October 23, 2010

• Update: Reading In German is Hard

  First off I finished my first book in German today:  Die Puppe mit dem starren Blick.  It’s “Night of The Living Dummy”, a Goosebumps’ book.  Despite the fact I am reading at the level of an average second grader, I still am reading!, so I’m proud of myself.  I kept my handy-dandy second-hand Collins German School Dictionary by me, as well as a pencil.  I was able to read almost all of it just fine, and I even figured out a few words from contexts.  However every now and then the dictionary definitely helped me.  I learned a few new words, including

  Muehe : trouble or pains.  As in, taking the trouble to make sure I understood the word.

  packen : to grasp, or to pack.  As in, you are grasping my arm too hard and therefore I’m packing my bags to leave.

  Wuetend : furious.  As in, I’m furious I never knew this word before.

  Pfoten : paws.  As in, keep your paws off.

  Schritt : step.  As in, watch your step because I’m pretty sure I lost my gum around here.

  Bauchredner : ventriloquist.  Not sure when I’d ever use this.

   

  I also have purchased my ticket for Bonn.  I’ll be visiting Markus from Friday to Wednesday.  We haven’t planned much yet, except we are going swimming so I can keep in shape – my new goal is to drop the 10 pounds I found in Germany – and going bowling with my old hostbrother.  We also are going to have a horror film night.  I’m not sure how scared I can be – German voice-overs make me laugh.  But it should be a wonderful and sweet and cuddly week. 

   

  I’m also going to meet his grandmother.  That should be fun.

   

  M.

   

   

  • 2:33 pm
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