Weekend Snapshots

Berlin was blessed with beautiful weather this past weekend and I took full advantage. Here are a few snapshots from my weekend pursuits. 

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Alexanderplatz was the center of the former East Berlin. Known simply as Alex to locals, is still beloved. 

My activity for today.

Spotted: A German Seahawks fan

That's right folks. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, but there, right in front of me, on the U-Bahn today was a man in a Seahawks jacket. Unfortunately in my excitement and haste to not be creepy the picture came out a little blurry. It doesn't matter thought because it must be good luck to see the Seahawks in Berlin on gameday. Let's go Hawks!

Back in Action

Hello family and friends! After a long hiatus I have re-entered the blogosphere. I apologize for my long absence but Berlin's Christmas markets seduced me away. I hope that you will forgive me for spending my long December nights sipping warm cups of Glühwein under twinkling Christmas lights instead of parked in front of my computer. In fact, I am in a little post-Christmas depression. The sun still sets at 4:00pm and it is still a windy frigid tundra but there are no wonderful Weihnachtmarkt to ease the winter doldrums. So both for your benefit and mine, here is a quick reminiscent romp through Germany's Christmas markets. Happy January!

A Fulbright Family Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and lots of turkey! While I was sad to not be in the States with my family, our little Fulbright family gathered in Cologne to celebrate the holiday together. Marie, Tara, Meredith, Emily, Ben and I formed our little group during Fulbright orientation in September and have kept in touch despite being scattered across Germany. We gathered together at Marie's cozy little apartment and shared a wonderful meal. Marie and Meredith did a wonderful job with the turkey while Emily and Tara made DELICIOUS corn bread (not an easy feat in Germany) that we enjoyed for days after. As if one Thanksgiving was not enough, we ate a second meal on Saturday sponsored by the Fulbright Commission. There are definitely some perks to being a Fulbrighter!
Of course, we didn't spend the whole time eating. We also made time to visit many of the wonderful Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) that Cologne has to offer. From the beautiful star market at Heumarkt to the adorable Gnome market with the flaming punch, our little Fulbright family shared a wonderful weekend of friendship and togetherness, seasoned with laughter.

The feast

Marie and Meredith with the full spread.

carving the bird

Tara, Meredith, Marie, me and Emily at our first Weihnachtsmarkt of the day.

Marie and Emily enjoying Glühwein.

The creepy figures at the Cologne fairytale themed market.

Glühwein

Feuerzangenbowle is a the punch on the left that is topped by a flaming, liquor-doused pieces of sugar. It turns into a liquid as it burns and makes an already delicious holiday drink even more amazing!

Marie, Ben and Tim at the Fulbright Thanksgiving.

Marie and I took a day trip to visit Düsseldorf´s Weihnachtsmarkt. 

The Düsseldorf Weihnachtsmarkt were incredibly crowded!

Ended with weekend with a Kölsch, the beer of Cologne.

Happy Holidays!

Kids say the darnedest things...

...and my little Kinder at Schule an der Wuhlheide are no different. Here is a compilation, greatest hits if you will, of some of my favorites. Enjoy

-"Good morning Miss Morning!" (This is a common problem. "Morgen" means tomorrow or morning in German and therefore kids are continuously confused by my name. This little guy directly translated my name and has stuck with it. Thus, Miss Morning, I am.)

-Sebastian: "Do you smoke?"

Me: "No, that is very unhealthy."

Sebastian: "Then why are you so short?"

-9-year-old Julian: "Frau Morgan, did you shrink?"

Sarah, also 9: "No silly! She's always been that short."

Are you sensing a theme yet?!?!

-Teacher: "Do you have any questions for Morgan about America?"

5th grader: "Are there as many drugs in Miami as I see on CSI: Miami?"

-Jannick, one of my favorite little 9 year old boys: "Ohhhh Frau Morgan, your purse is so cute!"

And finally, I can't tell you how many times I have been asked this question by little girls:

"Do are you friends with Miley Cyrus?" (All the kids seem to think that simply being American means that I will know movie stars).

Vienna Revisited

This past weekend I returned to Vienna, a city that is very dear to my heart. My love affair with the German language and Germanic culture began there barely three years ago. Thus I spent three wonderfully nostalgic days wandering through Christmas markets, lounging in coffee houses and basking in the wonderfully unique Viennese decadence. Here are some of my favorite moments:

So fun to catch up with old friends!

Brian and I studied in Vienna together three years ago. We enjoyed a nostalgic weekend of sightseeing together.

I finally had my first piece of Sacher torte from Hotel Sacher. Absolutely delicious! 

The dear, sweet Flow House where I lived and studied three years ago.