Again, so long since my last post--I know I say this every time but I will try to be more frequent (and then each is less daunting to do). Furthermore, I really want to go for a run today but I promised myself (and you, I guess, whoever you are) that I would update. 

So, here are some new pics...

This is me holding some lovely Market carrots. I am so pleased--we are buying all our veggies from the Market (regional produce!) and any cookies etc. are home-made with Fair Trade certified chocolate. Fun fact: It is very hard to find Fair Trade chocolate here. There is usually only one brand (GEPA)  It feels so good to be consuming the way that I want to be, "voting" with my consumer power for local and just economic exchange. 

Also, these carrots were just perfect "couple" carrots, all wound together. I know, sickening... But I can't help it : )

Have I already said that I just love pretzels ("bretzels")? Well I do. And now I decided that I shall do a Pretzel Project and then I just HAVE to try all different ones. 

And so, exhibit A:

No, I didn't eat THIS one (it is wooden). But you would think that a bakery with a giant pretzel out front would have amazing pretzels inside too, right? Well not exactly. It was OK (and I just always love their salty white-bread-ness), but I would give it a 6, I think. A little too crunchy and not a thick or soft enough back part. 

This is the bakery where it came from... 

And stay posted! I intend to be very thorough in this study : )

Now a little Econ nerdiness... Of course, Germany is about the coolest place to be right now if you are an aspiring economist (which I still consider myself to be). It would be cooler if I could read all the German articles describing Greece, Portugal, Italy, and all the negotiations that are going on. Germany is right in the thick of it, being the strongest economy in the EU.

So I liked that there was a little visible public opinion even in the calm and senior- /little family- friendly Stadtpark: "0 Cent f Griechenland + Portugal."

And finally, I spent the last hour or so trying to create a MySpace page for artists (finally with some success). You see, I have a little idea that it would be cool some day to play a few gigs here and there. And I know that I am not super, but you never know who might find it good listening. And besides, this seems to be my year for doing all those things you kind of think you would like to some day maybe... 

And so

 http://www.myspace.com/571652251

If you are interested... 

Also, if you are interested, I have spent the last couple of days writing/recording (with my Mac so it's not SUPER, but whatevs... I guess it sounds kind of old-school and grindy) a new tune. It's also on there, just for fun and since I guess that no huge record label or big festival's gonna be looking at it any time soon since I had trouble finding it again without signing in. Haha. I am so terrible with technology. 

OK, now off to go for a run in the weather that cannot decide if it is sunny or rainy... 

Peace and all good things, 

Janet

Hello, hello, hello! I have just cleaned the apartment (again!It always gets so grubby/messy etc etc and this is Seb's crazy week so I just want it to be super un-stressful!) and now it looks beautiful. Again. 

Hmmm... What's new. Well, a lot actually--I have been doing so much research about what the most logical way to do this education/life/Germany/LOVE thing is. And I think I have come up with a solution. But hold your horses, I need to get a few more questions answered and then I will tell you of my game plan. 

In the mean-time, let's try just dwelling in the present: I am here in Freiburg! Yoohooo! It is so hot everyday and I am NOT a heat person. Also, a tip: do not start training for a marathon in the summer unless you intend to be permanently partially dead in all other activities. Yesterday I ran 26km (!!) finishing around 10:30 am and I had head-ache/tummy-ache/weird dead feeling ALL DAY. In short, I think that I may have to post-pone my athletic ambitions. And anyway, we are going on holiday in August/September so my (very serious) training would have been interrupted anyway. 

Wooooh! I got distracted! What I meant to tell you about was yesterday evening. As I was feeling dead and as Sebastian had been studying all day, we decided to go into the cemetery across the street (haha! I actually did not realize how ironic that was until I started writing this). The church choir could be heard from our window and the cooler evening air was so delightful. The cemetery is closed every evening so (being daring and adventurous) we climbed over the stone wall and lay down in the middle on the grass. So peaceful, so wonderful. 

And I thought (as I have before... but always forget) is that no matter what you do, you have a choice between peace and fear. Even when you have no idea how you are going to complete your degree or fund your adventuring or see your family (who you miss desperately), you have the choice to trust and find Peace. After all, the most we can do is live day-to-day. 

I write this but I know I am not a good example. Nevertheless, writing helps me remember and maybe will help you too. God is always there making that Peace choice easier. Over and over again throughout the Gospels, we are reminded that we may trust in God: "Do not be afraid," "Peace be with you". It is not a blind trust that allows us to be peaceful. Together with that "Peace be with you," Jesus showed the wounds in his hands and feet. It is clear: we can be aware of all that might make us afraid, all that is painful, unknown, threatening, and still have "Peace be with" us. 

And so, I keep endeavoring to trust and choose Peace. 

Love and all good things!

Janet

I will post a new post (more updated) after this: this is a retroactive, last Friday post. I decided that I would have my own language school, with silly touristy-ness and a "fun fun fun" schedule. 

And I also documented it so you could come along!

It really is fun! No joke!

Of course, we must work a little. Just so you know, I came to Germany with almost zero Deutsche. And then I did a four week course and did A1 and a bit of A2. In Europe, there is a language evaluation system that goes A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. To study here, one must pass a TestDAF or DSH test. I spoke to language advisor and he said that normally one does B1, B2, C1 and then the test. 

These books are from the library (I have a library card!!! Yooohoooo!)

And then a little break for sing-sing-singin'! I am taking voice lessons with the prof that Sebastian also has. Furthermore, she has connected me with a friend who needs a baby-sitter for an extremely cute, very blond and blue-eyed 7 1/2 month old. I will go to her place this Friday and see how it goes...

But the point is, now a little singing.

And then (undocumented) I brought lunch to the Hochschule and ate with Sebastian (yummy Greek salad and home-baked bread, and then Milchreiz for dessert). 

After this, I went on a Stadttour led by my tourist guide book! Fun fun fun!

Here's a bad picture of the old trade/commerce/merchant building (I think). You can't see here, but it has a beautifully tiled roof. Also, the sky looks super cool!

Haha. This seemed like a silly picture, but on the other hand, you may be interested to know that this is what all the streets in the downtown look like.

There is a Wine-Festival going on! Actually, it's over now and we never made it (!) but I think that there is another one later, a smaller one with more local wines...

Translation: Better drinking, better living. 

These next two are for Monica...

The main road used to be a salt route and thus, on the back of Schwabbentour (which is the entrance to the old town), there is a cool painting of a salt merchant. 

This is Schwabbentour from the inside... 

This is the oldest Gasthaus/Pub/Restaurant in Freiburg. There are documents that mention it as early as 1387... We haven't eaten there, but hey, perhaps if Sebastian reads this, he might think it a romantic idea... Haha. Just kidding. I am sure we eat just as well at home. Did I mention my beet salad with a balsamic reduction (thanks Jenny!), roasted sunflower seeds and feta cheese on a bed of lightly dressed greens? What a win!

I forget what this building is but the important thing is that during the second world war, Freiburg was pretty damaged. However, great care was taken to restore buildings to exactly how they were before the war. For example, this building was actually totally rebuilt in the 1950's (or so) but you would never think so to look at it. 

This is Augustiner Platz. In the evening, you cannot walk through that central area because everyone is just chillin'. It's super cool. This afternoon, there was a guitarist and a clarinetist playing klezmer-ish music. I decided to break from the tour, find a pretzel (totes my fav) and hang out a little enjoying the scene...

 While searching for said pretzel, I found a second-hand store! But it was nothing like those in Canada. I was pretty disappointed. However, if I want a Little House on the Prairie-esque cotten frock or a leather jacket, I know where to go!

Aha! Finally success. However, and I know I will be supremely criticized for admitting this: I love the pretzels from True Grain the best!

Also, note the "Mineralwasser," a staple beverage here. It is soda water and I have recently learned that if you get "Medium," it tastes like soda water that has been sitting out for half a day. Mmmm...

And then I headed back to the crib and we had dinner, and then went out to the Stadtpark with a bottle of wine... It feels like a bit of a magical place. Perhaps I will do a blog just about it another time.