A Noticeable Change

Before I show you my fun weekend, here are two pictures from school. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Trostman, lived and taught in Washington D.C. for a couple of years. In a German High School, to be exact. And he is the one that agrees with me that the german school system is pretty sub par. He usually assumes that i know the answers to all of his questions. And that is only about half the time in biology and never in chemistry. Both of those classes are better than english, though.



So, this picture here was taken in Chemistry class. To start out the unit on organic chemistry, there were two pictures of god creating the earth and therefore, the elements. I dont know about the religion in the schools policy here, though i think that since there is a religion class, and we talk about religion in Ethic class, then i think this is fine. i didnt find a problem with it, but it just struck me as unusual.







And all of the sudden last week, these pro-health advertisements sprung up on the first floor. anti smoking, anti kit kats, and anti mcdonalds. This one was in particular pretty harsh.







Last weekend we had to go to a mandatory Rotary weekend, which i always try to avoid but this one was required. Obligatory. And so i organized tickets for the 5 of us from Bensheim and we got to ride some trains. It turned out to be very fun and relaxing and basically, i am amazed at myself for having a great time. Here is my friend Leah and I. Bam Margera lives in her neighborhood at home.







Another good thing about going to these things is to see Win and his friends from Thailand.







We were supposed to have presentations, and so i brought my computer and made one and we were waiting outside the big room to make them. In the end, i was forgotten and was not able to present my powerpoint, which would have been very entertaining, but here are some kids with their rotary jackets. I forgot my jacket but actually, its such a pain in the ass to take around. You have to move so carefully and i only brought a back pack with me and that was enough.







The americans. Why do i look so huge? larger than life.







Then we had a disco, instead of a dance. Whenever i dance, people laugh and think "is he serious?" and thats pretty annoying. "no no its really good! just funny." well how do you dance not funny? i have a jeep shirt.







Frankenstein. I was suprised, and impressed, and i had forgotten all about it.







Not much going on for the next week. maybe i will go ride some more trains or something. The following week is then the europa tour, but it could be that i will be missing out on London. but thats alright, because then i get to ride a bullet train to paris.



enjoy it.



kostya

What is going on?

Does anyone look at this anymore?
Is it not interesting?
Should I write more?
Less pictures?
More happy?
Too happy?`

Help!

Powdery Snow and Cold

Yes there are places in Germany reporting temperatures of -28 Celcius. Though i think the worst its gotten here is -5 or so. it is still difficult to go outside, but I actually do enjoy it. The snow the past week was wonderful and what I had been waiting for so long.



A popular smart car that got muddy. Well, I miss off-roading too. I think there is a automatic requirement to paint these in some cool way. sort of like the Mini license plates.







I made french toast after the toaster caught on fire. I saved dinner, i guess. But they didnt have vegetable oil so olive oil had to do. It wasn't PERFECT like Bob Evans but they were still relatively delicious.







He was skeptical, but now he says he will make it more often. of course.







I dont think there is Maple Syrup avaliable in Germany. at least not every household has one. So jam and marmalade was fine.







This is my dictionary. I use it every day, but refuse to get a new one until next year. Its 6 years old now.







We were in a bar and after 2 hours, there was the most snow that i've seen here. It was so perfect outside. and it was gone by morning so we definately seized the night. Here is Sven













This is Denis.







This is Thai. I am amazed everytime i look at it. and its just Win's Postcard to his sister. Psh.











College doesn't exist in Germany.



On saturday we exchange students had to help out at a rotary concert function. We sold pretzels and got free drinks from these dilligent people. The kid was very professional, and made me remember how i was like that. When i there was an opportunity to be mature and serious, i would cetainly capitalize.







Heated conversation between Sven, Markus and me. In Slobos, the gathering place for Bensheim youth.







This man is named Dozer. Yes.







On sunday, Win and I went to Frankfurt again to see the Art exhibit in the Museum. It was a good trip, but it was very cold and very windy. These trees are along the River Main.







Frankfurt is where the Frankenfurter was created, ey.







My new jacket. The bridge was shaking in the wind.







whats the point of coming here anymore? Its always closed.







Win from Thailand.







And this is what i do a lot. In my room with music. I think i was taking a break from homework (done on my own accord, it was my own choice!)







i got a new photo hosting site. www.photobucket.com



hopefully it works better.



fox in the snow.



love, kostya

Photobucket

This is a test post from Photobucket.com

Snowy Update Soon

I haven't been doing anything TOO interesting recently. Well, it was great for me, but not something i could really take pictures of. Yesterday, I had a back pack full of books. for reading.

i also met my next host family. I cant help but feel a skepticism from them, and that is alright. i will show them otherwise, but at one point the conversation turned to my councelor and his obvious contempt for Americans. Which now makes me feel awful and small.

but there are some pictures coming, i just need some time.

Cologne is in Germany?

well that means i could go!


so here we have, left to right, jay, andres, kostya, and simon.

this is carnival folks. i dont think i have ever seen so many people. i dont even know what it is they are celebrating, and i bet, they do not know either.


maybe its something to do with fasting and ash wednesday, but, ironically the cathedral was shut up, closed up tight tight tight.


i dont believe i have ever seen anything so huge. really, you cant imagine.

on monday was the big parade. it lasted for maybe 6 or 7 hours, and i couldnt even stay for the whole thing. though there were angry drunk people,
for the most part, everyone is just so happy.


the floats were enormous, and they would throw candy and flowers to everyone. and then everyone would desperately try to collect them off the ground. there were some blood-lust mothers there, doing everything they could to make their kids temporarily happy. there was music and though i got separated from my friends, i hung out with some more relaxed ladies, and we shared some drinks. (not pictured)





surprisingly, there was absolutely no breasts or debasing of woman. these stickers were everywhere.


i used the train system to get there, and i must applaud the train system in germany. actually, the whole public transportation system. it is so convenient and overall, impressively punctual and reliable, though i dont think anyone gets shot if the trains are late, mussolini.


i went to visit Jay Jamison, who skied with me, remember?



hahaha. "if this was in america, shit would go down," says jay.

at the train station:


this guy was not on stilts. on the contrary, was in yellow rubber boots.


capitalism and private enterprise:


in germany, you can do this, i promise.


and on the nice quiet ride home, i saw this, and i cant wait to see it again.


and here is my collected stash. it was a halloween that i didnt have this year, i suppose. bad quality, but most of this candy is made only for this particular weekend, and that is cool.

basically, it was great and i want to live in cologne, and i hate being back here at school.

kostya.

Some Photos for you

I am a conceited person.







Those are from school. I usually go sit outside in the middle of the school during breaks.

When was the last time YOU had themed sheets?? I found these in the closet.



waiting...


for him:


Im going away this weekend. I will post my adventures next week. Undoubtedly from school. ahaha.

Have a great day. I am doing my best.

kostya.

Pictures next week

from Colgone, Germany.

going to Mardi Gras, basically.

kostya.

im 18, plz.