Goal Setting

Hey everyone,

Again sorry this is a day late. Today I am going to set out some goals which I hope to accomplish. With that I will also give my usual update on how things have been. Although Rosetta Stone has progressed, I still lack the necessary motivation required to prevail. Even though getting caught up in the social norm around town has been exciting, it will soon come to a close. Leaving this country with a plan in hand and thoughts roaming is only the beginning of this long and highly anticipated journey.

The last two weeks have become a norm to me with a few added sparkles. I have gotten used to working now and can honestly say "STAY IN SCHOOL!" I have been lucky enough to get a job working at a place called Edukits packing boxes of school supplies. However, this can be quite boring and dirty at times. Go to school, pass your classes, and most of all get a job you love to do. By doing this, you allow yourself more time and money doing activities like the Ice Bucket Challenge.

I would like to also thank the person who commented on my last blog. This is the first comment I have received and am glad to hear your recommendations on places to visit and thing to do. I have created my own list as well including Skiing, Neuschwanstein Castle, and riding on the Auto Bon. My main goal though will be to try to fit in as much as possible.

As some of you may know, my flights start the 4th of September which begins this long journey. With such a short time left, there are only certain activities which I will be able to take part in. I am planning on having a going away party before I leave as a final fair well. With little to do, I plan to go to the restaurant Edelweiss before I leave. I also am planning to go back to school for a few days to catch up with some of last year’s teachers. Most of all though keeping in contact with my host family in these pressing few weeks.

These past two weeks I have been trying to keep up on my Rosetta Stone. I have finally finished the first level, and about time I must say. Even though I have been lacking motivation for about the last month or so, Rosetta Stone really does work to get you thinking in another language. My next goal it's to get through two more Units before I leave.

With short term and long term goals set and a basic run down on the past and future couple weeks, I am going to end this blog with a thanks to everyone at DCC for an awesome time there, and a thanks to the person for my first comment. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please leave them in the comments below. Also look for my next blog on either the 2nd or 3rd of September.

Thanks everyone,

Michael Steiner

Getting to my head

Hey everyone,

Sorry this is a day late. For these past few weeks I have been saying my good byes. It is sometimes harder to say good bye to the people you see the least, rather the ones you see more so. With about 25 days remaining, I have a lot to do and know very little about. I can honestly say my job is easy, and somewhat painful. Also my German has been coming along slowly, especially with Rosetta Stone. With my job still going strong, and taking over all my time, there leaves less time for friends, family, and personal time.

The past two weekends my grandparents have come down from Illinois and Nebraska. It has defiantly been fun to see them again before I leave. I can't really compare my grandparents though, if you were to ask me which one I like better, it would be like asking me whether I like camping or robotics more. They are both extremely fun and I love them both, but there is no way I can compare them. After a short few weekends with them, I will defiantly miss them while in Germany. 

Alongside of my Grandparents leaving, my brother headed back to Nebraska yesterday. Not only did he just return, but he took my bed! Well now that he is gone, I guess I just get his room. It will certainly be different with not seeing him for a year. I mean who will keep me inline while I'm gone. With all joking aside, not being with him for the holidays will feel strange and as if something is missing. 

I have had the chance to meet up with some more of my friends before they begin school and I leave for Germany. Actually, the reason why I did not right yesterday was because I did not get home until 11:30 pm and was with some friends. I figured that it might be wise to make my writing better, unlike the last time I wrote at 1 am. On the drives home from all of these fun activities though, I get lost in my head thinking about everyone I will miss. All the activities such as movie marathons, playing games until 4 am, and other activities will feel strange with out my friends now.

I received an email this week with basics on what to do for travel. I am predicting that they will tell us more about our personal arrangements and accommodations during our departure orientation. I am just going to have stick with what they give me and hope that things turn out OK. 

For the past few weeks I have been working at Educates packing boxes and cutting my fingers. I never knew that cardboard was so sharp. Today though, I was able to be a line lead and make sure the boxes were getting the right items. However, not only did I fail to complete the school completely, but also messed up on one of the boxes I worked on. Great start for a new position, however, the school was fairly large and I only had one other person helping me on it, which we stared on later in the day. I hope for redemption on Monday though, to finish the kits before Lunch. When I am not leading a line though, I am usually packing the boxes. Getting handed items and putting them in boxes is a fairly easy and mindless task. 

As for my language learning, I did not complete my goal and finish this next Unit. I made it about half way through, and I have started to learn materials. For instance: "the table is made out of wood" is "Der Tisch aus Holz." Overall the language is fairly easy for now, but I expect that it will become harder as time progresses. Even though Rosetta Stone is the main way of learning a new language for me, having friends who speak German can be better. They give you practice with normal conversations vs. how to describe something. They also can show you when to abbreviate and when to explain your self.  

 As I progress in my language skills, keep on top of my job, and maintaining a healthy social status, I only hope that things will turn out better than I can hope for. I have decided to keep this one a little shorter as my last two have been fairly lengthy. Again I will be posting my next blog on Friday, August 22. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions leave them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them!

Thanks everyone,

~Michael Steiner~