A full 24 hours since the last post

I feel so much better after having a bit of sleep. My body clock is off, but I'm no longer on Ohio time. Now, I'm just on funky, unusual, unhelpful body time. It doesn't help that the geese outside of my window began quacking at 5:15 am. Some might consider it charming... but at the time- I DID NOT!

I chose an apartment today. It is cute and small, but it has character and is furnished (even if the furnishings are fairly ugly in the living room. (wohnzimmer) I should sign a contract this weekend at some point for a 6 month lease. This means that friends and family are welcome to come and crash (on what will hopefully be my own IKEA couch if I can convince the owner to remove the offensive furnishings.) Of all of the apartments, it was the best price and I had to choose creature comforts or traveling, but the apartment will be suitable. Oh, the neighborhood is darling. I will be 150 meters from the bus stop, and a 10 minute walk to two different subway lines. There is a church across the street from me and a park on the other side of it... The park is complete with tennis courts, Hill!) I'll post pictures when I move in and get my things arranged.

Today, I also made eine freunden (a friend). She is also a BBIS teacher, but she is from Texas via Luxembourg. We have discovered common affinities for stories, enjoying complications, teaching, net sports and football. She has Embassy contacts (yay!), so we're hoping to make friends with some of the local Marines so we can watch football on their tv. Mmm. I can now relax at the possibility of continuing to cheer for the Buckeyes and the Browns! Also, we ate at a Greek place nearish (10 minute walk) the hotel. The menu was entirely in Greek and translated into German. Not helpful. I ate something that has fleisch, kase, and pomme frites. It seemed like a good idea at the time because I knew the words for meat, cheese, and french fries. Now I wonder what type of meat was used. I must have a beer and bratwurst tomorrow... It is crazy that I haven't yet enjoyed a proper German meal. I'll also find some tort. After dinner, I met two men from New Zealand in the elevator who are here for a conference. It was wonderful to speak in English.

Tomorrow is pretty much a free day for me since Kerstin will be busy picking up and showing around another new teacher. I'm thinking about taking a walking tour and seeing Berlin. Perhaps I'll even make it to The Wall. Mainly, I'm excited that I dont have to listen to Rick Astley any longer. I swear Kerstin and I have been in her car long enough to hear that cd six times on repeat. Honestly, how many times can one hear, "I wanna dance with somebody. I wanna eel the heat with somebody. Yeah..." I used to like the song, but now I think I'll vomit if I hear it again. Ever.

Thank all of you whom have emailed me. I'm trying to respond as quickly as possible while still delivering quality emails.

Hmm, since I'm currently sitting in the hotel lobby ignoring the leers from a group of German teenagers I might need to head up to my room. Body language has become so necessary for communication since I don't know a word of what they just said to me, and I didn't appreciate their.... well, attitude.

I think I'll head up to my room and catch some more Zs. Schuss!