I applied to the Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik (German Summer School on the Pacific) a few weeks ago, and last week I was accepted. I'm very excited.

The Deutsche Sommerschule is a college program in which I take classes on German culture, history, heritage, politics, etc., in German. It's mainly designed for people who have had two years of post-secondary education in German, or equivalent knowledge. I don't know how strict they are about it, but you're not supposed to use English the whole time you're involved in the program. Even when you're in your dorm talking to your roommate, you speak German.

It's in Portland, which isn't really "am Pazifik", more like "in der Nähe vom Pazifik" (near the Pacific), but that doesn't matter. I love Portland. It's nice and big like any other big city, except it's not just sprawl (in my opinion). Downtown is beautiful. There's lots of greenery and no pollution. It's one of my favorite places on this Earth.

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know the good news, so you know I haven't died if I don't ever come by from June to August. Wish me luck.

good luck athel.

Vielen Dank.

huh?

"Many thanks", directly translated.

Congratulations. Please bear in mind the restrictions imposed at the Potsdam conference:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/truman/...s_potsdam.html

This in particular worries me:

Love between two men does not require any words. Merely actions.

Just as well. I imagine that the vocals of Germanic sexual ecstasy are... less than arousing.

Gratuliere!

And Gesundheit.

Best of luck, Athelwulf. If I were to pass on some parting words, I would not say: "Ich habe einen Schmeisser" ["I have a submachinegun"], which were in fact the illustrious and poorly-chosen words of my high school Council President to an elderly German couple (read: WWII survivors) at an international job conference held in Toronto (the fool), but rather I would tell you: "Schwein haben!" which, as all know, is Bavarische slang for "Please help yourself to porcine sex." Or something like that.

Best of luck and remember: don't mention the war. Right? Right. Off you go.

Best,

Athelwunf