the wrong train

I keep dreaming I am taking the S-Bahn in Berlin and I end up on the wrong train. I discover I'm on a train going to some rural area and there are no stops in between. But the last dream I had about this, the train fell off a cliff.

I am missing you, Berlin

I am back in Seattle now, however, I am in the process of preparing to move to Berlin permanently. There is so much to do in so little time, but I think it can be done! Inspired by another blogger, I am going to list the things I miss about Berlin already (not necessarily in this order):

- my friends Amale, Stefan and their little dog, Mikey
- Klaus and Ella
- German class at Goethe Institut
- Neue Schoenhauser Str.
- Shopping on Alte Shoenhauser Str.
- Alcatraz
- Hotel Mitte bar
- Katy from Spain
- All the folks working at Hotel Mitte bar
- Max-Beer Str.
- Hackescher Markt
- Breakfast at Hackescher Hof
- Sunday brunch at Hotel Mitte bar
- Sitting at Caras watching all the people
- Depeche Mode parties
- Andreas and all the rest of the DM party people
- Smart cars
- Karin
- That icky smell coming from the U-Bahn station
- Really inexpensive wine
- Currywurst or any kind of wurst (sausages!!)
- The little corner store that is always open, even on Sunday

bleh

I'm leaving tomorrow. This is the worst departure ever because this is the most attached to this city I have ever become. It's almost like a heartbreak. Oh, I know that is so dramatic but it's actually true. I'm only going to be gone for 6 and a half weeks but that just seems so LONG. I love Berlin and I know I must live here. It is where I belong. Even though I can't get a single English speaking channel anymore, I still know I need to be here. I hope it all works out. I need to get a resident permit here when I return in May and I think it will be ok, but I need so much damn documentation - I really have my work cut out for me until I return. That's ok. I can do it. I've always been able to achieve what I set my mind to do.

TV is messed up

Can someone tell my why the BBC World channel has suddenly become a German shopping channel by day and a German porn channel by night?

good things must come to an end

a photo of my main classmates at the Goethe Institut Berlin -learning to speak German. I am on the far right. Actually the one on the top row 2nd from left is the teacher, Monika.



It's a very international group - far left top - Ricardo (Brazil), Monika (Germany), Liza (Russia), Ferhat (Turkey), me (USA), bottom: Amale (Lebanon), Diane (Africa).

And I am fortunate to have become good friends with Amale, she is so cool.

Thanks to Misha (not pictured!) for taking this picture!