Deutschkurs / Perplexed

to nobody in particular:

...i head back to the classroom again tomorrow after a little time away after Hannah was born, and personal study...

...so it will be a little weird to be back, especially without Sarah there (she will be staying with the kids, personal study and also having a private tutor twice a week until we find someone to watch the kids), but will be good at the same time...

...life will be in somewhat more of a routine -- a good routine...

...tomorrow is also the first day of the last third of this year 2008 -- already?...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: perplexity is the noun, to perplex is the verb...

...for some reason earlier today, i was tlaking with Sarah about something, and she said something was perplexing, and i couldn't think what the right word would be -- is the perplexing thing a perplexion, a perplexity, or something else?...

...i learned that it was a perplexity...

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...currently watching: Dan In Real Life

Universal Soccer / German Newspaper

to nobody in particular:

...the essence of soccer/real football is simple: you can use any part of you body to play the ball, except your arms and hands...

...unless you are playing the position of goalkeeper...

...however, when trying to play soccer/real football with your two year-old son, and trying to get him to not use his hands and only use his feet, and after a while, he starts looking up at you as he reaches down for the ball, and then you tell him, "no, don't use your hands -- kick the ball into the goal with your feet", and he responds by saying, "hey, nice", telling you to be nice to him -- well, i guess the real rules can be held off for a few more days...

...but seeing him kick a goal and his celebration afterwards is always a delight...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: i am able to sit down with the first section of a German newspaper and actually comprehend a lot of what it is reporting about...

...progress!...

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...currently listening to: "Weird Al" Yankovic

Vernissage / Tolerance

to nobody in particular:

...tonight, i enjoyed pure enjoyment and pure disappointment at once...

...enjoyment: the Vernissage tonight, and the fact that we walked to and from it with our neighbors below us, who we had invited earlier this week -- how cool is that?...

...disappointment: i forgot the camera for the exhibition...

...smiles...

...sighs...

...either way, it was a wonderful turn out for a great evening -- even with a little energetic two year-old on our hands......

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: i do have the power to seek out, watch and listen to a 45 minute Democratic presidential candidate's nomination acceptance speech...

...could've done without the first three minutes of cheering and "thank you", but the laundry needed folded anyway...

...and i don't necessarily feel guilty about lack of interest, but i guess, now that it is down to less than 70 days, i wanted to get a better grasp and understanding of the presidential candidates -- for better or worse...

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...currently enjoying: the Austellung "Licht und Schatten" (see yesterday's post for picture and website)

New Exhibition / Jogging Beat

to nobody in particular:

...i helped out with getting the new exhibition set up in the Zionskirche this morning -- it is very cool...

...thirteen different artists, thirteen pieces of art, thirteen different styles and mediums -- thirteen different expressions of "Licht und Schatten" ("Light and Shadows")...

...tomorrow night is the Vernissage (opening), and i'm definitely looking forward to it...


...maybe i'll throw some pictures up here after tomorrow night...

www.kunstschwimmer.de

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes is a much better song to jog to than "Jackass" by Beck...

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...currently laughing at: the video below...



...ouch...

Informer / Imposter

to nobody in particular:

...i was in a couple of stores with Travis this morning, and i heard a song that took me back a few years...



...yes, "Informer" by Snow...

...i don't think i need to say much else...

...cherish the classics...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: Jim Carrey can pull off a good Snow impersonation...



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...currently re-reading: Your God Is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan

Racism / 2.6 Kilograms of Chocolate

to nobody in particular:

...racism is an issue in all aspects of the world...

...racism is looked down upon socially, religiously and politically...

...it came up in my family -- specifically, my wife and son -- just the other day, and it has been bothering me...

...it's not a matter of the outside, but the inside...

...and yet, when it comes to eating gummi bears, my wife and son tend to pick out the red and the white ones first, and probably eat the other ones later (if at all)...

...but me? -- no, i don't see a color issue when i peek into the gummi bear bag -- all i see is the true essence of each bear, and i know the value of each color is equal in my eyes, and i show no favortism...

...eating gummi bears, for me, does not exhibit racism...

...i only hope and trust that my spouse and offspring learn the same...

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..."you learn something new everyday"...

...today, i learned: there are women in the city of Berlin that will buy 26 bars of chocolate at one time...

...i walked to the store with Travis this afterhisnap, and the lady in front of us had a full cart including 26 bars (100g each) of chocolate -- all the same kind...

...truly fascinating -- you don't really see that every day...

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currently watching: "The Office"

Burgers & Fries / Lyrics & Lies

to nobody in particular:

...tomorrow, Sarah and i begin our "eat healthy and get in better physical shape and be nicer to our bodies including exercises and other stuff too" campaign...

...tonight, as our last supper, we had nice, juicy, succulent, home-made cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomatoes, french fries on the side with cherry Coke in frozen mugs...

...i made milkshakes with Stracciatella ice cream a little later...

...it was pleasant and satisfying...

...no, we won't be eating rice cakes every day from now on...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: rainy days and mondays don't always get me down -- only sometimes...

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currently listening to: Wir Sind Helden

Goodbye, Olympics / Hello, Clarification

to nobody in particular:

...as the Olympic Games come to a close, I have had a few thoughts...

...one: the New Zealand athletes need to step it up a little bit before they hit London in four years...

...two: yeah, yeah, yeah, Michael Phelps may be a spectacular swimmer, but that gets me to thinking -- is his entire life revolved around swimming? his days filled with training, stretching, exercising, practicing strokes and doing his absolute best? he is a swimmer -- and an excellent swimmer, no doubt -- and he can now be labeled as the best swimmer in the world today, if not ever. and yet, so? feats in sports are amazing -- the way individuals are able to perform, persistently at times, and do things us "normal" people could never come close to -- and yet, so? do i have a secret desire to be a great swimmer? do i want to hit the ball over the fence more than any other player? do i want to pull a semi-truck faster than any other man (or woman) on this earth? not really, and kudos to those that do -- and, you know what, congratulations to Phelps and other people who hold records and are good at what you (hopefully) like to do...congratulations, Mr. Phelps -- you are the best swimmer in the world...now what? i hope you feel your life of tiresome days swimming, preparing and training pay off. i hope your life is overwhelmingly filled with meaning. i can't imagine how much time of your life has been spent in preparation for this, and it humbles me, but yet it baffles me...congratulations, but i hope you do and be more than just be a great swimmer in your life...but again, you did do a fantastic job...

...maybe i'm just being a little silly...

...and three: i find it funny that whenever i have seen the medals table these last few days either on the official Olympics website, or on BBC news or here on local German news, China is listed as being first because of having the most gold medals, and when i see the medals table on MSN.com, they show the United States in first place because of having the highest total number of medals...

...well, no comment on that last one -- i think it stands there pretty obviously within the observation...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: "u.s.w" in German stands for "und so weiter"...

...i knew it was like "etc." in English, but couldn't remember what it literally meant...

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currently watching: Vantage Point



...the movie was alright -- style and pacing -- but could've been better (potential, development, bad guys easy to spot, u.s.w.)...

Absent Three Days / Learned Three Days

to nobody in particular:

...so, on thursday evening, i went down to Potsdamer Platz to see The Dark Knight finally (opening day was thursday), as Sarah and i came up with an agreement about seeing it together (Hannah, babysitter, feeding, great movie, etc), so we will probably go see it next week or after with Hannah, and if Hannah needs to be taken out, i will do it, since i saw it already -- good arrangement...

...anyway, yes, i did like it...

...yes, i enjoyed it...

...it was very, very good...

...no point in writing much about it, since so much already has been written by others...

...in other news, Hannah got her passport already -- only 12 days (9 business days) later -- not bad at all...

...the Bundesliga has started this past weekend, and this is week #2 -- nice to see Bayern München in the middle of the table, but i doubt they'll be there for too long...

...and of course it's nice to see Blackburn start the year off with a win...

...World Cup qualifying games for European Countries begin soon (one's already been played, i think)...

...German class begins again in nine days...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...yesteryesterday, i learned: if one ever wants to know what it feels like to be a woman, go to the Sony Center movie theater in Berlin on a busy opening night for an anticipated spectacular movie, buy a large drink, enjoy said movie and go to the restroom after the movie -- there will be a line for the men's room -- a line you will have to wait in just to pee...

...yesterday, i learned: as of August, New Zealand is ranked 111th in the world in soccer by FIFA -- one spot up from July!...(there is still a way to go to reach 2nd place Germany)...

...today, i learned: sleeping in, even if it is only until 7:45am, is nice...

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currently listening to: The White Stripes

Complaints Dept. / Phone Dept.

to nobody in particular:

...i can't complain...

...i shouldn't complain...

...i don't need to complain, nor do i have the compulsion to complain...

...complaining goes nowhere...

...complaining is not synonymous with observing, perceiving, understanding, forming opinions or believing...

...complaining is more, yet less...

...complaining is pointless...

...not sure where this all came from, because life is pretty good right now -- so, oh well then...

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..."you learn something new everyday"...

...today, i learned: when phones are held over candles, sometimes they won't work anymore...

...thank you, Travis...

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currently watching: Batman Begins



...getting ready for the release of The Dark Knight here in Germany -- finally...

Life / Jellyfish Speed

to nobody in particular:

...it truly is amazing -- the feeling of warmth and joy that overtakes you as you hold your two month old daughter and she smiles up at you, with her eyes crinkling in the corners, showing off her toothless wonderment...

...as i just wrote that last sentence, my daughter proceeded to fill her pants with excrement...

...but that seems to be the way of life, is it not? -- times where we enjoy warmth, joy and beauty, and then times where we have to put up with a load of crap...

...in all honesty, however, life is great...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

today, i learned: jellyfish can swim up to speeds of 10 kph...

...not bad, huh?...

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...currently playing: Shadow of the Colossus




...yes, i'm kind of white and nerdy...

Springfield Punx / Overrated Timing

to nobody in particular:

...these are great...

springfieldpunx.blogspot.com

...thoroughly enjoyable...

...so, yeah, that's all i've got for a monday...

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..."you learn something new everyday"...

...today, i learned: timing is NOT everything, but good timing does help...

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...currently watching: The Shawshank Redemption

Sunday's Balcony Relaxation / Dogs vs. Humans

to nobody in particular:

...today was a sunday, and i really do enjoy sundays...

...i enjoy being able to not feel rushed in the morning, go to church and spend some time with God, chat with friends, go for a little walk and so forth...

...today, it gave me a little bit of time to relax...

...not just relax, but really relax relax...

...that was nice...

...enjoying a little slice of time out on the balcony was good for the soul, too -- especially as Travis figured out the spray bottle, then it was on...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: that i've come to the conclusion that dogs probably poop more than human beings...

...we're watching our friends' dog for a couple weeks while they are on vacation, and he's pooping a decent amount usually twice a day -- i understand this isn't the brightest revelation of the last decade, and it may not even be scientifically true, but it's what i learned today because, well -- wow, the dog surprises me...

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currently listening to: The Presidents of the United States of America

Laser-disc / "Beggars"

to nobody in particular:

...within my circle of xanga friends, i think it has gone the way of the laser-disc...

84sheepdog.blogspot.com

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: 'tis easier to ignore than to deny...

...let's just say that there are "beggars" that try and dupe English-speaking tourists in big tourism areas of Berlin with their young kids by their side -- it is a scam...

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...currently watching:

Hippo / Dinosaur

...here's a video from when i was gone, and Sarah and her sister went to the zoo with Travis and Hannah...

...i don't know why the dumb thing won't center...

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..."you learn something new everyday"...

...today, i learned: it wasn't until 1841 that the term "dinosaur" was coined and being used, and there are now over 600 known dinosaurs that existed...

...we went to the Museum of Natural History this morning -- it's just a few blocks from our house...

...enjoyed it a lot -- interesting...

...so, yeah, i learned a lot of new things today...

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...currently watching:

Necessity of Pets / Trailers of Curiosity

to nobody in particular:

...this week and next, we're watching and taking care of our friend's dog, Amos...

...so far, it's been alright...

...i don't miss having a dog, though...

...i don't mind pets, but i find that they are more of a luxury...

...and not every luxury suits everybody...

...i mean, i'm not sure if EVERY guy would like their own urinal in their dream house, but i know i would...

...but i guess it depends on the pet...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: the trailer for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button does a good job of luring me to want to see it...

Tiresome / Deodorant

to nobody in particular:

...man, tonight i'm fairly tired...

...i'm not sure if even a marathon of "Sledge Hammer!" could keep me awake this evening...

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..."you learn something new every day"...

...today, i learned: don't be fooled -- deodorant DOES taste as bad as you would think...

...no stories accompanying this one...

Directions / Experiment Failure

to nobody in particular:

...i've decided that i believe the following...

...God is, at every moment, wanting to see individuals come closer to Himself, no matter where they are in their relationship to Him -- whether they know Him well or not, whether they question His existence or not -- but His desire is for each person to move closer and closer to Him...

...He doesn't want to push anybody away, or see them move further from Himself...

...therefore, what should my intention be?...

...do i live my life and find opportunities where i try and "lead others to Christ", or just live in a way that brings me and others closer to God?...

...shouldn't that be my goal -- to live a life for God, wanting to come closer and closer to Him, while at the same time, live an intentional life that interacts with others in a fashion that encourages their
journey/race/trudge/wandering/walk/resistance/trek/waltz to move closer to God?...

...this makes sense to me...

...why should i try and do the Holy Spirit's job -- awakening spiritual eyes to grasp Truth?...

...i don't see this as a perspective that fails in personal responsibility, but merely enhances the focus on intentional living and spiritual-realm awareness...

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...and from yesterday, i learned: whenever i say i am going to do something and i have good intentions on doing it, and if it doesn't affect anyone personally and/or negatively, i may not do it

...i learned this yesterday, in that, last night was the first night of my "you learn something new every day" experiment, and i didn't do it -- oops...

1ne Year

to nobody in particular:

...have we really been here in Berlin for a year already?...

...wow...

...also, i've heard it said (and i've said it, too) that "you learn something new every day"...

...i'm gonna test that...

...i'm gonna blog every night before i go to bed, and i will write about the "new thing" that i learned that day...

...sounds like a plan...

...and yes, the last 366 days (leap year) here in Berlin have gone by pretty quickly, yet not uneventfully...

...and English camp was stupendous (www.xanga.com/thecareyjourney)...