Money; it's a crime.

Sorry about the long-time no talk. I'm in Paris now, my second stop on the Grand Tour. I've learned about twelve words of French (Bonjour, Merci, and to count to ten), but it's wonderful. I won't slap three months of updates here at once, but here's a rundown of my last week, via journal entries:

1:15PM CST - 3 Jan 2011 - Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

I call my mother from the airport to say goodbye, and she reminds me why I'm leaving. I never thought this day would come, but I have a boarding pass tucked into my backpack, and my brand-new wool coat shoved into the crack in the airport chair. I suppose the Skylink train finally made it real, the frizzy redhead hanging on the pole opposite, smiling indulgingly. "Never done this before?" she asked, and I said I was from a small town; not exactly true, but close enough. The flight to Germany will gain me seven hours; the flight back, I'll actually go back in time. Negative time. Also, screw the world. I like Nickelback. Their songs are sexy.

Kathryn

5:39 vorm. GMT+1 - 4 Januar 2011 - Aboard the plane

Highlights from the flight from DFW -> FRA (to conclude in 1.25St.):

*Watched Life As We Know It

*Also part of Sherlock, before falling asleep

*Awoke with a massive Kopfschmerzen

*Ultimately, made use of the lovely motion sickness bag AA provided.

*Now feeling much better and ready for a day of frolicking in Frankfurt. Jet lag is a real thing, though. This time-difference nonsense is going to screw me up. I slept a bit, but I think I'm still a bit puny. Ah well. Germany!

Kathryn<3

MISSION PLAN

1. Blastoff

2. Check off Blastoff

3. See some sights.

4. Tell everyone about it

5. Find out how trains work

6. Speak only German in public

7. Call E

8. Take > or = 1 photo each day.

03:47AM GMT +1 - 7 Jan 2011 - Frankfurt, DE

I don't know how "travel writers" do it. Traveling at all, at least if you want to see/talk with the locals, is exhausting. It takes so much time to simply befriend them that the idea of writing about the experience seems ridiculous to me. Then again, I haven't been completely immersing myself in the culture here in Frankfurt (tomorrow in Paris!). I spent 2 hours or more today online (there goes 4EUR) talking with folks, posting on FB, Gmail chatting with E. I really missed that, and it was great to get in touch with everybody. My bag is packed for tomorrow, but I have paper, so I will note my budget: $1000 became 675EUR, which isn't great, but okay, so my stashed $2800 is now $1800. Also, 4 spent ich nie (ich denke), 5 habe ich 15EUR gegebt, und heute 16EUR, ich denke. In summary: 4EUR - 2 sandwiches. .5EUR - Postkarten | 4EUR Fahrkarte | 10EUR Reservierung | 3EUR Grocerie | 4EUR Kugelschreiben | 5.5EUR Geld Exchange. The Reisegeld exchange was more, but I don't want to think about that.

Karottensaft ht honig in den, und I've eaten 4 sandwiches, 3 clementines, lots of tea, some terrible soup, and Karrotensaft since I've arrived. A bit frightening if one thinks too much, but I try not to. I have four clementines left, and maybe I will get a sandwich morgens, so that should do me 'til 1PM, when I arrive in France. In Frankfurt Brezeln, Kaffee, und Sandwiches sind wenigerest, but I'm sure it will be something else in Paris (or perhaps nie, if the rumors are true). So far I've tried to stick to a 20EUR pro Tage budget, since that works quite well, but I don't know how Paris will fit into that. Still, supermarkets should be good, no? One-hundred thirty-seven days until E. I miss him terribly, but Gmail chat and phone are saving us. The time in Stilly/Fayette has slightly prepared us for this, but I wonder how I will feel around the three-week point. That is usually when I break down...Still, it is good to know that we both still care, and to be able to talk often. I will hate school. <3>

Kathryn M. S.

09:25AM GMT+1 - 7 Januar 2011 - On ICE Zug 9556 nach Paris

I don't know what to write here. Three days in Frankfurt, and it feels like both no time and a lifetime. Two weeks here, I think I would think of myself as a Frankfurter (ha!) but that is partly the language. In Paris, I wonder if I will be more out of my depth because I do not speak the language, or less, because I can use English more. Then again, I don't speak German. I learned that in Frankfurt. My understanding is okay - 1/2 or 2/3 of a conversational vocabulary, but my ability to actually articulate a though, especially an intelligent thought, is severely limited or nonexistent. Still, although I visited no museums and traveled within the city almost none, I did have an enjoyable - and yes, educational - experience in Frankfurt. It was a landing place, a learning experience. training wheels, but it is a valuable visit in its own right. Their sandwiches are awesome, at least. I'm really glad the motion sickness that manifested itself on the plane and my first day in Frankfurt is done with. This train ride, and my trip in general, would be pretty horrible if not. While I am in Paris I think E will start classes again. Which means we will only be able to talk at specifically defined times (8PM or so, I think) in my evening, or, if he is awake late, my early morning. That'll really suck. No more calling him at 4AM, because at 11AM he'll be in class. I know he can call afterward, but that might be an hour, and usually by then my problem has run away again, and the moment of needing him is gone. Hoffenlich werden wir in Paris Skype haben. E's headed back to Tulsa sometime today, so he'll have access to the netbook, and therefore Skype. <3

12:13 GMT +1 - 7 Jan 2011 - TGV nach Paris

Should be there soon. Everyone on this train is coughing, and it drives me nuts. Really have no interest in getting sick. There is only French over the loudspeaker. I understand nie. So tired and hungry. Really want a restaurant meal.

2:50PM GMT+1 - 7 Jan 2011 - Paris, FR

My train arrived late (13:15 when it should have been 12:40) and I had some trouble on the metro (1hr to get where I needed) so A was not home. Thankfully I had suggested 5 as an acceptable later time, so we're meeting then. SO. I get to try my way at french food! Cafe Terminus Nation seems like a fairly nice place (waiters in vests, white shirts and aprons) but this is Paris. On the metro I saw both the best-dressed people I've ever seeen (fur coats, designer hats and purses, and hose mit high heels seems to be the norm for women) and some of the most frightening beggers? peddlers? I don't even know. Also, Paris (or at least this cafe) has the strangest most delicious chocolate thing. Probably ridiculously expensive, but it's like strange chocolate mouse. Served with the tiniest spoon, and I feel fat already. I need an excuse to hang around here longer, since window shopping in the dark isn't very much fun, and I really need a break from my backpack. The break and food is worth 20EUR, right? I don't understand how Parisians survive. They must be horribly in debt (possible), horribly rich (also), or getting some kind of discount I don't see. The city is beautiful, the food is great, but everything costs so MUCH (except the metro. That's even cheaper than Frankfurt.). Also I'm pretty sure this chocolate thing has about 3000kcal. It's so rich and so heavy - it's like eating whipped cream. Except heavier. Dense chocolate whipped cream. It's crazy! Also, NOTE TO SELF: NEXT TIME, SKIP DESSERT IN PARIS. You may be hungry. You may think you want it. YOU DO NOT WANT IT. IT'S TOO MUCH, TOO RICH, TOO SWEET. JUST SAY NO.

16:00

Oh my god. My tummy is so full, and there is STILL MORE. I am drowning in chocolate whip. It is killing me! I understand now a little of why the French take so long to eat. Otherwise, they would EXPLODE. Yeah. Pretty sure I'm going to explode. Eating, in this city, is definitely a group activity. Okay. One more bite down. 55 minutes until I can be back @ A's flat (reminder: 2nd floor means 2 flights of stairs), and let's say 10 min. walk, with the pack and the chocolate. 5 minutes for the check - maybe more, but let's say 5 - so that means 40 minutes more of eating. 37, since I've chatted my way out of a couple. Today I spend EUR1.70 on a metro ticket (12EUR for 10, have to figure out if that's a good deal), and some yet unnamed, but probably something like 25EUR on food. There goes my slack from Frankfurt. Paris is going to kill me, I know. Okay, EUR24 for the meal. I think I could have gotten away for less, but I'm an Okie and tipping well is important. I'm gonna get slaughtered here, I know it.

KMS

13:06 GMT+1 - 09 Jan 2011 - Paris, FR

And I am once again extremely tired and hungry, so although I have delicious tea (too hot), I think I will curl up and nap for a bit. Paris is wonderful and everything, but I think I need a few moments' break.

KMS

8 Chik fil A Nuggets and Medium Fries: $4.85

It's fake money, so I won't count it. It's also one of the few things that's given me any enjoyment this week. My dad's in the hospital, and honestly I don't know how I feel. I just know that I want to fall asleep and never wake up. My birthday is this week, and I don't want it. Don't want it.

Buying that plane ticket in March or whatnot was a bad idea, since round-trip is only a couple hundred more, but what the hell. I've got a scholarship application due this week. A story (about a woman in a hospital and some shoes. It's lovely.) due tomorrow and an essay I haven't begun due Friday.

I cried last night, bawled my eyes out and screamed like a seven-year-old, but it wasn't enough. I need to cut myself apart, hang the pieces from the ceiling and let the world use my heart as a Jupiter Jump. That's what I feel like, I just need it made real.

This is one of those times I'll look back on and ask how I survived. Badly, Future Me. With cuss words and snappish comments. By constantly inhaling the scent of the dying lilies E sent me, and calling him a dozen times an hour. By avoiding asking how my dad's doing (it's probably better, but I couldn't deal if it were worse). By replaying conversations I've had with people who I thought would understand, and didn't. By telling everyone to ignore my birthday, and I'm pretty sure I'll go off on anybody who says those words to me on Friday.

Because I don't want a fucking birthday.

Mati

Book Sale: -$9.79

Just spent ~$10 on seventeen books. So worth it. The last couple of crazy months have been a roller coaster ride of decisions and revelations, and I'm kindof looking forward to a weekend of just me, Microsoft Word, and some good books.

What I Bought:

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

I was supposed to read this for a course last semester and never did. Spending 50¢ on it now seems like a fair penance.

Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut

Only bought this because I also bought 'God Bless You'. Something odd, though, is that no-where does this one say "Jr.", while the other has it everywhere.

Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game) by Hermann Hesse

The English translation of a German novel, by the author of Siddhartha. Um...yes.

The Jade Enchantress by E. Hoffman Price

My sister and father have each read this multiple times, so it seemed like a good choice.

Red Planet by Robert A. Heinlein

Heinlein. 'Nuff said.

The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein

See above.

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

I loved A Prayer for Owen Meany and this is supposed to be even better. No way I could pass it up.

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

Not a typo. I got two copies: one for me, one for my father. It's his favourite John Irving novel, and I thought it might make him happy.

If I Pay Thee Not in Gold by Piers Anthony & Mercedes Lackey

Actually got this one for my sister. I know she's read it about a million times, and I thought getting her a copy would make her happy.

The Worlds of Theodore Sturgeon [Theodore Sturgeon]

It was in the Sci-Fi section, and he sounded familiar. Meh.

The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler

A classic novel I haven't read. Something to add to my collection, mostly.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca is on my Top Five Favourite Books Ever list, and I've never read anything else by du Maurier. Couldn't pass it up.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I've read it before, but I didn't own a copy. Now I do.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

It's been on my MUST READ CLASSICS list for a while now.

Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

No good reason. It sounded familiar.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

I lost my copy a week or so ago. I might still find it, but what the hell, it was fifty cents and I love this book.

In Deutschland von Alexis Pfeiler

It's a German book on German culture - in German (with an English dictionary in the back). Obv. must have.

I'm actually pretty damn excited about going back. On Sunday they're having a "Bag Sale" from 1PM to 3PM, where it's $1 per bag of books, so I'm definitely going to that. Life is going good.

Tschüs,

Mati

Scott Pilgrim Tickets: -$19

But my bank account balance is in the thousands, so I really can't find myself missing it. Even if I also spent $51.30 on clothes today at Salvation Army. Bought a gorgeous red dress, and the girls and I all wore pretty red dresses to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It was a good movie, and I had a great time.

I go back to college in four(ish) days. I really can't wait. I really should finish German, oughtn't I?

GER 113 Course: -$904

Kool-Aid Man says "O-O-OH YEAH!"

That's sarcastic, if you couldn't tell. I'm writing this at 13:30 on a Friday afternoon. I've got five minutes before I've got to go pull my clothes out of the dryer, fold them, and bring them back here. I have to leave for an eight-hour shift (no breaks) at 14:45, and before then not only do I need to finish my laundry, but also study for my German course (which I'm a week behind in), maybe clean my room (like that's going to happen), possibly take a shower (I need it, but I probably need to study more), and "BREATHE, woman!".

It's probably unhealthy to be looking forward to the end of things quite so much, (Ah, there goes my watch alarm.) but I've found that I am. Only four more weeks before I can quit both my jobs and move back to school. When I'm at work, I'm constantly checking my watch for quitting time. When I'm at school, I know I'll just be counting down the days 'til I leave this place.

BUT there's always a ray of light, and E. is that and more. Last night we went to Trivia Night at a pizza joint downtown with a coworker of his, and I had a fabulous blast. On the way down I put on Lily Allen and he said he liked her, and we laughed and kissed and talked the whole way back. God, I'm going to miss him when I leave.

Until again,

Mati

Timex Watch: -$38.06

So I'm working two jobs now, which...um...blows. Pizza Hut and Walmart, which means I'm spending 45+ hrs/wk on my feet. Yeah, they're not very happy about that, but it's money in the bank. (Ish.)

Haven't gotten my first paycheck yet (Thursday) but this watch was worth it. My list of things bought specifically for my trip is now:

Backpack: $126

Boots: $25

Watch: $38

Also, when I get paid on Thursday I'm going to buy my Global Eurail Pass (15 days within 2 months), as that's the last day of the $25 off sale at Raileurope.com, and I'll be able to get it for $654 instead of $679. That's like a discount, right?

Also, my passport arrived! The photo is absolutely horrible, but at least it's sortof recognizable as me, which is, I'm fairly certain, all that matters.

And I got my braces off, and, as the photo on the right demonstrates, I'm pretty excited about it. Or maybe that's the passport. Whatever. I look excited about something, and it's certainly not the quantity of hours I've been working, or my German course.

Yeah. That. It's not going too badly, that's not it. My problem is with the utter ineptitude of my professor. He has yet to email a test on time, and although we had traded half-a-dozen emails just a few days previous, when I returned a call from him (yes, I was RETURNING a phone call), he didn't recognise my name as being one of his students. Also, the book (co-written by him) is pretty damn terrible. So despite the course not being terribly hard, I'm rather unenthused with it.

But in general life is going well. The 4th of July proved just enough eventful for me to say it was a success, and I haven't gone crazy yet.

Until again,

Mati

Eagle Creek Thrive 75L Women's Travel Pack: -$125.92

So I'm officially backpacking across Europe. Bought a $230 backpack on REI closeout for $126, and $150 KEEN Bern High Boots on GearTrade for $25. Okay, so I've spent $150 in the last week, but it feels pretty darn good anyhow.

Also I've got a tentative itinerary. Which is cool.

[JANUARY]
Nuremberg, DE >> Frankfurt, DE >> Trier, DE >> Paris, FR >> Toulouse, FR >> Barcelona, ES >> Toulon, FR >> Corniglia, IT >> Rome, IT >> Capri, IT >> Athens, GR >> Volos, GR >>Thessaloniki, GR >>

[FEBRUARY]
Sofia, BG >> Pristina, KO >> Mostar, BA >> Korcula, HR >> Ljubljana, SI >> Bled, SI >>Graz, AT >> Vienna, AT >> Tabor, CZ >> Prague, CZ >> Pilsen, CZ >> Amberg, DE >>Bayreuth, DE >> Bamberg, DE

My dorm lease begins 1 March, and my introductory course starts the 16th or so, which gives me about two weeks to learn how to get around Bamberg. Yay!

Oh, also: my German II course begins in ten days. That'll be fun.

Until again,

Mati

Procion MX Dye: -$113

The last three weeks have been hell. There's not a whole lot worse than not having money - especially when it feels like you've filled out every job application under the sun. So last week I finally gave in to my dad's suggestion that making tie-dyes (something he did moderately successfully for ten years) would be a good way to earn some money, although perhaps not the five thousand dollars I'm aiming for.

Well, so far I've got $220 in my Trip Fund (only about a hundred of which is from tie-dyes; the rest was odd jobs that I did for cash). Until today, I wasn't very optimistic about making money at this -- but my sister and I are collaborating on this, splitting the profits 50/50, and I put $63 in my pocket today. Yeah, that felt good.

The picture is me, just after making a small batch of dyes, with blue, green and purple all over my hands.

Yay money! (even if it's not a whole lot).

Until again,

Mati

Selling Back Textbooks: +$55.48

The end of the semester is coming up fast, and my room is trashed. The boyfriend will be here tomorrow evening to help me pack and to move this junk home, and although I've calmed down drastically since my weekend freakout, I still have a pile to do before I can say Sayonara to my first year of college. Still the top priority is my History Final - approx. 15 to 20 pages, and I've got maybe three written. Still, that's not too bad, and I'm optimistic about getting it finished on time. Of course, with him being here tomorrow, and packing and moving scheduled...I really hope I'll have time to get it all done.

Also to do: a 2-3 page paper on the power of language in different cultures, also due Thursday (at the latest), and...actually, just packing and moving. YAY!

I had my British Literature final today, and it was much more difficult than I expected. At least it is done now, though, so I'm not going to worry about it. In other news, I pulled a muscle (or something) when I was packing my car up during the wee hours of Monday morning, and now I have a shooting pain in my side whenever I move in certain ways. I've got a hot water bottle on it, though, and I hope it'll heal soon.

Now I just need to figure out if I'm going to head to bed or stay up and attempt another page of American History.

Until again,

Mati

Filling My Gas Tank: -$30

So, I drove home today. In the wee hours, actually, and got to spend a few hours with the boyfriend (it had been three weeks since we'd seen each other) before collapsing asleep at 07:30. I got my first load of schtuff moved, at least, and have come to the realisation that I brought way too much crap to college (nine months late). Anyway, my closets are pretty much empty now, and a lot of my clothes and approximately half my books went home. Still to move: a chest of drawers, my (extra large) mini fridge, a half-size ironing board, a lamp, a laundry basket full of socks, a two-drawer filing cabinet (with wheels!), bedding, a box of paper and notebooks...and assorted other carp.

Anyway, said fantastic boyfriend is popping down later this week with a Chevy Suburban, a sight different than my own little Toyota Tercel (about the size of two of my fridges), and we're going to move out nearly all the rest of it.

Anyway, I've got my first final tomorrow - British Lit, and although I'm mostly not worried about it, I also have my History paper to be writing, and that's not going well at all. I've got 1 1/2 pages, of the twenty or so I need. Really, I should be working on it now, should be spending every minute focused on this craziness, because without a good grade I will screw up my GPA forever, but so far I've had trouble kicking myself in the butt to do this. ARGH. Finals week is death.

Until again,

Mati