I wonder at what point I'll quit thinking of time in terms of semesters? I suspect not soon.
I applied to the Navy to work as a civilian librarian overseas. Preferably in England or Germany -- I took a few semesters of German, even though I could never figure out those split verbs, and I've always imagined that it would be easier to learn it if you're immersed in it. On a Navy base. Anyways, I have a good ole Kraut name; mein Familienname auf Deutsch means "bad". Germans tend to get a kick out of that.
In a way, it sounds really exciting (not in an "I-LOVE-A-MAN-IN-UNIFORM" way, since men in uniforms tend to scare the shit out of me. Subcultural memory, or something. This made my seven years in the Boy Scouts particularly difficult.), but it also freaks me out. I don't meet people easily, and being in another country (Canada excepted) on a Naval base wouldn't suggect any improvement in my socialization skills.
My parents want me to go, in part because it would give them an excuse to have to visit Europe, beyond the ports visited by cruise ships. And the idea of living in Europe is great, but I have the vague feeling that I should have done that when I was younger, and that at 31, I really should be Making A Life For Myself here.
But if they offer, I'll take it. I'll be like June Allyson in Interlude. Not the best film, but I have yet to be swept off my feet by my gardner in a relationship that scandalizes the neighborhood, and beggars can't be choosers. Right now I'm sitting on the Pavement of Love with a tin cup and a fistful of pencils; the sign in front of me reads: "WILL SIRK FOR FOOD".
I'm not really sure what that last sentence means, particularly in relation to trying to find a position after graduation, but I was running with a metaphor that I couldn't keep pace with. In point of fact, I think it means I am really tired, and am now going to go to bed.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Herr Bill~
If you get that job--take it! Don't look back. It will be a great adventure. America and home will always be there when you come back. You're never too old to do anything. Oh what fun! You should make a life for yourself wherever the road of life leads you.....And when you live there, you'll have no shortage of friends and family coming to visit and crash on your couch!
I spent 6 months on a U.S. military base in Germany visiting my aunt, uncle and cousins who were stationed there for five year stint. It was a blast. The best of both worlds...America was alive and well on the base, and then right outside the gate was all of Europe at your doorstep. And you're right, you'd pick up German in a heartbeat. Part of that "situated learning" thing.
Oh, sounds good! Fingers crossed that you get the job.
;-) db
If I were offered the job, I would take it, although I still would have my reservations about it. When I was there, I was really impressed by how friendly they were -- it was in 1998, and a lot's happened since then, but I thought they were more pleasant than the British. Maybe because I couldn't understand them.
I really doubt I would be offered the job, though. I'm not even sure that I applied for it correctly. Plus I don't really have any experience right now. We'll see.
Post a Comment