I am back in Cologne, in the same hotel as I had stayed back in September, and staying the night so I can arrive at the airport early tomorrow morning. To go back to the States.
It's such a strange feeling. Today was a day of more goodbyes, though no tears fell this time. I said goodbye to the Lierses (Meerit gave me a big hug and fought back tears, while I told her that we will see each other again) and to Maryle. I said goodbye to my favorite bakery and told one of the two nice women who run it thanks. I said goodbye to Klein Hehlen, to my flat, and to the family dog, Baroo. Yesterday, I said goodbye to my field.
I said goodbye to Celle.
It's quite surreal. I can't accurately explain it, but I created a life for myself while living there, and I loved the job I was assigned. Now unemployed and going back to Alabama, I have to start from scratch.
A new adventure.
I love new adventures.
Showing posts with label field. Show all posts
Showing posts with label field. Show all posts
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Snapping Out of It
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Celle im Herbst
Autumn has come to Celle. And it is wonderful.
And wondrous, actually. This is perhaps the first actual autumn that I have experienced in my twenty-three years. Now, I must defend Alabama in the fact that it is very pretty in the fall. Despite what one might say about my beloved state, Alabama has some lovely foliage and landscapes. However, the temperature is the rub, for in October it can easily still be in the low 80s. Not very autumnal.
But, Celle! I can't get over how gorgeous the scenery is this season. I'm very fortunate in the fact that I live right next to a vast field and wooded path, and, on sunny days such as this one, I have taken to 1.) trying to ride a bike and 2.) strolling along this way, in addition to my standard walking route through the suburb. I can't quite accurately describe the feeling I get when I walk along this way, upon viewing the richly blue sky or the crisp, burnt orange of the changing leaves that makes the trees appear blazing in the distance. Throw in the sharp, invigorating breeze that fills my lungs, and you have a very Robert Frost moment.
You'd better be taking notes, Frost.
And wondrous, actually. This is perhaps the first actual autumn that I have experienced in my twenty-three years. Now, I must defend Alabama in the fact that it is very pretty in the fall. Despite what one might say about my beloved state, Alabama has some lovely foliage and landscapes. However, the temperature is the rub, for in October it can easily still be in the low 80s. Not very autumnal.
But, Celle! I can't get over how gorgeous the scenery is this season. I'm very fortunate in the fact that I live right next to a vast field and wooded path, and, on sunny days such as this one, I have taken to 1.) trying to ride a bike and 2.) strolling along this way, in addition to my standard walking route through the suburb. I can't quite accurately describe the feeling I get when I walk along this way, upon viewing the richly blue sky or the crisp, burnt orange of the changing leaves that makes the trees appear blazing in the distance. Throw in the sharp, invigorating breeze that fills my lungs, and you have a very Robert Frost moment.
You'd better be taking notes, Frost.With temperatures in the high 40s, I think I know what autumn really feels like. And it has lifted my spirits like nothing else has this past week. I have been outside this past month more so than perhaps the entire year (this is an exaggeration, but only slightly). It feels good.
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