Let me explain how my semester works: I have three weeks of German Intensive, in which we take three hours of German class Monday through Friday, which means lots of homework and tests almost everyday. What I find was hard for me was that, I have three roommates, and they all have had no German whatsoever, so they have about 20 minute-worth of homework each day, and I am obligated to help them since I supposedly know more, whereas I have no one to help me. I am in Intermediate II, which is equivalent to like a 202 at many universities, or the fourth college semester. The difficulty lies in that, unlike the introductory class, we have students of various backgrounds and abilities. Some have been taking German at their home universities in the previous three semesters, but some took them a year ago. And l, who are probably the least knowledgeable in the class, only started learning the language about seven months ago and had a shaky foundation because I pretty much skipped a level. I have been, and perhaps still am, pretty stressed about how I am doing in class, and was frustrated that so many other students have more time to enjoy various other activities while I am constantly feeling like I have to work on my schoolwork... sounds pretty familiar if you know anything about my life.
Also, because we are music students, even though the Intensive German period is supposed to be German only, we of course need to start our private music instructions, practicing, and so forth. And sure enough, I had my first bassoon lesson two days ago.
I have been pretty worried about German, but since we had the final exam today, and the weather was beautiful, I was in a very good mood. I looked at trip planning for Paris for a little bit, took my laundry (I had to take my laundry to the IES Center because the washer at home broke), and decided to go home on foot. It is a nice walk through the Stadtpark, and it also goes by the Rochusmarkt. On my way, I walked by an accordion player on the bridge in the park, which I was very happy to see. I dropped by a bakery, and bought a half-loaf of bread, which the lady wrapped with a piece of paper, that was another mushroom (if you don't get why bread wrapped with papers are worth mushrooms, well... my roommates didn't get it either, but isn't it quite obvious?). I then stood in line at the Post for so long... so many people wanting to mail things! I love the streets in Wien. I quite suspect I might still be a city girl at heart, from growing up in Taipei I mean. I love the public transportation, and so far I am better at them than my roommates are. Taking the U-Bahn and all is so natural to me, and standing on the right side of the escalator? Yup yup, that too. Might I also mention that the little green and red persons – the pedestrian traffic lights look the same as the ones in Taipei? The older kind that they had when I lived there. Recycling I am used to. It is more like Taipei here than the cities I lived in in the States. Also, buzzing people in from apartments? Yeah, I grew up with that, and the intercom! And military time, metric system, A4 sized papers, and a lot of the brands that are common here and in Taipei, but not where I lived in the States... these little things make me feel so much more at home, perhaps more than when I am in Missoula or Tacoma. At first I thought it is the U.S. vs the World thing, as in, the rest of the world is a lot more alike and it is just America that is sticking out. But now I also wonder if it is the urban life style that speaks to me. To me, since I moved around, home means a few places that are dear to me, including Taipei, Missoula, and maybe a handful of other places. Currently, I do not have a bed anywhere else in this world, so here in Vienna is my home and I firmly believe it (and I can say I adore my bed here in Vienna too). I am glad it is so easy for me to recognize that, because Tacoma never quite feel like home to me somehow, at least not in the first one or two years. I am saying this because I wanted to say that it gets tricky when I speak of the feeling of home, or homey, or homesick, as it is never clear what it is that I am missing. Anyway, if I need/miss some Asian goods, I have far easier access to them here than I do in Tacoma, Seattle, or Missoula.
Initially when I was looking at study abroad programs, I was interested in more rural locations, places where I might walk through some fields to go to school. I was really not that into marble halls and gold leaves, but I am glad I am here. I can still admire the gorgeous architecture – pretty things are still pretty!! And the arts scene is just more than I can ask for! And I always feel the age of the city – there are plenty of old doors that don't latch, narrow staircases, GAS STOVE (yes indeed, we need a match to light our stove; as for the oven, we light the center and then blow it!), antique and old book shops... I am content.
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