This evening, Germany advanced to the final stage of the 2008 European Cup. The Turkish played very well but the Germans came through with three amazing goals!
I'm very excited to see Germany going to the European Cup this Sunday against Spain or Russia.
Los gehts Deutschland!
As of right now, 30 minutes after the game, cars are honking their horns and people screaming in the streets. I don't even live in the middle of Aachen. Crazy.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Football Frenzy
In Deutschland everyone has soccer fever. Germany has advanced to the semi-finals for the Europe Cup in Soccer for this year. I am reminded of a familiar sensation from 2006 when Germany took home 3rd place in the World Cup. The Germans have been out in full force to support their national team. Germany is normally a country where national pride is not something to be expressed with such gusto. However, when the national soccer team advances to the finals, the Germans come out with their t-shirts, flags, hats and so much more.
I for one am glad to see the Germans unified on such a front. This country of 83 million suffers from a general malaise when it comes to self-perception. If winning a football game and advancing unites them and gives them a bit of national pride, I'm all for it. It's been more than sixty years since the Second World War and many Germans, including those of my generation, continue to carry the burden of the Holocaust and two world wars. The German born in 1985 has no responsibility for the events of the 30's and 40's and therefore shouldn't be forced to carry this cross. Naturally, I support continued education on the subject and a sense of awareness but its time that Germany recognizes its role as the center of politics and more on the European stage.
With that being said, I'm rooting for Germany. Wednesday is the next game against Turkey. I have my Germany t-shirt out and will be wearing it on Wednesday. This however poses so many cultural problems for this country. In Germany, some 7 million immigrants of Turkish descent live and work in The Fatherland, many of which were born in German hospitals, attended German schools and universities and speak the language fluently. This question of cultural identity perplexes many who feel at home in Germany but also embrace their cultural heritage. I've seen many cars with both German and Turkish flags, however, I suppose one will be forced to make a decision on Wednesday. I'm hoping that Germany will avoid clashes after the game. Its unclear why (and I don't understand) but European soccer stir such strong emotions that fans often fight with other fans in the streets. Riots, beatings and more are not uncommon scenarios in cities around the country after a game. In Vienna after the Turkey-Croatia game, one person was killed and several injured after a fight broke out. I hope this doesn't happen here.
Its quite apparent in Aachen how many immigrant communities exist in Germany. After each game, I hear cars in the streets honking their horns or people shouting their national songs. This was most certainly the case when Russia beat The Netherlands in overtime last night and after the Turkey-Croatia game (won in double overtime). And Spain just won an amazing 11 meter shoot-out 4-2 over Italy. The Italian team (2006 World Cup Champions-and a team I despise) should have been out long ago they've played horribly during the entire event.
To prove Germany's love for the sport, I present to you some raw video footage I captured after Germany beat Portugal in an impressive display last Thursday. I only got two short clips (this is the better of the two). I felt like a journalist during a riot taking the footage. My video card was almost full which is why it is such a short video.
Some pictures from the streets:
Silly Germans celebrating in the streets blocking traffic. Gotta love it.
I for one am glad to see the Germans unified on such a front. This country of 83 million suffers from a general malaise when it comes to self-perception. If winning a football game and advancing unites them and gives them a bit of national pride, I'm all for it. It's been more than sixty years since the Second World War and many Germans, including those of my generation, continue to carry the burden of the Holocaust and two world wars. The German born in 1985 has no responsibility for the events of the 30's and 40's and therefore shouldn't be forced to carry this cross. Naturally, I support continued education on the subject and a sense of awareness but its time that Germany recognizes its role as the center of politics and more on the European stage.
With that being said, I'm rooting for Germany. Wednesday is the next game against Turkey. I have my Germany t-shirt out and will be wearing it on Wednesday. This however poses so many cultural problems for this country. In Germany, some 7 million immigrants of Turkish descent live and work in The Fatherland, many of which were born in German hospitals, attended German schools and universities and speak the language fluently. This question of cultural identity perplexes many who feel at home in Germany but also embrace their cultural heritage. I've seen many cars with both German and Turkish flags, however, I suppose one will be forced to make a decision on Wednesday. I'm hoping that Germany will avoid clashes after the game. Its unclear why (and I don't understand) but European soccer stir such strong emotions that fans often fight with other fans in the streets. Riots, beatings and more are not uncommon scenarios in cities around the country after a game. In Vienna after the Turkey-Croatia game, one person was killed and several injured after a fight broke out. I hope this doesn't happen here.
Its quite apparent in Aachen how many immigrant communities exist in Germany. After each game, I hear cars in the streets honking their horns or people shouting their national songs. This was most certainly the case when Russia beat The Netherlands in overtime last night and after the Turkey-Croatia game (won in double overtime). And Spain just won an amazing 11 meter shoot-out 4-2 over Italy. The Italian team (2006 World Cup Champions-and a team I despise) should have been out long ago they've played horribly during the entire event.
To prove Germany's love for the sport, I present to you some raw video footage I captured after Germany beat Portugal in an impressive display last Thursday. I only got two short clips (this is the better of the two). I felt like a journalist during a riot taking the footage. My video card was almost full which is why it is such a short video.
Some pictures from the streets:
Silly Germans celebrating in the streets blocking traffic. Gotta love it.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
"If you start to take Vienna-take Vienna"
Napolean Bonaparte spoke such famous words.
I, thankfully, will have the pleasure of experiencing Austria for the first time at the end of next month. I booked a Friday afternoon flight from Düsseldorf to Vienna returning the following Monday evening. I'll be spending with the weekend with my friend Ines who is from Vienna. Ines and I met when she was an exchange student in Tallahassee and have stayed in contact since.
I'm quite excited for my mini vacation and it will be quite nice to see Ines again.
I, thankfully, will have the pleasure of experiencing Austria for the first time at the end of next month. I booked a Friday afternoon flight from Düsseldorf to Vienna returning the following Monday evening. I'll be spending with the weekend with my friend Ines who is from Vienna. Ines and I met when she was an exchange student in Tallahassee and have stayed in contact since.
I'm quite excited for my mini vacation and it will be quite nice to see Ines again.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Imbalances of Power
In a recent post to the editorial page of the New York Times renown political scientist, Thomas L. Friedman writes about one of the largest and most unknown problems the United States faces with the election of the new administration.
Friedman, author of several books on globalization, economics and US foreign policy makes very salient points and may be onto something. His thesis: the United States is going into the next four years with one arm tied behind our backs. Our biggest foreign policy failure isn't Iraq, but our failure to adapt legitimate self-relying energy policies.
I recommend that you read the article available online at the New York Times online newspaper.
FYI
Friedman, author of several books on globalization, economics and US foreign policy makes very salient points and may be onto something. His thesis: the United States is going into the next four years with one arm tied behind our backs. Our biggest foreign policy failure isn't Iraq, but our failure to adapt legitimate self-relying energy policies.
I recommend that you read the article available online at the New York Times online newspaper.
FYI
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Some Assembly Required
I'm rather proud of myself. Yesterday I purchased a fan for my bedroom. Seeing as I have no air conditioning and humid and warm German summers aren't conducive to sleeping, this is a small requirement. Yesterday for only €17,95 I purchased, what is no doubt a Chinese produced fan. This requires a substantial amount of self-assembly. Today I proudly spent the better part of 45 minutes assembling my fan (complete with German instructions). Now I shall sleep in comfort.
I went to the gym today after not having been for a week. My ridiculous schedule coupled with a recent lack of energy has kept me from the fitness centre. Tara, my gym partner, and I went to the back and stomach class again. I swear, those trainers are out for blood. All of the energy has been drained from my body even my hands feel tired while typing.
Yesterday the Europe Cup (soccer) started. Today Germany plays Poland. This reminds me of 2006 when I was a student in Dresden watching the World Cup games. Sadly, I've got to work tomorrow morning nice and early at nine so I won't be going anywhere to watch the game except for my apartment. I'm wearing my FSU German club shirt as my Deutsche Manschaft t-shirt is probably in the wash. While watching the game, I hope to clean up my apartment. I'm expecting several guests this summer.
Los gehts Deutschland! Noch ein Tor!!!
I went to the gym today after not having been for a week. My ridiculous schedule coupled with a recent lack of energy has kept me from the fitness centre. Tara, my gym partner, and I went to the back and stomach class again. I swear, those trainers are out for blood. All of the energy has been drained from my body even my hands feel tired while typing.
Yesterday the Europe Cup (soccer) started. Today Germany plays Poland. This reminds me of 2006 when I was a student in Dresden watching the World Cup games. Sadly, I've got to work tomorrow morning nice and early at nine so I won't be going anywhere to watch the game except for my apartment. I'm wearing my FSU German club shirt as my Deutsche Manschaft t-shirt is probably in the wash. While watching the game, I hope to clean up my apartment. I'm expecting several guests this summer.
Los gehts Deutschland! Noch ein Tor!!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Obama/Clinton 2008? WTF, mate?
The hotly contested Democratic Primary race has finally reached its final destination (well, sort of, its not really over until the washed out has been sings).
Now people are talking about the "power ticket" of Obama and Clinton. Now, I don't know about you, but this slightly scares me. First of all, I'd be afraid that once elected, Clinton would do her best to undermine Barack's security so that she can 'arise' to the calling originally put out for her. Vice-presidential succession and all. I don't know how I feel about this. Hillary has done nothing but spend the last six months convincing us that Obama was NOT the man to run for the White House and now all of a sudden she's going to be his running mate?
To quote the famous internet cartoon about the world blowing up: WTF, mate?
I hate politicians. Is she that desperate to get to the White House? Is HE that desperate? Surely there are better options that the Senator from Illinois should consider. I'm also interested in seeing who McCain's running mate will be. Either way, we can really only go up, can't we?
Today while driving back to the city from one of the suburbs I teach at, I got a hold of the US Army's 5th Signal Command Armed Forces Radio Network 89.2 FM. Apparently they broadcast from the NATO base out of Brunnsum, Netherlands. I had no idea. What was a shock was hearing Rush Limbaugh. What? Yes, you read correctly. So ecstatic to hear native English on the radio I listened anyway. He took some shots at both political parties regarding courting the 'base' voters. However, I'm not that desperate enough to start listening on a regular basis just yet. It was fun though to listen to Armed Forces Network radio commercials. Do you have what it takes to be an Army Chaplin?
Apparently not.
Now people are talking about the "power ticket" of Obama and Clinton. Now, I don't know about you, but this slightly scares me. First of all, I'd be afraid that once elected, Clinton would do her best to undermine Barack's security so that she can 'arise' to the calling originally put out for her. Vice-presidential succession and all. I don't know how I feel about this. Hillary has done nothing but spend the last six months convincing us that Obama was NOT the man to run for the White House and now all of a sudden she's going to be his running mate?
To quote the famous internet cartoon about the world blowing up: WTF, mate?
I hate politicians. Is she that desperate to get to the White House? Is HE that desperate? Surely there are better options that the Senator from Illinois should consider. I'm also interested in seeing who McCain's running mate will be. Either way, we can really only go up, can't we?
Today while driving back to the city from one of the suburbs I teach at, I got a hold of the US Army's 5th Signal Command Armed Forces Radio Network 89.2 FM. Apparently they broadcast from the NATO base out of Brunnsum, Netherlands. I had no idea. What was a shock was hearing Rush Limbaugh. What? Yes, you read correctly. So ecstatic to hear native English on the radio I listened anyway. He took some shots at both political parties regarding courting the 'base' voters. However, I'm not that desperate enough to start listening on a regular basis just yet. It was fun though to listen to Armed Forces Network radio commercials. Do you have what it takes to be an Army Chaplin?
Apparently not.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?
I feel this way sometimes.
Happy to be living abroad, experiencing things many never have the chance to, but yet so sad? My little brother called me last night just to talk. This kind of broke my heart because I miss Patrick. I haven't seen him since December and its now June. Thats the longest I've gone without seeing my family. I'm beginning to be really burned out from work recently as well so thats not happening.
I can't leave yet though. I feel as though if I were to pack up my bags and go home, I'd be a failure. So much left undone, unsaid and untraveled. Problem is, I feel like I"ll never be able to really accomplish any of my 'goals' because maybe they're unrealistic. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I accepted my job in Aachen (decent money after taxes, thanks Germany!, time to travel?!?) Still torn between my desire to be here and my desire to go back home and start my career or go to graduate school. I have good friends in Germany but I've good good ones back home too. Bah, I hate this feeling.
Ideally I'll find another job, stay in Germany another year and this time next year I'll be apartment hunting in the DC area. I've always thought I'd go to grad school full-time and finish in three or for semesters but it seems as though I'm going to probably have to work full-time and go to school part-time. Hmm. I should probably stop listening to NPR because its not helping my home sicknesses as of late.
Happy to be living abroad, experiencing things many never have the chance to, but yet so sad? My little brother called me last night just to talk. This kind of broke my heart because I miss Patrick. I haven't seen him since December and its now June. Thats the longest I've gone without seeing my family. I'm beginning to be really burned out from work recently as well so thats not happening.
I can't leave yet though. I feel as though if I were to pack up my bags and go home, I'd be a failure. So much left undone, unsaid and untraveled. Problem is, I feel like I"ll never be able to really accomplish any of my 'goals' because maybe they're unrealistic. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I accepted my job in Aachen (decent money after taxes, thanks Germany!, time to travel?!?) Still torn between my desire to be here and my desire to go back home and start my career or go to graduate school. I have good friends in Germany but I've good good ones back home too. Bah, I hate this feeling.
Ideally I'll find another job, stay in Germany another year and this time next year I'll be apartment hunting in the DC area. I've always thought I'd go to grad school full-time and finish in three or for semesters but it seems as though I'm going to probably have to work full-time and go to school part-time. Hmm. I should probably stop listening to NPR because its not helping my home sicknesses as of late.
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