My new life

Life is really good right now. I have good classes for the semester, not too much stress (I'll only have to write 2 term papers this semester instead of 3!!!), beautiful weather that I just can't get enough of, some exciting possibilities ahead of me, and the motivation to just start doing things differently - better - because I feel so much better when I do.

I'm gradually gonna get the hang of this going-to-bed-earlier-waking-up-earlier thing because even though I've never been a morning person, I think morning is the prettiest time of day, and I just feel good all day if I get up and make use of or at least enjoy the morning.

I'm feeling more inspired about schoolwork; it just seems more interesting to me now than it did before. It probably helps that I'm not all intimidated like I was last semester; I love sitting in my classes and NOT being the clueless foreign kid. The other day in a history class some German kids started complaining about the amount of reading we had to do and I was like "Eh no biggie!"

I'm feeling good because I'm experiencing the fact that changing old habits really is possible, and totally worth it. I've got a lot of things on my mind right now but I have peace about all of them because I know God's in control.

Los geht's

Ahh, back to the real world. Second semester started this week. Which is weird, because everyone at Penn is getting out for summer break soon; this week is the LAST week of classes there. But it's okay. The weather here has been very nice, which just makes life happier. And so far I've visited some cool courses.

I'm actually almost set on a schedule for the semester; looks like it'll be the course our program director is teaching - American Perspectives on Germany from Bismarck through Hitler, Social and Cultural History of East and West Germany Compared (same prof as my TV and History course last semester), plus Turkish 3. I'm also visiting a couple modern literature courses, from which I will choose one to take.

Still up in the air is what sort of musical activity I might be engaging in this semester. It didn't work out with that other choir I wanted to join--I will be out of town on the big rehearsal weekend right before the concert--so I'm still looking for some other possibilities. Maybe voice lessons. We'll see.

That's all for now--got another class to go to soon. Later!

More pictures

An afternoon at the Tscherners' (another family from church) with Tobi

by stinaberlin

Robert and Emily's Easter Egg Hunt

by stinaberlin

PICTURES

Well, I just took Mom to the airport, so things are quieting down now. It feels weird to be here by myself! The last several weeks have been pretty awesome though, so I can't complain. I've got just enough time to rest up and get organized before second semester starts.

I have a ton of pictures I haven't posted yet, so here we go...

First of all, my trip to see Shannon in Lyon:

by stinaberlin

Celebrating Robert's birthday at "Tommy's turbulente Tobewelt" ("Tommy's Turbulent Tumble-World... kinda like Discovery Zone in the U.S.):

by stinaberlin

Mom and Dad's visit to Berlin (just a few random shots):

by stinaberlin

My trip to Istanbul:

by stinaberlin