Ich bin ein Berliner ...

I bet John F. Kennedy didn't know, that the word "Berliner" does not only refer to the citizens of Berlin, when he said those famous words in front of the Berlin Wall. But in certain parts of Germany "Berliner" is also used to describe a sweet dessert. I will be in Berlin for a few days before school starts again, so it was easy to find a topic for this weeks Thursday Thirteen:

BERLIN

1. Basic facts: Berlin has been the capital for the reunited Germany since 1990. It has about 3,3 million citizens, covers an area of 900 km² and is parted in 12 districts. The river that goes right through the city is called Spree.

2. The official coat of arms looks like this:

3. The bear is a big theme in Berlin. in 2001 some artists started the exhibition "Buddy Bears". They made 350 bear statues and painted them colorful. Each bear representing one country in the world. This was so succesful, that by now there 1400 bears all over the world as a sign of piece and friendship and as representatives for the German capital. They look like this:

4. Berlin is also home to famous architecture like the Brandenburg Gate

5. Berlin has lots of great museums. The most renowned are on "Museuminsel". There you can visit the Bust of queen Nefertiti in the Neues Museum:

6. This is what some parts of Germany call a "Berliner". It's like a fluffy Donut, coated with sugar and filled with jam. They are very popular, especially in January and February as a typical food for carnival parties.

7. Berlin is also home to the government buildings. The citizens call the chancellery "Waschmaschine" - washing machine - because of the big round glass front:

8. The Alexanderplatz in the eastern part of town, with the highest building, the TV-tower.

9. Also on Alexanderplatz, you can find the "Weltzeituhr". It's a huge clock, that shows the time all around the world in the different timezones.

10. One of the most famous bands from Berlin "Seeed". Their No1-Hit-Song was about Berlin:


11. The Berlin Wall separated the city for 30 years. In some streets the houses were just parted in the middle. Today there are only a few cement blocks left as a monument. But you can find pieces of the Wall in almost every German city.

12. Of course JFK is a big part of Berlin's history:

13. And finally me and my students on last year's school trip to Berlin:

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My new crochet project

Since the supermarkets in Germany decided that the beginning of September is close enough to Christmas to start selling gingerbread, Christmas cookies and decorations, I also started thinking about the upcoming holidays.
The worst thing every year is to come up with a good idea of what to give to my parents, aunts/uncles and grandma. They have everything, they don't want anything specific and it's all about finding something that is thoughtful, not too expensive, not only another dust collecting thing on the shelf and not to forget - useful.

After self-made herbal oils and marmalades, self-knitted scarfs, photo albums, concert tickets and vouchers for various things, this years presents will test my crocheting skills.

It's an easy-to-make bag (big yarn, big needle ;) ) which I will make in different colors.

Tell me what you think about this present? Have you also already started your Christmas shopping or preparing your self-made gifts? What are your ideas?

Of course I'll show you pictures once the bags are finished.

Baba Julia

Watch out here I come ...

I'm already excited about my trip to Berlin, which starts tomorrow. Actually I'm there quite often, at least once a year, but still - it's always a highlight.
I will meet with one of my best friends. He has a job at a Berlin theater during September, so I will come and visit him.
Why do I love Berlin soooo much?
Easy - it's a phenomenal city. You can experience new and exciting things, go partying at the best clubs, eat delicious food in little restaurants away from the tourist mainstream, go shopping for days without entering the same shop twice, ...
I've been there so often, and there are still some things on my "must visit/see" list. This time I want to go to the zoo.

This time I'll go by "Fernbus" which is comparable to the U.S. Greyhound busses. I also won't sleep in a hotel, but found a nice room via http://www.wimdu.com , it's service where you can find a room or even a flat on a private basis. I'll let you know how that worked out for me.

Now I have to start packing and preparing. Stay tuned for pics and stories of my adventure in the big city.

Baba
Julia

I'm back

Well, I don't know why right now, but a couple of days ago, I thought: "What happened to my old blog?" I haven't been here for 5 years, you know. Than suddenly I felt the need to take a look if it still exists (check), if I have had visitors though nothing had happened for a long time (check) or if I even had some new comments (surprisingly - check).

And then I thought "Well, if it's still here, why not try writing again?" See if it still flows, if the ideas still come effortless, if it's still fun. And what can I say? It is - BIG TIME!!!
I'd almost forgotten how good it feels to write down stuff that cramps your mental attic.
And how much I have to get rid off, things that cumulated over the last five years ... it's going to be one hell of a yard sale over here.

A lot has happened in that time. I'm still a teacher, and oh do I look forward to letting you peep into the lunatic asylum my students call "classroom". And I have found my long lost love for knitting and crocheting again. I'll definitely let you in on some of my projects. Same goes for my cooking and baking experiences. Everything mixed with the everyday cray-cray of my life, my marriage and the world around me.

You see -  there's something in store for everyone. So drop in from time to time. I'm looking forward to it :)

Baba

Julia