Reflection!!

There are many countries that speak German. In different areas they celebrate things slightly differently, but they still celebrate the festivities. Carnal is a big celebration that happens every year. There are many floats that are seen during Carnal season. Each float was a different event or issue. The German speaking countries are also worried about the environment. They want to be more energy efficient. This year some powerful political people got together and are currently trying to figure out a way to do this. What they do know is that our non-renewable resources are running out. I have also learned that the German speaking countries have their own type of political problems.

I have learned that the German speaking culture is a lot more polite, than, the American culture. In Germany, if there is a free spot next to you in a restaurant then that stranger can sit next to you. If you do not want that stranger to sit next to, then, oh well, too bad. That stranger can and will sit next to you and you have to talk to them. In the United States, it is considered to be rude. In the United States, we have a waiting list and we do not mind waiting, if it means we do not have to sit by strangers. This is not always a bad thing, because there are creepers out there.

 In Germany, they also get special relaxation weeks. The government pays for this. During these two weeks a person can go to a spa, get a massage, get back to nature, and swim. These two weeks are made for a person to relax. In Europe, they bike to places; like work or school. They have great public transportation. The European breakfast is really healthy. They have fruit, hard boiled eggs, rolls, jam and butter, meat and cheese, and tea or coffee. The older generation does not eat much fast food; they do do a lot of home cooking.

Seventeen out of the twenty-seven European countries belong to the Eurozone. Even though not every country belongs to the Eurozone; it does not stop them from working together. Each country has politicians who try to work together to create a better place for their people to live. Do not get me wrong, some European politicians have had scandals and a very fun past, but they still want there jobs. Even though Liechtenstein has a royal family, they still have politicians who work for the country and for its people.

Even though German speaking cultures still have their old traditions, they have grown new customs, too. Some of the old ones are bring a bottle of wine to a party for the host and writing a Thank You note after the party. Some of the new ones traditions are getting you licenses as soon as they can, eating fast food, going to clubs, and drinking beer with your friends. They are way too in loved with soccer. All these countries are in love with beer, being social, and being healthy.

Energy-Efficient

The Romanian President Traian Basescu, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, and Austria's Chancellor Werner Faymann were at the European Union summit on March 1, 2012. This summit took place in Brussels. These political figures were hoping to figure out a way to make their economy better. Unemployment has gone up to its highest and the Euro has dropped significantly. These powerful people believe that becoming a more energy-efficient will help their economy. The Romanian President said that this could be possible through the discovery of a large amount of gas reserves that is offshore in the Black Sea.

Every continent should start to become a more energy-efficient place to live. Our non-renewable resources are running out. What will we do then? I realize people are talking about, but it might not be enough. At least the Romanian President Traian Basescu, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, and Austria's Chancellor Werner Faymann have somewhat of a plan. The United States is supposed to be the most well of anybody, but we are in a lot of debt, we are lazy, and most of us do not really care. It is sad to see human beings this way.

I was surprised to learn that the Euro was established in 1999. That was when Poland was invited into the United Nations. So I looked a little more into it and found out that only 17 countries out of the 27 countries use the Euro. I thought the European Union involved and had all the European countries in it. I also thought the Euro has been around a lot longer than 13 years.

I think it is great to see people in power working together to solve a problem. As human beings we should do this more often. To make a difference that could last lifetimes, now, we would always learn and remember those people. We only have one life and one world, we should make it count.

http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/05/2096142/romania-president-says-energy.html#storylink=rss

Vienna in the Top 5!!

On February 15, 2012, Vienna was named the fifth best student city in the world. Vienna placed third! Paris and London were the top two winners just above Vienna. The rankings are decided on “student mix”, “quality of living”, “employer activity”, “affordability” and not on the university itself. For students who want a world class university you should go to Boston or London. For students who want a life with culture and to be able to afford it, then, go to Vienna.

To Europeans it is very important to keep work and school separate from home and social life. So when European students look for a University they would also check out the surrounding area and the activities that would be going on in that city. Whether it would be festivals, shopping, going to Cafe or to clubs you can do all this in a city like Vienna.

To, both, European and American students it is very important to have a social life. Having fun is what keeps our live in balance and stress free. The difference between American students and European students is that American students do not always know how to keep a balanced life between school and pleasure. American college students often over indulge in things. Some students could be taking way too many classes and not having anytime for friends where they burn themselves out or they have too much time with friends and not enough study time, where they fail their classes.

American and European college students are all able to drink at this point in their life without parents and Police breathing down their backs. To Europeans, they are able to drink at a younger age than Americans, so they do it for more of a social enjoyment. For them it is a way to relax at dinner and chat with friends. While, American students will go out, party and then be totally hung over where they will not be able to function the next day.

http://austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2012-02-16/39549/Vienna_ranked_in_top_five_student_cities_in_the_world

Carnival Season!!

Die fünfte Jahreszeit (Fifth Season) is celebrated every year throughout the German speaking world. Carnival or Fasching is the last celebration that takes place right before Ash Wednesday. There have been many traditions that have come and gone but only 2 have remained throughout time: NOISE and MASKS. In the large cities you would see lots of floats, which feature past news and events, music, food, and costumes.

Here in the United States we celebrate Mardi gras. This is our celebration; that we have noise, floats, costumes, music, and lots of beads, beer and food.

Something that really surprised me was that “Many scholars used to explain Carnival traditions as remnants of pre-Christian, Teutonic or Celtic rites.” Also something else was that when researchers took a closer look they found out that many of the “features, can be traced to end-of-the-year festivals which were celebrated during the winter solstice as the birthday of the sun god, honored not only by the Germanic peoples, but also by Egyptians, Syrians, Greek and Romans under differing names.”

Carnival Season brings people together in many ways. Different people not only come together to build floats and make costumes for that special day, but to also celebrate the day itself. This day gives people the day off from life itself and to reflect on the past year and the future years to come.

Floats for the future might be Russia’s protest, Greece’s debt or Egypt’s conflicts, and something more about gas prices and the world’s debt.

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-65424-10.html
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-65424-15.html
http://www.delish.com/food-fun/germany-fastnacht-carnival-food#fbIndex7
http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/karneval.htm

The Unknown Heroes

After nearly 70 years, the names of the people who helped smuggle refugees into Switzerland have been cleared. There was a law that you were not to help Jews or civilians enter Switzerland illegally. There were 137 know people that were convicted for breaking this law. There were a total of about 300,000 people that crossed the border into Switzerland. A recent ruling has now annulled the old law and named the people who helped many survive “heroes”. Even though most of the people who help are now dead, they are still considered “heroes”. There families can live knowing that there late family members did something that may have been illegal but did it because it was the right thing to do. They a

War World II had a great impact all over the world. Every student learns or at least knows of WWII. They not only learn about the Holocaust but also the tragedy behind it. They were, also, either showed or told how people were killed and how they were treated. It is very depressing that a human being could do this to another human being.

I went to Dachau Concentration Camp and walking through the gates everyone stoped talking. We all knew what happened. We learned it even in school. We all, also, knew how sad it was. When I went there I learned that, in Germany, sixth grade students visit Dachau. They learn the history of why it was there and to teach and hope that they learn that nothing good happens when you belittle someone else.

War World II is a cultureal importance not only to Germany, but to the rest of Europe and the world. Many countries pulled together and fought against the Nazis. Even if the United States came in a little late for my liking, they still helped save a lot of people. I believe that everyone working together is very important. WWII showed us that we can work together. Conflict does nothing but prolong the peace that the world can have.

           

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Swiss_acknowledge_wartime_heroes_.html?cid=31857022

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig von Beethoven was born in Germany during the 18^th century. His father, Johannes first introduced Beethoven to music. He taught him the piano and violin. His first performance was at the very young age of 7. Beethoven moved to Vienna to study other composers, like Mozart, and ended up living there up until he died. Beethoven wrote and composed music even after he started to go deaf at the age of 28. He wrote nine numbered symphonies in his whole career. He died on March 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria. He was buried with honors and it is believed that more than 10,000 people attended his funeral.

A three page document has been found in a collection, which was donated to the Brahms Institute of the Lubeck School of Music. This three page document was a letter written by Ludwig von Beethoven. The letter was written in July of 1823, to a man named Franz Anton Stockhausen. He was a composer living in Paris, France. The person who had the letter before the Institution was Stockhausen’s great-granddaughter, Ms. Renate Wirth. Ms. Renate Wirth died last year and she donated a part of her estate to the Brahms Institute of the Lubeck School of Music. This letter that was written by Beethoven is worth up to €150,000 ($192,000). In the letter Beethoven writes and complains about being sick and about being short on money. While reading the letter the Institute discovered that Beethoven died four years after the letter was written.

Ludwig von Beethoven was and still is a great inspiration. He influenced every age, from the young to the old. Beethoven has inspired many people through his music all around the world. Beethoven’s symphonies and other works have been played and are also known in different countries. Even though he had a disability he showed everyone that you are still able to follow your dreams and believe in what you can do. His 9^th symphony is played every year during the holidays; its common name is Ode to Joy. This German composer has influenced a great deal of people through his beautiful works of music.

Formal Traditions and Customs!!

Germans have a more formal way than Americans for traditions and customs!!

When people think of Germany, they usually think it's only the beer and sausage country. What they do not know is that Germany is much more than that. It has a very rich culture and has been around a lot long than the United States. Germans are very big into planning their day accordingly, keeping home and work life separate from each other, and are very tidy people.

While Americans are spontaneous, work lots of overtime and very often brings their work home with them, and Americans will often put off what they can do today.

Germany is a formal country. It is very important to respect everyone. They will use Mr. or Ms. until otherwise they told you that you can use their first name. They also have a great deal of many rules that Americans do not do. For an example send a “Thank You” note after going to someone’s dinner party and you should always bring a gift for your host. If you are invited into someone else’s home you are either a relative or are now considered a very close friend.

Americans’ can be polite when they have to be, but when you give someone your first name they will use that instead of your surname. Americans will normally also bring a gift for the host, most of the time it is a bottle of wine and it does not matter where it was imported from. They will also invite a lot of different people from family to friends to even business associates.

When it comes to traditions and customs Germans are more formal than Americans. Germans believe in having a sense of balance between work and home life. While Americans sometimes bring their work home with them.