Getting Adjusted

Today Susan and I bought new “sim” cards for our phones to make them work in Germany. Unfortunately when Susan put hers in her phone, it would not work, and my phone didn’t even have a noticeable slot for one. Hopefully the store will take them back tomorrow otherwise that’s 10 euros down the drain. After that Susan and I went to the cafeteria all by ourselves to get lunch – ham and potatoes with gravy today; very filling food for fairly cheap. We then attended a class on Victorian literature and discussed Pride and Prejudice (luckily both Susan and I are both very familiar with the story). After that we reasoned that we could get to the Media Markt (like a best buy)by the bus in the two hours between when class ended and when the North American Studies conference on Canadian relations began at 6. Unfortunately it didn’t appear that we had enough time, so Ulrike’s friend Jenny agreed to drive us there. Because I forgot my Ethernet cable, I’ve been sharing the internet with Susan, but I can tell it’s an annoyance, so we were in search of a splitter (since there is only one cable plug in the wall). We found one, and I bought a cheap travel hairdryer as well.
The opening of the conference saw two hours of talk on Canadian issues and Canadian-German relations and history. It was actually quite interesting, but that didn’t keep me from jotting notes about ideas I was having about American primary school reform. You see, the other day, Dr. Serembus was talking about the American school system in class, and how it is not controlled nationally, but on a local level. That of course led to a discussion on all the problems that arise from such a system, and it really got me thinking how bad our system really is. Therefore, I’ve been thinking the past few days about ways to change it. I’m going to look into the problems and try to ask around for other ideas from those more in the know than I. The German students were actually quite amazed at how terrible our school system is, and that’s embarrassing – and they’re right. Things need to change.
But I’m getting way off track.
After the conference and a complimentary dinner (with some really weird food…), Susan and I joined Ulrike and her friends to watch Germany’s Next Top Model. Every song in that show was an American song, and the show itself was being filmed in LA. I was amazed, but Ulrike pointed out that America has a much bigger influence on culture in other countries than I realize. Which got me to thinking, I am an American in Germany, who doesn’t speak German. And I thought that was ok? I feel guilty all of a sudden about this horrible intrusion. What would I think if I met a German in America who spoke very little English? I’ll be honest I’ve never encountered one. Because we are so arrogant! We think of ourselves as the center of the universe, but that bad thing is, in a way we are! And this (of course) goes back to our education system and how we really need to think more globally! I never learned a thing about modern Europe in school, and barely any European history and thought! Not only do we ignore them in culture, we almost ignore them in language! In Germany, kids start another language at a young age in school, and then they start another one! If we want to compete globally, we really need to think globally, and start earlier.
Once again, you’ve gotten me to digress.
Anyway, we ran to the bus after the show as it was getting rather late, and we navigated like pros. I think we’re really getting the hang of this place, and I’m learning some German in an attempt to overcome my foolishness (which is my eagerness to go abroad before knowing the language).
Tomorrow will see another rainy, windy, and generally dreary day here in Greifswald. Hope it’s a better one for you.
Gute Nacht