Kultur 11 - Kailey Schwartz

Breaking Down the Wall in the Head
Reading about the different viewpoints in relation to the fall of the Berlin Wall wasn't very surprising after learning about Germans' distaste for patriotism. You would think after years of tragedy and destruction that reunification wouldn't be such a bad idea, but I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do understand the problem of unifying two 'nations' and finding a path for common values. I can see why that would be frustrating for those who got so used to living a certain way. It is a little sad that some people still think that way, though.

Ostalgie
While reading this article, I couldn't help but compare it to the United States i.e. the Union and the Confederacy. I'm not too brushed up on my history, but sometime after the Civil War, the Confederacy was wiped away. Yet, I'm sure there are STILL some individuals who would prefer it to go back to the old way, which is quite ignorant, in my opinion. With the reunification of East and West Germany, East Germany was kind of forced to get rid of all GDR representations, similar to the Confederacy. Just to clarify, I highly doubt East Germany represented anything close to the awful things the Confederacy did. At least they got to keep the Ampelmännchen, though.

Backward Southerners, Frigid Northerners
The true issue lies between north and south Germany. North being Catholic and south being Protestant, mainly, should say everything about where problems stem from. Also, the fact that both sides are highly prejudice doesn't help the situation. Everything is different between the two regions from politics to religions to dialects. Because of these major differences, the people of the north and of the south really do not see eye-to-eye. This, again, reminds me of the US way back when. I'd really hate to be caught up in all of that. Why can't people just get along?

AMD 6 - Kailey Schwartz

For this AMD, I read about the unsicht-Bar in Berlin. The description given in the 365 Dinge book was only enough to peak my interest. According to the website, when you enter the lobby, you place your orders in the light. You also meet your waiter at this time. The crazy part is that they are also "blind". No light sources of any kind are allowed when you proceed to the dark part of the restaurant. The website claims that sight is "without question, the most important sensory organ" and that dining at this restaurant finally gives your eyes a break. They believe that by eliminating the ability to see, all other senses are heightened, which makes your dining experience five-star. I thought it was funny that you have to ask your waiter to take you to the bathroom or outside for a smoke-break. I feel like it would be really awkward asking a waiter to attend the restroom. The dining experience generally lasts from two to two and a half hours. I feel like sitting for that long in the dark would be strange. I cannot even imagine how my eyes would feel coming back out into the lights afterwards. It would definitely be a different experience; one that I'd be willing to try out.

http://www.unsicht-bar-berlin.de/de/html/home_1.html

Kultur 10 - Kailey Schwartz

'Dinner for Who?'

 I think it is really funny that Germans find this so entertaining. I, personally, have never seen Dinner for One, so I fit right into the stereotype. Now that I have heard of the film, though, I'll probably watch it sometime. At least if I ever visit Germany and get asked about Dinner for One, I'll know exactly what they're talking about. Then, of course I'll go into a spiel about The Sound of Music. It's only right to give people a taste of their own medicine.

Sorry, We're Closed

I cannot imagine stores not staying open late. I've made countless 12am runs to Meijer or Kroger. I barely have time anymore. I rarely go grocery shopping before 10pm. This is almost frustrating to think about. I don't have time to plan my day around running errands. I put that stuff at the bottom of my list and when time permits, that's when I get it done. Which is usually late at night. 

Booze Brothers

I'm sure all fathers would love to spend at least one Fathers' Day in Germany. It sounds like a man's dream come true. What's better than getting plastered on a day devoted to you and you only? (sarcasm) In my opinion, it's kind of pathetic, but to each their own.  

AMD 5 - Kailey Schwartz

Ich sah Spongebob Schwammkopf. Diese Episode war "Die Angst vor dem Krabbenburger". Es war sehr lustig. Herr Krabs wollte, The Krusty Krab von 6 bis 11 geöffnet ist. Squidward Tentacles und Spongebob waren so müde, dass sie einen Vogel haben. Spongebob kniff himself, so that he would stay awake. Spongebob dachte, dass alle Leute waren Krabbenburger. Spongebob hatte Angst vor dem Krabbenburger. Plankton wollte das Rezept für den Krabbenburger. Plankton spielte eine Rolle von ein Psychiater für Spongebob. Spongebob wusste nicht, dass der Psychiater Plankton war. Plankton versuchte das Rezept für den Krabbenburger von Spongebob bekommen. Plankton gab Bildkarten zu Spongebob, und sagte die richtige Ingredients von dem Krabbenburger wählen. Spongebob baute ein Klavier mit den Karten. Plankton versuchte Spongebob in Hypnose versetzen, aber Spongebob schlief ein. Plankton versuchte Spongebob aufwachen, aber Spongebab war über catching Jellyfish traümen. Auf Spongebobs traum war er catching Jellyfish, dann er war auf dem Krabbenburger fressen. Der Krabbenburger gab Spongebob ein Cookie, dann Spongebob aufwachte. Spongebob hatte keine Angst vor dem Krabbenburger.

AMD 4 - Kailey Schwartz

Ich habe Harry Potter auf Deutsch gelesen. Das Buch heißt Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen. Ich liebe Harry Potter. Es macht viel Spaß. Ich habe das zweite Kapitel, das heißt Ein Fenster Verschwindet (A Window Disappears), gelesen. Harrys Onkel Vernon, Tante Petunia, und Cousin Dudley sind nicht so nett. Der Tag ist Dudleys Geburtstag. Er bekommt viele Geschenke, aber er ist noch immer schrecklich. Sie gehen in den Zoo. Harry geht ins Reptilienhaus. Er kann zu Schlangen sprechen.

Neue Wörter:
Schlange = snake
Rippen = ribs
schleunigst = right away
merkwürdig = strange
Klamotten = gears

Kultur 9 - Kailey Schwartz

Bureaucracy Gone Awry
Reading this article, I felt overwhelmed. I cannot imagine needing to have documentation for everything to apply for a job. I already get frustrated trying to update my resumé. It seems quite excessive to have a proof of residency/address to get a library card. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about organization, but this is too much. I'd really hate to be on the other end of the application process. Having to go through all of that documentation would probably kill me. I'm kidding, but I would have gray hairs coming in like nobody's business.
Welcome To America. Take a Number.
I'm not going to blatantly scream out my political opinions, but I completely agree with this article. I think people in America forget to take that step back to look at the big picture. Are we really thriving here? Not particularly. Everything is so complicated that nothing ever gets done. Maybe some European influence would help us out.
Love Thy Neighbor
I'm all for respecting other people, but I'm going to grill in my backyard whenever I please. That's a little much. Obviously barking dogs and screaming children can be unpleasant, but it's all part of living near other people with individual prerogatives. I really appreciate that there is a set quiet time, yet I also tend to do laundry late at night. I'm really not sure if I would survive over in Deutschland. :(
Germany's Patriotism Problem
I think it's really sad that Germans are still so ashamed. I surely cannot imagine being part of a country having to come back from such a negative standing in the world, but I don't think they're making it any better by still being ashamed. Maybe if they were prouder of what their country has become today, they could become more patriotic. I don't know. This article made me feel really bad for Germany.

AMD 3

Für dieses AMD, habe ich drei Episoden von Lernen to Talk gesehen. Ich habe Wörter verstehen geschrieben. In die erste Episode, hat Mickey mit zwei Kinder gesprochen. In die zweite Episode, hat er mit einer Mädchen, der die Name war Kate, gesprochen. In die dritte Episode, ist Mickey nach Rosenmontag in Köln gegangen.
Woche 18 - Ratingen
Wie geht's?
Gut, sehr gut
Danke
Bitte
Entschuldigung
Hast du eine Frage für mich?
Wie lange sprichst du Deutsch?
kennengelernt haben
Nein
Wie alt bist du?
Schokolade
natürlich
schon
Auf Wiedersehen

Woche 25 - Frankfurt am Main
Wurste
Ich weiß nicht
Ja, das ist richtig
Die Professoren
Wir lieben dich
Ich verstehe
Vielleicht
krank
Ich danke dir

Woche 30 - Köln
Wie geht es dir?
Rosenmontag
Oh, perfekt!
Glück mal!
Feuer
kennenzulernen
Toll!
Schneemann
Es gefällt mir
Wie heißt du?
zehn
Letzte Jahr, bin ich kein Schneemann.
Gut Idee!
Tschüss!

Kultur 8

Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air
Why are Germans so afraid of moving air? I mean, obviously nobody WANTS to get sick, but I think your chances become exponentially higher when you're sitting in a congested room with a bunch of other people all breathing the same air. There's not much logic to their fear of drafts. I suppose that's why the author called it irrational...because it is. This article made me chuckle a few times. I truly admire the writer's sarcasm.

You Have What? Mysterious Illness in Germany
Germans are much smarter than Americans when it comes to being sick and having a choice to take antibiotics or not. The main causes of antibiotic-resistant strains are because we have been taught to load up on meds at the first sign of illness. Of course, in dire need, they are necessary, but kudos to the Germans for fighting the good fight. I think it's quite odd that acute hearing loss and circulatory collapse are "illnesses" that exist in Germany, but not really anywhere else. Why? Is it genetic? That's so strange to me. I'm going to have to look further into this whole phenomenon.

Germany's Sauna Obsession: Expose Yourself to the Culture
Reading about these differences between American and German culture is always bewildering to me. At first I'm always appalled at the things Germans are okay with. Then I sit back and think about it and it's not terrible. Yet, baring all in front of a bunch of strangers and sweating it out together really isn't my thing. Don't get me wrong, I find saunas quite enjoyable and relaxing, but not so much with a bunch of men and women that I don't know from the man on the moon. And naked? I'm okay with a bathing suit, but not naked. That's just way too awkward.

AMD 2

Für AMD 2, habe ich der Blog von die Michigan Studentin gelesen. Sie hat über ihre Zeit in Freiburg geschrieben. Ihre Persönlichkeit ist sehr lustig und intelligent. Ihr Blog hat so viel Information über in Deutschland leben. Freiburg scheint sehr schön und gemütlich. Sie hat über Deutsche Schokolade essen geschrieben. Sie hat she misses Deutsche Schokolade täglich essen gesagt. Studieren in Deutschland klingt sehr lustig.

Kultur 7

Ich lese der Artikel über Essen gehen in die USA aus die USA Kulinarisch website. Es war sehr lustig. So viele Dinge sind anders für Deutschen in die USA. Mein Lieblingsteil in der Artikel war über Essen bestellen. Er habe "ist eine Wissenschaft für sich" gesagt. Die Wissenschaft ist über choosing welchen Beläge, die Brotsorte, mit oder ohne Majo, und so weiter. Ich habe der Artikel lustig gedacht, weil Essen bestellen in Deutschland mehr schwierig ist.
Standing in line ist sehr bisschen, und es ist mehr bisschen when Leute try to cut vor (in front of) du. Ich habe Garlic breath ausgelacht. Es rieht so schlecht.
Deutschen Studenten haben viel mehr Hilfe als USA Studenten. In die USA ist alles so teuer. Studenten in Deutschland bekommen viel Hilfe mit dem Preis von Schule. Hier sind wir oft allein. Bildung soll nicht ein debt sentence sein.
Ich möchte nach die größten Sauna in Berlin. Es ist sehr schön, und brauche ich relaxen.

AMD 1

Für AMD 1, habe ich Oh, wie schön ist Panama noch einmal gelesen. Das Buch ist sehr einfach jetzt lesen. Der kleine Bär ist meine Lieblingsfigur. Er ist süß und sympathisch. Der kleine Tiger ist sein beste Freund. Wenn sie eine Kiste von Bananen finden, sie wollen nach Panama reisen. Sie treffen eine Kuh, ein Fuchs, ein Hase, ein Igel, und eine Krähe. Alle Tiere geben der Bär und der Tiger beschissen Richtungen. Endlich finden sie ihr Haus. Sie sind froh in ihr gemütlichen Haus mit ein Schornstein. Ich liebe dieses Buch.

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Meine Lieblingswort auf Deutsch ist Umgebung.
Ich bin bereit für dieses Semester!