What's new? We didn't get an Axis of Womenpower in central Europe. Ségo failed on Sunday. Instead, we got Sarko on our Western side and hope that he's at least as kind and charming to our Angie as Chirac was. Sarko's idea of domestic policies is not of my favour but fortunately I'm not too concerned with that. I'm more concerned with the issue of water falling from heaven that I hadn't had for weeks - until Monday. Now it's raining again, and I'm feeling fine. In the business game that we're currently doing at university, my group turned out to be the worst but it was just the first period and we didn't really fail. Our task is now to find a new proper strategy to be the best in the end. ;-) Wish me luck! However, tonight I'm gonna watch Aki Kaurismäki's "Lights in the Dusk" in the university cinema. Probably I'll miss the comfort of the Filmhuset cinemas.

Three years ago, the EU "suddenly" got 10 new members:
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
In January, Bulgaria and Romania joined. But how much do we know about our new neighbours and friends? I must confess: not too much. I'm happy if I remember all their capital cities and have an idea where to search them on the map. When I was a child I wanted to learn all European languages. Now this plan seems impossible to realize, and I'm driving crazy when I have to hear languages I don't understand a word of. But it would be a great dream to be at least able to welcome every European in his mother tongue.

Wouldn't it be cool to have Ségolène Royal and Angela Merkel as an Axis of Womepower in the center of Europe? Let's hope for the Frenchmen's and Frenchwomen's votes in two weeks. ;-) I would be interested in how the German chancellorette and the French présidente - belonging to different political parties - would like each other. Anyway, I'll definitely miss the pictures of Chirac and Merkel charmingly changing kisses.

Apropos Great Wide World in Trier: The Kaufland shopping centre is open from 7am to 22pm now. Yeah!

What does this deer do in Trier? It's the symbol of the European Capital of Culture 2007 - Luxembourg and La Grande Region which includes Trier. Of course, such a big cultural event is positive for the region but I'm not so sure whether the deer as a symbol was a good choice. Yes, there are deers all around the region but I don't think that's very typical and unique. Combined with the oversized feet of roman emperor Constantine, the animals do a great job in our lovely old town. :D

In the last six months, the great wide world has come to Trier: I've got a sushi bar around the corner now. Mensa food is quite good (or am I just used to worse food? I don't think so!), and the library is open till 9 pm although we don't pay study fees here. Even the political scientists provide their presentations on the internet. It's amazing how things can change in half a year. I'm looking forward to a new week with new experiences!

I've managed my good-bye from Hamburg via Viersen and Mainz - now I'm welcome back to Trier. :-) My courses have already started, and I'm still motivated and full of energy. My flat is returning to life as I do due to the summerly temperatures. However, I somehow feel like abroad. Nothing's really new but everything's different here. Trier is so much smaller than Hamburg and Stockholm. All day, I meet people I know. Going shopping is more hectic than in Sweden, and the things I buy are a bit different. Finally, I ask myself why we don't have courses in English here - there's not a single one I found in media studies and business. Such a pity! And poor Erasmus students in Trier...

Der Zwiebelfisch-Newsletter hat mich heute eiskalt erwischt - aber mit einem Lachen im Gesicht. Endlich hat sich Bastian Sick eines schwerwiegenden Problems aus dem Trierer Studenten-Alltag angenommen. Wer nicht in Trier oder im Saarland aufgewachsen ist, kann ein Liedchen von den Kommunikationsproblemen mit den Ureinwohnern singen, denn der Trierer an sich kennt offenbar das schöne Wort "nehmen" nicht. Zum Beispiel meine Vermieterin, die "immer Meister Proper zum Putzen holt". Leider bin ich Meister Proper noch nicht persönlich begegnet, auch nicht im Auto meiner Vermieter, aber ich vermute auch stark, dass sie den berühmten Putzgeist nur zum Putzen nimmt. Mehr lustige Beispiele gibt es hier. Also, Wahltrierer, verzweifelt nicht sondern lehnt Euch entspannt bei der Lektüre zurück! Und hinterlasst mir mal nen Gruß in den Kommentaren. :) Viel Spaß morgen bei der Mewinale - ich bin dann in Hamburg!

Feeling uncomfortable in German? Sorry for that. It was just one of these inner-German-language-problems. ;-)

Yesterday I got a message from university that I can attend (only) one business-seminar next semester: "Problems in B2B-relations". That's not really my favourite subject but at least it's a seminar. However, only one business-seminar means studying probably one semester more than I've planned. Due to the costs of studying, I think that's quite annoying. I will try to start with my master thesis in summer so there is a small chance to finish my studies in time. The media part has never been a problem but in business they always have too few places, and not studying on diploma is an additional disadvantage. :-( So, let's try not to be too frustrated and pass the exams in March!