Freitag!
Die erste Woche ist so schnell gegangen! Ich glaube es nicht.
Ich habe nicht viel zu schreiben. Ich arbeite mehr als spielen =P.
Es ist immer hell hier, trotzdem der Regen. Der Sonne scheint bis 22 Uhr, und es scheint, wenn ich aufwecke (6.15). Es ist seltsam - nicht wie New York.
Alles für jetzt - Ich schreibe noch einmal nach der Wochenende.
Tschüss,
Katharine
--
Friday!
The first week went by so quickly! I can't believe it!
I don't have very much to write. I work more than I play =P.
It's always light here. The sun stays out until 10PM and is up when I wake up at 6:30. It's so strange - nothing like New York.
That's all for now - I'll write again after the weekend.
Tschüss
Katharine
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
10. Juni 2010
Wir sind gestern zu die Herkules Monument gegangen. Es war ganz schön. Es gibt am Mittwochs und Sonntags am Monument ein Waterspiel, so wir haben das Wasser gesehen. Von dem Berggipfel kann man alle zum Kassel sehen.
Es war heiß und schwül, aber wir hatten Spaß. Wir sind zu Boden des Bergs gelauft, and wir haben viele schöne Dinge gesehen. Diese Brücke ist idyllische!
Klasse geht noch gut. Wir lernen jetzt über Konjunktionen und Adverbien. Sie sind ein bisschen schwer, weil sie neu sind. Ich denke, dass ich sie bald verstehen werde.
Wir mussten auch eine schwere Setz sagen – Das tschechisches Kätzchen sitzt in einem chinesisches Kästchen an einem chilenisches Tischchen und frisst eine amerikanisches Mauschen. Na ja.
Alles geht gut! =)
-Katharine
--
We went to the Hercules Monument yesterday, which is at the highest point in Kassel. It was gorgeous! On Mondays and Sonntags they turn the water on, and so it’s basically a giant waterfall. From the top, one can see all of Kassel.
It was hot and humid, but we had fun. We walked from the top to the bottom of the mountain, and there were so many pretty things along the way! This bridge is so idyllic.
Classes are going well! We're learning conjunctions and adverbs right now, which are difficult, but only because they're new. I think I'll understand soon.
We also had a very difficult tongue twister: Das tschechisches Kätzchen sitzt in einem chinesisches Kästchen an einem chilenisches Tischchen und frisst eine amerikanisches Mauschen. Ugh.
Everything's going well! =)
-Katharine
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tage Eins und Zwei
Hallo!
Alles geht ausgezeichnet! Nach fünf hektische Stunde am Frankfurt Flughof - ich möchte über sie nicht sprechen - bin ich am endlich in Kassel angekommen, und ich bin mit Deutschem Kuchen und Tee willkommen. Meine Gastfamilie ist sehr nett, und ich kann wirklich viel versetehen, aber sie haben mir gefragt, was ich habe gedacht über die BP Öl Tragödie, und ich konnte nicht sehr viel darüber auf Deutsch gesprochen. Und sie haben eine Katze! Eine Katze mit drei Beine, die ganz liebevoll ist. Sie leckt! Ganz seltsam, aber trostreich.
Ich denke, dass meine Deutsch schon besser ist. Ich lese ein bisschen der Zeitung jedem Tag, ich spreche mit den Geschäftsinhaber auf Deutsch. Meine Klasse und meine Gespräche mit meine Gastfamilie sind alles auf Deutsch. Ich lerne mich Kassel auskennen. Die Strassebahn ist ganz toll! Sie ist stiller als die Subway.
Ich schreibe in kurze Zeit in die Pause zwischen meine Klassen. Ich habe Internet nur in das DIALOG Institut. Ich bin so beschäftig, dass ich habe vergisst, dass ich meine Gastfamilie über die Internet fragen muß. Aber ich musste ein bisschen schreiben - ich wollte es sehr - und so es gibt dieses Blog. Ich denke, dass ich in Microsoft Wort schreiben werde, und dann ich kann meine Blog transferieren. Und dann kann ich mehr auf Deutsch schreiben. Jawohl!
Bis später,
Katharine
Hello all!
Everything is going so well! After a hectic 5 hours at Frankfurt Airport (I'm not talking about it) I arrived in Kassel to German cake and tea. My host parents are really nice and I can actually understand a lot of what they're saying, though trying to talk about my opinions on the BP Oil Spill in German is incredibly difficult. And they have a cat! A three-legged cat that actually licks - very strange, but comforting.
I already feel like my German is improving. I'm reading a bit of the newspaper every day, speaking German with all of the shopkeepers and such, and all of my classes and conversation at home is in German. And I'm figuring out my way around. The Strassebahn is totally awesome - more quiet than the subway!
I'm writing this post briefly in my break between classes - the DIALOG Institut is the only place I have internet right now. I've been so busy that I keep forgetting to ask my guest family about it. But I needed to write something - I've been anxious to - and so there's this, for now. I think I'll start writing in Microsoft Word and then importing my posts. And then I can write more German. Jawohl!
Until later,
Katharine
Alles geht ausgezeichnet! Nach fünf hektische Stunde am Frankfurt Flughof - ich möchte über sie nicht sprechen - bin ich am endlich in Kassel angekommen, und ich bin mit Deutschem Kuchen und Tee willkommen. Meine Gastfamilie ist sehr nett, und ich kann wirklich viel versetehen, aber sie haben mir gefragt, was ich habe gedacht über die BP Öl Tragödie, und ich konnte nicht sehr viel darüber auf Deutsch gesprochen. Und sie haben eine Katze! Eine Katze mit drei Beine, die ganz liebevoll ist. Sie leckt! Ganz seltsam, aber trostreich.
Ich denke, dass meine Deutsch schon besser ist. Ich lese ein bisschen der Zeitung jedem Tag, ich spreche mit den Geschäftsinhaber auf Deutsch. Meine Klasse und meine Gespräche mit meine Gastfamilie sind alles auf Deutsch. Ich lerne mich Kassel auskennen. Die Strassebahn ist ganz toll! Sie ist stiller als die Subway.
Ich schreibe in kurze Zeit in die Pause zwischen meine Klassen. Ich habe Internet nur in das DIALOG Institut. Ich bin so beschäftig, dass ich habe vergisst, dass ich meine Gastfamilie über die Internet fragen muß. Aber ich musste ein bisschen schreiben - ich wollte es sehr - und so es gibt dieses Blog. Ich denke, dass ich in Microsoft Wort schreiben werde, und dann ich kann meine Blog transferieren. Und dann kann ich mehr auf Deutsch schreiben. Jawohl!
Bis später,
Katharine
Hello all!
Everything is going so well! After a hectic 5 hours at Frankfurt Airport (I'm not talking about it) I arrived in Kassel to German cake and tea. My host parents are really nice and I can actually understand a lot of what they're saying, though trying to talk about my opinions on the BP Oil Spill in German is incredibly difficult. And they have a cat! A three-legged cat that actually licks - very strange, but comforting.
I already feel like my German is improving. I'm reading a bit of the newspaper every day, speaking German with all of the shopkeepers and such, and all of my classes and conversation at home is in German. And I'm figuring out my way around. The Strassebahn is totally awesome - more quiet than the subway!
I'm writing this post briefly in my break between classes - the DIALOG Institut is the only place I have internet right now. I've been so busy that I keep forgetting to ask my guest family about it. But I needed to write something - I've been anxious to - and so there's this, for now. I think I'll start writing in Microsoft Word and then importing my posts. And then I can write more German. Jawohl!
Until later,
Katharine
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Zwei Tage...
Making some preparations:
My friend who studied in England last semester has a Vodafone, which she has generously agreed to lend me for my trip. All I have to do is buy a German SIM card (SIMkarte, incidentally) once I get to Frankfurt. I'm writing down the necessary phrases:
"Bitte, ich habe ein Handy mit einer U.K. SIMkarte - ich brauche eine Deutsche SIMkarte. Kann ich jetzt Gelad an mein Handy beitragen? Wie viel kostet man, Amerika zu telefonieren?"
Und so weiter, und so weiter. I'm also writing down the necessary phrases it'll take for me to get to Kassel in one piece. Fingers crossed.
Packing is going well. My goal of one suitcase seems within reach, though I'm packing an extra bag for all of the steins and pint glasses I'll be acquiring as souvenirs/gifts. I've packed 7 dresses, 6 tank tops, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, some cardigans, and some stockings. It seems like very little, but you actually need very little to get on. Plus, it's Europe. I'll feel like I missed something if I don't indulge in some clothes shopping. Especially when my trip is paid for. =)
More packing and prep tomorrow, and a last (!) dinner with my family. Then a good nights sleep and JFK at 6 or so on Saturday. It's coming so quickly! No time for second guesses, I guess.
My friend who studied in England last semester has a Vodafone, which she has generously agreed to lend me for my trip. All I have to do is buy a German SIM card (SIMkarte, incidentally) once I get to Frankfurt. I'm writing down the necessary phrases:
"Bitte, ich habe ein Handy mit einer U.K. SIMkarte - ich brauche eine Deutsche SIMkarte. Kann ich jetzt Gelad an mein Handy beitragen? Wie viel kostet man, Amerika zu telefonieren?"
Und so weiter, und so weiter. I'm also writing down the necessary phrases it'll take for me to get to Kassel in one piece. Fingers crossed.
Packing is going well. My goal of one suitcase seems within reach, though I'm packing an extra bag for all of the steins and pint glasses I'll be acquiring as souvenirs/gifts. I've packed 7 dresses, 6 tank tops, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, some cardigans, and some stockings. It seems like very little, but you actually need very little to get on. Plus, it's Europe. I'll feel like I missed something if I don't indulge in some clothes shopping. Especially when my trip is paid for. =)
More packing and prep tomorrow, and a last (!) dinner with my family. Then a good nights sleep and JFK at 6 or so on Saturday. It's coming so quickly! No time for second guesses, I guess.
The way is clear
The light is good
I have no fear,
Nor no one should
(and who can tell
What's waiting on the journey?)
The light is good
I have no fear,
Nor no one should
(and who can tell
What's waiting on the journey?)
Love Katharine (loves Sondheim)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fast da...
15 days until I leave!!
I've heard from my host family - The Krämers - who live relatively close to the DIALOG institut. Google maps tells me it's a 52 minute walk from their door to the school, so the bus ride should be maybe 15 minutes. Excellent! Their email to me was quite enthusiastic, also, so I'm very content to be spending a month with them.
An excerpt that is proving VERY useful for my planning:
Which means:
"Hopefully summer will finally come in June. Recently it's been unusually cold - it rains often and the plants and the people are looking forward to warmth!"
Which really means that I'll be packing a few cardigans and an umbrella. I'm happy with the forecast though - I'm not a fan of hot weather, and I'll be grateful to get away from the Urban Heat Island that is New York City for a bit.
Since finals are finished, I can really begin to focus on preparing myself language wise. I bought a copy of Kafka's short stories in German, just to keep myself in practice. I don't want to be rusty when I get there. Maybe it's time for some German movie watching, sans subtitles if I can. Das Leben der Anderen, anyone?
Tschüss!
- Katharine
I've heard from my host family - The Krämers - who live relatively close to the DIALOG institut. Google maps tells me it's a 52 minute walk from their door to the school, so the bus ride should be maybe 15 minutes. Excellent! Their email to me was quite enthusiastic, also, so I'm very content to be spending a month with them.
An excerpt that is proving VERY useful for my planning:
"Im Juni zeigt sich hoffentlich auch endlich der Sommer. Zur Zeit ist es hier herbstlich kalt, es regnet viel und die Natur und die Menschen sehnen sich nach Wärme!"
Which means:
"Hopefully summer will finally come in June. Recently it's been unusually cold - it rains often and the plants and the people are looking forward to warmth!"
Which really means that I'll be packing a few cardigans and an umbrella. I'm happy with the forecast though - I'm not a fan of hot weather, and I'll be grateful to get away from the Urban Heat Island that is New York City for a bit.
Since finals are finished, I can really begin to focus on preparing myself language wise. I bought a copy of Kafka's short stories in German, just to keep myself in practice. I don't want to be rusty when I get there. Maybe it's time for some German movie watching, sans subtitles if I can. Das Leben der Anderen, anyone?
Tschüss!
- Katharine
Saturday, May 8, 2010
I'm not in Germany, yet
I'm planning and waiting. I've purchased my flight ticket, my rail pass, and I've made my guest house reservations. I'm making packing lists in my head, trying to figure out how lightly I can travel while still being able to clothe myself. I'm practicing my German. I'm waiting. My departure weighs heavily on everything else I'm doing. As such, I procrastinate, in part by creating this blog 28 days before I leave.
Yes, I am counting the days.
The Plan:
I will be studying in Kassel, Germany for a month, through a cheap but excellent program run by my home college, Hunter College. I have, gratefully, received funding for my trip from the Macaulay Honors College - a whopping $3,400 dollars, which takes care of airfare and my rail pass, among other expenses. I will be chronicling my studying and living experiences with the DIALOG Institut and my host family, respectively.
After my program ends on July 2nd, I'm on my own. I will be putting myself to the test and spending the next 13 days in Germany on my own, traveling from Kassel to Berlin, then on to Munich, then Heidelberg, ending in Frankfurt. The "on my own" part is frightening but exciting - I get to explore my ancestral country at my leisure. Jawohl!
I can't say much more as to the future contents of this blog; it pretty much depends on what Germany decides to throw at me.
Ich kann alles ertragen. =)
Tschüss!
- Katharine
Yes, I am counting the days.
The Plan:
I will be studying in Kassel, Germany for a month, through a cheap but excellent program run by my home college, Hunter College. I have, gratefully, received funding for my trip from the Macaulay Honors College - a whopping $3,400 dollars, which takes care of airfare and my rail pass, among other expenses. I will be chronicling my studying and living experiences with the DIALOG Institut and my host family, respectively.
After my program ends on July 2nd, I'm on my own. I will be putting myself to the test and spending the next 13 days in Germany on my own, traveling from Kassel to Berlin, then on to Munich, then Heidelberg, ending in Frankfurt. The "on my own" part is frightening but exciting - I get to explore my ancestral country at my leisure. Jawohl!
I can't say much more as to the future contents of this blog; it pretty much depends on what Germany decides to throw at me.
Ich kann alles ertragen. =)
Tschüss!
- Katharine
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