catchup

As we all knew would happen, I am back to the status quo of not being very good about updating my blog...sorry about that! Here is a quick recap of a few things I've been wanting to post on here:

20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to go to Berlin for this momentous milestone which caused the country and the world to step back and memorialize the wonder of a bloodless revolution. We had the opportunity to take a closer, more purposeful look at how far Germany and the world has come in the last 20 years, as well as how far we have to go, and I was blessed to be here to engage in dialogue and kultural observation. I did have the privilege of hearing a scholar from the University of Berlin speak on the subject. One of the things that he focused on, which I haven't read or heard much about, was the critical role of the church in organizing and supporting protesters in the DDR. Afterward, a woman from the former DDR affirmed the fact that she and the other protesters would meet in the church before demonstrating every Thursday, where the pastor would encourage them with a short sermon, emphasize the importance of non-violence, and then they would light candles and go out to demonstrate. I thought this was an interesting point that is often overlooked in histories of this time.

Alright, honestly, I can't think of the other things I wanted to post. There will be more to come as soon as I load pictures onto my computer. I have some great snow pictures as well as a little documentation of a fun day in Frankfurt! I miss you all ~love~

I love my hood

Graffiti sometimes cracks me up. I love my hood. So much that I am willing to deface public property to declare it. Thats dedication. This is sort of like the graffiti at the university of education in Karlsruhe, where I studied last year. That particular gem reads "love children". Amusing, I know.

In all seriousness, though. I do love my hood. Except for the cold. And the dark. But seriously, it's lovely here. I have a good balance of cultures in my life at the moment. My university is the oldest in Germany, so I get a good dose of history and culture (and tourists) at the university and in historic old Heidelberg. On the other hand, when I need a dose of just folks, I can go to Karlsruhe, where I don't run into American and Japanese tourists every 10 minutes, where every other building isn't a UNESCO cultural heritage site, and grocery shopping on a budget works.

In other news, I am in full school mode...reading, reading, giving presentations, reading more. This week I had the luxury of being assigned an article in English to read. That was pretty great. I can't believe how fast time seems to pass as soon as "school mode" kicks in. I actually think that it goes faster in Germany since classes are only held once a week. Anyway, classes are, with one exception, extremely interesting and univeristy life here never ceases to amuse and surprise me. (That is unfortunately the only article that I found on the subject that is in English...but yes, a Lecture hall has been taken over and is being occupied by students in a show of protest and solidarity with the university of Vienna) Don't worry, its not dangerous! But here are some pictures to help illustrate. Enjoy! ~love~

Hannah's House

While Hannah was here, she took to calling the castle in Karlsruhe her home. Well, a few weeks ago, I (finally!) visited the museum that is in the castle. First of all, this museum is HUGE. I think we spent at least 4 hours in there, and definitely skipped some stuff. It goes through a lot of history of the region as well as ancient through modern history of Europe. Mummies? got it. Roman armor and coins? check. Posters from the student movement in the 60s? yep. Paintings and church artifacts? you bet. Above is a picture of the queen's crown and gown from the time that Karlsruhe was an independent "dukedom" (or something similar...the German system was different than the British and I don't honestly know how everything translates) I thought it was cool to get to see the "crowned jewels" of Baden! Hope you enjoy the picture! (for the real life experience, just come on over!) ~love~

weather

this beautiful picture of the castle in Karlsruhe (I'm sure that I've posted pictures before, but its still there and still beautiful!) is suprisingly illustrative of the rediculously fickle weather here lately. The bad news: its mostly pretty much freezing. The good news: the frost has killed off 99% of the huge, disgusting brown slugs that plage the pathways all summer long. I wish I could say 100%, but as I was jogging (ha! yes, jogging!) yesterday, I commited once again the gross error of stepping on one of these slugs...eew. Stepping on these slugs is pretty much unavoidable...it happens sooner or later (they really are everywhere) but it grosses me out every time. So, yay for entering a slugless season. Other positives of winter: they started putting up the Christmas lights today. Come December 1, all of the main streets of Karlsruhe will be lit with white Christmas lights. This is something that makes the darkest part of the year bearable. Also, daylight savings ended early this morning, so I got an extra hour of sleep and I don't have to get ready and leave in the pitch dark anymore! (at least until the days get really short...) ~love~

living in the library

Yes, folks, this is in fact the library at my university. (have I mentioned that the University was founded in 1386?!) Fun facts include the following: 1) the section of the library that contains books that can be checked out is arranged according to the year that the university purchased the book...I miss the good ol' Dewey Decimal System. 2) you are not allowed to bring bags anywhere (basically). no bags, no food, no fun. the exception to this rule is a cool room in the cellar where pretty much everything but talking is allowed. 3)I spend a large majority of my time in this building. I print articles, I read, I update my blog. The good news is that I am farily productive whithin these walls. That concludes our "non tourist information on the library" section of this post. I hope you enjoyed it. Any questions?

In other news, we have skipped fall here. It was warm, then it was freezing. Every winter I remember what a sissy I am...I really just prefer warm weather, in spite of being from Colorado. Go figure. As you are probably realizing, there's not a whole lot going on here. I am reading a lot, trying to learn Spanish, and spending my free time either sleeping or hanging out with friends. I miss and love you all. I never cease to be unspeakably greatful for all of the support and I love I continually receive in spite of picking up and leaving the country! From the bottom of my heart, thank you. ~love~

Begin

The semester has officially begun and I am so excited for this semester! I'm not going to lie, its going to be a lot of work. Really a lot of work. It takes me twice as long to read documents in German as it does in English...so kiss those days of quickly skimming 300 pages of history reading in a couple days. This is legit. And its wonderful! I am in two large seminars/lectures in which I basically just have to come prepared and observe (soak up the intelligence of others). Those two are about the beginning of the Cold War in Europe, and the culture during that time (1945-1961) and the other is a history of nature and environmentalism in European politics in the 19th and 20th centuries. (this class wasn't my first choice, but it was the only one that fit...more to come on that) I am in one advanced seminar which is probably going to kick my butt (I have to do a long oral presentation and write a long research paper) but the topic is the history of chronology and time conceptions, which I am really excited about. Finally, I am in two small seminars (about 10 people in each) that cover alternative movements and cultures in Germany during the 1970s and representations of the Holocaust and Holocaust memory in film. So, here I am at the beginning of yet another year of school, and I feel nothing short of awe when I think of the path that brought me here. Sometimes I want to pinch myself as I walk around this historic campus and take part in these incredible seminars...is this real? I will be receiving my masters degree in the year in which the University celebrates its 625 anniversary! So, thank you for standing by me as I cross the threshold of yet another beginning in my life. I am speechless with gratitude and love. Here's to another adventure in which to thrive and survive! ~love~

identity

To keep up with the picture/post goal, I decided to post one more today. (In all fairness, I've been keeping up with the picture taking, just not with the posting/blogging resolution...its a work in progress)

This is a picture of one of the figures in the courtyard that is enclosed by the history building on campus. I just love this little courtyard (I am pretty sure I fell in love with the university the day I walked out of the back door and into this lovely little courtyard...since I first heard the story as a little girl, I've never stopped looking for my own personal secret garden) Overlooking this area is the "witches tower", a remnant of a (I think) 15th century building which housed thieves and witches...Fun fact for the day: the University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386! Enjoy. ~love~