To Those Who Wait

Quick Plug: Check out my friend's blog who will be working on an oil rig in Ecuador for about a year. You can find it in my links section.


So I have finally gotten myself almost sorted out here in Aachen. There's all those little things people typically like to call life that have taken up all my time recently, so I haven't really gotten a chance to get to the internet. BUT I SHOULD BE REGULARLY UPDATED MY BLOG, SO BE SURE TO SIGN UP AND CHECK OUT HOW I AM DOING. For now I will say that I will write on the blog about once a week, every wednesday. So please come back to it her and now, and post! I know it's not private, but some things don't have to be Mom, Beno, Sam, ......

As far as how things are going, everything is pretty good. The German is TOUGH. I am learning a lot, but it is a constant battle and so discouraging because it always feels liker there is so much more to learn. But I am slowly getting there. Other general impressions so far I guess are also normal. I go through days where I hate being here to times where it is fun. Every day is crushing with both the mental strain, and embarrassment of sounding like a four year old. I haven’t even started my real work yet and I am pooped. Also, all this has made me homesick. The first parts of the culture shock have started in a serious way. I really just want some friends that I am already comfortable with here, and to speak English, and know where to buy things. God, places like Target are a great American invention.

But those times pass, and things are great. I've met dozens of really nice and interesting people, gone drinking many times, cooked dinner with a lab mate and watched a german movie with no subtitles (ya that was not very helpful), been to several parties, learned that it is far easier to speak german after a couple drinks than when sober, had my first "defence" of american affairs and politics in the world, played a key role in a soccer tournament within the electrical engineering department here, and dressed up as Donna Summers while performing "Hot Stuff" on stage with some labmates. Yes, pics are soon to come, but you'll have to stay tuned! :)

It is quite interesting to see what it feels like to be a foreigner. It's strange too, because it always made sence why foreigners in the US found companionship with other foreigners, but you never REALLY understand why until you are one. Regarldless of which country they are from (I haven't met anyone from the US), the other foreigners here, from Indonesia, El Salvador, etc. are of course more understanding of the difficulty of being in a strange land speaking a difficult language, and are hence more patient. Plus, there's a slight, but meaningful difference between the way they behave. This same difference exists with the Germans who have lived abroad, compared with the ones, I think, who have not. It's more a feeling than anything else, so it's hard to fix into words, but there's a greater level of responsiveness when communicating. They seem more interested and are more interactive, even though the thing you might have said is inconsequential (with my level of german i can't make any profound statements). And so, you of course become more attracted to being with them.

Still, the native germans that may have not lived some where else have been great, especially in my lab. They have all been very very kind and inclusive of me. And I hope to be able to have more natural conversations, and therefore closer relationships, with them as my german improves. So, sorry for the long post, but I figured I would make up for my previous lack. Soon, Ill have the pics up from all my travels and from some things here in Aachen.

Also, here is my address and phone number if you are interested.

Kastanienweg 35, Apt. 1012
52074 Aachen
Germany

(011 49) 1773336472 (stuff in parentheses is for calling germany from the US)

Finally, after the tallying the meager votes, the short hair pic is the winner.

Bis Bald! (Til' Soon)