Time, Bayerische Party, and No Money

I can't believe that I have only been here two and a half weeks. When I think back to my first day in Regensburg and especially the flight over from the US, it feels like months ago. However, day to day the time seems to fly by. Part of this, I think, is that I'm now in class six hours a day. It really does make the day a lot shorter when you don't have a life until 3pm.

Though class is long and occasionally really boring, I know it is benefitting me a lot. Reviewing all of the things that I haven't seen since two years ago or so is helping me a lot. Some days go better than others with regards to German-speaking. My friends here and I daily report to eachother as to whether it has been a "good German" or a "bad German" day. Last night our tutors at the University held a Bavarian Party for the 60-odd Intensive Language Course students. It reinforced what I already knew about the relationship between alcohol consumption and language ability: It's always a positive correlation. It was like we were fluent or something. It was definitely a great night and I got to know a lot of the other ILC participants a lot better.

Unfortunately, we stayed out a bit later than we planned to, which had negative consequences for our planned 7:00 wakeup to get to the train station. Morgan, Liz, and I had planned on going to Freiburg on the French border this weekend. However, I slept until 7:30, as did both girls. We miraculously made it on the 8:00 bus, wet hair and all, and were at the train station on time for the 8:30 Freiburg train. That's when things started falling apart. When we got there, Morgan and Liz realized they hadn't brought their passports (necessary when you use a BahnPass) and then I ran into the first real logistics problem I've had over here. Before the trip, I needed to withdraw some money. When I got to Berlin the first day a few weeks ago, I exchanged just a little cash and then withdrew 300 Euros to get me through the berlin week and to get set up here in Regensburg. No problem. However, today when I put my card in the machine, it wouldn't let me get money. It turns out Chase just kind of freaked out a little bit and has frozen my account. This was bad news for me, considering I have all of 6-8 euros on me currently. So, the trip to Freiburg was cancelled and Liz and morgan decided to go ahead and just do a day trip to Munich. I stayed behind because I have one less trip on my BahnPass, so I figured it would be good just to save my four remaining for the next two weekends.

Today has been nice and relaxing. I spent the early part of the day exploring Regensburg on my own, which I hadn't yet gotten the chance to do. It was a nice, warm day and there were a lot of people out on the streets in town. Then I came back and did what I have needed to do for three weeks: Nap. It was the most glorious nap ever taken in the history of naps. Even better than that accidental 4 hour snooze during a crucial point in Finals Week 2010. Now I feel much more refreshed and ready for a big week. This week I have class everyday and I also have to start getting ready to do a ten minute presentation (all in German!) for my Sprechenkurs. Also, tomorrow Dr. Weber (my German professor from Transy for those of you who don't know) will be here in Regensburg. He is the program director for my KIIS program, so he is coming just to check in with how everything is going. If only Karrie could come too!

Tschuess and have a good week!

Love Ashley

Nur 24 Tage bis Berlin!

The title says it all: I am so excited about my upcoming (but not upcoming enough!) trip to Germany! This semester, instead of being at Transy, I have decided to study abroad through KIIS at the Universität Regensburg in Regensburg, Germany. The program lasts from March 1-July 31 and I will spend that time in Regensburg, continuing the German classes I've been taking since I started college. Even though I am not there yet, it is definitely going to be the best five months ever.


Regensburg! Thanks Wikipedia

What's even better is that I get to leave early and not have to drag out my boring existence at home any longer! I met these strangers who are going to be doing the same program in Regensburg with me and they told me all about their plans to go to Berlin a week before we are due in Regensburg. Normally it probably goes against safety logic to travel with strangers, but a) I'm in college, so I'm daring b) They seem so nice and fun that I couldn't resist c) I have thoroughly stalked them on Facebook to make sure they are good citizens (they are). So that is how I have made two new friends named Elizabeth and Morgan, and how I plan to tag along on their Berlin adventure. They are flying into Berlin shortly before I arrive the next day, on February 23, and then we are meeting up. Yay!

It's been a long few months at home. Mostly I have spent my time working and studying for the LSAT which I am taking on February 12. Then when that is over, I only have a small bit of time to wait out until the fun can begin!