¡Estoy volviendo!

I need to learn that level of conversational fluency in German now... fat chance I'll get there before I leave!

So, this is my first official blog since returning. I do have something I saved on my computer that I wrote for the blog on the day I arrived and, thus, provides insight into initial impressions as well as someone punch drunk on jet lag. LOTS of jet lag. It is an inside joke between those who know me well that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat in an almost narcoleptic fashion. It was only through the use of those skills that I was able to successfully overcome the horror and misery that is jet lag. Well, that and I had experience working midnights this summer. It was pretty much the same thing: your waking hours become your sleeping hours and all of a sudden you've become an owl (no intention of making a play off of my user name or blog address).

So... what's new? Let's see. Obviously, I am writing this in the comfort of my dormitory: Friedrich-Ebert-Heim, Hausnummer 1A, Zimmer 3018, Regensburg, 93059. I have started my studies in elementary German and have learned invaluable phrases such as, "Ich weiB nicht (I don't know)" and "Nein, danke (No, thank you)." I've also learned how to say, "I would like..." when ordering food, but couldn't spell it to save my life.

And as this is Germany, the subject of beer must be approached. Just as fact, the three breweries within the limits of Regensburg donate money to charities related the elderly, orphans, and the boy's choir of the Dom (St. Peter's Cathedral). So, we are reminded that each time we drink we are doing something charitable. My contributions have not been as large as others. However, I have tried a variety of beers in half litre quantities (yes... liters. The liter portions are enormous). But I will write a seperate blog on beer information and my opinons of each, PLUS some nifty German words thrown in to explain the meaning of the names! Exciting, nein? Ja.

So. For this little blog, I will demonstrate my mastery of the German language:

Guten tag! Ich heiBe Kim. Wie heiBt du? (or Wie heiBen Sie, for formal). Ich komme aus Murray, KY. Und du? Ich habe Hunger. Wie geht's? (or Wie geht es Ihnen, for formal). Ich möchte auf die WC gehen. Ciao!

Translation: Good day! I am called Kim. What are you called? I come from Murray, KY. And you? I have hunger. How is it going? I would like to use the water closet. Bye!

You can imagine that I am a big hit over here. Besides Micheal Jackson of course. That is probably the absolute worse thing about being here: Micheal Jackson being alive in the heart of every German I meet. Oh, heavens. And shirts that proclaim in sparkly rhinestone that he was the "King of Pop..." and creepy mannequins dressed in these shirts, one glove, and a hat. "

Other than that, Germany is absolutely lovely. The only culture shock I've experience is the same I had in Mexico: the toilets. For some reason, I am afraid of toilets that are unfamiliar to me. And I don't mean toilets I haven't used before... I am talking about different shapes. Mouths of toilets so wide that even my large tuckus might be in danger of falling into the ceramic cavern that has very little water in it.

Anyhow, I might post the blog I was talking about after I depart from this one.

From seven hours ahead, cheers!