Posts
Rather than give you a VERY image heavy post, check out my FLICKR for pictures. There aren't really any of the girls, unfortunately, as I don't yet have Kathrin's permission to post them. Sorry! Also, I'll try to remember to continue to update my flickr so if you're not facebook friends with me, you can check that out for photos whenever you check this out. :) The link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/vblair90/
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
My first week in Germany
Victoria
11:51 AM
No comments
Well first of all you should know that I brought an adapter that didn't have enough holes in it so had to wait til today to get the grounder that Gramma sent me. It got here today though and I can FINALLY use my laptop. It's amazing the difference just having a working computer makes. My poor Artemis. She had a fine layer of dust on her when I pulled her out today. But she's plugged in to an adapter which is plugged into an adapter which is plugged into a power strip which is plugged into the wall. I wrote in my handwritten journal the other day so I'm basically going to copy that over here with slight additions and subtractions as necessary. :)
1 June 2012
Today's my third full day in Germany but basically my 5th day on my own. Let's start a few days before that though. My grad part was on what would've been my wedding day (5/26). Well my day was so much better like this. First off, I saw Ron on the 21st to get my stuff back. The boy I loved is gone and now I'm not the girl he loved either. I deserve better and I can see that now. Yes, he was my first love but it's as if I have someone else's memories. They don't feel like they really happened to me.
So Saturday was my grad party and I had a blast. I ignored my cell all day, got to see some family, a few very wonderful friends. It was just amazing to see people come out of their way just to see me before I went off. The generosity of my parental units in throwing this party was more than I expected. Sunday morning I went to church for the last time at my church for a while. I didn't expect it but as I went to leave, I started to cry. I mean I don't go often, I haven't been able to go often, but I've always had the chance and I've always known that it was there. And the guest pastor person (he wasn't listed as Rev. or Dr. in the program) quoted from a letter from the Civil War that made me cry. (Rather than post the whole thing here, I'll post a link. I highly encourage you to read it. This man's love for his wife and his country moved me. http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/war/ballou_letter.html) I spent the afternoon packing after getting my Kindle (Minerva) and having Starbucks with Jack before I got rather very tipsy at the Youngs with the parental units.
Monday morning began my 24+ hours of travel-most of which I was awake for. I had to check in and pay for my luggage, make it through the longest security line since Heathrow 3 years ago, and hope I had time to get coffee. Luckily, I made it through with time to spare. I got a bagel while I waited for my (late) flight. It hadn't really hit me until Sunday night (after I had sobered up) that I was leaving for another continent. Pathetic though it may be, it was realizing it was my last night with fuzz (my big purple blanket) that did it. I flew to Philadelphia where my flight was late again. Luckily I had plenty of time before my NEXT flight was set to take off so I wasn't worried and Minerva kept me entertained. (I was reading The Hunger Games.)
In Newark, I had to get my bags and schlep them around for a while. It took forever to get to the right terminal but luckily someone pointed out a free cart for me to use and people helped me find which train. The woman on the platform was so nice. She directed me to the train and then asked about my tattoo. When she realized it was from the Bible, she started saying things like "Oh praise Jesus." She acted like the stereotypical inner city black Christian-which she definitely was the last two. Once I FINALLY checked my luggage, I got to the right gate and found FOOD. I was starved (remember all I'd had was that bagel). With 4 hours to kill, I texted everyone and their brother, got some decaf coffee, devoured a smashburger, nearly killed Artemis' battery playing games (retrospect-bad idea), and made last phone calls. Then I waited. And waited. Our plane wasn't even at the gate til we were supposed to leave. Given that my Madrid layover was only 90 minutes, I was started to worry we wouldn't make it. Luckily, we made great time. The food was actually decent (some beef noodles for dinner and a warm croissant for breakfast). The seats were incredibly comfortable, I had a window, and the middle seat was free so it was just me by the window and a gentleman by the aisle. I watched The Princess Bride during dinner before I fell asleep. When I landed in Madrid, I almost panicked. I thought I had gone through security when I shouldn't have but I did exactly what I needed to. (I checked with a security guard.) So I went through security for the third time (Rochester, Newark, Madrid) and prayed they wouldn't stop me since I speak NO Spanish. I changed my shirt so I'd be more presentable (just another T-shirt) and got on my flight. When we landed in Dusseldorf, as I was getting my bags, I hear my name over the loudspeaker but didn't know what they'd said. I made my way, with my ridiculous bag, to information and asked. Daniel was going to be late. Okay. Well that sucks. So I sat down and waited again. I was so tired that when I went into the information office I didn't even TRY German. I just said "Hi, they called my name but I didn't hear what it said." After about 20 minutes Daniel, Noemi and Yael got there. Daniel took my suitcase which was awesome since the wheels barely work on it. We got the girls something to eat then got everyone a drink before we hit the road. At first I was awake enough to talk-with effort considering I was tired-and to pay attention to my surroundings. Then I started falling asleep. When we got home, I met Kathrin finally and Nuria.
I'm still treading this fine line between living here but sort of being a guest too. Like how I'm not yet OK with going in and out of the apartment, haven't ventured out alone yet, and can't raid their fridge. I'm sure I will soon but right now I'm afraid of getting lost. I don't want to step on any toes or intrude on their space. So when I leave in the evenings, I stay gone basically. I need to venture out and get some snacks, a laundry bag, and an alarm clock.
Tuesday, I pushed way past when I should've stayed up til 12am and then slept til 3:30pm! My iPod died overnight so I had no way to wake up.I've been better since though. Yesterday, Kathrin, Nuria, Yael, and I went out to do some of my paperwork and to get Yael underwear so she'll potty train. It was awesome to be out exploring. I think there's a farmer's market tomorrow that we're going to. Not totally sure though. I also met Frau Bobach yesterday. She's invited me out for Chinese to practice her English sometime.
My room is kind of like London-small but adequate. Bed. Night table. Lamp. Table. Wardrobe. Bookshelf with electric kettle. Sink. Toilet. HUGE window. My "own bathroom" in the cellar.
My hands are starting to hurt from typing so that brings us up through Friday night. I'll update more either later or tomorrow! Oh and pictures will come later too in their own post for those without FB.
1 June 2012
Today's my third full day in Germany but basically my 5th day on my own. Let's start a few days before that though. My grad part was on what would've been my wedding day (5/26). Well my day was so much better like this. First off, I saw Ron on the 21st to get my stuff back. The boy I loved is gone and now I'm not the girl he loved either. I deserve better and I can see that now. Yes, he was my first love but it's as if I have someone else's memories. They don't feel like they really happened to me.
So Saturday was my grad party and I had a blast. I ignored my cell all day, got to see some family, a few very wonderful friends. It was just amazing to see people come out of their way just to see me before I went off. The generosity of my parental units in throwing this party was more than I expected. Sunday morning I went to church for the last time at my church for a while. I didn't expect it but as I went to leave, I started to cry. I mean I don't go often, I haven't been able to go often, but I've always had the chance and I've always known that it was there. And the guest pastor person (he wasn't listed as Rev. or Dr. in the program) quoted from a letter from the Civil War that made me cry. (Rather than post the whole thing here, I'll post a link. I highly encourage you to read it. This man's love for his wife and his country moved me. http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/war/ballou_letter.html) I spent the afternoon packing after getting my Kindle (Minerva) and having Starbucks with Jack before I got rather very tipsy at the Youngs with the parental units.
Monday morning began my 24+ hours of travel-most of which I was awake for. I had to check in and pay for my luggage, make it through the longest security line since Heathrow 3 years ago, and hope I had time to get coffee. Luckily, I made it through with time to spare. I got a bagel while I waited for my (late) flight. It hadn't really hit me until Sunday night (after I had sobered up) that I was leaving for another continent. Pathetic though it may be, it was realizing it was my last night with fuzz (my big purple blanket) that did it. I flew to Philadelphia where my flight was late again. Luckily I had plenty of time before my NEXT flight was set to take off so I wasn't worried and Minerva kept me entertained. (I was reading The Hunger Games.)
In Newark, I had to get my bags and schlep them around for a while. It took forever to get to the right terminal but luckily someone pointed out a free cart for me to use and people helped me find which train. The woman on the platform was so nice. She directed me to the train and then asked about my tattoo. When she realized it was from the Bible, she started saying things like "Oh praise Jesus." She acted like the stereotypical inner city black Christian-which she definitely was the last two. Once I FINALLY checked my luggage, I got to the right gate and found FOOD. I was starved (remember all I'd had was that bagel). With 4 hours to kill, I texted everyone and their brother, got some decaf coffee, devoured a smashburger, nearly killed Artemis' battery playing games (retrospect-bad idea), and made last phone calls. Then I waited. And waited. Our plane wasn't even at the gate til we were supposed to leave. Given that my Madrid layover was only 90 minutes, I was started to worry we wouldn't make it. Luckily, we made great time. The food was actually decent (some beef noodles for dinner and a warm croissant for breakfast). The seats were incredibly comfortable, I had a window, and the middle seat was free so it was just me by the window and a gentleman by the aisle. I watched The Princess Bride during dinner before I fell asleep. When I landed in Madrid, I almost panicked. I thought I had gone through security when I shouldn't have but I did exactly what I needed to. (I checked with a security guard.) So I went through security for the third time (Rochester, Newark, Madrid) and prayed they wouldn't stop me since I speak NO Spanish. I changed my shirt so I'd be more presentable (just another T-shirt) and got on my flight. When we landed in Dusseldorf, as I was getting my bags, I hear my name over the loudspeaker but didn't know what they'd said. I made my way, with my ridiculous bag, to information and asked. Daniel was going to be late. Okay. Well that sucks. So I sat down and waited again. I was so tired that when I went into the information office I didn't even TRY German. I just said "Hi, they called my name but I didn't hear what it said." After about 20 minutes Daniel, Noemi and Yael got there. Daniel took my suitcase which was awesome since the wheels barely work on it. We got the girls something to eat then got everyone a drink before we hit the road. At first I was awake enough to talk-with effort considering I was tired-and to pay attention to my surroundings. Then I started falling asleep. When we got home, I met Kathrin finally and Nuria.
I'm still treading this fine line between living here but sort of being a guest too. Like how I'm not yet OK with going in and out of the apartment, haven't ventured out alone yet, and can't raid their fridge. I'm sure I will soon but right now I'm afraid of getting lost. I don't want to step on any toes or intrude on their space. So when I leave in the evenings, I stay gone basically. I need to venture out and get some snacks, a laundry bag, and an alarm clock.
Tuesday, I pushed way past when I should've stayed up til 12am and then slept til 3:30pm! My iPod died overnight so I had no way to wake up.I've been better since though. Yesterday, Kathrin, Nuria, Yael, and I went out to do some of my paperwork and to get Yael underwear so she'll potty train. It was awesome to be out exploring. I think there's a farmer's market tomorrow that we're going to. Not totally sure though. I also met Frau Bobach yesterday. She's invited me out for Chinese to practice her English sometime.
My room is kind of like London-small but adequate. Bed. Night table. Lamp. Table. Wardrobe. Bookshelf with electric kettle. Sink. Toilet. HUGE window. My "own bathroom" in the cellar.
My hands are starting to hurt from typing so that brings us up through Friday night. I'll update more either later or tomorrow! Oh and pictures will come later too in their own post for those without FB.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Chaos of Pre-Travel
Victoria
12:34 AM
No comments
I started packing tonight. It's going to be an adventure getting everything packed, that's for sure. I have most of my clothes-everything that's not dirty/being washed-packed. I have a few things that are set aside to be sent to me later (my winter jacket, boots, etc.) and I have a list of things that are packed, things that are going in my backpack, things that I need to buy there, things I need to do here before I can go, and so on and so forth. Grad gifts are done for 6 housemates, 1 roommate, 1 Londonerd, and nearly done for a former ICE major friend as well as an underclassman friend. I still have to start gifts for two other friends (one of whom the pattern isn't even completed for).
People keep asking me if I'm excited, if it's starting to hit. Despite the fact that I fly in 4.5 days, it hasn't hit yet. My brain's current focuses: my hormones, my party on Saturday, packing, 23 straight hours of travel minimum between Rochester and Osnabrueck, and then the fact that I'm moving to Europe for a year. In decreasing order (although in another 24 hours hormones will be off that list). I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I'm going to be in another continent for a year and that I'll be responsible for 3 little girls. Who are adorable, by the way. Right now, my main focus is on the party. I get to see several of my closest friends as well as a bunch of family. To be able to chat with Jess, joke with Dan, hug Eric, and spend time with Emy and Jens? That's going to be amazing. I wish I could see some of my other friends too but a girl has to learn to be content with what she can get sometimes.
The living room is currently covered in my crap. And don't even MENTION my bedroom floor. Things are scattered all over. I have to determine my travel entertainment still. I think I'm going to have to suck it up and buy a movie or two and a few books for my iPod. It's necessary I think for my sanity during my 24 hour traveling. I can only cross stitch for so many hours... And fruit ninja doesn't exactly entertain me for long stretches of time. >_< Suggestions? (If anyone's actually reading this ahead of my travel date. :P)
Alright, Fraulein Vickey needs to clear the living room floor and get to bed. Tomorrow's a day full of packing and spending time with little kids.
People keep asking me if I'm excited, if it's starting to hit. Despite the fact that I fly in 4.5 days, it hasn't hit yet. My brain's current focuses: my hormones, my party on Saturday, packing, 23 straight hours of travel minimum between Rochester and Osnabrueck, and then the fact that I'm moving to Europe for a year. In decreasing order (although in another 24 hours hormones will be off that list). I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I'm going to be in another continent for a year and that I'll be responsible for 3 little girls. Who are adorable, by the way. Right now, my main focus is on the party. I get to see several of my closest friends as well as a bunch of family. To be able to chat with Jess, joke with Dan, hug Eric, and spend time with Emy and Jens? That's going to be amazing. I wish I could see some of my other friends too but a girl has to learn to be content with what she can get sometimes.
The living room is currently covered in my crap. And don't even MENTION my bedroom floor. Things are scattered all over. I have to determine my travel entertainment still. I think I'm going to have to suck it up and buy a movie or two and a few books for my iPod. It's necessary I think for my sanity during my 24 hour traveling. I can only cross stitch for so many hours... And fruit ninja doesn't exactly entertain me for long stretches of time. >_< Suggestions? (If anyone's actually reading this ahead of my travel date. :P)
Alright, Fraulein Vickey needs to clear the living room floor and get to bed. Tomorrow's a day full of packing and spending time with little kids.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Post-graduation
Victoria
12:04 AM
No comments
This weekend was one of the toughest of my adult life. I said good-bye to some of my closest friends ever and left the place that became home to me over four years. I graduated from Houghton College with my bachelor of the arts. The ceremony felt so surreal. It didn't hit me until I was at the end of the row and Dr. Wardwell took the podium to read the names of the English and Writing majors. Then I realized I was about to graduate from college. And he read my name and I walked across that stage and shook hands of people I've never spoken to. Then it was back to sit down and wait until the others graduated. I couldn't believe it had happened. It both seemed to happen so fast and to go so slowly.
Yesterday it seems Dad dropped me off for the first time. I sat in the chapel listening to President Mullen speak, saying how we would find a community at this place. As much as that word became a joke among my classmates and I over time, it is true. Houghton is a community. People really support each other and care for each other there. I've had friends learn my habits and learn that when I'm stressed, I don't eat. I need to be reminded. They know the clues that mean I'm suffering from my anxiety. And they know how to help me through it. I've become an open book to a handful of people. They don't even need to see me to know that I'm upset, that I'm f.i.n.e.
You know, they say that it's college where you make your life long friends. Well I truly believe that's true for me. I met my best friend on the first day of college and I had the honor to live with her for 5 semesters. She's been there for everything. Through wedding planning and broken hearts, through laughter and tears, through moments of weakness when I needed to be smacked upside the head and moments of stubbornness where she's learned I wouldn't listen no matter what. Mary Beth and I got so lucky. We were matched up randomly freshman year to live together and I found my future maid of honor, my best friend, my role model, and my future children's favorite aunt. I'm not going to go through each friend that I made but somehow I found exactly who I needed in college. The friends to help me through the classes I hated, the broken hearts, the obsessing about a wedding that won't ever happen. To learn to deal with my anxiety with me and understand when I ask seemingly pointless questions about social gatherings because without those answers, I can't feel safe coming. I've even had one friend in particular literally come and sweep me off my feet and carry me across the mini-quad so I would come hang out. And that is amazing. How I got so lucky, I don't know that I'll ever know.
I had professors who are such inspirations. I've been inspired by them academically and spiritually. I have a list of books that've been recommended to me by people I respect and I've read several that have changed who I am and how I think of the world. I've made memories laughing in class and staying up late reading. I've written papers I was proud of and papers that I knew sucked. I've been proud of grades and I've been disappointed in them. I've met people that have redefined my idea of how to be a good person, a good Christian, a good academic. Some classes I was required to take while others I nearly demanded to take, for either subject area or professor. There are professors I wasn't upset to end my class with them with and professors who I hope to continue to keep in touch with.
This weekend, I said goodbye to the place that has become home. I parted ways with the girls that I had the pleasure to live with this year. I shed plenty of tears and I've shed more today as well. I will see these people again, I know I will. But for now? This was a parting. And it sucked. It's that simple right now. As the day went on, goodbyes got harder. The last few, my housemates, Desiree, EEK, Jess, and Eric. Those were the most difficult. The ones that led to the most tears. Some of which are still leading to tears as the reality of our parting for now becomes more and more real.
My next 16 days, well just less than, are going to be incredibly chaotic. I can only hope that everything will get done without being completely burnt out. I have to sort my room, pack up, and that's enough in itself but I also have to say goodbyes to family, friends, have a party, and deal with things like getting a background check and haircut. Well, now I need to sleep because I need to be ready to go in eight and a half hours.
Yesterday it seems Dad dropped me off for the first time. I sat in the chapel listening to President Mullen speak, saying how we would find a community at this place. As much as that word became a joke among my classmates and I over time, it is true. Houghton is a community. People really support each other and care for each other there. I've had friends learn my habits and learn that when I'm stressed, I don't eat. I need to be reminded. They know the clues that mean I'm suffering from my anxiety. And they know how to help me through it. I've become an open book to a handful of people. They don't even need to see me to know that I'm upset, that I'm f.i.n.e.
You know, they say that it's college where you make your life long friends. Well I truly believe that's true for me. I met my best friend on the first day of college and I had the honor to live with her for 5 semesters. She's been there for everything. Through wedding planning and broken hearts, through laughter and tears, through moments of weakness when I needed to be smacked upside the head and moments of stubbornness where she's learned I wouldn't listen no matter what. Mary Beth and I got so lucky. We were matched up randomly freshman year to live together and I found my future maid of honor, my best friend, my role model, and my future children's favorite aunt. I'm not going to go through each friend that I made but somehow I found exactly who I needed in college. The friends to help me through the classes I hated, the broken hearts, the obsessing about a wedding that won't ever happen. To learn to deal with my anxiety with me and understand when I ask seemingly pointless questions about social gatherings because without those answers, I can't feel safe coming. I've even had one friend in particular literally come and sweep me off my feet and carry me across the mini-quad so I would come hang out. And that is amazing. How I got so lucky, I don't know that I'll ever know.
I had professors who are such inspirations. I've been inspired by them academically and spiritually. I have a list of books that've been recommended to me by people I respect and I've read several that have changed who I am and how I think of the world. I've made memories laughing in class and staying up late reading. I've written papers I was proud of and papers that I knew sucked. I've been proud of grades and I've been disappointed in them. I've met people that have redefined my idea of how to be a good person, a good Christian, a good academic. Some classes I was required to take while others I nearly demanded to take, for either subject area or professor. There are professors I wasn't upset to end my class with them with and professors who I hope to continue to keep in touch with.
This weekend, I said goodbye to the place that has become home. I parted ways with the girls that I had the pleasure to live with this year. I shed plenty of tears and I've shed more today as well. I will see these people again, I know I will. But for now? This was a parting. And it sucked. It's that simple right now. As the day went on, goodbyes got harder. The last few, my housemates, Desiree, EEK, Jess, and Eric. Those were the most difficult. The ones that led to the most tears. Some of which are still leading to tears as the reality of our parting for now becomes more and more real.
My next 16 days, well just less than, are going to be incredibly chaotic. I can only hope that everything will get done without being completely burnt out. I have to sort my room, pack up, and that's enough in itself but I also have to say goodbyes to family, friends, have a party, and deal with things like getting a background check and haircut. Well, now I need to sleep because I need to be ready to go in eight and a half hours.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
New Journal, New Premise
Victoria
9:05 PM
No comments
As I start a new period in my life, I felt it fitting that I start a new journal. (Yet, I cannot completely sever my ties so this is being posted each time to my old livejournal from high school.) The changes going on in my life right now aren't minor things. They're astronomical. In just over five week's time, I'll have graduated from college, had a party to celebrate, and said good-bye to everyone and everything I've known (twice) in order to work in Germany for a year. I'm both incredibly excited and incredibly terrified. On the one hand, I don't want to leave my friends, but on the other I am so sick of school. I've decided to take my open book traits and relate them onto the (web)page. There's not much I'm going to hold back. I don't hold back much in person so why hold back online? If you aren't comfortable with this, I am sorry. But this will be a place for me to unburden my soul and to work through the issues in my head as well as to jot down the stories that take place and the adventures I experience. But bear in mind, I am just a madwoman with a blog.
Victoria
Victoria
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