I've always maintained that German weather was just as crazy as the people that live here. I continue to be right in this matter. Over the weekend and yesterday wasn't too bad. Mostly sunny with some clouds and no rain until today. The high for today was 10 degrees (C) (50F). Windy and rainy. I'm not quite prepared for this. By the way, it's only the middle of September. This my dears, is normal apparently. Thankfully, my Mother loves me enough to have sent me here with plenty of warm clothes, albeit not quite warm enough. Nor was I prepared for the rain. I'm in the process of looking for a trench coat which seems to be quite popular and practical here. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I don't wear extremely fancy clothing and I often shop off of the clearance rack because,well thats just the way it is. However, as I've gotten older and graduated, etc I've become familiar with some nicer lines of clothing and spending a little bit more is okay. With this in mind, I went into a store (and I'm not kidding) called Lust for Life (Lust in German is hard to define, something along the lines of, does it please you...etc). Anyway, this is apparently an uppity store which specializes in some more of the designer brands. Fair enough. I'm looking for a trench coat because I'm freezing in just my sweater and I'm tired of being wet. I figure, a trench coat would cost me around 100-150 Euros like it would back in the States. Nothing too fancy, just a tie around the middle, water proof, etc. Lo and behold I came across this amazing trench coat that I was prepared to drop a reasonable amount on because I will CLEARLY be getting a lot of use out of it.
The price tag read: 399,00 Euros. That's $554
Are you kidding me?
I almost died. I mean seriously, who can afford that stuff? I learned later on that Lust for Life carries only the designer stuff, etc. So, I'm going to take it down a notch. Live like a pauper I shall.
After I leave here I'm going to go shopping among the common folk for a coat and scarf and all that one needs to not catch pneumonia here. I've been drinking a lot of coffee which is going to bankrupt me. I'm sitting in the Starbucks (convenience + internet as it is I think five feet from my office) and I just paid EUR 3,50 for a tall mocha. That's the same as the states, but different currency so its really $4.50. Ridiculous.
First day of class went ok. I only have three students right now and more to come on the 1 of October. These students really have no knowledge of English or have very, very basic knowledge. Its hard to find people who've never been exposed to English because of the advent of globalization, etc. The first 30 minutes I was trying to get a feel for them, deciding on what to talk about, etc. I finally broke them down and the class ended on a good note. Tonight I have a private lesson and training. Woot.
Today I looked at two apartments. The first one was small, a bit far from the central part of the town and the tenant now is a smoker. Perhaps what bothered me the most was that the bed, came out of the closet and was tres small. No sir. Not really feeling that, plus it was managed by this Frau who I think was rather picky. The second one was on a much busier street, closer to the central and was much bigger. Came with this cool kitchen and table, a gigantic bathroom (hint-no shower, just a tub) and a large bedroom. Fully furnished. With all costs around EUR400. So not too bad, and she'll let me stay for say, three months. Then I could get a bigger place, etc. I have an appointment tomorrow to see another flat. This one is supposed to be realllllllly close, so thats exciting. Aachen is beginning to scare me because there is so much that I don't know about it. When I went to Dresden to study, I knew the basics to the city. No Beyond Borders friends here to help me get settled. Anyway, I hope to be in a new place, soon. I'm leaving the Frau's house tonight and moving into a "Guest House" or a hotel much closer to work. I can't keep going back to the suburbs like I have been.
And of course, now the sun is shining.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Another day....
Mom called me around 4am EST today, my Grandfather finally passed away after being ill for so long. Thankfully, all of us had our closure with him this past week. I feel like I got everything off of my chest that needed to be said, my family too. This has been a long time coming so he's no longer ill which to me is better. Nothing worse than not being the person you were before. Thanks to you who've sent me well wishes, etc.
So moving on from that. Its just shy of three o'clock in the afternoon and I haven't taught yet. My 'class' of one person isn't until tonight. I'm teaching the true beginners class. My student is from the Middle East. There is getting to be less and less people who are truly beginners in English. Almost everyone has exposure and that is why the class is the way it is. Apparently, as the course will move on it will grow they told me. It's a eight week course, so we'll see. I want more than one person in my class.
I also received my, what I like to call, dossiers, on my private lesson clients. Another English teacher and I, a nice girl from Iowa named Faye (freelancer), are sharing a client. So we have to have meetings often enough to discuss what she's learned, what we've covered, etc. Things in the office seem to be kind of crazy, new teacher coming in, myself, etc. I've still not quite learned the city yet. The advantage of studying in Dresden was that I already knew most of the city. I don't have that advantage here in Aachen. There is so much for me to learn about this city. Once I get a flat, I can do some exploring. I really need to meet some people my age and hang out. Many of the other English teachers I've met thus far are young 20'sish. Of course, most of which I've only shook hands with and said hello briefly. None have offered to hang out or get adjusted, whatever but of course, I just started today really. I'm sure that will change.
I have an appointment tomorrow (no German would let me come today to see a flat, go figure ) to see a flat not very far from the center. Furnished apartment, relatively good size wise. Price is also not too bad. We'll see how that goes. My boss was going to continue calling people to set up appointments for me to see them. I'm supposed to do a practice run tomorrow also of driving the car. Puedo ayudas. Already? Ugh, Germans and their driving scare me. Apparently I've been assured to not worry about that it comes easily after a while. I'm more concerned with getting lost. I got off the bus one bus stop too soon this morning and spent over an hour looking for my office. My feet hurt like a mo. the shoes I'm wearing are not conducive to getting lost in.
So moving on from that. Its just shy of three o'clock in the afternoon and I haven't taught yet. My 'class' of one person isn't until tonight. I'm teaching the true beginners class. My student is from the Middle East. There is getting to be less and less people who are truly beginners in English. Almost everyone has exposure and that is why the class is the way it is. Apparently, as the course will move on it will grow they told me. It's a eight week course, so we'll see. I want more than one person in my class.
I also received my, what I like to call, dossiers, on my private lesson clients. Another English teacher and I, a nice girl from Iowa named Faye (freelancer), are sharing a client. So we have to have meetings often enough to discuss what she's learned, what we've covered, etc. Things in the office seem to be kind of crazy, new teacher coming in, myself, etc. I've still not quite learned the city yet. The advantage of studying in Dresden was that I already knew most of the city. I don't have that advantage here in Aachen. There is so much for me to learn about this city. Once I get a flat, I can do some exploring. I really need to meet some people my age and hang out. Many of the other English teachers I've met thus far are young 20'sish. Of course, most of which I've only shook hands with and said hello briefly. None have offered to hang out or get adjusted, whatever but of course, I just started today really. I'm sure that will change.
I have an appointment tomorrow (no German would let me come today to see a flat, go figure ) to see a flat not very far from the center. Furnished apartment, relatively good size wise. Price is also not too bad. We'll see how that goes. My boss was going to continue calling people to set up appointments for me to see them. I'm supposed to do a practice run tomorrow also of driving the car. Puedo ayudas. Already? Ugh, Germans and their driving scare me. Apparently I've been assured to not worry about that it comes easily after a while. I'm more concerned with getting lost. I got off the bus one bus stop too soon this morning and spent over an hour looking for my office. My feet hurt like a mo. the shoes I'm wearing are not conducive to getting lost in.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Aachen
As many of you have read already (via email I assume) my arrival here in Aachen has gone relatively smooth with no problems as of yet. If I can only go 13 days with nothing bad happening, I surpass my previous record. Last year I was here twelve days when I had my appendix removed.
It's Sunday in Germany, which means no shopping. However, the city is still a buzzing. They have been having this festival called "September Special" or something along those lines. I am content for now to sit in my Starbucks. Once I have a flat, I will feel more comfortable. I just hate staying at this ladies place for so long. Maybe tomorrow my dream flat will be available (ab sofort) and I can move in and sleep tomorrow in my German bed (ugh). I plan on spending two to three months in a smaller, temporary apartment and eventually moving into a bigger place. This way I can just get settled, get a layout of the city then save up some geld and move and go to Ikea! :)
I start teaching tomorrow. I'm only teaching the basic class on Monday for an hour. These are people who have never spoken a word of English before in their life. Should be good that I get to destroy that for them. Tuesday I start "privat unterrichten" or private lessons with this guy who is in the Lumber industry. He's an older gentleman apparently who scored about 24% on his language placement test. I hope he doesn't have any bad habits.
Bad news today from the home front. My grandfather is quite ill. He is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for quite some time now. Mom called at 2:30 this morning to tell me that Hospice care has told them the less than two weeks theory. They're keeping him heavily sedated at this point which is the best. He's in a lot of pain. He told my Mom and the nurses that the past week has been the worst week of his life. He told me last week that if he should die before I come back (which was a given) that I am not to return home, its his dying decree I guess. So, follow it I shall.
Now, I've got to create some lesson plans, any suggestions?
It's Sunday in Germany, which means no shopping. However, the city is still a buzzing. They have been having this festival called "September Special" or something along those lines. I am content for now to sit in my Starbucks. Once I have a flat, I will feel more comfortable. I just hate staying at this ladies place for so long. Maybe tomorrow my dream flat will be available (ab sofort) and I can move in and sleep tomorrow in my German bed (ugh). I plan on spending two to three months in a smaller, temporary apartment and eventually moving into a bigger place. This way I can just get settled, get a layout of the city then save up some geld and move and go to Ikea! :)
I start teaching tomorrow. I'm only teaching the basic class on Monday for an hour. These are people who have never spoken a word of English before in their life. Should be good that I get to destroy that for them. Tuesday I start "privat unterrichten" or private lessons with this guy who is in the Lumber industry. He's an older gentleman apparently who scored about 24% on his language placement test. I hope he doesn't have any bad habits.
Bad news today from the home front. My grandfather is quite ill. He is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for quite some time now. Mom called at 2:30 this morning to tell me that Hospice care has told them the less than two weeks theory. They're keeping him heavily sedated at this point which is the best. He's in a lot of pain. He told my Mom and the nurses that the past week has been the worst week of his life. He told me last week that if he should die before I come back (which was a given) that I am not to return home, its his dying decree I guess. So, follow it I shall.
Now, I've got to create some lesson plans, any suggestions?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
New job, oh my
In a strange, twisted turn of events, I've accepted a job in Aachen, Germany.
I had originally applied for a job in Jacob's University. I received an email today from them informing that although I was an excellent candidate, they did not select me for the position. Oh well because I'm going to be English teacher in Aachen.
Crazy.
My flight leaves in twelve hours.
I had originally applied for a job in Jacob's University. I received an email today from them informing that although I was an excellent candidate, they did not select me for the position. Oh well because I'm going to be English teacher in Aachen.
Crazy.
My flight leaves in twelve hours.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Interview
I had a job interview this morning. Well, it was a phone interview. I applied last week with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC to be their new International Studies Advisor. Its a job that I want, just not necessarily in the location that I was hoping for. I mean I'll take the job if its offered to me but I was hoping for someplace more Metropolitan. I'm tired of small town living.
The interview went well, but was short (only 17 minutes). I answered their questions fairly well and only used "um" I believe three times, which is of course three times too many. Its the first interview that I've had. It bothers me that I'm sitting here in my Mom's house alone on a Wednesday afternoon. I'm bored, I need something. My self-confidence has been shot although it did receive a small booster when they called me for the interview appointment yesterday. Now having done the interview, I feel like I did a crap job after a friend of mine pointed out how short the interview was. This is of course, just the pre-interview and any final decisions will require the applicant to go to Wake Forest before they make their selections. Either way, its bothersome. It's been four months since graduation, I"m half-way past the seven month rule.
Still no word from the local employers that I've applied with. It's annoying. I feel as though even if i can't get a job and I'm forced to apply at say Starbucks or Borders (nothing wrong working there in itself at all) that they won't take me. There is such a thing as being over qualified. Employers can usually snif it out when an employee will bounce for the next best thing, which I would.
Job hunting sucks.
The interview went well, but was short (only 17 minutes). I answered their questions fairly well and only used "um" I believe three times, which is of course three times too many. Its the first interview that I've had. It bothers me that I'm sitting here in my Mom's house alone on a Wednesday afternoon. I'm bored, I need something. My self-confidence has been shot although it did receive a small booster when they called me for the interview appointment yesterday. Now having done the interview, I feel like I did a crap job after a friend of mine pointed out how short the interview was. This is of course, just the pre-interview and any final decisions will require the applicant to go to Wake Forest before they make their selections. Either way, its bothersome. It's been four months since graduation, I"m half-way past the seven month rule.
Still no word from the local employers that I've applied with. It's annoying. I feel as though even if i can't get a job and I'm forced to apply at say Starbucks or Borders (nothing wrong working there in itself at all) that they won't take me. There is such a thing as being over qualified. Employers can usually snif it out when an employee will bounce for the next best thing, which I would.
Job hunting sucks.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Joys of Unemployment
It's been said that it takes the average university graduate six months to find their first first career job. I'm already half way there.
This has by far been the most devastating three months ever. Not knowing where or if I was going to find employment and how I would go about it. Well the end of the summer came and I was forced to move out of my home in Tallahasse. So I had to have movers come and take all of my stuff to a storage unit in Ohio. Presently I'm on what my Mother refers to as "vacation." The two weeks after Tallahassee and before I move into my Mother's house. I'm spending most of my time in with my friends in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin (my hometown) not doing much of anything except for kicking it back and hanging out. I've not spent much money at all since I've been here. On Friday I"m driving to Nashville to visit my friend Sarah whom I haven't seen in four years. We've been friends since the dawn of time and I'm excited to see her.
Of course my ENTIRE family is down my back like a pair of screeching tobacco monkeys. Apparently if my physical presence is in Ohio (unlike my family) then a job will magically appear. Only they are disillusioned if they think so. Yesterday I called my grandfather to say hi (he's ill and has pulmonary fibrosis and is all sorts of sick) and he told me to get my fat ass up to Ohio and I could work as a trucker. I almost vomited into the phone. I mean, seriously? I've applied for jobs with the University of Dayton, Lexis Nexis, NCR, AT&T and much more. I"m sorry, I'm not taking a job in food service as I'd make an awful server, not enough patience. I'm already fighting with my mother via the telephone and I'm tired of it already. I don't want to fight I just want to get people off my back. Allow me some space, please. Considering nobody in my family has been in the job market for at least 15 years, I would think they would realize that they have no idea what they are talking about. Of course, they're all friggin experts in their opinion. Tis why my living in Ohio is only a momentary pitstop. By January I will have hopefully saved up enough financial assets to move overseas or to Washington or somewhere else where the jobs actually are.
Its not that I enjoy unemployment. I'm not a lazy person. I enjoy working a good job that I know how to do and I can use my brain and my degree. It absolutely kills me that I have to move in with my family.I'm sorry, trucking doesn't quite do that for me. And shame on my family for wanting me to lower my standards. I did not spend four years with my nose in a book learning a foreign language and the stupid theories of the loss of strength gradient to work for $10 an hour. Screw you if you think that is going to happen. Call me snooty or whatever but thats where I draw the line. I'm not a trucker. All I know is that I'm going to get a refill on Xanax and I'm going to strap in and hold on tight because the next six months are going to be a bitch.
I don't know anybody in Dayton. No people my age, nobody to chill with or vent too. I'm very close to taking out a craiglist ad! It'll read something like this:
Help! Recent college graduate forced to move back in with family seeks friendly 20 something face to sip coffee and have intellectual conversations.
I've been told that there is nothing wrong with me taking a couple weeks to visit old friends before leaving for Ohio from everyone except my family. Why is it that, the first person to get a college degree and break the cycle of lower middle class in my family is so intent on not supporting me. It really bothers me. All I asked for was a couple of weeks.
I've applied for this job in Germany at Jacob's University in Bremen. I'm really excited about it and I hope to be selected for the job. It's this amazing job that I want so bad! I hope they interview me. Getting that job would make me so happy.
Let's hope that something happens, soon.
This has by far been the most devastating three months ever. Not knowing where or if I was going to find employment and how I would go about it. Well the end of the summer came and I was forced to move out of my home in Tallahasse. So I had to have movers come and take all of my stuff to a storage unit in Ohio. Presently I'm on what my Mother refers to as "vacation." The two weeks after Tallahassee and before I move into my Mother's house. I'm spending most of my time in with my friends in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin (my hometown) not doing much of anything except for kicking it back and hanging out. I've not spent much money at all since I've been here. On Friday I"m driving to Nashville to visit my friend Sarah whom I haven't seen in four years. We've been friends since the dawn of time and I'm excited to see her.
Of course my ENTIRE family is down my back like a pair of screeching tobacco monkeys. Apparently if my physical presence is in Ohio (unlike my family) then a job will magically appear. Only they are disillusioned if they think so. Yesterday I called my grandfather to say hi (he's ill and has pulmonary fibrosis and is all sorts of sick) and he told me to get my fat ass up to Ohio and I could work as a trucker. I almost vomited into the phone. I mean, seriously? I've applied for jobs with the University of Dayton, Lexis Nexis, NCR, AT&T and much more. I"m sorry, I'm not taking a job in food service as I'd make an awful server, not enough patience. I'm already fighting with my mother via the telephone and I'm tired of it already. I don't want to fight I just want to get people off my back. Allow me some space, please. Considering nobody in my family has been in the job market for at least 15 years, I would think they would realize that they have no idea what they are talking about. Of course, they're all friggin experts in their opinion. Tis why my living in Ohio is only a momentary pitstop. By January I will have hopefully saved up enough financial assets to move overseas or to Washington or somewhere else where the jobs actually are.
Its not that I enjoy unemployment. I'm not a lazy person. I enjoy working a good job that I know how to do and I can use my brain and my degree. It absolutely kills me that I have to move in with my family.I'm sorry, trucking doesn't quite do that for me. And shame on my family for wanting me to lower my standards. I did not spend four years with my nose in a book learning a foreign language and the stupid theories of the loss of strength gradient to work for $10 an hour. Screw you if you think that is going to happen. Call me snooty or whatever but thats where I draw the line. I'm not a trucker. All I know is that I'm going to get a refill on Xanax and I'm going to strap in and hold on tight because the next six months are going to be a bitch.
I don't know anybody in Dayton. No people my age, nobody to chill with or vent too. I'm very close to taking out a craiglist ad! It'll read something like this:
Help! Recent college graduate forced to move back in with family seeks friendly 20 something face to sip coffee and have intellectual conversations.
I've been told that there is nothing wrong with me taking a couple weeks to visit old friends before leaving for Ohio from everyone except my family. Why is it that, the first person to get a college degree and break the cycle of lower middle class in my family is so intent on not supporting me. It really bothers me. All I asked for was a couple of weeks.
I've applied for this job in Germany at Jacob's University in Bremen. I'm really excited about it and I hope to be selected for the job. It's this amazing job that I want so bad! I hope they interview me. Getting that job would make me so happy.
Let's hope that something happens, soon.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Not enough
I've decided that I do not update my blog enough. I have lots of random thoughts on politics and law and the intricacies of life, now I should only channel them into productive, appropriate writings.
Last night, my former Genocide & International Law professor agreed to co-author an article with me. The topics is still left for discussions, but it will be something along the lines of state sponsored killing or international law. Ich freue mich.
I"m moving in two weeks. Lame. Moving is so overrated. I just want to take all of my crap and throw it away. I hate packing, purging, etc.
I miss school. I miss the world of academia. I also am going to miss intellectual discourse something awful . I need a job still. Any takers? I'll post my cv later.
Last night, my former Genocide & International Law professor agreed to co-author an article with me. The topics is still left for discussions, but it will be something along the lines of state sponsored killing or international law. Ich freue mich.
I"m moving in two weeks. Lame. Moving is so overrated. I just want to take all of my crap and throw it away. I hate packing, purging, etc.
I miss school. I miss the world of academia. I also am going to miss intellectual discourse something awful . I need a job still. Any takers? I'll post my cv later.
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