What are you trying to do to me?

Today was great. I experienced a change in perspective on how I view the city I've called home the last seven months. The weather was extremely cooperative and provided for mild temperatures, abundant sunshine and blue skies. I met in the evening with my German colleague Ulrike. Originally, several of us were supposed to meet however we couldn't at the last minute because of illness and getting ready for the week etc so it was left to Ulrike and I.

We had a great time. Started off with tapas at Besitos followed by SALSA dancing at the Elisenbrunnen. Although I was wearing sandals, we danced for the better part of 15 minutes. Its seemingly awkward because Ulrike is married and somewhat older than me, but we laughed and had a great time anyway. Then, we went for a walk to different parts of Aachen that I had not discovered. For instance, I learned where Aachen's big park was (a Lake Ella of sorts for my Tallahassee crowd) which I had never discovered before. Not having a vehicle or a bike (although, plan in the works to buy one next month!) or time for that matter has prohibited the development of my knowledge of Aix-la-Chapelle. However, it was a great day.

Yesterday my German/Dutch colleague David and Canadian colleague Tara and I transversed three countries to go to the movies in Belgium. There, they place the movies in English with Dutch/French subtitles (the area we were in is the Dutch speaking part of Belgium). It was cool driving through three countries just to see the movies. Afterwards, we went to Heerlen, NL for drinks and conversation. Around 12:30 we drove back to Aachen. I had spent the entire day on the go and was quite tired. Class at 9am, shopping for the week, laundry, gym (once again with the back and abs course...ugh!) and then going to the movies so I was pretty tired by 12:30. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

If the weather keeps up like this and the flowers and trees continue to bloom and grow leaves, I might actually like this city. I'm excited about my bike, as soon as I procure one, photos are sure to follow. Spring cleaning is soon to follow. I have a four day weekend approaching. I'm interested in going to Scotland but since I have to purchase new clothes and a bike in May, I don't know if Scotland can work out. Still trying to get the FSU colony together but thats looking a bit difficult too.

As always, time will tell.

It'll beeee no problem

In the past week I've discovered three bees in my apartment. Now, at first I thought this was a very unfortunate consequence of living in non air-conditioned land where windows must be opened. I fear that they may have burrowed a hole into side of my apartment. There is a very, very small hole near the floor on the wall facing the street. I think I remember back in the Fall seeing a bee crawl in/out of the hole. As it is Sunday I've put a rather heavy blanket over the general area in hopes that this will undermine any attempts from any four legged flying creature from entering my abode. Bees piss me off and bees in my apartment are a no good. This means I'll have to clean my apartment in the next few days to have my landlord have someone come and spray for bugs. Ugh.

The sun is out today and it is warm! It's about 17 degrees outside and I'm loving it. It was actually almost a bit too warm with the sweater I had on today. I met with Faye at Starbucks to grade papers and have a Sunday chat. The exams have been graded and now I ust have to turn in the grades after their oral exam next Tuesday.

In the world of job applications I sent off the job application for the last job I posted about. Tomorrow I'll call them and harass them until they give in. However, I've also discovered another (albeit not as cool) job in Dresden doing something similar minus the international exchange program. So, I'll be applying for that job tomorrow as well.

Appointment with my fitness trainer tonight. Should be fun.

Its in the post

I woke up this morning ten minutes before my alarm. Even though today I don't have to be at work until 10am, I find myself waking up at my usual 7:30ish before my alarm, no matter how tired I am.

I hate that I've trained my body to wake up, apparently, without external alarm apparatuses. This morning I don't think I made my coffee strong enough, it tastes a little weak. Boooo weak coffee.

Work sucks, so I've decided to be proactive. I've discovered a job in Dresden, teaching full-time for this private high-school for students who want to learn business skills and brush up on their liberal arts. It's part-time teaching, part-time organizing an INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM (whoooooooooooot!!!!). I want to do this so badly. They are looking for a native English speaker (check), someone young and motivated (check), experience living abroad (um, I got this one too), someone with experience teaching English (okay, still new to the game but check minus), must speak the deutsch (once again) and I don't know what else, but I wrote the most amazing cover letter, in German, yesterday and in a few minutes I'll be off to the post to send it.

I might beg or plead for the job. Just need out, thats all. I've decided that I am not happy in Aachen and that isn't going to change anytime soon.

Anyway, cross your finger, press your thumbs, sacrifice small rodents, whatever you have to do to send some good luck my way.

Other than that, I'm hoping to take a few days off in May and hang out at some German lakeside area with friends from FSU to paddle boat, drink beer, go hiking and other random German-like activities. Should be fun. Now if I can just get all of us organized enough to do it. Thats a task in and of itself.

I've decided to be more pro-active in my life. Because of the weather and my job, I've been feeling a) depressed b) sorry for myself. This must stop. So, list-o-crap to do:
a) Study for the Foreign Service Exam. Even if I don't take it for another year or so, I still want to be fresh. Besides, can't hurt to know the stuff anyway.
b) study my German book for two hours a week. Learn new vocabulary, memorize cases, improve my adjective endings, etc
c) Clean my apartment. The dust bunnies are formulating an attack plan.
d) Continue on my health track (I've lost seven kilos since February!). I've never felt/looked so good. :)
e) attempt to be more positive. I think that sounds good, I've already started to work on this and while nothing really changes, my heart doesn't feel like its going to explode.
f) Update my blog some more.