Quatch! (Kvatsch!)

"Quatch!" is an expression in German to express disagreement with someone. For instance, if someone were to say, "Boston College is such a better school than Notre Dame," I would immediately respond, "Quatch!!" I'm not sure why this word is necessarily appropriate this week, except for that it has quickly become my favorite word. (Actually, while posting this, a friend send me the "Best Universities in the World", in which Notre Dame was ranked unbelievably lower than it should have been. So, naturally, I responded that the list is "Quatch!") I think it's my favorite word because it gives me the means to adequately express my opinion about something. We all know how much I like to say, "You're wrong!" : )

I'm finally getting settled in other ways here in Berlin, too. I decided on where I'll live after my host family, and I've picked out (for the most part) the classes I'm going to take.

There's still a lot of exploring underway. Thursday night I saw a german chickflick (Kokowääh)with some of my girlfriends. It was so cute!! I didn't understand everything by any means, but I was able to follow the plot fairly easily.

On Friday I went out to eat at a Pakistani restaurant before going to a roller disko!! In spite of the fact that we were probably the youngest one's there, and the music was, as Chris described, "the worst music to ever come out of America," it was a total blast! Brought me back to 5th grade skating parties...

On Saturday we went to a flea market. It was so nice outside, and there were lots of cool things being sold. That night, Michael, Chris and I explored Prenzlauer Berg. Berlin is split up into many different sections (Bezirk), and inside of each neighborhood are even smaller neighborhoods (Kiez). In our first week of class, we learned all about Prenzlauer Berg, a Kiez in Berlin that has undergone major changes in the last 15 years. Due to everything that has happened in Berlin since WWII, rent in Berlin is relatively low. In recent years, the city allocated a large portion of money to renovate Prenzlauer Berg, an area that is near the middle of the city. Since then, rent in this area has climbed, and 70-80% of the people who used to live in this part of town have moved out (often because they can no longer pay their rent). Doctors, Lawyers, and Architects have moved into this area. I'm really enjoying my language class, and I think it's because we are able to discuss such interesting topics.

I'm still enjoying my host family! We had sushi and watched The Blind Side on Sunday. They're always so helpful in teaching me German and helping me get acquainted to Berlin. I'll be sad to move out!

I'm excited to see what this week has in store! I'm guessing seeing friends that I made last time I was in Germany! Can't wait!

Liebe,

Emma