Perfunctory Pictures, or This is what Waldshut looks like...

So it's been way too sunny this entire week, for my liking at least, but for the last day it's supposed to be sunny, I thought it best to take advantage of the "glorious" (ahem) weather to show you my current surroundings. Also, I've tallied up the number of places I've applied to and the lucky number is.....156! I got another interview in Frankfurt but as I said in a previous post, I'm aiming towards jobs in the Erlangen/Nurenberg area but we'll have to wait and see if anything comes to fruition in that part of Germany. Anyway, enjoy the pictures and movie at the end!

My lunch some day this past week - I try to be as eclectic as possible with my food!

 The bus schedule - who'da thunk!? Public transportation?!!?!

 Here's the train station in all its glory!

 I think it's pretty evident what this is - but German style!

 Some local art near the train station

 Look at all the bikes!

 Some pretty building

 Deutsche Autos!

 Another cool looking building

 If only that said 28 degrees Fahrenheit...

 I finally found where Frodo lives - in Waldshut!

 Some statue of an unfortunate, disfigured man

 An advertisement for a local festival called Chilbi. They're celebrating it for the 543rd time! FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE! America has some catching up to do with its celebrations...

 The entrance to the city-center

 Probably some saint or someone. He's got a golden staff so he must have been important!

 The caption next to this guy says, "I put my gold in my hat, this city will be called 'Waldshut'" This obviously sounds much better in German because it rhymes...

 Here is the church, here is the steeple! But most people in Germany don't go to church anymore so I doubt we'd see any people inside

 A stream of sorts that runs through the city center

 Fire station! All of these are run voluntarily in Germany, though if there aren't enough people to fill the positions, they force residents into becoming firemen, as I've heard

 People and shops! Here's a game for you: find the pigeon!!!

 An ice-cream shop with a beautiful facade

 Apparently, Gandalf isn't doing too well these days (the man with the long beard on the right)

 This goat belongs to a larger fountain of which there are many sprinkled throughout the city

 Some governmental building, can't remember which one. That's why the German flag is there though

Rat's Apothecary (pharmacy)! Rat is the owner's name though, this isn't a pharmacy aimed at continuing rats' existence

 A European farmer's market

This is the gate opposite to the one before

 This strapping lad is the "savior" of Waldshut when it was invaded by Switzerland. Essentially, after being surrounded and unable to get any food, this guy suggested to throw their last ram over the wall to show the Swiss that they were doing swimmingly. And it worked! The Swiss left and now Chilbi is celebrated each year in his and the ram's honor!

 The local beer of choice

 What is this doing in Germany!?

 The Rhein river! Across this river is Switzerland - we're so close!

 This is a kid's park - apparently kids climb on these ropes for fun. This definitely would not pass in America because a kid would inevitably get hurt and the city would be sued. Look at what the poor American kids are missing out on!

 Inside a local supermarket "Rewe"

 For all those who worked or are still working at Biggby Coffee: THE SUPER COFFEE MACHINE! Look how it glows in radiance and splendor!! Unfortunately, I still prefer American coffee, though European coffee is pretty good lol

 No explanation necessary...

 Grace and Basti's apartment is in the brown building up on the hill - the one that looks very castle-esque

 A shot of the subs before one enters the city

 Damnit! I have to leave my horse and buggy back at the entrance SAD PANDA!

License plate: WTF lol

Me in the FORBIDDEN BLACK FOREST though it's open to all and not really forbidden and only black at night for the most part

Application Mayhem

Well, it's now the week's end, and I am thoroughly exhausted from doing all these applications, calling people in Switzerland and throughout Germany. I must say that I have a slightly more optimistic outlook on prospective employment here in Germany. I applied to roughly 51 places this week, and finally got a call yesterday that there is an opening in Erlangen for two courses, once a week, which was certainly great news to behold. Unfortunately, that alone is not sufficient to maintain any kind of lifestyle here, but I have a good feeling about other jobs I applied to in the Erlangen/Nuremberg area. For those of you who aren't familiar with German geography, Erlangen and Nuremberg are really quite close to each other, probably only 20 miles apart and northwest of Munich. So I'm planning on moving somewhere in between the two cities for ease of access.

There are two other jobs I have a good feeling about: the first is a Business English teaching position in a city called Herzogenarauch, which is also in close proximity to Erlangen and Nuremberg. The other job would be at a Volkshochschule where I would not only be able to teach English but also Japanese and Chinese directly in Nuremberg. Thankfully, my foreign language skills will most likely increase my chances of employment, especially at Volkshochschulen since I will then be able to offer a variety of courses to a wide audience. The only scary thing is that these courses have to be filled by a certain number of people in order to take place, otherwise they won't be offered. So I'll definitely have to wow and amaze people the first round so I can ensure, more or less, continuous courses.

Since it's currently August and most of the places I've applied to are currently on summer break, I don't imagine I'll hear from the majority of the people for another week or two, which makes things a bit more than stressful. Still, it was reinforcing to hear back from at least one person, and to have heard from a number of employers that they were actively recruiting teachers for the coming school year.

Otherwise, Grace and Basti have been incredibly welcoming and helpful these past couple days, and have truly gone out of their way to make me feel at home and get whatever I need. After a long day of sending applications and calling people all over Germany, the three of us have spent our evenings staring at computer screens reading various odds and ends, or, as has been the primary case, we've been whiling away the evening hours with movies and laughter. We watched "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" which was much better than the recent release of the last installment. Although I did enjoy the 2nd portion of the final chapter, it seemed too rushed and didn't really do that great a job of summarizing or concluding the story, apart from the obvious fact that Voldemort was killed. Still, my love of Harry Potter shall remain eternal and I plan on using that obsession as a means to embarrass my kids in the future lol.

Today, Basti's cousin is coming to visit and we're planning on doing...something...not sure what. I believe we were going to ride bikes around the city and in Switzerland but the weather isn't cooperating much for such an activity (which is actually A-OK with me). It'll be nice to have a calm, relaxing weekend where I don't really have to think too much about getting a job or anything, though I'm sure all that anxiety and pressure will consume me as soon as Monday comes around. But for now, I am going to enjoy the cool, rainy weather we're supposed to have - though as I look out the window now, I see large patches of blue sky; curse you! I'm really enjoying my stay thus far and cannot wait to see where things take me from here on out!

Toalety and Cigarettes

I've finally arrived inWarsaw, Poland and I can definitely say that I've arrived in Europe! Looking out the window while landing showed a beautiful European - specifically Polish - landscape and I was immediately reminded of the awe-inspiring splendor each country in Europe has to offer. Unfortunately, this wonderment was very short lived after we departed the plane and had to wait in line for passport verification and a second security check. I guess, and this is pure speculation as I haven't ever discussed this with an actual Polish person, but line forming must not be a cultural thing here in Poland which makes for incessantly long waiting periods and what would come off as cutting in line, at least in America. After two hours of waiting in both lines and a ever-growing frustration for having to wait in yet another queue, I was determined to find a smoking area as I pretty much knew there wouldn't be public smoking sections within the airport. After walking around in circles and finally venturing into an area I thought was off-limits, I found a "Smoking Box" and was able to relieve myself of the recently accumulated stress. I had a little cross-cultural exchange of sorts within the box between a Japanese and Swedish guy who were trying to communicate with each other but unable to because of language barriers. So I offered to translate what they were saying and BAM conversation ensued. It was very fun and exciting, though I was and still am very out of it from all these layovers, flights, and line-waiting. I wished them both a pleasant journey wherever it may be taking place, and was pleased to hear from the Swede that he was glad an American had taken it upon himself to grow outside of the American stereotype; it definitely made my day as I currently feel like all eyes are on me since it's probably pretty obvious that I'm from the US.

So one thing I completely forgot was how gorgeous people were in Europe, and by people I mean men! lol. Sure, women are beautiful here, too, but they're obviously not my typical focus of attention. I feel very unfashionable which just seems to strengthen my feeling of outsidedness. But all in good time, I imagine! It is all starting to settle in as well, the fact that I am in Europe and heading over to Germany to build a new life. I am getting more than excited and cannot wait to start down this road. Well, I think that's going to be all for my airport posts, I am beat and just want to turn my brain off. I'll update again once I'm in the Fatherland!

My Thoughts on Seating in Planes

Well, after searching rampantly for quite some time, I finally determined that it is 11.30ish on Sunday, July 31st. I'm listening to Damien Jurado right now, after trying to catch some shut-eye but to no avail. I must say that I was incredibly lucky today, and that my habit of being ridiculously punctual paid off yet again. I had seen earlier today that there were two flights out to Warsaw, one at 4.50pm and the other one for which I was scheduled at 9.50. Around 4pm, I saw that a horde of people had lined up to the check-in area for Polish Airlines, which was the airline I booked my flight with as well. So, after waiting only about 50 minutes, which is really quite fast for having to check-in at least 50 passengers, it was finally my turn to hand over my baggage that I had been schlepping around the whole day - man was that getting annoying whenever I wanted to go have a cigarette, needed to go to the bathroom or wanted to grab something to eat. I informed the clerk that I wasn't checking into the 4.50 pm flight, which almost seemed obvious since it was already 4.50 by the time I reached the counter and I therefore assumed it would be understood that I was going for the next flight. To my utter surprise and dismay, I was promptly told that the 9.50 flight had bee cancelled due to mechanical problems which clearly upset me but also provided a sense of relief, as I'd rather them have ascertained a fault with the airplane before takeoff, as opposed to mid-flight! Anyway, I was told that I may actually be able to catch the 4.50 flight to Warsaw as it hadn't departed yet and there may be spots available in the plane. Thank goodness, the clerk came back with my new flight information and boarding pass, so I promptly ran to the security area as I knew that would be the greatest impediment or deterrent in actually gaining the chance to get on this flight. Naturally, I just ran into the first line I could get into and, whether it just seemed like my line was the only one not moving, or the other lines were just pumping out people at a much greater rate, but I was certainly getting incredibly agitated at my stagnant rate of progress. Still, I made it through security without a mark, ran to gate M03 and they had yet to begin boarding, though they began about 2 minutes after my arrival.
Entering the airplane, I was immediately overcome by the familiar dry and almost arid air that permeated the cabin. I was greeted with a friendly Polish, "Hello!" or at least I would only assume that's what was uttered to me reflected back with my dumbfounded countenance. I crept with the slightest agitation, cautiousness, and trepidation as I neared row 19C, the seat that would determine my fate for the coming 9 hours. Many people say to count one's blessings, that hardships are aplenty and that there are reasons blessings come in small, unexpected packages. As I reached the middle of the plane, I felt a sense of dread overcome my entire being. "Please don't let my seat be in the middle, squashed in between two smelly and physically verbatious strangers...or worse yet, next to a screaming child." I gently ducked my head to look underneath the overhead compartments upon which the faint but ominous numbers were plastered. The plane itself seemed to be somewhat old, having been over more seas and land than a human ever could in his lifetime. The numbers I read while hesitantly making my way to my potential torture chamber reflected a sense of history themselves: how horrid would it be to take on such an existence that would instantaneously alter the mood and outlook of a single person for the following X hours? The passenger quickly glancing, almost frantically looking for a missing pot of gold that is supposed to be affixed to the location on one's ticket, only to find a used and abused semblance of a prize in its place. Such is the fate of millions of passengers who realize they've entered a ride they must endure in its entirety regardless of pleasure or pain.
Alas! I did not have to confront this demon of insufferable torment for the next 9 hours but was rather greeted with the wide and welcoming arms of the place to call my home until Warsaw. While my hind quarters certainly become a bit too familiarized with my plush plateau, for the first time in all my flights abroad, I was able to stretch my legs entirely in front of me. It's amazing what simple luxuries we yearn for - or would even like the smallest of samplings - when they're surreptitiously removed from our daily habits; furthermore, it's even more aamzing how quickly we beome aware of that absence and our convinced inability to assimilate to the immediate surroundings. Perhaps, especially in extraneous situations such as long-term flights, the thought of the end of the voyage, of no longer being trapped in the steel cage with such limited accessibility contribute to a greater difficulty in overcoming this drastic change. I, for one, am overjoyed and feel a renewed energy immediately upon leaving the plane!

My Chicago-O'Hairy 14-Hour Layover Bundle of Joy

"I wanna throw you across the room and break your little insides for making that dreadful noise" was the typical and immediate response I generally had to my phone's alarm going off, and this morning at 4am was no different. However, the initial uprising of anger towards that devilish communication device quickly subsided when I realized what day it was - namely THE DAY THAT SHALL GO DOWN IN INFAMY or something of similar historical significance, at least in my book. No, but alas! today, Sunday, July 31st, has finally arrived which means that I am off to Germany to hopefully land a job and start a new life German-style. As I'm sure many of my friends and family noticed, I was (and still am) quite nervous about this whole endeavor. Yet, I feel I have a very good chance of employment in Germany due to my qualifications and credentials, however the difficulty will most likely lie in finding a good-paying job, not necessary merely finding one. But the search shall commence in 2 days since I don't arrive in Germany until late afternoon/evening tomorrow. 

I'm trying to figure out a couple ideas for whiling away my time here at O-No-You-Didn't-Hare Airport. I was informed that I would have to check my bags in a second time once I arrived in Chicago since there's so much time between my flights so I am kind of stuck in the check-in area until the LOT (Polish Airlines) attendees come. Thankfully that means I can at least pop outside and have a breath of fresh air, take in the limited sights, and have a little smokimasu (those living in Japan will understand the history and meaning of that word) when need be. I need to scope down the nearest eatery though as my ravenous black hole of a stomach shall start absorbing anything and everything that passes me and for which I cannot take responsibility, as most of you from Biggby know >< 

I believe I am going to make multiple posts today so I apologize if there's a general degeneration or degradation of said posts, as my mind may turn to mush after hour 8 or 9. Still, it may perhaps provide for some humorous retrospection and nostalgic memory-laning in the months to come! I'm sitting right next to the Korean Air check-in counter and I cannot help but think how fun it would go to South Korea. "But you're already going to Germany!!!" I can hear many of you say, and I agree, I'm just saying, I definitely want to make it back over to Asia at some point in my life. Airports are so fascinating to me in that so many memories and past experiences are almost relived just by walking the corridors and overly lit walkways. Naturally, when thinking of memories past, the floodgates to positive and jovial remembrances are opened while those of the oppressive and negative thoughts are usually readily forgotten or suppressed into oblivion. It is truly amazing how the mind seemingly (though obviously not totally) negates the negative - wait, so shouldn't that make a positive!? just kidding lol - and reinforces the positive. How wonderful a fact about the human brain that is though! Could you imagine if we remembered every excruciating detail about atrocities or even unpleasantries of our past? I think a lot more people would be a lot more sad and depressed were that the case! 

My oh my, I am certainly getting tired already though it's not another 12 hours, approximately, until my next flight. I have no idea really how long the flight from Chicago to Warsaw is, though I imagine it's something in the vicinity of 9 hours, figuring it's around 8 hours from Chicago to Frankfurt. Then another layover for 2.5 hours, off to Zurich, then an hour's car-ride to Waldshut! I shall be ever so exited when this traveling is behind me! 

Well, I'd say that's enough for now. I need to grab cup # 2 of coffee and possibly something to eat. It's now scavenger hunt time for some sort of delicatessen then time for some good ol' Hulu episodes!

Ooh, look! I'm at an empty airport!

Pre-departure Post

Sunday was such a high! I got off the phone with Grace and came to the decision to head over to Germany and try my luck at getting a job teaching English, either business or academic. Today, I spent the day finishing up some TEFL assignments that were much more intricate and lengthy than originally thought: I had to do the Grammar Adviser portion of the certification which is technically a 40-hour program. But, I figured I might as well power through it and take the final while the information was all fresh in my mind - and I passed! So another section down, Young Learners and Business English left to do both of which may also take a substantial amount of time to complete. Otherwise, I had quite a pleasant day off: got my new computer, set it all up for what I need it to do, documents I need to prepare, etc. etc. After completing the Business English portion of the TEFL certification, I can definitely say there is much work to be done regarding compiling some sort of portfolio and exemplar of my teaching syllabus for prospective employers. Still, I'm glad to at least know what direction I need to head, and feel that I now have the tools and credentials necessary to make a marketable case for hiring. All that's left now is to finish the Young Learners portion of my certification, get all my physical documents in order, pack, and pack up my room for storage! All in all, not too much to accomplish, yet I know there is still quite a number of things to get done before I depart.