23 Juni - Packing

I finally finished the formatting edits on the book chapter and sent it off to Wendelin. Hopefully that is done.  I like to write, but I hate to edit... I could never be an administrative assistant. While at the office I prepared some outlines for my presentation and researched system integration for hospitals in the US. I printed out some reading materials on biomedical information for the train ride and saved a few more on interoperability on my computer.  Some of this stuff rings some bells, but a lot of it I haven't really studied in years.  I just want to be able to hold my own. I will be the only one from the US at the SIMS class and am a little worried about being the odd man out. All the other students have been working in groups for the past few weeks on projects and I won't know anyone or much of anything. I feel a little more comfortable with the Masters class because I know what to expect and all the people will be placed in groups upon arrival and will work together for the duration.  Lucky for me the central language is English :)

I went home early to start the laundry and because I had to meet with Skylar's teacher. She is concerned about how unsociable he has been and how he seems so unmotivated to learn German or interact with the other children. He doesn't understand why they fawn all over him. I guess I don't either exactly. The teacher explained that many of the parents were brought up being taught how incredible America was and even mentioned it as the 'promise land' and all that, so many of them have such high regard for America and pass it on to their children.  They also learn English and are excited to speak to an English speaker. Skylar is so skeptical of this behavior, it's like he feels they must be making fun of him because they are always talking about him and want to be near him. He just doesn't understand how they could think he is so interesting. She did say he has improved the past couple days since I talked to her on the phone on Friday and made this appointment, I have tried to talk to Skylar about having an open mind and trying to make the best of it. I also made him leave his book at home, which means he has to interact so that he won't get bored.  She showed me a book presentation he made that was really quite good. She said she was impressed at how well he wrote and that he seemed to have fun doing it. I talked with him this afternoon and told him some of what she told me about why they all want to be his friend and he seemed to grasp it a little better... still thinks it's strange, but maybe accepts it a bit.

After the meeting, I stopped at the bank to sort out what is wrong with my card and to hopefully get online banking.  The guy there was very unsure about his English, but I kept assuring him that it was very good. He kept apologizing and I felt like if anyone should be apologizing it should be me for being in their country and not speaking the language.  Anyway, he got it fixed and my bank card works and I got paid. Hurrah! 

For the remainder of the day, I did laundry and packed.  I had to iron many of my nicer clothes because they have been stuffed in boxes since I got here.  We don't have to dress up, but at least be casual-professional. The only thing I'll need to do in the morning is pack my shower stuff and I'm good to go. The taxi is picking us up at 4am and taking us to the train. We had to be there by 13:00 to check in and that is the only train that could get us there. Problem is, the buses around here stop at midnight and start again at 5am and I didn't think I could balance the suitcase on the bike basket, so Nora called us a taxi. She also baked a cake and gave us some for the train ride. She is so nice.

Since I need to get up in 3 hours, maybe I should get to bed :)