B Chronicles

Song for You: June Tabor

This song seems to be speaking to me in the moment.

Lay This Body Down
The Acoustic Folk Box
June Tabor

Botanical Garden

and this video of all the frog sounds....

This is one of my three succulents I bought at the cactus sale on Saturday and at a very good price. The three of them cost just 6 Euros. I always forget how much I love having plants in my space, and I also always forget how easily I kill things. Yes, even a cactus or two. So wish me luck with these ones. I must also note, too, that this one is surrounded by driftwood I found in California while at my Allison's wedding almost three years ago. I love you Allie!

The sale was held at the Botanical Garden behind the castle. Yes, castle. Love it. Ryan and I spent one of our first days there, but with the jet lag, tired feet, and Ryan's hay fever it wasn't so enjoyable. One month later, however, Ryan has his sinus' under control and we own bicycles making it much less tiring just getting there. Everything was lush and lively. The frogs especially were on one. We sat for quite a while next to the large pond in an opening in a mini bamboo forest just listening and watching them. Two in particular were a little frisky. I want to share pictures but all the ones I took were on Ryan's camera so....later.

I went to my first dance class tonight and think I will go back. It was pretty basic and oh so very modern. A little Graham, a little Limon.....but I think at this point it is just good practice for me to take class in another language. I know, too, that I will get as much out of it as I put into it.

missing something

The above photo is old but it seems to express how I am feeling today. Feeling sad. Feeling lonely. Wanting something, but I don't know what. Wanting to talk, not knowing what to say. Nothing I think. Maybe this is not a time for speaking, just a time for feeling.

Happy Anniversary

Tonight I went with my roommate, Alvaro, to my first dance concert in Germany. I could think of no better way to celebrate the month anniversary of my arrival here. The performance itself I didn't love, but it helped push that voice telling me that I need to dance. And the word need is very important here. I need it, I crave and want it. It was lovely to see people, in the new city I live in, dancing. Modern dancing. And on the cities largest stage with a decent sized audience. The costuming was elaborate and the set was major. With a set like that the most exciting thought was....funding! Granted, the choreographer is established and well known in Germany, but still gets funding for a set like that. And beautiful dancers! I found the actual performance dreadfully over the top and predictable, but the knowledge that there was interest and support for modern dance made it bearable. So, with my lungs back to full capacity I am going to my first technique class tomorrow evening. We'll see how it goes.

Also....I have a new camera I am picking up Monday at the post office. The thought of really dealing with getting mine fixed again seemed too hard. So I am working out a refund situation with the man who fixed it originally and bought a new one for nearly the price it cost to fix mine. I feel excited.

Creating Community-Part 1

(photo)
Everyone speaks English here. Really. And there are times when I go into a place armed and ready with the German phrases necessary for the situation at hand only to be answered in English because of the detected accent. Frustraating. It would be very easy, I think, to stay and not really learn German. Knowing just enough to get by. Younger Germans, especially, enjoy practicing English so finding friends is no problem.

But I feel like I can't communicate freely with Germans. While I can get my point across I feel like it is never fully expressed. And my sarcasm is never understood. I am so NOT FUNNY here, completely uninteresting. Last week I met a Canadian couple and shocked myself at how well I could keep up a conversation. It is so much easier when I don't have to slow it down or fish for an alternate word. And I especially like not having to say, "Never mind," all the time. I could seek out other native speakers to create my community, but that kind of defeats the purpose of a move to Germany.

So here I am, very ready to tackle a language that is complicated and feels like cotton balls in my cheeks when speaking. I am ready because I know the key to creating the kind of friendships I want rely on being able to communicate clearly and I know that having a community of people to share with is what creates a sense of Home, not the space I live in. I am ready to make a home here.

NRW Day

Above is the coat of arms of the Bundesland (state) Münster is in. The state was formed after the second world war combining three culturally separate areas, Rhineland, Westphalia, and Lippe. Today it is known as North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW).

Since I have been here there has been one Feiertag (holiday) each week which means nothing is open. Well, there are a few Kiosks that are open (similar although smaller in size and selection to a gas station) and a few restraunts. Oh, and all the ice cream shops. Germans love ice cream more than Utahns, it's strange. Cold and rainy? People are still walking around with their cone and a scoop or two. Anyhow...today was another holiday which meant planning ahead yesterday and making sure you had food for today. It also means that everyone leaves the city and there are really no people on the streets. This specific holiday, Corpus Christi, is celebrated only in NRW and not the surrounding Bundesländer. Being this way everyone leaves Münster for the day and heads to Osnabruck or the Netherlands to go shopping and play and so is known as NRW Day in all the surrounding areas of Münster. It's a little strange, I think next week there will be no holiday. I don't know what I am going to do with that extra day available for shopping!

a day in my new life

M: Let's play horses.
B: Okay.
M: I am the horse and you are the little girl. The horse is sleeping.
B: Good night little horse, sweet dreams.
M: The horse doesn't like you.

Great.

Bed Birds

These little ones will watch over me at night.

Nooooo.....

Turned the camera on today. Snapped some shots. Turned the camera off. Er...tried to turn the camera off. The gears are catching and sticking like they were before and I fear that before long it will, again, no longer focus. I feel sad and upset. The man who fixed the camera was quick and professional and he guarantees his work, but he lives in California! I have some emailing to do and decisions to make. Bummer.