Some Rather Upsetting News

Hmm. So I'm back in Fulda (after a fab time at home) and I have a problem... I AM OFFICIALLY HOMELESS :-(
It is indeed a sad sad situation and, after our experiences today, it is in fact getting more and more absurd. (Song ref, 10 points for 1st correct answer!) Our hunt for somewhere to live has been rather rollercoaster-esque. We have found several suitable flats but all have come with problems ranging from current tenants wanting over 700€ for their furniture, to today's extremely unfortunate incident which can be roughly summarised as follows: we find a great, reasonably cheap flat in the centre of town with balcony, we sign the lease and are just about to 'close the deal' when Mr Letting Agent gives us his bill for 500€. This fee covers the cost of him walking 200m from his office to the flat, spending 30mins of his day showing us the flat and talking about it and then printing out the lease and going through it with us. A bit steep ain't it? Well we thought so, so had to do a rather embarrassing RETREAT manoeuvre that now means we are back to square one. The only consolation is that we have now been here many times before, so at least we have some experience. There is lots of bad news that probably outweighs this consolation - namely that as we now know that letting agents seem to find it justifiable to charge a ridiculously inflated figure for their services, they can no longer be relied upon to help us in our quest to find a flat (2ZKB if anyone has any ideas or handy hints). And so, we must continue alone, using the internet and hoping that we stumble upon somewhere that (a) is free, (b) we can afford, (c) is in Fulda, (d) doesn't throw another spanner in the works.
In the meantime, I am crashing at Ragil's appartement, my worldly belongings are crashing in a friendly German's basement and the situation remains somewhat suboptimal. Welcome back to life in Fulda.

Pack Up Your Troubles In An Old Kit Bag And Smile, Smile, Smile

Well, actually, it is not so much troubles as a heck of a lot of stuff, and not so much an old kit bag as suitcases, bags and boxes. But the smiling is definitely correct, or it will be when I'm done packing! So my first year in Fulda is coming to an end. Exams on Thursday and Friday (no more EU law, ever - a wohoo!!!!) and celebration on Friday night as we gatecrashed the ICEUS seniors' graduation bash. Now the ICEUS juniors have departed to all corners of the globe, to either go home for the summer or to do an internship. My flat is now minus the greek and minus the frenchie and the german has gone AWOL so it's just me and lots of stuff (that needs packing...) So to Britain I go on Wednesday, Ragil following a week later. Relaxing at home, to Newcastle to see BB and Cat, to the Lakes for some more relaxation (if the weather is good) and long walks in the rain (if it's not), then to Edinburgh for some reminiscing. Back to Fulda at the beginning of August and then internship in Frankfurt until November...
Anyway, have finally added photos from the last two months to pBee, here's a selection from the DAAD meeting in Bayreuth, England supporting in Frankfurt, with Ragil's family in the Black Forest and then the end of term party.

Typical

Ok, so Ghana going out I could cope with. Although they had style and pezaz, they were more entertaining than good. England going out hit me somewhat harder. There was always the hope that they would start playing better and then actually score a victory that they deserved. As it happened they did start playing well but in typical England fashion one of the players metamorphed into an imbecile and got himself sent-off leaving the other 10 players to continue to outplay the other team but alas, the lack of the 11th man proved too much and then, well, penalties. With England, it's a foregone conclusion. According to my Dad, you may as well watch the players rolling a dice. According to me, if it's England you may as well just save the heartache and declare victory to the other team.
Anyway, all this is beside the point. Up until yesterday I had found it rather difficult to support Germany (see earlier blog) but since England's departure they have become my team of choice. Last night they had my full support. I guess I should have supported Italy, for the sake of the German population. Germany did an England (England of other World Cups, this one they have just been poor) - they played really well but got cruelly beaten anyway. Gutted. Now I am left to hope that France thrash Portugal, that Germany then thrash Portugal (I really don't like Portugal - bunch of Schweiber and cheaters and all those words you're not supposed to say) and then that Thierry Henry scores a stunning hat-trick in the final and maybe Gino Ginelli (hot Italian striker with complicated Italian name) scores a goal too - from now on it's all about the close-ups :-)
So come on France and come on Germany. Let's kick some Mediterranean ass!!!
Actually thinking about it, maybe I should support Portugal tonight, it's about time they had some of the luck that I seem to bring to teams I support (i.e. BAD LUCK!!!)

Keeping a Low Profile

Hello everyone...
Just a wee note to explain my lack of recent presence in bloggery.
Things are currently a tad hectic here what with the semester coming to a close and exams and then trying to sort out my summer plans at the same time. On that point, I have finally found myself an internship - in a communications company in Frankfurt. So I'll be staying in Fulda and commuting to Frankfurt. Heading back to Britain first though (12th July-2nd Aug) to recharge the batteries.
I don't really want to comment on England's poor world cup run. Sod's Law that the one match they deserve to win they lose on penalties. Two words: bloody typical.
Yeah, my St George's flag has been taken down. My patriotism will have to be put on hold for a while...
Hmm, okay, well that's all for now.
Supposed to be reading all about EU Immigration Policy.
Oh the joy.

The Team of Choice

Oh, it is just getting too exciting. Now that I've found my second (or maybe third - see previous post) team things are hotting up a treat. GHANA are the team of choice and what a team they are. They are clearly the coolest team in the tournament. According to the German commentator, they have the happiest bench in the World Cup and the supporters were dancing from the word go in their match against the Czech Republic. As if all this wasn't enough, they play with such style and finesse that it is impossible not to love them. And then, the icing on the cake... they have a player called PIMPONG. Pimpong is usually brought on 10 mins before the end to run a bit and mess up seemingly simple chances. He looks overweight but is surprisingly quick, although his ball control leaves a little to be desired. Still, his skill level is irrelevant. He is called Pimpong, he has a very cool hairdo and he provides endless amounts of amusement. And so, to everyone reading this, watch Ghana, support them and love every minute of Pimpong's time on the pitch. Those are my words of wisdom for today. Oh, and COME ON YOU AUSSIES:-)