done writing papers!

I'm finally DONE writing my term papers. Thank goodness! I may have procrastinated a little bit, but I turned in one today and my next one isn't due until tomorrow afternoon. Too bad I have 3 more days of classes because all I feel like doing is celebrating and being on break (like everyone back in the States!). I'm actually sad that I won't be able to spend Thanksgiving back in California with family and friends. Guess I will just have to go to London? I am really excited to be in a country where everyone speaks English, no Sprechen Sie Englisch for me! For everyone who doesn't speak German, that is a nice way of asking a person if they speak English.


Which reminds me, I want to list some unique aspects to living in Berlin. I was video chatting with my mom last night and I mentioned that water is not free at all here in Berlin. Oh, what I would do to go to a restaurant and be offered multiple free glasses of water filled to the brim with ice. Another thing that I have not seen anywhere in Europe is toilet seat covers. I definitely just squat it everywhere. I also visited the library at Freie Universität, which turns out to be the quietest place on EARTH. I usually like peace and quiet when I'm studying and writing papers, but this place was just too quiet! Everyone sits in complete and utter silence, not even whispering to another person and not making any noises that even register any sound decibels. It was creepy. Another thing is that, a lot of the time, when someone finds out I'm American, they treat me differently. It's sad because I see other people in my program that are the stereotypical American idiots, but that isn't me! On the train the other night, Michelle and I happened to be sitting with a group of Berliners that realized we spoke English and were American. We were attempting a German conversation but this one guy refused to speak any English and spoke very quick, complex German. When we couldn't give appropriate responses, they went ahead and started talking about us right in front of us! Our German may not be perfect, but we could understand that they were talking about us and saying rude things. 


Remember when JFK's famous quote, "Ich bin ein Berliner"? Let me explain how he called himself a jelly donut. In Berlin, a Berliner is a person that comes from Berlin but in the rest of Germany, it actually is the name for a jelly donut. In Berlin, we don't call those jelly donuts "Berliners", we call them "Pfannkuchen". They're delicious! But in the rest of Germany, "Pfannkuchen" aren't jelly donuts, they're pancakes. Confusing, right? Just don't ever ask for a Berliner.


Coming from Southern California where I am absolutely spoiled with the beautiful weather all year around, I am just beginning to know what cold feels like. Since being here, I have now realized that a scarf in southern California is an accessory and here in Berlin, its a necessity! I don't think I have left my apartment without a scarf since the beginning of October. And unless I want to see the start of frostbite, I wear wool socks. So ugly, but soo warm. And I never go anywhere without my mittens because just putting your hands in your coat pockets ain't going to cut it anymore!


In my classes, we've read research that keeps talking about Germany's aging society. I don't know what these people are talking about because I see babies and children everywhere! I have yet to be on a flight where there is not a infant/toddler crying and throwing a fit. And I swear on every bus and train, there is always a stroller or a kid talking his mouth off. And did you know that Germans get paid to have children here?! That's how much their government wants them to have kids.


Which leads me to my last and most favorite topic Weinachten (Christmas)! You think Christmas is a big deal in America? You need to come to Germany. It has taken over every supermarket, shop, mall, and open area. There are these wonderful things called Weinachtmärkte, that are Christmas markets with delicious food and crafts. Glühwein is also a big deal here. Its warm red wine thats filled with spices and goodness. Also here in Berlin, there are no open container laws. So I can go just about anywhere with my Glühwein, Bier, or anything else my heart desires - even on the trains and buses! In my personal opinion, I think that since its cold here, people drink so much just to keep themselves warm.


I am off to go turn in my term paper...I just need to make it through tomorrow and then on Thursday I will be in London!