So as the big day approaches, my anxiety level steadily increases!
I'm all packed up, and praying that I won't be charged for an overweight bag...at this point, I'm leaving it up to the fine people at Lufthansa. I'd rather keep my 7 pounds of clothes than continue on worrying about whether or not I can survive on 2 pairs of jeans versus 3, thank you very much!
I take the train to Naperville tomorrow afternoon, and then hit the airport on Monday! If all goes well, I'll be in Duelmen as of 4pm local time on Tuesday!
I'll be living in an apartment which is connected with the family whom I'm renting it from. Pictures will be uploaded as soon as I get the chance to catch my breath and take a nice long shower (because who likes that "ick" feeling you get after traveling for 15 hours straight)!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
New Posts
Hey all - Just wanted to let you know that I'll be updating some posts that I had started in April of 2008 - they may not show up on the blog when you initially open it up, but they're listed in April 2008 along the right side of the page - they're the Venice and Amsterdam posts. Keep an eye out for them!
Some Helpful German Phrases
In preparing for a year abroad, it naturally follows that one should brush up on their foreign language skills. I mean, my German is pretty good, but admittedly rusty after being back stateside for a year! As I was sitting down to go over some key terms and phrases, I thought it might be entertaining to list some typical (along with some less-conventional) German phrases that might come in handy should any of you make it over to visit me!
Where is the bathroom?
Wo ist das WC?
Where is the train station?
Wo ist der Bahnhof?
I would like a beer.
Ich moechte ein Bier.
How much does it cost?
Wie viel kostet es?
Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
What would you recommend?
Was wuerden Sie empfehlen?
Some less conventional phrases (Going for a laugh here):
I hate this shitty weather.
Ich hasse dieses beschissene Wetter!
That baby is ugly as sin!
Das Baby ist haesslich wie die Nacht!
Holy shit!
Ach du heilige Scheisse!
I have such a hangover...
Ich habe SO einen grossen Kater.
Piss off!
Verpiss dich!
Where is the bathroom?
Wo ist das WC?
Where is the train station?
Wo ist der Bahnhof?
I would like a beer.
Ich moechte ein Bier.
How much does it cost?
Wie viel kostet es?
Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
What would you recommend?
Was wuerden Sie empfehlen?
Some less conventional phrases (Going for a laugh here):
I hate this shitty weather.
Ich hasse dieses beschissene Wetter!
That baby is ugly as sin!
Das Baby ist haesslich wie die Nacht!
Holy shit!
Ach du heilige Scheisse!
I have such a hangover...
Ich habe SO einen grossen Kater.
Piss off!
Verpiss dich!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
How to pack a year into two suitcases 101
Seeing as I've successfully gone through this process before, you'd think that it would be a bit less daunting the second time around...FALSE.
Although I'm just in the starting stages, I'm already having flashbacks to my last departure for Europe - sitting in the back of the van with my two suitcases which have exploded their contents all over the cargo area, agonizing about whether or not I really REALLY needed that third pair of jeans and whether or not T-shirts would completely tag me as an American.
"These boots could be left here, but what if it snows? What if there's a flash flood - will these shoes be waterproof? Exactly how many shirts can I get by with without feeling like I'm wearing the same one every fourth day? Heels - practical? Wait, there's three square inches of space next to my socks! SCORE! Wait, do I have jeans in there?!? AAGH this is going to be overweight anyway!"
That being said, after many travels I've now gotten a basic system down:
1. ROLL EVERYTHING! I really have no idea WHY this method works, but for some reason it tends to conserve space. I was particularly skeptical about this rule, but it really does work (so long as you don't mind things getting wrinkled)
2. Stuffing socks inside shoes - This one worked out particularly well, especially considering I brought along my huge winter boots, which take up a ton of space by themselves
3. If it can be bought cheaply, I leave it at home - because really, space is golden when you're packing an entire year's wardrobe...I'd rather have a couple extra shirts than my favorite towel from home (which would probably end up being thrown away eventually anyway...)
4. I pack extras of my favorite toiletries because A - Who wants to use some sketchy German brand of deodorant? and B - Instant space for gifts on the way back! (Yeah - pays off to stay in touch with someone abroad, *cough cough*)
5. One pair of heels - MAX. Don't try to kid yourself - not. practical. (Cobblestone streets don't mix well with stilettos.)
We'll see if the second time around turns out as well as (if not better than) the first time. Any suggestions would be welcome, if either of my two (woo!) official followers have any... :)
ps - 22 days?! sheesh...
Although I'm just in the starting stages, I'm already having flashbacks to my last departure for Europe - sitting in the back of the van with my two suitcases which have exploded their contents all over the cargo area, agonizing about whether or not I really REALLY needed that third pair of jeans and whether or not T-shirts would completely tag me as an American.
"These boots could be left here, but what if it snows? What if there's a flash flood - will these shoes be waterproof? Exactly how many shirts can I get by with without feeling like I'm wearing the same one every fourth day? Heels - practical? Wait, there's three square inches of space next to my socks! SCORE! Wait, do I have jeans in there?!? AAGH this is going to be overweight anyway!"
That being said, after many travels I've now gotten a basic system down:
1. ROLL EVERYTHING! I really have no idea WHY this method works, but for some reason it tends to conserve space. I was particularly skeptical about this rule, but it really does work (so long as you don't mind things getting wrinkled)
2. Stuffing socks inside shoes - This one worked out particularly well, especially considering I brought along my huge winter boots, which take up a ton of space by themselves
3. If it can be bought cheaply, I leave it at home - because really, space is golden when you're packing an entire year's wardrobe...I'd rather have a couple extra shirts than my favorite towel from home (which would probably end up being thrown away eventually anyway...)
4. I pack extras of my favorite toiletries because A - Who wants to use some sketchy German brand of deodorant? and B - Instant space for gifts on the way back! (Yeah - pays off to stay in touch with someone abroad, *cough cough*)
5. One pair of heels - MAX. Don't try to kid yourself - not. practical. (Cobblestone streets don't mix well with stilettos.)
We'll see if the second time around turns out as well as (if not better than) the first time. Any suggestions would be welcome, if either of my two (woo!) official followers have any... :)
ps - 22 days?! sheesh...
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