Greetings Reader,
It has been quite an exciting weekend here in Germany!
If you were not aware, one of the most popular sports in Germany and Europe is Soccer/Fußball.
This past weekend was the Finale of the die WM/ die Weltmeisterschaft in Brazil, South America.
The Finale featured two really formidable teams: Argentina vs. Germany. Everyone in Dresden was at the edge of their seats awaiting the match. Hopes were high because Germany had a chance to win, but there was always a possibility of loss. Despite the possibility of loss, the Germans were excited nonetheless.
Sunday was a happy and sad day for many--it was the farewell church service for Pastor Rehr in our congregation at the St. Petri-Kirche. This service lasted two hours, but it was well worth it. Pastor Rehr gave helpful encouragement and comfort for the congregation from the Word of God during the sermon. He made a point during the sermon to say the following: "Some of you will want to say to one another--let us make everything new--new liturgy, new feel to the congregation, new atmosphere, new music, new everything....some of you will say to one another--let us keep it the way it is and some will say--let us shape it to what it was before 1995." He encouraged the congregation to do the following "If what you decide is not what everyone can work together to build and is not built strongly on Christ and his Word, then is it really worth doing?"
During the service, I had the opportunity of singing the Bach Cantata that I had been working on with the choir over the past month for this very occasion. It was great to finally sing it for the congregation. Almost half of the congregation participated in the singing and playing instruments for the Cantata. If you were unable to read my last blog featuring the link to a version of the cantata...here it is again : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oqk9xoIsWg
After the service, I was able to take a picture with Pastor Rehr before the altar in the church. According to many in the congregation, this is a great sign of honor and respect that the Pastor wanted to take a picture with me before the altar. I have built a great foundation of respect and partnership with the members of this congregation and I cannot thank God enough for the opportunity to be here in Dresden.
What did the evening bring for festivities? BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a delicious BBQ before the Finale! I ate my fair share of brats and steak! It was so scrumptious! Everyone was happy to see that I was wearing a Germany T-shirt in honor of the die deutsche Mannschaft. An American cheering for the German team?? THAT IS SO COOL! It was a hard fought game, but in the end--Germany won 1:0
Dresden erupted with celebration and the amount of sleep that everyone received was minimal due to the excitement! Following the win will be days of celebration in Berlin and throughout Germany.
How long do I have left to experience Germany? 13 days. I am looking forward to coming home and seeing my loved ones again! I am thankful for this experience and I can't wait to see how God will shape the rest of our futures together.
Until we meet again, Auf Wiedersehen!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
B2 Week Two & German in the Finale!!
Greetings Reader,
This past weekend has been enjoyable!
Sunday I was able to conduct my first personal interview with an older couple in the congregation concerning the time during the DDR/GDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republic/ German Democratic Republic). It was a communist regime that ruled from 1949-1990 in Germany after the Second World War. There were many conversations by politicians and political policies that seemed to look like democracy, but it was definitely not a democracy.
I learned about the poor economic conditions that existed in East Germany. One could only afford what one needed to live, but one had to wait in long lines just to get what you needed. Some were disappointed by the time it got to them because what they needed no longer was in supply. Things like TVs, cars, and sporty shoes were difficult to come by and they were expensive. One had to make many choices and sacrifices in order to get what you wanted. Above all, connections with people in the East and West was the most important factor. If you had connections in West, you were able to get what you needed "comfortably". That is, if you were not discovered by the Stasi ( State Security). I also asked if there existed a difference between the Stasi and the Gestapo. There isn't too much different between these two organizations, but the following: The Gestapo were more aggressive and less organized. The Stasi were more organized, better equipped with modern technology, and less recognizable. One was able to identify a person that worked for the Gestapo more than one who worked for the Stasi. After the reunification of the East and West, a common question that was asked in job interviews, especially in the East, was whether or not you worked for/ were affiliated with the Stasi. The only really positive thing that the couple said was good in the schools during the DDR that in their opinion is now seldom in the schools is discipline. Discipline was stricter and better in the schools during the DDR time than today. That is a debate can be looked into for a different purpose but it was a piece of information that I will reflect upon as I become a teacher.
These week has been Test Training! My teacher decided to help train us to take the test that the Goethe Institut gives at the end of every course. I am not taking this test because I must take a German Praxis Test when I return to Wisconsin which will count directly towards my licensure. Thankfully, the Goethe Institut's format is almost exactly like the Praxis Test I will have to take when I return. It has been a challenging Test Training Week, but I find it extremely necessary because it shows where I am doing well and where I need to improve and why I made the mistakes that I did.
Germany is in high spirits as we wait for Sunday! Sunday is a special day for Germany because the German Fußball (soccer) team plays Argentina in the WM Finale. Both teams are really good, but we are hoping that Germany wins and becomes Weltmeister( World Master)--title given to the team that wins this world wide tournament.
What am I looking forward to this next weekend and week? This Saturday, I will have the opportunity to travel to Prague with a group from the Goethe Institut for a day. Sunday is the soccer game and the pastor of the congregation is having his Farewell Service. Pastor Rehr is moving to Hamburg with his family and the choir has prepared a Bach Cantata for the service. It has been quite a challenge but a really cool experience for me to participate in with the choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oqk9xoIsWg
This link will take you to Youtube where you will hear the version of the Cantata that we will be singing this Sunday. Next Thursday I will also have the opportunity to conduct an interview with an elder in the congregation who was born in 1937. He lived during the time when Hitler and the Nazis took power, during the Second World War, and afterwards when Communism was in control. I'm really looking forward to this interview because I will be able to ask questions not only about the DDR but also about Hitler and the Second World War. His name is Georg and his wife is Christiana. Georg and I will also have the opportunity to travel to Zwickau next Thursday.
It is crazy to think that my time here in Germany is coming to a pleasant end, but I'm looking forward to coming home. Thank you family, my girlfriend, and friends for your support of my summer study in Germany. I have learned so much already and I continue to learn more and more each day. When you have more questions, please feel free to email me or wait until I return to talk with me in person.
Until we meet again-- Auf Wiedersehen!
This past weekend has been enjoyable!
Sunday I was able to conduct my first personal interview with an older couple in the congregation concerning the time during the DDR/GDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republic/ German Democratic Republic). It was a communist regime that ruled from 1949-1990 in Germany after the Second World War. There were many conversations by politicians and political policies that seemed to look like democracy, but it was definitely not a democracy.
I learned about the poor economic conditions that existed in East Germany. One could only afford what one needed to live, but one had to wait in long lines just to get what you needed. Some were disappointed by the time it got to them because what they needed no longer was in supply. Things like TVs, cars, and sporty shoes were difficult to come by and they were expensive. One had to make many choices and sacrifices in order to get what you wanted. Above all, connections with people in the East and West was the most important factor. If you had connections in West, you were able to get what you needed "comfortably". That is, if you were not discovered by the Stasi ( State Security). I also asked if there existed a difference between the Stasi and the Gestapo. There isn't too much different between these two organizations, but the following: The Gestapo were more aggressive and less organized. The Stasi were more organized, better equipped with modern technology, and less recognizable. One was able to identify a person that worked for the Gestapo more than one who worked for the Stasi. After the reunification of the East and West, a common question that was asked in job interviews, especially in the East, was whether or not you worked for/ were affiliated with the Stasi. The only really positive thing that the couple said was good in the schools during the DDR that in their opinion is now seldom in the schools is discipline. Discipline was stricter and better in the schools during the DDR time than today. That is a debate can be looked into for a different purpose but it was a piece of information that I will reflect upon as I become a teacher.
These week has been Test Training! My teacher decided to help train us to take the test that the Goethe Institut gives at the end of every course. I am not taking this test because I must take a German Praxis Test when I return to Wisconsin which will count directly towards my licensure. Thankfully, the Goethe Institut's format is almost exactly like the Praxis Test I will have to take when I return. It has been a challenging Test Training Week, but I find it extremely necessary because it shows where I am doing well and where I need to improve and why I made the mistakes that I did.
Germany is in high spirits as we wait for Sunday! Sunday is a special day for Germany because the German Fußball (soccer) team plays Argentina in the WM Finale. Both teams are really good, but we are hoping that Germany wins and becomes Weltmeister( World Master)--title given to the team that wins this world wide tournament.
What am I looking forward to this next weekend and week? This Saturday, I will have the opportunity to travel to Prague with a group from the Goethe Institut for a day. Sunday is the soccer game and the pastor of the congregation is having his Farewell Service. Pastor Rehr is moving to Hamburg with his family and the choir has prepared a Bach Cantata for the service. It has been quite a challenge but a really cool experience for me to participate in with the choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oqk9xoIsWg
This link will take you to Youtube where you will hear the version of the Cantata that we will be singing this Sunday. Next Thursday I will also have the opportunity to conduct an interview with an elder in the congregation who was born in 1937. He lived during the time when Hitler and the Nazis took power, during the Second World War, and afterwards when Communism was in control. I'm really looking forward to this interview because I will be able to ask questions not only about the DDR but also about Hitler and the Second World War. His name is Georg and his wife is Christiana. Georg and I will also have the opportunity to travel to Zwickau next Thursday.
It is crazy to think that my time here in Germany is coming to a pleasant end, but I'm looking forward to coming home. Thank you family, my girlfriend, and friends for your support of my summer study in Germany. I have learned so much already and I continue to learn more and more each day. When you have more questions, please feel free to email me or wait until I return to talk with me in person.
Until we meet again-- Auf Wiedersehen!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
July in the B2 level!!
First day in my new B2 classroom!!!
It was awesome!! I have 12 really good classmates and a really good teacher!
First day was introductions and the discussion topic was Heimat (home/homeland).
It was a Fitting and comfortable topic to discuss on the first day of class!
B2 is a more challenging class level because you are no longer allowed to mime your answers or use English as German word Substitutes... the real work begins!
Goal: Being able to clarify/explain anything and everything in German and only German.
Goal: Being able to clarify/explain/discuss/ Interpret complex texts.
These are just the start of what I will be able to do--this is definitely setting me up for success to be able to be a German teacher in the United States.
My class now is no longer in the mornings, but the afternoon into the evening. It goes from 1:30pm-6:00pm. Wednesdays will be long days because I will have choir rehearsal afterwards. For example, yesterday I had choir rehearsal right after I got done with class. I was not able to eat dinner until 8:30pm. It was a little late and I was pretty tired, but I didn't have any homework so it worked out just fine.
If you have any questions concerning my class or anything in Dresden/Germany, please feel free to contact me!
Stay tuned!
It was awesome!! I have 12 really good classmates and a really good teacher!
First day was introductions and the discussion topic was Heimat (home/homeland).
It was a Fitting and comfortable topic to discuss on the first day of class!
B2 is a more challenging class level because you are no longer allowed to mime your answers or use English as German word Substitutes... the real work begins!
Goal: Being able to clarify/explain anything and everything in German and only German.
Goal: Being able to clarify/explain/discuss/ Interpret complex texts.
These are just the start of what I will be able to do--this is definitely setting me up for success to be able to be a German teacher in the United States.
My class now is no longer in the mornings, but the afternoon into the evening. It goes from 1:30pm-6:00pm. Wednesdays will be long days because I will have choir rehearsal afterwards. For example, yesterday I had choir rehearsal right after I got done with class. I was not able to eat dinner until 8:30pm. It was a little late and I was pretty tired, but I didn't have any homework so it worked out just fine.
If you have any questions concerning my class or anything in Dresden/Germany, please feel free to contact me!
Stay tuned!
Fourth Week of Classes
Greetings!
The last week of my first course at the Goethe Institut was most fulfilling! It was crazy knowing that I've formed friendships with my classmates over the past couple of weeks. Now many of them have left to go back to their homes and the others will be with me in the next level in July.
The last day of class we decided to pay respect to our teacher. She has been a really teacher and she helped us all grow significantly in only a matter of weeks. Together we purchased flowers and Lindt chocolate (most favored by Sebastian, my friend from Switzerland). Cool fact: Lindt Chocolate is a company founded and produced out of Switzerland! Even we are all adults, my teacher always called us each day-- "Liebe Kinder"-- "dear children".
After school ended, I had free time on my hands. What does a guy like me do in his free time? More homework! lil Yeah I've been working on revising two film reviews and composing a 13 page research paper on the Germany during the DDR (1947-1990). I am also preparing my conversational questions that I will use in three separate Interviews with three different individuals concerning life in the DDR and the reality of the Stasi. Staci= Staatssicherheit-- they were responsible for knowing everything and anything that went on in the DDR as part of a "security protocol". They were more of a continuation of the Gestapo--only now with better technology. During my free time, I went into a Stasi Museum for only 2 euros. It was crazy to imagine what occured in the Stasi complex in Dresden. It was crazy to know that it was real--it really happened and... I got to go into the cell where prisoners sat. I got to be in conferences rooms where the Administrators of the Stasi complex in Dresden once sat and discussed the business of their cruel trade. Imagine only being allowed one shower per week and only for 10 minutes. Imagine being kept in solidary confinement in a pitch black cell--no light--no bathroom(you had to be nice and corporative to use the bathroom)-- and you could be kept their up to a Maximum of 42 days straight. Imagine that you weren't allowed to talk or see any other prisoner in the facility---just in case one of your family members was also there. It wasn't until 1990 that the Stasi were demolished and their archives opened to the public.
What could finish off the free time then swimming in the Elbe?!? It was refreshing! Afterward my German father and I were hunger... He is a bit of a scavenger. We asked some young adults, who were celebrating on the Elbe, if we could eat some of their food. They were more than compliant because they were going to throw it away. I had a couple of good brats with Senf(mustard).
Guess what!! It's already July!! Tomorrow starts my last class at the Goethe Institut in level B2!! I'm moving up in the world! I miss my family and friends in USA. I am ready to finish my course and head home. It has been a good journey here, but I am needing to get back...so I can go back to school ;) #Year-roundschooling!
The last week of my first course at the Goethe Institut was most fulfilling! It was crazy knowing that I've formed friendships with my classmates over the past couple of weeks. Now many of them have left to go back to their homes and the others will be with me in the next level in July.
The last day of class we decided to pay respect to our teacher. She has been a really teacher and she helped us all grow significantly in only a matter of weeks. Together we purchased flowers and Lindt chocolate (most favored by Sebastian, my friend from Switzerland). Cool fact: Lindt Chocolate is a company founded and produced out of Switzerland! Even we are all adults, my teacher always called us each day-- "Liebe Kinder"-- "dear children".
After school ended, I had free time on my hands. What does a guy like me do in his free time? More homework! lil Yeah I've been working on revising two film reviews and composing a 13 page research paper on the Germany during the DDR (1947-1990). I am also preparing my conversational questions that I will use in three separate Interviews with three different individuals concerning life in the DDR and the reality of the Stasi. Staci= Staatssicherheit-- they were responsible for knowing everything and anything that went on in the DDR as part of a "security protocol". They were more of a continuation of the Gestapo--only now with better technology. During my free time, I went into a Stasi Museum for only 2 euros. It was crazy to imagine what occured in the Stasi complex in Dresden. It was crazy to know that it was real--it really happened and... I got to go into the cell where prisoners sat. I got to be in conferences rooms where the Administrators of the Stasi complex in Dresden once sat and discussed the business of their cruel trade. Imagine only being allowed one shower per week and only for 10 minutes. Imagine being kept in solidary confinement in a pitch black cell--no light--no bathroom(you had to be nice and corporative to use the bathroom)-- and you could be kept their up to a Maximum of 42 days straight. Imagine that you weren't allowed to talk or see any other prisoner in the facility---just in case one of your family members was also there. It wasn't until 1990 that the Stasi were demolished and their archives opened to the public.
What could finish off the free time then swimming in the Elbe?!? It was refreshing! Afterward my German father and I were hunger... He is a bit of a scavenger. We asked some young adults, who were celebrating on the Elbe, if we could eat some of their food. They were more than compliant because they were going to throw it away. I had a couple of good brats with Senf(mustard).
Guess what!! It's already July!! Tomorrow starts my last class at the Goethe Institut in level B2!! I'm moving up in the world! I miss my family and friends in USA. I am ready to finish my course and head home. It has been a good journey here, but I am needing to get back...so I can go back to school ;) #Year-roundschooling!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Week Three of Classes: Goethe Institut Dresden
Monday was a busy day at school and after school, the business did not stop. I met up with a woman , , from the congregation that I attend in Dresden, at the Semperoper--the main opera house in Dresden and the most famous. Betina--the woman from the congregation works at the Semperoper and gave me a free tour of the opera house. It was the first time that I have had a real tour of an opera--especially a opera house in Europe. The architecture of the opera house was stunning and it was crazy to think that I was following the steps of others for hundreds of years before me. The coolest part of the tour for me was when we finally sat inside the opera house itself--the seats where people view the stage. I sat in the seat where the Prince of Dresden would normally sit! It was awesome! I couldn't believe it--I sat in the seat of royalty! It was an amazing privilege for me! After the tour, I had coffee with Betina and her colleague at the Opera house. We discussed what I was doing in Dresden and how my studies are going. Betina's colleague is also a German teacher so she was more than happy to learn that I wish to teach German when I return to the United States. Do you think I was done learning for the day? Far from it! Betina took me on a tour of the Altstadt which included the following: der Zwinger, die Fraunenkirche, der Schloss, die Hofkirche, and few other stops along the way. It was great to receive a tour from a woman who was born in Dresden and has lived in Dresden her whole life! She was very proud of the history of Dresden and loved that I wanted to learn about her home. I made it home just in time to see Germany win!
Tuesday= Phonetics day!!! After class, I attended an extra Phonetics class! We spent the time practicing and learning new.... TONGUE TWISTERS[ZUNGENBRECHER].
Wednesday was choir rehearsal and Friday was a Jugendkreis [youth/teen bible study] on the Elbe River!! We ate pizza afterwards and went on a bike ride around Dresden! It is wonderful to be part of their youth program at the church! I've made new friends and they are super friendly to everyone.
Saturday was an exciting adventure for me! :) Operation: LEIPZIG!!! I traveled in the morning to Leipzig with a group from the Goethe Institut to tour the main highlights of the city and have some free time to explore ourselves. The day started out by viewing the Nicolai Kirche [Nicolai=Sankt Nicolai= our Christmas "Santa Claus"]. It was cool because a chamber orchestra was playing J.S. Bach when we walked into the church. It is a really historical and stunning church to witness! After we visited the Nicolai Kirche, we were able to have a panoramic view of Leipzig from the Panorama Center. Leipzig is so beautiful from up above!! There is an oncoming rivalry between Leipzig and Dresden as to which city is REALLY bigger... Leipzigers say that Leipzig is bigger... Dresdeners says that Dresden is bigger... yeah you can tell how that discussion goes every time. Fun Fact: It was the last day of BACH FEST in Leipzig when I was there. Therefore, when I visited the Thomaskirche, I was also able to stay for their final concert in their concert series at the church. The list of pieces performed were the following: Ave Maria LW E14 for organ, Adagio in D for organ, Excelsior for organ, O virgo prudentissima by Josquin des Prez, Magnificat by Arvo Pärt, Ut Phoebi radius by Josquin des Prez, Bedenke by Rainer Lischka, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 638, and finally Sei Lob und Herr dem hösten Gut BWV 117. The concert featured the following instrumentalists: Kammerchor Josquin des Prez and the Leipziger Barokorchester [Leipzig Baroque Orchestra]. Fun music lover quiz question: The alto part of the Sei Lob und Herr dem hösten Gut was performed by a man. Do you know the term for that refers to a male singer who sings the alto arias?
Well, that has been my adventures in Dresden thus far! I pray for my family, my beloved, and my friends back in the States! I have learned so much already here and I pray that I continue to learn more. I can't wait to return home and see all of my loved ones again! Until we meet again, take care!
Tuesday= Phonetics day!!! After class, I attended an extra Phonetics class! We spent the time practicing and learning new.... TONGUE TWISTERS[ZUNGENBRECHER].
Wednesday was choir rehearsal and Friday was a Jugendkreis [youth/teen bible study] on the Elbe River!! We ate pizza afterwards and went on a bike ride around Dresden! It is wonderful to be part of their youth program at the church! I've made new friends and they are super friendly to everyone.
Saturday was an exciting adventure for me! :) Operation: LEIPZIG!!! I traveled in the morning to Leipzig with a group from the Goethe Institut to tour the main highlights of the city and have some free time to explore ourselves. The day started out by viewing the Nicolai Kirche [Nicolai=Sankt Nicolai= our Christmas "Santa Claus"]. It was cool because a chamber orchestra was playing J.S. Bach when we walked into the church. It is a really historical and stunning church to witness! After we visited the Nicolai Kirche, we were able to have a panoramic view of Leipzig from the Panorama Center. Leipzig is so beautiful from up above!! There is an oncoming rivalry between Leipzig and Dresden as to which city is REALLY bigger... Leipzigers say that Leipzig is bigger... Dresdeners says that Dresden is bigger... yeah you can tell how that discussion goes every time. Fun Fact: It was the last day of BACH FEST in Leipzig when I was there. Therefore, when I visited the Thomaskirche, I was also able to stay for their final concert in their concert series at the church. The list of pieces performed were the following: Ave Maria LW E14 for organ, Adagio in D for organ, Excelsior for organ, O virgo prudentissima by Josquin des Prez, Magnificat by Arvo Pärt, Ut Phoebi radius by Josquin des Prez, Bedenke by Rainer Lischka, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 638, and finally Sei Lob und Herr dem hösten Gut BWV 117. The concert featured the following instrumentalists: Kammerchor Josquin des Prez and the Leipziger Barokorchester [Leipzig Baroque Orchestra]. Fun music lover quiz question: The alto part of the Sei Lob und Herr dem hösten Gut was performed by a man. Do you know the term for that refers to a male singer who sings the alto arias?
Well, that has been my adventures in Dresden thus far! I pray for my family, my beloved, and my friends back in the States! I have learned so much already here and I pray that I continue to learn more. I can't wait to return home and see all of my loved ones again! Until we meet again, take care!
Week Two of Classes: Goethe Institut Dresden
Guess what?!? Monday, the 9th of June, I did not have class! Today was Pfingstmontag! The Pentecost church holiday is celebrated throughout Germany. Restaurants and shops are closed today, or at the very least, only open for a partial day. It was nice to have a day of recovery after a fun-filled first week of class.
Tuesday's cultural activity was Konversation "conversation" hour. This was a separate class held for individuals who wanted to come and practice speaking German with each other [outside of regular class time]. It was really fun because we spent the time discussing stereotypes that other cultures have concerning Germany. The teacher for this hour was born in Germany and lives in Germany still--very authentic source! That evening was also a film night! We watched "Der rote Kakadu". It was a film produced not too long ago concerning teenagers during the end of the DDR time. It follows a teenager who loves this girl, but love is complicated in this film. She is in a heartless relationship with another man, but wishes to be with the main character. Towards the end of the film, the young- longing to be together- couple wishes to live in the West. The film ends in tragedy. Our young protagonist makes it the West Berlin and waits for the love of his life to come shortly after. He waits and waits...The radio shouts deliberately that the Wall of Berlin has been taken down. He goes to Checkpoint Charlie in the hopes that the love of his life will be there, but she never comes. Fun fact: There is a scene in the movie that shows the Opera house setting up for a performance. Painters are running all over the place being productive and industrious... my German father was one of the painting extras in the film!
Wednesday was choir rehearsal and Friday we traveled to Hellerau. Hellerau is a very quaint village. It is not even necessarily considered a city but more of a village. Hellerau contains a lot of modern architecture and that is what makes Hellerau famous in this part of Germany. The whole village is a working village which means that the majority of the population of Hellerau works at the factory for modern furniture in the central part of the town. There are very few people who live in Hellerau that do not work at the furniture factory.
Tuesday's cultural activity was Konversation "conversation" hour. This was a separate class held for individuals who wanted to come and practice speaking German with each other [outside of regular class time]. It was really fun because we spent the time discussing stereotypes that other cultures have concerning Germany. The teacher for this hour was born in Germany and lives in Germany still--very authentic source! That evening was also a film night! We watched "Der rote Kakadu". It was a film produced not too long ago concerning teenagers during the end of the DDR time. It follows a teenager who loves this girl, but love is complicated in this film. She is in a heartless relationship with another man, but wishes to be with the main character. Towards the end of the film, the young- longing to be together- couple wishes to live in the West. The film ends in tragedy. Our young protagonist makes it the West Berlin and waits for the love of his life to come shortly after. He waits and waits...The radio shouts deliberately that the Wall of Berlin has been taken down. He goes to Checkpoint Charlie in the hopes that the love of his life will be there, but she never comes. Fun fact: There is a scene in the movie that shows the Opera house setting up for a performance. Painters are running all over the place being productive and industrious... my German father was one of the painting extras in the film!
Wednesday was choir rehearsal and Friday we traveled to Hellerau. Hellerau is a very quaint village. It is not even necessarily considered a city but more of a village. Hellerau contains a lot of modern architecture and that is what makes Hellerau famous in this part of Germany. The whole village is a working village which means that the majority of the population of Hellerau works at the factory for modern furniture in the central part of the town. There are very few people who live in Hellerau that do not work at the furniture factory.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Week 1 of Classes Completed
Wow!! What a week!!!
What a blessing to be here in Germany! It has been tough this past week for me to be away from my family and loved ones, but it helped to be productive and busy this week.
Every day was an opportunity to learn something new about myself, about German, about the German people, and about different cultures.
It's crazy to learn German at the Goethe Institut because there are students that come from all over the world. This past week I didn't just learn about the German cultures, but I learned about students that come from countries such as the following: Japan, Spain, Ukraine, Romania, Mexico, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Switzerland! I am so thankful that God sent me to Dresden to learn from my teachers but also my peers.
This week we finished the 6th chapter on Careers and Jobs. I also had the opportunity to cook German food and go on a free tour of Dresden's Altstadt [oldest part of the city]. The majority of the buildings in the Altstadt are as they were in the 17th and 18th century. The citizens of Dresden continually insist on keeping it looking as it was. They are very proud of their traditions and of a prince named August der Stärke [August the Strong].
I participated in a BBQ with my family and some of their friends! It was really delicious!
It wasn't anything strange--it was really good steak and a handful of salad assortments.
Chocolate of course of the dessert!! yumyum!!!
I traveled with my school group to Meißen! It is one of the oldest cities in Sachsen and it is known for their wine and porcelain. We participated in a tour of the Porcelain Museum...so interesting! I think it was one of the most interesting museum tours I have taken before in my schooling. If you are looking for a really quaint location to retire--Meißen is your place! What would make the day more delightful than bratwurst for lunch and ice cream for dessert! yum yum!!
This weekend was Heiliges Pfingstfest! Pentecost!!! I had the opportunity to sing tenor for the church choir twice this week!! They really appreciate me singing with them and I'm starting to make good connections with the members of the church. This is a huge blessing for me being a guest here in Dresden!
Well I'm looking forward to my second week of classes!! My prayers go out to my family, the one I love, and my friends in the USA! Keep being yourselves! I love you all! I will see you when I return and keep your eyes out for my next entry! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email me! :)
What a blessing to be here in Germany! It has been tough this past week for me to be away from my family and loved ones, but it helped to be productive and busy this week.
Every day was an opportunity to learn something new about myself, about German, about the German people, and about different cultures.
It's crazy to learn German at the Goethe Institut because there are students that come from all over the world. This past week I didn't just learn about the German cultures, but I learned about students that come from countries such as the following: Japan, Spain, Ukraine, Romania, Mexico, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Switzerland! I am so thankful that God sent me to Dresden to learn from my teachers but also my peers.
This week we finished the 6th chapter on Careers and Jobs. I also had the opportunity to cook German food and go on a free tour of Dresden's Altstadt [oldest part of the city]. The majority of the buildings in the Altstadt are as they were in the 17th and 18th century. The citizens of Dresden continually insist on keeping it looking as it was. They are very proud of their traditions and of a prince named August der Stärke [August the Strong].
I participated in a BBQ with my family and some of their friends! It was really delicious!
It wasn't anything strange--it was really good steak and a handful of salad assortments.
Chocolate of course of the dessert!! yumyum!!!
I traveled with my school group to Meißen! It is one of the oldest cities in Sachsen and it is known for their wine and porcelain. We participated in a tour of the Porcelain Museum...so interesting! I think it was one of the most interesting museum tours I have taken before in my schooling. If you are looking for a really quaint location to retire--Meißen is your place! What would make the day more delightful than bratwurst for lunch and ice cream for dessert! yum yum!!
This weekend was Heiliges Pfingstfest! Pentecost!!! I had the opportunity to sing tenor for the church choir twice this week!! They really appreciate me singing with them and I'm starting to make good connections with the members of the church. This is a huge blessing for me being a guest here in Dresden!
Well I'm looking forward to my second week of classes!! My prayers go out to my family, the one I love, and my friends in the USA! Keep being yourselves! I love you all! I will see you when I return and keep your eyes out for my next entry! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email me! :)
Monday, June 2, 2014
1. Juni
Sunday!!!
Church was this morning! It was a great opportunity to attend church service with the family.
What church did I attend? I have the answer:
Selbstäandige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche
Dreieinigkeitsgemeinde in der St. Petri-Kirche
There were about 40 members there approximately. Following along with the service was a little difficult at first, but I learned quickly. The family said that when it comes to the sermon (Predigt), many pastors will speak freely without having their sermons written down in front of them, but the pastor of their church writes the whole sermon out and reads it aloud. It was well composed-I saved a copy of it! Music is important in church services here in Germany. There is not a service that I have attended thus far that did not have the organ playing, instruments playing during the hymns, and the choir singing at least one verse of almost every hymn. During the announcements, there was a surprise! The pastor introduced me to the entire congregation that morning which was a great honor.
Today was Kindertag! Children´s Day! The children of my German family wanted to eat Chinese food. After we returned home from church, Herr Salzmann and I rode our bikes to the restaurant while the rest of the family drove in their van. It was my choice--I needed some exercise!
Once we returned home, it was simply a day of relaxation! Everyone rested--good thing to do on the Sabbath. The evening was quiet as I prepared for my first day at the Goethe Institut.
My prayers are with you at home! I pray that all is good! I look forward to returning home after journey here! Thank you for your encourgement! I ask for yours prayers on my first week of classes!
Danke schön! Bis bald!
Herr Warnecke
Church was this morning! It was a great opportunity to attend church service with the family.
What church did I attend? I have the answer:
Selbstäandige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche
Dreieinigkeitsgemeinde in der St. Petri-Kirche
There were about 40 members there approximately. Following along with the service was a little difficult at first, but I learned quickly. The family said that when it comes to the sermon (Predigt), many pastors will speak freely without having their sermons written down in front of them, but the pastor of their church writes the whole sermon out and reads it aloud. It was well composed-I saved a copy of it! Music is important in church services here in Germany. There is not a service that I have attended thus far that did not have the organ playing, instruments playing during the hymns, and the choir singing at least one verse of almost every hymn. During the announcements, there was a surprise! The pastor introduced me to the entire congregation that morning which was a great honor.
Today was Kindertag! Children´s Day! The children of my German family wanted to eat Chinese food. After we returned home from church, Herr Salzmann and I rode our bikes to the restaurant while the rest of the family drove in their van. It was my choice--I needed some exercise!
Once we returned home, it was simply a day of relaxation! Everyone rested--good thing to do on the Sabbath. The evening was quiet as I prepared for my first day at the Goethe Institut.
My prayers are with you at home! I pray that all is good! I look forward to returning home after journey here! Thank you for your encourgement! I ask for yours prayers on my first week of classes!
Danke schön! Bis bald!
Herr Warnecke
30-31. Mai
Wilkommen zu Dresden!
Welcome to Dresden!
It was a crazy weekend here in Dresden! What would an exciting weekend in Dresden be without a long bike ride? I have discovered that it is an exciting past time to ride around Dresden, along the Elbe, with a bike(Fahrrad). I would have taken pictures along the way, but I sadly did not bring my camera along.
In the following weeks that I have been privileged to be in Dresden, I will make sure to take at least a few photos of my journey here.
Saturday was the birthday of Herr Salzmann. We celebrated with music, cards, cake, and presents. It reminded me of birthdays in America. As a family, we gathered together for a devotion and prayer in the morning after breakfast. After we had celebrated, Herr Salzmann and I played the Bach Double Concerto on the violin. It is such a joy to play on the violin again- especially in Germany! What would make a birthday complete? A bike ride! This bike ride was to IKEA! IKEA is a Swäbish company! I believe the United States has a few in Minnesota. My German Mutti und Vati were impressed that I shop at Aldi.
If you have questions or inquiries about my trip thus far, please feel free to comment on my blog!
Danke schön! Bis dann!
Herr Warnecke
Welcome to Dresden!
It was a crazy weekend here in Dresden! What would an exciting weekend in Dresden be without a long bike ride? I have discovered that it is an exciting past time to ride around Dresden, along the Elbe, with a bike(Fahrrad). I would have taken pictures along the way, but I sadly did not bring my camera along.
In the following weeks that I have been privileged to be in Dresden, I will make sure to take at least a few photos of my journey here.
Saturday was the birthday of Herr Salzmann. We celebrated with music, cards, cake, and presents. It reminded me of birthdays in America. As a family, we gathered together for a devotion and prayer in the morning after breakfast. After we had celebrated, Herr Salzmann and I played the Bach Double Concerto on the violin. It is such a joy to play on the violin again- especially in Germany! What would make a birthday complete? A bike ride! This bike ride was to IKEA! IKEA is a Swäbish company! I believe the United States has a few in Minnesota. My German Mutti und Vati were impressed that I shop at Aldi.
If you have questions or inquiries about my trip thus far, please feel free to comment on my blog!
Danke schön! Bis dann!
Herr Warnecke
Friday, May 30, 2014
May 29, 2014 Mein Ankunft: My Arrival
Guten Tag!
Hello! I am blogging my first message from Dresden, Germany! My flight was very long, but I was happy to make it to Germany safely! It was already a warm welcome from Germany when I first got on the plane in Chicago. The pilot gave all the announcements in German and English. What an experience from the start! I sat next to a woman who comes from Slovenia. She did not speak any English and she knew very little German. Overall it was a neat experience on the plane to see the gathering of so many cultures and people from various walks of life.
When I arrived, I took a shuttle from the plane to the airport terminal. Then I went through customs which only took 45 seconds. The longest wait was my luggage. Waiting for my luggage took about 15 minutes, but it did most certainly come. Afterwards I had an opportunity to exchange my money for Euros and then take a taxi speedily through the streets of Berlin to the Hauptbahnhof--"main train station". Finding my train was very easy! I took another 2 1/2 train ride to Dresden. I had finally arrived! Next I found Herr Salzmann(my host), his daughter Matilda, and her friend. Was that all? NO! I was given a quick tour of Dresden and I visited die Frauenkirche! It was very beautiful to see!! It is fully redone since it was heavily damaged during the Second World War-- no thanks to the Amercians and British. The family was very nice! We spoke German from the start and they even were impressed with how much I already knew and could say. Thank you Frau Krause and Professor Hahm.
Yesterday was Father's Day! We visited a family friend of the Salzmanns right outside of Dresden! It was really nice to visit with them and see what their German house looks like! They are still make more renovations but it looks wonderful already!
Well, I will continue to inform you on my travels! God has blessed me well with a wonderful German family to stay with and I pray for nothing but the best for my family, my beloved, and my other friends in America. Until we meet again!
Tschüs!
Hello! I am blogging my first message from Dresden, Germany! My flight was very long, but I was happy to make it to Germany safely! It was already a warm welcome from Germany when I first got on the plane in Chicago. The pilot gave all the announcements in German and English. What an experience from the start! I sat next to a woman who comes from Slovenia. She did not speak any English and she knew very little German. Overall it was a neat experience on the plane to see the gathering of so many cultures and people from various walks of life.
When I arrived, I took a shuttle from the plane to the airport terminal. Then I went through customs which only took 45 seconds. The longest wait was my luggage. Waiting for my luggage took about 15 minutes, but it did most certainly come. Afterwards I had an opportunity to exchange my money for Euros and then take a taxi speedily through the streets of Berlin to the Hauptbahnhof--"main train station". Finding my train was very easy! I took another 2 1/2 train ride to Dresden. I had finally arrived! Next I found Herr Salzmann(my host), his daughter Matilda, and her friend. Was that all? NO! I was given a quick tour of Dresden and I visited die Frauenkirche! It was very beautiful to see!! It is fully redone since it was heavily damaged during the Second World War-- no thanks to the Amercians and British. The family was very nice! We spoke German from the start and they even were impressed with how much I already knew and could say. Thank you Frau Krause and Professor Hahm.
Yesterday was Father's Day! We visited a family friend of the Salzmanns right outside of Dresden! It was really nice to visit with them and see what their German house looks like! They are still make more renovations but it looks wonderful already!
Well, I will continue to inform you on my travels! God has blessed me well with a wonderful German family to stay with and I pray for nothing but the best for my family, my beloved, and my other friends in America. Until we meet again!
Tschüs!
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