13 December 2002 ---JOURNAL ENTRY THREE---
Ich bin jetzt warten. Translation: I am waiting now. What am I waiting for? I'm waiting for a guy from the Autotrader to come and take a picture of my baby, a 1998 Toyota Corolla LE, much cooler than the one in the picture above but that was just to give you an idea. I've had this car for 4.5 years, it was the first large item I ever purchased for myself, my first loan, my baby. I've driven to Portland, Maine and further TWICE and I've never had one problem with her except for a flat tire in Luverne, Minnesota and a cracked windshield in Flagstaff, Arizona. I've been on the open American and Canadian highway with Jelly-C (that's her name) for more hours and days that most people and it's sad to let her go but decisions need other decisions. One month from today I will be on a plane, probably in Dallas, Texas waiting for my connection to Frankfurt, Germany.
Last night I worked a banquet for Orange County Fireman's Association of Dispatchers or something like that. It was fun, but I didn't make as much money as I thought I would, but such are the breaks. Tonight could be good and tomorrow night I'll be getting off early to go to a party at Uncle Dave's house where there is the annual gift exchange. I'm thinking of bringing a growler of beer from Rock Bottom as my gift for the party.
I'm getting closer to understanding what has to happen for me to be accepted for the German university in Freiburg. It's daunting and I'm scared but this is the most important thing that I've ever done. Leaving everything you know for adventure and love is one way of putting your life in the current of "true living" and the stakes are much higher in this game. You win big and you lose big and I'm hoping that I can sit at the table without having to gamble everything. Anyway, back to the university stuff. I've narrowed it down to four subjects that I'd like to study in Freiburg: English, German, Sociology and Geography. English would be good study because we're never really taught grammar in my country, just taught how to use the language and if I'm ever going to be a good writer, a knowledge of the language will be essential. Plus, I never got to take any English classes in college because I wasn't interested for some reason or something. Secondly, German is an easy choice because I'll be living in Germany. In order for me to succed in Germany, I'll need to speak German. Right now I'm at a basic comprehension but hopefully one year from today I'll be somewhat fluent in the language. That's an exciting idea, but I know it will take a lot of work. Next down the line is Sociology. I always enjoyed taking Sociology classes in college and really enjoy the study of people. Pschology was good because it was the study of individual people and neuroses but as I've travelled more in the world, the idea of themes and dare I say stereotypes have interested me greatly. Finally, Geography. If you know me at all then you know that I love maps and I'm crazy about maps. I've been on roadtrips, international and domestic and the idea of trying to find out where I am and where I'm going is one of constant concern (especially for some people who care about me too much!). I know that Geography is not only the study of maps but that's a big part of it. I come from an hour that is near the beach, desert, mountains and it's always given me an unconscious interest in the subject.
So what do I choose? Therein lies the question. I think that studying English would be good for me so that my writing will improve and that perhaps I can do Sociology and Geography as minor subjects. German would be too difficult to study at a university level, at least for a few years so it seems as if just now, 13 December 2002 at 2:11pm in Lake Forest, California, I've decided what I want to apply for at Freiburg University! Sweet, that's one less thing to stress about. Now the problem is German,ironically enough. I have to prove my German is good enough to attend classes in German but if my German can be at a Mittelstufe level (intermediate) by late April, which is feasible, then I can be accepted into a Deutsch als Fremdsprache course which is 18 hours of instruction per week for an entire semester. That would get me to a more proficient level of German in no time. So, this is my primary focus. My first two intensive language courses are essential, both to my learning and my introduction to German as a tool to succeed in Germany. Phew, I don't want to get into this anymore, I'm done with it until Monday when I can start stressing all over again!
Today's lesson in German is below:
Ich bin Aenfanger= eeH bean Eyenfenge= I am a beginner.
