Happy November!
I hope this blog finds you happy, healthy and not drowning in election propaganda:)
So, how am I? I'm glad you asked!
It is fall here in Germany. The wind is a-blowin', the leaves are a-fallin'-- colors, coats, cocoa and all that jazz. Don't worry mom(s)! We're keeping warm:)
School is a bear. A big, hairy grizzly bear that only speaks German. But, it is going exceptionally well! My voice lessons are a dream. Sometimes I don't recognize myself. Of course, I'm putting in hours and hours of practice a week but it is SO wonderful to see such great results.
Dance is still intense. I laughingly made the comment today in class that I am growing some of those famous "ugly dancers' feet". And it's true. My dogs are blistered, bruised and boo boo-ed. BUT I'm growing muscles that I've never met before. Truly! Every now and then I'll pass a mirror and think "Is that my arm, leg, toosh etc...?" Concerning my jazz "warmup" (See post entitled "Elaborate Excuses") I am making visible progress. For example, that straddle with your chest on the floor thing gets easier all the time. A few weeks ago, with the help of a firey little Italian dance teacher's knee in my back, my upper body was practically flat with my nose on the floor and I started to cry. My teacher thought I was in pain (which, of course, I was. And lots of it). But that's not why I cried. I was in shock. I've never been so happy to see the floor in all my life:).
Language is also going miraculously well. I understand most everything that I hear all day long. And when I don't-- I just ask for clarification ( in German, of course:)). I've been flexing my linguistic muscles in different, more advanced situations lately. For example, taking instruction in German from someone that I can't see. (i. e. Listening for the overhead announcements on the train, "watching" TV with my eyes closed etc.) It's a lot more difficult. No physical contextual clues, you know? I've also stopped sitting/standing front and center in class so that I'm not dependent on hearing and seeing every single syllable clearly in order to have full understanding. Furthermore, I have been practicing listening to two German speakers at the same time. Just the other day, I realized that I was actually eavesdropping on an argument in the green room (lounge). I originally didn't leave the room when they started their little row because I figured I could never understand two Germans hollerin' simultaneously anyhow. They must have agreed with me because they didn't seem to care that I had a front row seat to Oktoberfight 2008. But as I read my magazine I realized that I was catching everything. And so I stayed. What? It was an educational experience;).
Ok. Now for the part you actually came to see. Pictures!!
One of the perks of going to school at the largest musical production company in Europe is that you are invited to all of the musical premieres. It's a nice break from the 6-day school week!
Me and my class at the Euro premiere of Tarzan! Yay, first semester:)
A shot of the Tarzan Premiere party
Ich (Translation: me!)
Some of my sweet classmates. l-r: Melanie-My, Carina, and Stefan. My class is truly an international one. We have four nationalities in just this picture ( USA, Finland, Germany, Austria). Believe it or not, we also have students from Brazil, Switzerland and Denmark in the first semester.
Sid and Stefan post show. We liked it.
My friends Marco and Benedikt post show. I think they liked it:)
The premiere of 80s Rock musical "Ich Will Spaß" (translation: I want fun!) The lovely ladies are l-r: Evelyn, Lara, and Luisa.
I scored a free ticket for the hubby!!!
Ich Will Spaß Premiere Party
Apparently in Germany musical theatre stars are wildly popular the way that film and television stars are in the U.S. This premiere was littered with big name stars from around Europe and my classmates were freaking out. I, on the other hand, was ignorantly nonplussed:).
Next weekend we're going to the World Premiere of Stage Entertainment's Christmas show Holiday on Ice. Can't wait! Stay tuned for pics:) Just in case you didn't already know, my illustrious husband, Master Christopher Ryan The Great, of the North Florida Christopher Ryans, also has a Germany blog online - check it, yo! thereismethodint.blogspot.com
Auf Wiedersehen!
4 comments:
girl! you amaze me! I still can't believe you learned German, moved to Germany, and are living the dream! Bless your soul!
I miss you so much, you are such an inspiration to me! I love you!
I miss you so much Sid. I remember when we were one of the few first ones in Germany. I cant believe everything thats happened for you!!! You are truly blessed!! Thats so awesome that your German is getting so well already. And it must be really fun being able to have amazing voice lessons and practice so much! It great having you keep up updated. It makes us all want to go back so much!!!
Wow, that is amazing that you're doing so well in German! I've lived here over 4 years and still have a terribly hard time eavesdropping unless I can see their lips moving and know the context of the conversation :-)
You Freaking ROCK! my dear.
I love your writing style too. It's just like talking with you.
I still laugh when I see Mozzarella in the store now.
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