Inter-Semester Break

So...it's been a while since I've written something for the blog - too long, really. A lot has happened in the time since my last post(s), and I'm sure - well, I'm not sure, but I assume, at any rate - that some of you might be "concerned," or at the bare minimum, somewhat curious as to what I'm up to and what's new. I'll deign to expound on that.

On Feburary 24, I took the ICE - InterCity-Express - to Berlin to visit Angie, a chat friend who has helped with my German more than words than can describe for about the past six years. She works in the Tierpark, or basically zoo, in the section of the city that is the former East Berlin. The time I spent with her was terrific. She made me feel at home while I was there. I didn't stay with her in her apartment, though. I had to stay in an apartment of my own which was in the Elefantenhaus, or elephant house.

My room in the Elefantenhaus.

While I was there, I visited - of course - several museums, but perhaps the biggest and most exciting part of my time there (as far as site-seeing was concerned) was the day that Angie and I went to Wittenberg together.

If you don't already know, Wittenberg is the city in which Martin Luther spent most of his adult life - the city where he posted the 95 Theses;

The doors of Castle Church, where Luther nailed up the 95 Theses.

the city where he burned the papal bull;

The tree that is planted on the spot where Luther burnt the papal bull.

the city where he preached, taught, and simply lived.

The church where Luther preached every Sunday.

I cannot find the words to describe the feeling I had walking down the very streets that Luther walked down or when I strolled through the monastery that he he eventually bought and made his personal home.

The monastery where Luther lived in Wittenberg and eventually bought and made his family home.

It was a fantastic experience, and now I can "check off" yet another Luther-site from my list of places to see.

On March 17, after returning from Berlin for a few days in Marburg, I flew home for the remainder of my time between the semesters. While I was home, I was so busy. In the beginning, the experience was quite surreal. It was hard to believe, after five-and-a-half months, that I was actually back home. Everyday was booked with something to do or someone to see, but in all that was probably a good thing. At least that way I didn't waste my very little time there. After having spent Christmas away from family and friends, it was nice to at least spend Easter with them.

I am back in Germany, and the new semester has started here in Marburg. This semester I'll be taking these following classes:

• Literature of the German-speaking World after 1945
• Intensive Study of Grammar, Vocabulary, and Writing and Speaking for Foreign Students
• Basic Course - Old Testament
• Basic Course - New Testament
• The Bible as Literary Inspiration
  

I think this is going to be a good semester - The German literature class and the Old Testament class are only ones with major tests at the end; the others have papers due, so I'm feeling more confident about them already - not that I couldn't do a test, but rather that I'm feeling less stressed about the passing/failing the course. I feel better about papers as opposed to tests.

I'll try this semester to do a better job keeping the blog updated. Bug me in emails so I stay on top of it!!!