So Germany performed poorly in their shot at the European Championship. Spain was clearly the better team this year and I'm glad they won. Some English footballer once said that "Football is the game where you play for 90 minutes and Germany always wins." Perhaps this will open up their eyes and they'll be better prepared for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. One can only hope.
Enough football, well for two years anyway. Life in Aachen is busy busy busy. Today was pay day (woot!) and the weather has been great lately. At the end of the month I'm going to Vienna to visit my friend Ines and the time is creeping up on me faster than expected. A trip to Switzerland may be in order as well. A student of mine whose wife lives in Zürich has invited me to go with him sometime in the next few months. It looks as though Mom and my brother are going to come and visit in October/November during my little brothers fall break time. They want to go to London. I want to convince them to go somewhere else. Just not Paris. Twice in the past two years is enough for now. However, I don't think she's going to budge away from London.
Tomorrow, Christine is coming from Dresden until Sunday and that is also great. I'm looking forward to spending time with her.
I'm currently reading Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue. I've read several of Bryson's books and I'm always pleased by his wit and humor and the way he manages to pinpoint the traveler and culture vultures woes. Mother Tongue is not a travel related book however, but rather the story of the English language and languages all together. I'm only on the second chapter but I'm enjoying it so far. This is part of my plan to improve my English teaching skills. I figure if I know where the language I speak develops from, I'll be a better instructor. Did you know the human anatomy is capable of producing at least 700,00 'distinct elementary gestures'? Thankfully, I've picked up reading for pleasure again. I've discovered a few new authors and I'm glad to return to literary bliss. This in part to a book club we've started at work. Its great to throw a paperback in my backpack and read a couple pages while I'm waiting for a class to start or what not.
I've been busy and a lot has happened lately but I just don't have the time to update right now. I'm going to bed.
Showing posts with label EM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EM. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Deutschland noch ein Tor!
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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