Finally internet at our home. I'm sitting on my bed right now and wishing the time difference wouldn't be that big. You guys are all sleeping and dreaming over there, while I'm still fighting my jetlag. Last night I woke up at 3.45 am and was wide awake. I wrote a little, read a little, had a pee... and fell asleep eventually. But I also get really tired at around 5 to 6pm. I have to make myself stay up. I didn't think it would be that hard.

Today was the first day of orientation week. We had to be on Campus at 8am so we wanted to take the bus at 7.15 but it didn't show up (and there is only one bus per hour). Usually this wouldn't have been that bad, but since it was -16 degree Celcius we just called a cab and shared the fare. Maybe it's me, but the cold is really killing me, even with three layers of clothing you can feel the cold creeping into your bones and once you are cold you take such a long time to get warm again. And getting warm also hurts like hell. It's supposed to get warmer during the weekend.

We got to Campus on time, had some nice breakfast with the other international exchange students, were given a lot of information. Like how to get into student clubs, what to do to get good grades. This one is particularly interesting, since they told us, that your grade depends on how well your teacher knows you. So if he/she can add a face to the name on the paper and if he/she also likes the face/person it will help getting a better grade. So I might as well carry the bag for my teacher. Let's see how that works for a change.

We were also told not to drink alcohol on the sidewalk or other public places otherwise we'll be put in jail or we'd have to do community service. So no drinking in the park when it gets warmer.

We also met the guys that we share the basement with. They are really nice, one even has a car and offered to help us in case we need anything. A car really is essential around here. It takes such a long time to go shopping for groceries, since all the shopping places are not easily reachable by foot, especially not under those weather conditions. I already miss having Aldi and Netto around the corner. But I'll get used to it. (For those of you wondering: as far as I can tell none of them is husband material - I have to keep looking.)

Also a lot of events seem to be centered around eating and food around here. People tend to think from one meal to the other. Also people really like their shopping malls and department stores. I was hoping this was an overexaggerated stereotype but I guess I was wrong. Never mind, the Bafög must be spent one way or the other.

Me and my housemates are already planning trips to places that are 'close' to Binghamton. Binghamton itself really is a small city, there's not that much to do around here. Most of the student activities happen on Campus in the student clubs and some bars and restaurants you can find in the city center. So once you get to know the city, you find there isn't that much to see around here – it's really nice that places like New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto are not that far away and buses go there directly from Binghamton as well. So now might be the time to tell me, from which places you guys want a postcard.

Somehow my spoken English is getting worse. I don't know why, but the harder I try to keep myself from making mistakes the more they happen. Also when I get tired I mix up German syntax with English vocabulary and the other way around. Sometimes I can't express myself in a proper way and I feel stupid, since I know what I want to say, but is does not come out the right way. I hope this is a problem that will gradually fade away (is that the right way to say it?).

My skin is really dry from all the heating air and the tap water tastes like chlorine and you can't drink it. Everytime I take a shower my eyes look like those of a stoner. Ah, but I'm whining. 

There are a lot of nice things here, too: everyone around here is so friendly. I was afraid I would get annoyed by this, but no. After a while you can't really tell if someone is just being polite or genuinely friendly and frankly: you stop to care about that. You just accept it the way it is and start being nice back. This also makes it easier to meet new people – you just smile at them and ask them how they are and whoops: you are having a conversation. (But I still don't feel comfortable when the cashier at walmart starts putting my stuff into the plastic bag for me.)

This reminds me: I bought some really nice houseshoes there for just 4.99!

Dream on.

Astrid