"I have had a peanut butter problem since as far back as my memory can go"
Might have to try this stuff if I can find it when I get home
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Normally I don’t set goals when I go running.
Well, that’s half true. I plan how far I’m going to run, and how fast I’d like to run, but that’s different. That process is more vague. Today, however, I set a goal for my run: half a marathon (13.1 miles) in under two hours.
And I did it. In fact, I finished in just a little over 1:50. Which gives me hope that when I finally do run a marathon, I might be in a position to do it in around four hours. I’m not there yet, of course, but I think I will be.
Today isn’t the first time I’ve run 13.1 miles: I’ve run that far several times, I’ve even done 20 miles once or twice. But today was the fastest. I think part of the reason is that I’m at a place now where running ten miles (my normal run) at 9 minutes per mile is not that hard a thing to do.
On a related note: found a Chinese restaurant with a buffet for lunch. Worth every euro cent.
So, it’s not quite been a week here in Bonn, but I’ve had plenty of time to gather some impressions of the city. Though I don’t feel quite as displaced as I did when I first arrived, Bonn is significantly different from Berlin, or even Magdeburg. It’s hard to explain, though. Though Bonn is the city located in the former West Germany, Berlin and Magdeburg feel more familiar, more… “American”, maybe. The layout of the city here, the architecture (old and new) and culture of pedestrianism all seem to set Bonn apart from the German cities I’ve spent significant amounts of time in, and reminds me more of other German cities I’ve only visited.
This has brought me to a startling conclusion: though I’ve spent plenty of time in Berlin and Magdeburg, maybe I haven’t really spent as much time in Germany as I though I had.
My own personal slice of Bonn has required some adjustment on my part as well. A bare room, a cold bathroom, a microwave and a fridge were here; clothes, an air mattress, bedding and various electronics are what I brought. My own impatience with the internet situation led me to go out and get a 5 gigabyte internet plan for my cell phone that I can use with my laptop, too, but now it turns out that starting tomorrow or Tuesday I will probably be able to share the landlord’s internet. Not the end of the world, the mobile internet will still be handy in the archives I’m visiting, which tend to have limited internet access (no wifi, only certain computers). But it will teach me not to be in such a hurry.
Besides a lack of shelves, drawers, and closets for my clothes, though, I think I have everything situated. Found a laundromat, found the good supermarket–it’s a little further away, but worth it–and so on. Learning the maze of streets that make up downtown will take a little more time, of course, but I’m sure by the time I head back to Berlin I’ll have it down.
Ah, New Year’s Eve with a million of our closest… well, I dunno if I’d say they were friends, but we were certainly close, packed in as we were to watch the fireworks the other night. A late start New Year’s Day brought with it a surprise, as well: snow!
Deb and I went to the Berlin Zoo today. Got some great shots of lions, tigers, and… well, you get the picture. Had fun despite the lack of sunshine (it was sunny when I went running, darn it!) and the few rain drops that fell.
Unfortunately, this photo of a polar bear is the only record we have of our visit to the zoo. It was taken on my cell phone. All the photos on Deb’s (rather nice) camera are now in the possession of some enterprising Berliner (or tourist) who took advantage of an opportunity that arose while the camera was on a bench for several minutes at the train station…
At least the new rechargeable batteries we bought for the camera were at home, charging. They didn’t get everything!
So today is my birthday. Made use of all my birthday presents (thanks mom and dad for the running gear, and thanks Aaron for the reading material.) Came up with a great plan for the day: watch the first Elizabeth movie over lunch (pasta) at home, then later go to this German restaurant at the Sony Center before watching the new Elizabeth movie.
When we got to the Sony Center, though, I decided we should instead go to an American-style sports bar/restaurant, where Deb had chicken fingers and I had a burger. After duck, rabbit, and other German food the past few days–which was great, don’t get me wrong (and included grilling on Christmas Eve)–we were ready for something different. Then, after dinner, instead of going to the movie we decided to wander around the still-open Potsdamer Platz Christmas market and to check out a touristy gift shop before heading home. So much for plans.
We will probably still see a movie tonight, but at home instead. And go to a movie tomorrow, but not Elizabeth. Still, all in all it’s been a great birthday! Best present of all: having Deb here!
The 100 Greatest Novels of All Time
Stuff to read once I’m done with the novels I’m currently reading.
So about a week and a half ago I lost my wallet. Called to cancel my bank card, started to figure out how I’d replace my public transportation ticket, my library card, etc. First thing I did, of course, was call Deb to tell her about it. And then the bus company to see if it turned up on the bus, or at the lost and found.
Then I realized it was actually in my room
Thing is, I’m not good at looking for things. Deb is though. And now she’s here!
That’s not, of course, the only reason I’m excited to see her.
There are a couple of things in this bundle I’d like, in case anybody is looking for something to get me for Christmas.
No, Deb, we can’t steal the dog.
