Hallo Hallo! Japanese Japanese!

So I realized that I haven't written a blog for a really long time. Unfortunately I don't know how long this one will be, but I want to give you a quick summary of what's been going on so far.

I moved in to my place in Vauban, which is one of the living communities in Freiburg, and it used to be old army barracks. It is actually pretty nice and I have a pretty big room, with a nice sized closet and living space. I live with five other people, four of whom are German and the other one is another international student. Three of the German students will be moving out at the end of March because they are going to be Ph.D. students and they are not allowed to live in Vauban as Ph.D. students. I'm not sure who will be moving in or if anyone will be moving in. My roommate Benjamin asked me if I knew anyone that needed a place, so that sounds like they don't have anyone lined up.

It did take some time for me to get used to living here. It is definitely not the cleanest place I have ever lived, but I know that it could always be worse. The bathroom is extremely small and there is really no difference between the floor and the shower floor. I haven't flooded the bathroom so I think I'll be okay, but there is a giant squeegee in the corner in case something were to happen. The kitchen is a pretty okay size. There is a microwave, very old one, but at least we have one. My friend Liz doesn't have a microwave at all and at my friend Mitch's place, they leave their microwave on the shelf when it's not being used. I have my own drawer and fridge space for my things. The freezer is extremely small and you really can't put anything in there.

I haven't quite gotten my eating habits down. I go to the store and I really don't know what I should buy because I don't know what I will be able to make and I want to keep things really simple. I also don't really like to cook as much here, at least big things, because I don't know that I have the room in my fridge to store the leftovers and I have to wash all the dishes by hand (no dishwasher). I have been eating out probably too much for lunch. It's usually under 5 or 10 Euros, but it adds up fast and I know that I don't need to do that unless I want to be 300lbs by the end of the semester.

I am in an intensive language course right now and I have two teachers. I am the only class that has two teachers and I really don't know why I have two. I like the one that teaches on Wednedays and Thursday. She is really nice, laid back, and helpful. The one that teaches on Monday and Tuesdays is a little crazy, interrupts everyone so often, and just gets on my nerves. I can't stand the days when she teaches and they just feel like they go by so much slower. I have learned a good amount in these classes and I think my understanding of other things is getting better as well. I have a test on Friday and I'm not looking forward to that at all.

I have to say that based on these first few weeks I am really happy with Freiburg. The weather isn't always the best, but these past few days have been really sunny and nice. I think the city is like Bloomington, but there is definitely more to do. I can make my way around the city easy enough and I think I will enjoy living by the Black Forest with big hills and scenic views all aroun me.

The other great thing is that I have met some great people. I already know that there are some people that I am going to be friends with well after this semester is over. This really amazing girl Liz, that I was able to meet through a friend of Alex's in Copenhagen, is someone I love spending time with. She and I are in the same language class and we get along reallly well. We made an agreement that we would have a really good laugh every day and so far we have been able to accomplish it. We are are able to laugh super hard every day with a little help from our friends Mitch and Jon. Mitch is also here with IES and goes to school at Minnesota University. He is really nice and really funny. He always has a sarcastic comment to make or something like that. Then Jon is a guy that always has a story to share. He's really funny and he loves Ketchup. Jon will carry his own bottle of ketchup around because 1) it's not free in Europe and 2) when they do give you some at restaurants, it's hardly enough to satisfy him. I love hanging out with these three and we always have a good time together.

Everyone else that I have met has been great. I don't think I've met too many people that I don't enjoy being around. Everyone here is in the same position of being abroad, alone, and looking for friends. It is great to have people that are so open to meeting new people and wanting to do things and just have fun. I will definitely have a great semester here in Freiburg.

Oh and to explain my blog title (I know this isn't a great transition), when Liz, Jon, Mitch, and I were walking to the Tram after class, this homeless man spotted me as I walked by and said "Hallo hallo, japanese japanese" in this really creepy, but funny way. I really don't think you get the full effect by just reading it, but if you ask I think I can try to re-enact it. It was really uncomfortable when he did it, but I cracked up after we passed him. Sadly no one else heard, but I promise it happened.

I will be writing more, hopefully within the next few days, with more funny stories and good times in Freiburg.

Bis dann!