So, I deleted the last post because, as a friend helped me realize, personal, emotional outbursts don't really belong in a blog such as this one. This blog is intended to provide a Jen-sized lens through which to view my stay in Germany and not to serve as a medium for me to post typical, inside-my-head emotions. So, yes. Alles klar.
Yesterday was rather enjoyable. As I am prone to do on Saturday mornings and early afternoons, I strolled about the Altstadt, this time with the intent to purchase (cheap) Christmas gifts for family. And, my mission was successfully completed. (Hey, see what I did there? I used passive voice. Why is this important? Because I don't have to worry about using it anymore. Put that in your juice box and suck it, college history and literature essays.) However, while on my search for Christmas gift goodness, I came across these following jewels:
Near the Altes Rathaus (which is also tourist information), I spotted two slightly over middle-aged men exiting the building, glancing over a map of the Altstadt. I overheard their conversation and noticed their heavily English accent. So, I decided to do something completely random (for me):
Me: "Englisch?"
Men: "Uhh...yeah."
Me: "No, this is cool! It's always nice to hear English around here."
Men: "Oh, are you...English?"
Me: "American. Are you tourists?"
Men: (quick glance at map) "Uh, no."
(some more pleasantries, exchanges of background info, and wary glances from the men)
Me: "By the way, sorry about randomly butting into your conversation." (They were very disoriented.)
Men: "Not at all. We thought you were a German wanting to practice English."
It turns out that these two Englishmen were members of the base that is situated near/in Celle and that one of the men was new here (hence, the map). Though I think I scared them a bit, it was a good experience for me. Sometimes I do get this impulse to butt into a conversation with a complete stranger, and usually it turns out well. Though, most people give me a look that implies that they are very startled that a very short, very...chipper young woman, someone who totally does not resemble the standard con artist that they have been warned about, attempts to converse with them.
Other highlights of the afternoon include the local (English) street musician singing "Ring of Fire" near Rossmanns, some flute players playing "Chiquitita," spying an elderly gentleman who resembled a Country Western Santa Claus, and having hot chocolate with Maryle during a nasty bout of weather.
Today was also a bit adventurous, for it is Meerit's eighth birthday. I am currently in the process of knitting her a soft, red scarf, but, staying true to my procrastinating form, it's...unfinished. Andrea invited me to "coffee" at 15:00, which, of course, means coffee, tea, three different kinds of cakes, and cupcakes. Of course. I met Andrea's mother, Lina, and Tjark's parents. Meerit's godmother and Andrea's brother also arrived, albeit late. So, we set about eating multiple portions of the diabetes-inducing feast, with Lina scolding me for not finishing the third piece of cake that had been forcibly placed before me. Overall, though, it was another enjoyable experience, despite the fact that I continuously blunder through my German and wonder why Fulbright saw fit to give me this job. However, it is a jovial wonder, so it's okay.
To once again clear my head, I walked through the field this morning and evening. It's my own little slog of utopia, that field, at least right now. Even though I'm alone here, even though I've had to face some personal demons this past week...I still feel very much at peace in this little strip of land in Germany. No matter how down on myself I get while here, no matter how many personal flaws I will come to realize and confront, I know that when I take my afternoon stroll through the field, I can feel that, somehow, everything will be all right. Everything will, for better or for worse, resolve itself...one way or the other, it will work out.
Take a deep breath. Ready? Steady? Go!
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