GOOD EVENING!
Well I skipped a day of blogging. I did that so I wouldn't get too nutty about it.
Yesterday I slept in till 10, then read the rest of the Nicholas Sparks book, The Choice. I tell ya what, Nicholas Sparks really takes you on a ride this time!! I got out of bed when I finished the book then rode my bike to Aldi to get some food... $11 later I am home again. It is amazing how much food you can get there for the price!
The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning and putting away laundry. When I came home I noticed how the shelf in the shower had fallen down AGAIN and the little bottle of facewash had cracked open, and there was 3 oz of my good facewash all over the shower floor. ARGH stuff like that makes me mad. There is still face wash all over the floor in the shower; it's not like I can get it all up at once. Whatever.
Sonja picked me up to go to the carnival at 8:15... while I was waiting, I saw a hedgehog scurry across the street! I wasn't sure what it was at first, so I walked over and saw it going through the grass. As I approached, it got scared and ducked its little head into the grass and didn't move for like 5 minutes. It eventually took its head up a bit so I could take some pictures of it, lol. How cute.
Sonja's friend Christian drove to Mayen to the Lukasmarkt... it was like a mini Octoberfest, seriously. Everything was just as expensive. We just walked through it and left. Sonja got some coconut almonds and they were amazing!! The regular almonds were awesome, too. I was getting kind of irritated after a while, because both Sonja and Christian were using me to practice their English... that is, when I spoke in German, they would simply answer in English. Then they would ask and say things to me in English, and even talk to each other in English!! AHHH I tried to tell them nicely, look, how would you feel if you came to the USA and all I wanted to do was speak German with you. They said they would have liked it. But it was starting to get on my nerves. Sure, English is easier, but I didn't come all this way to speak it to Germans, for heaven's sake.
After the carnival we went to one of their friend's house, where he had made a bunch of Greek style food in remembrance of his vacation, or so it seemed. All we did the entire time was look at pictures, literally hundreds, maybe up to 1000 or more pictures, from their numerous vacations. Talk about feeling out of the loop. We stayed and looked at pictures until 1:30 in the stinking morning. Sonja doesn't speak loudly or clearly, so whenever she did speak to me in German I always had to ask her to repeat herself. I made a mental note to myself to try to stick to people who will be polite and respectful of my wish to learn German, not help them learn English. I just thought that was so rude. And I'm a nice person so of course I didn't start yelling and screaming, but I really thought it was so impolite. I compared hanging out with them to hanging out with Melanie and her friends, and the latter was so much better in comparison. I can see myself spending the most time with them, at least so far! Classes and such haven't started yet, so I haven't met too many people...
Today I slept in until like 11, since I didn't go to bed till 2:30 or so... I made breakfast with my brave little toaster... Bauernbrot toasted, with spreadable cheese + salami. YUM it was delicious. I also had a piece of regular toast w/ Nutella. I am pretty proud of myself, I've had that Nutella for almost a month now, I guess, and there are 20 servings in the container, at least according to the label, and I still have 2/3 of the jar left. That must mean my MNPC (Mission for Nutella Portion Control) is successful so far!! AWESOME!
After breakfast I went outside. The weather today is PERFECT. It was 59 for the high. I didn't even need a jacket. I took my iPod for my Jesus music, crossed the big bridge by my house and walked alllllll the way along the Moselle till it met the Rhine at the big monument for Kaiser Wilhelm and the Deutsches Eck. I sat and journaled for a while then was on my way. I meandered around a bit, found some cool stuff and museums in the Altstadt (need to go back there!) and went inside an old church. Those places are scary!! It was so cool to see all the old architecture, it's so wild to know that these places have been here soooo long!! The city of Koblenz is 1000 years old, by the way. I took a ton of pictures along my way; I'll be posting those tomorrow morning once I can get to the lab on campus.
Museums in the Altstadt are open on Sunday; I think I'm going to go there next Sunday. I think it'd be a great thing to do on a Sunday. Then I think I'll take my bike, since by foot it is sooo far! By the time I got home it had been 3 hours and 15 minutes since I left. What a workout! I was sooo tired, not just from the sheer distance but from the hills and stairs and rocky surfaces. It was fun, though, a good break from the routine. A GREAT way to spend a Sunday. I listened to a David Miller message on Affecting Others Around You... that was a good one.
So now I am sitting here in shorts and a sports bra just chillin. I am really beat!! I may start a new book today. This time I might start one of my German ones...
Oh yeah, yesterday I also picked classes for the semester. Looks like I will be taking two serious ones, meaning, I will attempt to obtain credit, and one all in German that I will simply attend with no intention to receive credit (meaning no tests!!). Translation 1 seems like it is going to be a TON of work, but my schedule seems to be light enough that the work can get knocked out in one solid afternoon a week. Here's what my schedule looks like:
Monday: Intercultural Communication 10am-12pm
Tuesday: Werbecommunication 2pm-4pm
Wednesday: NOTHING
Thursday: Translation 1: 10am -12pm
Friday: NOTHING
I could probably just dedicate Thursday afternoons to nothing but doing the work for Translation, and that'd be that. Then I can be free to travel or play around all weekend =D. I am really hoping to meet some people this week who want to travel. I'll finally get to meet some more people in an organized setting this week, as things are starting to pick up as the semester begin draws closer. So I am definitely excited about that. So far, I only have Rome in the works as far as travel goes, and that won't be until March. I definitely want to take some day and/or weekend trips in between.
That's all for now, folks, I'll post pictures tomorrow.
Caitlin
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Slow Starts, Laundry, and Conditioner (that is smaller than the matching shampoo)
Hello folks,
I am writing to you this evening from the comfort of my own cozy room *shuts window because it is currently 55 degrees outside!!*
Had a slow start this morning. I think I turned off my alarm in my sleep. So I got up at 8:40, and had planned to get the bus at 9:25, but didn't factor in my morning routine at ALL... so long story short I miss the bus at 10:25 and had to wait till 10:55, putting me at the Ordnungsamt at 11:00am. An hour before it closed. There were only people in there waiting for the person I needed to see, of course, and I waited an hour until the place closed and the line had barely moved, in which case the other people who worked there tried to take some of the work load. So I never got to see the person I needed to see, but I got my residence permit...50 euros later. I have to come back in March to renew it, because Jody at the University only gave us the confirmation until March, even though he also made one for the summer semester as well. He must have forgotten... but, because of this, I have to go back in March to renew and pay 30E more, whereas if he had NOT forgotten, I'd only have to pay that first 50E and not come back. Damn. I'll say it, DAMN. Ticks me off.
BUT, as I discussed with my Walk Club team members today, I did not save 13 of my 20 years to be a miser of the money... I saved to do something plum awesome. And this is it. I saved for all such mishaps, emergencies, splurges, living expenses, gifts to send home to Mom and Pop and Sissy, and maybe even Christmas decorations. Not to be stingy or complaining about where my money goes. Certainly one must be smart about it, but not to the point of being angry about something one cannot change!... For example, I can't change that Jody made that mistake, and Koblenz won't give me a break, I'm sure of it. Germans just aren't like that.
So after the Ordnungsamt I went to the "mall" which is called the Loehr Center. I caught the bus perfect timing, the next one was gonna come in like 30 minutes. That would've been lame. I went to Globus, the biggest store in town besides IKEA, and looked around. I found paper holder thing that I'd been looking for for about $1.50 and a super duper deal on Schwarzkopf shampoo and conditioner... instead of 1,45 at dm Markt and other places, it was only 77 cents each, 12c more than the dm store brand AND 100 ml more per bottle. What irks me about German shampoo and conditioner is that there is always at least 100ml less in the conditioner bottle than in the shampoo. WHY??! Ha ha... I just washed my hair twice with the new shampoo today for kicks, that way I don't run out of conditioner faster. I could just use less conditioner, I guess... lol
I went home and worked out, today's walks were the WATP Express 3 Mile Advanced Walk + 1 Mile Booster... it was awesome! I used the stretchie band + the water weights for an extra boost and some strength training. Then I made the BEST lunch ever. I don't know why I don't have this much luck making my own food at home in Florida, lol. I had stopped by the bakery on the way home and got a poppy seed roll... I spread low fat buttery spread stuff (ALDI!) and some garlic powder on one side, added some chicken, leftover tomato sauce, and low fat cheese (ALDI!) and microwaved it... it was the most delicious sandwich I have ever eaten!
After my (much needed) shower, I took my clothes to the laundry room upstairs... forgot the detergent, so I had to come back, lol. I changed the language on the machine just to be safe, lol. I followed the directions and started the laundry. The cycle lasts 58 minutes, soooo long. It was clean when I came back, needless to say, and it smells sooo nice now in my room, like clean laundry! I hung it on my new laundry rack. Love that thing! I only have to use it 5 times to make it worth my 5 euros spent = those 5 euros were saved NOT paying to use the dryer :-)
I organized all my papers with paper clips and put them in the new paper tray. Looks nice and neat in here now! Maybe I'll take some pictures...
Tomorrow I will ride my bike or walk someplace. It's my day off from rigorous exercise, but I just want to stay active. Tomorrow I am also set to go to the carnival with Sonja. She is in Venice until tomorrow morning, but then she'll get in touch to let me know when we're going. I'm excited!!
Anyway that's the news, thanks for tuning in.
Caitlin
I am writing to you this evening from the comfort of my own cozy room *shuts window because it is currently 55 degrees outside!!*
Had a slow start this morning. I think I turned off my alarm in my sleep. So I got up at 8:40, and had planned to get the bus at 9:25, but didn't factor in my morning routine at ALL... so long story short I miss the bus at 10:25 and had to wait till 10:55, putting me at the Ordnungsamt at 11:00am. An hour before it closed. There were only people in there waiting for the person I needed to see, of course, and I waited an hour until the place closed and the line had barely moved, in which case the other people who worked there tried to take some of the work load. So I never got to see the person I needed to see, but I got my residence permit...50 euros later. I have to come back in March to renew it, because Jody at the University only gave us the confirmation until March, even though he also made one for the summer semester as well. He must have forgotten... but, because of this, I have to go back in March to renew and pay 30E more, whereas if he had NOT forgotten, I'd only have to pay that first 50E and not come back. Damn. I'll say it, DAMN. Ticks me off.
BUT, as I discussed with my Walk Club team members today, I did not save 13 of my 20 years to be a miser of the money... I saved to do something plum awesome. And this is it. I saved for all such mishaps, emergencies, splurges, living expenses, gifts to send home to Mom and Pop and Sissy, and maybe even Christmas decorations. Not to be stingy or complaining about where my money goes. Certainly one must be smart about it, but not to the point of being angry about something one cannot change!... For example, I can't change that Jody made that mistake, and Koblenz won't give me a break, I'm sure of it. Germans just aren't like that.
So after the Ordnungsamt I went to the "mall" which is called the Loehr Center. I caught the bus perfect timing, the next one was gonna come in like 30 minutes. That would've been lame. I went to Globus, the biggest store in town besides IKEA, and looked around. I found paper holder thing that I'd been looking for for about $1.50 and a super duper deal on Schwarzkopf shampoo and conditioner... instead of 1,45 at dm Markt and other places, it was only 77 cents each, 12c more than the dm store brand AND 100 ml more per bottle. What irks me about German shampoo and conditioner is that there is always at least 100ml less in the conditioner bottle than in the shampoo. WHY??! Ha ha... I just washed my hair twice with the new shampoo today for kicks, that way I don't run out of conditioner faster. I could just use less conditioner, I guess... lol
I went home and worked out, today's walks were the WATP Express 3 Mile Advanced Walk + 1 Mile Booster... it was awesome! I used the stretchie band + the water weights for an extra boost and some strength training. Then I made the BEST lunch ever. I don't know why I don't have this much luck making my own food at home in Florida, lol. I had stopped by the bakery on the way home and got a poppy seed roll... I spread low fat buttery spread stuff (ALDI!) and some garlic powder on one side, added some chicken, leftover tomato sauce, and low fat cheese (ALDI!) and microwaved it... it was the most delicious sandwich I have ever eaten!
After my (much needed) shower, I took my clothes to the laundry room upstairs... forgot the detergent, so I had to come back, lol. I changed the language on the machine just to be safe, lol. I followed the directions and started the laundry. The cycle lasts 58 minutes, soooo long. It was clean when I came back, needless to say, and it smells sooo nice now in my room, like clean laundry! I hung it on my new laundry rack. Love that thing! I only have to use it 5 times to make it worth my 5 euros spent = those 5 euros were saved NOT paying to use the dryer :-)
I organized all my papers with paper clips and put them in the new paper tray. Looks nice and neat in here now! Maybe I'll take some pictures...
Tomorrow I will ride my bike or walk someplace. It's my day off from rigorous exercise, but I just want to stay active. Tomorrow I am also set to go to the carnival with Sonja. She is in Venice until tomorrow morning, but then she'll get in touch to let me know when we're going. I'm excited!!
Anyway that's the news, thanks for tuning in.
Caitlin
Thursday, October 11, 2007
First Evening Out + Thrilling Thursday
Hey everyone!!
Well I finally got my computer ID to work here on campus, so now I am in the computer lab working on getting my pics and videos uploaded to facebook. Here are the albums I added or added to today...
Ingolstadt several new ones
München
My Life in Koblenz a few new ones.
My Apartment ALL NEW
Fun with New Friends ALL NEW
For those with Facebook, there are also new videos posted on my profile.
Yay! I took a few today while out with Kathrin, but that'll have to wait til next time I am here... which may be as early as tomorrow. Heck, its not like its far.
Today I met Kathrin and we went to get a laundry rack, found one real quick for just 5€! Exactly what I needed. There was one for 10€ at IKEA but not nearly as sturdy as the one at Globus. We both noted today that although there are quite a few bargains at IKEA, they can also be pretty expensive. I returned some leftover curtains I had at home for 4€ then we went to eat, I had Swedish meatballs and potatoes... but I got the small portion for 1€ less :-) love to save money and calories simultaneously. Ain't nothin' better!! We walked through IKEA and then got the same cool ice cream cones as I had last time we went. I filmed it, I'll upload that video soon as well. OH we also went to the train station and I bought the super günstig Bahn Card 50... I am still tickled pink as to the good deal that is! I got the temporary one and they took my picture to send me the permanent one.
We went to the school and I got my ID laminated for 25 cents, got my library card activated, and fixed my computer account... tomorrow looks sort of busy as well, I think I will go to the Ordnungsamt to pick up my residence permit, then I'll take it to the bank so they can copy it for my records...
Just thinking out loud. Overall it's been a productive day. I am going to go back to my room and work out before dinner, which definitely won't be much tonight since I ate those meatballs today. You give and take to stay fit, I suppose. And that's one of my goals. I also gotta work on writing in my journal! I get so caught up with the blog I forget the journal. The journal is mainly for expressing thoughts, feelings, prayers, thanks, etc., and stuff ya'll would probably raise an eyebrow at, ha ha :-)
Caitlin
Well I finally got my computer ID to work here on campus, so now I am in the computer lab working on getting my pics and videos uploaded to facebook. Here are the albums I added or added to today...
Ingolstadt several new ones
München
My Life in Koblenz a few new ones.
My Apartment ALL NEW
Fun with New Friends ALL NEW
For those with Facebook, there are also new videos posted on my profile.
Yay! I took a few today while out with Kathrin, but that'll have to wait til next time I am here... which may be as early as tomorrow. Heck, its not like its far.
Today I met Kathrin and we went to get a laundry rack, found one real quick for just 5€! Exactly what I needed. There was one for 10€ at IKEA but not nearly as sturdy as the one at Globus. We both noted today that although there are quite a few bargains at IKEA, they can also be pretty expensive. I returned some leftover curtains I had at home for 4€ then we went to eat, I had Swedish meatballs and potatoes... but I got the small portion for 1€ less :-) love to save money and calories simultaneously. Ain't nothin' better!! We walked through IKEA and then got the same cool ice cream cones as I had last time we went. I filmed it, I'll upload that video soon as well. OH we also went to the train station and I bought the super günstig Bahn Card 50... I am still tickled pink as to the good deal that is! I got the temporary one and they took my picture to send me the permanent one.
We went to the school and I got my ID laminated for 25 cents, got my library card activated, and fixed my computer account... tomorrow looks sort of busy as well, I think I will go to the Ordnungsamt to pick up my residence permit, then I'll take it to the bank so they can copy it for my records...
Just thinking out loud. Overall it's been a productive day. I am going to go back to my room and work out before dinner, which definitely won't be much tonight since I ate those meatballs today. You give and take to stay fit, I suppose. And that's one of my goals. I also gotta work on writing in my journal! I get so caught up with the blog I forget the journal. The journal is mainly for expressing thoughts, feelings, prayers, thanks, etc., and stuff ya'll would probably raise an eyebrow at, ha ha :-)
Caitlin
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wonderful Wednesday
Hi everyone, it's me again...
I got up at 8:20am this morning and checked my mail, then I worked out for 75 minutes right here in my room! It was great; I did 5 miles. Today I cooked the rest of my chicken so it wouldn't go bad, and made some more of the same Uncle Ben's rice as last night because I want to get rid of it, it makes my entire refrigerator smell like it, lol... I think today I had the pan too hot or I was cooking the chicken too long (it tasted fine), but I am very surprised I didn't set off the fire alarm, lol... I think my little kitchen is cute and very functional, but a LITTLE more space would be nice!!
I registered at the school successfully today, and I went and signed up for the computer thing, so I can use the computers in the labs now... and I got a university email address, however I can't log in for some reason... if I can't log in still tomorrow, I'll go and ask the dude in the little office why! Maybe I mistyped the password both times, lol. Or maybe it takes a while to load into the system? We'll see. I got a library card, I need to copy my registration confirmation before the library will allow me to check things out... so I can do that soon. The guy from the Ordnungsamt called and let me know that whatever it is that I was waiting for (not sure) is finished, and I am scheduled to pick it up on Friday.
A lot of you have heard me talk about a girl named Melanie, she lives here in AdHW too, and a couple of months back wrote me an email that she wanted to be friends and we'd be talking ever since. Welllll she arrived in Koblenz this morning and was at the library studying for English with a friend of hers, Wiebke, and came by a bit ago. Tonight I'm going with them to a little house party, where I will get to try some new food, it is called Raclette... it is something with cheese, and potatoes, I think, and ham? In a little pan. Can't wait! They are both sooo nice and I'm so excited to be making friends.
Tomorrow I hope to be getting together with Kathrin, I miss her!!! So Kathrin if you are reading this, call me and let me know your schedule! I'll probably work out in the morning like today, then head on over to the school to the computer lab to upload the rest of my pictures. Last night I ordered the Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English; it is a book required for the translation courses here at the University. Really there are 4 required books, 4 of which are dictionaries, but since I'm a native speaker I only was recommended a bilingual dictionary and the collocations one. I don't know if I'm going to even buy the bilingual one; the online dictionary is pretty comprehensive... but we'll see, its like $11 online...
Well that's whats going on today, I am stoked about "going out" with new friends tonight. These are the types of things that really make this experience fun!!
Caitlin
I got up at 8:20am this morning and checked my mail, then I worked out for 75 minutes right here in my room! It was great; I did 5 miles. Today I cooked the rest of my chicken so it wouldn't go bad, and made some more of the same Uncle Ben's rice as last night because I want to get rid of it, it makes my entire refrigerator smell like it, lol... I think today I had the pan too hot or I was cooking the chicken too long (it tasted fine), but I am very surprised I didn't set off the fire alarm, lol... I think my little kitchen is cute and very functional, but a LITTLE more space would be nice!!
I registered at the school successfully today, and I went and signed up for the computer thing, so I can use the computers in the labs now... and I got a university email address, however I can't log in for some reason... if I can't log in still tomorrow, I'll go and ask the dude in the little office why! Maybe I mistyped the password both times, lol. Or maybe it takes a while to load into the system? We'll see. I got a library card, I need to copy my registration confirmation before the library will allow me to check things out... so I can do that soon. The guy from the Ordnungsamt called and let me know that whatever it is that I was waiting for (not sure) is finished, and I am scheduled to pick it up on Friday.
A lot of you have heard me talk about a girl named Melanie, she lives here in AdHW too, and a couple of months back wrote me an email that she wanted to be friends and we'd be talking ever since. Welllll she arrived in Koblenz this morning and was at the library studying for English with a friend of hers, Wiebke, and came by a bit ago. Tonight I'm going with them to a little house party, where I will get to try some new food, it is called Raclette... it is something with cheese, and potatoes, I think, and ham? In a little pan. Can't wait! They are both sooo nice and I'm so excited to be making friends.
Tomorrow I hope to be getting together with Kathrin, I miss her!!! So Kathrin if you are reading this, call me and let me know your schedule! I'll probably work out in the morning like today, then head on over to the school to the computer lab to upload the rest of my pictures. Last night I ordered the Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English; it is a book required for the translation courses here at the University. Really there are 4 required books, 4 of which are dictionaries, but since I'm a native speaker I only was recommended a bilingual dictionary and the collocations one. I don't know if I'm going to even buy the bilingual one; the online dictionary is pretty comprehensive... but we'll see, its like $11 online...
Well that's whats going on today, I am stoked about "going out" with new friends tonight. These are the types of things that really make this experience fun!!
Caitlin
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Crazy Time-Consuming Tuesday
OKAY people! I know I am updating a lot, but that's because every day a lot happens and I do/see a lot of things and I know there are certain people depending on these posts imminently (okay, only Mommy, but that's cool! Hey mom!). and I'd like to post before I forget something.
So today even though it was really cold, I put on my gloves, the same sweater I wore yesterday (it doesn't smell, and I don't want to wash clothes that often!) and went to the Ordnungsamt. I got everything taken care of, I just have to wait 1-2 weeks for the background check, I think thats what it is. But I got the guy's card so I can email or call him, and he said he could also call me when it's ready to get picked up. It only takes about 10 minutes or so to go there by bike, so I could pick it up no problem. My next stop was the bank, but it had moved, so I parked my bike at the mall and walked through the Fussgaengerzone where all the shopping was. I left my floss at Gaby's so I bought some at dm Markt and discovered there is a rather inexpensive internet cafe at a book store. Like 1 hour for 1,50. So if nothing else works, I can at least go there. On my way to the Bahnhof I also spotted a few more internet cafes. It was great to walk around and be able to make mental notes here and there about where things are and what's available, good prices/bad prices, etc. For example, Woolworth really doesn't have that good of prices... some stuff is just downright expensive... so I think I'll avoid going there for stuff. They did have a 10E toaster I considered purchasing, but I'll hold off for now. I thought I'd get the toaster from Gaby, but that didn't work out. At least I know if I want a toaster, I can get one at Woolworth for 10E.
I stopped by a Sparkasse and was told I could NOT send money to the University w/ my Sparkasse Ingolstadt account, but I could do it on the Internet, I just had to print the receipt and it would work. I could also deposit and withdraw money at the ATM, or so I thought... more to come on that...
I reached the Bahnhof eventually and saw that there were tons of people just standing around, and a police wagon was there and people crowded around. The doors at the front were taped and although I had it in my head already what was going on, I asked someone standing there and he confirmed it... a bomb threat had occurred that morning at the Hauptbahnhof. So, alas, no Bahncard 50 for me today. I can wait and do it again some other day, maybe Friday. I don't need it for anything right this moment anyway. I did wait around a while to see if we'd be allowed back in since most of the police had left the scene. I walked to Aldi and just looked around, I like that Aldi a lot, they had like bargain bins in the back and all that. I found an apple-scented liquid air freshener that now sits on my desk, dutifully serving to make my room smell like apples :-) I like it and it was only 99 cents (so like $1.39).
I gave up on the Hauptbahnhof and just decided to go back. On the way I stopped by another Sparkasse and went to the ATM to deposit money. It said "with this card you cannot deposit money" or something like that. So I went to the counter and this really nice lady told me that I can't do anything in Koblenz with the Sparkasse Ingolstadt account card. How Tobi didn't know that is beyond me. She graciously informed me that I could change the account from there to here, but that I'd better go to the Metternich branch, the one closest to where I live. So that became the goal from there on out... I went back to the mall and picked up my bike, and rode it 30 minutes to the Sparkasse in Metternich... I am beginning to HATE those hills. I get off and walk the bike up them sometimes, which is just as hard, but faster, ha ha. I love to sail down the hills though; at first I'd brake a little so I didn't go so fast.
I ended up at the Sparkasse in Metternich and set an appointment for 6pm there; I'd have to ring their doorbell so they'd let me in after hours. Lucky me, they only have after-hours appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I told Julia I'd meet her in front of the library today at 5 to ride into town, but I was soooo exhausted from riding my bike and walking around town for 5 hours straight (I'd been gone since 10:30 and it was now 3:30) I just didn't want to go anywhere. I sent her a text message to reschedule but, I suspected Julia had her phone off, and I ended up being right. I felt better after I ate, anyway... I ate chicken soup with veggies and some rice with some more chicken, lol. It was yummy.
I saddled up the bike again (literally, I put on the seat cushion and take it off when I ride the bike) and rode over to campus. I told her I had the appointment at the bank at 6 and so we just went to the little campus cafe. Julia's boyfriend's name is Sam, and he was there, and he can't speak German just yet, so we spoke English then. I ordered a hot chocolate :-) Julia's English is almost perfect, she has an Australian accent, ha ha... she spent a semester in Australia on exchange, which is how she met Sam. So the whole time we all just chatted about learning languages and the different English dialects and stuff. I'd never met an Australian before! It was a great little meeting, the hot chocolate was great (only 1,20)both of them are really fun people. Sam is moving to Paris to work in two weeks, I think.
Everything worked out perfectly at the bank appointment. The lady was super nice, her name was Gabriela. I got her card, too. She was patient and explained everything just perfectly so I didn't have any problems. Essentially she just closed my Ingolstadt account, cut my bank card, and opened a new account in Koblenz, transferring the 100E from the Ingolstadt account to the new account. I got my new account number, routing number, and all that jazz, deposited 150E a did the bank transfer to the University, and signed up for Online banking, all in the one appointment. I had to sign all matter of forms all over again.So now I have the receipt to take to registration tomorrow. I am meeting Chantal, another assistant, to go register. I'd actually prefer to go alone since I do really know what I need, but I haven't met her yet and would like to.
So by Friday I should have all I need for the online banking, and in two weeks I should have my new bank card for the new account. I don't really need it, anyway.
On the way home from the bank, I crossed the street but forgot to brake and ran into a wall. No injuries resulted from this mishap. Ha ha :-)
Hope you all tuned in to the end, I am unsure of my readership to this masterpiece of a blog I am currently producing, but as long as someone is reading it, I'll keep writing :-) And I read it, so there's my one person!
Caitlin
So today even though it was really cold, I put on my gloves, the same sweater I wore yesterday (it doesn't smell, and I don't want to wash clothes that often!) and went to the Ordnungsamt. I got everything taken care of, I just have to wait 1-2 weeks for the background check, I think thats what it is. But I got the guy's card so I can email or call him, and he said he could also call me when it's ready to get picked up. It only takes about 10 minutes or so to go there by bike, so I could pick it up no problem. My next stop was the bank, but it had moved, so I parked my bike at the mall and walked through the Fussgaengerzone where all the shopping was. I left my floss at Gaby's so I bought some at dm Markt and discovered there is a rather inexpensive internet cafe at a book store. Like 1 hour for 1,50. So if nothing else works, I can at least go there. On my way to the Bahnhof I also spotted a few more internet cafes. It was great to walk around and be able to make mental notes here and there about where things are and what's available, good prices/bad prices, etc. For example, Woolworth really doesn't have that good of prices... some stuff is just downright expensive... so I think I'll avoid going there for stuff. They did have a 10E toaster I considered purchasing, but I'll hold off for now. I thought I'd get the toaster from Gaby, but that didn't work out. At least I know if I want a toaster, I can get one at Woolworth for 10E.
I stopped by a Sparkasse and was told I could NOT send money to the University w/ my Sparkasse Ingolstadt account, but I could do it on the Internet, I just had to print the receipt and it would work. I could also deposit and withdraw money at the ATM, or so I thought... more to come on that...
I reached the Bahnhof eventually and saw that there were tons of people just standing around, and a police wagon was there and people crowded around. The doors at the front were taped and although I had it in my head already what was going on, I asked someone standing there and he confirmed it... a bomb threat had occurred that morning at the Hauptbahnhof. So, alas, no Bahncard 50 for me today. I can wait and do it again some other day, maybe Friday. I don't need it for anything right this moment anyway. I did wait around a while to see if we'd be allowed back in since most of the police had left the scene. I walked to Aldi and just looked around, I like that Aldi a lot, they had like bargain bins in the back and all that. I found an apple-scented liquid air freshener that now sits on my desk, dutifully serving to make my room smell like apples :-) I like it and it was only 99 cents (so like $1.39).
I gave up on the Hauptbahnhof and just decided to go back. On the way I stopped by another Sparkasse and went to the ATM to deposit money. It said "with this card you cannot deposit money" or something like that. So I went to the counter and this really nice lady told me that I can't do anything in Koblenz with the Sparkasse Ingolstadt account card. How Tobi didn't know that is beyond me. She graciously informed me that I could change the account from there to here, but that I'd better go to the Metternich branch, the one closest to where I live. So that became the goal from there on out... I went back to the mall and picked up my bike, and rode it 30 minutes to the Sparkasse in Metternich... I am beginning to HATE those hills. I get off and walk the bike up them sometimes, which is just as hard, but faster, ha ha. I love to sail down the hills though; at first I'd brake a little so I didn't go so fast.
I ended up at the Sparkasse in Metternich and set an appointment for 6pm there; I'd have to ring their doorbell so they'd let me in after hours. Lucky me, they only have after-hours appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I told Julia I'd meet her in front of the library today at 5 to ride into town, but I was soooo exhausted from riding my bike and walking around town for 5 hours straight (I'd been gone since 10:30 and it was now 3:30) I just didn't want to go anywhere. I sent her a text message to reschedule but, I suspected Julia had her phone off, and I ended up being right. I felt better after I ate, anyway... I ate chicken soup with veggies and some rice with some more chicken, lol. It was yummy.
I saddled up the bike again (literally, I put on the seat cushion and take it off when I ride the bike) and rode over to campus. I told her I had the appointment at the bank at 6 and so we just went to the little campus cafe. Julia's boyfriend's name is Sam, and he was there, and he can't speak German just yet, so we spoke English then. I ordered a hot chocolate :-) Julia's English is almost perfect, she has an Australian accent, ha ha... she spent a semester in Australia on exchange, which is how she met Sam. So the whole time we all just chatted about learning languages and the different English dialects and stuff. I'd never met an Australian before! It was a great little meeting, the hot chocolate was great (only 1,20)both of them are really fun people. Sam is moving to Paris to work in two weeks, I think.
Everything worked out perfectly at the bank appointment. The lady was super nice, her name was Gabriela. I got her card, too. She was patient and explained everything just perfectly so I didn't have any problems. Essentially she just closed my Ingolstadt account, cut my bank card, and opened a new account in Koblenz, transferring the 100E from the Ingolstadt account to the new account. I got my new account number, routing number, and all that jazz, deposited 150E a did the bank transfer to the University, and signed up for Online banking, all in the one appointment. I had to sign all matter of forms all over again.So now I have the receipt to take to registration tomorrow. I am meeting Chantal, another assistant, to go register. I'd actually prefer to go alone since I do really know what I need, but I haven't met her yet and would like to.
So by Friday I should have all I need for the online banking, and in two weeks I should have my new bank card for the new account. I don't really need it, anyway.
On the way home from the bank, I crossed the street but forgot to brake and ran into a wall. No injuries resulted from this mishap. Ha ha :-)
Hope you all tuned in to the end, I am unsure of my readership to this masterpiece of a blog I am currently producing, but as long as someone is reading it, I'll keep writing :-) And I read it, so there's my one person!
Caitlin
One Week Down
Hello all,
Its 8:30am Tuesday, so, 2:30am for you all in Florida (Heimgebliebene ;-) ) I am afraid to open my window and check how cold it is, because I wanted to go to the Ordnungsamt on my bike today, but not if it is freezing outside... *checks* yep its cold. This time I am definitely bringing gloves. Yesterday I rode up a couple hills to get some groceries and although my upper body was sweating, my hands were sooo cold.
Monday was a great day, though, I got a lot done that I needed to... got a cushion for my bike seat, as the normal bike seat is just unbearably thin and hard, lol... now its a bit softer at least. I rode my bike all the way into the city and found the Deutsche Bank and the mall (yes it's a mall!) and coincidentally found a bike shop--that was just a secondary goal but as I approached the mall I saw it on the left across the street. I love how stuff is just so close together... Deutsche Bank was just across the street from the mall! Awesome. I needed to find that bank so I could withdraw from my BoA account without fees and then deposit the money into my Sparkasse account, so come April they can withdraw for the rent.
The washers and dryers here require little coins to operate and they are only available from this guy, Amor, in his apartment (weird, I know). So I'd tried three times and on the third try he was actually there. He is CUTE, ha ha... I told him I was new here, an exchange student from Florida and he was just baffled that I could speak the language already (not bragging, he really said that). Each coin costs 1 whole Euro, which is about $1.40 PLUS you have to buy your own detergent... it costs 1 coin to operate each machine, including the dryer. So sometime soon I am going to try and find a Waeschestaender so I can hang my clothes in my room to dry. There's a big empty corner that just happens to be the perfect size for one.
Last night I cooked an official dinner for the first time in my Barbie kitchen! Actually Barbie would probably have a nicer kitchen than I, but this is the compact edition. I cooked italian-seasoned chicken breast in my skillet and some whole wheat penne, mixed it together with some tomato sauce + little garlic powder, and added some low-fat shredded cheese to the top! It was sooo good (except the sauce was too sweet!). It didn't take all that long, either. I used my kitchen shears to cut the chicken; that was a lot quicker than using a knife, lol...
So, today's goals are...
So if I accomplish goal number 2 at Sparkasse today, I can accomplish goal #1 for tomorrow: get registered at the Uni. Starting next week there are events each day for exchange students... I'm looking forward to those things.
Well time to stop dawdling and get ready nice and warm to go to the Ordnungsamt...!
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
Its 8:30am Tuesday, so, 2:30am for you all in Florida (Heimgebliebene ;-) ) I am afraid to open my window and check how cold it is, because I wanted to go to the Ordnungsamt on my bike today, but not if it is freezing outside... *checks* yep its cold. This time I am definitely bringing gloves. Yesterday I rode up a couple hills to get some groceries and although my upper body was sweating, my hands were sooo cold.
Monday was a great day, though, I got a lot done that I needed to... got a cushion for my bike seat, as the normal bike seat is just unbearably thin and hard, lol... now its a bit softer at least. I rode my bike all the way into the city and found the Deutsche Bank and the mall (yes it's a mall!) and coincidentally found a bike shop--that was just a secondary goal but as I approached the mall I saw it on the left across the street. I love how stuff is just so close together... Deutsche Bank was just across the street from the mall! Awesome. I needed to find that bank so I could withdraw from my BoA account without fees and then deposit the money into my Sparkasse account, so come April they can withdraw for the rent.
The washers and dryers here require little coins to operate and they are only available from this guy, Amor, in his apartment (weird, I know). So I'd tried three times and on the third try he was actually there. He is CUTE, ha ha... I told him I was new here, an exchange student from Florida and he was just baffled that I could speak the language already (not bragging, he really said that). Each coin costs 1 whole Euro, which is about $1.40 PLUS you have to buy your own detergent... it costs 1 coin to operate each machine, including the dryer. So sometime soon I am going to try and find a Waeschestaender so I can hang my clothes in my room to dry. There's a big empty corner that just happens to be the perfect size for one.
Last night I cooked an official dinner for the first time in my Barbie kitchen! Actually Barbie would probably have a nicer kitchen than I, but this is the compact edition. I cooked italian-seasoned chicken breast in my skillet and some whole wheat penne, mixed it together with some tomato sauce + little garlic powder, and added some low-fat shredded cheese to the top! It was sooo good (except the sauce was too sweet!). It didn't take all that long, either. I used my kitchen shears to cut the chicken; that was a lot quicker than using a knife, lol...
So, today's goals are...
- Ordnungsamt to file rest of paperwork
- Sparkasse to wire money to pay the social contribution fee for this semester (98,64E)
- Hauptbahnhof to buy a Bahncard 50 (50% off the original purchase price of the card for people under 26, and 50% off all train rides on any train any time, for an entire year!)
- Meet Julia at 5pm in front of the library on campus to bike around town.
So if I accomplish goal number 2 at Sparkasse today, I can accomplish goal #1 for tomorrow: get registered at the Uni. Starting next week there are events each day for exchange students... I'm looking forward to those things.
Well time to stop dawdling and get ready nice and warm to go to the Ordnungsamt...!
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Saturday, Sunday, and Crappy Internet
Hello all,
How is everyone? Things are going well on this end... Saturday Gaby and I went to Munich to an IKEA there, and finally got a number of living essentials!
Gaby loaned to me two blankets, a down comforter with two sets of sheets, matching pillow cases, a pillow, a broom, a bicycle, and two rugs. So I am pretty much set, except I kind of need a mop... we'll just wait 'till I REALLY need one, though :-) I also got my microwave, frying pan (with glass lid!), little caddy-shelves for the bathroom/kitchen, and some door hooks.
We went into Munich and walked down to Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel was all under construction along with just about everything else there... grr. Since I fried my own electric toothbrush charger, or so I presume, I got one of the 20Euro ones at the techie store along with the internet cord (thanks Mom!). Now I can brush my teeth better!!
We sat in traffic a lot on the way to and from Munich, it was crazy!!! Gaby made a cake when we got home; it was pretty good. We were going to do one of the fitness walk DVDs but never got around to it. Michi came over (a friend of ours), and now we are starting to plan a trip to Rome sometime soon. I think it would be fun to go around Christmas time, since Michi lives in Ingolstadt, we could easily go there for a week while I'm there for Christmas. We'll see!! Rome is definitely on the must-see list, though.
Today we left the house (finally) at 9:30, Maxi had to print something out last minute to take with him for school... not sure why everyone had to come along for the ride. I just didn't feel like talking to anyone at all, actually, not because I was in a bad mood or something, but simply because I just wanted to sit there silently.
Other than that, I've got a few goals for tomorrow...
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
How is everyone? Things are going well on this end... Saturday Gaby and I went to Munich to an IKEA there, and finally got a number of living essentials!
- trash cans (2 E each!)
- Toilet brush (1,20)
- Kitchen scissors (2,49)
- Door mat (green and black, 2 E!)
- Curtains (12 E)
Gaby loaned to me two blankets, a down comforter with two sets of sheets, matching pillow cases, a pillow, a broom, a bicycle, and two rugs. So I am pretty much set, except I kind of need a mop... we'll just wait 'till I REALLY need one, though :-) I also got my microwave, frying pan (with glass lid!), little caddy-shelves for the bathroom/kitchen, and some door hooks.
We went into Munich and walked down to Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel was all under construction along with just about everything else there... grr. Since I fried my own electric toothbrush charger, or so I presume, I got one of the 20Euro ones at the techie store along with the internet cord (thanks Mom!). Now I can brush my teeth better!!
We sat in traffic a lot on the way to and from Munich, it was crazy!!! Gaby made a cake when we got home; it was pretty good. We were going to do one of the fitness walk DVDs but never got around to it. Michi came over (a friend of ours), and now we are starting to plan a trip to Rome sometime soon. I think it would be fun to go around Christmas time, since Michi lives in Ingolstadt, we could easily go there for a week while I'm there for Christmas. We'll see!! Rome is definitely on the must-see list, though.
Today we left the house (finally) at 9:30, Maxi had to print something out last minute to take with him for school... not sure why everyone had to come along for the ride. I just didn't feel like talking to anyone at all, actually, not because I was in a bad mood or something, but simply because I just wanted to sit there silently.
Other than that, I've got a few goals for tomorrow...
- Buy the little coins for the washing machine
- Find someplace that has wireless for my laptop, since I can't upload pictures on this connection!
- Go to the store to get some laundry detergent and some food.
- Post office
- Work out
- Ride my bike someplace
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
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