I am finally moved in to my new place! I am really enjoying having so much space. My current bedroom is almost as large as my first apartment in Cologne. In addition, with the furniture that we currently have in the living room we are able to comfortably seat 13, and there is still space for another couch. It will be so much easier to have movie nights, dinner parties, and Bible studies here. Please pray that my roommate and I will be able to use this great space to serve others and to be refreshed.
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Monday, August 11, 2008
Moving
I am finally moved in to my new place! I am really enjoying having so much space. My current bedroom is almost as large as my first apartment in Cologne. In addition, with the furniture that we currently have in the living room we are able to comfortably seat 13, and there is still space for another couch. It will be so much easier to have movie nights, dinner parties, and Bible studies here. Please pray that my roommate and I will be able to use this great space to serve others and to be refreshed.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Culture Shock
As many of you have probably heard, after three years of serving in Germany, I expect to return "home" sometime this summer. Despite all of the challenges that life here has presented, I am sad to be leaving and hope to be able to return overseas in the future. As I begin to plan for my arrival in the States, I have noticed some things that we probably take getting used to, for instance:
1. Returning to a church of 2000 where almost no one knows my name after being in a church that has had 10-30 people for 3 yrs.; Having my voice swallowed up by super-loud folk, rock, and contemporary worship songs after getting used to everyone knowing whether or not you are singing and picking out the songs each week.
2. I have lost my sense of pricing. For example, I have no idea how much milk, butter, or bread costs in Michigan or how expensive it is to rent a 1 bedroom apartment.
3. Although I still do not always have an instinctive sense of how much something weighs in kg, I am even less certain of lbs. now.
4. I don't feel comfortable asking my "close" friends all of the details of their lives now. It'll take time before I venture out of "sharing mode" and try to delve into their private worlds again.
5. Many things that I once thought of as conveniences or good deals in the States now seem like wasteful luxuries (unlimited packages of ketchup and napkins, "supersizing" and free refills, driving a car to a store less than a mile away just because it is raining, using a dryer rather than air drying clothes, air conditioning and central heating)
6. Re-entering the University in a country where the average age of graduation is not 28 and where things like customer service, accessible professors, and well-maintained grounds are taken for granted.
7. Losing access to excellent public transportation.
8. Not being able to speak German. Losing closeness with my German friends.
9. Giving away most of my German books and not being able to get more in the States.
10. Eating different foods.
11. Not living in a wonderful, international city which has offered me something new to see everyday that I have been willing to look.
1. Returning to a church of 2000 where almost no one knows my name after being in a church that has had 10-30 people for 3 yrs.; Having my voice swallowed up by super-loud folk, rock, and contemporary worship songs after getting used to everyone knowing whether or not you are singing and picking out the songs each week.
2. I have lost my sense of pricing. For example, I have no idea how much milk, butter, or bread costs in Michigan or how expensive it is to rent a 1 bedroom apartment.
3. Although I still do not always have an instinctive sense of how much something weighs in kg, I am even less certain of lbs. now.
4. I don't feel comfortable asking my "close" friends all of the details of their lives now. It'll take time before I venture out of "sharing mode" and try to delve into their private worlds again.
5. Many things that I once thought of as conveniences or good deals in the States now seem like wasteful luxuries (unlimited packages of ketchup and napkins, "supersizing" and free refills, driving a car to a store less than a mile away just because it is raining, using a dryer rather than air drying clothes, air conditioning and central heating)
6. Re-entering the University in a country where the average age of graduation is not 28 and where things like customer service, accessible professors, and well-maintained grounds are taken for granted.
7. Losing access to excellent public transportation.
8. Not being able to speak German. Losing closeness with my German friends.
9. Giving away most of my German books and not being able to get more in the States.
10. Eating different foods.
11. Not living in a wonderful, international city which has offered me something new to see everyday that I have been willing to look.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Please Pray
The Goerings have an appointment today to look at a home just south of Köln. They would really like to be able to sign a contract for it sometime this week and move in shortly thereafter. I am trusting that God will give them this, or another place to live soon, so I will be notifiing my apartment in Stegerwaldsiedlung that I want to move out and begin the process of looking for a new place to live this week so that I can be in the same area as the Goerings.
I will be under a lot of pressure in the next couple of weeks because I need to fill out university applications and get them in without making any mistakes. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to know what procedures to follow because every official has a different opinion, or no opinion at all. Please pray for patience, endurance, and wisdom on my part.
I will be under a lot of pressure in the next couple of weeks because I need to fill out university applications and get them in without making any mistakes. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to know what procedures to follow because every official has a different opinion, or no opinion at all. Please pray for patience, endurance, and wisdom on my part.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
New Roommates
Mood: ganz gut
What I'm reading: My friend Yi's blog
I embarked upon a new German course this week. I think that I will enjoy my new teacher's style better than my last professor. Also, at least for the moment, my new class is much smaller than my previous one. The only problem is that I seem to perpetually be in a class that is somewhat higher in level than I should rightly be at. The average time that my current classmates have been in Germany is somewhere around 3 years. Although they are only slightly better than me in their mastery of German grammar (because they have not had the opportunity to formally learn it), their vocabulary far surpasses mine. The result is that I always feel a couple of steps behind everyone else.
Yesterday my friend Armin helped me make improvements to my apartment. He lowered my kitchen cabinets so that I do not have to jump so high when I want to retrieve a glass, installed a light in my foyer, and lowered my bike seat. It's nice to feel like I'm making some progress in the continual battle to make my apartment feel homey.
The only big problem remaining is my 3 new roommates. Their names are Larry, Curly, and Moe and they are invading my personal space more every day. You can see a pic of Curly below.
What I'm reading: My friend Yi's blog
I embarked upon a new German course this week. I think that I will enjoy my new teacher's style better than my last professor. Also, at least for the moment, my new class is much smaller than my previous one. The only problem is that I seem to perpetually be in a class that is somewhat higher in level than I should rightly be at. The average time that my current classmates have been in Germany is somewhere around 3 years. Although they are only slightly better than me in their mastery of German grammar (because they have not had the opportunity to formally learn it), their vocabulary far surpasses mine. The result is that I always feel a couple of steps behind everyone else.
Yesterday my friend Armin helped me make improvements to my apartment. He lowered my kitchen cabinets so that I do not have to jump so high when I want to retrieve a glass, installed a light in my foyer, and lowered my bike seat. It's nice to feel like I'm making some progress in the continual battle to make my apartment feel homey.
The only big problem remaining is my 3 new roommates. Their names are Larry, Curly, and Moe and they are invading my personal space more every day. You can see a pic of Curly below.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
I'm Back, and the Boxes are Gone!
Mood: headachy
Stage notes: hanging with the Bonnets
The moving company finally came and carted the boxes that were in my room off to Spain. It is great to be able to walk around! The progress has given me renewed energy to start making the place look a bit more homey.
A couple of women that I met with the STM team from Riv came to English Conversation for the first time this past week. We had a good time, and upon leaving they drew me aside to let me know what cool guys Martin and Daniel were. They invited me to go to a party with them Friday night, and we had a really good time together. After a couple of hours at the party we went to a pub and sang Carnival songs and talked late into the night. The girls brought two of their friends with them, and I think that I will also have the opportunity to hang out with these new acquaintances in the future.
Tonight is my first time on the Sunday School rotation at church (with the youngest kids, so I shouldn't have to speak a whole lot). I'm looking forward to it. Normally going to church is a lot like being at school. This is, of course, because everything is in German and it is still a struggle to understand what is being said, much less to apply it. Nursery should be a refreshing break.
Stage notes: hanging with the Bonnets
The moving company finally came and carted the boxes that were in my room off to Spain. It is great to be able to walk around! The progress has given me renewed energy to start making the place look a bit more homey.
A couple of women that I met with the STM team from Riv came to English Conversation for the first time this past week. We had a good time, and upon leaving they drew me aside to let me know what cool guys Martin and Daniel were. They invited me to go to a party with them Friday night, and we had a really good time together. After a couple of hours at the party we went to a pub and sang Carnival songs and talked late into the night. The girls brought two of their friends with them, and I think that I will also have the opportunity to hang out with these new acquaintances in the future.
Tonight is my first time on the Sunday School rotation at church (with the youngest kids, so I shouldn't have to speak a whole lot). I'm looking forward to it. Normally going to church is a lot like being at school. This is, of course, because everything is in German and it is still a struggle to understand what is being said, much less to apply it. Nursery should be a refreshing break.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
German History Museum
Mood: sleepy
Stage notes: babysitting for the Bonnets
After having lunch with several friends this afternoon, I joined the Bonnets at a Modern German History Museum. It incorperated a lot of multi-sensory displays into the collection which made it good for the kids. Among the things to see were parts of the Berlin wall, objects creatively made from things available after the War, early BMWs, a small theater showing old German news reels, and a mock-up of a plane used during the Berlin airlift. They also chronicled a good portion of German political history, but my German was not good enough to get more than a general sense of what they were depicting. We went through pretty quickly, so I am hoping to visit again with my mom and aunt when they visit in January.
My new apartment still has a lot of boxes in it (the previous tenent asked me to hold them for her until the movers could come), but some more of the furniture was picked up by one of her friends today. I am hopeful that it will be visitor-friendly within the next week.
Stage notes: babysitting for the Bonnets
After having lunch with several friends this afternoon, I joined the Bonnets at a Modern German History Museum. It incorperated a lot of multi-sensory displays into the collection which made it good for the kids. Among the things to see were parts of the Berlin wall, objects creatively made from things available after the War, early BMWs, a small theater showing old German news reels, and a mock-up of a plane used during the Berlin airlift. They also chronicled a good portion of German political history, but my German was not good enough to get more than a general sense of what they were depicting. We went through pretty quickly, so I am hoping to visit again with my mom and aunt when they visit in January.
My new apartment still has a lot of boxes in it (the previous tenent asked me to hold them for her until the movers could come), but some more of the furniture was picked up by one of her friends today. I am hopeful that it will be visitor-friendly within the next week.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Full Plate
Mood: a bit hectic
Stage notes: library computer, looking at a man's t-shirt that says ''Southern Hostility'' with a raised middle finger and a cross
Sorry for the irregular posts recently. My new neighborhood doesn't seem to have a nearby internet cafe, and I have been too busy to use it even if there was one. A summary of my week: 10 hours babysitting, 8 hours helping people move, 2 hours English conversation, 16 hours school. Plus, incalculable hours trying to to get utilites, phone, et set-up in my new place and to paint it. I'm enjoying the feeling of getting things accomplished, however, and yesterday I had a good conversation. The woman I was speaking with said, ''It was a pivotal meeting for the future of our church.'' I wonder if she will be proved right.
Stage notes: library computer, looking at a man's t-shirt that says ''Southern Hostility'' with a raised middle finger and a cross
Sorry for the irregular posts recently. My new neighborhood doesn't seem to have a nearby internet cafe, and I have been too busy to use it even if there was one. A summary of my week: 10 hours babysitting, 8 hours helping people move, 2 hours English conversation, 16 hours school. Plus, incalculable hours trying to to get utilites, phone, et set-up in my new place and to paint it. I'm enjoying the feeling of getting things accomplished, however, and yesterday I had a good conversation. The woman I was speaking with said, ''It was a pivotal meeting for the future of our church.'' I wonder if she will be proved right.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Rain, rain, go away
Mood: sopping wet. feels like it has been raining for days.
Stage notes: ditto ''Mood''
Last night a woman that I have been regularily hanging out with invited me over for dinner and a movie. The homemade potato soup was great and afterwards we watched ''The Gods Must Be Crazy''. She and her husband are moving soon, so another hour or two was spent packing and loading furniture into a truck.
I moved into a new place this week and have no towels, linens, dishes, et. God has been really faithful in providing for my needs. The woman who moved out of my apartment left much of her furniture for me. One of her friends (whom I have never met) had an extra set of dishes that she offered to me. The friend I visited last night is leaving the country, so she was able to give me glasses and some towels. I'm reminded of the story of Elisha and the widow whose empty jars were filled with oil.
Stage notes: ditto ''Mood''
Last night a woman that I have been regularily hanging out with invited me over for dinner and a movie. The homemade potato soup was great and afterwards we watched ''The Gods Must Be Crazy''. She and her husband are moving soon, so another hour or two was spent packing and loading furniture into a truck.
I moved into a new place this week and have no towels, linens, dishes, et. God has been really faithful in providing for my needs. The woman who moved out of my apartment left much of her furniture for me. One of her friends (whom I have never met) had an extra set of dishes that she offered to me. The friend I visited last night is leaving the country, so she was able to give me glasses and some towels. I'm reminded of the story of Elisha and the widow whose empty jars were filled with oil.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Uh Oh!
Mood: ?
Stage notes: watching people in bumper cars at a carnival that is set up in the street here
Tomorrow I was asked to talk about why I am in Köln in front of the Bonnet's church. I shared my testimony my first week there and was a bit nervous because I did not know anyone. This time I know many of the people, but I am still nervous because they have asked me to speak in German! I only found out late Thursday, and have been so busy this week that I have not prepared at all. I'm hoping that it goes OK.
Friday night I made dinner for a friend at my apartment (on Muelheim-Wiener Platz). We had a good conversation and it made for a pleasant last evening in my old place. Today I moved to the new apartment (in Stegerwaldsiedlung). The former occupant still has 28 boxes and various pieces of furniture in the room that are waiting for the moving company. As a result, it is a bit crowded and cluttered looking at the moment. I hope that it will soon be transformed into a place that is welcoming and full of guests.
Stage notes: watching people in bumper cars at a carnival that is set up in the street here
Tomorrow I was asked to talk about why I am in Köln in front of the Bonnet's church. I shared my testimony my first week there and was a bit nervous because I did not know anyone. This time I know many of the people, but I am still nervous because they have asked me to speak in German! I only found out late Thursday, and have been so busy this week that I have not prepared at all. I'm hoping that it goes OK.
Friday night I made dinner for a friend at my apartment (on Muelheim-Wiener Platz). We had a good conversation and it made for a pleasant last evening in my old place. Today I moved to the new apartment (in Stegerwaldsiedlung). The former occupant still has 28 boxes and various pieces of furniture in the room that are waiting for the moving company. As a result, it is a bit crowded and cluttered looking at the moment. I hope that it will soon be transformed into a place that is welcoming and full of guests.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Moving: Episode 3!
Mood: lazy
Stage notes: getting ready for school, packing
I've had a busy few days. Mainly they have been filled with visiting various government, school, and business offices to get questions answered. It is suprisingly more complicated to figure out things like setting up a phone, paying for utilities, et. in a foreign country.
It looks like I will be moving in to a new apartment this Saturday. It is small, but it will be my own. I am looking forward to finding ways to decorate. Since I only have whatever fit into my 2 suitcases on the way over, this should be an interesting excercise in creativity. I'm envisioning things made from materials like dried leaves and newspaper clippings. Scary, huh?
English conversation is moving to a new location this week. I spent the bulk of my free time yesterday copying posters and hanging them up around the campus and language schools. Martin and I also passed out business cards with our internet address on them. I'm hoping that we can have a strong first week. Either way I am sure that I will enjoy the newer, less noisy and smokey location. I hope that people will feel comfortable there.
Stage notes: getting ready for school, packing
I've had a busy few days. Mainly they have been filled with visiting various government, school, and business offices to get questions answered. It is suprisingly more complicated to figure out things like setting up a phone, paying for utilities, et. in a foreign country.
It looks like I will be moving in to a new apartment this Saturday. It is small, but it will be my own. I am looking forward to finding ways to decorate. Since I only have whatever fit into my 2 suitcases on the way over, this should be an interesting excercise in creativity. I'm envisioning things made from materials like dried leaves and newspaper clippings. Scary, huh?
English conversation is moving to a new location this week. I spent the bulk of my free time yesterday copying posters and hanging them up around the campus and language schools. Martin and I also passed out business cards with our internet address on them. I'm hoping that we can have a strong first week. Either way I am sure that I will enjoy the newer, less noisy and smokey location. I hope that people will feel comfortable there.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Moving: Part 3?
Mood: ?
Stage notes: eavesdropping on two Germans talking about God in an internet cafe
So yesterday was my self-proclaimed ''free day''. I planned to call a friend in the States, go grocery shopping, and study. God had other plans, however, and a woman who has offered me her apartment gave me a call. She asked if I might like to have lunch together and I accepted. I quickly threw on my shoes and headed for her place.
Her apartment is perfect! She has clearly put a lot of time into making it nice in the 2 years she has lived there. There's a full set of furniture, appliances, homemade curtains, and the feminine touch abounds. She has offered to leave everything for me if I would like it. The only challenge is that I must pay 3 months rent as a deposit and because I have no proof of income, I may need to find someone who will promise to pay if I do not.
''Lunch'' turned into an hours-long conversation, and when we finally looked at the clock it was nearly 8PM. She goes to a youth group at Koeln Ostheim church, and invited me along. There were about 40 people there and they seemed to genuinely enjoy one another. It was a praise and worship night, so singing was interspersed with prayer and short teachings. I enjoyed the time and will probably visit again at some point.
Stage notes: eavesdropping on two Germans talking about God in an internet cafe
So yesterday was my self-proclaimed ''free day''. I planned to call a friend in the States, go grocery shopping, and study. God had other plans, however, and a woman who has offered me her apartment gave me a call. She asked if I might like to have lunch together and I accepted. I quickly threw on my shoes and headed for her place.
Her apartment is perfect! She has clearly put a lot of time into making it nice in the 2 years she has lived there. There's a full set of furniture, appliances, homemade curtains, and the feminine touch abounds. She has offered to leave everything for me if I would like it. The only challenge is that I must pay 3 months rent as a deposit and because I have no proof of income, I may need to find someone who will promise to pay if I do not.
''Lunch'' turned into an hours-long conversation, and when we finally looked at the clock it was nearly 8PM. She goes to a youth group at Koeln Ostheim church, and invited me along. There were about 40 people there and they seemed to genuinely enjoy one another. It was a praise and worship night, so singing was interspersed with prayer and short teachings. I enjoyed the time and will probably visit again at some point.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
A really good day
Mood: relaxed, tired
Stage notes: sipping raspberry iced tea at Friesenplatz Starbucks
God opened a lot of doors today. First, I met with a christian student from Bolivia. She visited house church two weeks ago, and asked to get together. I expected to meet with her one-on-one, but when I arrived at Starbucks, she was with a friend. My gut reaction was to be a bit disappointed because it is often harder for me to get to know someone in a group. The feeling quickly left, however, when I realized that I had already met the woman she brought along. We had spoken with one another in a Starbucks near the Dom two years earlier! On my first trip to Köln with Riverview, we joined an English conversation group led by an American man (Witt has since returned home). Isabel (the friend) was there and we talked for a long time. When the Bolivian student mentioned my name, Isabel recognized it and asked to come along. She is moving back to Spain in October and has offered to give me her apartment for 230 EUR per month including a kitchen and furniture. This is a wonderful offer, because in Germany apartments do not usually come with any appliances. No fridge, no stove, no light fixtures, NOTHING. I could not afford to buy these things on my own, and furnished apartments generally cost more and you must share them with others. Although I like roommates, it is hard to have frequent church activities in your home if you are living with a non-christian. I hope to visit the apartment soon and get more details.
My computer time is up, but I`ll try to write more later tonight.
Stage notes: sipping raspberry iced tea at Friesenplatz Starbucks
God opened a lot of doors today. First, I met with a christian student from Bolivia. She visited house church two weeks ago, and asked to get together. I expected to meet with her one-on-one, but when I arrived at Starbucks, she was with a friend. My gut reaction was to be a bit disappointed because it is often harder for me to get to know someone in a group. The feeling quickly left, however, when I realized that I had already met the woman she brought along. We had spoken with one another in a Starbucks near the Dom two years earlier! On my first trip to Köln with Riverview, we joined an English conversation group led by an American man (Witt has since returned home). Isabel (the friend) was there and we talked for a long time. When the Bolivian student mentioned my name, Isabel recognized it and asked to come along. She is moving back to Spain in October and has offered to give me her apartment for 230 EUR per month including a kitchen and furniture. This is a wonderful offer, because in Germany apartments do not usually come with any appliances. No fridge, no stove, no light fixtures, NOTHING. I could not afford to buy these things on my own, and furnished apartments generally cost more and you must share them with others. Although I like roommates, it is hard to have frequent church activities in your home if you are living with a non-christian. I hope to visit the apartment soon and get more details.
My computer time is up, but I`ll try to write more later tonight.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Unpacking. . .again
Mood: really tired
Stage notes: CCR's "Fortunate Son"
Last night I moved to a new apartment. With the exception of its location on the 5th floor, I love my new place. It is in a very densely populated and diverse neighborhood. There is every type of store imaginable within walking distance, and it is closer to my school. I have my own room, but share a kitchen and bathroom with my landlady. She lives and works in another city several days per week, so most of the time it should be pretty quiet.
In other news, I took my exam this morning and it seemed to go OK. Later I met with Daniel to talk through some possibilities for helping the church here. It was a good meeting, but there is so much to cover that I am guessing we will need to meet again at some point. Afterwards we headed over to English conversation at the Shamrock. One of my classmates came this week. Some regulars that I had expected to be out of town were also able to make it. There were some good conversations happening, and I think that overall it was a good night.
Stage notes: CCR's "Fortunate Son"
Last night I moved to a new apartment. With the exception of its location on the 5th floor, I love my new place. It is in a very densely populated and diverse neighborhood. There is every type of store imaginable within walking distance, and it is closer to my school. I have my own room, but share a kitchen and bathroom with my landlady. She lives and works in another city several days per week, so most of the time it should be pretty quiet.
In other news, I took my exam this morning and it seemed to go OK. Later I met with Daniel to talk through some possibilities for helping the church here. It was a good meeting, but there is so much to cover that I am guessing we will need to meet again at some point. Afterwards we headed over to English conversation at the Shamrock. One of my classmates came this week. Some regulars that I had expected to be out of town were also able to make it. There were some good conversations happening, and I think that overall it was a good night.