tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17420855124666261652024-02-07T06:23:35.073+01:00Year abroad: Done Hamburg, now doing South of FranceLeo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-37005871494019048372011-06-20T22:59:00.001+02:002011-06-20T23:08:13.134+02:00Carcassonne, France: My first two and a half weeks here!<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The evening of June 2<sup>nd</sup> and I arrive in Paris after a lovely view of the city from the plane as we circled above. My boyfriend was already for me at the arrival gate. Thank God, he was there. Normally, I would take the cheaper option and travel to the hotel by train from the airport – but this time, I had no intention of doing that. Not after the journey I'd had with the 40kg of baggage. Price of taxi : 50 Euros</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The hotel was decent enough. It was almost in one of the famous Parisian 'banlieu'. Anyway, we spent a few days in Paris hanging around and walking around. It was hot weather. People were out and about. The M<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">é</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">tro was packed and sweaty as always. Although, we weren't attacked on the M</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">é</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">tro this time. Yeah, I don't know if I told you that last time we were travelling by tube in Paris some sort of spastic lashed out because he wanted to stand by the door, and we were sitting there. All was well in the end. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I tried to get back into speaking French. I thought it would make sense as I knew I would be here for three months. It wasn't really happening. Understandable that German words were coming out instead of French ones as I'd been there for nine months and thanks to the German boyfriend I have. It was clear that my spoken German had overtaken my French. It upset me a little bit as I've been learning French for much longer and considered it my second language.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saturday 4</span><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> June and it was time to travel down to the south to my new home. We sat there on the TGV and watched the weather go from bad to worse. Didn't expect that. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we arrived in Carcassonne (my new home) I can't say I was too impressed. Not because I knew the town would be the worst place in the world and the weather would be awful, but because I knew it'd be too small. My boyfriend had the time of his life winding me up about it. That was all right though, I wind him up enough when I'm ready.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be honest, I wanted to turn around and go home. I just thought : I'm going to be so bored here, no escape, small town life, not my thing !</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I thought I'd give it a go, and that's what I'm doing. I try to look on the bright side. One of the British girls I got to know in Hamburg is livin' it up in a German village barely on the map for her summer.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We stayed in an old castle in a village called Cavanac a few miles away. It was nice there but the best bit was the dinner on the Sunday night. I'm telling you, it was amazing! Plus, there were about 4 bottles of wine sitting there waiting to be consumed. I got through one. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also got through a number of snails. I was a bit taken aback by the fact they came as an actual bowl of snails. I thought it was just going the meat of the snails on the plate, if you get what I mean. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next day, I went to meet my work colleagues at the youth hostel. They seemed like nice enough people. The boss showed me around and showed me my room. He let me know that scorpions have been found around before, which freaked me out. In fact, I saw one yesterday but it must have been a member of the smallest species of scorpion on the planet so I didn't cry too much. I couldn't even really see its stinging tail. BUT, it was on my lock, so all I'll say is : Thank God for that automatic light. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The job's OK. On the first day, the guy in-charge basically said 'here's the bar, do what you want with it'. I stood around and thought 'I dunno where to start' so I started to fiddle with my BlackBerry. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because the bar won't be opening officially until the peak summer season, I haven't actually been running a bar up to now; I've been playing dinnerman. Serving groups of school kids. Sometimes I've got to do the washing-up. It's hell. Especially when 100 plates come flying at you after dinner. Luckily, people have run along to help me a few times. Maybe they're being nice 'cause I'm new. I'm grateful anyway.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you know me, you'll know that the weekend, and having fun at the weekend is quite important to me. Well, the weekend in this part of the world is bringing me to tears. Think about it, I've just come from Hamburg, a city with too many clubs to choose from. To say this is a 'shock to the system' is an understatement. I've found one bar, which is Irish. It's probably the best place in the town centre. The staff are cool and I've got talking with the doorman who's English, the owner who's Irish and her barmaid sister. They're nice and they tell me that life in Carcassonne will improve as soon as the annual festival here gets started. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The expatriates who I've met here seem to love it, although they understand why I'm finding it boring. But out of those I've met, none are in any hurry to return to Britain. Or South Africa in the case of one man I spoke to. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you want nightlife here, it's a train ride away. Nearest cities are Toulouse and Montpellier. You have to start your night at 8pm though because that's when the last trains leave here.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last weekend, I expected to find a train to take me away for the night at 10pm after having not read the timetable properly. The next train was due to leave at 7am. Soul destroying. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next time, I plan to go to Montpellier for a night out. Toulouse was a bit of a let-down. Too spred out. No real clubbing district.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The internet and shopping is another pain in the behind. The only supermarkets are miles away. Where I live is like living in a theme park! So, if you fancy I drink and would like to pay 2,50 for it, go ahead.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The bigger problem is with the internet though. The hostel internet does not reach my room. Of course, I can step inside the hostel to use it, but I far too lazy for that. I'm only happy when I have working connection in my room. Cut a long story short, it's costing me a lot to run this internet 'key', as it's called in France. And when I run out of credit, guess what I've got to do ! Yes, walk to town and back.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have to say the countryside around Carcassonne is very pretty. My new colleagues took me for a drive last week. We went to a very picturesque village – a tiny one. I don't even think it's on the map. Nice. I don't mind a bit of countryside. Just don't keep me there. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think Carcassonne would be a bit better for me if I could drive. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">My colleagues now know I'm gay, by the way. I told them after that drive when we ate lunch together. Phew, two of the other colleagues are too. Apparently, one of them predicted before I even left Germany. Well, what can I say.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">They're cool about it though. However, the girl I work with in the kitchen has obviously never met a gay guy before. I thought it was sweet at first, but now it's a bit too ignorant for me. Watch this space, I fill you in with some of the things she's said if she continues to come out with idiotic stiff. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've got an hour left at work – zzzzzzzzzz. The owner of the Irish bar's invited me to another bar tonight. Starting from 1am. We'll see how I feel in a hour. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, that's been my first couple of weeks here in France. Hope it hasn't been too dispressing for you. I'm flying back to Britain for good on Thursday 8<sup>th</sup> September - there's some good news. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, I'll be keeping you informed well before then. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bonne nuit</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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</div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-343466971737715432011-06-20T13:56:00.000+02:002011-06-20T13:56:30.212+02:00May: Last month in Germany!<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Good day, everyone. A month and a half to tell you all about – I'll <i>try</i> to do it briefly.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The main thing that's happened within that time is that I moved from Hamburg to the south of France. I've been here for about two weeks now. However, you're still in the dark about my last 3 weeks or so in Germany, so I'll fill you in...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Remember last time I left you I said that there was a school trip to London coming up, and I didn't want to travel there and back on the coach with them? Well, that trip happened and it went really well. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">They did what most tourists do: walked and walked and walked. It was almost too much walking – for me anyway. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Of course, they saw all the main London sights. But for me the best part was when we let the kids loose in a certain area for a few hours. That meant the teachers and I could go to a restaurant or pub, have a nice meal and a few glasses. In this time, the teachers also had a chance to meet my boyfriend. He'd heard a lot about them; they'd heard a lot about him. And it meant they could all speak German together. They liked him a lot!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I think for the two teachers who went on the trip, the fact that I was there was a relief for them. On the Tube for example, they only had to follow me. No going to the wrong platforms, no getting on the wrong trains.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I think for all of us, the musical 'We will rock you' on the Wednesday night was the highlight. They were in London for 4 days in total. They left on the Thursday night, leaving me to stay on there until the Sunday night when I flew back. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Towards the end of my time in Germany, I tried to spend quality time with the friends I'd made there. A week before I left, a group of the teachers and I went to a top-class restaurant at the back of an industrial estate. It was a buffet. A plate there cost 35Euros. Because it was my last few days with them, they 'invited' me as they say in German, which means I ate for free. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">And the night before I left, we went to a bar together where I was showered with a few presents. I was a bit overwhelmed. This came after a day of presents at the school when the pupils applauded me and said 'thank you' and 'bye'. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Perhaps the sweetest present was an album of our trip to London which had been put together on a Mac. Apparently it was sent off and returned as a book, and that's how it was presented to me – so sweet. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">All I all, I'll never forget the folks I worked with in that school. Lovely people who were nothing but nice to me. I hope I see them again.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Of course, there was the young English-speaking crowd with whom I shared the Hamburg experience. We had a few nights out too. We met up as many times as we could towards the end – mainly to get as many drinks down our necks as possible. The last full weekend in Hamburg was a good one! But after it was over, we decided to meet up one last time on my last night – for food – and 20 litres of beer, between us that was. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It was a brewery with good reviews and obviously, this 10 litres of beer thing went down well with us too. We wanted it to be a kind of traditional German last night. So, we ate and drank. Afterwards, some of us went on to the Reeperbahn. It was busy there even though it was a Wednesday because the next day would be a Bank Holiday. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">That was my last night in Hamburg. The hope is to see the guys I met there again. I know it'll be easy to see those again who live near London, but I really hope I don't lose contact with the rest. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The next day involved the mighty task of moving to France – moving a whole room to France with a 23kg weight limit. Thank God, I'd already shipped a suitcase back to my mum in Croydon the day before. I also bought a new suitcase as I knew the other one wasn't going to cut it. Packing and tidying took all day. Going to the airport I just knew the bag was going to be over the limit. I wasn't wrong, it came up on the scales at 37kg. I was told I would have to go and buy another suitcase, transfer some stuff over and get the main bag down to under 23kg. I had no choice so that's what I did. That left me 100Euros out of pocket and I went on my merry way. Left Germany. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-22998257493572006612011-05-04T20:56:00.003+02:002011-05-04T21:01:54.942+02:00New, easier to read blog update! Here's my April!<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hi, everyone,</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Wow, I have a whole month to update you on. That's how long it's been since the last post on 25</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> March. In that time, quite a few things have gone on but I'll TRY to keep it short.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>Twitter insult</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ever woken up the night after a night out and said “My God, what have I done?” </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That's exactly what I said to myself on the morning after a night out a couple of weeks ago after I managed to offend every female friend I have here in Hamburg. They woke up outraged after I branded them “stupid bitches!” on Twitter! </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After they got over the initial shock, some decided to write me angry Facebook, Twitter messages back. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I was horrified myself and took the tweet down straight away. Dunno, what got into me there but they're actually used to me calling them “babe” and “babes” or even “baby” - sometimes it's “darlin'”, in fact. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What I was trying to say on Twitter was express that I think females tend to stick together when it really comes to it. And so do the boys, I might add. This wasn't true in this case though. Someone put that idea in my head. I've now learnt to keep well away from Twitter after a few drinks. Luckily, I've got good friends; one of them explained to me that after waking up furious, she then came to realise that it was a drunk Leo. Being drunk's no excuse though, as I mentioned in my apology which was posted to both Facebook and Twitter. Glad that one's all cleared up anyway. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>Flatmate's banging habits</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I would like to add my flatmate on Facebook when I leave Germany (I'm pretty sure she has it). Great idea, but it will be a bit of a worry once she's added. Especially if she discovers that everytime she's had sex – sex which has been overheard by me – it's been plastered all over Facebook and this blog.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I normally wouldn't do this but she really does pick her moments. Take last week, as I was waking up at 4am to get to the airport to catch my 7am flight to London. She was up at that time too. 'Ok, fine', I thought. But she was in the shower, which I thought was a bit weird. Why the hell's she showering at that time of the morning?, I was thinking. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Oh, yeah, I might have known! As I was leaving, there she was next door. Her way of saying 'bye'? 'She could have waited 30 seconds and she would have had complete privacy,' I said to myself. *Rolls eyes* - Anyway, I'll miss her.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>My school wins first prize</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not much been happing in school over the last month, apart from this: My school's 8. Klasse winning first prize for their Spanish film. And then another when they performed a stage version of it to a audience in the hall of the ugliest school ever in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Mümmelmannsberg</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, Hamburg. It was long day but worth it after they beat off nearly every school in Hamburg. This competition happens every year in German schools, in which schools compete to make the best short foreign language film. Something which just wouldn't happen in Britain, I was actually very impressed! So they left with two first prizes. Now, they will go on to perform at a national level in Magdeburg in June to compete again schools from across Germany.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>London & Royal Wedding</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So I returned to Hamburg from London on Monday evening. I spent Easter there. It was a nice, long break and we were treated to splendid weather on most days. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My boyfriend and I did a country drive to a country mansion in Essex last Sunday, but Friday was the day to look forward to. What with this Royal Wedding that was due to happen. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I won't say I flew into the hype by flying into the UK, because there was just as much, if not more, in Germany. There certainly was hype in Britain though with only a week to go. I bought Union flags from the pound shop and then began to get quite excited about Friday.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On the day, we left the house at around 10am to go to Hyde Park. Not many people on the streets. We now know why – 25 million people watched it. Hyde Park was great with thousands of people gathered around the three giant screens they had up – we arrived just after Kate left the hotel. I also missed the point at which Kate and Wills were declared 'man and wife,' because I was off buying booze. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I felt nothing but happiness for this future Queen of ours as she left Westminster Abbey as a princess. Shortly after that, the party in Hyde Park began and it was the moment when everyone came together to wave flags, drink and dance. A great day. I continued to walk around with my flag all day as it's not everyday that days like this come around for us. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>First Anniversary</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The next day it was all back to normal but I had a surprise to look forward to. For our first anniversary, my boyfriend told me that he'd arranged somewhere special for us.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We walked past the Centre Point tower in the heart of London and he stopped to take pictures of it. I got restless wondering why he was wasting his time. The reason was - that was the place! </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A restaurant that sits at the very top would be where we'd celebrate. I was very impressed and London looked fabulous from above. As you may know, I love my home city of London so it meant a lot. Plus, we managed to get a table by the window which looked out to the west of the city – at sunset. Great times!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>Passport</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I did start to panic a few weeks ago after the photo in my passport started to peel away from the laminate. Anyone who's seen my passport knows it's look like shit for a long time ever since it went for a dip in the beer in 2007. I only got it in 2006. I then learnt not to put it in bags with beer when travelling intercity. It's not just that though; I think it's been out on every wild night out since I started uni. I've got no other formal ID, you see. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I was worrying because I'm travelling quite a bit these days. Phoned the British embassy and stuff. They said replace it. I said there's no time because I don't have a week or two to wait – I'm travelling at 2 week intervals from now. I decided to take the risk and when I returned to the UK, I asked the immigration officer. She didn't look at it the first time but when I asked her, she then gave me a bollocking. Anyway, it's been fine going and coming, I WILL change it when I'm back in the UK for good in September. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b>May Plans</b></u></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I will be back in London in two weeks time but, this time to play tour guide. The 10. Klasse from my school are to make the trip (by coach) to London to see the sights and practice their English. I'll be there as a sort of guide and to escort the boys of the class to Wembley Stadium, as the two female teachers have no intentions of doing it. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'll be flying in, not coming on the coach with the rest of them. I could have one on the coach for free but I bough a plane ticket just last week. That's how much I don't want to do that coach journey both ways. It's going to take them at least 15 hours each way, what with all the stops they'll have to take. Plus, I've just come from London. No thank you! </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For the moment though, I'm back in Hamburg and it's exactly one month before that one way flight to Paris. I'm determined to make the next month here, an unforgettable one. We had lovely weather here before I went to London so I'm hoping for some more. </span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you're into UK politics like me, you'll know that the AV referendum will take place tomorrow 5th May in the UK. I ran around to get the application to Croydon, which enables my mum to vote on my behalf. Tonight, she announced on the phone that she won't vote for me because she "can't be bothered and because Yes2AV will lose anyway". I'm sure she will though ;) </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Also, one of my FAVOURITE TV show, 'The Apprentice' is coming back to BBC One on May 11<sup>th. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm so happy, it feels like it only finished the other day. It was actually before Christmas. Time flies. </span></sup></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And lastly, I will leave Germany on a direct flight to Paris on 2nd June. Sad time - I'll be sure to update you guys again before then. </span></sup></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Take it easy, people :) xxx</span></sup></span></span></div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-52319345905610443132011-03-25T19:00:00.002+01:002011-03-25T19:16:25.315+01:00Summer Plans and March updateI now know that I will be returning to the UK for good sometime about 10th Sept. I finish here in Germany on 31st May.<br />
You might be asking yourselves: Where will he be and what will he be doing for the summer?<br />
Well, I'll be in the sunny south of France - working. I found the website of a woman who finds work placements in France for students. I gave her a call and she quickly arranged this placement in Carcassonne for me. I only had to pay her £150. The placement is in a youth hostel working in its bar for 35 hours a week. I'll have a room provided by the hostel nearby to the hostel. I'll get 3 meals a day, 7 days a week and about 400 euros to go in my wallet every month - Sounds amazing, right?<br />
<br />
It is an amazing deal and I will be doing it. One thing, though: It's not in a city! I may sound like a big baby but, it's a BIG THING to me; however, I've decided to step outside my comfort zone and 'try something new today.'<br />
Toulouse is not too far. It'll be warm there and everyone I've told about this says the town is very nice. I believe them. Come and see me, people!<br />
<br />
So, when I'm finished here in Hamburg it looks like I won't have long before I'll have have to be in France. I will book DIRECT flights from Hamburg to Paris soon. No coming home to London. I'll get back to you with the date.<br />
<br />
I was back in London for almost two weeks at the beginning of March. Didn't do much apart from spending time with my boyfriend, watching a lot of Judge Judy with him in the mornings, and doing whatever in the evenings.<br />
The weather was nice!<br />
I didn't want to leave to come back to Germany but I know I'll be sad to leave here when the time comes.<br />
<br />
There's just 2 months to go. It really has gone fast. And one of the things I'll be most sad to leave is the school...<br />
<br />
School started again on Monday and even the first lesson was eventful. As usual it was Monday morning with 4a. Remember those lovely 10/11 year olds?<br />
One fight took place in the room (it wasn't serious). Then I witnessed a girl showing the boy sitting next to me, Nic, her middle finger. At least it wasn't aimed at me this time. But insults were, from Nic himself during the break when the teacher and I decided to keep him in to write out the class rules. Not just him - but he was by far the rudest and it wasn't the first time. <br />
<br />
He ended up in front of the Deputy Head after he ran out the class twice, refused to do the work, insulted my German and even tried to be rude in English to me. She gave him a talking to and reminded him that his Italian dad's German would have been a bit shit back in the day. She didn't forget to praise my German too. We all know it needs improving though ;)<br />
<br />
Same old, same old with that class. Now, the teachers and I are discussing what new action to take against the main trouble makers future lessons. I'll keep you updated.<br />
<br />
The rest of the week was great with the kids, as usual. On Wednesday evening a few of the teachers and I visited a teacher off-sick with a broken leg. We sat around a table and played a German word game. I thought to myself: 'There's no way I can do this.' It was actually quite funny in the end. They went easy on me, allowing me to say it in English if I couldn't say it in <i>Deutsch</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTcictPXs3jGeuGjx00z6Z_4lyxE7fiMOpBXMmM75kK1DoPb0G8dboAY1u_jy8PnCGy4qMirRFnyhd774al2aw8p9qgCEyxz69khQDDCJbE9n22xVLley1_CFA_ihUBGJcjQvCz6ZaAU/s1600/delroygrantmugshot415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTcictPXs3jGeuGjx00z6Z_4lyxE7fiMOpBXMmM75kK1DoPb0G8dboAY1u_jy8PnCGy4qMirRFnyhd774al2aw8p9qgCEyxz69khQDDCJbE9n22xVLley1_CFA_ihUBGJcjQvCz6ZaAU/s320/delroygrantmugshot415.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />
This is Delroy Grant (such a typical Jamaican name). He was convicted to life in prison today with a minimum of 27 years. He's the man who raped numerous OLD women (and some men) all over South London and beyond for almost 20 years.<br />
<br />
I know I've gone on about this on Facebook and Twitter today but, for me this case feels quite close to home. The first area in which he struck and also one of his favourites was Shirley, Croydon (where I'm from). They appealed for him three times on Crimewatch so I was always aware of him. I remember thinking about him when walking home from the night bus stop along Shirley's empty streets at about 4am after a Central London night out.<br />
Obviously he wouldn't have wanted me but what if I'd seen him in the street like this CCTV camera saw him here in Honor Oak Park, SE London :<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N5apYZxzOI8" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Just the sight of him would have freaked me out.<br />
<br />
I can't believe they it took them so long to catch him. Those poor women. What's the point of the police going to Crimewatch if they're going to ignore some of the names given to them?<br />
<br />
Full story here: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8404565/Night-Stalker-Delroy-Grant-profile.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8404565/Night-Stalker-Delroy-Grant-</a><br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8404565/Night-Stalker-Delroy-Grant-profile.html">profile.html</a><br />
<br />
Anyway, folks, I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll try to. Drum 'n' Bass night tomorrow night from 11pm at Juice Club in Stresemannstrasse in Hamburg tomorrow. If you like DnB - be there!<br />
<br />
Until next time!Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-69283681428192306952011-03-03T13:57:00.002+01:002011-03-03T15:28:53.815+01:00Birthday and end of Feb!Finished school 4 hours ago meaning that my 18 days of holidays have now started. Today's a good day.<br />
<br />
I guess you'll want to know whether I'm staying here in Hamburg for the time or bolting to sunnier climates.<br />
Answer: Yes, I will be returning to London on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Let me update you on the goings-on since last time.<br />
<br />
I saw 'The King's Speech' - finally! And in English too. My flatmate took me as a kind of birthday present. My boyfriend called it 'our date.' She bought the tickets, I bought the bucket of popcorn even though she only had two hand fulls out of it. In fact, I've just finished the bucket now - we went on Tuesday evening.<br />
<br />
I thought it was a good film like almost everyone else did but noticed the outbursts of laughter at almost every line from the German audience. Something that Chris and Kasia warned about. It came down to them not really understanding the light humour of that kind of British drama. Although some lines certainly were loud-out-loud funny.<br />
<br />
Back to my flatmate and she and I had a long discussion after the cinema. Very interesting. I learnt more about her relationships past and present and her temper (which explained her throwing the boyfriend out of the flat last week).<br />
<br />
She spoke English but suddenly reverted back to German.<br />
<br />
We moved on to talk about the Turkish in Germany. I've found myself in the middle of countless immigration discussion recently - about the situation in Germany and in the UK. What she had to say about Turkish people in Germany interested me because it was the same opinion I've been hearing from many Germans.<br />
<br />
The gay discussion came up to. Yes, she already knew about me. No, she has absolutely no problem.<br />
<br />
Chris B left Hamburg for a sunnier Spanish life. It seemed to hit him in his last week of being here that his time was coming to an end. We went for drinks etc. to see him off.<br />
His main drink up was on Saturday before his departure on Sunday. Unfortunately, due to Emma B's leaving do the night before, many people were too hungover to go.<br />
<br />
I turned 22 this week and it was a calmer affair this time, but still amazing. Boyfriend came from London late on Friday - He was back in Germany visiting me after 2 months.<br />
We were soon out of Hamburg early on Saturday morning and en route to Berlin. I didn't reserve seats so we almost ended up like cattle by the doors of the train. That angered my baby, but soon we found seats together and then we were kissing.<br />
<br />
The journey was only two hours and I saw the German capital for the first time. It didn't feel like a capital to me and there were a lack of maps and clear signs for tourists.<br />
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Our appartment was amazing! A long open plan loft with patio doors which went the lenght of the flat, allowing the sun to shine through. The sun was shining there but it was FREEZING. We had to stop to warm up whilst sightseeing.<br />
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Despite the city not having a capital city aura about it (in a way) and the bad sign posting, I found it to be a cool city, very interesting. Especially the history. You can actually feel it when you're around the wall, I would say.<br />
<br />
The best part was my birthday suprise arranged by my boyfriend - I love the man! I guessed it would be some sort of city tour but I didn't expect it to be a self-drive tour - in old East German cars known as 'Trabis.' They're so famous that people waved and took pictures as we passed. Of course, we kissed for those pictures. And we got the thumbs up from one woman.<br />
<br />
I can't drive so that allowed me to sit back and enjoy the ride. Working out the insane gear stick also wasn't something I needed to concern myself with.<br />
<br />
So that was Berlin.<br />
<br />
Back in Hamburg, school hadn't gone anywhere. In fact, I forgot all about it on my actual birthday, I had the day off - it was a Monday.<br />
To be honest, I hardly did a thing in school this week apart from stay awake. I got a two bottles of alcohol as a birthday present from the Deputy Head and from my mentor - a lovely card went with the Deputy's bottle and some Marzipan came with my mentor's. They're both darlings!<br />
<br />
And they've sorted out this weekend's pre-drink, that's for sure.Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-32490599313510863932011-02-17T17:09:00.002+01:002011-02-18T15:00:26.969+01:00"You wanker, you arsehole!"I just love getting up at 7am on a Monday morning, me. Especially when I'm going in to get called, not just a wanker and arsehole, but also almost every other swear word in the German language!<br />
<br />
You've probably guessed that these kids are the worst of the bunch but you might not have guessed how old the boy with the worst mouth of them all is.<br />
<br />
Well, he's 11. And that's what happens when you try to keep him and the rest of them in during break when they think they're just gonna swan out when the bell goes.<br />
<br />
Ahhh, we'll see how it goes on Monday same time, same place. But if they think I'm backing down, they're in for a shock.<br />
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The bitching amongst the teachers in the school continues meanwhile. 10 teachers were off-sick yesterday. One of them (who's always sick) rang in today to let them know she'll be off until Wednesday. The deputy rolled her eyes after the message was passed on.<br />
<br />
Another conversation took place just before I left today. It went something like this - 'Oh, her! So, so bad, she is.' That was a member of staff they were talking about. They don't like her then!<br />
I just sit back and listen to it all. Maybe learn a few words along the way. I think it's doing wonders for my German, I'm sure.<br />
<br />
2nd lesson today and I'm left standing in front of a Year 10 class. I'd been asked to get the lesson started. I'd actually finished for the week but she just assumed. That was all right though. It's not like I was going home to do anything other than sleep and w*** - guess the Year 5s were right about something!<br />
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The rule is that I only speak English with the kids - so that's what I do! Didn't expect the group of girls in the corner to literally not understand 'What's your favourite sport?' though. Even when speaking asss sllooowwlllyyy assss posssibblleeee. We got there in the end anyway.<br />
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I've finally worked out the difference between the German school years and the English ones. The English school years are one above. E.g. 4. Klasse here would be Year 5 in the UK. Dunno why that took me 5 months to grasp.<br />
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So, Monday night and my flatmate and her man didn't see their usual Monday night at 11 banging through. Oh well, maybe next week. Instead, it was me doing the screaming - real screaming.<br />
<br />
Noooo, not like that, you dirty people! I had a nightmare, innit.<br />
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Never screamed like that before after a nightmare. It was 3am and was in a world in which I was being held hostage. Maybe it was the cheese I'd eaten before bed. I dunno, but I really scared myself and I was sad my boyfriend wasn't there to hold me.<br />
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Also on Monday, I decided that I, without doubt will go to France after my time here in Germany comes to an end. I've opted to try to find something in Marseille. But that's just it, I've got to find something! So that's what I've been doing all week, trying to find some sort of work to do in France over the summer. Happy times!<br />
<br />
Lastly, I just want to express my love for EasyJet's Speedy Boarding option. I flew to London and back last weekend to spend Valentine's with the boyfriend (It was my first one - awww). So that meant having to fly twice in under 48 hours. Not my thing but Speedy Boarding made it just that bit more bearable.<br />
<br />
Run to the front of the long arsed queue at Hamburg after an already long arsed queue at Passport Control.<br />
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Then, on the way back, it was already bad enough having to go to Luton. It was even better when I only had one fairly long queue to wait in.<br />
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Well, anyway I suppose that's just my opinion.<br />
<br />
Love you all :)<br />
x<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.blogcatalog.com">BlogCatalog</a></span>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-22746891690455010592011-02-08T18:59:00.003+01:002011-02-08T19:12:55.270+01:00Sex, boozing and bitching!!!Getting off to sleep was delayed last night. He had it...in her in the next room. So, I played YouTube videos from a chatshow with the hope that the laughter would drown it all out.<br />
<div>Anyway, it didn't go on for long. Anyway, maybe I need to chill out. </div><div>The next morning we happened to bump into each other as I was on the way out. She quickly made of point of saying (in English) 'Sorry, if we disturbed you last night.' Hmmm, funny that, she usually speaks to me in German.</div><div>I guess she thought - better apologise to the guy in his own language. Awwww - That was sweet I thought. Heading for the door, I, full of embarrasment mumbled back 'Oh, no, no don't worry about that.' </div><div>That was that! Funny thing is, I really have any problem with it. It's just cringeworthy to hear everytime I do hear it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, almost a month has passed since I last spoke to you all and it's been a month of champagne drinking. Well, 'Sekt' which actually translates into 'Sparkling wine.' For me, however it is Champagne. It basically has the same effects and what would I know about 'good' champagne at my time of life!</div><div>It gets you to a 'nice drunk' and contrary to what others say, the hangovers are never usually that bad. </div><div>I don't think I'll be drinking it on an empty stomach again though - the way I did on Saturday. No, that almost had me on the floor of the S-Bahn platform at Reeperbahn station - like Emma B did. The one bit of floor in Hamburg you wouldn't want to end up passed out on. </div><div>We've had a few good ones this month anyway - as usual. The last couple, however, have been getting a little too messy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>On the school front, and it's all good. I still hate 4a and love 4b. Actually told a child to 'shut up' yesterday and yes, I have no regrets. It's not that bad. Anyone who went to school with me will probably remember one teacher who used to use 'shut up' on use all the time. It was her favourite! </div><div>In my opinion the most interesting news coming out of my school here in Germany is the bitching. </div><div>I think it's coming a head now. Speaking of 'heads,' one of them was in the canteen today bitching to our whole table but it was a bit more than just bitching. This person was MAD today- with one teacher in particular and didn't really seem to care who heard.</div><div>The main bitch was that this woman's whole class is obtaining low grades and that she's hardly ever there. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Meanwhile, the same woman being bitched about was herself doing the bitching the other day - to me. Complaining that a new teacher that I work with never says 'hello' to anyone when he walks into the Staff Room. I was thinking, well, neither do you, darlin'! I was once a new, foreigner in the Staff room. I remember.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Madness!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-36587912175602355832011-01-12T18:59:00.000+01:002011-01-12T18:59:54.526+01:00Xmas and my entrance into 2011I've had an extreamly lazy two days so I felt I should write a bit of blog in order to feel like I've done something other than just sleep after school.<br />
<div>Of course I've been going to school since being back. Getting up again for the first morning back after the break was hard - They always are! But, like most people I got back into it fairly quickly. Thankfully, it hasn't been too cold since I've been back in Hamburg either. </div><div>I did come back to snow still on the ground on Jan 2nd but that's all gone now. So, that was almost a month of snow on the ground here and I'm frankly glad to see the back of it. Saying that though, it's better than the icy, slippery streets which existed in Hamburg just last Thursday. I quickly came to realise that I do not have shoes for those conditions. In fact, I realised before even getting to the end of my street at 7.30 that morning!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Christmas is over and I'm happy about it! I like little things about it, but in general, I'm not really into it. </div><div>Flew home on Dec 24th after a worrying few days leading up to that day. The crazy weather in Europe led to everyone panicking about getting home on time for Christmas. And I had to be the one flying into Heathrow, the worst affected one of them all! With BA! I didn't have too much faith in them. </div><div>Don't get me wrong, I love Germany, but didn't fancy spending my xmas here. I had plans. I hadn't been home for three months etc. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, I got back. The boyfriend was there at the arrival gate with his xmas hat to greet and kiss me - Awww! </div><div>We went on to spend a great xmas together with a lopsided tree and a few presents for us both on xmas day. </div><div>My presents from him included a haunt from our Hamburg trip in July, something which we made use of on Friday night just gone and quickly contributed to a VERY messy night out indeed. And a sweet, lovely album which I can hold dear for life. Sweet. </div><div>My presents to him were very average. I didn't know what to bloody buy him, to be honest. Although I know he is still using his mug with the sentence 'I love you to the moon' in German on the side of it. </div><div>The other included 'Deutschland schafft sich ab,' that controversial book about muslim immigration and intergration in Germany, you may have heard about. Well, just because you're reading it, doesn't mean you agree with it. It's still in the Bestseller Chart here, I might add...</div><div>The only other present I went on to to buy was a Wii game for my brothers. I had missed them and Christmas is just for kids really. That's what I mean about Christmas just being a lot of hassle with all the crap of buying presents for everyone you know. Sending out cards left, right and centre.<br />
<br />
'Oh, this one sent me one, so I better send him one back. She didn't bother this year so fuck 'er.'<br />
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Yeah, it's all that that puts me off. </div><div><br />
Anyway, I won't rant. Christmas was great. We had a German xmas in the UK. 'Sauerbraut,' in fact. I forgot to bring the main ingredient from Germany so on Christmas Eve I was sent out to search for a whole load of stuff which is hard to find in Kentish Town. I found enough of the stuff that we needed, in the end, and it made for a great dinner on Dec 27th. Yeah, it was two days after Christmas but WHO CARES! </div><div>We also had a friend around for dinner too and he said it was the best food he'd had in a "long time."</div><div><br />
</div><div>As soon as I arrived home again, I quickly thought to myself 'Nothing's changed here, has it?' ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.<br />
I know it was only three months away but I realised that I'm not missing nothing at home really while being in Germany. Apart from my boyfriend, family and friends, the place itself isn't going anywhere. So, I had no problems returning after the New Year. I even missed speaking German in everyday life which really freaked me out. So I've decided to enjoy the rest of my time here to the fullest and try not to get homesick again. I'm travelling back a bit more this half of the academic year anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Speaking of New Year. Good times!<br />
I would like to say 'thank you' to someone. Not that he'll be reading this but as I was running like mad over a footbridge at Elmers End station for the train on New Year's Eve with two hand-luggage bags, a Tesco's bag with a 2 litre bottle of Strongbow and a bottle of champagne in it, I didn't realise that the bottle of champagne had fallen through the hole in the bag onto the floor. I managed to catch the train and as I was getting my breath back, a bottle of champagne came flying through the gap between the doors as they were closing. It took me a minute to figure out that it was mine. Thank you to that man. I wasn't going to be buying another one and I like my champagne at midnight at New Year. </div><div><br />
I was running 'cause I was late as usual, if you hadn't guessed!</div><div><br />
We saw in 2011 on Primrose Hill once again. It was lovely. And I was on the hill without a coat, so the weather was treating us well for a December night. We kissed at midnight. ...But I was far too drunk soon after midnight...as usual! I won't tell you exactly what I consumed but I went on to have Chicken and Chips afterwards...Big mistake! I was in bed by 1am.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I was a bit fed-up with all the rushing around to see everyone while I was back. I tried to my best to see everyone and spend as much time with them as possible and then it felt a bit like I was still being criticised. Of course, I spent a bit more time with my boyfriend - That's what people in relationships do. So why can't I!? - DUH!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Back in Hamburg and a middle finger was being directed at me in the classroom from a nine-year-old boy!</div><div>This little man was pissed off after I took his rubber away from him until the end of the lesson because he was allowing people to throw it around the room. </div><div>AND THEN, he attempted to run off at the end when I asked to wait behind after the rest had gone. Anyway, he was dealt with and yesterday I got a WAVE ...How nice, I thought!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>We've been back for just over a week now so last weekend most people were out. We were at Katy's on Friday night. There was a lot of alcohol around and after a drinking game was completed, obviously everyone was pretty close to the edge. It was on the S-Bahn that things got messy though. ...Especially after the rum was passed round. So we don't really remember a lot of Friday.</div><div>Saturday was quieter as we headed to 'Hafenklang' again. It was an 80 & 90s night - Yeah, GERMAN 80s and 90s stuff. We weren't really ready for that but whatever. We danced, we laughed. Weed was available but I gave that a miss. I'm a good boy.</div><div>Ended the night with a full Pizza Hut pizza from the Reeperbahn. I knew it was gonna happen as a slice of the same kind of pizza sent me to heaven on the Friday night. Even the funny drunk lot on the S-Bahn home were badgering Katy and I for a bit. Piss off!</div><div><br />
</div><div>This week's been pretty boring actually. I can't do anything in the evenings really. I just keep thinking about the next morning. I just stay here and eat. It's a lot easier. I guess it's time to try and get some sort of work in Germany. I've still got time - at least 6 months. </div><div>I say this week's been boring but for about a minute last night, it provided me with a bit of, hmmm, light-horror! OK, I know this is Germany and I know we all have needs but... Warn me somehow so I can brace for the final moments if they're your loudest! Don't get me wrong - Lovely lady. She gave me a guide book for my upcoming trip to Copenhagen - I thought that was sweet but, baby, please! EEErrrrhhhhh!<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm just being n<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">aïve</em></span>. I didn't think they'd 'do it' with me around as I hadn't heard them up to now. Maybe this round was just a tad hotter than usual.<br />
Or, the boyfriend just said "Fuck this, I'm not waiting 'til the guy in the next room is back in England again. That's loonnnggg!"<br />
<br />
WHATEVER!</div><div><br />
Until next time, folks! :)</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-60674356369629507172010-12-23T22:59:00.000+01:002010-12-23T22:59:17.465+01:00The last month, 2010 and GETTING HOME!!!Good evening everyone!<br />
<br />
I hope you're all looking forward to christmas and that you're all where you're meant to be now for Christmas (or heading there now or tomorrow). I'm DUE to go tomorrow...<br />
<br />
More on that later.<br />
<br />
So, if I remember correctly, I wrote to you on the 19th Nov last time on here. That means that I've been a bit lazy and that you've missed a few goings-on since then.<br />
<br />
I think the first main thing that's gone on with me is that I've moved place within the last month. Approximately 4kms away, this new flat is on the ground floor where I have a bigger, warmer (although it ain't that warm now) ...room, with a TV, sofa, wardrobe, table etc. Simply, it's a LOT more than I had in the last place! ACTUALLY, the last place I was in was honestly a complete rip-off for 430Euros a month.<br />
<br />
Whatever, I'm out of there now ...All is well here in 'Hamm'. I'm happy. Only time I'm not happy ...is when the FUCKING BABY upstairs starts screaming this block down. Yeah, it would happen to live above me, init! It's favourite crying time - 5-7am! Great! My flatmate later advised me to get earplugs - She does.<br />
<br />
I will say this though, he/she can be good for when I need to get up early as I'm not a fan of it.<br />
<br />
A bit about my new flatmate: She's all right. 38 and works all day, everyday. Love it! That means I get complete peace in the day. She's chatty and helpful and she likes my boyfriend, so that obviously goes down well.<br />
<br />
On the school front, everything's still the same really. Kids still cute most of the time but f***ing rude the other half of the time. As I said on Facebook once, I've finally started speaking to the 9 year olds in German after 3 months of refusing to. It's all about confidence, isn't it. Now I just don't care. It makes life easier and I think they prefer it too. Obviously, I still speak a lot of English to them which is what I'm there for.<br />
<br />
Since last speaking to you all, I've taken a number of lessons ALONE. 9 year olds, 13/14 year olds mainly. I guess all kids will try their luck but I haven't really had any major behaviour issues. You've just gotta think of good threats and be nice back to them when they do what they've got to do.<br />
<br />
So, on the 2nd December the Deputy Head of the school invited a few of the other teachers and me round to her place for dinner and a drink. It was very a lovely evening and she has a lovely, spacious apartment. On that night, Hamburg was under a blanket of snow and her living with decorated to hilt with Christmas decorations and stuff. So that helped to make it very fitting for a Christmas get-together and meal...<br />
<br />
...Meal's finished and the wine starts flowing. Now I had a feeling all eyes would turn to me to get the lowdown from the latest addition to the staff. You know the questions, "Do you have a girlfriend?", "Are you seeing anyone?", "What are you into? Blondes? Nice arse? Nice tits?" -Well, their faces were quite a picture when I turned around and said "Erm, DUDES."<br />
OK, well I didn't put it exactly like that but I came out nonetheless. Awkward but they were fine about it. The questions then were just asking whether I'm seeing anyone or not. Much easier questions to answer...<br />
<br />
Speaking of questions, one of the questions put to me during that dinner with the teachers was "When you go out of the town, Leo, are you going out for the girls or just to be with ya mates?"<br />
<br />
Well, there have been a couple of CRAZY ones with the mates out on the town over the last month. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, we've been as raring to go as ever.<br />
I think the most important thing that needs to be said is that I've actually found a club that blasts out the DnB all night. Not every week but every 4 or so. It's a good night and the Fischmarkt is there on your doorstep when you're done at 5 or 6am. Shame, the tube station is a good 20 mins walk away when you're both drunk and freezing your nutz off. We took a taxi last time.<br />
<br />
Other nights out just include the gang being too drunk - Drunker than usual. Things not being remembered after a shitload more shots being downed! I'll look forward to further nights out in Hamburg in 2011...<br />
<br />
The Apprentice: Great series this year. I really enjoyed it. Won't say much about it, apart from the fact I did want Stella to win. And I'm happy that she did.<br />
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As I write this, this evening of the 23rd December, I think I really am the last of the assistants left here in Hamburg now. My flight back to London is due to leave here tomorrow at 11.25am. Just my luck that I'm due to fly into Heathrow with BA. Usually, Heathrow handles it a bit more - I thought! Anyway, so I'm HOPING that it's goes fairly swimmingly tomorrow. It's got to the point where I don't even care if it's delayed, long queues, even if I don't get a window seat. Just care that it's going. Because if it isn't and I can't go any other way - THEN I WILL be in Germany for Christmas which will be REALLY SAD!<br />
<br />
It will be snowing lightly in Hamburg tomorrow (not in London), but I trust Hamburg airport more - I don't trust the British ones<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to coming home to see all of you there. I'll try to see as many of you as I can. I'm not there for long though - Only until Jan 2nd.<br />
<br />
I will take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope 2010's been kind to you. I've had a good one. Here's what I've enjoyed throughout this year going fron the start of the year through to now:<br />
<br />
1. Family christening in Wolverhampton (Feb)<br />
2. 21st Birthday with Sophie in Finland. Crazy/rememberable night with included waking up in a random woman's flat (Feb)<br />
3. Gradually coming out to everybody (Mar)<br />
4. Raiding fridge with Enrique after party (Mar)<br />
5. Meeting my baby and spending the summer with him...falling for him in that time (May 2010-)<br />
6. The Circle Line Challenge (June)<br />
7. World Cup 2010 (June/July)<br />
8. Notting Hill Carnival (Aug)<br />
9. Every 'farewell' night out before I left London (Aug/Sep)<br />
10. Altenberg (Sept) - Seriously GREAT times. Like freshers at uni again<br />
11. Hamburg!!! (Sept-)<br />
<br />
...Until next time people!!! xxxLeo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-36347093481465369382010-11-19T19:00:00.001+01:002010-11-19T19:10:38.413+01:00Fully enjoying the weekend on next to no money?"If you've been working all week and Friday/Saturday nights are the only nights you have a chance to have a drink, you're gonna binge, ain't ya?." Those were the words of my hard drinking Scottish ex-colleague when I was a good student working in Sainsbury's in Reading. Think she's right? I do.<br />
<br />
But, it may be the case right now that you want to go out tonight and drink and be merry. However, you let yourself believe that your wallet won't allow you to do that.<br />
<br />
Entirely understandable. Obviously, it wouldn't be a good idea to go out on the town if you've got rent or a mortgage to pay. If you're in my position, however, and you have been working all week but are slightly low on funds. Here's a quick uplifting guide to how I manage a cheap night out. Trust me, I'm highly trained in this field...<br />
<br />
This refers to how how it can be done in Germany, by the way. Still useful, I suppose if you're coming over here at some point. To see me, maybe!<br />
<br />
1. Get yourself to PENNY MARKT or LIDL or almost any German supermarket actually. They're almost all dirt cheap. Depending on what you drink, you can stock up on your pre-drink for under 5 Euros. So look at all the prices presented to you carefully.<br />
<br />
2. I've found that the little minature bottles of spirits found in ALL German supermarket suffice when on a poor man's night out. 2 minature bottles of the spirit of your choice, throw a decent sized bottle of Coke on the conveyor belt too as mixture. Total costs: 3 Euros<br />
If not, wine (ONE WHOLE LITRE TOO) or 3 cans of beer can all be found for under 2 Euros in German supermarkets<br />
<br />
3. Find a friend who's also not loaded and who also wants a bit of time to gear up at home before heading out. It can be great fun with a bit of music etc. Don't drink it all too fast.<br />
<br />
4. If you haven't finished what you bought earlier, buy a can for the journey. It's cheaper to do that than buy an extra drink in the bar/club, no?<br />
<br />
5. Don't go into any club charging more than a fiver. Obviously, this depends on how much you have on you but that's usually my rule when I'm running low. It'll certainly be my rule tonight!<br />
<br />
6. Down something! Anything!<br />
<br />
7. Buy the cheapest drink on offer in the club. It's usually beer, but if there's a difference between price in draught and bottled beer. Make sure you know that before you're served. Or, ask the person serving. You don't wanna end up with a shock when they've made the drink and present you with the price, do you?<br />
<br />
8. Then enjoy the music. If you're still not satisfied, maybe friends will buy you drinks. Or, you could just nick them - I know people were happy with that.<br />
<br />
Have a great weekend people - Don't take this too seriously, by the way. I'm fooling around, init!<br />
<br />
I'm still on the quest for DECENT Drum and Bass in Hamburg. If you know where it's at, I'm listening.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">8MVJ9HG9C3P9</span>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-34602299083113623602010-11-16T19:54:00.000+01:002010-11-17T01:28:40.087+01:00Back on the blog - Get reading!Hey people,<br />
<br />
It's been a while, hasn't it? And, as I write this, having just burnt the roof of my mouth with pizza fresh out the oven, there isn't too much to tell....<br />
<br />
Tuesday evening and I saw my boyfriend leave for London again after his second visit in less than a month. Always a sad moment, but we enjoyed a good weekend - Going for lovely walks and visiting a swimming baths on Friday night.<br />
<br />
The baths, I will say, were, well, an experience. Obviously, a great, romantic one when it came to us and spending quality time together. I hadn't been to a proper swimming baths in about ten years. So, I think I forgot how they worked ;) . Either that, or I wasn't quite ready to be faced with - a building full of bollock naked Germans - men and women. It took a minute or two to get used to it, but then I was stripping off too and strutting around the place naked like the rest of them.<br />
I'd never been in a sauna before, especially a sweltering hot Finnish one.<br />
<br />
85-90 degrees celsius in that place! I was astounded by the fact that I managed to stop in there for more than 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
Eventually, when the member of staff came into the furnace to do the hourly pouring/tasting or something (I forget what it's called in English and German), but anyway, it was time for me to leave. The pouring of the liquid onto the stones produces an intense heat that I couldn't deal with. We left.<br />
And, I never thought I'd enjoy a cold shower! I also didn't think I'd go for a dip in the outdoor pool on day when it was raining outside. But, guess what! That wasn't too bad either.<br />
Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I didn't quite enjoy the part when a fellow 'gay' thought we'd wanna 'get excited' with him, at one point. He touched his thing until it was...well, you know. No we weren't scared, or even freaked out - just surprised, really. We left that room, as I'm sure you can imagine. And, there was me thinking that we do a good enough job of 'gaying up' the places we visit ourselves!<br />
<br />
All the Brits decided to go to Prague the weekend just gone. Apart from Katy who returned to Scotland for the weekend and Frazier (He's American though) who visited London for the weekend - but still, it's not Hamburg, is it? So, I didn't really have anyone to party with. But, if you know me, that didn't stop me.<br />
<br />
There's a nice, friendly bar at the top of Hans-Albers Platz. Of course, everyone was friendly on the night I wasn't in the mood to chat to everyone. Maybe, I wasn't drunk enough. ;)<br />
<br />
We ended up there after checking in on the 'Winterdom'. A fair which will be going on in Hamburg until early December. I only went on one ride, so I vow to go back there a finish the job off.<br />
<br />
So, Saturday night there was a protest in the Schanze, and we diverted through there to take a look. But, after a small, but somewhat loud explosion, we sort of scarpered.<br />
I bumped into Joel and Bastian, along with Bastian's other friends later on the Reeperbahn, anyway. Saying that though, I wasn't with them for long. And, to be honest, I don't really have that much in the wallet these days anyway.<br />
<br />
Boring but vital: I must find somewhere to live and I must do it fast. It started to put me into one of my 'I hate life moans' on Sunday morning - The hangover didn't help either. I was told to just keep looking, and eventually, I'll find something that suits. We did actually go to a viewing somewhere on Saturday. A half-decent room in a two bedroom flat, sharing with a youngish Frau who's into her jellyfish - awww. Anyway, I just couldn't see myself living there/with her really. Even though, the room was all right and stuff but, I dunno...I...yeah, I dunno. Plus, she hasn't really replied to me either so I'm guessing she's thinking 'piss off' too<br />
<br />
It's not that there's nothing in Hamburg, a city with 1.7 million people. But, everything just seems to have a crazily high priced Kaution/deposit whacked onto the price, or it's too far, or they don't want you. I dunno, I'll just keep looking and keep you posted, OK? I've got until Dec 1st...<br />
<br />
I was told that the words 'yeah, but...' are frequently articulated by me. Really? Never really noticed it myself. Oh well, anyway, that's me along with half the young population of Britain. Where do you think they came up with Vicky Pollard's 'yeah but, no but' from....?<br />
<br />
Moving onto my last bit of business this side of the Channel. And, I was told that I'd be TEACHING classes of nine year olds ALONE! Perhaps until Christmas.<br />
<br />
Their regular English teacher whom I normally work alongside, has fallen ill. They're short-staffed as it is. So, even though I'm not supposed to be doing it according to the people who run the scheme, the kids aren't that bad. I'm glad to help the teachers out and there isn't too much pressure on me really. Plus, I'm sort of looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
I did the first lesson on my own just six hours ago. It went swimmingly. One thing though - I should have planned a bit more work - hahaha. Can't have them just sitting back, now, can we!?<br />
<br />
Before I go tonight, I'll just say that I've been watching live BBC coverage of this engagement announcement which has been made today. Yeah, when something 'big' happens over there, they allow to watch their news coverage from abroad. I'm happy for them and whatever. Hope it lasts and whatever! It should be a good party in London when it happens. Anything excuse for a booze-up in the streets, yeah? I just hope she 'behaves' herself and they don't order a little 'accident' for her to be involved in. I say that, but I'm actually a little monarchist really. Weird!<br />
<br />
I like the way the BBC media folks are saying, 'for the rest of her life,' and 'she will be Queen.' Don't they know that divorce rates are higher than ever these days and that times have changed? They still sound so out-of-date.<br />
Does Camilla Parker Bowles know how stupid she sounded saying 'it's wicked' after the reporter approached her in the street. I didn't know how much of a plum in her throat she had. I rarely hear her speak. I think, even the Queen sounds more 'in tune' these days. I like to hear the Queen saying 'it's wicked' and Parker Bowles sticking to 'it's brilliant' - Only!<br />
<br />
...Switch back to German TV and we have a young man looking down telling his cock to only react in 'the good way' when it sees hot women, as opposed to hot men. LOL - German TV: It's classic sometimes! When it comes to the royal engagement - They ain't too bothered. Well, the 'serious channels' ones aren't really, anyway.<br />
<br />
People, until next time!<br />
xxxLeo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-115043828047126122010-10-28T19:07:00.000+02:002010-10-30T20:49:27.649+02:00"Professionality" and "teaching" ;)Tuesday morning and at 8.45am it was my turn to get up in front of the class and conduct my "own lesson" with a class full of 9 year-olds. The lesson was sticking to the theme of food and breakfast because, as you know, it takes a while for things to stick in little kids' heads.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, we had to listen to a cringeworthy "rap" called "The Sandwich Rap." I may have to post it on here one day - just for laughs.<br />
<br />
I went on to teach them a couple of knew words which they remembered today - Good stuff! Those words were lettuce, mustard and cucumber. Obviously, they had problems pronouncing lettuce but we worked on that and now it's not an issue.<br />
<br />
A worksheet was the last thing they had to do and they did it without problems. So, I was very pleased with how it went. The only pointer the teacher gave me was to allow them a bit of time to write words down because obviously they're younger, therefore a bit slower. Next Tuesday I'll do the same lesson with the other class of 9 year-olds.<br />
<br />
My fellow assistants and I have come to the conclusion that kids get away with more in German schools and the British ones are a lot stricter. I'll just let you one thing though - I know that we have such a thing as 'lines' in the UK but when it comes to these 9 year-olds. The teacher I'm always with loves to threaten them with "SCHREIB'ing' DIE KLASSENREGELN AB" (Copying out the classroom rules) - It's like it's all she's got lol. Always makes me giggle to myself.<br />
<br />
Lastly, I had a good bitch just now on Facebook about getting up this morning to get to school for 8am! I won't moan anymore on here but I still don't think there's any need for a start that early. It was still pitch-black outside, for God's sake. It'll be even darker after the clocks go back at the weekend.<br />
Oh well, I suppose it's all part of the experience, no?<br />
<br />
Plus, it's getting colder here by the day - I'm scared of just how cold it's gonna get over the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
Apprentice comments (27.10.2010)<br />
<br />
Just watched watched yesterday's Apprentice and I have to say that it was pretty funny. It's always funny but this was an particularly funny episode.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Won't talk about it too much. I will say that even though I knew about Melissa's firing before watching (SOMEONE spoilt it for me on Facebook straight after the broadcast without warning) it was still fun to watch. I found Melissa funny to watch, but she was definitely the right one to go. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">At least, she'll be remembered for her great ending "Get out my face" lol - Don't think I've heard that before and the "great" words she came out with in one episode alone. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Manouvrement, professionality and retributed" are just three I can remember. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was reading the forums as I was watching it and after she came out with some of these, a page of posts followed with most people simply saying 'manouvrement? (Is that a word).'</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lord Sugar came out with a classic line also whilst talking to Melissa in the boardroom - </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">'You remind me of these, like knock-off DVDs. At first glance you're quite convincing and then afterwards, you know, you're just impossible to follow.' Yeah, that one made me laugh.</div><br />
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Have a good weekend folks :)<br />
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</div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-48528774504333476772010-10-24T23:26:00.000+02:002010-11-05T01:11:27.640+01:00This week!A week's gone by and I feel obliged to fill you all in on my life...<br />
<br />
I've just had a really good/crazy weekend mainly hanging around the Reeperbahn with Frazier and Joel (and Emma on the Friday night) and I finally made it to the famous Fish Market after yesterday's clubbing. I had no idea how big the whole thing was but it's AMAZING (if you like fish, that is). I over ate and I'm surprised I wasn't sick! Got in at 7am BOTH NIGHTS. I've found that I'm getting into the continental way of going out later and going all night long.<br />
<br />
Good times anyway!<br />
<br />
Found a drink in one of the bars called 'Kalte Muschi' - I recommend it people. It really does just taste like juice, needless to say, it's fucking you up.<br />
I was also reunited with 'Strongbow' and 'Snakebite' after a visit to the British pub at the busy Hans Albers Platz - It's a smoking pub too which helps in these increasingly cold times.<br />
<br />
Drinking aside, the other assistants and I attended a Training Day on Thursday so that meant a day off school! Not that it made a difference, we still had to be there for 9am. Anyway, we got the chance to meet some of the other English Speaking assistants we didn't already know who were mainly Americans. Once that was over, I had a box full of teaching material to take home with me (all for free) so that was worth it. Before taking the box home, the entire gang paid a visit to our mate's flat which was round the corner. There must have been about 15 of us in her one room. As I expected, her one flatmate soon starting complaining saying that she was 'studying.'<br />
<br />
I spent more than 5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ for the first time in a German supermarket, Lidl to be exact. Yeah, Lidl's German for those who don't know. I didn't for years until I came here. So, I went in to spend 7</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€, ended up spending 23</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ - Not on anything big I might add, but the basket consisted mainly of snacks. A can of Lynx or 'Axe' as it's known on the continent and some fabric softner to top it off. I often wonder why Lynx is known as 'Axe' almost everywhere apart from at home. I've come to this conclusion: The Europeans wouldn't be able to pronounce 'Lynx' upon seeing the word due to the weird spelling, but....what do I know!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I've just got one bitch to throw out there: I suppose I don't really have the right to bitch though 'cause it's my own fault. I keep bloody forgetting to take my own plastic bags when I go and they don't provide free bags so I'm forced to spend extra pennies for fucking bags! Oh well, I'm sure I'll learn.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I still haven't cooked here. Well, I can't cook but I have managed to boil a couple of ready made meal type things. They're not hard. So, that means that the only piece of kitchen shit I've used is the frying pan - Fine by me. That brings down the number of things needing to be washed up at the end of the day!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I also know I'm not alone. One of my other mates is also living on bread and cheese!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">On the school front, I didn't do much again this week but that's all gonna change this week. Giving my first lesson to the little ones on Tuesday. Looking forward to it but not as much to the bloody singing at the start.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Sat in on one of the English lessons with the older ones on Tuesday. They're quite cool and yes, I still feel sorry for the girl who got an 'F' on the English Test. She was crying, the poor thing!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">They certainly know how to shame the kids in German schools when it comes to handing out results. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apart from that, that's it really. Getting up in the mornings is killing me. It still takes about 100 alarms to get me up. The first starting 2/3 hours before I actually have to get out of the bed. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Thursday night was fun. We went to a Shisha Bar in the Schanze and had an hilarious sex discussion. We have them quite a lot when drink's involved but that one was a laugh. I am now accepting the fact that I have no shame sometimes.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">...and I bought two books - in English whoops! But, one could come useful with the kids so naff off! It's a book of facts about the UK called '8 out of 10 Brits,' the other is a novel called 'One day' and I've been told that it's 'a really good book' so I'll let you guys know how I get on with it. I did buy some in German too before you lay into me! I've got enough material auf Deutsch to read anyway, including a book about a pisshead. Interesting! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I'm trying to balance the reading in German and in English. I need to read a bit more German though I would say 'cause I haven't been speaking it as much as I should be. That's naughty of me. For example, it showed during my short visit to the transport centre to get the payments for my transport transferred over to my name. It was laughable but we got there in the end, didn't we luv?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Of course, I'm still missing my baby. I love him so much and I miss him but in 5 days he'll be here with me for the weekend and then AGAIN two weeks after that. Who's a lucky boy then!?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Just before I go, I'd like you to read this article if you have time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/centuryold-teaching-programme-suspended-after-spending-cuts-2114235.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/centuryold-teaching-programme-suspended-after-spending-cuts-2114235.html</a></span><br />
It talks about how this new annoying British government may be cutting the programme which I'm doing now which would be a GREAT shame I think.<br />
<br />
Until next time peepsLeo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-39688952993307203032010-10-18T19:00:00.000+02:002010-10-18T19:00:16.776+02:00Maxed out!British bank account - Maxed out!<br />
<div>German bank account - Well, there's a couple of hundred left in that and the rent's paid so that's one thing off my mind.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I didn't max out my British account boozing as you'd probably guess but booking a flight HOME for crimbo and New Year!!! Yay, I'm so happy! </div><div>That doesn't mean I don't have any thing to look forward to over the next two months in Hamburg. </div><div>On Saturday, my baby randomly booked a flight to come here in TWO WEEKS :D </div><div>He was already meant to come in four weeks but now the wait's been cut down which makes us both happy :)</div><div>I can't wait to see him - in the flesh again (Skype's still serving us well).</div><div><br />
</div><div>So that's that. I'll update you on my weekend now and Saturday night was a crazy one! Thankx to toytown.com the website for ex-pats living in Germany from all the English speaking countries of the world, I had someone to go out with...</div><div><br />
</div><div>Frazier is from the East Coast of America and was up for a night out. He has a pretty demanding job and doesn't know many people in Hamburg yet. Anyway, he came to my place and we sat and had drinks with my flatmate and watched a bit of the boxing before heading out to the Reeperbahn. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Before we left, my flatmate treated us to some homemade vodka he has here, courtesy of his girlfriend's parents' house in Ukraine. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Strong stuff! Between 50 and 60% percent and it certainly did its work on me!</div><div><br />
</div><div>We went on to visit about 4 different bars on and around the Reeperbahn, including the 99 cent bar (every drink 99 cent). </div><div><br />
</div><div>Not surprisingly, it was totally packed and we left to try and get into the famous 'Funky Pussy Club.' Didn't get in though and I can't rememeber the excuse they used. I believe it was that it was already too full inside. Anyhow, that didn't stop us and the night came to a close at 5am with me finally getting to bed at 6am. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Yesterday, I was "out of action" due to a stinking hangover! Same again next week though, I should imagine.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The mates are coming round tonight for a bit. That's nice. I haven't seen them since Thursday after they pissed off to Frankfurt for the weekend leaving me.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So school's back on in other news. I'm happy in a way 'cause I was getting a bit bored hanging around the flat all day, everyday (although I wasn't complaining about the lie-ins) and when I did go out, it just meant money. Now it's back to what I came here to do. I am, however looking forward to getting up in front of the classes and doing some proper "teaching." I'll soon get bored of just sitting at the back of the class. Maybe I should come up with some ideas of things I wanna do with them then. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm so pissed they already know 'Head, shoulders, knees and toes' lol. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I've been told that I'll be working mainly with the little ones and the 8th class (I think that's Year 9 in England) I still get confused when working out with class is which in the English system. </div><div><br />
</div><div>After Christmas, I'll move on to work with the older ones mainly working on mainly speaking practice before their exams in May. I'm fine with the younger ones for now - They're funny! And you know me, I like a laugh! ...Even in the morning!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Until next time people</div><div>Mwah! </div><div><br />
</div><div> </div><div><br />
</div><div> </div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-42467043072666533532010-10-13T19:04:00.000+02:002010-10-14T21:21:36.366+02:00Update:Today's another day and I haven't done much except walk over the road to go into Lidl for a few bits...<br />
I picked a few things out of the jumble sale style supermarkets they have here in Germany and went to pay. As I approached the checkout, I came across something which generally really irritates the poo out of me in a German supermarket....ONE TILL OPEN!<br />
At that moment, they managed to get another one open so I was served pretty quickly but still - I don't like queing for ages in supermarkets (or anywhere really). That's the London in me!<br />
So I spent 11<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"> in there. I do love the prices of the stuff over here. I left with a bag full of crap really. You know, the stuff that tastes really nice but isn't really doing the old insides any good. That should keep me stocked up for about ...2/3 days I would say. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apart from that, my Haspa bank card came through today so I FINALLY have a German bank card and I can give the British bank one a rest. However, with this German card, I can only withdraw from the cashpoints owned by my bank. If not, it's a whopping 5</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ charge on top - Pissed!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Speaking of being pissed, although now switching to the other meaning of the word, I've been on the wine the past two nights with the Brits. Drinking it slowly but still managing to see the bottle off while we socialise. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I've also throw a couple of glasses of Weissbier into the mix when we've been hanging out at Jungfernstieg. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">We've now realised we need to cut out the daily visits to the bar/restaurant at that place as we're not all made of money. I think it's just boredom during the day due to the fact we're all still on holiday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">You may remember from my last post that I was VERY homesick the other day. You'll be pleased to hear that it's a lot better now and I'm happily getting back into liking the fact that I'm in Germany!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Good! It's better than being miserable and hating every minute here as I'm sure you can imagine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I cured my homesickness by downloading literally every British TV programme on the box. Obviously, my EastEnders and Coronation Street but also, bloody Emmerdale and Hollyoaks too (two programmes I never watch at home) I think it's just the accents I wanted to hear. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">For me, they're good for giving me a dose of home but now I'm trying not to get hooked on them again and spend every morning downloading each of them (even though they don't take long to download)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">...No I haven't downloaded and watched X Factor before you ask. They hype over the programme annoys me and that's one thing I don't miss!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apprentice tonight! So give it away before I watch tomorrow and I'll speak to you all soon</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Have a great Wednesday people </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">xxx</span></span><br />
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</span></span>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-61803362240667134312010-10-10T23:58:00.000+02:002010-10-11T09:55:50.616+02:00My head's bloody hurtin' now!<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hey everyone, it’s 10.10.10 – Thought I’d jump on the bandwagon as everyone keeps banging on about it. I have a reason too though...It’s my guy’s birthday! I won’t tell you how old he’s turning though ‚cause that would be rude! ;) But a very Happy Birthday to him anyway! xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m travelling back from Mannheim to Hamburg now. I’m actually writing this as we speed down the motorway (but will be posting it when I’m back in the flat with an internet connection obviously). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We’re speeding now but it was a very different story about half an hour ago when there was only about one lane open causing tailbacks. You may be able to drive as fast as you like on parts of German motorway but apart from that, they’re quite annoying – Roadworks everywhere! A lot of the time you can’t actually see what the hell the point of the roadworks are. They always seem pointless. Are they making them wider? Aren’t they already wide enough....? Anyway this is just me having a little bitch. I’m feeling homesick. I knew it would happen and it’s happening now<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I think it started yesterday. We went to see a cabaret (his idea not mine) about some old German singer who’s dead now but was famous internationally...BACK IN THE DAY! All very funny if you know enough about her and German history...and understand German well enough to get the jokes. You tend to look like a bit of a twit when you’re not in that position though, especially when almost everyone around you is pissing themselves laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So anyway we left during the interval ‘cause he could see I was hating it and I don’t do pretending very well. He took me to see the neighbourhood in which he grew up which was nice for me to see. ...</span>From Vauxhall to his childhood neighbourhood in Mannheim awww!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So then today I felt meh! Happy that it was a nice day (what a difference a few hours make going outside now) and happy ‘A’ had nice weather for his birthday but it was all hitting me – The fact that this is no holiday and I’m here for a long stay! Scary! Yeah, I always knew that but now it’s actually hitting home. We went on to sit around a table for eight with his friends for a birthday lunchtime meal in the sun. I must have come across as an anti-social ****. I can admit that I had no intentions of trying to join in the conversation, making an effort to understand it, making to effort to say anything in German to be honest. Felt disconnected again. I did, however manage to make it clear enough to them that I was sorry for being a bit quiet and that I was homesick. They all understood – very understandable situation, you see. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m bit of a shit traveller really. I love the idea of travelling but I can get bored of it and the languages quite quickly sometimes. I think in a lot of ways I can be a bit closed to the way things work abroad. I find it hard to put home aside in my head and get right involved in other cultures fully. I’m sure this is just natural though and I’m sure it’ll just take time. The thing is I’m not always that patient. I doubt that I’m the first person to go through these feelings sometimes. In fact, I can think of a mate here who has been experiencing similar feelings. I keep telling myself that this time in Germany will be good for me and I'm sure it will be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On the upside though, I don’t think I’ll feel like this for long. I go through phases of homesickness as I said. I like Germany and I like speaking/trying to speak/understand/learning more German (most of the time). I’ll let you know how I go. I certainly need a good night lashin' it up to be honest! It’s been, like two weekends now. Unacceptable! For tonight though, I think I’ll just relax with some entertainment from the UK - IN BRITISH ENGLISH. My head’s been hurting recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> I’ll tune back into Germany and German life tomorrow lol plus I’ll keep on telling myself this…I have one week of holiday left!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Goodnight xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-86962637902926606062010-10-07T17:30:00.000+02:002010-10-07T18:45:11.519+02:00It was cringeABLE!The Apprentice is back people! Wednesdays at 9 on BBC One if you're in the UK, if not, and you're as sad as me you'll go to the wall to do what I've just done in order to watch it. We all know that the BBC's iPlayer service is literally off-limits once you leave the country unless it's radio you're after. So now here's a quick run through of how to download, not just the Apprentice but almost anything else British shown on British TV if you don't know already..<br />
<br />
Go to thebox.bz - create an account for free<br />
Then download a Torrent client. If you don't know what this is, it's just basically enables you do download the file. I recommend uTorrent (That's the one I use anyway) - A fast internet connection would be an idea too. The Apprentice file is pretty big...1.5GB<br />
Once you have the file because it'll be a 'MKV file' which is quite rare, you'll have to download a Codec pack but if you have no idea what this is, there is an easier option. VLC Player already supports MKV files so just download that player and it SHOULD work.<br />
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I'll comment on the actual episode in a sec. Before that, here's what I did yesterday...<br />
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As I knew that I was running out of money but didn't actually know how bad it was, I went into town to meet Katy and my first stop was the first bank we saw. As I was saying yesterday, Postbank/.comdirect forgot all about so I needed a bank account straight away if I wanted to get paid.<br />
My mentor's husband didn't really recommend the 'Haspa' government savings bank but it was time to just get any account so got that sorted within about 30 minutes. I'll make a point of saying that I did it all in German too which I didn't expect to be able to manage. Sometimes all the bank jargon confuses me even in English 'cause I don't really deal with banks too much! Anyway, so I expected to cave in and go 'Huh? Ich verstehe nicht. Sprechen Sie englisch?' but never needed to. She was very good, spoke slowly enough and offered me a whole bottle of juice the moment I sat down.<br />
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Money's on its way.<br />
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Thank God it is because after setting up the account with Haspa I called Barclays and got the shock of my life - I'll have about £250 after I come back from Mannheim. I still need to give this guy 130<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ more rent. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Tried to get them to increase my overdraft lol - Not to say I'm gonna hit the limit but just for emergencies. They refused 'cause they haven't got an up-to-date number for me and I need to change it via online banking which I can't do because my PINsentry card reader thing is broken and in England and they won't send a new one to Germany because I don't have Telephone Banking with them and...You know what? It's just a bloody mess. I hate British banks - They never fail to piss me off. Let's hope the German banks are better when it comes to dealing with them. Yesterday was a good start!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I need to thank my mentor - She's a star! Thankx to her, I won't have to wait until after the holidays to get paid :)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Back to Apprentice and I'm glad it hasn't lost it's comedy value! It started making me laugh right from the start, right from the moment the project managers were chosen.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">God, the girls seem bitchy! and that Dan guy was entertaining too. I wouldn't have minded if he stayed.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I think it'll be a good series as it's already kicked off with some GREAT lines...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">How about...'It was cringable.' Don't worry Justin, English is a stupid language sometimes :) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Would you like to let your wife try a new sausage' LOL or something along that line.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Then there was 'I managed to hussle £14 worth of sales' </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">followed by the posh guy in the board room pointing his finger exclaiming 'It..it was SHAMEFUL' and then silence haha.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">No one I really hate yet, no one I really love either. The girls seems like they'll be a laugh but bitchy. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">The girls' team leader was sweet (I say that now) and then there's that mouthy woman who kept arguing with her: 'It's about PROFESSSIONAAALLISSSMMM' LOL - HER! She may go on to annoy me. At the same time she'll cause arguments which I like and I always tend to like the ones everyone hates anyway ;)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I'm glad they all turned on the Project Manager and I can't say I disagreed with the first firing and at least no hotties went first hehe.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Glad it's back - Shame there's no German version. They have everything else.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">That's it from me - Thank you and Goodnight! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Mwah!</span></span>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-68170840582354539832010-10-06T14:30:00.000+02:002010-10-06T14:30:38.926+02:00Paris und Herbstferien!Just a quick one, I know it's been just over a week since I kicked off this blogging thing.<br />
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So now it's the 2 week half term (Herbstferien) break from school and I set off straight away for Paris, THE city of love for most people - Not in our case. Well, I lie it started off that way but the mood turned sour Saturday night then remained sour into Sunday morning then we made up again for about 2 hours. What happened next was probably my fault, insisting on talking about our somewhat small issues while having breakfast at a cafe. Anyway we went on to "enjoy" Paris separately on the Sunday afternoon! I really believed we were over but we're stronger than that and now after some civil conversation, we're lovebirds again. Mwah!<br />
I'll just say, if you've read the "new" Facebook relationship status, ignore it. Don't take it too seriously! I don't think I'm the first person to run and change it after things have SEEMED like they could be over. I may change it back in due course, if I do - yes it's with the same GUY! *wink wink* if you haven't yet clocked on.<br />
For now, I think it's best if I just say keep my relationship status private on Facebook - read here for the latest goss.<br />
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As I was saying it's Herbstferien here in this German state. Yes Hamburg is its own German state if you know nothing about D-land and I don't really have many plans to be honest. I've been spending FAR too much money and it's time I calmed it down. At least I'm only spending about 5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ a go for food for the fridge. But what I'm really going mad with is eating out (I really need to learn to cook and rustle up the energy to cook in the evenings), travelling, fags, booze, books, phone credit, magazines and I haven't even looked at clothes because they seem more expensive in Germany - which is why I need to make the short trip to Bremen so that I can visit the Primark there! I've been warned it's just as manic as the stores in England, if not worse 'cause there are only two branches in the whole country (The other is in Frankfurt).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">So, apart from a plan to SAVE money for the two weeks, I need a bank account because it seems like Postbank/.comdirect have forgotten me so I'll just go out right after this and open up another one pronto because I need to get paid obviously. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">It seems like the rest of the assistants have just gone for Haspa (Sparkasse) so I may follow suit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I am going to Mannheim, Germany on Friday in the car with a stranger - may seem akward but I'll be saving like 150</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ and I thank God that this car sharing practice is common in Germany and I hope it catches on in the UK. 28</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ to travel cross-country - can't be beaten.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Why am I going to Mannheim? You may ask.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">What the hell's there? You may also ask. I'll tell you what, I'll wink again *wink* and maybe you can guess. I'm going to celebrate the birthday of someone special to me. Awwww. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">...and then I guess I'll return to Hamburg to sit back and indulge in the trashiest TV on offer on German TV in the daytime. RTL's the main provider of it but at least they have a news programme on at midday. I think SAT1 takes the biscuit with their fake Judge Judy, and the fake male equivalent followed by the Jeremy Kyle equivalent which is so cheap the guests haven't even got chairs to sit down on. What follows is EVEN WORST and EVEN FAKER with some AWFUL actors, I'm actually happy when the adverts come on. Saying all that though, they're good for improving da Deutsch. Just so you know, I do watch a bit of news in the middle of all that to hear a bit of proper German.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">So when I returned from Paris to Hamburg on Sunday it actually felt like coming home which I think is nice after only a short time. I also like the fact that I was back through the door after landing only after about 6/7 stops on the S and U-Bahn. At least the airport's nearby.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">It feels like everybody's going back to England for the holidays. Maybe it's only a few people but it does seem like everyone's running back. I'm quite happy where I am. Maybe my opinion will change after 'The Apprentice' is broadcast in the UK tonight IF I can't find it anywhere online. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">No, but seriously I'm pretty happy and settled in Germany right now. Finding my way around Hamburg well. Walked from the Reeperbahn home at 2am on Monday night. LONG walk but I don't mind walking and it was nice having almost every street to myself. I think everyone was in there bed expect me and people partying on the Reeperbahn. Hamburg looks very nice at night and my walk took me past the beautiful Alster!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Oh speaking of the Alster, that 'Alsterwasser' shandy/beer stuff is bloody lovely. I only had it for the first time last night and instantly fell in love. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">But now it's time to speak of banking if I want my money to survive in this city so...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Have a great Wednesday ladies and gentlemen and I'll speak to you all soon...</span></span><br />
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</span>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1742085512466626165.post-27611991368621187922010-09-28T18:40:00.000+02:002010-09-29T00:36:12.516+02:00First two weeks on German soil!I'll begin by saying that the title of this entry's a bit misleading. I have in fact been on German soil twice before but this is an entry concerning my first two weeks after setting up home here! The first two weeks of my year abroad during which I'll be an English Language Assistant in a school in Hamburg.<br />
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</div><div>Anyway, it's only the beginning and it's all going well so far. Flew into Dusseldorf early on Sunday the 12th and headed straight for beautiful Cologne. After one night of sleeping (and drinking) there, I had already made a couple of friends to go on to Altenberg with the next day. I'll say thank God for Facebook for making the new friendship situation just that little bit easier. I think Katy and I felt like we "knew" each other without knowing each other and as we both suspected, we got on great. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Monday afternoon and there's a British invasion at Cologne's main railway station as we all gathered there before getting onto the coaches. Once on the coaches, my hands are feeling ripped apart from pulling the heavy suitcase which only has one wheel. As there were many people making this short trip to Altenberg and also in the same boat of emigrating to Germany, almost everyone was willing to talk and make friends which was cool.</div><div>As there's a lot to get through in this first entry, I'll just quickly sum up what Altenberg was all about - an opportunity to learn a bit about our roles in the German schools, continue to make friends and booze it up at night. We were in the middle of rural Germany but this old catholic church/convent thing was transformed into a 'British villiage' - I don't think I spoke one word of German while I was there. </div><div>We also discovered during our drunken evenings that it was, somewhat a gay villiage too with someone new coming out night after night, hour after hour. So perhaps we can assume that there's either a link between studying languages and gay guys or between studying the German language and gay guys ;)</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was only three nights in Altenberg but I think people got used to it and its community atmosphere (the only bitch I had about the place was the they didn't provide any irons for us). Anyway, it was time to leave and after dragging us out of bed at 6am (that's after a late night of drinking), everyone was looking like shit and some of us, like me had long journeys to go on to do. We discovered that out of all the 'Hamburgers,' almost all of us were taking the 10:10 train - shame some people had to pay a whopping <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€80 for a one way ticket. Be smart in future - buy your rail tickets in Germany in advanced (bit like in the UK really) and you'll pay </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€44 like I did.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Four hours on the train goes by and we arrive at Hamburg's Hbf. I'm greeted by my new flatmate and he takes me to my new flat/room. The new room I found a whole week before I was due to move here!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">So, the flat's cool and so is my new flatmate. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I really like the area - five minutes walk to the U-Bahn station and just across the road from that is a McDonalds AND a mile long shopping centre which just so happens to be called the 'Hamburger Meile.' </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">The U-Bahn will get me to town in 10 minutes so it's all very handy, however some of the teachers at my school are saying the required rent is too much - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€430 a month. Speaking of teachers at my school, I'll tell you about my school right now...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Schule am Eichtalpark' is quite a small school which educates kids from the age of 9 through to 16. I won't explain the German school system, it's complicated and it's made more complicated because of all the school reforms going on in Hamburg right now. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I will say, however that the teachers are lovely and cool. The kids are funny (especially the younger ones), very interested, and now I feel a bit more at home because they all know me now. They either shout 'Hallo Mr Thomas' or 'Hallo Herr Thomas' to me in the corridors and in the playground. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">The younger ones are hilarious with their questions and they sound much cuter when they speak German than the teens do. They fire questions at me like: 'Are you married?' </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Do you have a car?'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Do you live in a house of your own?'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Have you seen my aunt in London?'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Do I like Michael Jackson?'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">'Are you coming into our class today?' and many more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">I'm certainly looking forward to working with all of them over the next academic year. Also, seeing whether schools in England are stricter or not and observing where kids are better behaved - here or back at home. Kids and teachers seem to have this idea that the kids in England are so much better behaved. I'm not convinced. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">When Friday night comes around, you know what that means if you know me. We've brought the UK's excessive drinking to Germany (not that the young German aren't good at it anyway). Usually pre-lashing in Chris's WG (flatshare) where he lives with loads of other young Germans right in the middle of town. It's always good there because there's always a decent mix of German and English being spoken and it's helps to mix it up a bit when we're forgetting we're actually in Germany. Although, I'm sure it's felt like a British invasion to them in that flat over the past couple of weeks. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">When we can't go to Chris's house, we go to Katy's. She lives in student halls a short ride out of town on the S-Bahn but there's a bar there which sells shots and bottle of beer for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€1 - so it's all good. I'm sure Germany's cheaper for booze than at home but the wine is cheaper by FAR - 1 litre bottle of half-decent tasting wine available in the supermarkets for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€2 or even </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€1.79 (£1.52 if we convert that) - so you can't go wrong.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apart from that, I don't really think I need to go into how my first few nights out have been since I've got here. They've been pretty standard really. Main difference being that everything happens later (because it's mainland Europe) so we've been leaving to go to the clubs at 12/1am and I've been getting in at times like 5/6am. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Of course, I LOVE the famous Reeperbahn and the Schanze area, both of which remind me of London. Not the sex shops but just the lights and the atmosphere there at the weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">In other news, I'm still waiting for my bank stuff to come through the post. I've gone for a .comdirect account - The stuff better come through soon because I would like some pay! But I still got to get my 'Anmeldung' done, so I'm officially a German resident now ...AND it only took 15 minutes to get done;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Also, I've also got a phone I can live with now - with Vodafone. Even though they're quite expensive, I just couldn't cope with the cheap Samsung I had on the Blau network and this Sony Ericsson W205 came with a Vodafone SIM card. It's hard to go back to a crappy phone when you're used to a Blackberry but I've given up on getting a contract here as most of them are for two years only!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Lastly, I have a TV, FINALLY in my room. After asking the right people in the school canteen, a TV was delivered to me very speedily later that day. It's quite heavy but the thing works! So now I have German blearing in my ears almost 24 hours a day (which is a good thing). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">A lot of people bitch about German TV but I actually don't mind it. They have their own versions of almost everything we have. I will say that some of their versions are cringeworthy but I can deal with that. I sometimes like cheesy. People often have a good old moan about the dubbing too but I think I'm in the minority - I don't mind it. At least it feels like I'm somewhere else. Even though Whoopi Goldberg sounded HILARIOUS dubbed the other night, I can live with it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">So with that and being bombarded with a lot of German at the school from the teachers and kids along with a lot of reading material, I'm getting quite a bit of daily practise.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Thinking back to the UK, I'm not really missing it yet. I'm sure I will be getting a little homesick at times but that's only natural, right?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apparently, there's an English shop in Hamburg somewhere that's everyone's trying to find. I do know that 'The Apprentice' will be starting again on BBC One in about a week's time and I have to let be known that I WILL miss that and I'll be searching the internet high and low to find the episodes after they've been broadcast by the BBC in the UK.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Apart from that for the moment, there's only one other thing I've left behind in the UK, something German as a matter of fact, something I'm missing right now.... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">...He knows who he is and all I'll say is I can't wait until Friday to see him again. I'd like to thank Skype for the brilliant FREE service they provide and allowing me to keep in daily contact with him and other friends and family (of course I'll miss them too. They're all invited) also allowing the ability to be able to see them too. I really don't know what I'd do without it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">So that's my first two weeks in Germany and that's the start of my blog. Be sure to check back here and I'll let you know how I'm getting on.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Tschuss</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">Leo</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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</span></div>Leo Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975668157005831222noreply@blogger.com3