Some things are just universal...

Since my arrival in Germany, I've gotten to know several of my colleagues at the school very well, and have reached a certain level of comfort with my position at the school. Through these relationships I've come to the conclusion, as cliche as it might be, that really - some things are universal.

Example #1: Next Top Model. Yes, the television show that is every woman's guilty pleasure in the United States is ALSO a guilty pleasure of women in Germany. I was recently invited to join a viewing group with some teachers that I work with - my friend Nadin came up to me and said (with a hint of embarrassment) that she and some of the other teachers made it a habit last year to get together and drink wine and bitch about how skinny all of the models are, much like she used to do with her friends when she was at the university. My instant reaction: "OH MY GOD I did the exact same thing with my friends all throughout college, I'd loooooooove to!!!!!!" She just laughed and said, "See, women all around the world really are the same." Well said, Nadin. Well said.

Example #2: Fifteen year old boys will always be the same blundering fools in every country. Well, at least they're the same in Germany as they are in the US. In one of my tenth grade classes they were doing group work today, and I was going around asking them if they had questions, asking them to read out their work. I get to the group of boys in the class - and you all know this group. Think they're too cool for school. And they laugh at EVERYTHING. Literally, everything.

Me: "So guys, let's hear your diary entry for number five."

Student A: *giggle giggle* "You should be reading YOURS!" *points to another, more laughter* "He should read it - his is very good I think"

Student B: "NEIN! will ich nicht...YOU do it!" *chuckle chuckle, shoves paper to other boy*

Student A: "But yours is SOOO good!"
Laughter explodes at this point. This goes on for another five minutes until finally, .....

Student C: "aach, du Arschloch...fine, I read it." *reads the text*

Me: "Good job, that sounded great. Seriously, was it that hard?"

Student A: "Oh, yeah, that was totally mine - I had wrote it!" *LAUGHTERRRRRRRR*

Example #3: All teachers talk about outside of school...is school. Trust me, I've grown up with two parents who are also teachers. I get to hear all about their classes, school politics, etc. I guess it's just part of unwinding at the end of the day. Then I come here, and I'm struggling to find a discussion that I can actually take part in. Thank God I've gotten to know some of the classes and a bunch of the students, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to follow a conversation in the teacher's lounge, OR in the bars when we go out! I mean, I suppose they have that all in common, but let's give it a rest, people!

I'm sure that there are more "universals" out there, but this will have to do for now. Maybe I'll keep a list and post again later.

Oh, and for those of you who I haven't freaked out to yet, I got into Georgetown (unbelievably)! Although it looks like the classes and prestige might have been a bit better, I don't think it will be the best fit for me personally. UW Madison has been very generous in their offer, and I definitely feel more of a personal connection to the culture on that campus. That, and let's face it - I'm a little overdue to be closer to home for a year or two :)

As for now, just trying to be patient and wait for my lovely visitors come April! This weekend my friend Charlie arrives Thursday, and he, my friend Emily and I are heading off to Hamburg for the weekend! Will post pictures and stories when I return to quaint little Duelmen!

Tschuessi,

Mary