Saturday, July 25, 2009

Notes From Munich...

I was lucky enough recently to travel to three locations. However, this excursion needed to stay within a 10 day time frame. So, my 10 day travel marathon began in Munich, Germany. I know what you're thinking. Why Munich? Mostly because I could stay at a college acquaintance of mine who lives there full-time as a teacher. I went with another college friend, Annie, who I had worked with as an Resident Assistant. Much fun ensued....








It's half Coke, half Fanta. Fooled you didn't I?

SOOOO HUNGRY.


Yes, that is a motorcycle covered in animal fur. Only in Bavaria.










This beer garden and brewery is used for political meetings, and was used as a Nazi meeting place. Can you guess what those flowing flags between the lights are covering?




People who opposed the Nazi would walk down this street (Viscardigasse) to avoid the compulsory saluting that every person was made to do at the end of a street connected to this one. The SS then began to wait for them and would shoot any who didn't have a plausible reason for taking this street instead of the other. There were riots and eleven protesters and five SS were killed. The gold line down the street is to remember those who protested and were murdered for their beliefs.

These papers are permanently affixed onto the pavement outside Munich University in remembrance of the student protesters. They would shove protest fliers off the balconies just as large classrooms of students were letting out. All five of the leaders of the White Rose Society were beheaded as a warning to any others.

This a traditional Bavarian wedding custom. The bride and groom are in the fancy white car on their way to the reception and their wedding party are ridding in the v-dub behind them. As I took this photo they hooted, hollered and clapped.

At a palace turned museum.

Annie goofing around.











Thursday, July 2, 2009

Home Sweet Home

Now that I’m on my home turf for a few weeks, I can say definitively that England is an alternate universe. Being back in the States is strange, but comforting. Like when you wear an old pair of jeans after a long time of only wearing dress pants or skirts. Anyway, this past week or so has been crazy busy. Interviewing people is a new experience for me, and most of the times I feel like I’m just winging it as I go. But nobody has noticed yet, so that’s a plus. Yesterday I interviewed a participant, watched an apartment burn to the ground and picked and ate some raspberries. Random, but cool.

Today, has been another one of those random days. First I had a dentist appointment, next was the casino (where I promptly lost $70), then I dropped an insane amount on explosives for this Saturday and finished gathering presents for Mom. I also arranged more interview appointments for my last week.

I really hope everything works out for me. Right now, all I see are looming mounds of work to be done and distractions everywhere. But I always seem to pull it off in the end, so I doubt this will be an exception.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A Good Day

Today was one of the best days I've had since coming to England. The first reason for this is that I was notified I have passed all of my courses from the second semester. All that stress and hard work has paid off and now I can just concentrate on my last project and a few loose ends.

The second reason for this wonderful day was my project's ethics proposal has finally been approved. This means I can go home, conduct interviews, and begin to write my analysis.

Two very good reason that this is a wonderful day.

Monday, June 15, 2009

New Voices

I've come to the conclusion today that I'm altogether too bored for my own good. There is only so much internet surfing, reading, and research one can do while waiting for a long-awaited decsision from a slow-moving committee before the mind begins to atrophy. Although, I did discover a new voice that got me through this mind-numbing day.

Pixie Lott. (Love the name, by the way)


I hope your day went faster than mine.

Ta!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Weekend Plans

This weekend I've felt like little pixies have beaten my body. Throat is sore. Arms are sore (from archery) and all I want to do is this...

And maybe some of this...

But here is my to-do list:

1. Get train tickets from Birmingham Airport to Nottingham

2. Book a hostel room in Salzburg, Austria

3. Buy a plane ticket to the States.

4 Buy train ticket to the Airport for flight back to the States.

5. Buy train ticket from the Airport for getting back to Nottingham.

Here's the rub. I can't do any of this until Monday when the exchange rate lowers a bit. And I am on pins and needles waiting for my ethics proposal to go through successfully.

Wish Me Luck! And have a Great Weekend.