28 March 2009

Planning It Out

While I studied abroad at Lanzhou University and traveled around China immediately following my semester there, I hated to plan. I was by myself and could do what I wanted, when I wanted.

When plans are made, they often fail, so why make them???

Well, when I’m in Germany, I’ll be with my friend Wade for most of the two weeks. This means I must plan. Wade is the most understanding, patient, and easy-going person I know, but I believe that no one can put up with my capriciousness.

So I’m pulling out some tomes on travel in Germany. You know, light reading for the weekend.

26 March 2009

Hello... Germany?

Yes, I’m going to be going to Germany in May. Once again traveling alone. For the most part, anyway. I’m flying into Munich and spending a few days there, then meeting up with my friend Wade, who is also a Muskie.

Don’t worry; I’m not running away again. Not yet, at least. I won’t officially run away until I leave for China this fall.

Don’t be confused. Here’s the break-down: I finish the current spring semester at Muskingum. I go to Germany for two weeks. I return to Ohio for the summer. I leave for Lanzhou, China in late August. I spend the fall semester studying once again in Lanzhou. I will return in January of 2010, in time to finish up my journalism degree at Muskingum. Whew!

25 March 2009

The Berlitz Method

Berlitz is a German guy who came up with a method for teaching languages. I picked up a copy of The Berlitz Self-Teacher: German at a used book store over Christmas break. Just a random buy. I figure if this German guy came up with a method for teaching languages, learning his native language from him would be right-on.

I’m still actively studying Chinese, but my goal with Berlitz was for a basic knowledge of German. I plan on moving on to French and Italian, brushing up on that high-school Spanish, and then working my way through whatever languages catch my eye as I go about living my life.

So, over Christmas break, I eagerly worked my way through about half of Berlitz. Just for fun, you know. I’d like to add that the copy I purchased was published in 1950. Handkerchiefs and pocket watches play large roles in early chapters.



...Little did I know at the time of the purchase that I would be making a trip to Germany five months later...