I need a bike and a dog. (or, Germany Log Parts 1 and 2)

Here are two entries from my "Germany Log" from the first few days of being here:

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26 June 2009

I am sitting here in Caleb and Shane's room at the Adam-Stegerwald Haus in Konigswinter, Germany. I'm pretty tired because we've had a full couple of days. On Wednesday, Mom and I drove up to Atlanta to go to the airport. There was no parking so she had to drop me off at the front of the airport instead of walking in with me and making sure I found the European Council people and got all checked in. So I had to do that all by myself! Oh my! Which, I guess accordingly I should be able to do all of that by the age of twenty, but it was still so stressful that I was almost shaking! At least I got the life experience. Yeah, that's right. Life experience! I guess I've been getting a lot of those lately...

So we sat around in the airport for quite some time and I got my fill in of text messaging for the next month or so. But we finally boarded the flight to Frankfurt around 5:45 and by 6:15 or so we were off! As Shane stated, "I got not only one but two meals and a whole selection of movies!" on the flight. So it wasn't too shabby. However, I (of course) could not sleep, so jet lag was really gonna be a heck of a good time!

Which it was. "Time Drunk" does not even begin to describe it. All day yesterday I was more than just "a little out of it". But that's okay! It was still really great to be in Germany and I'm really just very excited. We took a bus straight from the airport in Frankfurt to Konigswinter, where we are staying at the Adam-Stegerwald Haus. It's a hotel with twin size beds and a shower curtain that is my new best friend. There delicious food offered to us for certain meals during the day (they even had potato dumplings!) and there is a gorgeous garden that we can go sit in. It's really very quaint, as is the town of Konigswinter. =)

Basically there is a strip of stores you can go into, including a store for groceries as well as several convenience marts. Of course, there are also beer gardens, but I haven't actually been to on yet. I just get so tired walking down the street that I really just want some caffeine so I always get a coke! I will get some beer soon, I swear!

I was so jetlagged that I went to bed at 8:30 last night. Hilarious! But today I'm doing much better.

We got up early and had breakfast here at the Adam-Stegerwald Hous. It was so good! There were eggs and rolls with nutella! And coffee! c'est parfait! (maybe not quite the right language...) But at 10:00 AM we had a meeting and "survival guide" to Bonn. Basically they told us about the rail passes, etc and had us fill out a little bit of paperwork. After that we had a delicious lunch (once again, at the Adam-Stegerwalder Hous!) and then we took the train into Bonn.

I LOVE Bonn. Let me just say that! We took a walking tour that was exhausting, but it really seems like my kind of city. It's filled with tons of interesting history, good stores for shopping, a university, and plus - it sits right on the Rheine! So beautiful! We had dinner at a really tasty pizzaria and then we proceeded to talk around the city. Caleb accidentily left his camera (which was apparently very expensive) in the restaraunt though - so he and I ran back and hilariously enough, the man (who I'm pretty sure spoke very little German and mostly Italian!) just took us to the back and pulled it out of a cupboard. Caleb was, needless to say, very happy! We took the train back into Konigswinter and now here I am! We're taking a trip to Aachen tomorrow - here's hoping!

I really need to pick up some German. Hah! I can tell them I speak English. Oh and of course "please" and "thank you" and like "hello" and "I'm sorry." But (apparently I didn't bother to finish this entry into my log. I'm highly disappointed with myself.)

28 June 2009

Here I sit on my bed in the Adam-Stegerwald Haus, after yet another long day of adventuring into the countryside of Germany. I'm getting used to the language barrier, and I honestly think that if NOT for said language barrier, I would more than just want to live here. The public transportation is wonderful, the cities are beautiful and old and full of history but also they are modern and have all the modern conveniences of life.

Here are the four words I use to describe what I've been doing in Germany: eating, drinking, walking, sleeping. I guess that's what I do in the states, but I really do think that I've done an overabundance of that here! There is very little sitting around and playing on the computer, and there is very little unhealthy eating!

Although I sit here right now with a bag of gummi bears and a box of schocko-waffels behind me, they are the first real sweets I've had since I've been here. We eat very healthily here in Germany, and we walk almost everywhere. It's insane.

Yesterday, we took a bus into the city of Aachen. It's apparently the "city of water", where there is a million different very strange fountains. They are all utterly fascinating in their stories and they are very interesting, but none of them are just normal fountains! Hah! One of them supposedly had "healing powers" because of the sulfer content. I didn't taste it because hey - we have sulfer water in south Georgia! But Shane told me he thought I would like it because I love hard boiled eggs! Haha!

We had yet another guided tour. It was interesting, as always, and the tour guide was cute when he would say things like "I am going to give you two informations about this castle - the first information..." So adorable! After the tour we went out to lunch and I had some schnitzel and my first alcoholic beverage ever legally purchased. It was a really really strong sex on the beach. Hah! I was feeling it by the end of the meal but luckily I sobered up as we walked around a little more.

We rode back into Konigswinter and met up with a girl that Barbara knows, Manu. She is from Konigswinter and she thought it would be nice for us to see where we could go as young people. I went to two pubs with her and tried to the local beer as well as some local wine. I got a little tipsy yet again, but some pizza and conversation calmed me down quite a bit.

This morning we got up earlier than ever! We had to be on the bus at 8 so breakfast was at 7. After my morning of nutella and whole grain rolls, we hopped on a bus off to the Burg Eltz, or Eltz Castle. We toured that, and as always, I love castle tours. It was also cute when our tour guide said "wisit" in place of "visit"! And there is always a lovely view at castles!

After that we hopped BACK on the bus and ate some food on our way into Trier. Luckily, we didn't have another guided tour here (I am pretty sure we were all toured out by this point!). We actually found out that there was the remains of an old Roman amphitheatre in Trier, so we took the long walk to look for it: Kate, Shane, Kori, Caroline, Caleb, Julian (otherwise known as Dufus), and me. It was actually pretty hot on the walk, but in the end it was totally worth it. We got to the amphitheatre after about forty five minutes of walking. It was incredible. Seriously - I could have died right then. We paid the two euro to get into the theatre and as we entered it was already obvious how incredible the accoustics were. The ruins of where the audience used to sit were on the sides of the hills around us and there was just an incredible feeling of being CONNECTED to this place for me. Like I could imagine all of the things that used to take place there - gladiators and comedies and it was just incredible. We even went underground to where they used to hold the animals and such. It was just so cool. I would even go out on a limb to say it was cathartic. Incredible.

After that we went and sat down at a little cafe on the street. There was a festival going on in Trier today so it was quite lively. I had a coke and a glass of wine and we just sort of relaxed, which was really nice, actually. And then we walked back to the bus, rode home to Konigswinter, I fell asleep and now I'm here. Logging it all in on my computer. =)

Here's another thought: I think that in order to be truly happy in Germany, I would need a dog and a bike. There has been no other time when I missed my dog and my bike more.

COMING SOON: Classes begin, trips to Bonn, Cologne (including Gay Pride Parade!), and eventually a trip to Paris (where I'll actually speak the language!)

SHANEISMS FOR THE DAY:
"Not only did I get one, but two full meals on the airplane! And a whole list of movies!"
"I don't know if I can tell the difference between who is gay and who is just European..."

"do not want go in cave!" (or, how I learned to vacation.)

So let's be pretty clear about this - I am really bad at relaxing. In general, there will always be a nagging thought in the back of my mind in ANY circumstance that just makes it (for lack of a better word) stressful for me.

These past few days have been incredibly surreal in this respect - I think I actually relaxed. I know, right? So let me sort of recap how wonderful it was!

On Saturday night, I spent the night at my childhood best friend, Anna's, and we got up early Sunday to leave for Florida! When we got there, we checked into our hotel and we started our wonderous Saint Augustine adventure, which included:

• some yummy wine that we drank out of plastic princess goblets! (and some not-so-yummy merlot, but yeah!)
  
• shopping in the historic district (with lots of trips to Kilwin's delicious ice cream - the one thing that Rob said I HAD to do while I was in Saint Augustine)
  
• visiting the BEACH (my favorite!) I got a little bit of tan but we all know that my ginger skin is pale and peachy.
  
• visiting the Saint Augustine Light House and climbing all the way to the top to discover that there is actually a guy that gets paid just to stand at the top of the light house. haha!
• taking the scariest ghost tour of my life! possibly because I had some wine before I went on it, but also because they gave out EMF readers (creepy!), and they took you to many different locations (they even told a story that I had heard from someone who had lived there before!).
• visiting the historic fort in town, of course. it was blazing hot, but that's what happens when you put two history nerds on vacation together! I even ventured into the terrifying dungeon, and fled the scene immediately when I realized - DO NOT WANT GO IN CAVE! Haha!
  
• MORE shopping on the historic street, followed by a nap after we got sprayed with rain and a truck drove through a puddle right next to us, ala a bad day movie montage ("why don't we down some wine and take a nap? we'll see how this goes...")
• We went to one of the best meals of my life at the Santa Maria restaurant where I had the Mahi Mahi, and Anna had a cocktail called "Bermuda Blue" (which was really more green than blue).
• We went outlet shopping and I didn't actually buy anything but FOOD. I'm super proud of myself for this fact because lately I've realized what a shopaholic I really am.

Well, I'm starting the fashion blog hopefully tonight, and I'm leaving for Germany really soon, so all is well in Robinland for the most part. I continue my decision NOT to decide (in reference to the men situation) and I continue my life of being fabulous.

peace. love you kids.

the most wonderful fairytale. (a tale of sarcasm, fashion, and enlightenment.)

This blog is in many different sections.
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on the road again...
...or not.

My life, let's just face it - cannot be simple or easy. Especially when it comes to cars. Automotive vehicles and I have always had a rocky relationship. From day one when I almost tipped a golf cart into my neighbor's yards multiple times, to when I got into my first car wreck three days after I got my license, to breaking down in the middle of the intersection of 11th Street and Veterans Parkway in Columbus (and subsequently three more times in the next two weeks) - I am a car killer.

It's purely unintentional, but I can no longer ignore my rocky relationship with motor vehicles.

Today is just another example. I'm driving home from Columbus and I've made it to Atlanta. I'm nearing the most stressful part of my adventure - merging onto a highway with about six lanes even with a working car is difficult for me! But seeing how when I got to the middle lane my car completely stopped running, I think it was a little extra difficult today. HAH.

Luckily for me, a kind preacher-like gentleman and what looked like a crazy ex-hippy arrived to my rescue and pushed my poor Professor off to the shoulder. I called my dad, and since the car was starting but just would not idle, I managed to get it to a gas station by just never taking my foot off the gas - which ended up being the way I got my car all the way back to Augusta. Driving with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brakes all the way home. But before this solution came along, I had to be harassed a little bit more by the fates....

...or by some crazy old homeless woman. Said homeless woman sized up me from a foot away AND my car as though she were looking at her new home! I know my car is a peice of crap, but it's not a new shelter from the drunk and underpriveledged! (Not that I have anything against the homeless, I just would rather they not try to take my car!)

So I am finally home, and I'm ready to get to the beach on Sunday! And despite the difficulties in our relationship, I think I'll actually keep driving.

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...a Prada purse has never broke my heart before.
(and let's be real - my obsession for Betseyville is getting a little sick. two new bags and a pair of sunglasses? shopping-gasm.)

Up and coming! I have had a little idea bunny that has planted itself in my brain lately - ever since I met a woman at Joann Crafts who complimented my ensemble and told me this statement: "I always lived on the straight and narrow of fashion. Now I wish that I had been more like you and had taken a chance and actually expressed myself with my clothes." And I have been thinking it would be fun to start a blog about fashion and all the ideas I have and things I find. Although, I haven't had any ideas for a title for it. It should go something like this: "CATCHY TITLE: Fashion OFF The Straight and Narrow" (thank you random woman at Joann!). I am even thinking of having other people authorized to post on it so it wouldn't just be me - and my friends could blog too! I don't know. Maybe I'm being super nerdy but I really like it as an idea. Let me know if you can think of a title because I really want something good! (Or if you want to help me with it and post stuff!)

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there's no need to complicate - 'cause our time is short.

Also, I've decided to not make any sort of decision. That is, about my "love life". (I'm not sure if you can really call it that, because really I'm not WITH anyone, I just talk to people and I flirt a lot, but I feel like I should only like one person at a time for some reason.) As I'm not committed to liking any one person, I'm going to decide NOT to decide. I will just GO WITH THE FLOW. That's my new mantra on that situation: go with the flow. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. If it's not, then it's not. At least I don't feel totally undesirable lately.

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"life itself is the most wonderful fairytale." - hans christian anderson.

I'm really excited about Germany. For real, I think it will be such an adventure. But I'm also excited about heading to the beach with Anna this week. I have never been on a trip with her before, and I absolutely adore the beach. It will be like a real vacation! But let's be real - I am so grateful for my life. Even if my car is a peice of shit, even if I'm not in love, even if I can't make a real decision, even if I'm a total fashion-obsessed shopaholic, even if I'm a huge mess.

As I was driving back home today, foot pushing down on the gas continuously, it started to rain, and just as quickly it let up - and through my Betsey Johnson sunglasses, I saw the most beautiful rainbow in front of me. And I knew that my day wasn't complete and utter shit anymore. That there was at least something beautiful for me to look at.

I'm so grateful for the adventure that is my life. Love you kids. Enjoy the world - it's worth it.

a blog dedicated to Brittain White.

a conversation on facebook IM:

Robin
how you pretty?

Brittain
i;m good. just got back from the opening night part
u
party
how you

Robin
you drink? lol

Brittain
i drank but am not drunk
just can't type

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and this is why I love Brittain White. [=

Things are alright right now I suppose. I think I'm just in general confused about what I want out of my "love life". I just never feel like I actually have a love life and then when I realize I do I'm like "?"

I saw My Life in Ruins today with Cassie. It was super chick flicky but exactly what I needed. Cheesy and wonderful and filled with Greek ruins! Also, I have been making feather headbands lately that are all really obnoxiously cute. I think I may just make a bunch and give a few away but mostly just keep them for myself to make a statement [=

The next few weeks have a lot in store getting ready for Germany, and if I'm lucky I'll get it all done! [= I love you guys - there's not much to update about but I just had to dedicate my blog to Brittain!

open up your plans - and damn! you're free.

Relax? What is this?

So basically between now and June 24th:

I have to write an ass-ton of papers. Seriously, a LOT of scholastic things will be going down on this computer...
I plan on laying out.
I need to buy a suitable purse for Germany.
I need to pack.

But on another note:
I'm going to make feather headbands today! Which is exciting, because I haven't felt crafty in awhile, and I really think they will be super cute.
I'm going to Saint Augustine on the 14th-17th with Anna!
I get to relax a bit.

I'm so crushing. But in all honesty - and I hate to write things online - things will work out for the best. <3

tell me - where do I go?

Things are really quite good lately. I have money for once in my life, I have my cat, I have my apartment (I'm not sure if I mentioned how much I love said apartment, but living off campus is wonderful, relaxing, and all those "home" things that you always wanted!), flirtation is fun, I'm happy scholastically and theatrically - in general, I can't really complain much about life. Except that I wish dishes would do themselves!

I've been thinking a lot about my future recently. I've been working so diligently for the past two years just to make a name for myself here at CSU, but I really want to start branching out to other theatres in the area (this is a large part of why I auditioned at the Springer, and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed about that!).

Also, on that vein of thought, I really am thinking it would be cheating myself out of something not to look into studying dance more - choreography is really something I want to get into. However, I'm not really built to be a professional dancer, so finding a school to study at will be difficult, I think. This is just a random thought I've been nursing lately. I have two more years before I graduate. [=

love you kids.
ps. get your hands on a copy of the new recording of HAIR. Immediately.