Reality show.

As a side not to the last blog post I wrote,

if this was still a reality show that I wrote about in the first post here, the clips about my life would be me sitting in class, smiling, speaking German, and then speaking more German at home with the family and spending time in my bed with a book and snus all around.

Smooth's part would be better, with a lot of people in her wagon, going to school, being ill and playing music in the spring (well it felt like it the other day) sun. The cat and of course the fire sparking in the night. Of course, snus all around as well.

Just the everyday thing. Going out would of course be a part of it but now it doesn't take up as much time as it did in the beginning when we got here and wanted a reality show made about out life.

I would watch that show, but I don't think so many others would. At least not for the part I'm in.

Well, maybe people that are nerds and enjoy watching someone learning, and like watching me read. I don't really know if there is a focus group for that though.

German class today.

I woke up from a happy scream from a child this morning. I felt pretty tried and didn't really want to leave my bed this early but I know there is no way of falling to sleep again after that.

Morning routine happened. I had my coffee and left the apartment for school.

Somewhere before I got on the u-bahn I downloaded German flash card for my Kindle and I learned words all the way to school. I knew many of the words but some where also new. All I miss in the flash cards where example sentences of how to use the words, but hey - I can't expect wonders for $3.44.

First class about syntax and we read some news paper article about the economical crisis in Greece. I'm such a learning junkie and think grammar is a hoop. I really want to learn and sit and write everything down, first to answer when I know and I try when I don't know. Going to class, even if it sometimes can be hard to get there due to the lack of sleep or coffee, is awesome. I do really like it. And I feel like I'm in such a great class. We're all equally good and we all struggle with different kind of grammar or syntax and we learn for each other and the teachers. My class mates really wants to learn, just like me.

After the break we have another teacher and an other topic.

Today was probably the day I learned the most in one in a half hours. We talked about street German and read a text about SMS sent to the wrong persons. And then we talked about pronunciation. This was the best lesson I ever had in German pronunciation. I can't say I had many before (if any. Teachers that I had in Sweden and Rostock has never bothered with teaching it, just correcting when I say it wrong, without explanation), but you think that when you learn a language you should learn the right way to speak it from the start, right? Wrong.

I was all ears and went directly from class to the büro and said that I will prolong my course. I don't want classes to end this week, so four more weeks (at least) I will be taking German.

And as I took the u-bahn home, reading flash cards and talking out loud to myself I was just so glad about that I decided on that school and that I'm in the right class.

I'm just waiting for classes tomorrow and really looking forward. (Yes, yes, I am a nerd. I think that is already established though out this blog. If not, more nerdyness is about to burst out of me here anytime.)

The day has gone up from there with a care-pack from home. My (former) room mate, Anna, in Sweden knows me so well and I just laughed when I opened it. My signed copy of John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars" (I've waited for this books since last summer) was in it so I spent the hour before work reading it and laughing. I will continue now while I hear children running around (play date) with their fast feet flying over the floor.

Stattbad Wedding.

It was Saturday a couple of days ago and that means going out. At least now that I got paid. Getting paid is damn great, and here I could quote "Moby Dick" about the difference between paying an getting paid but there is no need to show of nerdy skills right now.

Some of Smooth's friends from Sweden are here, Karin and Calle (seen in the pics) so we meet up early in Neukölln (I can't say enough how much I like this part of town.) Beer drinking. Hanging out. Me inviting everyone I know in Berlin to come out with us. Some did, some didn't.

We went to the next bar, also in Neukölln. People joining up. Us being way to honest while among new friends. Somehow our conversations always got into weird stuff but I couldn't stop laughing. There was a lot of hugs given out to, so I think I manged to get my 12 hugs that day. (We head that 12 hugs a day is a good daily dose for the oxytocin sake).

Somehow it was late at night and we had plans to go clubbing in Wedding. There is a old indoor swimming house there that is now a club. Stattbad Wedding it is called. Check it out! It's worth a visit.

We danced so much and I smiled so much and again couldn't stop laughing. Randomly there where more people we knew there and we danced, danced and danced. It was crowed and the music was loud.

We ran around in the different rooms until the night became morning.

I was one of the first to leave the group and took the u-bahn home around seven in the morning. I got home when the family just got up from bed. We had a nice morning chat. Then they had breakfast and I went to sleep for a couple of hours after a great night out.

Keeping busy.

I'm bad at updating this blog, but it's because I'm keeping busy and letting the blog go a bit.

My days go by fast.

Out of bed before seven. Getting ready for school. Eat breakfast and head out the door.

German classes for a couple of hours.

Take the u-bahn to daycare and pick up baby Jonas.

Find someone to help me carry the stroller down the stairs to the u-bahn again. (Why Berlin can't you make the U-bahn a bit stroller friendly and have ramps or elevators? I miss Stockholm when it comes to this.)

Take the u-bahn to kindergarten.

Pick up Oskar. Getting him dressed and walking the few blocks home can take ages but my patience is not growing thin.

Play with the children for a couple of hours.

Make food for Jonas and try to put him to sleep. Works most of the times.

Eat Abendbrot with Oskar before it's TV time and we watch his favorite shows and sing along. Well I'm technically not allowed to sing along since I don't know the words that good yet, so Oskar mostly tells me to stop and that just mom and dad can sing along.

During TV time I usually fall a sleep for a minute or two. You want to know why?

Intros to children shows here are really relaxing. The singing is nice and seeing a show about a girl and her friends in the Swiss alpes is just a bit to soothing to stay awake. (Check out the intro to Heidi here and let me know what you think. This is Oskar's favorite show on TV). Maybe it's just me, but I just can't help myself.

After TV time we do all the things Oskar has to do before bed. He washes his hands, he goes on the potty and we brush his teeth together. This is a routine he knows well but never wants to do so this can take some time.

Then we go into his room and put on a CD and he goes to sleep. Not at once of course. Sometimes we play a bit, or he plays alone for a while. Sometimes he wants me to read for him and I do.

He comes out a couple of times of his room once I put him back to bed and wish him sweet dreams. I think he comes out of his room to check if I'm still there or if his parents are home.

After this I try to keep in contact with the world (write e-mails, facebook, twitter, skype...) and make plans to do things at night. I of course also do my homework as well.

Nights are spent playing board games, hang out with over a beer or going to a couchsurfing meeting etc.

That's basically that's it.

I do have days of from the children but since I living with them I tend to play when I'm around.

---

When it comes to other everyday thing I'm exhausted.

I wouldn't be me if I didn't meet up with friends almost every day and I want to do it but I feel tried all the time.

Maybe it's the thinking that's doing it or the lack of reading and writing, because I do feel like I get enough sleep.

So what are you thinking about Jenny?

I'm glad that you asked.

Following is a list of the top three thoughts that pass though my head mostly all the time at the moment.

- romantic love

I could write about this topic and it would be a really long blog post, but I doubt that I would be interesting for anyone else then me to read. These thought are mostly written down in my diary. Romantic love take up so much of my thoughts at the moment. I just keep thinking about it in different ways, dating and past relationships and so on.

- fashion

Mostly I think about high heel shoes more then I believe is good. I dream about my vintage dresses back in Stockholm. I think about getting a little black dress(or other cloths) and I'm basically tried of every piece of clothing I have in my wardrobe and also a bit tried of dressing down. Berlin, comparing to Stockholm, is a very dressed down city.

- addictions and habits

I'm back to all my addictions. I have snus (oh, sweet nicotine) again and am a bit to happy about it so I use it more then I ever have before. The coffee intake is getting higher but the amount alcohol is getting less. I keep thinking about my habits in everything and wanting to change the once I don't like. This I could also write a lot about, but let's not even start.

I know that I feel better when I read and write, but lately I have been really bad at both. I do write but the words that come out feels wrong or old. I've written them before and I'm stuck in a pattern writing wise.

Reading goes slow. I've been reading in Swedish and German mostly. Swedish goes fast but I can't keep anything in mind and on the other side German goes slow and I try to keep every word in my head, every way to turn a phase and the use of different grammar. I don't get any flow in any.

When these two aren't working for me it makes me feel stressed, since I use reading and writing as a way to came myself down and let my thoughts be concentrated for a moment. Getting drawn in by a story and stay in that world for a while.

I'm working on getting back on track with both and I think I'm on the right way.

It's my day of today, and the whole family is home. I hear them playing in the living room. I'm smiling when I hear the things that out of Oskar's mouth when he runs around. I'm going to make some coffee, have a snus and read until TV time. Tonight I'm stay in.

Neukölln night.

I have a cold and have been more or less ill for the last week. It's getting better though but it has made me not wanting to drink any alcohol during the week. I had a shot of something strong (asking in a mexican bar for something that will kill all the germs I have in my throat just gives you a surprise shot apparently) the other day but else nothing. For you information, I felt so much better after that shot.

Today I was of work which meant brunch at Morgonrot, a vegetarian/vegan place close to my school in Prenzlauer Berg. Followed by a overdose of coffee and a lot of talking in Kreuzberg (x-berg). I was then heading home to just have a nice night in, when I got a call from Robyn that she wanted to meet up for a beer. I can't say no to her and I headed to her part of town, Neukölln. I really like Neukölln. That part of town just feel so much like home in suburbia Stockholm, Tensta. I could so see myself living there some day.

When I got over to Robyn's we chit-chatted a lot and the plan was to meet up with a couchsurfer later, but that didn't happened so we ended up going to an Irish bar with Robyn's boyfriend and a friend of his in the same part of town. I though I wouldn't drink but couldn't resist an ale that is something I have missed since I was a the brewery in Wedding many weeks ago. The Jenny that drinks fine beer and ales more then lagers is long gone since I came to Berlin, and it's a shame. Me like myself a good ale at time more then I thought.

We talked and updated each other on our life's since we last saw one and other. We laughed and had a great time. I think Neukölln can't treat me bad, all the times I've been there I had a blast in some way.

I also got some snus today so my day was extra good because of it. I took the u-bahn home and blew some soap bubbles on the way (yes, I got new bubbles and yes, I'm going to watch out where I go while blowing bubbles from now on). Happy and satisfied with the night out that I didn't expect and enjoyed. Happy Friday mode.

Saturday will be spent in Tempelhof, due to the u-bahn, bus and tram strike that is then. Best to experiences this part of town anyhow. Going to sleep will help that come earlier so bed time for me that is. Guten Nacht, Leute!

German classes.

I wrote that I stated school but nothing about it.

I stated to take German classes two weeks ago. I enrolled in GLS Sprachzenturm in Prenzlauer Berg. A school I heard good about. Not that close to my home but hey riding the u-bahn is not that bad.

The day before my first day I was pretty nervous and didn't sleep good at all. I did shitty on the placement test, where the teachers are suppose to see what level of German you are at. I also got to speak to one of the teachers to decide which group and level I should be placed in.

I was pretty disappointed with myself when I got a level that I think is to easy for me, and that I've all ready taken (it was 2008, but still) and swore a bit while drinking my coffee before the first class.

I was right. First day of classes was not good. I was grumpy, annoyed and the best in the class. The grumpy and annoyed I can blame the sleeplessness on. My classmates just made me feel bad because I felt like I wouldn't learn anything in this class. I decided to give it another day before I asked to be moved up a level.

The next day was better. I was still the best in class, but the grumpiness was gone and I didn't mind as much to repeat grammar I haven't done in some years. I stated to get to know my class and they where not bad at all. Quite lovely actually. And spoke German all the time and really wanted to learn, which felt like fun. So I went another day without saying anything.

On the third day I decided that it was time to say something. I'm paying for class so I might as well learn something and not explain to my class mates what basic words are or basic grammar. I was told that I would change class the following Monday so I had some more days with my class and they are really funny, friendly and welcoming.

I had a lot of fun with them but was pretty glad I changed classes last Monday.

I found my new class room and new class mates that Monday. New teachers.

Slow and the class was not as good I hoped it would be. I sighed and didn't know what to do. Just ask to be placed in another class, I thought but I didn't really want to. I got my jacket and was about to leave the class room when the afternoon teacher stopped me and asked if I thought the class was to easy for me. Yes, I did. She had noticed and said I would change classes again the next day.

I'm so happy that I got to change classes again!

The class I'm in now is the best. It's just the level I'm at and takes up new things that I haven't learned yet. I have great class mates (two of them are Swedish of course) and my teachers are awesome. I'm so happy to go to school every morning now that it doesn't matter that I just got four hours of sleep last nigh.

Going to class is great and I really like learning. I almost wish that I got more homework. Yes, so happy am I at the moment. I have two more weeks of class and if this flow continues I will mange those weeks just splendid.

Bad at updating.

I've been bad at updating what is happening here lately. I've started to write some posts but yet I haven't manged to finish them.

The reason for not writing is that I have had things to do and thinks has started to happen.

1. I stated to take German classes.

Every weekday from 09:00 in the morning to 12:30 I'm a serious student.

And I must say I love it. I've gone to the school I go to for 2 weeks now. I really liked it there. Specially since I got the right language group that is at my level.

2. I got a job.

Yes, applying like crazy helps. I got a call two weeks ago asking me for a interview. We meet and I got the job.

I now work as a live in nanny for a young family in Templehof. The children are 2 2/1 and 7 month old, both boys.

The live in thing also solved my living situation, so instead of moving around I have my own room and my own bed for the first time this year.

This also means I'm staying in Berlin for another six month! Exacting!

These are the most important reasons.

I get up at seven-ish every weekday. I have some breakfast while the family are running around getting ready for the day. Around eight-ish I take the u-bahn to the other side of town, Prenzlauer Berg. I get to the school some before class and meet up with Smooth (she also stated at the same school and it's awesome!) or just get a coffee.

Get of class 12:30 and take the tram and u-bahn to the Tagesmutter, daycare for the 7month year old. Pick him up and go either home or also pick up the 2 2/1 year old at kindergarten. Play and take care of them for some hours and usually I'm done for the day around six-seven. Then I'm free to do what ever I want.

So the couchsurfing meetings and other stuff I want to do at night time still happening.

Everything has just worked out so great that I couldn't image better. Money is still tight but I got to love Sweden sometime when you can get money (well, I have to pay some of it back) for studying a language class abroad.

I will try to update more often now.

The weekend starts tomorrow. This will be celebrated with brunch at Morgonrot, a vegetarian/vegan anarchistic place just next to my and Smooth's school with our friends Lucas & Emma that just moved to Berlin.

I called a new friend today and said I wanted to hang out, so we are hanging out at the Turkisch marked tomorrow where I'm going to buy crazy much vegetables. I have no other plans for the weekend, but hey - this is Berlin. Things are bound to happen.

The Avett Brothers - Murder in the city.

Last Sunday this happened. Band practice. Since I don't play any instruments and enjoy listing to Robyn and Smooth singing and playing each a ukulele in the wagon, I took it on me to film a bit.

This song, The Avett Brothers - Murder in the city , is a song I will always think about Berlin when I hear. We played it a lot here and hearing Smooth singing just makes it better.

I have so talented friends.