Not yet in Berlin and other blabbity blab

The main purpose of this journal is to chronicle my study abroad experience in Berlin. The wise people at IES recommend that students keep a journal (even if you normally don't), so this is mine. I'd write, but, let's face it: I'm lazy and I'm a much faster typer than I am a writer. I am also an insane perfectionist and it's easier to delete stuff when it's typed.

Obviously, I'm not in Berlin yet. Currently, I'm in Hilliard, Ohio, staying at my uncle Julian and my aunt Lele's house, along with their totally adorable 16-month old, Samuel. I'd be at home in Barranquilla, but the German consulate had my passport, so I couldn't leave the country. My uncle is getting transferred to Jersey soon, so we'll be traveling there on Friday. Julian and I will be driving and my aunt and the baby will be flying, because you can't attach car seats to trucks or some other reason like that. This will be my third move in as many weeks - I packed up my entire room almost two weeks ago, flew here and now I'll be heading to New Jersey.

I got my visa on Friday but it's only for Germany and not a Schengen visa. So I don't know what I'm going to do about that. Supposedly I have to go to the Aliens Affairs office in Berlin and solve that issue. It's a big mess; I knew things were going too well lately.

I bought a new camera today - it's a Fujifilm Finepix Z20 and it is PINK! I was going to buy a Sony one originally, but the Finepix has more or less the same features, it was on sale and it has glass lenses instead of plastic. Oh and did I mention it's pink? :) I have to read the manual and try it out later (probably pics of Samuel!). I've also bought my textbook, a notebook, a money belt, a camera bag, a lock for luggage, a guidebook and phrasebook and some other stuff I can't think of at the moment. My uncle is lending me a backpack so I don't have to buy that (yay $$$ saved).

Before I leave, my aunt and I are practicing my driving skills. As those who know me will tell you, I don't have a car and the only time I drive is when I am home. I never really practiced driving much, so I'm a little rusty, but it's getting better. Hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have a valid American driving license instead of an under-18 Colombian one. I'm terrified of highways; they make me nervous because Americans drive so fast. I also have a ridiculous fear of a.) stepping outside the lanes and b.) car accidents, so driving near huge trucks makes me nervous. I think for that particular reason driving a big car would make me feel more confident, but at the same time the whole "driving outside the lines" and the fact that I learned to drive on a small Mazda makes me feel a lot more comfortable in small car. Tickets make me nervous, police cars make me nervous, 18-wheelers make me nervous; it's a wonder I don't have an ulcer already. But I really need to do this, because I'm going to have to get a car in order to drive to my internship at Gilcrease next semester. I would really like a Honda Fit or Civic or a Toyota Yaris or Corolla, because they're so small and cute. I drove to Barnes and Noble yesterday and to Walmart and Outback today, and tomorrow I'm practicing parallel parking a.k.a my idea of hell.

I'm terrified of packing also. How am I supposed to live out of two suitcases for the next two months? For a week-long trip to Cartagena, I once packed 7 pairs of shoes. I honestly don't know how to pack light. Ack! I need to go through my makeup and sort what I actually need. And buy small bottles of body lotion.

More to come later.
Ciao.