Spam, better in a can than in your email.
Well, I am attempting to update this at least once a week. We'll see how long this lasts. It will probably be like my commitment to running...I'm dedicated for a few weeks and then it dwindles down to something like water dripping from a faucet. Get it while you can I suppose.

So, this past weekend a few friends (other Americans) from Cologne came down and visited me here in Mainz. It was a halarious-fun time. We went to a friends party on Saturday night, which was rather boring because the apartment was really full of people who all already knew each other and didn't really seem to want to talk to us, plus it was really hot. So, all in all...it was a bust. But, on the way to the party we ran into some Rastas who just got back from the big soccer game and they bummed a beer from us. On Sunday we woke up at 11am and ate breakfast until 1pm. Then, we watched Friends and got ready, which lasted until 3pm. Then, we went out into the city and they got to see all of the sites in Mainz.

The good thing we accomplished is that we decided (plus one or two other people, pending) to go to Croatia before we have to head back to the US. So, we are searching for info this week so we can book everything from flights to an apartment or house by the end of this week. I'm pretty excited for that. I've never been to Croatia before, and honestly don't know much about it either.

But, Maura told me this weekend that we only have 11 weeks left...give or take a few days. That's insane. It feels as if I haven't been here that long. I mean, I've been here for a little while, but not that long. So, that means I have 11 weeks to find a job...and my search so far has produced nothing fruitful. I have applied for at least 12 so far...and I'll try and apply for another two more today. How are you all doing? (You know...it sucks to only have spam in one's email box...)

Wenn fängt das Leben endlich an?
Since I last wrote, quite a few things have happened in the world... The Catholic church got a new (german) pope, Brittney Spears got pregnant and Desperate Housewives just started playing here and it is my new favorite show. (Remember, I don't have many friends here so I have lots of time to spend at home on Tuesday nights (ok...every night...) to watch two episodes of Sex and the City followed by Desperate Housewives.)

First, on the topic of the pope...I happened to be watching tv right when they announced the pope. So, I was switching back and forth between CNN and the different german news broadcasts. And, the funny thing was this one german news channel, the reporter on the scene said that the cardinals had chosen Ratzinger, and this was minutes before anyone even came out of St. Peter's to announce anything. Well, they switched back to the older reporter at the station who said that the reporter on the scene was young and sensitive and that they will wait for the official report. There has also been a difference in the stories I see on CNN and all of the german news reports. On CNN, they seem to bring up WW2 and Hitler and Ratzinger's participation in the HJ every day while it hasn't even been mentioned on the german reports. The main reason is because he was automatically enrolled, without a choice and abandonded the group later. At the same time, in true german style, as soon as this german cardinal was chosen, everyone everywhere was trying to interview germans to get a reaction. On CNN, I saw the typical german reaction. It was a combination of congratulations as well as critizism. I guess you kinda have to be here to fully understand it. But, in the city where Ratzinger is from (Marktl am Inn) they had a town party with free pope beer for everyone.

Brittney...pregnant...I'll be happy to see her fat. I hope she's having twins.

Desperate Housewives...man. I can't believe this has been going on since Sept. in the US without me. I love this show. Someone has got to tell me what's going on with it. Is the season already over in the US?

What else...? I had a bad meeting. It wasn't even a date. It was like the thing one has before one wins a date with the other person...and I obviously lost the date. Oh well, things happen. But, when I get back, who wants to go shopping with me at the Lunds in Uptown. I hear that's where all the singles go to pick each other up! Since everyone at home seems to be getting engaged, I have to start finding dates to bring to all of these upcoming weddings.