Mercator Blog

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Jenny)

I love this time, even though it is stressful and at times frustrating, because my undergraduate friends are done and partying, while we, the grads, are still struggling with our papers (master thesis for this case, but lets not get there… don’t ask me… just don’t).
What’s so special about this time, except from the amount of parties, festivals and small spontaneous get-togethers? Well, the day is drawing nearer and nearer, the day then we will leave the campus: some - for summer, some – for good. I don’t know how about you, guys, but for me, as the time of farewell draws nearer, my senses kind of sharpen and my thoughts and filings crystallize. I dislike “ranking” friends into “best friends”, “good friends”, “just friends” or whatever. Yet I cannot help but notice that I think a lot about my IUB friends during those last days (and it was the same last year). With some people we had great fun together, yet there are others, from whom I learned a lot. Some people I just “discovered” as very dear friends after knowing them for quite a while already. And I know for sure that I will miss some people dearly over summer and will be looking forward to see them again. As for the graduating class – I do believe I will see you, somewhere, somehow. Stay in touch, won’t you?
I know - it’s silly that you start appreciating what you have, right before you loose it. But it’s better late than never. Last days of the year make me think about the treasure I have here: my friends. You rock! You make my day here – every single day - and that is not an exaggeration. You can make me laugh through tears. I will miss you. See you back at IUB. Yes, even the graduating ones, because “IUB” is not only a physical place. It’s also a world where we will be returning every now and then.

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Jenny)

Don’t ask me how was the musical. I was too much involved therefore I loved it. For me it was just great. Everybody did his or her best – that’s the way to do it and it’s amazing! Of course it was far from perfect, but so what? It was a musical staged by students and it rocked!
Another reason why I can’t say how it was is that I never saw it from the audience perspective. I was always standing at the curtain. That gives you an interesting angle and a weird sound.
At the first performance everybody was very nervous (me included). The goddamn curtain mechanism was broken and repaired already twice during previous rehearsals and we could only pray that it holds this time. The fact that in last part of the show I knew only theoretically when I’m supposed to close and open the curtain (coz it never survived the whole rehearsal) was far from encouraging. Besides, there were so many other things to worry about. But there was Ravi, standing right next to me, and Anna, and Karol, and Raluca, and everybody else was there to help. As soon as the curtain was closed the “backstage team” would break into a run. Being fast and quiet simultaneously is kind of difficult, especially if you have to turn the Central Park into a party in a house. Yes, we were far from perfect, but it worked. And then there was a standing ovation, and the second show and “Let the Sunshine In” with everybody on the stage, and the party (if you ever get a chance to dance rock-n-roll barefoot – do it!) and endless conversations at meals in the canteen going over small details and laughing about bumps and mistakes. And something else, that is difficult to put into words. Something that still lingers in the air. Something that makes me smile every time someone “from the Hair” passes by. Now we all have something to share, something that unites us. We had a good team and we had a good time. I am happy and proud that I was part of the “Hair” project, even though only a small part. Thank you, guys and girls, you’re the best!

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Jenny)

Get on MSN! Most of IUB students use it. Once you get it and you have some of your best friends on the list you’ll know why it is so important. It’s the main means of communication and, actually, much more. It might turn to be an important way of knowing what’s happening with your friends. As for friends – see survival tip one ;). So, get on MSN and pay attention to the nicks.

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Jenny)

The question of how do I survive here when all come to worse can be answered with one word only – friends. There are lots of friends for fun: for parties, for nice chats in the canteen, for sharing club activities, for shopping trips downtown. It’s enough to just look around – there are so many smiling faces. People here are really great and interesting to talk to. You make lots of friends. But… This is not the whole story. There is also another type of friendship. A friend who is there for you in your darkest hour, who notices that you’re in pain – no matter how hard you try to hide it. If there is at least one such person around – you have a treasure.

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Kheli)

Hello Mercatorians...welcome to my pad where i will entertain you with all my interesting experiences in our college...Keep your eyes out for this.. make sure when you enter you are sitting back relaxed because its gonna be a bumpy ride....

Khelz

Imported from the old Mercator Blog (Original Author: Jenny)

Hi, I am Jenny from Armenia - a second year master student at IUB. It's going to be a crazy spring but I'll do my best to update this weblog every now and then. Hopefully this will become an interesting way of sharing our experience with college and university life. I might also ocasionally post something about Bremen and other places in Germany. But this ain't my diary, so - no personal ups and down.
To be continued...