First post from my apartment!

As always, it has been too long since the previous post. However, I am pleased to announce that I am officially living in my apartment in Halifaxstrasse! Address follows:

Rebecca Ludvigsen

Halifaxstr. 81

Nr. 14-41

52074 Aachen

Deutschland

Rather than do this post in chronological order, I will try to sum up by points of interest:

IKEA-I have been to IKEA twice now, and have spent a good number of Euros there! It was all worth it. That store is just great! You can buy anything for the home, all in one day, and eat there! This simplifies a LOT! This past weekend I went there with Willi, my professor. We had a lot of yummy cakes and coffee, as well as managed to find lots of things for my room, functional or purely for fun. I bought two plants, in an effort to be more German. Every German, every household, office, etc....has plants inside, in a windowsill, and/or has a garden! Even many guys. Well, I am no green thumb, but I bought an orchid and some type of "Himalaya Forest Mix." Whatever that means. The instructions were naturally in dutch, since the IKEA close by is in Holland. So, if anyone would like to give me instructions (Grandma!) about the best care for these lovely room additions, let me know!

I now have storage baskets, boxes, floor lamp, bedding, mattress, lattenrost, pillows, bath rungs, bath rug, the plants, blankets, hangers, candles, well everything you really need I guess. And everything always fits in the car! What a great concept.

Fahrrad! Yep, I bought a bike! I am no biker by any means, but here bikes are about as common as cars. In the city of Münster, about 2 hours from here, but still in NRW, the city literally has more bikes than people. They also have a multi story bike park. I hope to go there this year. However, Willi helped me buy a bike, a lock, a bell, a helmet, a basket. I am all equipped to zip around town. Now if I just learn those European road signs....

Bureaucracy....

Well, this is never ending, but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I enrolled with the University (I think), payed a bunch of fees, so on and so forth. Still not sure where I fit in to this University since I am neither Bachelors or Masters student, or ERASMUS student. Most exchange students here are from the EU, the ERASMUS program, where students in the EU can study anywhere in the EU. I also now have a German CV, complete with my picture and everything, thanks to Willi.

My guest family- The Sinkens were just absolutely great to me. Even though Doris brought me and the remainder of my things to my apartment today, we both agreed that we would see each other this year! I look forward to going back. It was so nice to be a part of a family. She picked me up today, brought me back to Würselen, and I ate dinner with them. I want to host an exchange student one day. I think it such a great opportunity for both sides.

Shopping in Holland- I went to an outlet mall in Holland about an hour from here on Friday with Anne and Marietta, two doctoral students from the lab. (As well as their boyfriends). I did not buy anything, but that place is huge! Lots of expensive clothes, shoes and everything really. I have yet to master the European clothing system....That will be my next task, considering that I need winter clothes. I am already wearing my winter clothes and coats. For example, Wednesday morning the low is 30 degrees, high of 46. Yeah, and it is only October.

Food- I ate Muscles for the first time with Marietta, Anne and their boyfriends.. Apparently they are eaten here often in this area. Very good! Plus we had a homemade peach struedel and tomato soup. Germans can cook- students here know what they are doing. Their impression is that Americans cannot cook. Sadly, I think that their impression is mostly true. Not only do they mostly all cook, but they most often do it from scratch.... I also have come to LOVE pumpkin soup. Have you ever heard of such thing? I had not, however, I want to try to make it soon. I ate this, as well as Zwiebelküchen and Federweiße (only available Sep. thru Nov. when the grapes are harvested and begin the fermentation process. So sweet, bubbly and delicious!) at the house of Andre, an Erasmus student tutor who helps organize erasmus events. He can cook well! Guys and students here cook- what a novel idea.

Classes and Research- I currently have no idea what classes I should take. No one here seems to know how to help me or what to recommend. The semester starts this week, so I guess I should figure that out soon! As far as research is concerned, I gave a small talk last week to the lab group. I do not think it went well. I feel very overwhelmed and in over my head with this whole research project. I do not know what is possible to do in 10 months, and what is expected of me. I feel very ill equipped!

I also went to Köln last Sunday for a conference. Did not get to see any of the city, and the conference was really mostly boring. Oh well, I know I will go back soon. There are also plans of my Erasmus group going to Amsterdam. Sign me up!

I am drawing a blank as to what else has happened. Everyday is different for me here. I am looking forward to making some true friends, or just people to spend time with. I know that will come with time, though. Maybe if I learn to drink beer, lots of beer, this will happen :)

I think I will sign off here. I promise, one of these days I will upload pictures. Until then, I will say Tschüss!