So a dog just barked in the Balzac Café that I'm in right now... so different than the USA. I didn't have language class this morning and slept in some. Very nice! I went to the Brentanostraße building to meet Kim and Shannon for lunch and as soon as I got off the bus the skies opened up and it poured rain!! I was totally soaked after my 1,5 block walk to the school building. We had lunch in the FU Mensa and then I took the bus back to Rathaus Steglietz to meet Jill to figure out how to get Internet in the apartments... there's a way to have DSL for 24,95€ per month but you must have a German bank account. Jill set up a bank account just for this and I was going to share her account but that is not allowed... so many restrictions and regulations in this country! Yet the term "red-tape" was invented in the USA!?

Yesterday was my first day of classes... despite the holiday in the USA. I had my first "experiential German language" class and the professor is very nice. I'm not too thrilled about some of my classmates because they didn't seem to have learned anything at all in the last few days of being in Germany. I have at least picked up some language and pronunciation clues... I think I'm learning about 5 new words per day. Slow but steady, right? :)

In the afternoon I had a Modern German History class that I may wind up dropping. It seems like it will be interesting but I'd prefer taking another German History class from Dirk, the program director. I was signed up for two history courses that may be very similar and I'd prefer taking a class on Integration, Conflict and Security in the EU. I may have to give up my spot in that class for someone else that needs it to graduate on time.. I'm so nice. :P The Conflict & Security class is my only one today... 16.30-21.00h.

Oh, an important update: I went to the Hausmeister yesterday and handed him my note about the hot water... he said he'd come by today to repair it... or at least I think that's what he motioned. :) Part of my telling him was by shivering to show him it was cold... ahhhh, it's soooo difficult not knowing the native language of a land! I'm really hoping it will be fixed when I get back because the yucky rain today is really making me crave a hot shower! Last night I also figured out an important „feature" of my apartment... since I am on the entry-level floor, my balcony has some very heavy metal shades that pull down outside my windows and I can lock from within. I used those last night to help block the morning sun... plus those combined with the double-deadbolted door lock makes me feel very secure. Germans absolutely LOVE their locks!

Well, I must be going, my battery is dying and I need to get on the bus for class. More later.

Tschüß.