Gizmos Blog

Marco goes US 2

Gizmo | 17.12.2010 0 0

As you may notice, I am highly ambitious because I know what I want to achieve. Recently, I have been working in two jobs similarly in order to put the half of the “Bafög” aside as I do not want to be in debt when I finish my studies. Still, that does not necessarily mean, that I am not socially interactive. On the contrary, I made a lot of friends during the last year and I still find time for everyone who needs help or support. I have an open-minded and courteous appearance, which makes it easy for me to get along with complicated characters and become integrated into new social groups. This is why I see no problems for a year abroad, no matter how far away it may be.

The questions arises why it is, of all things, the United States of America where I want to go for this adventure.
I first came to the conclusion that the USA should be my destination for such a journey when I spent my first holiday there. It was in 2003 that we went to Orlando for a week and even though this might be one of the most sunny places, it was also the culture and the way of life that struck me initially. Coming back for a trip over Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, I have seen totally new areas and I think I have already sensed some behavioral differences between the regions. But in both cases there was this general feeling that I was overcome with when my feet first touched the American ground. As I started to gaze around I realized the greatness of everything that encircled me without having the slightest idea of what it was that impressed me so much in this moment. Retrospectively, I guess it was a mixture of noisiness, high buildings, multi-laned roads and the cultural diversity, which was definitely something that I had never experienced before. Additionally, the English language, my favorite one and the most widespread in the world, encountered me from all sides. This might have been more influential for my impression than I had thought.
Besides, I started to develop a deep interest in American Sports and its popularity, which has not reached Europe yet. In fact, it is obviously the other way around with soccer in the USA. Thus, I made it my topic for the next years to endeavor this cultural phenomenon and the role of sports for the “Average Joe” in general. It is this issue that I honestly consider to become the subject matter of my degree dissertation.

To be continued...

Marco goes US 3

Gizmo | 17.12.2010 1 0

Now that I have revealed my reasons for the choice of the United States of America, I want to exhibit my personal ranking for the several universities:

1)Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City
2)University of Utah, Salt Lake City
3)University of Wyoming, Laramie
4)University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
5)University of Guelph

My ranking originates from the following aspects:
At the beginning, my first choice was the University of Georgia, Athens due to its size and location. A friend of mine spent two years studying in Cincinnati, KY and experienced fellow students from Georgia and South-Eastern states as respectful and open-minded. Furthermore, the distance to a bigger city like Atlanta can be overcome easily, which may not apply to all of the universities given. Consequently, I have to admit that the density of population plays an important role for me. Of course Nebraska is also culturally attractive and has various esthetic seductions. Nevertheless, this is not what I am looking for in this case. I do not want to make holiday but gain new experiences and get in contact with as many people as possible. I want to broaden my horizon and I have the feeling that places like Salt Lake City or Johnson City could provide more cultural diversity than others.
It goes without saying that I had a look at the reports of those students who have been there and the websites of each university, which suggest that my choice should be a good one. As a result, I know that the whole year, and of course the preparation for it, involve engagement, patience and the definite will to be successful. I am also aware of the problems that can occur and the mass of things I have to think about before I go. That is to say, I am not blind-folded by the rising sun of the American dream, but I am always optimistic which helps me to overcome the difficulties and problems I will have to face.
Maybe this attitude is the virtual substance of a dream that lies in all of us and that gives us the strength for our pursuit of happiness and self-fulfillment. Yet we never know what tomorrow may bring along...

Waiting for the end

Gizmo | 22.11.2010 2 0

"Waiting for the end"

This is not the end
This is not the beginning,
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
But you listen to the tone
And the violent rhythm
Though the words sound steady
Something empty's within 'em

We say Yeah!
With fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding on to something
That's invisible there,
'Cause we're living at the mercy of
The pain and the fear
Until we dead it, Forget it,
Let it all disappear.

Waiting for the end to come
Wishing I had strength to stand
This is not what I had planned
It's out of my control....

Flying at the speed of light
Thoughts were spinning in my head
So many things were left unsaid
It's hard to let you go...

(Oh!) I know what it takes to move on,
I know how it feels to lie,
All I wanna do
Is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got

Sitting in an empty room
Trying to forget the past
This was never meant to last,
I wish it wasn't so...

(Oh!) I know what it takes to move on,
I know how it feels to lie,
All I wanna do
Is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got

What was left when that fire was gone?
I thought it felt right but that right was wrong
All caught up in the eye of the storm
And trying to figure out what it's like moving on
And I don't even know what kind of things I've said
My mouth kept moving and my mind went dead
So, picking up the pieces, now where to begin?
The hardest part of ending Is starting again!

All I wanna do
Is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got...

This is not the end
This is not the beginning,
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
But you listen to the tone
And the violet rhythm
Though the words sound steady
Something empty's within 'em
(Holding on to what i haven't got)

We say Yeah!
With fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding onto something
That's invisible there,
'Cause we're living at the mercy of
The pain and the fear
Until we dead it, Forget it,
Let it all disappear
(Holding on to what I haven't got!)

Marco goes US

Gizmo | 22.11.2010 3 0

Reasons for my decision to apply for a scholarship

As long as I remember, I have always been interested in foreign culture and especially languages. At the age of four years my mother sent me to a weekly English class where I made my first contact with words like “banana” or “potato”. Later on, when the regular lessons appeared on the schedule, my dream of becoming an interpreter began to flourish. I never wanted to be a fireman or an astronaut but somebody who enables communication between different peoples.
At the time when I attended the secondary grammar school, I started to focus on writing as something that I aimed to bring to perfection for myself. My career aspiration shifted from translating to informing people about whatever is worth to be informed about. Therefore, I did not only took part in a school magazine and in events that promote adolescent journalists. I also decided for an internship in a local newspaper, where I represented the substitution of a full-fledged member for a whole week.
However, things change quickly at that age and when I had to choose the subjects for my studies, the idea of another profession immediately touched the surface of my mind. I remembered a journey to our Department of State in Berlin that suddenly seemed to be the perfect solution for my desire to combine social skills as well as linguistic and cultural understanding. Having considered the opportunity of applying for a career as army officer, I now regained clarity of what I really want to achieve in life.
Basically, there was never a second that I regretted my decision until today. In the first week of studies I realized that this is what I want to make use of in order to contribute at least a little to a better life on Earth. Of course I was overwhelmed by questions of what I intend to do after my Bachelor's degree in order to earn some money with what I have learned. Often people cannot imagine what certain occupational groups are dealing with, but as long as I know what I want to achieve, I pointed out for me, this should not display an obstacle.
Having accomplished the Bachelor of Arts, I aim to continue with the Master's degree where directions like “British and American Transcultural Studies” or simply “American Studies” are among my favorite ones. On the one hand, it is mainly “Linguistics” and “Literature” that I prefer but, on the other hand, I am still not sure whether this would also be a good choice for my deepening studies.
Nevertheless, the final stage shall be a career in the higher service of the Department of State where I would have to pass a thirteen-month apprenticeship. During this time, profound knowledge about economy, politics and law will be conveyed in order to guarantee the generalist principle, according to which everyone can be put into all of the three branches in every German embassy around the world. To attain this goal, tough decisions have to be made in terms of having a family or other personal developments that cannot be easily foreseen. Despite that, I know that I have to make one step after another and I am already starting right now. My next one shall be not here in Germany but some thousand miles away across the Atlantic Ocean.
At the moment, I have subscribed the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”, as I want to ameliorate my understanding of political, economical and social issues regarding to current events. Moreover, I am learning Spanish which I once had for half a year at school. This will be my third foreign language after English and French, and another one is already part of my future plans. Since my parents considered to emigrate, they began to learn Norwegian, which is the one I want to be able to (at least) communicate with by the time I attain my Bachelor's degree.

To be continued...

Haven't met You yet

Gizmo | 04.02.2010 1 0

"Haven't met You yet"

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
I've Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stop Keeping Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
And Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Loose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Know Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Mmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It Right
And We'll Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Mmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get Than I Get

Oh You Know It'll All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

-Michael Bublé-

The Secret

Gizmo | 31.12.2009 1 0

Extracts from a book that contains more wisdom than you might believe...

"That a man can change himself...and master his own destiny is the conclusion of every mind who is wide-awake to the power of right thought."
-Christian D. Larsson-



"Even if you're having a really hard time in a relationship - things aren't working, you're not getting along, someone's in your face - you still can turn that relationship around. Take a piece of paper, and for the next thirty days sit down and write all the things that you appreciate about that person. Think about all the reasons that you love them. You appreciate their sense of humor, you appreciate how supportive they are. And what you'll find is that when you focus on appreciating and acknowleding their strengths, that's what you'll get more of, and the problems will fade away."
-Marci Shimoff-



"Oftentimes you give others the opportunity to create your happiness, and many times they fail to create it the way you want it. Why? Because only one person can be in charge of your joy, of your bliss, and that's you. So even your parent, your child, your spouse - they do not have the control to create your happiness. They simply have the opportunity to share in your happiness. Your joy lies within you."
-Lisa Nichols-



"Nothing can prevent your picture from coming into concrete form except the same power which gave it birth - yourself."
-Genevieve Behrend-

Have you ever

Gizmo | 01.08.2009 5 0

Have you ever had the feeling
that everything you do
leads to nothing but without a doubt
somehow it makes sense to you
Have you ever had the feeling
that something can't be wrong
but you can't reach the one you love
that's the meaning of this song

Have you ever had the feeling
that something seems so right
that you fought for it the whole day long
and dream of it at night
and everyone is listening
except the one you're looking for
another try flows down the line
and you end up ignored


Tell me what's your story
Tell me what's on your mind
we have come so far this way
you're far away this time
I wanna get to know you
I used to long before
so trust in me I'm there for you
I won't leave you anymore


Have you ever had the feeling
you met the perfect girl
the way she smiles, she looks at you
the most beautiful in the world
Have you ever had the feeling
she still feels like you do
but she's got something on her mind
she's afraid of telling you
Have you ever had the feeling
that everyting's so clear
and suddenly she turns away from you
and you try to take her fear
but this is not that easy
as she's much too far away
if she could only spend a minute with you
you'd convince when you say


"Tell me what's your story
Tell me what's on your mind
we have come so far this way
you're far away this time
I wanna get to know you
I used to long before
so trust in me I'm there for you
I won't leave you anymore


Tell me what you're thinking
Tell me are you afraid
there's nothing we can't leave behind
together we go this way
you must be so lonely
share your sorrows with me
I promise you'll feel better
I'll make you happy you will see"


Have you ever lost the feeling
everything's gonna be okay
remember this song I wrote for you
it will guide you all the way

Check out these songs...

Gizmo | 30.07.2009 4 0

Just a few of these songs that would have been incredibly beautiful if you hadn't heard them in times of sadness and despair. Just a few of these songs that will always follow you through good and bad times, that guide you through life.


"Swallowed In The Sea" by Coldplay

You cut me down a tree
And brought it back to me
And that's what made me see
Where I was going wrong
You put me on a shelf
And kept me for yourself
I can only blame myself
You can only blame me

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
Or swallowed in the sea

You put me on a line
And hung me out to dry
And darling that's when I
Decided to go to see you

You cut me down to size
And opened up my eyes
Made me realize
What I could not see

And I could write a book
The one they'll say that shook
The world, and then it took
It took it back from me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
And you'll come back to me
Not swallowed in the sea

Ooh...

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

The streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

Oh what good is it to live
With nothing left to give
Forget but not forgive
Not loving all you see

Oh the streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well that's where I belong
And you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea

You belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea
Yeah, you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea



"A Message" by Coldplay

My song is love
Love to the loveless shown
And it goes up
You don't have to be alone
Your heavy heart
Is made of stone
And it's so hard to see you clearly
You don't have to be on your own
You don't have to be on your own

And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
You're the target that I'm aiming at
Got to get that message home

My song is love
My song is love, unknown
But I'm on fire for you, clearly
You don't have to be alone
You don't have to be on your own

And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
You're the target that I'm aiming at
And I'm nothing on my own
Got to get that message home

And I'm not gonna stand and wait
Not gonna leave it until it's much too late
On a platform I'm gonna stand and say
That I'm nothing on my own
And I love you, please come home

My song is love, is love unknown
And I've got to get that message home



"Angel" by Jack Johnson

I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home

She could make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying

But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile can change all of mine
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Umm umm umm uhhhhhhmm

Losing Track

Gizmo | 28.05.2008 16 5

Refrain:

I will fight for you
I will cry for you
I would die for you
no matter where you go
without you I'm feelin left all alone

We all were meant to go
even though I love you so much
Just waiting for the day
no matter what you say
you can't take away the pain I feel


Part 1:

I can't tell you when it started/I was lost in thoughts
I felt my train has departed and my mind was caught
Never realized what I had when I left that day
Now I realize that I'm sad as everything fades away
And all I say/It doesn't mean a thing to you
I betray myself knowing that my smiling's not true
There is nothing in the world that can save us from dying
There is no one else but you that can stop me from crying
There is not a day I reach you but I'm constantly trying
to let you know that I love you, to make you feel I'm not lying
And I'm sick of this pain running through my veins right now
when I count down the time until this train breaks down
Sometimes you gotta fight for those you need everyday
even though they say to reach them they are too far away

Refrain

Part 2:

I remember you once talking 'bout the moon and the stars
cos they always seem to stay no matter where you are
As I'm looking outta my window I can't see them right now
And I'm wondering if you still think of me somehow
This evening is cold and it's a dark rainy night
I can't find a way to fight the chill I'm feelin inside
cos by the time the sun rises light embraces the ground
you will recognize the horizon and the brightness around
But the crisis didn't end/no solution I found
Once more the sun sets and the night is around
And I know that I'm the one to look forward again
but I still don't know how to stop the train that she ran
This nothingness surrounding me leaves me missing in action
while everyday that passes leaves me blown into fractions
I don't quite know what to do to get her back
As she disappears in the distance I am losing my track
But whenever I ask myself why I behave like I do
I remember the day I received a picture of you
All the paintings of our future take shape in my mind
and I promise to keep them lively in the best frame I find
I hope that one day we'll take a look at it and see
that everything has went the way we want it to be

Refrain

Ende

Die stärksten Texte sind die, die so unglaublich persönlich sind. Es gibt oft Lieder, bei denen man denkt, sie seien auf sich und einen anderen Menschen zugeschnitten; besonders, wenn man jemanden einfach nicht loslassen kann und will. Aber wenn man selbst etwas schreibt, ist es als wenn jedes einzelne Wort greifbar ist. Ich glaube, dass sie sofort wüsste, auf wen sich das Lied bezieht, wenn sie es lesen würde.

FINALE!!!

Gizmo | 05.04.2008 19 9

Heute war es soweit! Am 5. April gegen dreiviertel 12 mitteleuropäischer Zeit ging ein Traum für mich in Erfüllung. 4:2 lautete das Endergebnis im Pokalhalbfinale gegen Steinhagen! Ich bin einfach nur überglücklich und dankbar, das mit diesem tollen Team erleben zu dürfen. Am 15. Juni treffen wir dann voraussichtlich in Ribnitz auf Kandelin, die gegen den PSV 2:0 gewannen. Und es werden eine Menge Menschen da sein, die mir wichtig sind, hoffe ich. Mein letztes Spiel bei den Junioren und dann das Finale! Danke Jungs, dass ihr das möglich gemacht habt!
Hoffentlich wird unser 50-jähriges Vereinsjubiläum vom Vortag verschoben...oder das Spiel selbst, denn wie Maxe sagt: "Das ist der schlechteste Termin des Jahrhunderts."
EIN Traum ist für mich wahr geworden. Der Sieg vor meinen ganzen Freunden mit meinen Jungs wäre ein noch größerer. Mögen die Spiele beginnen...