recalling words. >.<
I … hate when some things are lost in translation. I was watching the Simpsons in German, and they did not copy Homer’s D’OH over. I was pretty shocked, I mean, that has to be the trademark of the Simpsons but it was just..I don’t know what it was, because I didn’t hear it. Blegh.
Hmm, I am used to typing on the German keyboard now? Although, it has kind of affected my typing at home on my laptop (whoa did I just refer to Germany as home? In a way, it kind of is, my 3rd home, tech would be 2nd). Yeah… so now I make a few mistakes on my German keyboard, and a few mistakes on my English keyboard. Oh man, I was typing an email on my friend, Celine’s keyboard, and it was French. Oh that one is so messed up. The a is all the way on the 1st row (? The one above the home key row) where the Q usually is … and and … the M was on the main row. Simply awful. I’ve gotten used to the Y and Z mix-up on the German keyboard though.
OHHHH! Neat neat fact. Did you know that when er, some words that look like the same as their English counterpart but do/don’t mean the same, occurs in German as well. It happened all the time in Spanish and most other romantic languages I imagine (I forgot the word…I keep thinking conjugate but I don’t think it is. Maybe cognate….grr…) So this is seen most neatly with the cardinal numbers. Oh dude! And North American and Brit English have different meanings for the numbers!
Interesting German Cardinal Numbers - Numbers over 1 000 000
German N. America English Brit English
1 000 000 (1E6) eine Million One million One million
1 000 000 000 (1E9) eine Milliarde One billion A thousand million
1 000 000 000 000 (1E12) eine Billion One trilllion One billion
The million and billion is different! So cool. Well, if you know it’s cool, and since you read my emails, then you do know!
Oh dude I have to go back to the german keyboard again. So I am really proud that I know certain shortcuts in German, hehee! Yes they’ different. Okay well not the vital ones like ctrl+x,c,v,y,z, but the next important ones like bold and underline! Nein, not the same! To bold is ctrl + shift + F (yeah they put too many shortcuts on the keyboard so they have to go into overdrive with ctrl + shift), and italitcs is ctrl + shift + K. and…. Underline is still U. I forgot what the german word for bold (F---) and italitcs (K----) are, but I know the shortcut works. Hehe.
OK that’s enough for now. I miss you all, and think of you often. Let me know how you’re doing
Mit freundlichen Grüßen (with friendly greetings).
Karen
Saturday, August 8, 2009
traveling
Hm, I don't think I am much of a traveler. More of a vacationer. I miss the comforts of home (aka clean toilet and home-cooked food) too much.
I don't know how these kiddos go traveling for months at a time, a week is almost too much for me!
I see now why my parents never went traveling much after their 30s, or well, I guess they did for the kids. But like them, I'll probably do the same, and be done with traveling for a while.....maybe. Haha.
I also think all the touristy places seem the same after a while. Maybe that is why people go to museums because that is one of the few things unique to an area. But I don't think I really like them, I don't really appreciate it. Hm, maybe after I take some art history/musical composition/etc. classes. Yes, another thing to do when I get back.
I don't know how these kiddos go traveling for months at a time, a week is almost too much for me!
I see now why my parents never went traveling much after their 30s, or well, I guess they did for the kids. But like them, I'll probably do the same, and be done with traveling for a while.....maybe. Haha.
I also think all the touristy places seem the same after a while. Maybe that is why people go to museums because that is one of the few things unique to an area. But I don't think I really like them, I don't really appreciate it. Hm, maybe after I take some art history/musical composition/etc. classes. Yes, another thing to do when I get back.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
before my birthday
So this is my last night before I enter adulthood (well, in the US that is. Hehe so ironic because I’m not even in the US … but I feel like the rules still apply). But yeah 21. Born in 1988. Who would’ve thought my time would come now. Tonight. (and 6 hours early.)
So all I can think about right now is how I’ve grown since living abroad. Not knowing anybody (and thus relying just on myself) has allowed me to meet so many different kinds of people. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
And because I can’t just go hang out with the people I would normally do If I get lonely or tired, I’ve hade to make new friends. Start all over again. It’s like back to elementary school, all the tough lessons that you had to learn back then, all over again. (Another lesson, to hopefully never forget how hard something is, what it was like to see something through those eyes – in wonder and awe – to empathize with others…)
The people I’ve met, I see reoccurring characteristics with the friends I have back home. With a different twist of course (synergy), but still the same qualities I admire. It’s allowed me to see what kinds of people I connect with the best.
And allow me to see what I really like and don’t like. It lets me see who I want to be like, and what kind of person I want to be with.
Different role models too. There are different kinds of people that I admire now too. They’re still the same qualities, just, I have higher standards now?
I think they’re atypical admirable qualities too. Like the way people view/approach life. Just the way some people see it, always something to laugh at. I admire that. Their ability to connect with strangers. To find some kind of common group. I hope I can do that as well.
Also, the women here too. Well, I guess this is just the international women that I eat lunch with. They’re post-docs and idk if they completed it here or back in their home country, but I’ve gotten the chance to meet what I would call strong, independent women. I hope I can be like them.
That is one of the things I wanted to be more of (independent, strong) when I came abroad, and I’m glad to have gotten the chance to meet some. They kind of just plow through. I feel like they had to be strong to have made it thus far, and be brave.
Hm, I don’t think I’ll ever lose (nor do I want to) my ability to think about others (almost too much I feel like), or “considerate” as I like to think about it. But now I can finally start to teeter towards the balance I’ve always wanted. To know my own mind, and yet, be aware of others as well.
For example, I was always proud of my ability to adapt. I think that’s why I work so well in small groups, especially 1-1. Because then I could focus all my attention on the person, on making them comfortable and being able to pick up on little details.
Or even in groups, if they needed a leader, I could lead. But if someone wanted to play leader, then I could play the good follower that did everything was asked. I always….saw what people needed, and then filled the spot.
But I don’t think that’s too good. I see now that I should have my own mind. I should go ahead and lead anyway, but that doesn’t mean I can’t follow as well. I’m not sure how clear that is, and it’s hard to be more specific without already giving an example.
Hrm, I’m listening to “The Wizard and I” now from the Wicked OST. I used to feel that way about going to Germany and life in general. (Perhaps that’s why I love it so.)
“When I meet the wizard
Once I prove my worth
When I meet the wizard
What I’ve waited for since, since birth
[…]
Once I’m with the wizard
My whole life will change
Because once you’re with the wizard
No one thinks you’re strange
[…]
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true the vision’s hazy
But I’m sure someday there’ll be a celebration
Throughout oz, that has to do with me
And I’ll stand there with the wizard
Feeling things I never felt
And though I’d never show it
I could be so happy I could melt
And so it will be for the rest of my life
And I’ll want nothing else until I die
[…] ”
I feel like I used to feel that way about life. I was waiting for something greater, and that after I proved myself and became better it would come to me. I think I mentioned this in an earlier post, how I realized sometime ago that I should increase confidence by what I already had, not what I needed to have.
I don’t know what I’m trying to say anymore, heh. I guess just being here has allowed me to see things so differently. And I always thought of myself as open-minded before, y’know?
I guess I am finally seeing now that my life is just beginning. I just have to remember to be open-minded and not afraid. I used to be afraid of so many things when I was little, even before I came, even now. But I really mustn’t be because that stops me from truly, living, and I don’t ever want to do that. So cheers to a fulfilling life that is just beginning!
So all I can think about right now is how I’ve grown since living abroad. Not knowing anybody (and thus relying just on myself) has allowed me to meet so many different kinds of people. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
And because I can’t just go hang out with the people I would normally do If I get lonely or tired, I’ve hade to make new friends. Start all over again. It’s like back to elementary school, all the tough lessons that you had to learn back then, all over again. (Another lesson, to hopefully never forget how hard something is, what it was like to see something through those eyes – in wonder and awe – to empathize with others…)
The people I’ve met, I see reoccurring characteristics with the friends I have back home. With a different twist of course (synergy), but still the same qualities I admire. It’s allowed me to see what kinds of people I connect with the best.
And allow me to see what I really like and don’t like. It lets me see who I want to be like, and what kind of person I want to be with.
Different role models too. There are different kinds of people that I admire now too. They’re still the same qualities, just, I have higher standards now?
I think they’re atypical admirable qualities too. Like the way people view/approach life. Just the way some people see it, always something to laugh at. I admire that. Their ability to connect with strangers. To find some kind of common group. I hope I can do that as well.
Also, the women here too. Well, I guess this is just the international women that I eat lunch with. They’re post-docs and idk if they completed it here or back in their home country, but I’ve gotten the chance to meet what I would call strong, independent women. I hope I can be like them.
That is one of the things I wanted to be more of (independent, strong) when I came abroad, and I’m glad to have gotten the chance to meet some. They kind of just plow through. I feel like they had to be strong to have made it thus far, and be brave.
Hm, I don’t think I’ll ever lose (nor do I want to) my ability to think about others (almost too much I feel like), or “considerate” as I like to think about it. But now I can finally start to teeter towards the balance I’ve always wanted. To know my own mind, and yet, be aware of others as well.
For example, I was always proud of my ability to adapt. I think that’s why I work so well in small groups, especially 1-1. Because then I could focus all my attention on the person, on making them comfortable and being able to pick up on little details.
Or even in groups, if they needed a leader, I could lead. But if someone wanted to play leader, then I could play the good follower that did everything was asked. I always….saw what people needed, and then filled the spot.
But I don’t think that’s too good. I see now that I should have my own mind. I should go ahead and lead anyway, but that doesn’t mean I can’t follow as well. I’m not sure how clear that is, and it’s hard to be more specific without already giving an example.
Hrm, I’m listening to “The Wizard and I” now from the Wicked OST. I used to feel that way about going to Germany and life in general. (Perhaps that’s why I love it so.)
“When I meet the wizard
Once I prove my worth
When I meet the wizard
What I’ve waited for since, since birth
[…]
Once I’m with the wizard
My whole life will change
Because once you’re with the wizard
No one thinks you’re strange
[…]
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true the vision’s hazy
But I’m sure someday there’ll be a celebration
Throughout oz, that has to do with me
And I’ll stand there with the wizard
Feeling things I never felt
And though I’d never show it
I could be so happy I could melt
And so it will be for the rest of my life
And I’ll want nothing else until I die
[…] ”
I feel like I used to feel that way about life. I was waiting for something greater, and that after I proved myself and became better it would come to me. I think I mentioned this in an earlier post, how I realized sometime ago that I should increase confidence by what I already had, not what I needed to have.
I don’t know what I’m trying to say anymore, heh. I guess just being here has allowed me to see things so differently. And I always thought of myself as open-minded before, y’know?
I guess I am finally seeing now that my life is just beginning. I just have to remember to be open-minded and not afraid. I used to be afraid of so many things when I was little, even before I came, even now. But I really mustn’t be because that stops me from truly, living, and I don’t ever want to do that. So cheers to a fulfilling life that is just beginning!
German Letter 2
Hi Americans,
I can hardly believe I’ve been in Germany for a month as of tomorrow. Yikes! 1 down, 7 more to go I s’pose.
Also, thanks to everybody for the nice messages. I really enjoy hearing from all of you. In response to people’s questions, and just telling about my day … read on …
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Culture Shocks – English Language
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So one of the cutest things is how anything “American” or “English” is so cool and hip. [Aw, Germans]. They love listening to English music (any type, whatever is on the radio which really is a mix of so many genres and time periods). As in I hear Lady Gaga and then the next song is backstreet boys…and then some oldies … and then cher … so far, no rap. Guess that’s too fast, even for me.
So they take/use a lot of words that apparently they think American use but as you all know, not really, e.g.
Handy = cell phone or mobile phone
Beamer = projector
Also, I love how they say certain things that aren’t really incorrect, but just sounds weird in context. I don’t like correcting it because it makes me smile (aw, Germans) but apparently they want to be know what Americans say, e.g.
Water with gas or bubbles = mineral water, carbonated
Take holiday = take time off work, vacation [“Karen, you take holiday Friday?]
And last but not least, when something is in German and I don’t want to bother people, I just copy/paste the whole thing into Google Translate, I get the following translations:
Overnight translates to as night approaches [aghahha…This was for overnight experiments. But instead Google wrote it as, the experiment will run as the night approaches]
Beware of chemical cabinet translates to beware of poison cabinet (err… o.O)
Tie back long hair translates to avoid long hair (hehe, my boss was like, hah, do they want you to go to the hairdresser or something?)
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Friends
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So when I came to Germany I didn’t know anybody. Well, my boss counts I guess. But I’ve actually made a fair bit of friends. Living in the boardinghaus has helped (although I can only stay for 6 months). From there, I met Stefanie, Thomas, holger, and Christoffer. Those I talk to the most.
And then at work I sit with the international gang. So it’s a pretty diverse group. Marek comes from Poland. Hillary and I come from the US (she’s from utah). Lucia and guilo are from italy. Kristina is from hungary. Danielle and anton are from slovakia. Etc… there’s probably a good bit of us, maybe 10+ or so. Oh yeah, nina and christoffer are from Sweden. Ok now etc…
And then there is my friend simonette from german class. If I haven’t mentioned this before, we don’t share a common language. She can speak French and a bit of german. So I’ve actually learned the most german from her although we don’t talk that much. We usually say the same things over and over again, or we can point at things and laugh. It’s kind of nice actually, how you can still be friends even if you can’t talk about say, work. :P
Hehee…
So we were riding her bike to german class. (I don’t have a bike), and since she’s smaller than me, I pedal and then she just sits on the back. So we have little jokes.
For example, I was going up the hill, I stopped, looked at her, made this big pregnant/fatter sign/noise, and pointed to her, to ask if she grew fatter this weekend because it was harder than normal. (I pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead.)
Hehe, or like, sometimes I’ll ask her if it’s comfortable riding, or if it’s okay (Gut?) and then she’ll reassure me by saying “super or sehr gut (very good).” So one day she was saying, “super…super…” and then I mock-complained, “simonette super super…. Karen mude.” (Karen tired) because she was just bumming a ride off of me while I had to pedal. Hehe, we had a good laugh over that one.
(I can’t form sentences yet so I can only say nouns.)
Or like whenever we pass by a shop window and we see our reflection, we say “tschuss Karen! Ciao!” hehe, we’re just very silly around each other.
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Their English
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So I love it.
I mentioned before, some of the things they say, but it’s just so … hrm, amusing. Their diction (choice of words).
So for example, marek (guy from hungary) was describing his weekend where he was outdoors watching birds and he forgot to put on sunscreen so he got sunburned, except he described it as, …
“ so I was busy watching the birds and then I realize I forgot to bring sunscreen and then … disaster.”
Ahahahhhaa… idk why I found it so funny, that he would describe it as disaster. Maybe it just sounded so much more dramatic. Like they don’t describe things properly, they either exaggerate or underemphasize things I guess because it’s whatever word comes to mind first.
Oh, and today, krisztina (from hungary) was describing something and I just found it hilarious (tears out of my eyes). I’ll try.
So somehow we got to talking about how there weren’t any bears in germany and then krisztina started talking about how there were bears in hungary (as with bees, and uhh… deer…something else), but no trees. And then she does this little dialogue:
A: what is that? :quizzical expression:
B: I think I have seen it before…on tv. I think it is a tree!
A: Oh!
A: OHHH… :AH, disgusted look: CUT IT Down!
B: :chop chop:
Hehee, she was just so dramatic. She was saying how there weren’t trees, and how if somebody saw a tree it immediately got chopped down. Or like vaporized into paper or something. Hehe.
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CULTURE SHOCKS – My Stupidity
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So I just need to clarify on the door thing because some people thought I was a dummkopf (heh, thanks Berger) or depp (idiot) and just stood at the door. NO I have more pride than that. :rolls eyes:
So I mean, at first I would just try to push when clearly I had to pull, and vice versa. But then later when I tried to read the signs (and sometimes messed up), I mean it’s just a very SLIGHT pause, honest, barely discernible. (NOT MINUTES jonathan…) seconds. nanoseconds. And I mean I was very smooth about it, I’d pretend to think about something I had to do for the day when in reality I was thinking about what to do. Ninja Karen!
Hehe, so I made up a phrase to help me remember. “don’t drucken me!” which means don’t push me (not really, but drucken mean push.)
Actually, drucken with two dots over the u means push. Drucken just like that means print.
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So that being said, I admit I do pause (these are seconds now…5 tops) at the trash cans. So there’s diff. trash cans depending on the material (plastic (which is like kundufinsik or something, idk…), and bioabfall (for like apple stems and tea bags, that’s what the picture shows), something else, and then restmull (for rest, everything else)). And usually I can’t remember so I have to peek inside the trash cans (which makes the Germans laugh), or something like that.
… And then sometimes I still throw it in the wrong one so then I have to fish things out. Whatever.
They also laugh when I shoot baskets and then miss. I think a lot of things I do are funny to them. I guess I’m just like a kid to them (they’re all older than me, the youngest are probably like past mid-20s, and those are the ones that are there for their masters (English equivalent) or doctorate.)
Actually, the international group I sit with are all postdocs (very humbling), but then their English isn’t good so they’re very humble around me. It’s an interesting twist, and reminds you to keep your head.
OH, so another thing they thought I asked was funny was when I asked if I could throw toilet paper in the toilet. DUDE so I read in a book somewhere that their toilets weren’t strong (ever since Taiwan I have a fear of flushing tp down the toilet in case it clogs it and I have to unclog it especially after I’ve pooped.) so I was always afraid too. Then I had to explain how things were diff. in Taiwan.
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Hm, maybe it’s just doors in general.
So I also have trouble opening my apt. door sometimes. (sOMETIMES..if my hands are dry.) So the system is neat in that you don’t have a key but a button that you push which will beep to unlock if you’re within range. (you have to be fairly close to the door) Kind of like more modern cars, def. not the van I drive(drove).
So the thing is that the door is just so smooth that I struggle with it a lot and sometimes I have to put all my bags down, try it again…. Or put my hand inside my jacket for some grip (usually doesn’t work, but I have to try everything). Hrm… or ask somebody (I only did that once, but that was after a 3 min. struggle). Literally. I timed it.
(okay fineee….4 minutes, but I bet you it was probably only 4 because it was 00:58 and probably 04:03 or something).
:D
Hmmm what else have I done. I’m sure I’ve done a lot more. Somehow there’s always a lot of laughing so it must be something.
Oh hehee… I remember.
So today in lab I was making a buffer. Anyway we have these magnetic stir bars and sticks to stir them with. So you use the stick to pick up the stirbar.
Well, I was in a very wizarding mood (idk, I pretended I was harry potter) so I was waving my stick around (I pretended it was a wand, just the right length!) and the little stirbar was on my stick, and then when I put it inside my graduated cylinder I would kind of tap it, hehe.. I had a lot of fun.
Anyway, I dropped it on the floor, so then I stooped down and gave it a tap and apparently I looked really funny because Michael (one of the guys in my lab) started laughing and then he explained that because I didn’t bend down but kind of … bent over, I looked like a grandma.
Ok I think I was just embarrassed that he caught me pretending to wave the magnetic wand around (and probably muttering things) when I thought he was at his desk…
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How I am viewed
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So I find it interesting that … hrm, whenever somebody asks me where I’m from when I’m in the US, I assume they mean because I’m asian so I say Taiwan.
However, when I’m there, they want to know because I’m an American so they want to hear Atlanta, Ga, USA or something.
It’s just an interesting change of perspective. All of a sudden I am an expert on the English language (haha) and customs (tell me about the school systems, what is the diff btwn a college and university, please correct my English, is it lay or lie?, …)
At first people thought I couldn’t speak german and only knew Chinese or something, but then they found out that I can speak English. Neat.
OH, so it actually is true that the germans are really eager to speak to me because they want to practice their English. There are actually two germans that are trying to learn mandarin (one is because he’s marrying a Chinese girl, I think the other one is just curious) so I’ve only talked to them once but everyone says I should trade german/Chinese lessons with them. Pft, if they want a Taiwanese/American accent kind of Chinese!
It’s more of a group thing though. If they are in a group they don’t really talk to me (I totally understand), but if it is 1-1, then they are very eager. I mean, I would be very self-conscious if I had to speak in a foreign language in front of a group, especially if I know some of the people can speak better than me.
Hehe, one of my coworkers, birgit, actually emailed me once and asked me to help her with her English hw. Hehe, I promptly asked her for help on my german hw the next day. It was so sweet though, her hw was, “describe her first day at work.” AW.
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Side Trips
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So I’m proud to say that I have at least started to travel, heh. We had a 4 day weekend last weekend (SO many holidays in May and June) so I went to Berlin with some of my international (hehe! I’m an international student!) friends. Pics on Picassa (some not all).
We have another upcoming 3 day weekend (we get Monday, June 1st off) for next week. I was looking at flights but I think it was too late because they’re all 100+. Meh. So I’m going to go to my friend Stephanie’s hometown. She also lives in the boardinghaus.
Hehe, so her hometown is called Biberach (pronounced Bee-bur-ah). So I definitely didn’t remember it the first (…. Twenty…) time(s) but I wanted to show that I was listening and trying very hard to remember, so I would attempt to say it. Which meant calling it “boo-boo’ town.” Ah, stupid German.
So I’ve decided that sometimes it is better to feign innocence and just ask what the town is called since saying boo-boo town doesn’t really get me anywhere and I do feel stupid for saying it. Really stupid.
(Okay so they talk fast and slur their words, I really wonder what English sounds as a foreign lanuage now, like when they watch Friends or something. So it did sound like bah---boo---… )
We have another 4 day weekend coming up next next week (well, we get Thursday off and whenever we get a Thursday off, everyone takes Friday off as well.) Right now I can’t decide between Barcelona or London. And Stefanie is thinking about Rome or Paris. We’re just going to compare prices and find the cheapest. We’re shooting for less than 100 round trip.
Told you there were a lot of holidays. I think the smart thing would just be to find all the holidays for the rest of the year and start booking like crazy.
I have a let’s go Europe bk (thanks Sonya) and they have suggested cities for beginners, pros, and then also particular regions. There are also websites that give you blind trips (20 euros flat) and then they just take you somewhere based on “culture, shopping, etc.” not sure about those.
Anyway, I have a munich guidebook as well, so even if I don’t have a long weekend I can always take plenty of daytrips to the munich area because the train tickets are so cheap. Lots of castles (schloss) and mountains (berg…or burg…can never remember) around.
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Typical Day
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So I guess I’m finally settling in more now so I do have a typical schedule.
I need to work “8” hours a day (I guess this includes coffee time and lunch time), which is usually 9 to 5.
And then on Mondays and Wednesdays I have German lesson for “beginners” (psh whatever) from 6-7:30 but it takes a while to walk here so I usually get back around 8:30 or a bit earlier. On those days I’m pretty tired.
Hrm, also Wednesday nights there are things called “Stammtisch-Praktikkum” dinners from 7-11. So Stammtisch means “reserved for regulars.” And Praktikkum is just “interns.” For some strange reason, all the Germans refer to this as, “intern meeting” or even “internal meeting.” Weirdos. We just have dinner at a pizzeria or a beer. I really want to blend in but I will feel stupid* for saying “intern meeting” so I usually say, are you coming this Wednesday?
*There are many stupid things I do. The key is to minimize stupid actions whenever I can.
Oh, and on Thursday nights people in the boardinghaus like to go downstairs to watch Germany’s next top model with heidi klum (again, didn’t know she was german and they were all shocked at me – really – I’ve discovered they are proud of the germans that have made it big time.) Except the season ended last week so idk if we will meet up or not. I know tomorrow Stefanie are going to watch a dancing movie downstairs. Shrug, hopefully another tv show will start or something.
Hmmm. That sounds kind of bland. And yet, every single day I have at least seen people.
So sometimes, as in the 3 times in the past…2 weeks, if the weather is nice out, people will go swimming in the lake after work (again, see pics). That’s kind of neat, and not something I would expect in Atlanta.
So let’s see, on the days that I haven’t had german class, I guess I rush to the supermarket (since it closes at 8, at the latest, some are 6).
I guess settling in I was pretty busy, I had to go to nearby towns with coworkers to get a phone (Weilheim), or have a drink with some of their friends (Bad Tolz) and I guess it was always nice to drive places.
Two weekends ago on Sunday there was a festival on the main street. (I felt very lucky for catching it, because apparently there are only 4 or 5 the whole year!) went to that for a couple of hours.
I don’t know, I feel busy. Tired actually. There was one of the dinners with interns tonight but I didn’t go because I felt so exhausted. Maybe I’m still recuperating from berlin (being a tourist is hard work.)
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For those traveling in Europe:
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Cell (Germany): 0162 592 8816
Also, I live in Penzberg, the closest big city to which is Munich. There’s a great deal for the train ticket for this area, which allows a 1 day pass for 20 euros or a group day pass (up to 5 adults and 1 dog, 2 kids count as 1 adult) for 28 euros. Really nice. The line includes a lot of places, but most notably, Munich, Salzburg (Austria), and I believe Fussen (Schloss Neuschwanstein). So save those trips for when you come to visit me and we can go see those places. So this pass only works in the southern part of Germany, and then the very border for Austria. Hrm, not sure if it goes into Switzerland.
And….book early.
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Weather
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So the days have been kind of rainy lately. They’re either sunny and warm/hot (enough to go to the lake) or kind of cold/dreary/rainy in which case I just hurry home. But on the days where it is sunny, it’s so beautiful walking home because I can see the mountains, and the puffy white clouds in the blue sky (really, just like the windows xp desktop). And then ic an walk in the forest too since on this gravel path with these Christmas fir trees surrounding me either way. Gorgeous.
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Food
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So gotta love the cafeteria food. Cheap and good. I get to eat a lot of the traditional german foods there (so they have diff sections, traditional, live cooking, specials, etc.) like spetzle (probably umlaut somewhere in their…I think the ‘a’ except I didn’t spell it with one. Maye like spatzle. Yea that looks right.) and knodel (BLEGH it had mushrooms in there, did not see that coming.)
When I went to berlin I had falfels (mmmm) and we went to some real italian restaurant (gotta love traveling with international students, they really know where to go) and had great pasta and desserts (some wobbly white jello thing with berries, panacotta or something… p---).
Mmmm, and for breakfast I loved getting the cheese breakfasts there. Which was basically an assortment of fresh bread (croissants, white rolls, called brotchen, …) and cheeses (mozzarella, bree, …) and then either jams/marmelades/nutella (YES)/ butter/etc.
In germany though I’ve been living off the wursts (sausage) and brezel (pretzel). This region is known for their weiswurst (white sausage).
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auf Wiedersehen
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Hehe so I find it so cute that they try to sway me to be a Bavarian girl because I’m in the Bavarian region (germany is broken down into different regions). There are certain phrases that they teach me (and if I say a typical anywhere-german phrase, they say no and replace it with a Bavarian phrase.)
For example, in bavaria they like to say “servus” or “gruss gott” for hello. Not “guten tag” hehe…
They also like to say something like … “sho-ma-ma..” (I’m so serious that’s what it sounds like. So as you can probably guess, I’m really afraid to say this one out loud because honestly, who can keep a straight face.) It means “we will see.” Indeed, we will..
Okay enough of me.
Hope all is well with everybody.
I miss you all,
Keep me updated with what you’re up to,
Karen
I can hardly believe I’ve been in Germany for a month as of tomorrow. Yikes! 1 down, 7 more to go I s’pose.
Also, thanks to everybody for the nice messages. I really enjoy hearing from all of you. In response to people’s questions, and just telling about my day … read on …
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Culture Shocks – English Language
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So one of the cutest things is how anything “American” or “English” is so cool and hip. [Aw, Germans]. They love listening to English music (any type, whatever is on the radio which really is a mix of so many genres and time periods). As in I hear Lady Gaga and then the next song is backstreet boys…and then some oldies … and then cher … so far, no rap. Guess that’s too fast, even for me.
So they take/use a lot of words that apparently they think American use but as you all know, not really, e.g.
Handy = cell phone or mobile phone
Beamer = projector
Also, I love how they say certain things that aren’t really incorrect, but just sounds weird in context. I don’t like correcting it because it makes me smile (aw, Germans) but apparently they want to be know what Americans say, e.g.
Water with gas or bubbles = mineral water, carbonated
Take holiday = take time off work, vacation [“Karen, you take holiday Friday?]
And last but not least, when something is in German and I don’t want to bother people, I just copy/paste the whole thing into Google Translate, I get the following translations:
Overnight translates to as night approaches [aghahha…This was for overnight experiments. But instead Google wrote it as, the experiment will run as the night approaches]
Beware of chemical cabinet translates to beware of poison cabinet (err… o.O)
Tie back long hair translates to avoid long hair (hehe, my boss was like, hah, do they want you to go to the hairdresser or something?)
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Friends
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So when I came to Germany I didn’t know anybody. Well, my boss counts I guess. But I’ve actually made a fair bit of friends. Living in the boardinghaus has helped (although I can only stay for 6 months). From there, I met Stefanie, Thomas, holger, and Christoffer. Those I talk to the most.
And then at work I sit with the international gang. So it’s a pretty diverse group. Marek comes from Poland. Hillary and I come from the US (she’s from utah). Lucia and guilo are from italy. Kristina is from hungary. Danielle and anton are from slovakia. Etc… there’s probably a good bit of us, maybe 10+ or so. Oh yeah, nina and christoffer are from Sweden. Ok now etc…
And then there is my friend simonette from german class. If I haven’t mentioned this before, we don’t share a common language. She can speak French and a bit of german. So I’ve actually learned the most german from her although we don’t talk that much. We usually say the same things over and over again, or we can point at things and laugh. It’s kind of nice actually, how you can still be friends even if you can’t talk about say, work. :P
Hehee…
So we were riding her bike to german class. (I don’t have a bike), and since she’s smaller than me, I pedal and then she just sits on the back. So we have little jokes.
For example, I was going up the hill, I stopped, looked at her, made this big pregnant/fatter sign/noise, and pointed to her, to ask if she grew fatter this weekend because it was harder than normal. (I pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead.)
Hehe, or like, sometimes I’ll ask her if it’s comfortable riding, or if it’s okay (Gut?) and then she’ll reassure me by saying “super or sehr gut (very good).” So one day she was saying, “super…super…” and then I mock-complained, “simonette super super…. Karen mude.” (Karen tired) because she was just bumming a ride off of me while I had to pedal. Hehe, we had a good laugh over that one.
(I can’t form sentences yet so I can only say nouns.)
Or like whenever we pass by a shop window and we see our reflection, we say “tschuss Karen! Ciao!” hehe, we’re just very silly around each other.
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Their English
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So I love it.
I mentioned before, some of the things they say, but it’s just so … hrm, amusing. Their diction (choice of words).
So for example, marek (guy from hungary) was describing his weekend where he was outdoors watching birds and he forgot to put on sunscreen so he got sunburned, except he described it as, …
“ so I was busy watching the birds and then I realize I forgot to bring sunscreen and then … disaster.”
Ahahahhhaa… idk why I found it so funny, that he would describe it as disaster. Maybe it just sounded so much more dramatic. Like they don’t describe things properly, they either exaggerate or underemphasize things I guess because it’s whatever word comes to mind first.
Oh, and today, krisztina (from hungary) was describing something and I just found it hilarious (tears out of my eyes). I’ll try.
So somehow we got to talking about how there weren’t any bears in germany and then krisztina started talking about how there were bears in hungary (as with bees, and uhh… deer…something else), but no trees. And then she does this little dialogue:
A: what is that? :quizzical expression:
B: I think I have seen it before…on tv. I think it is a tree!
A: Oh!
A: OHHH… :AH, disgusted look: CUT IT Down!
B: :chop chop:
Hehee, she was just so dramatic. She was saying how there weren’t trees, and how if somebody saw a tree it immediately got chopped down. Or like vaporized into paper or something. Hehe.
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CULTURE SHOCKS – My Stupidity
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So I just need to clarify on the door thing because some people thought I was a dummkopf (heh, thanks Berger) or depp (idiot) and just stood at the door. NO I have more pride than that. :rolls eyes:
So I mean, at first I would just try to push when clearly I had to pull, and vice versa. But then later when I tried to read the signs (and sometimes messed up), I mean it’s just a very SLIGHT pause, honest, barely discernible. (NOT MINUTES jonathan…) seconds. nanoseconds. And I mean I was very smooth about it, I’d pretend to think about something I had to do for the day when in reality I was thinking about what to do. Ninja Karen!
Hehe, so I made up a phrase to help me remember. “don’t drucken me!” which means don’t push me (not really, but drucken mean push.)
Actually, drucken with two dots over the u means push. Drucken just like that means print.
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So that being said, I admit I do pause (these are seconds now…5 tops) at the trash cans. So there’s diff. trash cans depending on the material (plastic (which is like kundufinsik or something, idk…), and bioabfall (for like apple stems and tea bags, that’s what the picture shows), something else, and then restmull (for rest, everything else)). And usually I can’t remember so I have to peek inside the trash cans (which makes the Germans laugh), or something like that.
… And then sometimes I still throw it in the wrong one so then I have to fish things out. Whatever.
They also laugh when I shoot baskets and then miss. I think a lot of things I do are funny to them. I guess I’m just like a kid to them (they’re all older than me, the youngest are probably like past mid-20s, and those are the ones that are there for their masters (English equivalent) or doctorate.)
Actually, the international group I sit with are all postdocs (very humbling), but then their English isn’t good so they’re very humble around me. It’s an interesting twist, and reminds you to keep your head.
OH, so another thing they thought I asked was funny was when I asked if I could throw toilet paper in the toilet. DUDE so I read in a book somewhere that their toilets weren’t strong (ever since Taiwan I have a fear of flushing tp down the toilet in case it clogs it and I have to unclog it especially after I’ve pooped.) so I was always afraid too. Then I had to explain how things were diff. in Taiwan.
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Hm, maybe it’s just doors in general.
So I also have trouble opening my apt. door sometimes. (sOMETIMES..if my hands are dry.) So the system is neat in that you don’t have a key but a button that you push which will beep to unlock if you’re within range. (you have to be fairly close to the door) Kind of like more modern cars, def. not the van I drive(drove).
So the thing is that the door is just so smooth that I struggle with it a lot and sometimes I have to put all my bags down, try it again…. Or put my hand inside my jacket for some grip (usually doesn’t work, but I have to try everything). Hrm… or ask somebody (I only did that once, but that was after a 3 min. struggle). Literally. I timed it.
(okay fineee….4 minutes, but I bet you it was probably only 4 because it was 00:58 and probably 04:03 or something).
:D
Hmmm what else have I done. I’m sure I’ve done a lot more. Somehow there’s always a lot of laughing so it must be something.
Oh hehee… I remember.
So today in lab I was making a buffer. Anyway we have these magnetic stir bars and sticks to stir them with. So you use the stick to pick up the stirbar.
Well, I was in a very wizarding mood (idk, I pretended I was harry potter) so I was waving my stick around (I pretended it was a wand, just the right length!) and the little stirbar was on my stick, and then when I put it inside my graduated cylinder I would kind of tap it, hehe.. I had a lot of fun.
Anyway, I dropped it on the floor, so then I stooped down and gave it a tap and apparently I looked really funny because Michael (one of the guys in my lab) started laughing and then he explained that because I didn’t bend down but kind of … bent over, I looked like a grandma.
Ok I think I was just embarrassed that he caught me pretending to wave the magnetic wand around (and probably muttering things) when I thought he was at his desk…
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How I am viewed
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So I find it interesting that … hrm, whenever somebody asks me where I’m from when I’m in the US, I assume they mean because I’m asian so I say Taiwan.
However, when I’m there, they want to know because I’m an American so they want to hear Atlanta, Ga, USA or something.
It’s just an interesting change of perspective. All of a sudden I am an expert on the English language (haha) and customs (tell me about the school systems, what is the diff btwn a college and university, please correct my English, is it lay or lie?, …)
At first people thought I couldn’t speak german and only knew Chinese or something, but then they found out that I can speak English. Neat.
OH, so it actually is true that the germans are really eager to speak to me because they want to practice their English. There are actually two germans that are trying to learn mandarin (one is because he’s marrying a Chinese girl, I think the other one is just curious) so I’ve only talked to them once but everyone says I should trade german/Chinese lessons with them. Pft, if they want a Taiwanese/American accent kind of Chinese!
It’s more of a group thing though. If they are in a group they don’t really talk to me (I totally understand), but if it is 1-1, then they are very eager. I mean, I would be very self-conscious if I had to speak in a foreign language in front of a group, especially if I know some of the people can speak better than me.
Hehe, one of my coworkers, birgit, actually emailed me once and asked me to help her with her English hw. Hehe, I promptly asked her for help on my german hw the next day. It was so sweet though, her hw was, “describe her first day at work.” AW.
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Side Trips
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So I’m proud to say that I have at least started to travel, heh. We had a 4 day weekend last weekend (SO many holidays in May and June) so I went to Berlin with some of my international (hehe! I’m an international student!) friends. Pics on Picassa (some not all).
We have another upcoming 3 day weekend (we get Monday, June 1st off) for next week. I was looking at flights but I think it was too late because they’re all 100+. Meh. So I’m going to go to my friend Stephanie’s hometown. She also lives in the boardinghaus.
Hehe, so her hometown is called Biberach (pronounced Bee-bur-ah). So I definitely didn’t remember it the first (…. Twenty…) time(s) but I wanted to show that I was listening and trying very hard to remember, so I would attempt to say it. Which meant calling it “boo-boo’ town.” Ah, stupid German.
So I’ve decided that sometimes it is better to feign innocence and just ask what the town is called since saying boo-boo town doesn’t really get me anywhere and I do feel stupid for saying it. Really stupid.
(Okay so they talk fast and slur their words, I really wonder what English sounds as a foreign lanuage now, like when they watch Friends or something. So it did sound like bah---boo---… )
We have another 4 day weekend coming up next next week (well, we get Thursday off
Told you there were a lot of holidays. I think the smart thing would just be to find all the holidays for the rest of the year and start booking like crazy.
I have a let’s go Europe bk (thanks Sonya) and they have suggested cities for beginners, pros, and then also particular regions. There are also websites that give you blind trips (20 euros flat) and then they just take you somewhere based on “culture, shopping, etc.” not sure about those.
Anyway, I have a munich guidebook as well, so even if I don’t have a long weekend I can always take plenty of daytrips to the munich area because the train tickets are so cheap. Lots of castles (schloss) and mountains (berg…or burg…can never remember) around.
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Typical Day
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So I guess I’m finally settling in more now so I do have a typical schedule.
I need to work “8” hours a day (I guess this includes coffee time and lunch time), which is usually 9 to 5.
And then on Mondays and Wednesdays I have German lesson for “beginners” (psh whatever) from 6-7:30 but it takes a while to walk here so I usually get back around 8:30 or a bit earlier. On those days I’m pretty tired.
Hrm, also Wednesday nights there are things called “Stammtisch-Praktikkum” dinners from 7-11. So Stammtisch means “reserved for regulars.” And Praktikkum is just “interns.” For some strange reason, all the Germans refer to this as, “intern meeting” or even “internal meeting.” Weirdos. We just have dinner at a pizzeria or a beer. I really want to blend in but I will feel stupid* for saying “intern meeting” so I usually say, are you coming this Wednesday?
*There are many stupid things I do. The key is to minimize stupid actions whenever I can.
Oh, and on Thursday nights people in the boardinghaus like to go downstairs to watch Germany’s next top model with heidi klum (again, didn’t know she was german and they were all shocked at me – really – I’ve discovered they are proud of the germans that have made it big time.) Except the season ended last week so idk if we will meet up or not. I know tomorrow Stefanie are going to watch a dancing movie downstairs. Shrug, hopefully another tv show will start or something.
Hmmm. That sounds kind of bland. And yet, every single day I have at least seen people.
So sometimes, as in the 3 times in the past…2 weeks, if the weather is nice out, people will go swimming in the lake after work (again, see pics). That’s kind of neat, and not something I would expect in Atlanta.
So let’s see, on the days that I haven’t had german class, I guess I rush to the supermarket (since it closes at 8, at the latest, some are 6).
I guess settling in I was pretty busy, I had to go to nearby towns with coworkers to get a phone (Weilheim), or have a drink with some of their friends (Bad Tolz) and I guess it was always nice to drive places.
Two weekends ago on Sunday there was a festival on the main street. (I felt very lucky for catching it, because apparently there are only 4 or 5 the whole year!) went to that for a couple of hours.
I don’t know, I feel busy. Tired actually. There was one of the dinners with interns tonight but I didn’t go because I felt so exhausted. Maybe I’m still recuperating from berlin (being a tourist is hard work.)
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For those traveling in Europe:
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Cell (Germany): 0162 592 8816
Also, I live in Penzberg, the closest big city to which is Munich. There’s a great deal for the train ticket for this area, which allows a 1 day pass for 20 euros or a group day pass (up to 5 adults and 1 dog, 2 kids count as 1 adult) for 28 euros. Really nice. The line includes a lot of places, but most notably, Munich, Salzburg (Austria), and I believe Fussen (Schloss Neuschwanstein). So save those trips for when you come to visit me and we can go see those places. So this pass only works in the southern part of Germany, and then the very border for Austria. Hrm, not sure if it goes into Switzerland.
And….book early.
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Weather
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So the days have been kind of rainy lately. They’re either sunny and warm/hot (enough to go to the lake) or kind of cold/dreary/rainy in which case I just hurry home. But on the days where it is sunny, it’s so beautiful walking home because I can see the mountains, and the puffy white clouds in the blue sky (really, just like the windows xp desktop). And then ic an walk in the forest too since on this gravel path with these Christmas fir trees surrounding me either way. Gorgeous.
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Food
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So gotta love the cafeteria food. Cheap and good. I get to eat a lot of the traditional german foods there (so they have diff sections, traditional, live cooking, specials, etc.) like spetzle (probably umlaut somewhere in their…I think the ‘a’ except I didn’t spell it with one. Maye like spatzle. Yea that looks right.) and knodel (BLEGH it had mushrooms in there, did not see that coming.)
When I went to berlin I had falfels (mmmm) and we went to some real italian restaurant (gotta love traveling with international students, they really know where to go) and had great pasta and desserts (some wobbly white jello thing with berries, panacotta or something… p---).
Mmmm, and for breakfast I loved getting the cheese breakfasts there. Which was basically an assortment of fresh bread (croissants, white rolls, called brotchen, …) and cheeses (mozzarella, bree, …) and then either jams/marmelades/nutella (YES)/ butter/etc.
In germany though I’ve been living off the wursts (sausage) and brezel (pretzel). This region is known for their weiswurst (white sausage).
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auf Wiedersehen
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Hehe so I find it so cute that they try to sway me to be a Bavarian girl because I’m in the Bavarian region (germany is broken down into different regions). There are certain phrases that they teach me (and if I say a typical anywhere-german phrase, they say no and replace it with a Bavarian phrase.)
For example, in bavaria they like to say “servus” or “gruss gott” for hello. Not “guten tag” hehe…
They also like to say something like … “sho-ma-ma..” (I’m so serious that’s what it sounds like. So as you can probably guess, I’m really afraid to say this one out loud because honestly, who can keep a straight face.) It means “we will see.” Indeed, we will..
Okay enough of me.
Hope all is well with everybody.
I miss you all,
Keep me updated with what you’re up to,
Karen
German Letter 1
Hello my fellow Americans!
Don't worry, this is an actual email this time. ^^ Although I must say that since I keep in touch with everybody at diff. rates, some of the things I might say in this email will be a repeat. Es tut mir leid (I'm sorry). [Yes, I'm going to make this educational. YAY for deutsch]
Don't worry, this is an actual email this time. ^^ Although I must say that since I keep in touch with everybody at diff. rates, some of the things I might say in this email will be a repeat. Es tut mir leid (I'm sorry). [Yes, I'm going to make this educational. YAY for deutsch]
… And it’s rather long. Think of it as a collection of little Karen (hee hee) emails as you’ve all been wondering why I’ve been MIA these past week(s) (hehe…it has been three wks so now so I can say that.)
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So refresher:
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Duration in Germany: April 29 - December 29 (8 months)
Purpose:
I'm doing an international co-op with a pharmaceutical/biotech company, Roche (http://www.roche.com/index.
I work in the lab (so it's undergrad research all over again, except now the protocols are in German (no kidding), and well ... life is just tough after that). I’m glad I have some experience in this area though. Really glad. Cooping experience hasn’t been that helpful so far.)
My project is basically working on a way to purify/increase the batch size/yield of apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A1), which is the main component (70%) of HDL (high density lipid). And just different aspects of that. HDL is the good cholesterol that takes lipids away from your peripheral tissue and carries it to your liver to be disposed in the form of bile. We're hoping to increase the HDL in your body to get rid of fat and help people with CAD (coronary artery disease)…and people who just don’t exercise. JK. But I like it a lot, it's neat. :)
I can talk more later if you want to know.
Address (until end of October):
Karen Shih
Sankt-Klara-Strasse 29
No. E. 09
82377 Penzberg, Germany
Penzberg is a small town south of Munich.
[Yes, in Germany, the zip code comes first. And I have the right address this time, yeah yeah]
Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/
Phone:
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Common Questions:
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Am I learning German?
Yes, so besides my handy Rick Steves' German phrase bk, I'm taking classes. I have this advanced class “downtown.” The beginning class started earlier, in February, so this is the only one left. I go to on Mon [Montag] and Wed [Mittwoch] from 6-7:30. It's in the middle of town (~25 min. walk), as with everything else (supermarket, etc.)
Oh, I cough at “downtown” because it’s so small (~11,000 inhabitants I believe) that everything you need is off of this one street, Bahnhofstrasse. Which basically means train street.
[If you think about it, the train system, Bahn, or in Germany, DB or Deutsche Bahn. Also, I live on St. Klara Strasse, so Strasse is street. A lot of things make sense in German! Or are connected.]
Later on I'm also going to take 1-1 lessons at work. I’m signed up for 20 lessons, each 45 min. I don't know when those start, we only just finished filling out the paperwork last week. [Actually, I just finished applying for my visa/work permit today. (since I’m staying more than 6 months.) I'm going to have to go back sometime this week to get my visa, but hopefully by then all the paperwork will be done for real].
I really want to maximize my exposure to German so I'm taking the advanced classes for now even though I don't understand that much and the teacher doesn't know that many English words. She's not a professinoal teacher or anything, but if you think about it, her job is pretty difficult. A friend of mine in the class, Simonette, only knows French and a bit of German. I only know English, Chinese, and a bit of Spanish. Not sure about the other two people in the class... So I don’t blame her too much except well, really, English?
Anyway, hopefully (the plan!) I'll be able to catch up with my 1-1 lessons, so that I'll be able to understand the advanced class. And come back knowing German. (!)
I should probably watch German TV or something, but I only want to if I have subtitles or something. I mean captions. Actually German captions and English subtitles would be great. They should invent that.
I’m starting to make a list of things I want to invent. [Hi Mu!] I’m thinking about specialized keyboards (I can give a good 5 min. rant – justified! – about the difficulty typing on a German keyboard.) Oh, and since I work in the lab and have to wear steel-toed shoes [Hi Brad!] I was thinking about steel-toed dance shoes for the guys! [Hi Justin!] Awesome huh?
But yeah, my keyboard… Something with german letters, and maybe even some Spanish ones too, idk… and maybe Chinese characters except I don’t really know my bo po mo (or whatever…) so I guess it doesn’t help much. Yeah, I get some pretty creative ideas sometimes. There was something else too, I forgot, it was on my way to work. Oh wait, it was the keyboard. Heh.
… I get off subject pretty easily. Good thing I write in small paragraphs and bold words huh?
Do I miss you?
Of course. :) But actually more than you all know. Little things remind me of you all. So yes, of course. [As can be see with the shoutouts, and those embedded in the email as well.] As they say in the song, Here (In Your Arms) by hellogoodbye, "Hello, I've missed you quite terribly."
How do you contact me?
Hrm, I'd say the best way is still to email me (lilkarenn@gmail.com). Hee, I can still check gmail at work (they haven't blocked that site) but not my gatech webmail (retarded!) As is pandora. (BOO!) but luckily not youtube except I don’t really go on youtube (except once, to look at that chopping vid you sent Sonica). hmm... yep. I’d much rather have Pandora. Although the German radio plays America music (It’s hip!), I’d prefer Pandora.
Besides that, I go on gmail chat often so you can always talk to me there (lilkarenn). No, I'm not really on facebook (or the chat) anymore. Nor AIM/Trillian.
I do have Skype though (s/n: lilkarenn). Usually I only get on if I'm expecting a call. So let me know.
When you are in Europe feel free to give me a call. I bought a pre-paid cell phone that will cost me 15 cents/min for every call I make. When you call me I believe you are the one being charged so prank call at your own risk. Hehe.
And as always, letters are welcome. Now that's the really slow way Graydon. ^^
Am I still playing ultimate? swing dancing? etc.?
No and no. I wouldn't mind tossing the disc around with people here except I haven’t really had a chance. I went swimming in the lake yesterday and I think next time we do this they talked about bringing a ball (in my mind I substituted it with disc…heh.) Or idk...I hear there's a picnic at work at the end of May with a big ol' fussbol (soccer) game. I'm hoping to bring along my disc there and maybe toss around. ^^
As for swing, I looked for a dance class but it had already started and you needed a partner to sign up. Plus it was rather far away. It was basically a 2 hr dance class each wk and you learned a diff. type of dance (including foxtrot, Vietnemese waltz, disco, ..) and I wasn't too interested.
I saw another dance class while I was at the kino (movie theatre) on Saturday except it was coupes only and it looked like … weird waltzing. :Shrug: I talked to my friend Holger and he said he paid 90 euros for a 3 hr lesson which…did not sound appealing to me. Let’s say I’m happy just watching swing vids. J Besides, only 7.5 more months.
Ok that is a long time. Yeah…
… But of course I miss swing and ultimate. Of course. :(
That being said/though, I'm hoping to keep busy learning German (!) and traveling (!). :)
Are you writing in a blog, taking pics, etc. / keeping up the memories?
So I have the best travel journal EVER.
[…]
Ever ever ever. Haha. For those I’ve already told, you can skip it because nothing really new here. Let me begin.
So I went to staples and got some regular computer paper and had that bound into a notebook [Hi Bisca!] And then that notebook is now my travel journal.
But there is so (!) much more.
So in it I can write what I want (I have neat handwriting, hey, asian) and not worry about going past lines. So it’s pretty plain paper and not ugly lined or anything. Although I must say I am very satisfied with Staples college ruled paper. [Hi Simona!]
Since it's blank paper, I can also doodle some. I'm not a great doodler, but I do enjoy ambigrams sometimes. I’ve also been sketching maps of where I live. And whatnot…
Also, since it's blank, i printed out some 4 x 6 pics, and then whenever i take pics, i mark out a space where i want in my travel journal. I also write the title of the pic and where i'm storing them on my laptop so that when i get back to the US, i can print out the pictures and post it RIGHT where it happened! (i have a sep. folder on my laptop labebled print me pics). BRILLIANT IDEA #24523
But wait, there’s more!
So I have lots of different, specialty pages.
One page I rate diff. kinds of shokolade (chocolate). One of the pick-me-ups I allow myself (kind of as a prize/reward for going out in Germany everytime when I could stay inside my little American flat lawl) is that I always buy a diff. type of shokolade. Then I write some description of it, tape the label in my book, oh idk, and i rate it out of 10. haha. For future ref? I used to write down the price and the store but now i'm too lazy.
I also started writing down my notes from german class in it so it really is everything I’ve done in Germany! They're in a diff. color (red) so they stick out which is nice when I look back. Everything else is written in blue/black ink.
Oh! And i just started sticking a page of typical “german” things. So my coworker (and boss, and …) laughed when she saw this, but i taped in a piece of toilet paper. (I guess I can see why…) It's just..the shape is really interesting (!). I mean, otherwise, why else would I do that? Don’t judge, listen. It's a lot smaller, or i guess, the width is shorter and the length is longer. It's a lot cuter and it fits in the palm of my hand perfectly and then some. I like it!
And others…
Culture Shocks? Complaints
So drucken (umlaut over u) means push and ziehen means pull. But so many of thee doors have a handle when all you have to do it pull and I got tricked…so….many…times…so so many times. I complained about it to a lot of people because it’s just plain mean to trick new people. But then I learned how to read the signs (which is why I sometimes paused in front of the doors) so now I am fine with it. But I just don’t understand, it feels like everything else in Germany is so well planned!
Heh… and my German culture shock book had this funny page. It went something like how Germans don’t trust Americans or Asians (OW! Double whammy) because they tend to beat around the bush and try not to hurt the other person’s feelings. But Germans like it straight. Keep that in mind. ^^
Haha I showed the book to some of my German friends and they all laughed at the cover [Culture Shock! Germany. A Guide to cultural tips and etiquette.] I think they all really want to read it, and to be honest, I kind of wand them to as well…I mean when else, right?
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Typical Day
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So far my workdays have been like this, work 8 hours a day, so usually from 9am to 5pm. It is more like working only 7 hours because we get 30 min. for lunch, and then we take two 15 min breaks, or coffee breaks. Those are usually at 9am (i sometimes skip those because i just get in to work, the other people in the lab get in anywhere from 7 to 8, or 8:30), and again at 2pm. I eat lunch at 11am.
I like it better this way, because then at most, I only work 2 or 3 hours at a time and then I get a tiny break to look forward to.
Boy, they really like their coffee breaks. Nothing really gets in the way of that.
[And then a few pages later in my German book they mentioned how Germans like their coffee break. So +1 pt German culture book. It’s how Germans like a schedule and for everything to be planned, so they plan for their coffee break and they’ll be upset at you if you mess it up. I’m not saying that extreme, but they do work their times around their coffee break, which is to be expected. It’s just coffee breaks weren’t a scheduled meeting when I worked at CIBA, and you didn’t share it with everybody else.]
I eat lunch in the cafeteria and the meals are REALLY good there. They're also very cheap, so far they have been costing me around 1.50 to 2 dollars (USD). I haven’t eaten so richly (or cheaply, hee he….. he) since middle/high school. Very good deal! So I like to think that I get my meat/vegetables/fruits there.
Then when I go home, I usually just eat some form of pasta.
So because there aren't any plastic grocery bags in Germany (very environmentally-conscious, so many different trash cans/bag everywhere), and since I don't have a car or bike here (I don't think I am going to buy one, I don't mind walking), then I can usually only buy what I can carry. So far, that means just enough for 2-3 days of cooking. Well, in the beginning when I didn’t have anything. Now it’s more of 1-2 days. It’s a nice break walking around outside…unless it’s raining and I really need to buy things. Then it’s just..well…yeah. I guess it’s fun the first couple min. I’m still in the “everything is an adventure” stage of my trip here so I don’t mind so far.
So let's see, i work everyday from 9-5. on mondays and wednesdays i have german learning class from 6-7:30. because it takes about 25+ minutes to walk there, i usually leave work around 5 or 5:30ish and start to walk there. that way i can take my time and enjoy the scenery. So on those days i am a bit tired. L
Actually, especially Wednesdays because afterwards a lot of the interns/masters/postdocs meet at a restaurant [we change every week] and just hang out until 11 or so. Some of them live in the boardinghaus [for Roche interns only] so I’ve gotten to know them better. They’re the same ones I went to the movies and lake with. J
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Shoutouts:
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Katy (and Tuesday Letter girls/fan of Twilight):
So I went to my Simonette's apartment, and guess who I saw out on the porch reading New Moon (2nd bk)... the dad of the family she's staying with. I KNOW. So the Mom was outside reading the 1st book (she went from 4th backwards) and the dad went from 1st onwards. Supposedly it's very popular over here as well.
That's not all, I told him I was surprised he was reading it since most of the guys I know in the US who went to go see the movie were kind of dragged by their girlfriends, and just looked sad in general. Well, supposedly it's very popular with the boys over here. (hahahaa). So their 11 year old son reads the Twilight series (he's on the 3rd book - I find it adorable the whole family is reading the book) and he wants to be like a vampire, cold and strong, etc.
And Katy, the dad was rooting for Jacob and then he and I started arguing about Jacob/Edward. I'd say discuss but it was more debating.
Katy, it made me think of you and miss talking to you. :) I'm actually borrowing the 4th book from them, haha. Except I have to hurry up and finish reading it because their son wants it back once he finishes the 3rd book. Maybe in a couple weeks, hah.
Christina, I don't know if I ever told you, but I thought the trailer you made was good. The 007 car scenes were incorporated very smoothly. Good music too.
Helen:
I like going to the bakeries/pastry shops here. I think of you whenever I eat something good (I am eating it for you, hah).
Eddie, Shune, Colin, and other ultimate folks:
You've seen the fields outside my apartment. I wish you guys were here so I coud toss with you. I only brought one disc (gah, should have brought more so I could practice hucking...) I tried doing that last week, just ran after the disc everytime I threw it. Kind of slow, but not like I have anything better to do. And then I get to think about my throw while I pick it up. I think I increased 2.5+ yds just by facing exactly 180 degrees before I started.
Just wow!
http://picasaweb.google.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/
Shune:
So I got a real kick out of this. Remember the 1st and 2nd prize beauty contest you won in Monopoly. Well apparently the german word, schön (pronounced shune), means beautiful.
Yeah..perhaps that prize was well chosen. ^^ Germans like to use this word a lot, so I hear your name every so often and I think, if they only knew the Shune that I knew (blup blup). ^^
Gabe:
I think you would enjoy riding your bike around here. Everybody does. It's really great actually seeing so many people ride their bike and not driving their cars around, especially since it's such a short commute to work. It's 10-15 min. for me walking, so it'd be less than 2-3 min. on a bike.
And everyone does it. I was talking to some friends and they're taking a trip to go mountain biking and whatnot. They mentioned 4000 or some insane figure that would involve ~8 hrs riding I believe. They needed to train for it (they're going in a couple of weeks.)
The view is amazing, I can see the mtns (Bavarian alps), and I pass by these fields and a tiny lake. You'd like it.
Mu:
I saw some pinecones on my way to work. There are so many forests here, very beautiful (Picassa proof). Anyway, i thought these would add nicely to your collection. Even though they're a bit small, they can be the newborn baby twins or something.^^ But then they got squished by a bike (probably) when I checked the next day so no souvenir for you.
http://picasaweb.google.com/
Eddie:
Remember the woodsy desktop picture you had freshman year (yes, not sophmore ^^). There are so many places here that look just like it. I'm trying to take some pictures but you might have to wait a bit longer. You would love the nature scenes here Eddie....you should come visit. :)
Berger:
I see youuuuuuuuuuuu….
http://picasaweb.google.com/
Brad:
Quadruplet whammy! Look at all that green space… and then some architectury pics.
I found even though you’re not really into that kind of stuff anymore.
I don’t have the time nor patience to show you all the pictures where I just owned you, so you’ll just have to go to the photo album yourself.
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Farewell
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That's all folks!
I miss you all terribly.
Karen
Monday, April 27, 2009
RSS feed enabled
don't worry fans, the blog has gone public and i have enabled RSS feed-worry no more! (or, complain)
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leaving for germany tomorrow at one! eeeeeeeeeeek....
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leaving for germany tomorrow at one! eeeeeeeeeeek....
Monday, April 13, 2009
mint, black magic, and children's books
so i was helping my mom with the gardening (and by that i mean shuffling around in flip flops lugging a bag of fertilizer from the front of the house to the back of the house for about 3 min.) before the rain started. anyway, i was looking at the back of my house - gosh, i haven't been there in years - when i saw ..
well actually, before i continue on that. isn't it incredible? that there are certain parts of my house that i haven't explored in years? since i went off to college? since i grew up and didn't play outside in the dirt anymore? i've been taking my dog for walks lately (i'd say jog, but who am i kidding, i jog at a leisurely fast walk pace) around my neighborhood and i see houses with kids i don't recognize [new families]. i mean, they were an essential part of my childhood and it doesn't seem that long ago (fine, 10 years), so how can they not live there anymore? these kids i remember in elementary school are now in high school trying to be all cool (heh) and oh, just wow!
oh yeah, so... in my mom's backyard i saw MINT! fresh, mint leaves. mmmm... i don't know if many people knew this (i barely remember this), but i remember at one time wanting to live in the wild, hehe, be one of those resourceful youths, and study herbs and learn how to make polutices and fend for myself with whatever concotion i could create. :)
mmm...
:snaps out of daydreaming: actually, my mom said that it had been there for months (doh). anyway, i'm looking up recipes using fresh mint. i'm so excited! i watch alton and rachel [alton brown, rachel ray] all fancy with their fridges and inside are these zip lock bags with fresh herbs wrapped inside damb paper towels, and now i am joining this elite class! whehehee!
i can't wait to have my own kitchen and then i'll go pick these herbs and store it in my fridge. hah, i even saw alton have a little velcro ziplock bag inside his. maybe i'll do that too...whehehee. can't wait. :)
but anyway, seeing the mint made me think of a book i read when i was little. (and by little i distincy remember 6th grade.) it's the book that made me want to know more about herbs and basically be able to fend for myself in the wilderness. i can't find it now, i've been trying to google it on and off but i just can't find it. it doesn't help that it has a generic title, "black magic" or so i remember... and i *think* my memory serves me correctly.
anyway, it was about this orphan or something, and she grows up but she learned all about herbs and using it to make medicine. hrm, and then somehow she ends up working as the nurse for a princess or something, and teaches her what to do. but it ended up having something to do with black magic and the bubonic plague because she eventually had to fend off the "black death" with the herbs that she gathered, and something about how the children would sometimes be posessed. man this sounds dumber/scarier than it actually was. it was pretty fascainating. i remember one part about having this elaborate sketchbook with blank pages and how she'd go around gathering herbs and sketching them and writing down their medicinal properties..
man, maybe this is why i'm like this. i see so many familir qualities. wanting to have a sketchbook and start/write down useful information. i remmeber the notebook was pretty...it probably had a ribbon for a bookmark too.
you know what, maybe it wasn't called "black magic" but more like "black death" or something...agghh... i'll continue searching for it.
anyway, i realized that there were a lot of great childhook books in my youth (hello, laura!) [laura ingalls wilder] and i want to be able to remember them/peruse them in my leisure. i find them particularly... soothing. mmmhrm.. and i know i definitely need it in times like this.
therefore, it is now my side hobby to find books that i read as a youth that i loved! books that i checked out in the library but now that i am working can now buy! muwaha!
so i definitely first started with "where the red fern grows" by having my brother buy it for me for my 16th? 15th? some birthday. hibisca bought me "little town on the prairie" for my 18th birthday i believe. actually, well those series are a bit specialier to me. i actually asked her not to buy it for me bu tshe didn't listen but oh well, i still love it anyway. :) but yeah, i find that whenever i am particularly stressed, or have done something noteworthy and congratulatory then i buy myself one of those books in her series. so i have to ration it out because i already have bought some. heh, i actually only have a few and i'm eyeing one in paritcular that i really want to read so i better do something praiseworthy soon! haha...
but yeah, so i remembe rreading "rifles for watie" when i was little which also made me realize that i loved the genre: historical fiction. or well, i at least like those. i really ought to stop saying i like particular genres when i only read a couple books (cough, <5)>.<
----
WHY does "black magic" return all these books on african americans and the showbusiness? gagghhh..smalls, you're killing me...
---
okay i give up. i'm going to post it on one of those blogs aka goodreads that says, "what's the name of that book" and hopefully someone will reply back to me. it's a pretty nifty idea.
well actually, before i continue on that. isn't it incredible? that there are certain parts of my house that i haven't explored in years? since i went off to college? since i grew up and didn't play outside in the dirt anymore? i've been taking my dog for walks lately (i'd say jog, but who am i kidding, i jog at a leisurely fast walk pace) around my neighborhood and i see houses with kids i don't recognize [new families]. i mean, they were an essential part of my childhood and it doesn't seem that long ago (fine, 10 years), so how can they not live there anymore? these kids i remember in elementary school are now in high school trying to be all cool (heh) and oh, just wow!
oh yeah, so... in my mom's backyard i saw MINT! fresh, mint leaves. mmmm... i don't know if many people knew this (i barely remember this), but i remember at one time wanting to live in the wild, hehe, be one of those resourceful youths, and study herbs and learn how to make polutices and fend for myself with whatever concotion i could create. :)
mmm...
:snaps out of daydreaming: actually, my mom said that it had been there for months (doh). anyway, i'm looking up recipes using fresh mint. i'm so excited! i watch alton and rachel [alton brown, rachel ray] all fancy with their fridges and inside are these zip lock bags with fresh herbs wrapped inside damb paper towels, and now i am joining this elite class! whehehee!
i can't wait to have my own kitchen and then i'll go pick these herbs and store it in my fridge. hah, i even saw alton have a little velcro ziplock bag inside his. maybe i'll do that too...whehehee. can't wait. :)
but anyway, seeing the mint made me think of a book i read when i was little. (and by little i distincy remember 6th grade.) it's the book that made me want to know more about herbs and basically be able to fend for myself in the wilderness. i can't find it now, i've been trying to google it on and off but i just can't find it. it doesn't help that it has a generic title, "black magic" or so i remember... and i *think* my memory serves me correctly.
anyway, it was about this orphan or something, and she grows up but she learned all about herbs and using it to make medicine. hrm, and then somehow she ends up working as the nurse for a princess or something, and teaches her what to do. but it ended up having something to do with black magic and the bubonic plague because she eventually had to fend off the "black death" with the herbs that she gathered, and something about how the children would sometimes be posessed. man this sounds dumber/scarier than it actually was. it was pretty fascainating. i remember one part about having this elaborate sketchbook with blank pages and how she'd go around gathering herbs and sketching them and writing down their medicinal properties..
man, maybe this is why i'm like this. i see so many familir qualities. wanting to have a sketchbook and start/write down useful information. i remmeber the notebook was pretty...it probably had a ribbon for a bookmark too.
you know what, maybe it wasn't called "black magic" but more like "black death" or something...agghh... i'll continue searching for it.
anyway, i realized that there were a lot of great childhook books in my youth (hello, laura!) [laura ingalls wilder] and i want to be able to remember them/peruse them in my leisure. i find them particularly... soothing. mmmhrm.. and i know i definitely need it in times like this.
therefore, it is now my side hobby to find books that i read as a youth that i loved! books that i checked out in the library but now that i am working can now buy! muwaha!
so i definitely first started with "where the red fern grows" by having my brother buy it for me for my 16th? 15th? some birthday. hibisca bought me "little town on the prairie" for my 18th birthday i believe. actually, well those series are a bit specialier to me. i actually asked her not to buy it for me bu tshe didn't listen but oh well, i still love it anyway. :) but yeah, i find that whenever i am particularly stressed, or have done something noteworthy and congratulatory then i buy myself one of those books in her series. so i have to ration it out because i already have bought some. heh, i actually only have a few and i'm eyeing one in paritcular that i really want to read so i better do something praiseworthy soon! haha...
but yeah, so i remembe rreading "rifles for watie" when i was little which also made me realize that i loved the genre: historical fiction. or well, i at least like those. i really ought to stop saying i like particular genres when i only read a couple books (cough, <5)>.<
----
WHY does "black magic" return all these books on african americans and the showbusiness? gagghhh..smalls, you're killing me...
---
okay i give up. i'm going to post it on one of those blogs aka goodreads that says, "what's the name of that book" and hopefully someone will reply back to me. it's a pretty nifty idea.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
self confidence
hrm, so another thing i noticed last wk (or so..). i meant to write it down but never got around to it (something about my compute ris just so slow...those scans, gagh...i s'pose i should be happier since i haven't had any viruses yet but anyway)
so i think before i tried to, hrm... increase self confidence by learning/doing more things. i figured i could gain confidence that way because i would be more confident about this and that. HOWEVER, i realized that the more i knew, the more i didn't know (some pithy quote, somewhere...)
anyway, i think it is more of just trying to increase self confidence with what i do know/have. hrm...now how to go about doing that. i've tried writing down good qualities about myself but at times, that just seems kind of lame. heh. i always end up writing about things that make me happy, that i love. silly me, always digressing :P
so i think before i tried to, hrm... increase self confidence by learning/doing more things. i figured i could gain confidence that way because i would be more confident about this and that. HOWEVER, i realized that the more i knew, the more i didn't know (some pithy quote, somewhere...)
anyway, i think it is more of just trying to increase self confidence with what i do know/have. hrm...now how to go about doing that. i've tried writing down good qualities about myself but at times, that just seems kind of lame. heh. i always end up writing about things that make me happy, that i love. silly me, always digressing :P
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