Wanna Hear A Joke?

Me oh my, but it has been a long time!

A fair amount has happened since my last post, the most exciting thing being that my nephew was born and he and his parents spent a month and a half with us over the summer. He's the cutest kid in the whole world and I'm not even exaggerating.

I recently completed my third and last co-op rotation with Bosch. There was a whole new group of people that time and I was the only one out of over 20 American co-ops and German interns who has been here before. My roommate that rotation was German, which was pretty cool. Because of that (and partly because I've been making a lot of progress with going out and doing things and talking to people over the last year) I've been able to get to know some of the German interns better than I have in the past. In the process of getting to know them, I also learn more about Germany and what they think of things there vs here in the U.S. so I thought it would be fun to make a post with a list of all the things that they've told me or which I have observed so far along those lines.

1. Everything is bigger here
2. The tomatoes have more flavor here
3. School spirit is nonexistent in Germany. They don't have mascots, school colors, or even t-shirts for their schools. Apparently, people would think you were crazy if you went around wearing a t-shirt for your school.*
4. Everything is sweeter here (except the popcorn. So far that's the only thing we've encountered that we usually eat salty and Germans eat sweet)
5. They have very strong feelings about bread and it's much better in Germany. Theirs is darker, denser, and has a hard crust.
6. Students often take a gap year before they go to university and do a year of service work. One of the German girls worked with the EMS. I think that's really cool because not only are you working to help the community but you're also learning useful skills.
7. In different regions of Germany the people speak what seem to be different dialects. Apparently, these dialects are different enough that they have a formal German which is used in the workplace so that everyone can understand one another. Everyone is adamant that their German is the "right" German.
8. People in Berlin are generally considered very strange by the rest of Germany. In Berlin anything and everything goes.
9. In Germany you cannot simply name you child. The government has to approve the names that you want to use. This is to prevent any names that might prove embarrassing to the child.  
10. Most of the Germans that I have gotten to know grew up in villages of a few thousand people and then moved to a larger city for their studies. 
11. When it comes to meat, they go for the steak here because it's so much cheaper than in Germany
12. In general, they don't get married until they're older (late 20s or later) and often not until they've dated the person for several years. Apparently, Germans don't jump from one relationship to another as often as many Americans do. 
13. Oktoberfest is mostly attended by tourists (unconfirmed)  
14. They have no Santa Clause in Germany. German children receive presents from St. Nicholas 
15. Our water tastes very different. Germans usually drink carbonated water rather than "dead water" and they told me that even when filtered they can taste the chemicals in our water.

There was gobs more, but I can't remember it all. As it comes back to me I may do a second post. :)

*Turns out they do have a limited selection of shirts and sweaters for their schools, but nothing like what we have here

My Bucket List

1. See a Russian Ballet 

     2. Learn to speak another language (Russian and/or German)
     3. Fly a plane
     4. Go canoeing on a river
     5. Visit all 50 states
     6. Explore Iceland

     7. Visit the UK
     8. Visit Eastern Europe
     9. Ride a train across a country
   10. Have a room filled with books

   11. Own a house with plenty of yard and lots of trees
   12. Have a garden (where something other than weeds grow)
   13. Make a big patchwork quilt

   14. Learn to dance
   15. Become good at martial arts (specifically sparring)
   16. Become an expert on something useful
   17. Be someone that encourages and comforts others
   18. Run a used bookstore (maybe with a bakery)

   19. Become a good cook
   21. Write a story
   22. Help keep kids around the world off the streets and in a loving and supportive environment where they can learn to know Jesus

 *UPDATE*
 23. Go diving in Iceland between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSxrIc-VJpQ
24. Learn sign language

Somehow, when I was creating my top ten animated movies list, I forgot to include one of my all-time favorites. How could I do that?! I'll tell you how. My working theory is that at some point 5 or 6 years ago I was kidnapped by a mad scientist who proceeded to put me through an operation to swap my memory with that of his 85 year old mother in attempt to stop her dementia. Now of course, this is impossible, so it didn't work, but it did severely damage my hippocampus and cortex, thus leaving me with an ever degrading vocabulary and a very poor memory. And that, my friends, is how I forgot to include Atlantis in my top ten animated movie list. Atlantis, people. I forgot Atlantis.

"We're all gonna die."

This is one of those movies that completely arrested my imagination and influences many of the stories I make up for myself even now. Aside from being beautifully drawn, it's also well written and very funny. Half the characters are my favorites, from the dry-humored, Vinny, the explosives expert to friendly, matter-of-fact Dr. Sweets. Pretty much anyone who isn't a villain in this movie is one of my favorites or second favorites. Kida is probably my favorite Disney princess. Before remembering this movie, I would have said Tiana, but I probably shouldn't have said that since I haven't seen the movie. :P  It's also my pet theory that Atlantis was a real place before the flood. Just thought I'd throw that out there. :)

Anyways, Netflix has it on instant play so you should probably go watch it. Like, right now. Unless you should be studying, in which case go study and then give yourself a break and watch Atlantis.

Earlier today, I somehow or other got to thinking about how Prince of Egypt is such a great movie, and I decided that I would make a list of my top 10 animated movies. I have ranked each based on three categories; plot, humor, and, of course, soundtrack! I'll be honest, I typically weigh the latter two much more than the first. A score of 1 under a category means I didn't notice it at all, while a score of 10 means it couldn't possibly be any better. (Sorry for all the random extra numbers on the side. I cant figure out how to get rid of them)

1. Toy Story

 
Plot:10
Humor:10
Soundtrack:6
Total: 26


"Hey, Ham! Look! I'm Picasso!"
"Eeeeh, I don't get it"
"You uncultured swine!!"


How do they even come up with these things?! The frequency with which I and my sisters quote this movie might be verging on the edge of excessive if such a thing were possible. If you have never seen it then you really must as soon as you possibly can get your hands on it. Who cares if you have a test tomorrow?! Its a classic!




2. Toy Story 2
 

Plot:10

Humor:10

Soundtrack:6

Total: 26

The second was just as good as the first! (The third was really good also, but didn't make the list because I am even more prejudiced against third installments than second ones and it made me cry too much)

1. 
   
2.  
3. The Prince of Egypt
   
   Plot:10
   Humor:5
   Soundtrack:10
   Total: 25 
   
   
   The soundtrack alone could put this movie on the list, but the the amount of feeling that they were able to capture is incredible. My sisters and I don't quote this movie, but we sing the songs all the time.
4. How to Train Your Dragon
1. 
    Plot:8
   Humor:9
   Soundtrack:8
   Total: 25
   
   
   "Thank you, useless reptile"
   
   
   I am especially found of dry and sarcastic humor which is sprinkled generously throughout this movie. It kills me every time I watch it. While there aren't any singalongs, the instrumental pieces that make up the soundtrack are haunting. 
   
   
5. Tarzan 
   
   Plot:7
   Humor:8
   Soundtrack:10
   Total: 25
   
   
   "Are you sure this water is sanitary? It looks questionable to me."
   
   
   Little Tantor is quite possibly my favorite character, with little Turk in close second with her skeptical, "Okaay. He's yoour baby!" The very best part of the movie, however, is the soundtrack. I like a lot of Phil Collins' work, but I only know his name from favoriting all of the songs from the Tarzan soundtrack on Pandora.
6. Finding Nemo
 
Plot:9
Humor:10
Soundtrack:5
Total: 24


Pixar has the most imaginative staff of any company to have ever existed. Vegetarian Sharks with support groups? It's brilliant, and I tell you what; if there's one address that the people of this world know better than any other, it's P. Sherman's at 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.
 
7. Mulan
 
Plot:7
Humor:8
Soundtrack:9
Total: 24  


"Dishonor! Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow!" 


Not only to we quote this movie and sing it's songs all the time, but, given the inclination, my sisters and I could probably quote this movie from start to finish. We've actually attempted to do it a few times, but usually get bored after about 15 minutes.


8. Anastasia
1. 
   Plot:8
   Humor:7
   Soundtrack:9
   Total: 24
   
   
   "You know, you really should watch your blood pressure. My nephew Izzy just keeled over mid-mango. Stress, it's a killer, sir. And he was a fruit bat. No meat. No blood even."
   
   
   Bartok is quite entertaining in a creepy kind of way, and is probably my favorite character. The whole movie was very colorful and mesmerizing, and the songs are hard to stop singing. I think this movie is part of the reason why I'm trying to learn Ruski and definitely the reason why I love the name Anya.
9. The Incredibles
 
Plot:9
Humor:9
Soundtrack:5
Total: 24


"I nevah look back, dahling. It distwacts fwum the now."


This is another one we could probably quote all the way through, but we simply haven't the attention span to get much more than 4 or 5 scenes in. The fight between Bob and Helen is always the most fun anyway.


10. Ratatouille
     
    Plot:9
    Humor:6
    Soundtrack:8
    Total: 23
    
    
    "If you focus on what you left behind you will never see what lies ahead!"
    
    
    All around cute movie with a great soundtrack. It's funny how creatures we generally see as nasty little monsters can be so cute and cuddly when they're animated. 
    
    

 As you can see, I had a little trouble breaking ties. They're all so good, that it's hard to rank them against each other. If there are any titles on this list which you haven't seen for some lamentable reason, my recommendation is that you remedy the situation with all expediency.


 Honorable Mentions (Not necessarily in order)

1. Despicable Me
2. Ice Age 
3. Tangled

I just found this question thing that my friend and I did a few months ago. It made me smile so I thought I'd share it. Can you guess which one is me? :)

1.      What do you think of Pride and Prejudice 1995? I want your honest opinion!

    -I think it’s the best and most entertaining representation of the book

    -I love it except for Wickham-- he’s too creepy and not cute

2.      What are you now reading?

    -Bleak House, The Hiding Place, Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness, and several others

    -The Way We Live Now

3.      What is your least favourite costume from your favourite movie?

    -I dont think i have one. except when i set eyes on it

    -Molly Gibson’s poofy white dress.  Wait, no, Elizabeth Bennet’s olive green dresss w/ the goofy sleeves.

4.      What is your favourite Period Drama hat?

    -Same as previous answer

    -Scarlett O’Hara’s straw hat w/ the green ribbon

5.      Who is the last man (from a Period Drama) in the world who you could ever marry?

    -ooh…. uh, heathcliff  You turd!  I knew it! :D

    -Mr. Collins good one, but then there are far too many of his sort to choose from  indeed!  Mr Guppy is also pretty nasty. yeah, but i wouldn’t put him on the level of mr collins  Are you saying Mr Collins is worse than Mr Guppy? yes. Guppy is creepy, certainly, but he’s not as thoroughly puke-worthy as Collins or Krook.  “Puke- worthy!”  Hahaha!!!  I like it. :D

6.      Which period drama person of either gender would most like to have as your teacher?

    -well i feel like i would like it to be Elinor Dashwood or Esther Summerson, but i think i would just disappoint them, so….. mmmmmm…. here….. okay, so maybe Rab Silsbee. :)  Cheater!  he’s not on a movie! yes he is. A simply gut wrenchingly-awful one but still…  okay  :)

    -Hmm….  this is hard….  hahaha!!! nice correction!!!  thanks :)  this just makes it even harder….  okay, I’m super stumped on this one.  Does Poirot count?  I feel like he’d be a funny teacher, but a bit confusing.  yeah, he does count.  Based on my previous comments, this makes it look like I have a thing for Poirot…..  I don’t. how so?   Bc I was like “ooh nice correction!  I love guys!” :P that wasn’t how i read it  Wait, does Gendry count???!!! No, because thats fantasy.   Okay, I’ll stick w/ Poirot then.

7.      What is the next thing that you are going to watch? (Or what do you think?)

    -There are so many things I still need to see, but if youtube and amazon prime instant play and couchtuner were not at my disposal, it would probably be either Desolation of Smaug, Catching Fire, Frozen, Belle, Delivery Man, or one of the many other movies that I have yet to see.

    -Hmm…. no idea.

8.      What's the colour of your bedroom?

    -My bedroom does not have a specific color. the walls are white and there are lots of blacks, browns, and greens, but just in the items I own

    -Purple!

9.      What do you feel like eating now?

    -Something cold and fruity!!

    -Everything in the world!  Cookout.  No, maybe spaghetti.  Then a chocolate orange, then hot wings, then a chocolate milkshake, then something salty, then a giant fruit salad.

10.     Do you like pulling practical jokes on people?

    -Yes, except for the fact that I’m always terrified that they’ll be hurt or take it the wrong way

    -Muahahaha!!!!!

11.      Do you knit, crochet, cross stitch or do any other needlework? If not would you like to

learn?

    -no/ I can do a basic stitch, but id like to learn!

    -Knit and cross stitch

12.      What was the last period drama you watched?

    -uhhh… that depends on what counts. I watched a couple of episodes of the Duchess of Duke Street….  Is that good?  I’ve never heard of it. Not really. I was desperate. its from the 70’s

    -Larkrise to Candleford.  Does hat count?  Or does it have to be a movie? I think it counts

13.      Which flavor do you prefer: lemon, lime or orange?

 -It does depend. generally lime if its cold 

-Depends

14.      If you had a locket whose photo would you put inside?

    -uhhh...myself. duh. no jk. um if i had a husband/boyfriend it would be him.

    if it’s fictional…...well thats still kinda creepy…...

    -Is this a real or fictitious person?  Real-  no idea.  Fictitious-  Heathcliff, DUH!

15.      If you were to create your own perfume line what scent would you most like to bottle up?

    -spring rain  that’s hard to beat

    -This one’s too hard, there’s too many fabulous scents to pick just one!

16.      If you could scold one period drama villian in person who would you scold and why?

    -i don't scold. I use the most potent words i can conjure to express my disgust and that their disgusting and horrendous (to use exceedingly mild terms) behavior is not to be tolerated. then i bring them to the most violent and unpleasant end i can manage.

who? i really have no idea. Maybe… there was someone really odious but i can't think who it was….

    -I would scold Laura Fairlie for being such an idiot, and I’d tell her to either go find a brain or jump off a bridge. What?! why? she wasn’t a villain!  Bc I can’t stand stupid characters.  Oh wait, haha!!!!  I just saw “who would you scold?”   :P  Hahahahaha!!!!  I was going to scold her for being stupid, but I misread the question!  Oh the irony!  Okay, villains?  Hmm….  no idea.

17.      If you were to get a new pet today what would it be and why what would you name it?

    -well, pretending that i wanted or could put up with a pet, i would get a german shepherd or some mixed breed that is similar and name it Rommel or Eisenhower. :) Or I might get a snake and name it ….i dont know. something cool.  Whaa???  You’re a snake lady now? well that makes it sound creepy. no, im not a “snake lady”

    -I would get a black cat, and if it were a girl, I’d name her Scarlett, if it were a tom-cat man- cat, I’d name him Lucifer Hahaha!!!  Something… I found out today that one of the guys in one of my groups has the middle name Fitzgerald

18.      I always have a song in my head, what song has been on your mind lately?

    -whatever song says something to the effect of “if you want to stick around forever I wouldn’t mind.” I can’t remember it now.

    -Nothing in particular really

19.  What will you have for dinner?

    -I had bowtie pasta with pasta sauce from a jar.

    -I had 2 frozen burritos.  Lydia, we have refined taste in cuisine. Haha! no, we’re just poor. and lazy

Europe - Day 10
We spent that night in a nice hotel near Rothenburg. there was 1 room and 2 bathrooms, which we found a little odd but very convenient. We slept in that morning and had the windows open. It so sunny and fresh. There was breakfast downstairs which we descended for just in time [as is our modus vivendi]. It was the usual European breakfast buffet, cereal, bread, plain yogurt, fruit, eggs, slices of meat, and cheese. We enjoyed ourselves, especially since we were practically the only ones there so late in the morning. We packed up the car and headed over to Rothenburg, which is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.

The Burggarten (Castle Garden) is a sort of park in the location where the red castle once stood. It was a lovely, peaceful spot, the view from which was lovely and extensive

Outside the crime and punishment museum. It had all kinds of medieval torture equipment.

A German copy of Pride and Prejudice that I found in a book store

On the city wall