Last week I took the German proficiency test (the equivalent to my final exam). I did well, even better than I had expected -- a High Pass (Or A, or 1, depending on with which system one is
familiar). I am very pleased with myself. Theoretically, my German and French should be equal. I have finished the 2-year programs in both languages, and spent just about 4 months in both Germany and France. Although it has slipped significantly in the past year, I feel more fluent speaking French. But German unleashes my writer's voice. I hated writing in French. German has such wonderful words (again, Raumkultur) and forces me to clarify my structure.
I took my mom to the Jerusalum Symphony Orchestra for her birthday, when they played here at the Hill Auditorium. Last week I went to the Wilco and Neil Young concert with Matt and his parents. I have watched Herzog's "Aguirre: The Wrath of God" and Wenders's "Der Himmel über Berlin" ("Wings of Desire"). Yesterday I downloaded Bon Iver's album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" and Department of Eagles, "In Ear Park."
This morning I made myself some treats. After following a recipe from The Flexitarian Diet that called for chopped dates in my usual bowl of oatmeal instead of brown sugar, I found a recipe online for oatmeal date bars. I replaced the date sugar with brown sugar, used quick-cooking oatmeal, unbleached white flour, and organic chopped walnuts. I don’t have a square pan, so I used a round one and ended up with slices instead of bars. They taste delicious, but the best part was the warm, lingering smell of roasting nuts and carmelized brown sugar.
i ask you: did they let you eat cookies at the symphony? did your wine include a cherry?
No, sadly, neither wine nor cookies were involved at all! Ohio has more to offer than one may initially imagine.