how predictable

I've been holding off for months now. Sadly, my title is terribly cliché, but nothing better than a shameless modification of Carrie Bradshaw's time in Paris came to me, so I'll let it be for now. Having just passed my three-month mark in Augsburg, I thought I was beginning to transcend the need for home and friends and familiar language and automobiles. How foolish of me. On this Friday afternoon I find myself longing to frequent a familiar café with familiar faces and loud laughs and the comfort of being oneself without the awkwardness that comes with first and second meetings, the uncertainty concerning one's own character when confronted with new people, new situations, new expectations. I miss people.

In the interests of not being a downer, I must say that life is wonderful here. The language school I work for, inlingua, allows me to take free German courses five days a week and teach English in the evenings. I just got my first (real) paycheque (the actual first one was 54Euros, not terribly inspiring), and I am definitely enjoying the benefits of employment without tuition. Yesterday was my MA class's convocation ceremony at Queen's. I'm sad I missed it, but I'm also glad I'm no longer there.

After watching my laundry from a chair in my kitchen for approximately 15 minutes (the wash cycle really is captivating), I decided I could either head out to the Weiss Lamm, my Sleepless Goat substitute in Augsburg, or rant about my desire for instant friends online. My need for an outlet got the best of me. Although I've met some great people here, I have yet to find someone I can be angry, happy, sad, loud, ridiculous, and serious with all at the same time. Perhaps my criteria are too unforgiving. Maybe one person for each emotion? Seven women constitute a veritable gaggle.

Unfortunately my blog will most likely be devoid of photos - I'm not a big fan of cameras. But imagine, if you can, my new German driver's license! I am so proud of my Führerschein - it required some angst-filled hours at the Augsburg Bürgerbüro, mostly with me gesticulating wildly and trying to communicate in Deutsch, but it was worth it. I feel like a real resident now. However, they insisted upon "keeping" (confiscating) my Canadian license; I can only imagine how ridiculous it will seem for me to be driving in Canada and only have German ID. "Well I don't have my Canadian license, but you can scan my German one if you'd like." At least I'll be able to articulate myself better in my home country...

That's it for now. I think I've drastically exceeded the unspoken ideal length of one blog post, especially without photos. I hope to hear from some of you. Send some comments into the void. Hopefully all is well in your respective lands.

and an ad for my school. amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUiIChfIuJg&feature=player_embedded

Tschüs!