Tony and Friends

Working our way through the family tree brings us to my sister-in-crime Rita.

Hallo, and Danke for letting me write to you. Those are the only two German words I know, and for the next few days we are going to Munich without our guides. So, I will be able to tell everyone Hi and Thank You.
I am being cultured here in Germany. I have learned a few things about different ways of life.

First off I have made a new friend, Tony. He is this 10 year old boy that has this awesome bike!! Even though he didn't speak any English I am sure he has gone off some sweet jumps!! He is my new BFF. So I wanna give a shout out to Tony: HALLO TONY.

Tony and his sweet bike, I think it has pegs!

Secondly, it was an adventure driving to the Black Forest. I don't understand the driving system.
It needs to be noted that the Germans are like the most eco-friendly people ever. But, a little contradicting when if comes to driving. We did not turn on the A/C because it would use too much gas. Ok that makes sense to me. But someone needs to teach them about cruise control and gas mileage.

Brake lights mean nothing. If someone ahead of you taps their brakes, you don't slow down, you don't acknowledge them slowing. You simply wait until you are just about to rear-end them and then SLAM on the BRAKES! All is fair in love, war and now driving in Germany.  Also with the hills and curves it was a trip...I have never ever been car sick until then (and I like roller coasters). I will be much more calm driving down I-69 or I-75 from now on.

So during our adventurous car ride, we listened to the radio. I knew that America's #1 export was entertainment, but I didn't realize it was that big over here. My interpretation of the radio was like this:
Radio DJ: bla bla bla something something something....Pink "Perfect" bla bla bla
then Pink come on the radio.
Along with that on the play list was Rhianna, Katy Perry, and of course Hanson's "Mmm Bop" (now for you young kids Hanson is the older version of the Jonas Brothers) Can't wait until the Jonas Brothers catch on over here. Its gonna be CRAZY! Their European tour should be very successful.

My sisters and I re-lived our childhood as we ventured out into the Black Forest. The scenery was Beautiful! Mom described it like Hawaii. We seen water falls (and of course we climbed onto slippery rocks to get cool pictures of us by it). After that we found this old bunker from WWII and like 12 year old, we dared each other to go in it. Slightly creepy, yes. Very cool, of course!

Sisters: I'm in the black, Becca is standing up and Bobbi is in the so very German scarf. 

Bobbi found a few snails, (like Tony and I's friendship was quickly established, The snails and Bobbi hit it off wonderfully). She even helped one cross the road so it wouldn't get squished. She is quite the ....well I can't think of a good word to describe a person who helps a snail cross the road.

That is all I have for now, danke for this experience.
Rita

Family Bonding

AH! They're here, and my oh my are they American.

Family showed up just a few hours ago and we've already played a game of Ultimate Frisbee (Kudos to Bobbi and Rita for joining in.) and ate ice cream. I'd call that a success.

In order to bring this to you family-fun style, I decided to add some guest bloggers to my queu.
Everyone, I introduce to you: my Mother.

Mother is here even though the sugar beets aren't planted. I'm trying to enjoy myself but I'd relax more when the crops are in. We were already called 'dumb Americans' after not being able to find the luggage claim. The little bit I've seen of Germany I am amazed at the speed of cars. It's either stop or 50mph around a curve. Including the buses, which need new brakes. Tomorrow I get to rent a Mercedes A Class to drive to the Black Forest. This will be a challenge.
 When Nick said the subway is just outside the door he was not kidding. It's just outside the door. Tonight will be interesting with the subway going by every 5-10 minutes.

We will have many stories to tell with Grandma and Grandpa in tow. Would not have made it to the airport if we would have listened to Grandpas directions in Detroit. Good thing I was driving.
I never realized Grandpa could talk so much to total strangers about anything that has happened in his amazing 78 years.

Hope all is well with Jonathon and Allen bachelor-ing. It will be amazing to know what they will eat after the casseroles I made run out. Good luck, Jonathon on your ball game. I miss you both.

-Debbie.

(PS Also, to anyone who has written me an e-mail and not gotten a reply. I'm really sorry. I have not gotten any of them I have not replied to. My family just informed me of everyone that has tried to contact me and again I apologize to you guys. Uncle Tom, I have not gotten anything from you. Call and we'll get it figured out -Becca)

When I Grow Up

For various reasons, I know in my future I am not suitable enough to become a:

     -Customer service representative
     -High school guidance counselor
     -Anything in child care

Along with my crippling inability of being comfortable around people, especially the little ones, and low level of patience, I have also learned today that I am a terrible planner and can therefore add one more to the list. Travel Agent.
As wonderful as it is to have family coming to visit me (next Tuesday for anyone who hasn't heard from either of my sisters or grandparents in the last three months) planning their trip for ten days is a monstrous undertaking. From sleeping arrangments, to food planning, to advanced homework assignments, to spending literally over six hours today on my laptop attempting to find a train ride that just goes to Dachau in four stops or less c'mon Deutsche Bahn! Whew.

As seen in my last post, I have begun procrastinating all of these things. Why? Probably because I didn't realize next Tuesday meant in FOUR DAYS. But more likely because I need help back at home deciding what type of ice cream flavor is better that night. Winging it just goes better sometimes, but unfortunately here winging it just doesn't fly. (There's a great pun in there somewhere.) It's hard enough trying to figure out my own going-abouts in German and Germany without wondering what a group of people ages ranging from nearly eighty to twenty want to do whilst in the beer capital of the world. Huh. I think I may have just answered my own question...

While today was a wee bit stressful, I finally got it all figured out. Not saying it's going to work, but gal darn it, there is a haphazardly jumbled together idea of a plan on my laptop of the coming two weeks. Plus, I am just thrilled to see you guys soon. Start brushing up on your German.

Also, the biggest irony of my life would be if I actually ended up working in any of those areas listed above.

When In Germany,

...do as the Germans do and aufschieben. That isn't really specific to Germans, I think every college student procrastinates their work.

The problem in Germany is that your grades don't come from two or three exams, participation, discussion questions, and homework. It's just a Referat. Those are one giant presentation during a class in which you pick a topic relating to the subject on the first day of class, become a master in that topic, and formulate a speech long enough to teach the class for an entire period. That's how courses are set up here for the most part. The students teach the students. Cheap, simple, zen.

The side effects of Referat may include: hives, sweaty palms, headache, and fast or irregular heart beat. Oh, also procrastination. That's a big one.

It doesn't help that I'm a bit socially awkward. 

This is me in a nutshell.

I've always been an "old soul", whereas I prefer the term "mature". Going to college just kind of amplifies my awareness of that, especially in situations where since I can't communicate and my actions are screaming louder than my words.
Last night, I did act my age I suppose. It had been a rough day for some friends here and we decided to go out on a whim, and get a beer. Usually when this happens I just tag along and play the fifth wheel, but this time was different.

The place was literally a hole in the wall, (the hole was covered by a curtain) and walking in I got the feeling it was someones house. It was busy, which only took twenty people, because it was only one living room sized room with six tables in it. Kind of reminded me of TGI-Fridays style, only without being tacky because instead of fishing poles and ski shoes on the wall there was caricatures of Karl Marx. How classy.
Two guys were just playing a violin and guitar and being gypsy-like. I was told they kind of just go around from bar to bar and play for some cash. We stayed for one beer and headed back home. Everyone had to be up early the next morning. Lame? Maybe. Fun? Definitely. Good company, good tunes, good vibes, and better yet, they had my favorite beer along with a twenty cent rideable Mario on the walk back.

Not so bad, I guess.

Candles

 Today was a day of history. People say that just like how they remembered the exact second they found out about Pearl Harbor, JFK, or 9/11, they will too remember what they were doing the day Bin Laden was killed. I'm more concerned about what they are doing after.

Simple fact, I am abroad. I am a drop of American amongst a vast sea of international. I only read in the papers of people celebrating in the streets that "a monster will finally rot in hell." Taking too literal the metaphor of dancing on someone's grave people were so ready to don tap shoes that a sea burial was needed. Why such rage? Ire? Vehemence?
Because three thousand friends, family members, co-workers and otherwise human beings were lost at a mans' words.

 But humans are truly a diverse lot. Eva Kor, a spit-fire of a woman who survived the Holocaust in Auschwitz under Dr. Mengele. The Angel of Death did unspeakable things to his "patients". Eva Kor learned this first hand as her and her twin were subjected to surgical horrors. Things that would ruin the mind and soul of a person.
Ruined the lives of three thousand friends, children, grandchildren and human beings all at this one mans' words.

Eva Kor is still alive. So is her twin sister Miriam. They are not ruined, but surely broken. For many years Eva worked to put herself back together. She moved. She got married.  It took forty years, but standing on the ground where her family was torn from her outside of a cattle car, she forgave. With an Auschwitz doctor by her side she formally forgave those who had almost ruined her life. She said offering her forgiveness healed her, but it did not mean she would forget. Nor did it change anything that had happened. She lived.
I don't often think on coincidences, but learning about Eva today seems to me as a good a reason as ever to pass on this idea.

Terrible things happen in life. Tragic, horrid, mind-bending things. But hating only inflames them. When you hate, you only perpetrate a circle. When you forgive, you end it.