This past week I didn't work in the International Office, but instead Research Development. Because the university won a huge competition and grant two years ago, it has to continue to be at the top, especially because they want to win again in three years. To prove themselves, they need their researchers to publish more and win more awards on an individual basis. The department helps them find out about prizes and grants, how to right proposals, etc. What I did was go through various sources of information and created a data base/Excel spreadsheet of all the opportunities for 20,000EUR or more. There were almost two hundred. I then divided them up according to faculty/dept, since the university has 9 main ones. This sheet had not only the name of the prize but lots of other information. In the end, the spreadsheet looked kind of daunting, if you didn't know what you were working with.
I continue to be hit on by weird men who speak French. I swear I don't have anything written on my forehead. Last Monday, I was waiting to see if some friends would show up somewhere, and this black man (no idea how old, because you can never tell with them) starts trying to talk to me, not giving up with my one word answers and the fact that I'm not looking at him. He somehow managed to find out I speak French, which was the only benefit, because that meant I got to practice. I eventually decided to split, since he was annoying and the peeps weren't coming. He insisted he just wanted my friendship :/, and then gave me his name and number. I don't know why though. I mean if they guy doesn't get the girl's (which no man is ever going to get from me), does he really think the girl is going to call? I still have the paper, since I'm thinking I should save all the ones I get and put them in my scrapbook. :P This story wouldn't be worth mentioning, if the next day didn't occur. Tuesday evening I was on a (somewhat) completely different side of town, unfortunately like right next to where I live, and I ran into him again!! He wasted no time in chatting and trying to give me a hug, ugh.. Luckily I was on my way somewhere and didn't have to suffer, and I haven't seen him since. But talk about a weird feeling....
Last Tuesday and Wednesday I went out with my buddy's sister, Corina, and some of her friends. I really clicked with them (all guys) and they're all, including Corina, a lot of fun. I somehow managed to stay out till 2am both nights, and the best part is that, I'll probably be able to get together with them again, even though Corina is now in Costa for a month with TravelWorks.
I mentioned before that I want to make sure to talk to my boss about how I'm doing here and if she's happy. Although it isn't time to do that yet and I still plan on asking her, she and I had a conversation last week that I think answers the question. I really like it here and I could imagine coming back. I was telling her I was thinking about my possibilities for next summer (yes, already...) She actually said that it would be great to have me come back but take on more responsibility, so that she could maybe actually go on vacation or something. This is still very rough, but it's awesome that the idea is out there. I have to see how classes go and I'd want to be compensated more than I already am.
This past weekend I went back to Fuerstenzell/Passau to visit my host family and go to the equivalent of prom. I'm going to write this all in a separate entry, otherwise it'll be too long.
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