Two serious NSSs!!!!

[Napoleon54]

Major good news in my world in the past day!

Good news #1: Yesterday a friend graciously invited me on a 9 day trip to Germany and offered to pay my airfare since I'm unemployed and broke. We leave next Thurs (Oct 4). Fortunately I already have a passport. My first trip to Europe will undoubtedly be a blast! I now have ~7 days to learn as much German as possible. Totally random and spontaneous. I'm psyched!

Good news #2:: I've been unemployed for ~3 months now and have been pretty serious about being patient and finding a good job that I'll be happy with in the long term. This goal came true this afternoon. I interviewed for a job not quite two weeks ago and got a very good feeling about it at the time. Today I talked with them and they offered me the job! I accepted. It is more than an $18,000 raise compared to my old job. Included is 3 weeks of vacation per year, full medical/dental/vision, matching 401K, a stock purchase program, and relocation assistance. I will be moving to New Hampshire (pretty much the most Libertarian state in the Union, woo hoo!!!) and will start work on Oct 16th (3 days after returning from Germany).

So things have been seriously excellent in my world over the past 24 hours or so! :D :woohoo: :)

It feels extremely weird to have good stuff go my way for once. I've worked a few crap jobs and have endured some serious hardships over the past couple years. I'm not quite sure how to feel about good stuff yet, it's like I'm in shock or something. Like "hey wait a minute, this can't be happening, good stuff never happens to me...". Perhaps I'm just simply due for some good fortune. :D :woohoo: :)

[chrissy]

Very cool!

The only things in German that I know is sticking your thumb up in a pub for a beer and Busenhalter for bra.

I think I might be in trouble if I ever get there...

http://www.trymango.com/ That might help ya :) Have fun and Congrats!

[brainsmile]

what job did you used to have and what job did you get?

[uncledaddy]

Congrats, you'll love Germany. I lived there for 3 years and had a blast. Watch the bier consumption. :cheers:

Viel Vergnuegen!

Means have a good time! :D

Oh! Congrats on the new job too!

[Jenny]

Woohoo, congrats! :D That's awesome!

[Napoleon54]

what job did you used to have and what job did you get?

old job: Research Assistant at a small college, pretty much a dead-end job tied to a lab bench as a prof's minion. It was a great resume-builder though.

new job: QC Analyst at a growing pharmaceutical company, tons of opportunity for advancement.

[bachviet]

Grats on your new job and enjoy your vacation.

[ray]

congrats. have fun in germany. bring back photos!

[guiseppewv]

Congrats!!! :cheers: Have a few dozen beers in Germany to celebrate!!!

Kann ich ein Bier bitte haben? - Can I have a beer please? ---learn it, know it, use it!!! :)

[brainsmile]

nice man

[Napoleon54]

ooooh yeah there will be much beer, especially if we make it to Munich for the tail end of Oktoberfest! :cheers:

German tips are greatly appreciated, I need all the help I can get! Danke!!! :)

[Nija]

Buy porn in the airport!

[ShawnLee]

Congrats Nap! Yes!

[Prngr44]

Nice job!

And what a great way to celebrate the launch of your new career with tons of German beer!

[cruelpupet]

I now have ~7 days to learn as much German as possible.
Learn these.
http://german.about.com/library/anfang/blanfang01.htm

And find out the proper way to say "Pardon, do you speak english?"



ooooh yeah there will be much beer, especially if we make it to Munich for the tail end of Oktoberfest! :cheers:

*if* There is no *if*!!!

We *are* going to be at Oktoberfest.


Oh yea, and btw for those who didnt pick up on it, I would be the friend. A friend I was going to meetup with and partly travel with backed out (her boyfriend has issues with me going with her) and well who the hell wants to drink at oktoberfest alone? PLus he had an unused passport which is sad.

And to add some NSS to the thread...im starting to get sick (cough/cold) hope i can get over it before the 4th.

[uncledaddy]

Cool. Have fun guys! :)

[mechmike0034]

Congrats! I'd take either at this point (a good job or a trip to Germany...)

[Prngr44]

I expect pics of you guys and girls dressed like the St. Pauli's girl!!

[Butch]

Well, willkommen in Deutschland! If you are running through Frankfurt, shoot me a note.

[eSDee]

Congrats Nap. These forums will be boring the days you are gone ;)


Congrats, you'll love Germany. I lived there for 3 years and had a blast. Watch the bier consumption. :cheers:


Oh cool I lived there for 2 years. Where were you at? I was in Bad Kreuznach.

[Napoleon54]

I expect pics of you guys and girls dressed like the St. Pauli's girl!!

That was last weekend... :blush:

[cruelpupet]

Well, willkommen in Deutschland! If you are running through Frankfurt, shoot me a note.

we are landing in frankfurt on the 5th. not sure if its a straight shot to a train to munich and see frankfurt before we leave, or if we'll tour frankfurt on the first day.

You and anyone in germany is welcome to join us for oktoberfest.
Bierleichen are not welcome.

[uncledaddy]

Congrats Nap. These forums will be boring the days you are gone ;)



Oh cool I lived there for 2 years. Where were you at? I was in Bad Kreuznach.

I was in Rhein Main Air Base/Frankfurt but was all over that country. Also France, Spain, and England. What a blast Europe is. Was while ago but feels like yesterday.

[Nija]

Learn these.
http://german.about.com/library/anfang/blanfang01.htm

And find out the proper way to say "Pardon, do you speak english?"



I had a friend tour Europe for a month, with a majority of the time spent in England, Germany & Switzerland. She said 90% of people speak english, however they were much nicer to her when she tried the above phrase first. The only place she said she really had trouble was "out in the countryside".:shrug:

[Napoleon54]

I'm trying to work "aboot" into my speech as much as possible.

[uncledaddy]

Hey, while you guys are there make sure you try a true German Jäger Schnitzel (veal cutlet w/mushroom sauce) and maybe Curry Wurst. :lick:

Provided that you are not vegetarian, of course. :D

[chrissy]

For the folks that don't want to travel overseas (haha) or can't, come to vegas :D

Cafe Heidelberg (http://www.usmenuguide.com/cafeheidelberg.html) has THE best food I have tasted since moving away from all the *stadts back in IL. And this place blows them away, far, far away!

But of course if you come and eat there, you better call me to have a beer with ya. :cheers:

[cruelpupet]

Hey, while you guys are there make sure you try a true German Jäger Schnitzel (veal cutlet w/mushroom sauce) and maybe Curry Wurst. :lick:

Provided that you are not vegetarian, of course. :D

Im pretty sure ive had close to the real thing. Theres a German family that runs a restaurant near my parents house. Most the staff is German with thick accents. (Though I prefer it with a pork cutlet)

[Butch]

we are landing in frankfurt on the 5th. not sure if its a straight shot to a train to munich and see frankfurt before we leave, or if we'll tour frankfurt on the first day.

You and anyone in germany is welcome to join us for oktoberfest.
Bierleichen are not welcome.

There are ICE trains that go straight from the Frankfurt airport to Munich - they take about 3.5 - 4 hours.

Probably makes more sense to go straight to Munich to try to squeeze in as much O-Fest action as you can since it ends on the 7th.

I'm thinking about heading down there for the day tomorrow, but I don't know if I'm going to make it - have a b-school application due on Tuesday that still needs work.

Where else in Germany are you planning to go?

[cruelpupet]

Nothings set in stone, and Nap hasnt sent me the list he wants to do but...

#'s 5, 9, 16, 17, 24, 28, 29
http://www.roughguides.com/website/travel/destination/content/default.aspx?titleid=31&xid=idh119760792_xiii

Naturpark Kottenforst-Ville to see the iron man.

We also now have to look into Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.


BTW Im thinking about getting the Beneux/Germany rail pass. http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/about_train_travel/perfect_rail_pass.htm#comparison
I figure thats the best deal for not knowign when and where we are going so we can be flexible.

[Nija]

But of course if you come and eat there

...If we weren't married :naughty:

[chrissy]

...If we weren't married :naughty:


:kiss:
:lick:

[uncledaddy]

Im pretty sure ive had close to the real thing. Theres a German family that runs a restaurant near my parents house. Most the staff is German with thick accents. (Though I prefer it with a pork cutlet)

Hmm...then ya might know where to get a good Rindswurst. I've been all over the web and can't find the right recipe.

[Memo]

Key german phrases:

Blasse mir einen
Ein grosses biere bitte, schlampe

[Butch]

Went to Oktoberfest yesterday - rather grueling trip, but a lot of fun. Had to wake up at 4:30AM yesterday to catch the train, then took the 3AM train back last night, which got me home to Frankfurt at 7:30AM this morning. Ooph!

It was fun, but all I gotta say is - if you don't have reservations for a tent, get there EARLY! We made it to the tents at 9:30, and they were already at capacity - couldn't get in anywhere. So, we found two seats in the outside beer gardens of the tents, but it's no substitute for being inside.

I'd suggest getting to the tents around 7AM (that worked for one of our buddies who was there).

[Napoleon54]

Went to Oktoberfest yesterday - rather grueling trip, but a lot of fun. Had to wake up at 4:30AM yesterday to catch the train, then took the 3AM train back last night, which got me home to Frankfurt at 7:30AM this morning. Ooph!

It was fun, but all I gotta say is - if you don't have reservations for a tent, get there EARLY! We made it to the tents at 9:30, and they were already at capacity - couldn't get in anywhere. So, we found two seats in the outside beer gardens of the tents, but it's no substitute for being inside.

I'd suggest getting to the tents around 7AM (that worked for one of our buddies who was there).

Are they serving at 7am? That would rock!

[uncledaddy]

Beer at 7 a.m.? :puke:

[Butch]

Are they serving at 7am? That would rock!

Nope, not serving at 7AM - I think they start serving around 9 or 9:30, but you still have to get there that early to get a spot.

I talked to my friend who stayed down there for Sunday, and he said they had no problem getting into a tent on Sunday, so I guess it depends on the day. Usually, the last weekend is hectic, though, so I would expect it to be busier.

[Napoleon54]

Well it's 9:30 now so I'd better start training and go crack one open!