Ninth and Tenth Day in Dortmund

 (9/9/12 and 9/10/12) (Yes, I combined days, so sue me (Please don’t))

            Sunday!! Nothing that interesting to report, unfortunately. Today was spent filling out paper work. We met in Selma’s office around noon and stayed until four. We also went over our German CV’s and made corrections. After that, Britney, Chris, and I met in the library to work on our presentation for the International Breakfast. In addition to food, we also have to talk in German for five minutes about our country. We focused on representations of the South in film, like Forrest Gump and Gone With the Wind, and also included a slide on what we eat, complete with a picture of Paula Deen. I think it’s a good effort, and the teacher’s said to be creative, and I think a doughnut hamburger is very creative. After that, I walked back to my dorm and went to bed. Just your average bureaucratic and lazy Sunday.

            Monday!! Another early day.  We met with Selma to fill out even more paperwork. Then we made our way to City Hall. Mike and I had appointments to get our Visas. This took a while so I missed a whole day of class. As promised, here is my crazed Visa photo: 

I think it gives off a criminal vibe, like I'm mad that I got nabbed for all those murders.

After that, Mike and I navigated back to Dortmund. I sat next to a very friendly older German woman on the bus. She chattered away even after I sheepishly said “Englisch?” and asked me what I was studying and where I was from. I think she had a son that works for Microsoft and speaks perfect English and French. At least, those are some of the words I could make out. Once we got back to campus Mike showed me how to get coins for the laundry and explained the cafeteria a little better.

After class and appointments we all went shopping. We went to a Karstadt, which kind of reminded me of Kroger. It was a lot nicer than Aldi, and had more selection, but also more expensive as well. I met another nice older German. It was a man this time, and he helped me hold open my tote bag and put all my groceries in. He kept talking to me like the woman on the bus, but this time I just nodded and said “Ja” and “danke” a lot. Mike said they must like me here… only the older people it seems, which is ok by me. 
German Word(s) of the day. 1. Bürokratie- "Bureaucracy" In order to get a Visa, one must often go through the world of Bürokratie. 2.Opa- "Grandpa" The girl's Opa helped her learn to read.