German Girl

This morning I had to go down to the Uni to sign my contract. I packed a copy of my WM Diploma, my English-German dictionary, and various other important items in my little pink backpack. Clutching my travel mug of coffee, I walked outside and grabbed my bike. Oh no, Ina had taken the basket...what was I going to do with my coffee.

This is a conundrum that only those who know me can fully understand. I had to weigh my love of coffee against my mediocre biking skills. This was a lovingly made coffee--brewed to perfection, stirred with skim milk and vanilla flavored syrup. I just couldn't leave such a coffee on the driveway, I wanted it. So, I clutched the coffee in one hand and climbed onto my bike. It tottered precariously and I almost ran into a car, but then... we were off!! I zipped to Kurze-Kamp-Strasse, sliding into the bike rack as the train pulled up. Of course, my bike lock got all tangled but I managed to lock my bike while shouting, 'Hold the door.' (In English, of course, but the woman got the message and I thanked her profusely.) I bounded onto the UBahn, and slid into a seat.

I was early getting to the University so I went up to the Cafe on the 14th floor just to look around. I can't wait to have coffee there--it has an incredible view of Hannover. If you are coming to visit me, I will have to take you to the Uni to see the Cafe--and also see my very own mailbox and office!! I filled out the information for my contract--I was a privatlehrer für die zentrum für schreiben (tutor at the Writing Center). Sorority auf deutsch--studententinnenverbindung (whoa!) At one point on the form they ask what exams you have taken and the grades you scored. In Germany, Uni students take official exams to graduate-- obviously in the US it is different. I just wrote BA (Amerikanistik). It then asks your grade; the prof gave me examples, 'Were you a first? A double first?' I shrugged and said, 'I will just write the Latin,' and I did and they were suitably impressed ;-). Oh, everyone also thought it was cool that my entire degree was written in Latin :)

Then, they shoewd me around the department and gave me keys for my VERY OWN postbox (with all the other profs... it locks and everything), keys to the copy room and my own code (120, bitte), and keys to the 'Adjunct's Office'--which I am going to 'make my own' by hanging up a postcard of Williamsburg!! I am sooo pumped! It is official! I am onthe schedules that are hanging up all over!!! :) What a high!!

After preparing a Mexican feast for Mittag Essen, I did some course prep before heading off to Tara's house. She lives on the other side of Hannover--at the end of Line 10. (I live almost at the end of line 7.) It can take awhile to get there--and it took forever to get home because I didn't plan the trams right and they don't run as often at night and not all the 7's run all the way out to Kurze-Kamp-Strasse. Well, now I know. We had Abendbrot with Tara's family and then hung out with her host parents. I thought Petra and Christian were nice..no Lars and Ina, but nice. Tara said they normally aren't so friendly, and the next day they went back to their 'normal German selves.' Thank goodness I live with my family :)

Tara is so great, and I love hanging with her, but it cracks me up that she thinks everyhting is 'Australian.' I was telling her about stuckbröt last week and she said, 'Oh. That is Australian.' Hmm... I think Germany was here first, and someone brought that tradition to Australia, and not vice versa. We were comparing German cars to cars in our countries, and she told me that Australia makes the Ford... but America bought that company. Henry Ford was an American... I almost started laughing. It is hard though, because I don't want to put down someone else's country OR look like the typical American snob who thinks america does everything and is the best at everything. So, when you are driving your Ford around, know that that is an Australian car. ;-)