:: 2008 31 January :: 3.15 pm

I feel cool today. Like, awesome rad 80s cool.

I'm still tripping on my runner's high. Ran 35 minutes and added onto my running route. And I finally got my hairs cut so I don't look like some dirty punk hobo. It felt so nice to have someone wash my hair for me. I love it when people play with my hair or run their fingers through it.

I noticed the delicious root regrowth of my hair while it was wet. Nasty. I think I might have to find some random dye for it. For Karneval, y'know. Ha ha. Making excuses out of national holidays to dye one's hair is fun.

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 23 January :: 12.09 pm

Wow, I'm actually feeling like doing a post today. It's crazy.

Yesterday went well. I didn't drink a drop of alcohol. Rachelle and I went downtown for a late lunch at Feuerstein. We heard an American accent on the bus and met this one guy who was new here (just came to Paderborn 3 weeks ago). He was trying to act all cool. Heh, we blew him away with our, "How long have we been here, Katie?" "Oh, hmm...7 months?" "Yeah, that's right. We've been here 7 months." Hee. He's from the University of Illinois and is, sadly, another one of those barhoppers that I love oh so much.

Apparently the last two students from Western are here now. They only signed up for a semester. Eurobiz, Kev, and Brady have already drawn them in. Is it so much to ask [and to hope] that one of them will actually have a decent music collection, a brain, and not want to drink/party all the time? Oh I'll go out and have the occasional drink, of course. Heck, I've got rum, vodka, amaretto, and an unopened bottle of wine here in the flat. I just like to regulate my alcohol input with other stuff. Parties with good friends, good music, and fun old school video games are fun (such as the ones at Eric and Joel's apartment last year). But barhopping and clubbing? Nein danke. I'd rather just do my own thing.

Anyways, back to yesterday. Feuerstein was great, as always. It's a great restaurant and if any of you ever came out to visit me (like Troy will), I'd probably drag you there. Afterwards we just wandered around in the altstadt. Perusing the bookstore, like always. I decided I could wait on some of the auf Englisch classics that they have, seeing as I'm still working on Pride and Prejudice again. Troy called and wished me a happy birthday. That kinda made my day, not gonna lie.

Rachelle and I also went to H&M, where I bought a shirt that is *dun dun dun* not black! It's actually blue. Is Katie actually adding color to her wardrobe again? Find out next time! I got some other stuff, but I don't think you need to know about underwear shopping. On the way back to the bus stop, we stopped at the fancy shmancy candy shop and got jelly bellys. Yes, be jealous.

My roommate surprised me when I got back with a gift. She's probably noticed my unhealthy obsession with tea and got me some special Paderborn tea only sold/made in Paderborn. It was really sweet that she remembered. Also, and this is HUGE news, we have a microwave!!!!!!! 7 months without a microwave is crazy. Just try it sometime. If you ever do and don't cheat, I'll give you German chocolate.

Mom and Andy skyped me once I turned on my computer and we talked for a long while. I hadn't talked to them for a couple of weeks, so it was nice. We're already figuring out what I'll do when I visit home for Easter weekend. Troy skyped then and we talked for a long while (again). We've both decreed that it's so hard now that I've only got about a month and a half left before flying back home to stay at the Uni with him. The time just seems to creep by so slowly.

Today I read, while checking my e-mail, that Heath Ledger apparently died yesterday. I'm not really a big fan, I just know that he was playing the role of the Joker in the upcoming Batman film. Well, at least he didn't die on set like Brandon Lee (the original Crow) did. My uncle was killed by a drunk driver 12 years ago today. So be careful on the roads. And don't drink and drive.

1 Fearsome brow mop | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 22 January :: 11.52 am

21 Life Lessons
*Never invade Russia in winter
*Bread is flammable
*You'll always find love when you least expect it
*Don't put marshmallows in the toaster
*Good looking men are usually gay, taken, or gay and taken
*Mayonnaise should not go on french fries
*Appreciate your family
*Don't open super glue containers with your teeth
*Mormons are like the mafia
*History always manages to repeat itself
*Home is where the heart is
*Batman will always be awesomer than Superman
*Just one sentence can break a friendship
*It's nearly impossible to be a vegetarian in Germany
*Always find out where to return your empty bottles
*Leave sharp knives out of the sink when you wash dishes
*Don't eat ravioli an hour and a half before going for a run
*It's hard to admit your own mistakes
*There comes a time in every relationship where you have to be separated by a long distance
*Don't take chocolate away from a female when it's "that time"
*America has become the new Roman Empire

5 Fearsome brow mops | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 19 January :: 8.28 pm

So, holy frick, my family=awesomest family on the planet

Dad e-mailed me last night telling me to be online at 4 p.m. (10 a.m. your time) and I complied. He sent me a link and told me to click on it.

What dad did was hack into the Rockford gazebo webcam right next to the dam and stood there with mom and Andy holding signs that said "Happy birthday Katie". I laughed and almost cried.

Best birthday card ever. Seriously.

1 Fearsome brow mop | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 19 January :: 12.36 am

Bah, just made a payment to Western for next semester. Stupid study abroad. German students hardly have to pay anything when they go to uni. They don't get gyped like us Ameris do. 500 euro. Man. I wish I only had to pay that. Ah well, thank goodness for scholarships. I just hope all this money I'm paying Western doesn't go towards another curious rock lake thingy like the one right next to the new chemistry building. Or the parking lot outside of Sangren with the nasty ass umbrellas.

My birthday's on Tuesday. Nobody here in Paderborn remembers that. Twenty-one shots will be replaced with a web cam chat with Troy. w00ts.

4 Fearsome brow mops | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 14 January :: 3.02 pm

Speaking of geniuses, I just made popcorn. Mmm, popcorn. How I've craved thee.

I haven't been able to have popcorn lately because I don't have a microwave in my flat. However, today I decided to make an experiment and bought some popcorn. Back at the flat I opened the bag, emptied the popcorn into a pot, turned the heat up on the stove, and slapped a lid on top of the pot. Instant popcorn within three minutes. Genius!

3 Fearsome brow mops | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 14 January :: 1.44 pm

My dad, the genius
Once upon a time ago back in October, my dad was giving me hints about a ridonkulous story that he would tell me when he saw me at Christmas. It involved him, his teeth, and super glue.

Apparently dad was trying to fix something that had broken by gluing back together with super glue (might cause cancer in California). Dad, being the genius that he is (and now I know where I got it from) decided to open the bottle with his teeth, seeing as it was stuck. He glued whatever he needed to glue back together, sticking his tongue Michael Jordan-esque in concentration. And yes, he accidentally glued his tongue to his two front teeth. He surmised that some glue had leaked onto his teeth when he had opened the bottle of super glue, then sticking his tongue out in concentration, he unwittingly glued it to his teeth. In short, dad looked and sounded like a dork for the next two days while he worked up enough saliva to free his tongue from his teeth.

I would've paid money to see him during those two days. Perhaps even part of my soul.

So today I bought super glue to glue Esel's eye back on his head (it fell off sometime over the weekend). And, remembering dad, I didn't open the glue with my teeth and didn't stick my tongue out.

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 10 January :: 3.30 pm

I really don't know why I'm updating. Maybe so there'll be a break between Kyle and Rachel postings. I dunno.

It's been a week now since my family left. Still recovering in a way. It's hard going from happy social back to dismal student. Exams start at the end of the month. My birthday is in...oh I don't know how many days. I'm turning 21 in a country where I've been legal to drink for the past almost 5 years. Har har.

My roommate has a friend visiting. I found out yesterday it's the girl whose room I'm renting. Awkward. I wasn't informed by either of her visit. She and Theres get along well. Makes me feel even worse of a roommate.

I think I'll go play Phantom Hourglass for a little. Cheers to you all. Hope you have great new semesters/travels.

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2008 1 January :: 5.31 pm

Finally back in Paderborn.

We had an interesting Silvester (new years eve) last night. I fondued for the first time. I liked experimenting the most. We were supposed to be putting meats in oil, but I found an excuse to put in baby corn, bread, carrots, cauliflower, etc. Dad drank more than he usually does, but he didn't act drunk.

We didn't have the countdown with the ball. Instead we listened for the church bells to ring and set off fireworks. Setting off fireworks is typical for Germany on New Years. It was really cool because suddenly the whole sky was filled with fireworks. We were surrounded. Troy called me and we said happy new year. I think that was the best, actually.

After playing with fire, we went inside and did Bleigiessen. It's where you melt down lead until it's liquid then quickly put it in cold water. It forms into something and judging by what you think it is (for example, I had a dragon and a fish) you will find out part of your future for the new year. It's a typical German tradition and I had more fun melting the lead than figuring out what it looked like.

I'm glad to be back in Paderborn. I had a package waiting for me when we arrived. My friend Darcy, who is teaching English in Japan, had sent me Christmas presents. And they are soooo cool! I also got a Christmas card from my friend Brandi. It has pictures of her baby on it. It makes my woman organs scream that they want one. In ten years.

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 31 December :: 12.15 am

Family for Christmas=yay
Leading family through Berlin=a migraine squared
Being in Esslingen with the Koch family for the new year=nice
Having people speak English to me even though they know I speak German (to the point of translating into English for me what they just said in German)=trying

My holiday break will definitely be something to remember years from now. Tomorrow we'll be doing fondue stuff. I've never fondued before. We'll be driving back on the 1st to Paderborn. I'm glad. I like getting out and seeing more of Germany, but I miss Paderborn.

1 Fearsome brow mop | Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 25 December :: 9.39 pm

Last night we went to the 11 o'clock evening service in the big protestant church in the middle of the city. I was able to record the sound of the church bells ringing at midnight. Merry Christmas y'all.
Read more..

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 22 December :: 1.05 pm

My family has flown into Germany! I received a call from them half an hour ago saying they had their luggage and had to find the car rental area. Soooo I'll see them in a few hours! Excitement! Seriously, try going without a family for six months sometime. It makes you appreciate them more.

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 20 December :: 11.13 am

Hoorays for Weihnachtspause! I get two weeks off. It reminds me of high school. Except my exams will be in February. Gosh darn crazy German semester system.

I made melt in your mouth cookies yesterday. Among them is a decapitated snowman. Troy watched and got psychically sent tastes of cookie dough and icing. Mmmm....

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 17 December :: 6.04 pm

300 to dreihundert
I got 300 the other day and finally watched it in German (after first watching it in English and remembering the good ol' days when Troy and I saw it in theater with some friends of his from Hoekje). I decided to write down some translations of favorite quotes. I's a geek, it is awesome.

Queen Gorgo: Only Spartan women give birth to real men
Weil nur die Frauen Spartas wahre Maenner gebaeren

Leonidas: Madness? This is Sparta!
Wahnsinn? Das ist Sparta!

Persian:A thousand nations of the Persian empire descend upon you. Our arrows will blot out the sun!
1.000 Voelker des persischen Reiches werden ueber euch herfallen. Unsere Pfeile werden die Sonne verdunkeln!
Stelios: Then we will fight in the shade!
Dann kaempfen wir im Schatten!

Persian general: Spartens! Lay down your weapons!
Spartiaten! Legt eure Waffen nieder!
Leonidas: Persians! Come and get them!
Perser! Kommt und holt sie euch!

Leonidas: Besides, there's no reason we can't be civil, is there?
Ausserdem, gibt es keinen Grund sich nicht anstaendig zu benehmen, oder?

Xerxes: [....] There is much our cultures could share.
Wir koennen so viel von einander lernen.
Leonidas: Haven't you noticed? We've been sharing our culture with you all morning.
Noch nicht gemerkt? Wir haben es euch schon den ganzen Morgen gegeben.

Dilios: Immortals....we put their name to the test
Die Unsterblichen....wir pruefen, ob sie ihren Namen zu Recht tragen.

Leonidas: Dilios, I trust that "scratch" hasn't made you useless?
Dilios, der Kratzer setzt dich wohl nicht ausser Gefecht?
Dilios: Hardly, my lord, it's just an eye. The gods saw fit to grace me with a spare.
Kaum, Herr. Es war nur ein Auge. Die Goetter waren so gnaedig, mir ein zweites zu schenken.

Leonidas: Tonight we dine in hell!
Denn heute Nacht speisen wir in der Hoelle!

Can I mop your brow?

:: 2007 14 December :: 11.24 am

Happy birthday, ya old man you ;p

Ich liebe dich sehr sehr viel!

1 Fearsome brow mop | Can I mop your brow?