I came all the way to Germany and I'm still painting walls... 9/6/08

So yeah, I'm here in Germany, but it doesn't seem like much has changed because I'm still PAINTING WALLS!!! I may never escape it!!! Though there are definitely worse things. And, um, yeah, I"m in GERMANY!!!! So I'm completely okay with painting walls here! Now for the explanation"

So on our way back home from going out last night, in which we survived a few dead clubs (it's Friday, did anyone miss that), a freak rain shower (I'm told it happens a lot in Mannheim) and a sampling from Kathleen's favorite kebab shop, (my second one in Germany already!!! Only been here 18 hours!!! It's a sickness, I know. It all started when I was six years old in Kenya, I was trampled by a ... wait that's Uncle Don, not me!!!!

ANYWHO, back on track -- we were heading back to Kathleen's room with her friends Sydney and Rose (pictured above: Sydney left, Rose right) when some of the people from her building stopped her and told her they were repainting the party room for the building tomorrow, and would she like to help? Of course we would! So today, after getting up really late, because I was still on American time and it was Schatzi's first chance to sleep in since FOREVER, we went down and painted, and got attacked by said paint! It was great, Kathleen even had a red nose like Rudolph!!!! I just added to the paint that hadn't washed off yet from home...

I also got to talk to Mom today, as she knows. And I've continued looking for a place to live, but still no real luck. I"m going to probably just go to Heidelberg on Monday and check out what they have offered at the student center! Oooh, and tonight, we're going to Heidelberg to see the fireworks and the lighting of the castle!!! I'll get to show Sydney and Kathleen and their friend Joy my city!!!! And I get to see DAVIDVDVDVDVDVD!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!

Pretzels and DeNiro 9/5/2008

A couple of days late, this is really from September 5th, 2008

I've arrived! And I survived much better than I did the last trans-Atlantic trip to school in Germany. This time there were no emergencies, no hospitals and no doors of doom. I'd say all-in-all a great success. Though I must say, now looking back on the process of actually getting here, as my friend Cat said just before I left, "the second time saying goodbye is always harder."

After flying to Michigan, of all places, I had a direct flight from there to Frankfurt. On the first plane, I conked out right away, since I haven't had much sleep in the last 48 hours. On the way to Frankfurt, I was next to a 10-year old girl who only spoke German. While that wasn't a problem for me, I would like to say sorry to Mom that I didn't get to "juice" either of the people sitting next to me. Better luck next time, right? But we did bond over the crew's atrocious German and I did enjoy the in-flight movies, including "Analyze That". Why they had that, I have no idea...

I got all my luggage and underway, with only a slight hold-up when the passport controller wanted to know if I was still living in the country after my last visa expired (That was only, oh, three years ago). I took the train to Mannheim, where I'll be staying with my WONDERFUL Schatzi, a.k.a. Kathleen, (who is pictured above, with her friend Andrew) until I find my own place in Heidelberg. I began the search before I came, but I'm hoping I'll have better luck now that I'm here.

I just enjoyed a nice little nap of six or seven hours, still needed, due to lack of sleep before I got here. And I didn't sleep on the second plane...

Tonight we're going out on the town to introduce me to Mannheim, since I only knew the shopping street from beforehand. I'll get to meet some of Kathleen's new friends and some of the people who are helping them out at the Uni this year.

Well, that's all to report for now!!!

I love you and I miss you all already, and I hope you're doing well.