Blog about rules, inside quotes, and basic things I learned aboard that were not academic in the least.
Quotes like this are of no more importance, rather they are just longer in length. They're still great and you should enjoy them to their fullest.
I would like to have a Parental Advisory sticker here because there will be strong, mature language that is not appropriate for younger readers.
Rules:
1. Trams will kill you.
2. Elevators take forever, but sometimes the wait is definitely worth it.
3. Fast food is not fast there and you have to be a bitch (which is not a hard task for me) to get ketchup only .
4. If you search, pepsi products will be your reward.
5. Don't judge anything or anyone at first; wait a day and then judge. Unless you're me--I will judge you. MmmHmm!
Quotes (in no particular order other than how my memory serves me):
Vhere ist Angela Merkel? Angela ist on a bike TOR!
It's like fucking Houdini.
Can I take my shoes off? --me
Breakin' shit in Poland! --me
*window* Jesus Christ! --me
We're in England; it rains:
Let's bake pies.
Apparently, I'm an alocholic whore.
Well, that's great, you can defend Vickie's honor, but let me be a drunken whore. --me; Pretty much. --Staush
THATTA GIRL!
Lipgloss?
Chopin.
You broke our pact! --me
Did Molly spread her Jolly? --Amy (my favorite quote, so she gets credit)
I will take a lot of shit, but you DO NOT talk negatively about John F. Kennedy: *me scared now*
Oh, so you wait four hours before checking on me? You guys thought I was alone and you wait four hours?!
Looks like another Rraainny day. -- Ashley
Wait, he asked for a walk?
Cougar! *roar!*
I don't remember much after the tequila --me; Hun, there wasn't much else to remember --Stacy.
Follow the lights, her smile lights everything up (paraphrased)
We tried and couldn't find the Berlin Airlift memorial. --Staush. There's a train stop named afterit, though --Tracy. *I walk in* Yeah, we didn't even look --me. Staush just glares.
Now Molly, you cannot tell anyone this... -- Repeated quote
BEARS?!?!?!?!?!?! -- Very much Repeated quote
Fucking bitches.
Smile bitches.
"Mollz"
It's like a homing device towards ice cream.
That canNOT be convient-- Tracy, about my 1.5 L of pepsi light.
*happy sighs* YOU GUYS ARE HERE!
With great power, comes great responsibility.
Passport.
Hey, Molly, thanks for telling everyone about my...
If you compliment a guy about their tattoo, you'll get a drink. Oh well, I guess that reveals my taste in guys.
You like vodka like Russians!
Fuck it. I don't even know the guy's name I'm making out with. Fuck it. -- Definitely not me, because it's just not, so trust me.
Sneaky fucking Russians -- Repeated quote.
I'll cuddle, but I won't...
Um, Molly, Staush says you should wake up since it's 9:30.--Vickie; Son of a bitch-- me.
Uh, a vodka and apple juice; Water?; Vodka, Molly help?; V-O-D-K-A *drink motion*; helpful German saves the day.
You are young, you will walk! Sightseeing; does it cost alot?; you will walk all the way up!
Well, what kind of museum were you expecting?
Is there any way we can rig the election?
So my husband brought Clerks...and we really don't talk to them anymore.
I took a picture of you in the flowers and you looked so calm and angellic...it was unlike you.
I almost earned my tequila, but you weren't around so I didn't say it.
IT'S JUST A LITTLE GUY!
MMMHMM!
If we had a soundtrack of this trip, it would be all MmmHmm, Churchill!, and Not Churchill!
Churchill! Not Churchill!
And we'll be going pass Churchill's house now; I thought we already did?
Molly, I have to present tomorrow; I don't give a fuck, just take another shot.
Holy ta-tas, Batman!
Molly, want to help me finish?; MOLLY!; Oh no, I didn't hear you say no, I'm sorry!
Ugh, I'm sick of listening to you, Vickie; About what?--Stacy; Twilight; SCREAMFEST! Aren't they amazing?!
How come THAT group is in that building?! --Tracy then proceeds to stalk said group while outside.
Never have I ever *wait*
Two Jacks; Little or big; THE BIG GUYS!
Hey, Staush, how'd the shot go?; Good; Where's Molly?;*silence*; Awwww.
She loves it, I had to slam margaritas down just to keep up!
Things I Have Learned:
1. Never start a story in the middle, because someone could have a nickname about a sphere spaghetti accompaniment without that being the intention.
2. Backstreet Boys singalongs are perfectly acceptable.
3. Never get so happy about damn French Fries that you get lost on the way back to the hostel.
4. Do not trust people that love to shop to get back.
5. Zubrowka is damn tasty and Polish.
6. Staush will eat the rest of your meal, so don't feel bad that you cannot finish it.
7. Kangaroo is oddly delicious.
8. Know what color shirt someone is wearing so you don't feel stupid/like a complete IDIOT looking on facebook the next day.
9. Stacy Templin does not understand how the Awkward Meter works.
10. (I still don't listen to this lesson) EAT BEFORE YOU DRINK.
There may be more lists or blogs of this nature, once I start writing about the rest of my trip.
Love,
Mollz, Jolly Molly, Eeyore.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Oh sad
Went to the main blog.
No one's is left.
Not that I read, because I don't.
Although, it's a great distraction from actually writing blogs or knowing wtf I'm doing for the Photo Essay.
Tragic.
No one's is left.
Not that I read, because I don't.
Although, it's a great distraction from actually writing blogs or knowing wtf I'm doing for the Photo Essay.
Tragic.
Oh about that
I'm about 93.7 percent sure my last blog turned into a little rant about American politics. While I'm not shocked, I just have a lot of damn ass other things to do.
Photo Essay of Fun everyone.
Woo.
Can't wait to write about depressing topics for about the next four hours, until it's done, or until Vickie gets back.
Sweetness,
Molly.
"the only one who's got enough of me to break my heart"
Oh Taylor Swift.
Photo Essay of Fun everyone.
Woo.
Can't wait to write about depressing topics for about the next four hours, until it's done, or until Vickie gets back.
Sweetness,
Molly.
"the only one who's got enough of me to break my heart"
Oh Taylor Swift.
Berlin Blog Question Five
What is the biggest difference between the German and American political systems? Which do you prefer and why?
I have written at least twice in my notebooks of how history dictates German politics, with good reason. While it may not be always fair to deal constantly with the "burden of history," the German government has done extremely well under their system. I am a firm believer in history repeats itself, whether it is through wars, genocides, or presidential elections. Everything that we are dealing with today is an echo back to another time and only variables and the time period changes. While globalization is on a supposedly new concept, the emergence of powerful states throughout Europe and Asia centuries ago can be a slight reflection of that, as they built alliances and trade routes that are still present. Germany, a "late state," is no longer playing catch-up and is a full-fledged global power, especially within the European Union. However, we cannot forget of how it came to be and, more importantly, how it acts today. Without the Allies' assistance and desire to rebuild West Germany after World War Two, Germany would not be in the position it is in currently.
I just typed "the Allies' assistance" not even two lines ago, but let's be blatantly honest: it was America. France was in shambles, because they were basically the first to fall; Great Britain had to rebuild extensively and pay attention to their own state. America, ignoring Pearl Harbor, had no real physical damage, had the strongest economy coming out of the war, and was now set up to be a massive world player, which would set up a bipolar world system throughout the next decades. Regardless, the point is America planned the German government, which is why theirs strongly resembles ours. The most fascinating difference between our two systems is the German voting and electoral process. Every election year, there is controversy and a mountain of complaints against our electoral college; perhaps from misunderstandings or a mistaken belief that we Americans have the most democratic democracy in the world. We vote and hope our person wins our state in order to reach a certain number. We slightly counteracted that in the German voting system. In Germany, they're given two ballots--one for a person and the other for a party with a closed party list. So, for instance, even if I really, truly support Ralph Nader, I know he won't win my state...ever. However, if I was in Germany, I could vote for someone with similar ideals to the Greens (SPD, the Left) for my land and then vote for the Green party in the Bundestag, while hoping the party gets over the five percent threshold. It's fairly straight forward and is a good hybrid system between America's and Britain's; taking the best of both worlds, the Germans have a "personalized proportional representation," which maintains an identifiable figure, as well as political party ideals.
I prefer the German system so much that I used it as a basis for my country of Caffeine's electoral system in an assignment, which is a lot, considering how much I love caffeine and assignments. As much as I act biligerent and say I'm rotting in hell, I'm of the mind-washed belief that a person's character is very important as a politician. Logically, I know that one person's tendency to not wash their hands in Congress really makes no difference whatsoever on running the country, but I want to know exactly who I am voting for; something that British people lack. However, in the American system, if I vote for the Democratic representative and only 49% of the people vote for him or her, our voices are completely silenced by that small margin that decided the outcome. That will never happen in Germany. If 49% vote for the SPD, within every level of government, there will be 49% SPD in every committee and board available.
I have been alive for four, going on five, American presidential elections. President Bill Clinton never won over fifty percent of the votes. The 2000 election will go down in infamy, although the electoral college was supposedly used properly. Finally, the 2004 election was tremendously close as well, with a difference of about three percentage points. Both President Clinton and President George W. Bush have had to deal with a split government, which is fairly common in Germany. The best part of the German system is how it is so directly proportionally represented. Believe it or not, I am a firm supporter of compromise, which is far less common in America than in Germany. Regardless of how left my beliefs are, I don't agree with that my views should be forced on the other three hundred million people, especially how about fifty percent of them probably have opposing views, which is my biggest issue with the British system. The American system is decent at compromise, but there are so many more ideals being compromised than issues. While the two main German parties, the SPD and CDU/CSU, are coming under fire about leaving platforms behind, I think that problem is far more prevalent in American politics. If you turn on CNN right now, there is an eighty percent chance they are talking about "flip-flopping." No issue is sacred in American politics, because they all can be sold out for a promise of votes; just ask public financing or offshore drilling.
I have written at least twice in my notebooks of how history dictates German politics, with good reason. While it may not be always fair to deal constantly with the "burden of history," the German government has done extremely well under their system. I am a firm believer in history repeats itself, whether it is through wars, genocides, or presidential elections. Everything that we are dealing with today is an echo back to another time and only variables and the time period changes. While globalization is on a supposedly new concept, the emergence of powerful states throughout Europe and Asia centuries ago can be a slight reflection of that, as they built alliances and trade routes that are still present. Germany, a "late state," is no longer playing catch-up and is a full-fledged global power, especially within the European Union. However, we cannot forget of how it came to be and, more importantly, how it acts today. Without the Allies' assistance and desire to rebuild West Germany after World War Two, Germany would not be in the position it is in currently.
I just typed "the Allies' assistance" not even two lines ago, but let's be blatantly honest: it was America. France was in shambles, because they were basically the first to fall; Great Britain had to rebuild extensively and pay attention to their own state. America, ignoring Pearl Harbor, had no real physical damage, had the strongest economy coming out of the war, and was now set up to be a massive world player, which would set up a bipolar world system throughout the next decades. Regardless, the point is America planned the German government, which is why theirs strongly resembles ours. The most fascinating difference between our two systems is the German voting and electoral process. Every election year, there is controversy and a mountain of complaints against our electoral college; perhaps from misunderstandings or a mistaken belief that we Americans have the most democratic democracy in the world. We vote and hope our person wins our state in order to reach a certain number. We slightly counteracted that in the German voting system. In Germany, they're given two ballots--one for a person and the other for a party with a closed party list. So, for instance, even if I really, truly support Ralph Nader, I know he won't win my state...ever. However, if I was in Germany, I could vote for someone with similar ideals to the Greens (SPD, the Left) for my land and then vote for the Green party in the Bundestag, while hoping the party gets over the five percent threshold. It's fairly straight forward and is a good hybrid system between America's and Britain's; taking the best of both worlds, the Germans have a "personalized proportional representation," which maintains an identifiable figure, as well as political party ideals.
I prefer the German system so much that I used it as a basis for my country of Caffeine's electoral system in an assignment, which is a lot, considering how much I love caffeine and assignments. As much as I act biligerent and say I'm rotting in hell, I'm of the mind-washed belief that a person's character is very important as a politician. Logically, I know that one person's tendency to not wash their hands in Congress really makes no difference whatsoever on running the country, but I want to know exactly who I am voting for; something that British people lack. However, in the American system, if I vote for the Democratic representative and only 49% of the people vote for him or her, our voices are completely silenced by that small margin that decided the outcome. That will never happen in Germany. If 49% vote for the SPD, within every level of government, there will be 49% SPD in every committee and board available.
I have been alive for four, going on five, American presidential elections. President Bill Clinton never won over fifty percent of the votes. The 2000 election will go down in infamy, although the electoral college was supposedly used properly. Finally, the 2004 election was tremendously close as well, with a difference of about three percentage points. Both President Clinton and President George W. Bush have had to deal with a split government, which is fairly common in Germany. The best part of the German system is how it is so directly proportionally represented. Believe it or not, I am a firm supporter of compromise, which is far less common in America than in Germany. Regardless of how left my beliefs are, I don't agree with that my views should be forced on the other three hundred million people, especially how about fifty percent of them probably have opposing views, which is my biggest issue with the British system. The American system is decent at compromise, but there are so many more ideals being compromised than issues. While the two main German parties, the SPD and CDU/CSU, are coming under fire about leaving platforms behind, I think that problem is far more prevalent in American politics. If you turn on CNN right now, there is an eighty percent chance they are talking about "flip-flopping." No issue is sacred in American politics, because they all can be sold out for a promise of votes; just ask public financing or offshore drilling.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Berlin Blog Question Four
Q. What was your favorite thing in Berlin and how did the language barrier effect your experience?
I love Berlin, even with its numerous faults; heat, hostel, ice (none), internet (in a storage room), classes, Coca-Cola. I loved being alone there, I loved chilling with everyone. I love the inside jokes and our extroverted behavior. Right now I'm in a limbo of some sorts, because I can tell my friends here are already sick of hearing about my European adventures and I still want to keep going. While I have told the most about my Polish outing, there aren't words to describe how Berlin was. Sure, I have rambling blogs and random quotes, but the atmosphere is starting to fade and I feel my impatience rising back to average-American-level. It's odd that a city so bogged down with past oppression has been the place I have felt the most free.
Forgotten favorite moments are coming back now as if they were a movie still, a moment caught somehow in time that vanished in the scrambling fury of those three weeks. From the first day, "Sightseeing! You are young, you can walk; sight seeing!," finding Otto Von Bismarck finally, and eating fantastic meatballs. I walked alone a lot the first week, nervous of saying something offensive, and the best moment from there is just walking, finding a park bench, and eating my lunch while I watched rain gently hit the cars on the street. I loved the relief of finding a restroom in the Reichstag and dancing to Spice Girls in the laundromat. Finally, my only regret from Berlin is that I chickened out and didn't steal the squeaky bear from the Bike Tour.
First actual group day was the scavenger hunt where teenagers were dropped off in a foreign city and left to fend for themselves, as I view it. My group was the best group ever--Ashley, Vickie, Staush, and I. We took our time and wandered at our collective will towards "pretty buildings." It was, actually, a very great way to get comfortable with the city, as well as with each other. While we were at the World Clock, a very excited old man came up and started speaking languages at us. Finally, he landed on English and we started talking. It turns out he is a very adamant supporter of sightseeing, walking, and youth; since those were the only three phrases he repeated. With that, our team is already on a high, which would continue for awhile. All was well, but then Otto Von Bismarck had to ruin everything. Our group wandered into a park, part of the Tiergarten as it would turn out, on the way to see the Victory Column. Instead of continuing onto the Victory Column, we decided to look for Bismarck. For over an hour. Before finding him, we would have walked passed an entire group we should have asked, found out that Germans love telling people to go to the left, and locate a playground. With dashed hope, we chose to go to the Victory Column and give up on Otto; however, it is pretty much you find one, you find the other. So a joyous cry erupted from us as we claimed victory over Otto.
Traveling is a fantastic experience that everyone should do. While there were some difficulties with different languages, this was nothing like France. Our scavenger hunt day's experiences are a stark contrast to when I had walked up and inquired "Parlez vous anglais?" and then get lectured at for three minutes in French. Obviously, hiccups along the way made me wish I could speak at least a little bit of German; like the moment of panic I had when I got lost or ordering food because "ketchup only" in Berlin means everything but ketchup. With knowing German, things would have been much easier, but then who is to say the scavenger hunt would have been so much fun. The highlight of that day, and possibly the trip, was the random man saying "Sightseeing!" repeatedly, which just wouldn't be as funny in Deutsch. Also, every person I approached with a question spoke at least some English. Yet even if they didn't, communication is still possible and I have heard no stories of a German getting mad at one of our group for speaking English. Although, I think those first days of confused frustration are part of the experience. The best part of not speaking the native language, other than ignoring newspaper salespeople on the train, is you are out of your own element and you cannot forget that. I'm, basically, the biggest cheerleader of America, but going to Germany (or anywhere) shows you other view points and opinions. I still love America, however being exposed to a different culture, language, and history reworks your mind and reminds me of why I do love America, even with its (extensive) faults. I believe you have to be familiar with other things to fully appreciate the greatness of the first one. As much as I loved Germany, it taught me to love the English language, the quickness of American fast food, and updated television shows. No one wants to watch Step By Step anymore, especially not in German. As long as you actually get out and interact with Germans and Berlin, then knowing the language becomes a back burner concern.
I love Berlin, even with its numerous faults; heat, hostel, ice (none), internet (in a storage room), classes, Coca-Cola. I loved being alone there, I loved chilling with everyone. I love the inside jokes and our extroverted behavior. Right now I'm in a limbo of some sorts, because I can tell my friends here are already sick of hearing about my European adventures and I still want to keep going. While I have told the most about my Polish outing, there aren't words to describe how Berlin was. Sure, I have rambling blogs and random quotes, but the atmosphere is starting to fade and I feel my impatience rising back to average-American-level. It's odd that a city so bogged down with past oppression has been the place I have felt the most free.
Forgotten favorite moments are coming back now as if they were a movie still, a moment caught somehow in time that vanished in the scrambling fury of those three weeks. From the first day, "Sightseeing! You are young, you can walk; sight seeing!," finding Otto Von Bismarck finally, and eating fantastic meatballs. I walked alone a lot the first week, nervous of saying something offensive, and the best moment from there is just walking, finding a park bench, and eating my lunch while I watched rain gently hit the cars on the street. I loved the relief of finding a restroom in the Reichstag and dancing to Spice Girls in the laundromat. Finally, my only regret from Berlin is that I chickened out and didn't steal the squeaky bear from the Bike Tour.
First actual group day was the scavenger hunt where teenagers were dropped off in a foreign city and left to fend for themselves, as I view it. My group was the best group ever--Ashley, Vickie, Staush, and I. We took our time and wandered at our collective will towards "pretty buildings." It was, actually, a very great way to get comfortable with the city, as well as with each other. While we were at the World Clock, a very excited old man came up and started speaking languages at us. Finally, he landed on English and we started talking. It turns out he is a very adamant supporter of sightseeing, walking, and youth; since those were the only three phrases he repeated. With that, our team is already on a high, which would continue for awhile. All was well, but then Otto Von Bismarck had to ruin everything. Our group wandered into a park, part of the Tiergarten as it would turn out, on the way to see the Victory Column. Instead of continuing onto the Victory Column, we decided to look for Bismarck. For over an hour. Before finding him, we would have walked passed an entire group we should have asked, found out that Germans love telling people to go to the left, and locate a playground. With dashed hope, we chose to go to the Victory Column and give up on Otto; however, it is pretty much you find one, you find the other. So a joyous cry erupted from us as we claimed victory over Otto.
Traveling is a fantastic experience that everyone should do. While there were some difficulties with different languages, this was nothing like France. Our scavenger hunt day's experiences are a stark contrast to when I had walked up and inquired "Parlez vous anglais?" and then get lectured at for three minutes in French. Obviously, hiccups along the way made me wish I could speak at least a little bit of German; like the moment of panic I had when I got lost or ordering food because "ketchup only" in Berlin means everything but ketchup. With knowing German, things would have been much easier, but then who is to say the scavenger hunt would have been so much fun. The highlight of that day, and possibly the trip, was the random man saying "Sightseeing!" repeatedly, which just wouldn't be as funny in Deutsch. Also, every person I approached with a question spoke at least some English. Yet even if they didn't, communication is still possible and I have heard no stories of a German getting mad at one of our group for speaking English. Although, I think those first days of confused frustration are part of the experience. The best part of not speaking the native language, other than ignoring newspaper salespeople on the train, is you are out of your own element and you cannot forget that. I'm, basically, the biggest cheerleader of America, but going to Germany (or anywhere) shows you other view points and opinions. I still love America, however being exposed to a different culture, language, and history reworks your mind and reminds me of why I do love America, even with its (extensive) faults. I believe you have to be familiar with other things to fully appreciate the greatness of the first one. As much as I loved Germany, it taught me to love the English language, the quickness of American fast food, and updated television shows. No one wants to watch Step By Step anymore, especially not in German. As long as you actually get out and interact with Germans and Berlin, then knowing the language becomes a back burner concern.
*whew*
So much homework and so much catching up.
Still, technically, have yet to do that whole homework thing:P
Ha just kidding; that's what Sundays were made for (I was going to go all sacreligious, but decided against it).
Still, I am catching up on reading ENGLISH news articles/opinions and that may be what I missed the most about here (other than people)
The Nance was very happy to see me (first words out of her mouth after the hug were "You NEVER told me how your teacher was about missing her family"--way to go The Nance)
Jimby was working so I ran to see him. He's a geek and very much missed his little girl (ie me) and told me that every day he would look up informationj about the places I was seeing that day (which is, admittedly, very sweet, but come on).
Long days and my friends are either A: congratulating me on the Russian or B: judging me MMMHMM.
OOOH! And the kick in the groin of this entire trip is: my car is now broken, so Hmm that whole DRIVING TO Oshkosh thing just got about 8 times harder because that is my luck.
Things will work out, they have to.
Everly optimistic,
Mollz
Still, technically, have yet to do that whole homework thing:P
Ha just kidding; that's what Sundays were made for (I was going to go all sacreligious, but decided against it).
Still, I am catching up on reading ENGLISH news articles/opinions and that may be what I missed the most about here (other than people)
The Nance was very happy to see me (first words out of her mouth after the hug were "You NEVER told me how your teacher was about missing her family"--way to go The Nance)
Jimby was working so I ran to see him. He's a geek and very much missed his little girl (ie me) and told me that every day he would look up informationj about the places I was seeing that day (which is, admittedly, very sweet, but come on).
Long days and my friends are either A: congratulating me on the Russian or B: judging me MMMHMM.
OOOH! And the kick in the groin of this entire trip is: my car is now broken, so Hmm that whole DRIVING TO Oshkosh thing just got about 8 times harder because that is my luck.
Things will work out, they have to.
Everly optimistic,
Mollz
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