(Train to Munich, June 27)
the train today.. well a long one... there were some screw ups with the ticket booking.. and a journey that was originally to take 4-5 hours is now going to last about 11 hours.. LOTS of time to think.. and stop in every small town in southern Germany... YAY.. lol...
as we speedily (seriously sarcastic!) venture through the german countryside it seems that every small town that the train stops in sports giant heavy industry chimneys.. they rise into the german skies, often times dwarfing the church steeples.. these chimneys are graced with a background littered with wind power farms.. perhaps this is a sign in the shifting ideals of the german people.. each representing a phase of their development.. shifting from religion to powering their economy... each phase a little newer and shinier than the one that preceded it..
idk.. perhaps i have just had way too much time to think..
Saturday
and what it all comes down to my friend....
(Schmalkalden, Germany, June 26)
i have always found that goodbyes are not easy.. there is always this desire to hold onto something that you know that you will inevitably lose... i use breakups as an example.. for the most part there is never one complete break to start.. there is always a process..
well with schmalkalden.. there is a break.. i leave.. probably not to return..
although this leads to the denial.. is it really goodbye.. i have only JUST started to get to know these people.. it doesn't feel real.. there is this perception that tomorrow will be no different.. the only real thing are the tears shed by some.. perhaps they made the correct connection before the rest of us.. for the rest it will happen at some point down the line..
i have always found that goodbyes are not easy.. there is always this desire to hold onto something that you know that you will inevitably lose... i use breakups as an example.. for the most part there is never one complete break to start.. there is always a process..
well with schmalkalden.. there is a break.. i leave.. probably not to return..
although this leads to the denial.. is it really goodbye.. i have only JUST started to get to know these people.. it doesn't feel real.. there is this perception that tomorrow will be no different.. the only real thing are the tears shed by some.. perhaps they made the correct connection before the rest of us.. for the rest it will happen at some point down the line..
Friday
All i need now is a littleintellectual intercourse..
(june 24th)
heres a little something for you to think about.. and think well.. this question was asked to the class by the professor.. well i guess more of a statment..
all of the worlds problems could be solved by ONE single thing.. that is every problem.. war, suicide bombers, starvation, global warming.... every problem the world faces!..
the answer..
education..
(think about it)....
heres a little something for you to think about.. and think well.. this question was asked to the class by the professor.. well i guess more of a statment..
all of the worlds problems could be solved by ONE single thing.. that is every problem.. war, suicide bombers, starvation, global warming.... every problem the world faces!..
the answer..
education..
(think about it)....
Monday
(schmalkalden, Germany, june 25)
this was the midnight sun lecture.. the final course that i had to take while in schmalkalden.. and the most strenuous course was left for last.. 6pm-6am.. with an exam from 5am-6am.. the course.. the german social market economy.. yeah.. tongue twister for sure!.. however,
there were several bonuses to this...first the course was taught in a farmers field.. well actually it was a hillside overlooking a tiny town outside of schmalkalden.. the point of this.. to watch the sunset and sunrise.. all a part of the course..
the course started off quite hard.. a 3.2 km hike up the hill.. it basically gave you full license to sweat your ass off.. and almost enough reason to turn back and quit the course before it even started.. although the next phase.. was perhaps the most strenuous.. i actually sustained perminant damage from it..
about a minute after we reached the hillside where our lecture would take place.. Frisbees were distributed among the students... after this occurred.. it took me about 30 seconds to careen down the hillside, dive after the frisbee and emerge victoriously with both the frisbee and a fashionable grass stain starting at my left knee and extending down the leg onto my shoe.. yes my shoe had a grass stain as well.. thank god they are green.. (although now thrown out.. they smelled like SHIT!).. anywho..
although i was worried that i did not bring enough clothing.. i brought pretty much everything that i owned.. well that was warm.. and that could fit into my shoulder bag.. well my worst fears were realized about 30 minutes into the lecture.. when we had to sit down with beer (supplied by the uni).. and listen to the lecture.. the wind had picked up.. and i trembled subtly at first, perhaps my meager attempt at looking masculine and tough.. eventually i caved and shivvered like a panzy clamoring and fighting tooth and nail for a sliver of a red blanket..
thankfully we took several breaks during the lecture.. i used these to warm up. more frisbee.. pretty much.. i love being a child!.. but once the stars were out.. i was mesmerized by them.. i had not seen stars like this..well ever.. cause i hadnt seen the stars in germany yet.. and they are all mostly different than those we see back home.. i shall explain.. well they are the same stars.. just different positions within the sky.. orion was not in his prominant position in the centre.. although it was now actually colder outside... i had solved my heating issues by simply stealing it from alex... although i dont think she cared much.. we just stared at the stars above..
having stayed up till 3am numerous times on this trip.. that wasn't new.. however.. conversations at 3am are typically stories that have no point.. or are supermely simplified.. because you are hammered.. this was not the case with the german social market economy.. the terms kept flying.. even at this hour..
in the end there was very few whom survived the whole night keeping awake.. i was pretty proud of myself.... i even passed the exam.. although i have NO idea how.. i was exhausted..
this was the midnight sun lecture.. the final course that i had to take while in schmalkalden.. and the most strenuous course was left for last.. 6pm-6am.. with an exam from 5am-6am.. the course.. the german social market economy.. yeah.. tongue twister for sure!.. however,
there were several bonuses to this...first the course was taught in a farmers field.. well actually it was a hillside overlooking a tiny town outside of schmalkalden.. the point of this.. to watch the sunset and sunrise.. all a part of the course..
the course started off quite hard.. a 3.2 km hike up the hill.. it basically gave you full license to sweat your ass off.. and almost enough reason to turn back and quit the course before it even started.. although the next phase.. was perhaps the most strenuous.. i actually sustained perminant damage from it..
about a minute after we reached the hillside where our lecture would take place.. Frisbees were distributed among the students... after this occurred.. it took me about 30 seconds to careen down the hillside, dive after the frisbee and emerge victoriously with both the frisbee and a fashionable grass stain starting at my left knee and extending down the leg onto my shoe.. yes my shoe had a grass stain as well.. thank god they are green.. (although now thrown out.. they smelled like SHIT!).. anywho..
although i was worried that i did not bring enough clothing.. i brought pretty much everything that i owned.. well that was warm.. and that could fit into my shoulder bag.. well my worst fears were realized about 30 minutes into the lecture.. when we had to sit down with beer (supplied by the uni).. and listen to the lecture.. the wind had picked up.. and i trembled subtly at first, perhaps my meager attempt at looking masculine and tough.. eventually i caved and shivvered like a panzy clamoring and fighting tooth and nail for a sliver of a red blanket..
thankfully we took several breaks during the lecture.. i used these to warm up. more frisbee.. pretty much.. i love being a child!.. but once the stars were out.. i was mesmerized by them.. i had not seen stars like this..well ever.. cause i hadnt seen the stars in germany yet.. and they are all mostly different than those we see back home.. i shall explain.. well they are the same stars.. just different positions within the sky.. orion was not in his prominant position in the centre.. although it was now actually colder outside... i had solved my heating issues by simply stealing it from alex... although i dont think she cared much.. we just stared at the stars above..
having stayed up till 3am numerous times on this trip.. that wasn't new.. however.. conversations at 3am are typically stories that have no point.. or are supermely simplified.. because you are hammered.. this was not the case with the german social market economy.. the terms kept flying.. even at this hour..
in the end there was very few whom survived the whole night keeping awake.. i was pretty proud of myself.... i even passed the exam.. although i have NO idea how.. i was exhausted..
Saturday
its too late tonight....
(Schmalkalden, Germany, June 23)
tonight is the final tuesday night in schmalkalden.. basically what does that mean.. well its the last night that the students club is open late.. and we have to pretty much take full advantage of that..
finally the weather is starting to co operate.. it is finally not raining at night.. i have a hypothesis as to the reason why.. i finally found an umbrella.. yep.. the good ol reverse cursing.. its like putting away winter boots.. it always snows shortly after.. well the reverse curse is the better way to go.. although i am out 7 euro. it was an expensive umbrella.. oh well..
to celebrate the weather.. bbq time.. although the bbqs in germany are pretty much pathetic.. its pretty much going back about 5ΓΆΓΆ years in bbq technology.. the wheel probably had yet to be invented when these bbqs first struck the market.. although i bet they were popular as hell because they are everywhere.. anywho.. the food cooked.. and no one got sick.. just took forever using medievil technology..
along with food there was of course beer.. and wine for the ladies.. but i finally arrive to the reason for my post.. the bbq and predrinking did not actualy last that long.. pretty quick.. an hour or so.. well in the span of that hour.. one wonderful soul within our little gathering decided to down as much as she could.. not a great idea.. she downed a bottle of wine faster than people could down a single beer.. the reaosn i know this... because she was going after peoples second beers before they finished their first.. pretty crazy..
next piece of the puzzle.. she is only 19.. and well 19yr olds do not get drunk elequently.. basically all hell breaks loose.. they have no control.. i only realize this being 5 years removed from being 19.. i now have the ability to become the dignified drunk.. oh.. i still do stupid shit.. pranks and crap.. although with much more poise than 19 yr olds.. they lack.. well just lack something.. i have NO idea when i found it.. i think it just showed up like the montly presents in the tampex commercials.. i feel that i notice this the most when there is a 19 yr old that is drunk among people who are at least 3 years older.. i honestly feel like a parent taking a child to the zoo.... and honestly which one of these things is not like the other..
heres an example.. there are 5 equally drunk individuals.. one 19.. and three 23, and one 24.. the 23 yr olds and the 24 yr old.. chatting relaxed.. playing beer darts.. laughing.. singing the opening song to the lion king.. AND the 19 yr old.. SCREAMING! running around like their hair is on fire.. screwing up the lyrics to the opening song to the lion king.. i know.. the last part is apalling.. i know.. there is worse..
projectile vomit all over the bathroom.. the walls.. the floor.. the outside of the toilet.. i know this because i had to supervise her while she cleaned it up.. i only thought there was crap on the floor.. (i am drunk).. and no.. when she is done with the floor. the inspection reveals puke going down the wall.. ew..
basically that was when we put the kids to bed.. and partyd like adults till the sun came up..
tonight is the final tuesday night in schmalkalden.. basically what does that mean.. well its the last night that the students club is open late.. and we have to pretty much take full advantage of that..
finally the weather is starting to co operate.. it is finally not raining at night.. i have a hypothesis as to the reason why.. i finally found an umbrella.. yep.. the good ol reverse cursing.. its like putting away winter boots.. it always snows shortly after.. well the reverse curse is the better way to go.. although i am out 7 euro. it was an expensive umbrella.. oh well..
to celebrate the weather.. bbq time.. although the bbqs in germany are pretty much pathetic.. its pretty much going back about 5ΓΆΓΆ years in bbq technology.. the wheel probably had yet to be invented when these bbqs first struck the market.. although i bet they were popular as hell because they are everywhere.. anywho.. the food cooked.. and no one got sick.. just took forever using medievil technology..
along with food there was of course beer.. and wine for the ladies.. but i finally arrive to the reason for my post.. the bbq and predrinking did not actualy last that long.. pretty quick.. an hour or so.. well in the span of that hour.. one wonderful soul within our little gathering decided to down as much as she could.. not a great idea.. she downed a bottle of wine faster than people could down a single beer.. the reaosn i know this... because she was going after peoples second beers before they finished their first.. pretty crazy..
next piece of the puzzle.. she is only 19.. and well 19yr olds do not get drunk elequently.. basically all hell breaks loose.. they have no control.. i only realize this being 5 years removed from being 19.. i now have the ability to become the dignified drunk.. oh.. i still do stupid shit.. pranks and crap.. although with much more poise than 19 yr olds.. they lack.. well just lack something.. i have NO idea when i found it.. i think it just showed up like the montly presents in the tampex commercials.. i feel that i notice this the most when there is a 19 yr old that is drunk among people who are at least 3 years older.. i honestly feel like a parent taking a child to the zoo.... and honestly which one of these things is not like the other..
heres an example.. there are 5 equally drunk individuals.. one 19.. and three 23, and one 24.. the 23 yr olds and the 24 yr old.. chatting relaxed.. playing beer darts.. laughing.. singing the opening song to the lion king.. AND the 19 yr old.. SCREAMING! running around like their hair is on fire.. screwing up the lyrics to the opening song to the lion king.. i know.. the last part is apalling.. i know.. there is worse..
projectile vomit all over the bathroom.. the walls.. the floor.. the outside of the toilet.. i know this because i had to supervise her while she cleaned it up.. i only thought there was crap on the floor.. (i am drunk).. and no.. when she is done with the floor. the inspection reveals puke going down the wall.. ew..
basically that was when we put the kids to bed.. and partyd like adults till the sun came up..
Tuesday
I love you because your deuces are wild....
(bus to berlin, Germany, june 19)
the teenage hghschool antics occuring at the back of the bus highly amuse me, its not like i liked high school... in fact i never even rode the bus... but its like one of those hollywood moments made up in the minds of 30yr olds who parhaps fantasized what an ideal high school moment would look like.. two german add on students, who won the trip in on a test, watch on eagerly awaiting the next prank to emerge from the high school "cool kids" dominating the back of the bus. their eyes lighting up as a childs would on christmas morning.. because.. well lets be honest christmas can be wrapped up in cliches, while i am currenlty explaining one.. i dont even have to describe what happend.. when i say cliche high school bus moment.. instantly a mental image appears in your mind.. chances are you would be correct.. perhaps even down the angry bus driver who shoots back vicious glares through his oversized rear view mirror..
although i think these are the moments that make memories.. they are the events that transpire in between plans.. the wonderful cream centre of the oreo..
at this moment this is a happy place.. regardless of any high school memories anyone experienced.. living within the juvinile pranks and games has reduced everyone to wide eyes and smiles.. at this moment we are no longer complex university students.. we are simply .. content....
the teenage hghschool antics occuring at the back of the bus highly amuse me, its not like i liked high school... in fact i never even rode the bus... but its like one of those hollywood moments made up in the minds of 30yr olds who parhaps fantasized what an ideal high school moment would look like.. two german add on students, who won the trip in on a test, watch on eagerly awaiting the next prank to emerge from the high school "cool kids" dominating the back of the bus. their eyes lighting up as a childs would on christmas morning.. because.. well lets be honest christmas can be wrapped up in cliches, while i am currenlty explaining one.. i dont even have to describe what happend.. when i say cliche high school bus moment.. instantly a mental image appears in your mind.. chances are you would be correct.. perhaps even down the angry bus driver who shoots back vicious glares through his oversized rear view mirror..
although i think these are the moments that make memories.. they are the events that transpire in between plans.. the wonderful cream centre of the oreo..
at this moment this is a happy place.. regardless of any high school memories anyone experienced.. living within the juvinile pranks and games has reduced everyone to wide eyes and smiles.. at this moment we are no longer complex university students.. we are simply .. content....
Monday
Theres no bathroom and theres no sink....
(Schmalkalden, Germany, June 18)
today is the final day of the schmalympics.. and the first event this morning was synchronized puking.. megan and miki paired up quite nicely for this even... they both left the morning class at the same time.. and teamed up in sister stalls... i am actualy unaware of anyone else whom took part... hmmm...
the second event was team skipping.... and we pretty much all took part.. except the keeners who did not take part in the jagger-thon the night before.... oh and by skipping i mean not going to class.. only boxers and yoga instructers still use skipping ropes.. so the place to be was the soccer fields...
seriously though.. tonight was actually the big party... unfortunatly nobody told us this because we treated the jaggernight like itwas the big party.. i guess we just looked like the stupid drunk kids alone in the corner because the party tonight was supposed to be the biggest of the year in schmalkalden.... had i been aware of this.. i would have saved myself for this night. instead the look and taste of beer was enough to have me dry heaving..
the night was still a lot of fun.. the closing ceremonies.. fireworks.. yes fireworks... all paid for by the school.. and give you an idea on the calibre of the fireworks.. well go to the airdrie canada day fireworks.. and watch about the equivilant to what i saw... YET another reason airdrie is ghetto.. a school can put on better fireworks shows..
today is the final day of the schmalympics.. and the first event this morning was synchronized puking.. megan and miki paired up quite nicely for this even... they both left the morning class at the same time.. and teamed up in sister stalls... i am actualy unaware of anyone else whom took part... hmmm...
the second event was team skipping.... and we pretty much all took part.. except the keeners who did not take part in the jagger-thon the night before.... oh and by skipping i mean not going to class.. only boxers and yoga instructers still use skipping ropes.. so the place to be was the soccer fields...
seriously though.. tonight was actually the big party... unfortunatly nobody told us this because we treated the jaggernight like itwas the big party.. i guess we just looked like the stupid drunk kids alone in the corner because the party tonight was supposed to be the biggest of the year in schmalkalden.... had i been aware of this.. i would have saved myself for this night. instead the look and taste of beer was enough to have me dry heaving..
the night was still a lot of fun.. the closing ceremonies.. fireworks.. yes fireworks... all paid for by the school.. and give you an idea on the calibre of the fireworks.. well go to the airdrie canada day fireworks.. and watch about the equivilant to what i saw... YET another reason airdrie is ghetto.. a school can put on better fireworks shows..
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