Rosenmontag

Hallihalloechen...wie geht's euch? oder ich sollte eher sagen, wie geht's Bean?? :-P Yay for a small readership! It's probably a good thing because then you know that not everyone in the world is entering into your life. Ah dear, so today is Rosenmontag and there will be a parade downtown this afternoon that I think I will go to otherwise I will just sit around and feel bored and totally uninspired to work on my Hausarbeit. Pretty much I can't do much because I think stores are closed which makes it hard to mail letters or go to the Bank--guess that's what I'll be doing tomorrow :-P I'm getting some photos from the other girl that I went with to Turin, which is *exciting*. Some are really nice...man I'm so uninspired and a little repetitive I'm sure in what I'm saying. I slept in a lot today...well until 10 am which is long for me...but already everyone is away and so I get bored and depressed easily...like last night I cried myself to sleep. *oh well* I think gettting some exercise and some sunshine today should help a bit. And I've found out that the parade should start at 2 pm...so I guess I can have lunch a bit sooner than that and then walk downtown or something--with my camera of course ;-p Yay for Hausarbeits on Heinrich von Kleist. Death. Tomorrow I'm making Shrove Tuesday pancakes and they will be delicious...of course they will probably prove to be an experiment ;-p But that is what makes life full of *excitement*. Time to stop my babbling now...hope you aren't totally concerned Bean. Wuensche euch einen schoenen Tag! Viel Glueck mit deiner Pruefung Bean :-) Denk an euch.

Memories of my Olympic trip

Okay, so I thought this would be a good way not to forget what all went on during my trip...so I hope no one gets bored--this could be a long one ;-p
Trip with the Nachtzug
Susanne and I met up at the Bahnhof in Freiburg and took the train to Karlsruhe...we were both tired already and looking forward to sleeping on the train. The night train worked out pretty well for us in that no one else was in our compartment so we could each have one bench to ourselves to sleep. But it was pretty cold in the compartment and I slept with two pairs of socks and my toque on my feet ;-p We got woken up at least two times by police doing passport checks and they totally seemed to like my passport--secretly we think they were wondering if they could pronounce my name because they kept looking at the pass and then at me--or it could just be because I'm fabulous ;-p When the Italian police came and asked which nationality we were Susanne totally misunderstood and thought they were talking about which language they should speak and so she said "deutsch"...I said Canada and then "Deutsch " or "Englisch" but the dude wasn't paying attention and so we got away without showing our passes *whoops* Then somewhere in Italy these two ladies came into our compartment and the one lady didn't even give us time to get up and move over...she just walked right in and then she started putting on her make-up lol...the other lady was more considerate. But that was pretty much the *excitement* we had there.
Turin and Sauze d'Oulx
We got our transit tickets and then we made it to our accomodations without much trouble...the transit system was interesting to say the least ;-p We met up with Sara at the hotel and then we all went into the city...we got pictures with the Mascots, well big statues of them anyway and had some lunch before heading to catch the train to Sauze d'Oulx where the aerials were. On the train these people gave out free whistles from some American store Target...what was really funny is that everyone started blowing on them to check if they worked (I guess) like a bunch of little kids. We talked to some Americans and Aussies on the way there about hockey--sad day by the way for the Men's team *oh well*. The Mountains in this area are gorgeous and I tried to take a couple pictures once we arrived and on the bus up to the venue. WE got through security without much of a problem (thankfully) and then we decided to get something to eat. HOly smokes, it's totally ridiculous how much food costed at the venues. I paid 11 euros for a piece of lasagna and a salad...but what was totally nuts were hotdogs--4,50 euros for one (!) But I survived the food experience lol. WE had really good spots because we chose to go to the standing section early. We weren't on the side where the tv cameras were looking though and so we weren't in the crowds on the one side that they had a camera over. But we were behind CBC and thought, hey maybe they'll turn and look at us--not! They totally never did and that was disappointing because we even got on American T.V. lol. People really liked my hat too...I had some NBC guy comment on it and I had offers from people to buy my hat---I said no, even though Sara and Susanne thought I should have sold it--but I got it from my parents and so I was like the sentimental value is better. We met some nice people standing around us from Belgium and then there were these people behind us who were Swiss fans who kept pushing us into the fence. The best moment was when we got the attention of the Canadian, Veronica Bauer and she turned and waved to us--that was pretty cool because it was a real smile...and one of the coaches waved at us too when we started waving our flag around lol. Moments not on camera but still cool. Susanne got some awesome pictures of some of the competitors in the air as they did their jumps. Unfortunately Veronica came in last and she looked pretty disappointed but the weather was against her--it was often foggy and they would have to wait and the conditions were not very ideal for her first jump which threw her off. It was still really awesome to watch. The volunteers here in Turin and at the venues were really friendly and those with loud speakers kept saying "hello Canada" and we had some take our picture and others ask for pins--we totallly didn't know that people traded pins, that would have been really cool. On the train back we were sitting by a nice Italian guy and then we met an American who has been living in Italy for a couple of years, who helped up figure out the words for "towel" and "breakfast" because we had to take with the reception desk at the hotel and they didn't speak English. All in all a good day.
Touring Turin
Susanne and I hung out in Turin on the next day (thursday)...we discovered this one street totally by accident and it turned out to be one of the main shopping streets (like the fussgaengerzone) and we walked to the medal plaza. It wasn't open but we did take a couple pictures...oh and on wednesday we also saw the olympic torch and the stadion where the opening and closing ceremonies took place. It was *exciting*--haha, and on the way to the train station to go to Sauze d'Oulx we saw a car from CBC quite by accident and they totally waved at us...which is why we were hopeful at the event...alas. Okay, Susanne and I discovered this really cool medieval castle and village that they had along the Po river. It was super *exciting* and we even went on a tour of the castle--it's all a farce, because it was all built in the late 19th century for a didactic purpose but it was still very interesting...our tour guide was also very cute. Then we had a late lunch and met up with Sara who had been to snowboarding. We went to Canada house on the recommendation of some other Canadians that we met and thought maybe we could see some of the atheletes. Unfortunately we didn't but it was still really happy to see that people liked my hat and that we had done really well in some other events--they had a medal board. Then we bought the most expensive ice cream I've ever eaten--it was ridiculous but you know, I'll probably only ever eat ice cream once in Turin ;-p That evening we went to Milan.
Milan
We arrived at almost 9 pm and then we went for dinner at a nice restaurant...we had to find our hostel and were totally lost. WE learned an important lesson too--not to trust the stupid internet maps because they are totally off scale. The internet had said that the hostel was a fifteen minute walk--*wrong!* After like a hour of being lost around the main station we found a nice lady from Montreal who directed us to the metro and a nice man at the metro who helped us get some tickets. So at about midnight we arrived at the hostel. I'm so glad that I brought ear plugs let me tell you because some of the girls in our room were noisy. Oh and another thing I've learned (or perhaps remembered) is why I'm not so keen on Italy--the bathrooms. *shudder* often just a whole in the floor or low toilets with not seat seat...so it brought back some camping memories lol. Then yesterday we met up with Sara, who had to stay at another hotel--she had gotten lost too and had a creepy experience of being followed. We went to this cool castle/fortess in Milan and walked to the arch of peace before walking to the Dome. It was being restored but it is still an impressive sight. We had a pizza lunch (being in Italy and all ;-p) and then we walked around this shopping strip with Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and you guessed it, McDonalds ;-P WE didn't go inside the stores but I had my picture taken by Prada...I figure that's as close as I will ever get lol. Sara had to go back sooner because she had a different train but Susanne and I walked around a bit more, went inside the Dome and inside a couple stores. The weather yesterday was quite disappointing, all rainy and so it made it hard for us to hang out outside. WE went to McDonalds to warm up and give our feet and backs a rest after carrying our bags all day long. Then we checked out this museum with free admission, which turned out to the the former royal palace...it's still very much under restoration but the rooms that were done were quite impressive. One of the security dudes inside made Susanne and I take off our bags and carry them in the front--I guess they were worried they we would bump into something. It was funny because at first Susanne didn't understand what he was saying--something like "sack off" or "sack to the front" lol and it was also funny because we looked like pregnant ladies--now I totally have more sympathy for them--not that I didn't before--but carrying a lot of weight in the front is just as hard on your back. So we took pictures ;-p The train ride home was pretty long but we entertained ourselves by playing hangman, sudoku and cards. WE met two boys from the Netherlands and they peppered us with various questions about Canada and world politics, etc...it was a good way to spend some of the time at least. I seem to have lost my *fabulous-ness* on the way home because they just glanced at my passport on the train home ;-p It's all good though. I made it home and in bed at 1:15 or so and then I slept like a rock until my alarm woke me up before 10am. WE were tired and our backs and feet were very sore--the tongue on one of my boots was digging into the bones in my foot making it very difficult to walk without feeling it. But we survived, though now I am a bit sick and now I should go grocery shopping because I have really no food here.
I am going to go to my friends house in Bad Krozingen for dinner tonight--they are making spaetzle for me tonight and I'm looking forward to that. Yay! I don' think I will be doing any homework today...I think I'll just get my fill of olympics and finish getting a bit organised since arriving back home. Tomorrow it's laundry time and I get to talk with my family-- the *excitement*. Well I hope that this wasn't too boring to read lol. Wuensche euch ein schoenes Wochenende!
Ps: Laurel, you did meet Zicka and she's super nice :-) I am coming home on April 4 until April 20th but then I don't really come back until August 24th (once university is done and I have gotten in some travelling). Hope that answers your question. Take care!

Turin is calling...

Hallo ihr alle--wenigstens lebe ich in Hoffnung auf Leute, die diese Schriften lesen ;-p
I had a really good time visiting Zicka, her Mom made muffins for us two times and we had waffles for Breakfast on Sunday morning...mmmm. On Friday we went to Donauwoerth for a movie, we saw the constant gardener, it was well done but quite disturbing for me in my ever-present innocence *bubble* ;-p Then we had some adventures coming back home again because we'ld taken the wrong exit into town and that got Zicka totally disoriented...so needless to say it took a bit of time before we got back on the right highway ;-p Saturday Zicka and I went swimming at the Hallenbad in Treuchtlingen...best part was the waterslides and then these lights--a kind of therapy. Then there was a whirpool thing and a wave pool...it was pretty exciting, other than learning that my body hates me pretty much and I'm totally not impressed with myself either. Saturday night we had a games night with her friend, Maria, and she had a super adorable dog Tommy who I fell instantly in love with ;-0 I miss him already lol. Sunday we met some other friends again in Donauwoerth for chinese food--the friends were nice and we didn't have as much trouble finding our way around except the dish I ordered wasn't what I thought it would be. *oh well*, there are good reasons why I don't do Chinese food very often (like never ;-p) Sunday night I tried<- key word-- to watch the hockey game Canada v. Finnland but I was soo ashamed of our poor team that I had to turn it off. Some people might say I'm not a *true* fan...but I say, it's not that I don't support them, it was already to late to waste my sleep just to watch them suck.
Last night I talked with my Mom on the phone, which was cool and then today I have to go drop of an envelope for my scheins...then tonight I'm off to Turin (!) Yay! It should be very *exciting* and I hope that I will take away some cool memories from the whole time. I still have some preparations to do and I should do a little bit of work on my hausarbeit *joy*. Well, ich wuensche euch ein paar schoene TAge! wir sehen uns dann am Wochenende wieder--mach's gut!

Viel Spass beim warten...

Ich warte auf meine Freundin, die zu mir zum Abendessen--zum Waffeln essen ;-p--kommen sollte aber sie ist noch nicht hier. Sie haette hier um 18:30 kommen sollen aber jetzt ist sie net da...was kann man aber machen? Ich habe noch ein Kurs fertig gemacht...muss aber noch eine Hausarbeit dafuer schreiben, worauf ich mich net freue. Vielleicht wird's nur eine gute Erfahrung--muss mal schauen. Ich gehe am Freitag zu Zicka und das wird voll cool sein, ihr wiederzusehen. Ich mache aber ein bissle sorgen darum, dass sie mir immer auf Englisch schreibt und dadurch koennte ich mein Deutsch net richtig ueber. Es wird sowieso Spass machen...und natuerlich mit leckeres Essen dabei ;-p Ich bin immer noch erkaeltet aber es geht mir ein bissle besser heute. Habe halt viele Schlaefchen in den letzten Tagen gemacht. Hoffentlich wird's was helfen. Ah dear, mir fehlt's gerade nicht mehr ein...morgen gebe ich meine Semesterarbeit fuer Kinderliteratur ab. Wird gut schon eine Sache erledigt zu haben. Und jetzt bin ich zu Ende meine plappern. Wuensche euch einen schoenen Valentine's Tag und eine schoene Woche! (auch Gesundheit ;-p) Bis bald.

Why do I have to be so disappointed?

Yesterday i could watch the olympics on the net and today I can't :-(...apparently I'm not in the eurovision region which makes no sense because currently I'm very much in the middle of Europe and I am paying for internet connection through german people (as far as I know)...today it's ARD rather than ZDF whose broadcasting so maybe that's why, but it's frustrating for me to have gone from being all hopeful to very very disappointed. Yes, it's a sad sad day because I became obsessed over one day and now it's like I can't like without it--TV isn't that good for you anyway, etc.etc...so who know's exactly why I feel so disappointed and frustrated. Besides, I have an exam tomorrow that I have been studying for and I guess now I could "focus" better lol--really I'm wasting so much time trying to figure out how my I.P. address that yesterday was acceptable and now is apparently not...that's *terribly* focussed. Plus I'm sick now...nothing like a runny nose and sore throat to make studying even more enjoyable. Oh, and here I am reverting to English...*sigh*. OH well, hopefully I can get over stupid little things like this soon. Ich wuensche euch sowieso einen schoenen Sonntag!

Nothing like a little bit of distraction...

The *excitement*...I'm going to take a break from my studying--since I have an exam on Monday (oh dear)--and fill this list in as it applies to me. Oh, what's more *exciting* is that the olympics start tonight!!! Go Canada go! Yay for being proud of my country--okay, not the politics but my sports teams, sure ;-p But I won't be able to watch the opening ceremonies because I am meeting my tandem partner and she is not so keen on tv watching. Oh well, practising my German-speaking is also quite important seeing as I really want to improve. And here I am babbling in English ;-p *sad day*.

Well, here's to distractions...
Rules: You are supposed to copy and paste the list and then bold anything that is true about you!

Here we go:

I hate my name.
I miss somebody right now. - can this include dogs?? Moomoo is amazing
I watch less tv than I used to. - seeing as I don't own one, it's hard to watch much of anything on one
I love olives.
I love sleeping. - Almost comes second to eating.
I own a lot of books.--sure if it includes notebooks from University
I wear glasses or contact lenses.
I love to play video games.
I believe honesty is the best policy. - but maybe not for people in politics *oh dear*--yes, no political commentaries allowed
I like and respect Al Sharpton. - ??
I curse alot.
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year. -Probably...God has placed me in some challenging situations
I have a hobby. - yay for standard dance
I carry my knife/razor everywheres s with me.
I've never broken anyone else's bones.
I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
I love rain. --not if you are stuck outside for hours on end...but worms are so cool!
I'm REALLY paranoid.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really fast when I get excited/nervous. - Yes, I am known to babble
I have minty fresh breath in the morning.
I have semi-long hair.
I have lost money in Las Vegas.
I have at least one brother and/or sister.
I was born outside of Canada.
I shave my legs.
I have a twin.
I am actually wasting time doing this thing. - Hey, we all need distractions sometimes
I couldnt survive without Caller I.D
I like the way I look most of the time. - I try.
I have friends. - yay! for them! (I agree Bean)
I know how to do cornrows.
I am very pessimistic. - nothing like a good ol' battle against a negative attitude.
I have mood swings. - a psychologist would have lots of fun looking at my brain ;-p
I think Britney Spears is hot.
I have cheated on a significant other.
I have a hidden talent.
Im always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
I think that I'm popular.
I have dyed my hair -
I have kissed someone of the same sex. - Does on the cheek count?
I enjoy talking on the phone. - hahaha...yay for parents' long-distance plans...
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.--it's all about lulu lemon pants
I love to shop.- it depends on my mood
I would classify myself as ghetto.
Im obsessed with my blog!
I dont hate anyone. - I really try not to!
I'm embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a mobile phone.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have never been in a real, serious relationship before.--the only guy I dated was a total jackass (excuse my language)
I've rejected someone before. -
I currently have a crush on someone. - sure...
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future.
I've had the cops called on me before.
I bite my nails.
I've been depressed before. - sad day I know
I collect comic books
I shut others out when I'm sad - sometimes...
I open up to others easily
I am keeping a secret from the world
I watch the news - watching the news makes me feel depressed.
I own over 5 rap CDs
I like Disney movies--that should be love...not all of them, but some are very happy
I am a sucker for pretty eyes - hello Moomoo ;-p
I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation - highly probable
I love Martha Stewart
I really like someone - yes...think what you like ;-p
I am self conscious - can anyone say high expectations?
I like to laugh a lot - I should laugh more...it's good for you
I smoke a pack a day
I have cough drops when I'm not sick
I can't swallow pills
I have scars--yay for roast chicken
I've been out of this country--haha...guess where I am??
I am really ticklish
I love chocolate
I am comfortable with being me - most of the time
I play computer games/video games when I'm bored
Gotten lost in a big city--can you say Berlin?
Saw a shooting star
I had serious surgery
Hugged a stranger--yay for Campus
Been in a fist fight with the same sex
Been arrested
Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose - probably
Pushed all the buttons on an elevator
Made out in an elevator
Swore at your parents--sadly, I'm sure I did during my rebellious moments
Kicked a guy where it hurts
Been skydiving
Been bungee jumping
Broken a bone
Played spin the bottle
Gotten the chicken pox - oh the *excitement*
Ridden in a taxi
Shoplifted
Been fired
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back all the time
Stole something from your job
Had a crush on a coach
Saw someone/something dying - my dog...it sucked :-(
Been on a plane--no, actually I walked all the way to Germany
Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
Thrown up in a bar
Eaten Sushi - do I get half-marks? Because I tried and couldn't finish the seaweed...
Met someone in person from the internet
Been to a motorcross show
Done hard drugs
Taken painkillers - hello wisdom teeth
Saw Bucks Fizz in concert
Consumed alcohol - we all seem to mention communion wine...
Run away from home--apparently I wasn't very impressed when Bean was born
Lied to your parents about where you are
Own an iPod
Are a sports fanatic
Would wear pyjamas to school
Had a job
Been in love
Eat fast food weekly
Have self-inflicted scars
Believe in ghosts
Can't sleep if there is a spider in the room
Seen a therapist
Love white chocolate
Single
In a relationship
Kissed a stranger
Been obsessed with another person - probably
Argued for the fun of it
Made out in a moving vehicle
Been to a casino -does going to Silver Dollar Casino for bowling in gym count?
Been in a bar - *sad day*
Skipped school -
Been punched -
Been naked in public--those poor people of Rimbey...hahaha
Come close to death
Gotten stitches
Bitten someone -
Crashed into a friend's car
Been to Japan
Ever had a crush on someone of the same sex
Slept with someone you shouldn’t have
Been married
I believe everything happens for a reason
Had someone cheat on you
Over dosed
Have hated your life
Have no one who cares
Like Monty Python - only of the Holy Grail variety. (again I agree Bean)

So there you go...the *excitement*. HOpe you enjoyed it...hahahah. Wuensche euch einen schoenen TAg!

I've been tagged apparently

Also Bean, fuer dich hab's gemacht :-)

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. Babysitter
2. Doing random things for my mum and getting paid for it--haha...I like it ;-p
3. Hallmark--oh the *excitement* of cardcore
4. Vanning...I don't think I even have to explain what this is

Four movies you could watch over and over again (not to be confused with favourite movies):
1. Big Fish
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
3. The Emperor's New Groove
4. Monster's Inc.

Four TV shows you love(d) to watch:
1. Racoons and Babar
2. The Amazing Race
3. Rick Mercer Report (it's my one bit of Canadian humour in this European locale)
4. Hockey Night in Canada--Don Cherry haha

Four places you've lived:
1. We lived in Hillhurst until I was 2.5 years old
2. Yay for NW Calgary
3. My German exchange student's house
4. Freiburg--boo ya

Four places you've been on vacation to:
1. Europe (Germany, Switzerland and Austria to be precise!)
2. The Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI)
3. Vancouver Island (much vancouver island love)
4. The National Parks in BC and Alberta
Well Bean, you pretty much summed it up for us ;-p

Four places you would rather be:
1. Well currently I would be in the "rather be" locations
2. On Vancouver Island!
3. Torino because it means the olympics have started ;-p
4. At home...sometimes I used to feel this way

Four of your favourite foods:
1. Stuffing!!!!!!
2. Beef--steak, hamburgers, roast beef, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, shishkabobs (s/p?)
3. Waffles
4. Muffins, cakes and cookies--kinds with no chocolate or peanuts in them

Four websites you visit daily:
1. www.tagesschau.de
2. blogger.com
3. gmail.google.com
4. www.antenne.de

Four tagged:
Ich glaube, es gibt eigentlich keine Leute, die ich "tagen" koennte. Also, wuensche ich euch viel Spass beim lesen und einen schoenen Tag noch! Werde spaeter vielleicht ein aktuelles blog schreiben--muss mal schauen. Die Aufsaetze sind immer da.

Hirsch Ruf ;-p

Hirsch Ruf
Wisst ihr was? Gestern gab es einen Hirschruf Wettbewerb in Deutschland(!) hahahahaha....das fand ich total lustig, weil die Maenner total komisch stoehnen oder so was aehnliches und dann die sagen "das war ein Hirsch, wenn er Hunger hat" ;-p Aber jeder hat Spass beim verschiedenen Aktivitaeten. Angeblich Waesche waschen macht mir Spass, denn damit habe ich mich heute Morgen beschaeftigt...habe sogar meine Wollesachen mit den Haenden gewaschen aber diese Sachen bleiben in der Dusche...sonst wird mein Zimmer zum Ozean ;-p Gestern war ich bei der Abschiedsfeier fuer Judith und Julia, die beide nach Afrika fahren...Judith macht dort ein 6 Monaten lang Praktikum in Uganda--finde ich echt cool, aber ich weiss halt net, ob ich was selbst unternehmen wuerde...bin nicht so mutig/tapfer (?). Habe dort total viel gegessen-wie immer aber hat's Spass gemacht und ich habe mein Deutsch ein bissle geuebt...einige waren auch unsicher ob ich Deutsche oder Amerikaner waren...habe gesagt, na ja, weder...noch ;-p Bin Kanadierin und stolz darauf ;-p Aber finde's auch cool, dass ich fast fuer eine Deutsche passen koennte...net ganz, das weiss ich schon. Wortschatz aber kommt nur mit Uebung. Was mache ich sonst heute? Hab' vor, meine Fahrkarte nach Torino zu kaufen aber kommt darauf an, ob meine Mitfahrerin auch Zeit hat. Muss auch an meine Aufsaetze arbeiten...die kommen langsam, also ich muss diese Zeit ausnutzen. Sollte auch bald auf meine Klausur in Kinderliteratur vorbereiten--aber zuerst erledige ich andere Hausaufgaben. Sollte wahrscheinlich jetzt wieder ein "braves" Kind sein und lernen. Wuensche euch einen schoenen Tag!! Bean, du kannst mich fragen, wenn du etwas net verstanden hast (ask me, if you haven't understood something) ;-) Bis bald.