Different Are Some Things

Well hello there. I'm back to tell you about some odd things that have happened these last few days. Let's jump right in, shall we? Saturday evening, Rachel and I were simply at the grocery store, deciding what sort of dinner we'd come up with later on, merely talking to one another...when an old man walked by and said (practically sang), "Youuuuuu shouuuld go hoooome..." and just continued to stroll along ahead to the checkout. I followed him with my eyes, jaw slightly dropped, and sure enough he turned back after a few steps, staring with an evil grin to see our reaction. Sorry, but no one will convince me that somehow he thought little old me had a rough day and was telling me to go back home and rest up. No sir. This man was quite obviously telling me (us...) to go back to whatever English-speaking land we've come from. I wonder if my generation is as stubborn and arrogant as his can be. I sure hope not. I sure hope the world begins to realize they are better than no one, and no one is better than them.

Next order of business: today's class. Today we were talking about what we did over the weekend. A guy named Jason said he went to the Deutsche Museum, and because I had just visited there recently, I wanted to know what he thought of it. So I said, auf Deutsch,
"How did you find it?"
And he said, "I asked someone."

Now, this wasn't registering to me. I must say, I think most of you know I get way too much of a kick out of double-meaning sentences, so really, I should have realized what was going on when everyone was laughing. But the truth is, I thought they were laughing because Jason "misunderstood" my question. I repeated what I said in my head, just to make sure I said the right thing, and I gave myself the all-clear. Everyone kept laughing, but I couldn't even speak, because I was confused about why everyone kept looking at ME and laughing. Some seconds later, the laughter errupted from yours truly, when I realized Jason thought I was literally asking how he located the museum... The next part was really cool, when my teacher proceeded to share with us an expression for people who are "slow" like that. Also not appreciated. I have had way too many teachers who adore cynicism and allow mockery in the classroom. It's not conducive to learning, and it's not encouraging me to be an active participant.

As I babysat today, I helped Timo with a rap he has to learn in English. "1, 2, 3, this is the schoolbag rap, I want you to sing with me." I flipped through the rest of his book and noticed their Halloween chant says "trick-or-treat, I like it sweet, give me something good to eat!" and not SMELL MY FEET! I think I like the stinky way better. Oh, and they also had a lesson on school supplies, and the picture of the eraser is called a rubber--so I am slightly concerned for these young minds and this false teaching!

One thing I've been thinking about lately when I walk around the streets of Munich is how I'm living in a big city. When I applied to college, which has already been three years now, I remember sitting down with my mom in our living room with this sheet that had broad differentiations and characteristics about universities. My goal was to cross off what I didn't want, and make note of what I did want. I remember fervently wanting to attend school in a big city, and I had no justificatin or solid reason other than looking and sounding cool. You might be thinking, "But Karen goes to school in Oxford....OHIO." Yes, you are right. What drew me to Oxford were things I could not see, even though I didn't know it. Something/One bigger than myself drew me to Oxford, I do believe. But what is funny to me now is that the city desire of mine, the one forced dormant, is actually being fulfilled at present, despite my regularly scheduled Miami life. After all, my passport states I really do live here.

But, I'm still glad to know where my real residence is.