My Day Off

I had an amazing day.  I caught up on some sleep.  I didn't rise until about 10:00.  After a long hot shower, I started a load of laundry and read a little bit.  This has been the laziest and least productive day I have had since I left Texas.  It has been an amazing day.

Because I didn't do much of anything today, let alone anything of interest, I have decided to quote a message of advice and encouragement that I received from a friend.  It's good advice for anyone spending time overseas:


Hey bud, 

Hope you're enjoying your german adventure. After spending a solid 18 months in Europe and having the perspective of hindsight, I thought I'd send you some advice. 

1) keep the blog/diary going, even when days are totally uneventful. I did off and on, but looking back I wish I made an effort to do it every day bc I know I've forgotten a lot of little things. 

2) find a catholic church and go to mass. Even if you're not religious, mass is surprisingly helpful in learning the language. Having a typical Spanish catholic gf I got dragged there quite a bit. It grew on me a lot. The priests say the same thing every time so you learn the cadence and expand your vocabulary quite a bit. Also good time to clear your mind and get connected to community.

3) Force yourself to start conversations with old men in the cafes or young ppl in parks/clubs/wherever. It's hard to do at first, especially when you don't feel that confident with the language and you aren't sure what to say, but it will help immensely. They love talking to Americans. Also gives you lots of diff perspectives, things to write about, and new friendships

4) get a girlfriend. Being American, intelligent and handsome you won't have trouble getting female attention from the natives. Just have fun and it will happen. This is how you reeeally learn German. It's amazing how efficiently a male brain can process a 2nd language when he's trying to get laid.

5) don't be too hard on yourself with the langauge. I took 5 semesters of Spanish and spent a few weeks in Mexico before going to spain. I thought I was good to go upon arrival. I was humbled very quickly and realized I didn't understand shit 60% of the time. After 3 or 4 months went by I had improved but I still felt inadequate, like something just wasn't clicking and I couldn't get it all down. Started to get frustrated. No matter how much I studied and practiced I'd still make mistakes or miss things. Finally I gave up. Best thing I ever did. Once I stopped sweating it, about 6 months in, something clicked and I've been totally fluent since. So practice but don't think you've got a problem if you're still unconfident 5 or 6 months in.

6) you've probably got an English channel or two in your cable, don't watch them. 

7) don't watch American movies, initially. When you do watch them, always put on German subtitles. Subtitles always helped with the vocabulary.

8) get the newspaper everyday and read it. Go to the municipal theatres plays, the little art exhibits, the annual festivals. Really immerse yourself in the community. Thats really where you meet people, see the coolest stuff, and get an understanding of the culture.

9) love germany. When i got to spain my first thought was "ok im in europe now, time to start planning my weekend excursions to other countries." nothing wrong with hopping a flight to Amsterdam (do it, you wont regret it) or London, or another trendy city. But there is so much to see in the country you're already in. its easy to get a quick dose and think youve seen it and you're ready to move on. Get to know your diggs before you try to find new ones.

10) dont eat american food

11) dont succumb to the temptation of only hanging out with the other north americans/brits/aussies youve befriended. Will thwart your linguistic development.

12) other than quick emails or blog posts, avoid the internet at all costs.

13) drink and be merry

14) within a few months the novelty of being in a new place will start to wear off and youll bitch about work, the bus, and whatever else sucks over there. Its inevitable, but try to keep in mind that it wont last forever and youve gotta enjoy it while it lasts. Spain wasnt a paradise but i genuinely miss it every day. Stay positive.

15) Read. There we're plenty of days when i was too broke to do anything and spent all day (after work) alone in my apartment. I read at least 50 books. Hit the book store and read everything youve always planned on but never got around to. 

16) learn the metro/bus routes. Once you get those down, travelling is a breeze. dont be afraid to ask the driver where hes going either. 

Well thats about all i got for now brotha. Have fun and bring me and your mother home some Aryan grandbabies.

Tschuss


-Christopher Lee