Bewerbungen

Yes, I am in the midst of applying to law school. I don't know if it's a really bad idea, but I am taking my apps way less seriously than I did my college apps. For example, I just sat down Friday and Saturday nights and wrote my personal statement. I like it the way it is, so I think I'll keep it. Actually, does anyone want to read it and give me feedback? I'd quite appreciate it. Let me know, either per email or comments.

Should I apply to NYU and/or UChicago law school? I can't see myself in NYC--I don't really like the place all that much. Way too huge for my taste. And what about UChicago? It's also quite a good school but I've never really been to Chicago (only been to Northwestern as a senior in high school and I actually liked it quite a bit). Don't know if I'd like the place. I'm already applying to 10 law schools, which means over $700 in apps. My mom says what's another $70, but I don't know what to do! I'd say the 10 law schools, but I don't want to jinx it. But I will say that I am not applying to UCLA or USC, a decision I just made that actually surprised me. I just wouldn't be able to stand being in LA. San Francisco/Berkeley, sure, and even OC, but not LA. Man, I hate the idea of having to drive a lot too. But I can never ever support USC or UCLA football. Speaking of, when my mom and I Skyped my father earlier today, the first thing he said was that UCLA and USC lost (not to mention Mission Viejo, a local high school my family hates because of their football team). Funny story--Mission Viejo stole my high school's really good quarterback, who is now playing for the Trojans (he'll be the next big thing, after Palmer, Leinart, and Booty, to come from my area). My dad was in line behind this woman at Starbucks the other day and she was wearing an SC sweatshirt. Of course my dad had to open his mouth and tell the woman he hopes USC loses every game (why, Dad, why?), and it just so happens that this woman is the kid's mother. Insert foot in mouth. You can see where I get it, eh?

So yes, that is my life right now. That, and watching videos on YouTube. I don't have a TV and can't access any shows since the networks limit viewing to Americans, so YouTube it is. I am quite mad at The Office writers--I want to see some more Pam and Jim interaction!

Tomorrow I teach my first two-hour after-school class and I am racking my brain trying to come up with something to teach them. I fear that 50 kids will show up and I won't be able to control them and also manage to teach to so many different ability levels. But I am quite excited! I finally feel challenged and that I am doing what I expected to be doing. And I'm sure the kids will behave themselves since they seem to want to impress me. I had administer a vocab test the other day--well, it's really just three kids a day who get tested in front of the class, and now that I'm helping I take three and the teacher takes three--and one kid was so nervous about embarrassing himself in front of me that he begged the teacher to go with her instead. But it turned out he got a perfect score, and I'm the one who embarrassed myself! He couldn't understand me when I gave him the German word to translate into English. Gotta work on that pronunciation!

Friday we had our orientation at Humboldt. It's an awesome university, so big, so many opportunities. Of course, nothing like an American university (it's been difficult constantly explaining the differences between American colleges/universities and the various European systems). My tuition is only 192 Euros, and with that comes a Semesterticket for all public transportation for six months. I also get Begruessungsgeld from Berlin--110 Euro back since I am registering for the first time at a Berlin university. I just cannot understand it! Berlin is so poor, so in debt, yet they decide to give me a majority of my money back! I do not understand the economics of this procedure--does it have something to do with good will bringing in more people? It's not like Berlin needs to offer anyone an incentive to come there. But hey, I'm not complaining. A one-month transportation pass alone costs around 70 Euro. This is a sweet deal. More later on what classes I am taking at Humboldt, but I am now officially registered as a student in Sozialwissenschaften (social sciences) instead of Germanische Linguistik (oh, how I miss linguistics, but it was time to move on).

Oh, yesterday I went to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It was quite informative--everywhere you turn, there is even more information to read. But I think I have had my share of concentration camps, after Auschwitz and all. There is only so much human brutality I can take. So unfathomable.

Today I spent another three hours with my church group. Will have to explain that later. Really awesome, bilingual community. So good to see active Christians in Berlin! And to be able to participate!

And to emphasize another positive thing (trying not to be so negative, and considering my life is going better now, that's not so hard to do): every time I leave my apartment I am just beaming at how wonderfully located it is. I like the place, and my roommate is so nice! Such a blessing. You all are certainly welcome to come and see the place for yourself, and after I go to Ikea tomorrow, maybe there will even be a place for you to sleep! Not promising anything though. ;-)