From the new apartment...

Hello all!

Quite a bit has happened since my last post. Most noteworthy: I have found a place to live. I’m in the process of packing up and moving out of the host family’s house. It’s rather sad to leave the place; they’ve all been so helpful, friendly, and extraordinarily hospitable. Upon receipt of my parting gift, the mother said to me “you are my second son.” However, I feel like I won’t be able to settle down until I can set my bags down for the last time (until next June of course). So I’ve found a place with two roommates. One is 26 and works for a construction company, and the other is 23 and studies saxophone and clarinet at Nuremberg’s music Hochschule (basically a college where the emphasis is on music). Once I’ve moved in and settled, pictures will be provided. Until then, it’s set up in the following manner: every roommate has his own room, there’s a kitchen, 1 full bathroom, one powder room, and a living room.

I’m gradually moving into the new apartment. A few days ago I took a backpack full of books and clothes over to the new apartment. Yesterday I went to Ikea (thank you, Sweden!) and bought a pillow and some lamps. All that remains to be acquired are a bed, a chair, and a place to put my clothes (dresser, etc). I could’ve bought a mattress at Ikea yesterday, but buying large items such as mattresses is not easy when one doesn’t have a car. To get to Ikea, I have to take the subway to Fürth (the next town to the west), and then a bus from the town center. I suppose I could ask my host family to drive me, but I’ve stayed at their house much longer than I thought I would, and I don’t want to impose.

Pictures of the apartment will come soon; it's a bit messy right now.

I’ve also been sitting in on many classes. I’ve developed a routine, since the first time in each class I’ve been asked to give an introduction. It’s getting rather repetitive, but so far I’ve been doing pretty well. Sometimes I get a roomful of blank stares; sometimes I get a roomful of laughs. I’m sure those of you in the academic field know this all too well. The youngest group I’ve worked with is a 6. Klasse, and the oldest is 13^th grade, so to say. So far I’ve had the most fun with the 6. Klasse and one section of the 13^th graders. The little children are very inquisitive and seem delighted to have someone who comes from the land of “The Simpsons” and “NHL 2008” in their class. The section of 13^th graders all speak remarkable English, laughed at my jokes, and were generally very talkative. The other classes…well, it’s too early to say. Perhaps they’ll be a bit more talkative as the semester goes on. To be honest, I think I frightened one class. I spoke loudly and perhaps a bit fast. Just as they need to improve their English, I need to improve my pedagogical skills.

In two weeks, I’ll be giving a lesson on high school in the USA. I’ve started putting together a PowerPoint presentation on the different types of high schools, regional differences between schools, and student life. Also, with the US election coming up rather soon, I’m sure I’ll have to give a lecture on the American system of government. I’ve started compiling a presentation on the branches of government, another one on the party system, and later this week I’ll start working on the election system and the 2008 election. The Germans already know a fair amount about American politics; so far, some of the questions I’ve been asked included “what do you think about Sarah Palin?” and “who do you support in the 2008 election?” Pretty blunt questions, no?

Well, that’s about it! The only other interesting thing that’s happened was my getting my monthly pass for the public transportation system. I hope to get a bike in the near future. Supposedly, once a month there’s a bicycle flea market of sorts. Unfortunately, none of the locals with whom I’ve spoken seem to know where and when it is!

Dave