Ode to the sun

When I woke up this morning I thought I would have the worst day. Headache, my limbs aching and my nose was blocked. Buuut it turned out to be a very nice one in fact. Although we still have very cold weather (not like you guys in Germany, though. Minus 15? Wtf?) the sun was shining. And since I really like the combination of clear blue sky and icy wind I was smiling like a child when I stepped out of the house to get to Campus. See, this is me being happy (something's wrong with my forehead, I hope it's just my camera sucking at taking pictures):

I went to Campus to get some work done for my midterm project. I did some scanning and then went to Walmart to buy a camping mat because this weekend I am going to Montreal and I need it for sleeping. You cannot imagine how happy I am, to finally be able to see something other than Binghamton. Why Montreal you ask? I have this one class (language, translation and colonization) and the professor is really nice. One time after class me and Riva, one of my housemates, got to talk to him and at some point during the semester he told Riva he was going to Montreal for a wedding and that we could ride along with him, if we wanted to. Duhuuu... of course you don't say no if an opportunity like that arises. Riva arranged the sleeping through couchsurfing so that we are now basically staying and going there for free. Which is kind of nice, isn't it?

So I got the camping mat, went back to Campus to go swimming. Really, this is the best thing ever. The swimming pool. I could spend hours in the water swimming (if it weren't for the Asian people invading the pool at times, staying only in the shallow part of the water because they can't really swim). In the beginning I felt like I was the slowest person in the water. But now that I have some practice it feels like I'm finally able to get it right and my body moves more easily through the water. Ha, see, that is how I spend my time here - getting better at swimming.

But no, seriously though, I do learn a lot of interesting stuff here. Take the language, translation and colonization course for example. Just this week I had to do a presentation on La Malinche (the wikipedia article in English is quite good actually http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Malinche). Now that I know of her I cannot understand how I could not have heard of her before. She is such an interesting figure and myth in history of colonization. She was one of the most influential women in Mexican history and shaped national identity in a very strong way. Her relationship to Hernan Cortés, the leader of the Spanish Conquest in the 16^th century, shaped the way men and women relate to each other in todays Mexico. Her story is worth knowing about. Take a look! (Also in relation to that: the Chicana movement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xicana_literature in literature has its very own take on the story of La Malinche, check that out if you are interested in female activism and books and such. Just saying.)

Next week is the last week before spring break and once that week is over the sweet life begins. I finally got my Bafög which made me decide to also go to New York with the other guys and not only Philadelphia and Washington. Spring break starts on March 23^rd and ends on April 1^st – which leaves enough time to travel around. In New York we are staying at the place of Rivas' friend. Which is really nice, since finding something cheap is quite impossible, especially during the holidays. We then proceed to Philly were we'll only stay for 2 days, but as far as we read, two days will be enough to see most of the important things. Washington will be our last destination. During our stay the Cherry Blossom Festival (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cherry_Blossom_Festival) will take place and we are all hoping to get to see the trees in bloom. But that is kind of out of our hands. Now that I am writing this down, it feels too good to be true.

I am really looking forward to see New York again and since I've seen most of the big sights already, I am planning on spending my days just strolling around and taking the city in (maybe do a little bit of shopping, since spring is coming and I, well... I need new clothes, right?!) enjoying the food, watching people. But China Town is again on my must-go-there-list. I was so amazed by it the last time, I have to smell it again :D

Well and after that, April will have already started (I'm not sure if this is the right tense, please correct me. I should have payed more attention in class) and on May 10^th classes will be over. But inbetween a lot of work is still waiting for me: papers to write and portfolio entries to prepare. And I am quite sure, once I started writing, the weather will be nice and warm and sunny and I will be sitting in that damn library all day long. Ah, but I'm drawing the devil on the wall. :P

Yesterday I caught myself reading English and not recognizing it. It felt like I was doing 'normal' reading and just after I tried to explain what I just read to Sina in German I realised I was reading in English all the time. That was nice. Although I do dream, I cannot say wether I dream in English or German or something in between. I usually have a hard time remembering my dreams anyways.

I got a parcel form Lisa. In it was a lot of cute easter stuff and also chocolate from Alnatura (that was gone very quickly, though) The mug was broken when I took it out of the parcel, but it now serves as a pencil holder on my desk. 

 

Just the other day we had a big breakfast with our friends, here is a picture of the set table. And yes, those are cupcakes and pancakes. Selfmade, of course. And awesome.

I hope you are doing well over there and try not to get too frustrated with that never ending winter. Try to imagine the summer that awaits us with its warm nights and park sessions and emptied wine bottles under starry skies on balconies and bridges.

Keep it tight.

Astrid

Ps: ich muss doch noch mal meckern: es gibt hier keine Taschentücher! Alle ziehen die Nase hoch!

 Ach und wisst ihr was hier echt witzig ist? Es ist nicht ungewöhnlich vor sich hinzureden und hinzusingen. Mit dem Singen hab ich schon angefangen, das vor sich hin brubbeln ist mir dann doch ne Spur zu weird. Mal sehen, vielleicht kommt das noch...

pps: ein Song für euch (ich versuchs gar nicht erst mit Youtube) Dredg - Ode to the sun

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/7854617/Dredg_Ode_To_The_Sun