bonn: sunday morning

So, it's another Sunday here in Bonn, which means there is absolutely nothing to do. Everything here shuts down on Sundays, which is kind of inconvenient because I can't go shopping for anything I need, get anything to eat or drink...I have to be totally self sufficient and eat all of my food that I bought yesterday, like a squirrel saving up for the winter. This weekend was big, as I mentioned in my last post. John's 21st birthday was Thursday, so we made dinner at his place. We all made dinner last week too, but then there were only 9 people sharing. Thursday I'd say about 20-25 people turned up to eat dinner. We didn't have enough cupcakes to go around, but don't you think those right there are beautiful? They turned out well if I do say so myself. (Sarcasm, hello!) Anyway, Friday night John had a party to celebrate, which was akin to the basement parties I've seen in Madison, but better somehow. It didn't get too suffocating and there was foosball to entertain those losers like me who don't like to dance. Yesterday I spent a good amount of time walking around the city, trying to figure out the most direct path to get to where I need to go without wandering aimlessly. Today I'm working on my homework/Refarat, which is basically a speech that I got to choose the topic on. Naturally, I'm reporting on Madison. I'm excited to go through my computer pictures of home!

As far as struggles go, on Thursday I have an appointment with the German visa people to get my residence permit. I'm excited but also scared because I've been told I need a return ticket home, which I don't have. Not only that but buying one this far out seems really expensive and unnecessary. I also need to buy insurance, but I think I'm just going to purchase some travel insurance like I did when I went to Kenya and pray that I don't get sick. I really need to get that taken care of. Secondly, my German isn't getting as much better as I'd like. I want to expose myself to more German, in Radio and TV form, as well as reading Harry Potter (I bought the 6th book, Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz) but it's harder than you'd think. I don't have a TV or a radio and since I'm in all classes with English speakers, I really only speak German with Germans, in class or in public, rather than 100% of the time. I also think in Denglish, and sometimes speak that way as well. It'll get better...hoffentlich. 

Third issue...I am sick. I came home early last night (think, 9pm) because I just felt drained. Drained turned into super sore throat and fatigue. That became a cough. In 12 hours! I hope it goes away as quickly as it came. I'm just planning of cuddling up with my snuggie, disney movies and homework until someone forces me to leave. 

Bis später, alle! Ich vermisse euch sehr!