Markus efter Sverige

On Sunday morning my fridge made me clear, that I would have to make some grocery shopping, if I wanted to choose what to eat. But in Germany, shops are closed on Sundays. Therefore and in order to break my July routine, I used the wonderful weather to make a small bike tour to the Netherlands. But once I reached Vaals I liked cycling so much that I decided to make first a tour and then go shopping on my way back. I stayed in the Netherlands near the Belgium border, first cycling a signed fietspad. But the signs were all along the streets, so I skipped the path after a while and followed some numbered pathes. The Dutch cycle path system is quite smart. In Germany every path has an own number from its beginning to its end. If you cycle track 14 you know where it starts and where it ends after for example 30 km. In the Netherlands the cycle paths themselves are not assigned to numbers, but their crosspoints. The signs on the track only show you which next crosspoints you can reach in wh

In the end I want to publish something that might be of special interest for those who spend the EILC 2006 with me in Härnösand . Midsweden University officially has an EILC 2008 this year!! EILC stands for Erasmus Intensive Language Course. In 2007 Miun skipped it. The old EILC 2006 page is deleted and new site of this year's course is http://www.miun.se/eilc/ . Looks quite similar to our starting page two years ago. Only Björn is now Johanna (check personal staff). And they could have at least published new pictures from Hans and Ella. The new course is going to start in 2 weeks. If I imagine I would have stayed in Sundsvall as first planned, I would welcome the EILC students on their Campus trip... funny. I had no idea when was at their place . But since I only linked my pictures at that time to Hans EILC page, I have to repair my articles from August 2006 now, because all pictures are lost, of course. Luckily I saved at least those from the blog somewhere. But does anyboday h

July, which is usually known for holiday weather, is almost over. Luckily, I'd almost say. July was the first month since two years I had only duties. Although, if everybody else is on holidays, working is somehow more relaxed, too, because you hardly get new tasks. So I worked quite well on my thesis. I bought a book called "Ontology Matching" which seems to be the only book of its kind. And I really think it is, because already in the first chapters are some obviouse misspells in formulas. However, it is a treasure for theory part and defining my methology. My self set task for the weekend is schematic sketch of my work. I even started to program, therefore my master thesis is even more practical than my earlier diploma thesis, - although it should have been the other way around. Well, as long as it is fun, I don't care. And indeed it is a little bit fun. I also worked further on the project I meant to work at, of course. My program was running so far, but without

Finally a week with Swedish rhythm, although it were more obligations in between. Since Georg enjoys his trip through Ireland, I have to take the morning shifts for translation for complete July. Afterwards I always head to Atos for work. Mostly this week I had problems staying awake, because my supervisor is on holidays, so the only work I have to do is my own. And because I am still only in the theory part of my thesis, my own work is almost only reading. And that makes so tired. Especially after lunch (German lunch; dinner for rest of the world) what I had to take a few times this week at work. Back home I got sometimes surprising visitors, because my landlord does not tell me that possible new flatmates are coming to watch the flat. I only realize they are coming when they already stand in my kitchen. I am not even asked to open the door. The landlord has the keys anyway. Once they woke me up from my power nap and another time they came just in time before I wanted to go to shower.

Although my holiday is over since a week, I am still in deep holiday mood. Most likely it is just the summer mood, thanks to the beautiful weather we have. Nice warm temperatures without too much heat. That makes it easier to have special weekends. I went home to Mechernich, where I have lived for my last 10 years before having started my studies in Aachen. A neighbor of hours gave a good bye party, I needed two big laundry machines after my holidays, my brother had birthday and the currants were seasoned. Therefore more than enough reasons to get out of the city going back to the country side. Friday evening I went to the good bye meeting with my parents to the neighbor. I finally met some people again I have not talked to since before my abroad in Sweden. A cosy and nice evening which reminded me a little bit of last Saturday in Friesland. And no matter in which conversation I joined, it was immediately about traveling. That is already an aspect that occurs the whole week. On Friday

Sunday 29th - 30th of June I could not really sleep during the few hours we were meant to rest. My stomach was sick and I could only rest for two hours. The morning we spent with cleaning and breakfast in a big group outside. Really cosy. All in all I had a great time in Friesland. It was a little bit like "Ferien auf dem Bauernhof" (holidays on a farm) with dogs, horses, rabbits and cats. And I really met a lot of people. The house was always full and in action. Very lively. We needed two attempts to go back with Ward by car to Den Haag, because we forgot the keys for the flat in Den Haag. The evening we spent with a dinner with Ward and Dagmar and then watching fhe final soccer match alone. Monday morning it was time to say good bye for the next 8 months, because Maritha is going to make her internship in middle america. Therefore, I guess my next Netherlands trips will mostly be limited to the closer surroundings of Aken. Everything that I can reach by bike. My trip back t