FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE as a bird

The past couple of, well months, I've kind of fallen off the earth. There's been a lot happening and I wish I could just think my blog posts and they would update themselves because it's so hard to just sit down and write about everything. First, I have more pictures of Vienna and of my trip to Budapest with Raymmah. I also have just a few pictures of Berlin from when I went with my program, but first I will revel in my freedom.

As of yesterday at 8:45 pm I officially completed my first semester abroad. I can't believe I've been here for half of a year already, AHH it's Februrary! The past few weeks was busy with papers and projects, not so much studying but the stress was there anyone. Just the word "final" makes a college student cringe. Then you throw the fact in that they are in another language and all reasoning instantly vanishes.

My celebration last night consisted of lounging on Kaila's couch glass of white wine in hand catching up on the past month of our lives. It was so strange not seeing her for so long but, finals does that to people. My first day of freedom, I wanted to be productive, but it didn't happen. I woke up at 7:30 and Skyped Allie for almost 3 hours, took a shower, when to electrotherapy for my neck and back, then spent most of the day in the office talking to Jan. Since I've been home I did some laundry cooked a delicious dinner and failed at cleaning my room, what else is new? Now, I am sitting on my bed, listening to the new Ingrid Michaelson album, Human Again (amazing... I definitely recommend it!), and trying to remember all of the stories I wanted to tell you all at one point! 

There has been something tugging at me the past few days. I went to the gym on Tuesday to release some of the finals frustration. As I was on the elliptical reading "Eat Pray Love" (because I am a 21 year old going through a mid-life crisis while studying abroad), I turned my head to the right and saw a man doing the strangest thing, painting. This man was painting the wall, in the gym and i was about 7 feet away from him. So I look around to assess the situation and realize two things; one, there is absolutely NO window open and two, not one person is phased by this. WHY WOULD YOU PAINT A GYM DURING OPERATING HOURS AND KEEP THE WINDOWS CLOSED? I understand that it was -13 C outside and snowing, but they could've put up a sign or something saying "DEAR MEMBERS THERE WILL BE TOXIC FUMES INSIDE, WE ARE REPAINTING THE CARDIO AREA". So after a quick 30 minutes, trying not to inhale very much in order to only inhale the smallest amount of pain fumes, I left. Then, yesterday, the gym situation grew even more bothersome! I go to my elliptical and notice that all of the cardio machines are now on a plywood platform. Odd. I see Painter Paul and notice that he has some friends, about 6. It took me a few minutes to come to a conclusion as to what these young men with gauged ears and tattooed arms were doing, but not to worry it all came together with the sound of a small electric saw. They were putting in hardwood floor, on the platform, directly in front of my elliptical. We all know how resourceful Germans can be, and these workers just reinforced that knowledge, they didn't use a hammer, instead a piece of wood with the equivalent of "hammer wood" engraved on it. Clever. About every 20 seconds they were "hammering" the pieces of flooring together. Once again, no sign and the window was still CLOSED!

This is something I've yet to encounter in my lifetime, I'm used to some sort of disclaimer, but when I told Hannes and Jan about it they looked at me like it was the most normal thing ever. I'm sorry, but no. Just, no. 

 

On a happy note, it has FINALLY starting snowing and the Neckar is completely frozen! AHHH! One of the Hospitantins for my speaking course said she though it's been 30 years since that happened. Apparently winter didn't get the memo to come in November. It's actually quite nice though since I have no definite reason to go outside since I don't have class for 2 months! I like watching it from the inside, all I need now is some hot cocoa and a cat. Also, on Sunday I'm going sledding in the Alps! AHH I'm so excited! 

I will post the pictures soon, and hopefully take some over the next few days! I will also keep you all updated on the renovations of the gym, so strange. For now, it's time to spend some time on Food Gawker! and get some sleep :]

Also, you should all check out this video! Some girls made it for our cultural communications project...thanks Anne, Amy and Kelsi! Shit American Students Say While Studying Abroad In Germany

 

Hope you all have a wonderful day! 

Goooooood Night!