As I sit here, I am really struggling to figure out what I have done since Wednesday. When there is nothing to talk about with someone, or you have about as much interest in their hobbies as the desire to surgically remove your own lips, I usally talk about the weather. So, what I can tell you is that the weather in Cottbus has been quite lovely. After being raining and cloudy most of the time till recently, it has finally become fall, and the leaves are changing their hues, the days are getting shorter, and a cool breeze is making this the perfect weather.

On Friday, Daniela and I celebrated our one year anniversary together. For all those romantics out there, we had a fine day, with a picnic in the park, flowers, the whole nine yards. It was all warm and fuzzy, etc. She started school last week, and is having some trouble in getting into her classes. You see, in Germany, you don't register for classes, you just show up the first day and hope for the best. Sure they have six different bins for sorting your recycling, but it is chaos when organizing your time. Personally, if it is between saving the earth and perfecting my timetable, I say "Does it matter what bin I put my uranium deposits?"

My German class is still going all right, though my grasp on grammar is still shaky at best. I am learning a lot of random words though, and am slowly proving to my classmates that I'm not a complete moron (hold your remarks).

This week is an orientation period with the school, with meetings from various people, and beer drinking. There is probably important information in there somewhere too.

In this weeks kitchen corner, I would like to explain why I chose to buy a bread maker. Sure you can buy bread anywhere, it is a lot cheaper to make ones bread, and it can be anything I want it to be. It is also incrediably simple and delicious.