Toto, we're not in the US anymore

Oh! Um, hmm. Hi. I apparently had forgotten that I have a blog. I'm not sure how many loyal readers I have out there, but sorry to have disappointed you lately.

Let's see. Last update was Rome and my Italian adventures. It's been a while since then, but hasn't been the most thrilling of adventure times.

I mentioned I was working on the play in Berlin. It is now over as of last night, and I must say that I am utterly relieved. It is a pain to travel back and forth so often as well as getting home late at night on weekdays when I have to be at school the next morning. Also, it was not the most thrilling of experiences. There were a lot of communication issues. However, all those acting lessons have come to my advantage. These people like me, don't know how frustrated I was with them, and have offered to help me in the future. Score! Plus it was one of those thrilling "what not to do" lessons. All that matters now, is I don' t have to do anything else for them and I have an international theatre credit on my resume.

About resumes, I am applying for jobs. This is a terrifying thing for me. Home and having a real life and a real job (not that Fulbright isn't living or isn't a real job, but it's different from my norm) seem so far away and kinda like some weird illusion. What do you mean I have to write resumes and "career goals" statements? Can't someone just give me a job and let me run with that? Oh, but it has to be an amazing job. None of these sucky being manipulated and overworked things. And in a good location. And a decent paycheck. What? These things don't exist? Now you see why I am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. Can't I just go back to Centre where answers were given to me and friends were just in the next dorm room? I was fed and sheltered and educated and entertained all in one happy little bubble--ok, not always happy, I'm not that naive. But I do miss those days, and I would really love to see my college friends again. I know it won't be the same, but I do miss them. It was nice to see Ian and Mindy (my German professor & advisor and his wife/my career & life advisor) when they visited Berlin this weekend. Little touches of home make me happy.

I've also been sick lately, which could explain the lack of excitement and the lack of posts. Sick in foreign countries is a lot less fun.

Oh, a funny anecdote for you:
How to tell you are no longer in the Bible Belt lesson 1001:
I work with the German language Drama class for the 13th graders once a week. This past Wednesday (Ash Wed) they were feeling particularly rambunctious. The teacher was feeling particularly grouchy. Bad combo. Anway, she tells them to get onstage and start acting. One boy says jokingly, that he can't perform today because it's Ash Wednesday. Now would be a good time to explain that most people in eastern Germany are not religious. Still connected to that whole Communist thing. So she looks him in the eyes and says "Es ist mir verdammte Scheiss ob es Aschenmittwoch ist!" Now for you non German speakers, here is your translation, yes, it's vulgar. "I don't give a f***ing sh*t if it's Ash Wednesday!" He got on stage. Yes, ladies and gents, that was said in a classroom from a teacher to a student with no repercussions at all. In fact, I've heard the word Scheisse thrown around more by teachers and students alike than I ever thought possible in a school. Toto, we are not in the US anymore!

On that happy note, I leave you in peace to go plan a lesson about American literature. I have to somehow make it interesting for 16 year old Germans to learn about the different movements in American Lit. Suggestions welcome!