High Low

We have this 'game' that we sometimes play at work while we're on a meal break where we go around and everyone tells the high point of their day and the low point of their day. The one rule is that you can't say that the low point of your day was having to come and work.

The high points of life here so far - fewer bills. I don't have a car, so no insurance or fuel bills. My US cell phone is on hold, so I have a prepaid, but it doesn't cost very much at all, and I can make it cost as little as I want if I don't use it. You absolutely cannot beat the scenery here, and the weather has been pretty good as well. We'll see how the winter goes. I don't have to pay rent either, but that also brings me to the low points.

I don't have a car, so everything takes more effort. It takes longer to get everywhere, obviously. If I go grocery shopping, I either have to make small purchases or take a taxi back since it's a ways to the store and not pleasant carrying a large load. It takes more effort in the dorm to cook in the kitchen, take a shower, or even go to the bathroom.

Things I desperately miss - sinking my toes into a soft, clean bathmat vs wearing flip-flops to the shower all the time. Having a room to myself. Having anything to myself other than personal effects. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone and have them understand me. Driving a car.

Funny moments here - people keep trying to startle me. I mean, it's funnier to them, but still. I get super focused when I'm working and so random people in the kitchen at work will try to startle me or just tease me because they say I'm too serious.
The dress code here is pretty strict and one of my bosses noted the other day: "You have a nose piercing, don't you?" This, even though I had a clear retainer in and you could barely notice it. My response: "What nose piercing?" He laughed.

I was out shopping with Kayla and Nichole, a couple of friends here, and we keep noticing how Germans (and I guess Europeans in general, apparently) don't have a problem with just outright staring. And they stare A LOT. So a local girl who was dressed all Goth and had some pretty funky hair and clothes walked by, and Nichole said she was going to stare because it was only fair since everyone stares at us.

Next weekend, I'm hoping to take the train out to see my Brandon. I haven't seen him in two weeks and I miss him. I get 3 days off in a row, so I'm psyched! I'm not sure how long the train ride will be. I haven't been up to Hohenfels yet and it'll be cool to see another part of Bavaria.

One of these days, I'm going to write a really interesting, humorous blog about life here, but mostly I'm too tired to be that creative lately. :-P TTFN.