A (potential) Comedy of Errors

So for about the forth time since e-mailing people in Germany someone called me called me Herr. For those not deutsch-inclined, this basically means they think I am a boy. This is a second reason to consider adopting a nickname for a couple of months, the first being that the name Christen means Christians (i.e. someone who practices Christianity) auf deutsch. Seriously considering becoming like C.C. or something. Thoughts?

Dorms and Schedule and Bonn-Buddy.... Oh My

Over the past week or so I've gotten a lot of information. I got my dorm assignment. I am living on Ferdinandstrasse 42 in the lovely Stadtteil Ippendorf. I got some pictures from the university:

http://www.studentenwerk-bonn.de/wohnen/wohnanlagen/ferdinandstrasse-42/

...and it seems very European. Now I just need to decide whether or not to get a bike, seeing as there is a direct bike path to the university.

Also I got my September schedule and I am very excited about it. There is apparently 75 45 minute meetings between the 5th of September and the 7th of October, so there is an abundance of downtime.

http://www3.uni-bonn.de/studium/studium-in-bonn-fuer-internationale-studierende/austausch-und-study-abroad/jyp-und-austauschprogramm/kursprogramm/dateien/ws11-12_programmuebersicht

I am trilled to see that there is already a trip planned to Trier!

Also this morning I got assigned to my "Bonn-Buddy," which as I explained to Keith, it is basically someone from Germany who gets assigned to be my friend. But I already like her because her profile picture is in front of a Harry Potter poster.


Plane leaves in 2 weeks and 2 days, buckle up Germany.

p.s. my mom thinks i should take out my nose ring since it will be unprofessional in an academic setting abroad, if you know anything about the pierced culture in Germany whether or not this would be offensive, that would be appreciate!

Air-Traffic Control Strike

So the air traffic control union in Germany is trying to call a strike, however the German court system has called it off and ruled that their claims were "contrary to social peace." They are going to continue the fight, however, to try and get their rights. This could be the first time that I am going to root against the "little guys" and be selfish. I hope this doesn't have the power to delay my trip, the countdown is less than a month away!

Across the Universe

Today you all get to witness me losing my blogging virginity. In a little over a month I will  be leaving the United States for Germany and welcoming a new page in my life. It still feels pretty far away, I haven't even really gotten my room assignment. Somehow the lack of address makes me feel unattached from the fact that I will be LIVING in another country not too long from now. It is weird to watch Bravo and realize that the new season of Real Housewives of Beverley Hills will premiere after I leave for Germany. Guess I will have to find something in Bonn to fill my housewife void.... perhaps this blog? Past participants of this program have highly recommended starting one of these, so here I am, blogging away. In this next month I feel like I have so much to do. This whole concept of packing for 6-7 months in one suitcase is terrifying me! Not only that but I have to finish my job here, pack up all of my things from my campus house in Columbus, move to Cincinnati, pack and then move to Germany all within the next 33 days. Tips from anyone is welcomed help ;) Goals: travel as much as possible. Rick Steves was on NPR  yesterday talking about Rome and now that is a must visit for me. It would be cool to visit Dublin too. Paris is a must see. Berlin as well. Maybe sneak over to Bavaria for Oktoberfest. I am so excited for this trip because I feel like it will be the only time in my life I can go anywhere and do anything I want without any obligations. This could be the most exciting feeling in the world and I hope that everyone can feel how I am feeling at some point in there life. I am at a precipice of life where everything is about to change.....