My head feels like it's about to burst. There is so much information being squashed into my brain it seems a mystery to me that it hasn't burst. Having school all day long, in German of course, and then taking German class, in order to learn German and therefor understand school, is taking a toll on my brain. However, I am learning so much and I love it!
Today we had English class in school today. As you probably can guess I love English class (for obvious reasons). The topic was eggs, and we were reading aloud a story about eggs in class in English, of course. Generally speaking the teacher doesn't call on me because I can already read in English and it's better for the other students to read aloud to practice. Well today, after one paragraph was read, I was called on. I thought, 'Okay, no problem, I can read aloud in English." Well think again Katie. I was asked to translate out loud the paragraph that was just read.
Are you kidding me?!
On the spot translation is really difficult to do. Not to mention reading aloud during my thought process. My hands got clammy, my face got red and I'm sure everyone could hear my heart beating. I struggled through every last word. What seemed like an hour later, I finished the translation. That was rough. Why is it that the teachers always seem to take me by surprise?
On a side note...
Some may remember my bike that was stolen in October, and then found again a few weeks ago, and then picked up at the police station... About that... it's stolen again. Within an hours time of me getting home from school and running, the bike was stolen out of my building. I'm still hoping that someone (as in my neighbor) took it for a joy ride and is coming back with it. But, as the hours pass, I really doubt it.
I hope it comes back to me yet again!
I hope you get your bike back!!!!! I love your blog and am so glad it was a blog of note yesterday when I happened to be looking for something new to read!!
ReplyDeleteWow...what a bummer! My son had 2 bikes stolen in one summer and it sickened me!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your Blog of Note! I'm just proud that I was something like follower #23!
Just had to say .. Your blog is pretty cool. It's like Julia & Julie meets study aboard.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the bike thing, you might want to get a chain and lock for it, if you do get it back. (crossing my fingers for you)
First off...congrats on Blog of Note, what an honor.
ReplyDeleteSecondly...I know exactly how you feel. My first language is English but 3 years ago I started a job where 99.9% of the day I have to speak Spanish, which is my second language.
All day long I have to listen to someone speak Spanish, then translate it into my head to English, then vice-versa to respond. It's not easy.
Good luck with your blog. I'm off to look it over and see what this baking through Germany thing is all about :-D
Oh...almost forgot. I hope your bike comes back to you, great picture!
Just found your blog hours ago and have been enjoying it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd about the bike, maybe you should keep it in your room, although depending on your circumstances it might be difficult to do. I hope the guy didn't try to pull a revenge on you, though. *sigh*
I just found your blog, and find it a great read. Good luck on learning German! I am of German ancestry and have heard it is one of the hardest to learn. Kudos to you for doing so well!
ReplyDeleteWow, talk about a rough day!
ReplyDeleteI remember always being called on to translate first in my Latin class and I hated it, but did my best. I can't imagine having to translate in front of people who already know the language fluently!
I hope you get your bike back again, thieves suck :(
Sorry to read about your bike...maybe it's having an adventure too!
ReplyDeleteI'll send out good thoughts to the Universe and hope your bike comes home soon.
Jenny
Just found your blog via Blogs of Note and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI am Canadian but I am living in Germany right now as well - in Heidelberg! I think it's really cool that you decided to study in German without much experience. I have been taking some lessons but it certainly isn't an easy language to learn!
Best of luck with your studies and finding that bike! Enjoy the rest of your time in Deutschland!
Dayna
www.aliceinwunderbarland.blogspot.com
I hope that your bike comes back to you soon katie!
ReplyDeleteCatie
http://cityspired.blogspot.com/
Hey.. Hello.. so hows your English class today?? Me I used to sleep during my English class before.. Hehehehehe.. No, I'm just kidding...
ReplyDelete-doniesanjosealegre-
thedoggyshow.blogspot.com
Love your style. Your cakes are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on BON. I added you to my following list. I do hope you get your bike back.
ReplyDeleteoh what about the bike again~!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through 'Blogs of Note'. I stopped by because I have friends I visit in Bremen and beg them take me to Bremerhaven each time. I fell in love with the town on my first visit. I will be back in Bremen in October and hope to visit your town again. Best wishes with your German studies. I have failed miserably in learning the language and hope you do better than I. Also, I hope your bike finds its way home.
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on being a blog of note..your bike troubles remind me of my son when he lived in Taiwan for 2yrs...he had his stolen and had to borrow a friends as that was his only means of transportation..only his friends bike was much smaller than his, and he's 6'4 so it was a bit ridiculous...he ended up buying a new one that, thankfully, lasted until he came home. Good luck with your studies..it will get better with time!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats on Blog of Note! Your blog looks sweet!
ReplyDeleteI hate reading out loud in class and can not imagine what translating out loud must have felt like!
Hi Katie, what a brave girl you are! Im also paving my way through Germany, mostly with pictures and books, and the experience has been great and rewarding!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your bike and that wonderful cakes will come your way!
Pröst,
Márcia
Good luck with getting your bike back! I'm not really careful with mine, I really should take better care of it... don't know what I'd do without it.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, your so brave woman.
ReplyDeleteBON lead me to your blog. I initially read about your bike being recovered and then read your post about how it made you cry.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have time to write how happy I was for you, so I've came back to say so. Needless to say, I'm both sorry and disappointed to hear that the bike has been immediately stolen again (just within the few hours of me reading your rare recovery-of-stolen-bike story).
I mean this in the nicest way..... buy a bike lock. ;-) It sucks to have to lock your bike everywhere, but even more when it has been stolen.
After a proper mourning period, go get another bicycle (+ lock).
Hey Katie!
ReplyDeleteNice Blog you have here, I think I'll follow it from time to time! :)
I'm a German-American student living in Heidelberg. It's a bit south from Bremerhaven, but should you ever come around then contact me if you like!
mail (@t) promille-checker.de
Cheers,
Sam
congrats on being a blog of note =)
ReplyDeletei love your layout.
feel free to visit my blog at
http://jenniferscavone.blogspot.com
Ciao!
Congratulations! Your blog looks great!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie!!! Came over here through blog of note..:) Congrats to you!!
ReplyDeleteI am an Indian expat living in Germany. I Just read what you have been up to in Deutschland and I must say that you have more than guts to do what you are doing!! All the very best in your endeavor and I am also your new follower...:D
yeah congrats like everyone! your blog and your post really attractive ..
ReplyDeleteI took a German class at my old high school and that happend to me once. It is really funny to listen to other people do it but when the spotlight hits you, it sucks.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I´m following you!
ReplyDeleteFollow my blog:
Kalibracja.
Found u thru BON (blog of note) and I am impressed. You've accomplished alot.. I looked at your photos and LOVE that cake w/the starfish on it!. U are talented.. will be following u!.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have found your blog!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm sorry it got stolen! And congrats on being a blog of note!
ReplyDeletehttp://blankmusings.blogspot.com
great blog, sorry about your bike, but your blog seems to be doing well. great idea for a blog.
ReplyDeletecheck me out
theyoungandthebangin'
Hey, I came across your blog through Blog of Note, and I must say I enjoy reading it. =) I've always dreamed of seeing a different country by living in it. You are another person who inspires me and gives me courage and determination to want to make that a reality once I'm out of college, come language barrier or homesickness. Continue inspiring others!
ReplyDeleteSounds terribly exciting being a blog of note! Good luck with your good blog and increased followers - I'm one of them!
ReplyDeleteI'm an English teacher living in Kuantan, Malaysia, so I love English too!
Follow me too at:
www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com
Hi, I just starter blogger also I like your page design........... Oh I hpe your bike will come back soon.
ReplyDeletePlease follow me , put some suggestion comment for me, I 'm new comer http://thai-collecting.blogspot.com/
Great looking blog! I hope your bike is returned soon.
ReplyDeleteDee
I came across your blog through blogs of note and I'm so glad I did. You're doing something so amazing! I up and moved to Germany two years ago to work as an au pair and didn't know the language either, but the home I worked in spoke fluent English. I can't imagine going trying to learn while doing on-the-job training and school. I love reading your posts, it reminds me of my own experiences. I really hope your bike turns up soon. I know it's a pretty necessary thing to get around in some areas there. Tchuss!
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit my blog!
http://simplybeautifulveg.blogspot.com
Your blog seems nice and neat. I got to admit that I love it very much. I love Germany
ReplyDeleteGermany is nice and has a very good music scene. I know that it is where the beatles got their start at.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're so committed to following your dream! I'm in the process of (desperately trying) to move to Germany and I'm determined - but at times you just feel like collapsing in a heap....or at least...that's how I feel.
ReplyDeleteYou're inspirational! :)