Kein Verbrechen ... oder Wasserspielen.

I don't know if I have just gotten up on the right side of the bed these past couple days or what, but I have not been feeling nearly as frustrated as I did before. I think it might have something to do with the fact that the weather has cooled down considerably...or maybe the sleep has done me some good! So thanks for keeping up with my adventures despite the occasional venting.

Yesterday was pretty typical. Every morning now I set my alarm for 7:45 to roll out of bed at 7:55. I get ready and leave around 8:20 or so to catch the Strassenbahn at 8:30. Those Germans and their extremely punctual trains. Sometimes I have to run if I know I'm a little late, but it seems like the typical thing to do here, so I don't feel too silly. I arrive in Bismarckplatz at 8:45 and make it to class before 9. Class is surprisingly easy, despite the fact that the homework is a bit tedious and takes a while. See, I understand all of the grammar rules. They're pretty simple. I just don't have a lot of vocab down, so I often find myself searching for the right words. Still, when I listen it's surprising how much I do know, even if it's embarrassing sometimes when I need to ask people to repeat what they said.

After lunch yesterday, we realized there actually was no Studienplanung session, and we were free. We decided to celebrate by doing homework! Yay! But it was actually a really good idea, because a group of us did it at the AJY center and I felt so accomplished when I was done with work for the day. Then I found a cheap grocery store where I was finally able to buy peanuts, but I still have yet to find anything that resembles a cheez-it. Not that that's important...I'm already eating too many sweet things here, hoping the walking cancels it out. Oh, but PS, the German food is really good so far, even though I have yet to find good Mexican food. Heidelberg's Mensa was voted the best in Germany, and I can see why. The veggies are really fresh, and there's thankfully a constant supply of potatoes. I had cheese Spatzle today and it was kind of like mac and cheese, so hooray! Anyway, after resting at home a bit, most of us went back to the AJY center to eat quesadillas that a couple of people cooked in order to celebrate my friend Michele's birthday. It was really fun to just hang out, and afterward we went to the Mensa where I got some strawberry wine, which was actually quite tasty. It was raining pretty heavily when we raced back to the AJY center, but thank goodness my raincoat is really a raincoat now. (Long story.) A few of us watched the German version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and I didn't really understand it, but it was pretty cool because the contestants had to do physical challenges in order to earn their lifelines. Sehr interessant!

Then today, we met at the Hauptbahnhof (train station) for the hour trip to Hambacher Schloss, yet another wonderful castle. We had to do a bit of a mountain climb to get there but the view was spectaaaaacular, pictured above. It was so wonderful to see the German countryside. Actually it was kind of adorable. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and a big foggy so my pictures didn't turn out great. But I have posted them on my Shutterfly! Anyway, we had a picnic lunch (well, we all packed our own lunches) after having a bit of a tour through the castle museum (which honestly wasn't the most interesting thing in the world) and it was so beautiful. Then, we went to go catch our bus back, only to realize that the bus we wanted only exists on school days. Apparently it wasn't a school day. So, we walked through the streets down the mountain, and the streets themselves were pretty and had cute houses, AND I didn't even fall down once! Plus the weather was cool so the walk itself wasn't bad at all. We eventually got on a bus that took us down the mountain to Neustadt, where we sat around for about an hour at a cafe. Damn those 70 cent scoops of ice cream! But it was a lot of fun, and I really like the people I've been hanging out with. Alexandra lives in France right next to the Swiss border (in walking distance from Geneva) and she has invited us to stay at her parents' house some time! Definitely taking advantage of a free night's sleep in France!!

Once we finally got back to AJY, the group that I went to the police station with all got together to work on our group presentation we have in class tomorrow. I'm not too worried about it, I don't mind public speaking. Also, fun fact: according to the police guy, Heidelberg is extremely safe. Like, the only crimes that really occur are people speeding on the roads and bar fights...but I don't think I have to worry about either of those things! On the news in the US, you always hear about people being shot and murdered and robbed...well, not in Germany! So, that's reassuring, right mom? It is for me, at least!

Anyway, once again, despite the lack of water fountains (aka bubblers to some of you) I've gotta say that Germany really is amazing. I could see myself living here some day. I've just gotta make it through tomorrow's class and hopefully I'm going shopping with some people in Mannheim on Saturday. Not 100% sure, but my own personal Magic 8 Ball says my future's looking bright. (Or at least, that's what I'm saying.)
This clip is unrelated but I still think it's still funny adlibbing. But, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are apparently getting a divorce so I'm really sad and posting this in memory of them... :(