h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I havent talked to you in forever! How are you doing? How is the garden now that it is spring?
Oops, I probably should make sure you still remember me

Sorry I haven't talked to you in forever, have just been way too busy with moving, then graduation, college and so forth... it's probably been a year since I've talked to you

Bubbles_unpopped

Hi bubbles

Good to see you

Have you moved on your own or is it the family that has changed places.

I know how much time schoolwork takes. My son is in college to qualify for studying at university, and now, as examens approaches, he hasn't even time for his music lessons - not to speak of friends and parties etc.

The garden is a wilderness, as we have just returned from two weeks' holiday.

I have to run but will be back later.


tartaronne

Well, the family has moved around a bit, but I have also moved closer to the campus of my University. It is a bit different not living with my parents anymore, but it is not a bad thing, but I do miss them.

Ah, yes, lately I have had some exams too and they leave no time at all for extracurricular activities; in my case, art, sports and friends. Oh well, it will be worth it in the end .

Oh fun! Where did you go on holiday?

It is getting late here, so I think I will call it a night (it must be around 5-7 in the morning where you are isn't it?)

Night!

Bubbles_unpopped

It was 5-7 in the morning, yes.

We went via Germany and CH to Italy to celebrate Sig. S. (my husband) parents' 60th anniversary. After a week in Italy (near Venice, we went to visit Sig. S's family in Slovenia. From there across Austria and Germany to NL, Amsterdam, where we spent two days and then via Germany back to Denmark.

On the way and between us we spoke Danish, German, Italian, English, Slovenian, SerboCroatic, Russian (with a truckdriver) and French (with our nighbours at the campingsite). At the end we pretty much got the languages muddled up.

That must have been a wonderful holiday!
Sadly, I've never been outside of America, but I am hoping to study abroad next year and go someplace in Europe.
Do you and your husband speak all of those languages fluently? That is impressive if so!
Haha, I can only speak French and a little German (and of course English).
How was the weather over all?

We don't speak all the languages fluently, but we can get by.


I think English speaking people are at a disadvantage when it comes to languages, because almost every country has English as their first or second foreign language.

English speaking people, in these times with the last 50 years of US and GB outpour of pop/rock/folk music, films and computer language all over the world, all in English, hardly ever need to speak another language than their own.

It means that they/you also are at a disadvantage learning about and understanding other other peoples', other countries' values and culture, I think.

Especially USian people, because you can travel hundreds and hundreds of miles on your continent, and although the landscape, the temperature, the life conditions changes, you still only meet the same language and the same basic values and cultures of your own home town, or home state.

What will you study in Europe?

The weather: The rain followed us from country to country whether south of the Alps or north of the Alps.

The second day we had snow high up in the Swiss Alps, 0 degrees Celcius, the next day warm sunshine in the north of Italy, 22 C. Otherwise rain.

Oooh - I must get working again. Got up early to be able to reach deadlines.

Very, very true, unfortunalty, the other languages are so beautiful, but, alas, Americans only learn what they must, and like you said, most never have to speak anything but English.
I would probably be studying Art or Biology, but probably Art.
Sad, where I live right now (West Coast) it rains, on average, about everyother day and no snow . Not what I am used to over in Central U.S. Haha, oh well, life is full of changes.
Oh! today I started in my new job at a bookstore, which was a lot of fun! I love books and working with people so it was a perfect combination!
Good luck with the deadlines!
Hehe, god morgen to you and good night to me .

A job in a book store .

I've always loved libraries, and both my husband and I buy a lot of books. Mostly from second hand shops, at jumble sales and when the libraries sell out old books to get room for new.

But also I get tempted by offers in book stores and bookclubs calling on the phone with a special offer, just for me - and then I'm a member and have to remember to sign off again.

In which country will you study?

I've meant to ask you for the last couple of days. Are you on Facebook? I am - and if you are, we can become friends there as well.

God morgen, indeed to me, og god nat til dig. (and good night to you).

We probably shouldn't reveal names in here, but you can write me at "tartaronne at yahoo dot dk"

I've sent you an E-mail, but I forgot to add that I am not quite sure yet where I will study, maybe in England, Austria, Germany, or France.
Do you have any suggestions?

I don't know much about studying in another country.

My priorities would be:

How/where do I want to spend my free time (with art, music, friends, nature, theatre, etc...)

Where will I feel comfortable - yet also be challenged

What is the university's/department's reputation in this subject

What language do I want to speak/learn

I think....

My daughter (35) is studying for her PhD in Irish Politics at Queens University in Belfast - from Copenhagen.

Those are all very good things to consider.

Your daughter that is studying at Belfast, is she the photographer also? She took some wonderful pictures if so!
Oh, and by the way, I love your name! It's so beautiful sounding

Thank you - I like my name too.

No the photographer is 21. Both daughters are among my friends on Facebook. They have my surname as a middle name. Two different fathers.

I married young, and my first husband was even younger. He was restless (actually his puberty lasted well into his 30es )and not mature enough to take care of a child. So he went and persued his adventures.

Better for me, cause it was hard enough to cope with one child at 20 and at the same time studying for journalism - more difficult to cope with two....

Ah, I see. That would be hard to do
Well, she does a very good job of taking pictures!

Hi

Do I catch you in real time?

18:19 here...

*waves*

Friday the 2nd of May

He he, it's 17:53, Fri, May 2nd here now. You're probably in bed :P
I'll talk to you tomorrow!

Wow, I think that's a 9-hour difference... Is that right?

I don't think I have the head for figuring that out.

But there are some internet sites which show time zones. Denmark is GMT +1. I don't exactly know where you are. Do you know your time zone in GMT terms?

I have noticed that US uses different types of time zones related to each other i US, and in Europe we use GMT.

The sun is shining and I haven't attended to the garden since last autumn. I think I'll go and have a look.

See you.