Language Exam/Learning, Work, and a Bicycle

I. Language stuff:

(a) This week, I took the official (online) language-placement exam to determine which German course I can take at the university.  It was 8 pages, each with a paragraph, each sentence rather long but with 5-10 words mostly removed, that you had to fill in something sensible for. That is, something like (if it were in English): 

``When more than half of the w_____ po_______ wakes _____ Thu_____ – the 101st Int______ Wo_____ Day – _____ be hard to k____ whether to c______ or _______ to d_____. A Bri____ woman will f____ the pr_____ of ____ 14 more gen____ ele____ before women _____ men in the C_____. ''
 

[The ''answer'' is the first paragraph here] 

5 minutes per page. It gave me a bit of a headache by the end, and I couldn't believe how hard it was. If you do speak some German, you can try an example version of the test here. 

Result: Level B1: ''Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.'' If interested, you can read the level descriptions here.

(b) Today, I started an intensive German course, 4 ''hours'' a day (where each ''hour'' is an academic hour, meaning 45 minutes) for two weeks. There was a bit of a mixup which caused us (the students) to show up at 9am and the instructor to show up at 9:15, intending to teach at 9:30am. The class ran until 13:00, with a pause of 20 minutes in the middle for a snack or fast lunch from the cafe downstairs.   The makeup of the class is largely female, largely Italian, and largely ''Erasmus'' students, which is an EU study-abroad program (however, not all of the class was female, Italian, and Erasmus; just any one of those categories contains a number of people which is ~half the class). Two other women are also in math, and one also a postdoc. That was neat. Also, I mistake Italian for Spanish when overhearing other people speaking; I mentioned this and was told that it's common. 

We covered various things, some of which I did much better than at than my classmates and others that I am rustier on. At the break, the instructor told me that my level is more like B2, and asked me how long I've been studying German. 


Level B2: ''Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options."






II. Work 
I ''officially'' started work on Thursday, which means that that's when I start being considered as someone they'll pay. Huzzah :). However, I found out on Tuesday that my proof of employment for Illinois was not enough (which I'd had sent months ago, and she could've mentioned then, or when I saw her last), so I had to write a draft and have the correct person send it. Information they needed were exact dates (e.g. starting August 15th, 2004 instead of just August 2004) and salary/year. Also, name of position(s) and associated duties. Now that that is done, either this paycheck or the next will be higher than I originally anticipated -- my 7.5 years in grad school count as work experience for the job and raise my pay grade. 

Here's the building I work in (the Geomatikum):

From Germany 2012-2013

It has 18+2 stories. That's floors EG, TG, 1-18. EG = Erdgeschoss = ground floor, and TG=? Technikgeschoss, maybe? Not sure what's on that floor. I suppose I could go look. There are two banks of elevators, one for only odd floors and one for only evens. Good system.

Here's a view from my office, on a nice day:

From Germany 2012-2013

The other day, I saw the following parked by the Geomatikum, and have seen it around town. Maybe only Americans will find the name funny:

From Germany 2012-2013

On the walk in to the Geomatikum from my (current) corner of Altona, I pass the following weird/creepy and out-of-place photo booth, nestled amidst chain link fence, in front of a rough-hewn fence:

From Germany 2012-2013

III. Bicycle!
Saturday, I went to Flohmarkt Flohschanze, a Flea market (Floh = flea, like in English) a pleasant 1.4km away on the edge of St. Pauli.  I think 'schanze' refers to the street 'Sternschanze', which is trendy and punk, and lies around the corner from where the flea market is held.  I went looking to find a decent bicycle. The very first one I found would've been great, but it had the seat lowered as much as  possible and was still too high for me. After that, I tried about 5 or so different bikes from another guy, all in the 70-90 euro range, and all with some things wrong that I don't feel like dealing with (especially not knowing what it would cost here). Legally here, bikes have to have self-powered lights, which is nice.  I walked around a bit more and through to the sort of back side of the flea market, and there was a set of bikes, clean and looking in good order, including two Peugots (one a women's bike, and one a men's road bike). 2 women were there before me, asking about the bikes and when I was asking after them, yet another person came up to ask about it. I test road it, and they had to play with it a bit (the wires had come a bit loose, so the front light wasn't working), and then I  bought it. Relatively painless, all in all. 


 I then bought a helmet, pump, basket and bike grease from the nice people at RadundTat (play on words: Rad = bicycle, Rat = advice,  ''Rat und Tat'' ~ help and advice). Today, I attached the basket before heading out for German class. I'm considering also buying a basket for the front, for greater carrying capacity. The baskets are very affordable. This giant one I got for the back (with its own kit of mounting hardware and allan wrench) was only 20 euros, and the smaller baskets were 10. 

From Germany 2012-2013

IV. Mexican food!


No, really. Cafe Mexico.  The owners come from Mexico City, I think (so says the review). It's nested by a weird everything-shop where I bought a european-style wallet (it has a coin pouch, which is crucial). I had Chicken Enchiladas with Molé. They make their own corn tortillas, use black (somewhat refried) beans, creme fraiche instead of sour cream, and just-right sized portions. Yum.