German Full Immersion
Today was the last day of classes at Harvard. Now I’m only a paper and two finals away from four straight weeks of no-bullshit, full immersion in German language and culture. Not that boning my boyfriend isn’t a fully immersive experience, but ya know, doesn’t exactly do wonders for my grammar.
After my German final on the 21st, I leave that afternoon for Osnabrück, the lovely insignificant town in which Patrick grew up. He and Hamlet — who turns 4 on the 17th! — will already be there. In Osnabrück, I’ll attempt to contribute my culinary skills to Christmas festivities since I am particularly familiar with vocabulary related to kitchen appliances, recipes, and food. (Is this really any surprise?) I also intend to aggressively comment on apparel, furniture, leisure activities, and exotic wildlife. Somehow, I will steer dinner discussions toward these topics.
For New Year’s, we’re going to Berlin with friends. Despite four prior trips to Germany, I’ve never actually been to Berlin, so I’m really excited. While all the seniors I know are in what-do-I-do-with-my-life mode, I’m more concerned with the question, “Where do I want to live?” and I’m definitely approaching new destinations with that in mind. (Now that I have some grasp of German, it opens up a lot of possibilities!) That being said, I have no intention of leaving Boston after graduation — at least not in the near future — even if I do find the city unbearable five months out of the year. My best friend just started law school here (and another pal is starting next year), Patrick isn’t done with his Ph.D until 2011, and we finally found an apartment this fall that fits all our stuff and our canine companion too. Not interested in moving again anytime soon, especially not transatlantically.
Also, remember that time Austrians taught me how to ski (kind of)? There will be a second attempt next month, but now, I will be equipped with the ability to give and understand simple directions, such as “turn left”, “that way”, “right foot”, and “watch out for the tree”. I look forward to continued humiliation, this time at the hands of the Swiss.
