School Bloody School.....actually it's not that bad, It's "gut" for you!

Welcome to School

Later that day, after the rain had slowed down, I finally went out to find the route to bike to my school. After an hour of taking my time and trialing different streets, I finally found my IFS school. Heading back, I stopped for a delicious schokolade gelato....mmmmmm! And it’s right by Elke’s! After I just watched the movie The 60’s and Jimi Hendrix. It is Sunday and everything is closed. Oh, I forgot to mention, on Saturday night I passed what used to be a mental hospital (asylum) in Endenich (also where I went to see The King’s Speech) of which it had been the last residence of composer Robert Schumann, after he had tried to commit suicide in the River Rhein, due to seeing and hearing voices in his head. Poor man (well, I was going to say bugger, but then I realized its meaning, and that would not fit at all....well he had contracted syphilis...)

Monday February 28: Well first of all, I would like to congratulate all winners and nominees at the 83^rd Academy Awards last night; it was a good year. Well, I’m back on the school morning schedule and was I was even nice and early for my first class at IFS.  The class is pretty small, like 12 people, and from all around. I am the only Kanada/North American (and the youngest), ranging from, Indonesia, Saudi  Arabia, Yemen, Portugal, South Korea, China, UK and Greece.  Although, there is one sweet girl my age from Korea, actually sort of hit home to someone close at home, for she majors in flute in music. The teacher only speaks in German so we have to all try and understand what she’s saying, which can be quite difficult. Although, so far it has not been too difficult for me since I know I am not a complete beginner. After class and breaking back at the apartment, decided to bike to Bad Godesberg, which is more like the downtown part with more shops. Since everything is very bike happy, there is a special trail going there, which is nice and scenic. Once there, it is a little shopping area meant for only pedestrians with wonderful cobblestones. I thought I’d tease myself and go into some shops (as I cannot buy anything since coinage is very scarce on my terms, so I just have to drool, which is a real torture for me) to look at some real funky outfits which would go well to add to my wardrobe....ooooh, 210 euro for a shirt.....hmmm, well that won’t work...scrap that...I’ll just bike back now tail between my legs.  Tschus!

In Addition...

That evening I stayed at Julia’s apartment as they both had to go to work, so talked to a friend on skype (woohoo! first time trying), listened to music and watched the movie The Fall. That was a really good one, I recommend it; it’s a story-telling between two sick patients, and the story he tells the little girl involves incredible costuming and colour and the story itself is adventurous and heartfelt. Before went to bed, I decided to go for a walk down the main street when Julia lives, which was nice to people watch.

The next day (Saturday), Julia and  I slept in, since she did not get off work till 6am, and after a late breakfast, drove back to Elke’s in Bonn, where we noticed that a parade had started due to Karnival celebrations, where everyone young and old, where dressed up in costumes, and as a result had to do some detouring. Later, Elke and I went to the theatre to watch The King’s Speech. We picked this specific one because this one was left English, just with German subtitles. (Most other ones are just dubbed German). We did not expect it at all, but the line up for this was huge, I’ve never had to wait so long to see a movie (guess it was popular). The theatre was beautiful with red velvet curtains and balconies. For the movie itself, I was so blown away! I Loved it! Geoffrey Rush, Helena Boham Carter, and Colin Firth are such great actors. Tom Hooper the director was also with A Single Man with Colin Firth and that movie was incredible too. (This young director is phenomenal). And I learned more about the Royal family, (even though I consider myself to know already a fair amount about their history). Anyways, after the movie, we decided to grab something to eat, which usually has live entertainment.

Sunday, February-27-11: Today Elke has left for Switzerland for a few days so I will stay in her apartment. We drove around so that I could see the way I should bike to get to school tomorrow so hopefully I do not get too lost....Right now I see out my window, the locals playing soccer, and since it is Sunday, it is Church and all the stores are closed for the day, and I am adding a whole lot of Classical cds to my computer. Maybe and hopefully I’ll be able to find the Oscars on the TV later. Yesterday and today it has been raining.

First Few Days All Good

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Up, up and Away!

Well the first day was all that not bad
But first of coarse had to open bags so re-cram some stuff because I knew I’d be over in some way but then find out my stuffed purse(back pack) was not aloud with carry on so had to go back again and transfer again to smaller bag and then pay extra $50 to add to check in luggage :(
Then waiting and waiting with mom until I get checked in at around 4 and so wait and send a few emails
Plane was awesome I´ve got to say..it kept me very occupied since you had your own personal TVs which had all the latest shows, movies and music and even basic learning language program games so i was distracted from screaming kids and snorting and coughing neighbouring seats
so plan ride went really quickly ending in no resting sleep including watching the eye opening 127 Hours ( moral of the story-ALWAYS inform someone of where you´re going, or else it´ll bite you back, like for the main character who had to drink his urine and mine away at shaving off his arm to survive) and more historical knowledge of King Henry VIII in The Other Boleyn Girl
Arrive in Amsterdam at 7am their time (1am  our time), really tired so just walk to the other end so to get to my gate and just wait
and then the next flight was a little of a surprise...for we get shuttled out on pavement to a smaller Cityhopper`jet so it made you feel all important or something since it was so small and `private`.
That was a short flight and Elke was awaiting my welcome with my 4 bags so it was off on the autobahn from Koln to Bonn
So now is just chill time at Elke´s as I force myself to stay awake after have been now very much lacking in sleep since the 21st
Tonight Elke´s son Alex is coming for dinner and tomorrow daughter Julia comes :)

The second day, I got to sleep in and after a wonderful breakfast with Elke, we did some shopping and went and visited my IFS school. It is a very cute old white building and we met with them and they told me the book i would have to buy and the possible rooms to rent. There are three options: a room in the school itself, a room at a teacher’s, or a sweet old lady (which I think I most prefer) but I will go look at them soon. Karnival is in the air.. the 1st part is on Wednesday and everyone dresses up like Halloween but there other traditions and a clown or jester is like the mascot. Once we got back to Elke's I baked a marzipan cake and then Julia came and we ate bratwurst and then Julia invited me to come back to Koln with her and help her brother Phillip move, so I got to re-meet with her flat mate Nadine

3rd day- After having a lovely breakfast with Julia and Nadine, we headed to Aachen to help Phillip and Ursula move into their new house/apartment down the road from their old one....well was i in for a surprise!! the outside is all beautifully carved wood of figurine and designs and when you walk in it is a beautiful chandelier and inside is a small actually like high ceiling "ballroom", and it’s all just an apartment.. yes it still needs a lot of TLC but it will be magnificent, with tiny spiral stairs and cute little washrooms and a beautiful little backyard!!! The funny thing is Philipp is VERY tall and it is really comfortable no bigger than 5 feet so he has to duck down for everything but it is all worth it!