Issue #1 DEC 2009 Scriptorium Britannicum

STUDENT JOURNAL ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

W e l c o m e !

IN THIS The English Department is proud to present If you enjoy our work and wish to contrib- I S S U E : the first issue of the Student Journal ute feel very welcome to join our team of 2009/2010. Created by students for stu- authors and editors. Come to our session on Fall of the Berlin Wall 2 dents. The main goal we want Monday mornings at 9:15 in to achieve is to provide you 2/SR100A. Besides the fun,

Shooting Star 3 with some current informa- being part of the journal tion and, of course, to enter- crew also helps you improve tain you. Furthermore, we your writing and editing Uncle Moon 3 want the reader to enjoy and skills and gain useful experi- participate in our passion for ence in journalistic work in The End of Summer 4 the English language. The general. So get yourself a Journal addresses fellow stu- new hobby - be a journalist! Failed Communication 4 dents, professors and every- Include yourself! one else who feels attracted to the vision of Until then, enjoy what we have created so From a Humanitarian to discovering a foreign language and widen- 5 far. Like Jack London said: “You can‘t wait a Fool ing their horizons. Being a small group of for inspiration. You have to go after it with writers this year, we tried our best to open a club!” Smilla‘s Sense of Snow 5/6 up doors to German history, the tradition of Christmas and Halloween, voluntary work We‘ll start right away… Variety 6 experience, reviews on a great book and a recent movie as well as creative pieces. Stay ENJOY! A Tropical Internship 7 up-to-date! Visit us online at:: Christin Gäbel http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/english/ Twilight - 8 A Phenomenon iaa/scriptoriumbritannicum

Ode To Boredom

Boredom, Far too often thou dost call Thou dost not offer me Sweetest boredom! me Time that is useful Art thou my inspiration? Thy being with me is So, fare thee well, Dost thou fill my heart with joy Dreadful though. Sweetest Boredom – Go! For the time thou offerst me? Thou enterst my house (But wait! amy lovely inspi- I beg your pardon, And overcomst my mind ration this poem is for thee.) Sweetest boredom O, empty my soul feels But thou art time too much. When filled with thee. Katja Gernoschke

P a g e 2 Scriptorium Britannicum

Fall of the Berlin Wall – The Story of a Family

ily and I had a decent life, nothing and fabric. She bought white mo- very special. My parents were hair, which turned out to itch like really young, both working hard crazy. My dad could not walk past for their money. They did not want all the electronic or hardware stores to join the Communist Party, without going in. Finally, he bought which proved to make life harder his first stereo system with his 100 for all of us. My grandfather DM. On the way home, the little worked in the national police and it green car was filled up to the roof meant the entire family was closely with tons of things, mainly food and watched by the Stasi. In 1989, my especially the things my parents had great-grandmother was already a seen on TV - yes we had an antenna pensioner and frequently visited under the roof. The food later turned her friends in West Berlin, which out to be really unnecessary and she also did on November 9 th . To- some things even tasted a little bit Old German Passport gether, they watched the traveling disgusting. GDR citizens from the West Berlin One of the first very vivid memo- side. When she finally wanted to Today, my entire family is happy ries of my early childhood is the travel home, she had to buy a first that the wall came down on Novem- th day when I got my first Barbie doll class ticket as all trains were over- ber 9 1989. Sure, there are prob- dress. I can still see myself pressing booked. lems such as unemployment in Ger- it to my chest like a treasure the many today, but there were always entire drive home in the loud, green On 9 th of November 1989, my issues during GDR times as well. car my father used to be so proud mother could not believe it when We are all happy about being able to of. I guess, every little girl can re- she listened to the TV stations stat- travel wherever we want and that we member moments like this in her ing that the Wall was open now. can enjoy all the goods, such as life. But for me this was a special She and my father believed it quality food, nice cars and easier moment. I had always thought that would close again soon. As my dad access to most things. I am thankful there would never be a day like was on sick leave from work, he for my freedom and the ability to this. managed to get a visa from the choose the way I want to take in life, national police and two days later where I want to live and which ca- At the Chemnitz University of went to Berlin with me, his four- reer I want to pursue. Every girl in Technology, about four-fifths of the year-old daughter. As my mother Germany should be able to get her people walking around campus will was not able to get a day off from first Barbie doll dress like I did. barely remember what they did on work, she was worried all day long th the 9 of November 1989 or how it that they would not let me and my Anja Sternicke affected their immediate lives. In dad back over the border. Luckily,

Germany, life is easy and it is free that never happened and I came today. People can travel every- back with my first Barbie doll where they want, nobody watches dress. you and the steps you take in life. It has not always been like that. One month later, my mother fi- Twenty years ago, in one night, the nally managed to get a day off and lives of millions changed. One can we gave it another try, but fate was only barely grasp the feelings the against her big dream. Just a cou- people must have had and how ple of kilometers before the West- they experienced the night of German border, our green Trabant change. My family of four genera- broke down. My mother was dev- tions has recaptured the events astated, but my dad was able to get around the 9 th of November 1989 it fixed and by lunch time, my and also commented on their lives mom was wandering through her since then. In GDR times, my fam- paradise – a store full of fine wool Barbie Doll Dress I s s u e # 1 P a g e 3

Shooting Star

Universe would mourn the loss , young to remember , anyway ." and eventually a tear would drop "I am ancient .", answered the tree . down his infinite cheeks ." "I saw the very beginnings of Earth . "How do you know all that ?" I felt the first Wind shaking my "How can you not know ?" bows . I turned my crown to the first Her algorithms were hard at rays of Sun . And I took root in work . No answer . virgin Soil . "Just as I am a part of Universe , And although I should know based Universe is a part of me . We share on pure experience and age , I our knowledge and secrets . When cannot answer your question ." this "How sad ."

world finally collapses , he will The little girl was about to shed a "Another one ! Another one !" pass on this knowledge to his tear . The little girl 's excitement could be children and children 's children ." Daniel Kober felt as if it were a basic part of the Nodding her head , she sank into atmosphere . deep thought . "What are they called ?" In a corner of her mind , humanity A bow of the old oaken tree panicked and passed on a single touched the girl 's back . She thought to her lips , which shivered slightly when the tree bent down to her manifested as a answering with a voice as cold as coherent sentence , which--in stone and as ancient and wise as return--the tree experienced as a Nature herself . wise question . "Tears of the Universe we used to call "May I answer with another them ." question ?" She couldn 't understand that , of The old oak did not wait for her . course ; but soon , her curiosity had approval overwhelmed her carefree behavior "Did God create man , or did man algorithms . create God ? "Whenever a world collapses or Did man construct machine , or suns burst into cosmic flames has machine usurped an brightening the dark vacuum for independent position ?" seconds and millenia , "I can 't remember . I guess , I'm too

Uncle Moon

The moon is my uncle The clouds are my sisters The birds are my music The stars are my sheep The raindrops my tears Singing lovely songs The sun is my mother The wind is my father The river’s my road In the sea I will sleep Fighting my fears To take me where I belong

The rocks are my brothers The flowers are the candles The earth is my cottage The sky forms my tent That light up my life The home of my heart The willow’s my hiding place The trees are my guards A walk cross the meadow With its branches bent To protect me at night Is where happiness starts

Katja Genschorek

P a g e 4 Scriptorium Britannicum

The End of Summer

Walking through crackling, bright celebrate this special time, Jesus of us gets a small Christmas card and coloured leaves I always know the being born, I remember my mother an apple from Barnardo’s custodians. end of summer is coming. Holding sitting down and telling me all Sometimes the people of Dublin do- the warm hand of my father I like about Christmas Eve. She is dead nate toys and something to eat which to breathe in every detail of my now. At the mo- we all share. It tires surroundings. The smell of dirt, the ment I’m sitting in me to see the town sound of oaks, the wind - this the kitchen of my children passing by - surely is another world! I imagine I current home, them and their in- talk to the smallest animals like Barnardo’s, read- genuous attitude. I’ll those ants passing by or the tiny, ing a book by my go to my room now little flies. I greet them, these other favourite author, and get some sleep. I families, of course in my mind. Edgar Allan Poe. hope to wake up Today we are going to the bonfire In between reading tomorrow to see for our annual celebration. I always - my mind con- those things my know it is Samhain on the 11 th full stantly drifting off - mother used to tell moon every year. I wonder what I think about what me about - the tree, our friends sacrifice to our gods this my mother told me the apples, but I’m time. My older brother teases me about Christmas. sure, this year again, about the dead that will come back When she was just there’ll be nothing to earth today and cause trouble, a girl my mother Halloween vs. Christmas else for me. but I know at night he’s the scardy and her family cat of us always. I already carved went into the You should have my turnip for tonight and made it woods to get a small tree to put in noticed these two stories are related even scarier than usual. We also the living room. Going to bed ex- to the traditions of Halloween and have the torch from the bonfire, citedly, the next morning Santa Christmas. The first one is repre- therefore, I hope those ghosts will had been there to bring them ap- sented by the view of a Celtic girl. be prevented from entering our ples, oranges or a few nuts. These, The second tradition is an observa- house and we’ll be safe from the my mother told me, were to sym- tion of an orphan boy who stays at dead tonight. bolize the gifts of the three kings, the famous orphanage Barnardo’s of who each had a present for the now Dublin, Ireland. This is the first of a *** born child Jesus who was lying in three-part story. Stay tuned and wait his crib surrounded by his parents, for the next one! Advancing along iced streets I hate Mary and Joseph, and the kings. I more than anything. It is the end of become aware of my body trem- Christin Gäbel the year - the last and darkest bling as I imagine this feeling of month. Especially now, when we home. On Christmas Day everyone

Failed Communication

Press "Start " to reboot . slackers . Fail . I can has cheezburger . Rebooting . Booting . Start-up . Close ! Calling admin . Craig 's list . Bash . Youtube . Hello ! Jingle . Desktop . He never works . Newgrounds . . Looked for boss in vicinity : Almost lunch time . Do a J. Myspace . Click . Myspace . Click . Solitaire . Time passes slowly ; work is fun . Stalking . Click . E-mail . E-mail . Lunch time . Food is very nice . Boss ! Faking work for one hour . Check again . Lunch time over . Bored . Work done two hours early . Got mail ! Feeling down again . Ebay . Google . Wikipedia . Doo yu want a biger pinis ? Poem written on cubicle wall . Am I hot ? Am not . Spam . New mail . Spam . Birthday Distraction : Should work out more . card . Happy Birthday to you ! Too much work . Not much time . Happy Birthday ... Roses are red Work done ! haiku-- Violets are blue Beers with admin later . amusing they are not . The loser in this Start . Shut-down . Power : off . Boss key . Boss scanning for cubicle is probably you Quitting time . Daniel Kober I s s u e # 1 P a g e 5

From a Humanitarian to a Fool

Whether it is because we have no sell voluntary work as a tourist idea what to do after our studies, package. For example, by encour- or because we feel like discovering aging the participation in a drum the world or because our goal in workshop or a safari as an accom- life is to save the world, volunteer- paniment to a volunteering applica- ing abroad is a good opportunity to tion in Ghana. Obviously, volun- learn and experience a new world. teering is also about exploring a Being a volunteer is, no doubt, a new world. Still, helping and being noble action since it is not only devoted to a good cause should be offering help for a good cause, but the main focus and this is the only also doing it without expecting any Why would living in Ethiopia, a aspect that should be promoted by material compensation. It is well country that western media likes to these associations. Volunteering known how the latter seems indis- depict with horrific pictures of hun- should not be taken as an alterna- pensable nowadays... ger and poverty, be three times tive to tourism, but as a way of Unfortunately, the border between more expensive?! This is not only bringing a bit of humanity to a a humanitarian and a fool is very playing on the good will of young world that is working around profit thin. And the border between a people to help, this is worse than and materialism. It should be a humanitarian and a tourist doing prostituting them: use them and let way to immerse oneself completely some voluntary work is even thin- them pay. Moreover, with such in the situation of the people that ner. Indeed, while some associa- amounts of money being collected are being helped to better under- tions ask for incomprehensibly high from voluntary workers alone, any stand issues that certain people are amounts of money, others sell vol- issue should already be solved. facing. untary work as tourist packages. Paying more than 500 euros a An example would be to pay 1845 month, which is a generous limit, is Doing voluntary work is noble and euros for one month in Ethiopia. It immoral. Immoral because giving commendable as long as the rea- is quite understandable that if a is priceless and because humanitar- sons for doing it are noble and volunteer is being hosted and of- ian associations are there for show- commendable. Do not be a fool; do fered three meals a day, a certain ing us that it is about people not not be a tourist seeking your own contribution has to be made. With about money. Of course, funds are pleasure. The most important as- only 500 euros in Chemnitz, a needed, but this is definitely not pect is to mean it. student has quite a fulfilled life: supposed to be the burden of volun- accommodation, food, some party- tary workers. Cynthia Kazi ing or even weekends in Berlin. As already mentioned, a trend is to

Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg

Every time I walk through the snow her home country and never finding One day the boy falls off a ware- I have to think about one certain home in Denmark, Smilla mistrusts house roof. According to the po- woman. This woman does not even every human and every emotion, lice, it was an accident. But when exist in reality, but lives in a great however, her greatest passion, the Smilla reads the footprints in the fictional novel by Peter Høeg. snow, remains and she begins snow on the roof, and knowing of Smilla is as tough, obstinate and studying all types of snow and their the boy's fear of heights, she real- impressing as her unique, beautiful characteristics. izes that it was not simply an acci- name indicates. The Danish author In the course of the novel, Smilla dent and begins to examine the true tells the story of a woman, who says: "I think more highly of snow facts behind his death. The tracks lives between two cultures. Her and ice than love. It's easier for me lead back to Greenland and myste- mother is an Inuit woman from to be interested in mathematics rious expeditions where several Greenland, her father a successful than to have affection for my fellow people left their lives. But what Danish doctor. She is obviously human beings." However, the happened? A crime? And how is torn between those two worlds, young woman has one friend, who this related to Isaiah's death? missing the vastness and freedom of is just as proud and unapproachable Smilla's final enquiries lead her on Greenland and her deceased as herself. Six-year old Isaiah, son board a ship to the coasts of mother and despising the wealth of of her alcoholic neighbor, whose Greenland, not knowing in what her father as well as his status and Inuit father died on an expedition, danger she puts herself, but where the fact that he made them leave is the only one Smilla enjoys spend- her home country. Estranged from ing time with. Turn over page please... P a g e 6 Scriptorium Britannicum she finally discovers the truth, who makes the journey through it published in more than thirty which reveals more mysterious absolutely worthwhile. countries, spent twenty-six weeks deaths than that of her friend Isaiah. In an interview with Wochenpost in on best-seller Peter Hoeg manages to create a 1994 the Danish author says, when list, and was made into a film by protagonist the reader asked about “Smilla's” Danish director Billie August in cannot take an instant huge success, that he 1997. liking to, who is thought he failed with sometimes even the novel and was not Additionally Peter Høeg wrote unlikeable, with her very contented with it and published the short story col- gruff and unadjusted at all. lection “Tales of the manner, who, how- Despite his opinion, the Night” (1990) as well as the nov- ever, becomes a true novel, published in els “Borderliners” (1993), “The heroine throughout Denmark as “Froken Woman and the Ape” (1996) and the story, a character Smillas fornemmelse his latest one “The Quiet one can understand, for sne” in 1992, and Girl” (2006), however, until today and fear and feel with. appearing in translation “Smilla” remains his most suc- The wintry atmos- as “Smilla's Sense of cessful one and maybe the next phere in the novel, Snow” in the United time you take a walk through the together with the well States and as “Miss snow you will also think about depicted characters Smilla's Feeling for Snow” in Eng- this unique woman. and the mystery of snow and ice land in 1993, quickly moved to the make "Smilla's Sense of Snow" an top of the bestseller lists in Europe Kathrin Wonner extraordinary novel, and it is her and the United States. It has been

V a r i e t y

15:30 It fits perfectly in my palm . This Something only books can Clock tick-tock . means I could hide the book in understand . I was sitting somewhere in a places where books are not 15:38 railroad station . allowed . Clock tick-tock . An announcement , thirty minutes Are there such places ? Sometimes I wonder . Books are ago , said the train I am waiting for 15:36 not too different from people . will be thirty minutes late . Clock tick-tock . They exhibit their This the voice narrated . I finish a story . covers . All the 15:32 Reading . I finish time . Clock tick-tock . reading a story . Inside , they tell I am waiting . Pondering . I argue One of many in stories . To know a with me . About how a late train-- this book , of which book , it has to be thirty minutes late--should the pages are read more than the color of a dark madden me , sadden me . I pretend once . They need a beige color . Makes to be mad when in fact I am not . helping hand to be me wonder how No one notices . born . A creator . old it is . Raising and Mind the gap , they say in Britain . 1986. Twenty-three nursing and I mind . I do . years . This book is feeding them . And 15:34 as old as I am . caring for them when they show . Still no one notices They might be Librarians had left stamps over the signs of old age . The only right . I do not like delays and try years . difference , I presume : books not to think about this thirty- 1999 cannot create people . People can minute 2000 create books about creating gap too much . 2000 people . 15:35 2004 15:40 Clock tick-tock . 2009-- my entry . Clock tick-tock . A book is in my hands . I read it . It For five years , this book was left The train arrives . is not a book per se . It does not . have the same format most books neglected Must be a sad and lonely Daniel Kober have . life . The life of books . I s s u e # 1 P a g e 7

A Tropical Internship

Internships enable students to have work with children from 1 to 11 depending on where you are . The a practical view of what their future years old but soon discovered that “real Lagos” , she says , is situated in field of work could be . What about her job was not well defined . Still , the center , called Lagos Island . She using this opportunity and make an she points out : “ I got my own was living in a middle class area , ? exciting experience out of it For office , had to look after children enabling her to experience some of example by traveling to Lagos , in and make sure they are happy . the authentic Lagos , which would Nigeria on the West African coast With the time I found my own field not have been possible if she were and discovering the fastest growing of work , I did some creative work . I living “in the high class area with city of the continent . found that children were more into all its fancy appartements” . Beside , Lina Reichel a Magister student of mathematics , writing and reading the impressing traffic jams and the English studies , psychology , and which I found a bit sad .” This crowded markets that the most sociology in her 9th semester , might sound strange for those who populous city of Africa is famous decided to take a journey to this are familiar with the Montessori for , Lina also mentioned quiet and city , inhabited by around 17 million School concept but Lina explains calm areas such as the beautiful people , in February 2009 and spent that the parents of the children “do beaches that Lagos has to offer . two months there working in a not find it very important that their When asked if there is anything Montessori School owned by children know how to lace their more she would like to add about Nigerians . shoes . her time spent in Nigeria ,

The idea of going to Nigeria for an They want them to know how to Lina mentioned the language . internship came via an email to the read by the age of ... hum ... four or Indeed she says that the way English Department mailing list . five .” Consequently , regular school English is spoken there is not as we Trainees were requested for the had to be included in the program know it and depicts Pidgin English school . Lina was immediately and the Montessori teaching as “cool and funny” . attracted by the proposition and methods were shifted to the All in all , Lina Reichel highly applied . Surprisingly , many people afternoon . Despite this , Lina recommends this opportunity , so , ran for the internship , but Lina was enjoyed the time spent in the before too much is revealed , maybe the successful one . Her work was school and says : “ All in all , I really you should take a walk on the not paid , but accommodation and liked to be able to do whatever tropical side and also experience a came to my mind and try out new food was provided . Lina lived at fulfilling internship in the amazing things with the children” . her employer’s house , the head Lagos . , master of the school and was very Not only did Lina enjoy her job but obviously she was evolving in a Cynthia Kazi happy about it : “ I found it really very different and exciting good to be in a Nigerian family and . to experience real Nigerian environment She describes Lagos life” . The English student had to as lively , chaotic and crowded , Page 8 Scriptorium Britannicum

Twilight – A Phenomenon

A movie theatre full of screaming practicing different extreme sports. Burke and Michael Sheen. While women aged from in their teens to In these moments she has visions of the movie hit the theatres with the way past midlife crisis can only be Edward reasoning with her about 3rd highest box office opening week- caused by a heartthrob with eyes her stupidity. These visions also end of all time in the United States the color of honey and pale white bring back the hurtful memories of according to Los Angeles Times , cri- skin that sparkles in the sunlight. losing him, which causes her to fall tiques question if the movie does Probable discussions with the per- into a deep depression. Only her the book any justice. They argue son sitting to your right could be friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) that the acting is without heart and about the new fashionable Volvo can brighten her otherwise dark and cannot in any way compare with the character will be driving or you sunless days. the first movie. At the same time, could ask the girl in front of you the fan hysteria takes on new where she got that fabulous Team heights and movie merchandise is Edward shirt. All is well in the available in a wide variety. People world of vampires. are now able to buy car stickers that state the driver is braking for vampires The Twilight Saga by Stephenie and buyers have the opportunity to Meyer has been on the bestselling purchase honey-colored contact lists all over the world and in 2008 lenses as well as sparkling lotion to has also found its way to the big transform themselves into the screen. Since then, it has caused a friendly vampire next door. Is this great hysteria and especially the still a normal movie sensation or three leading actors have been the can it be compared to madness? focus of media attention wherever The Twilight-phenomenon already they go. The second installment matches the Harry-Potter-Mania, opened nationwide in theatres on which started a couple of years ago. th November 26 and I had the oppor- Of course, one could question, if tunity to attend the pre-premiere this movie is worth all the scream- one week earlier. After having ing. From experience, it is highly fallen in love with a vampire in While she starts to develop feelings addictive and people - and with that Twilight – Bis(s) zum Morgengrauen , for Jacob, another of her dangerous I mean mostly girls - can easily be the leading character Bella Swan, stunts leaves Edward believing that drawn into the claws of this fantasy played by Kristen Stewart, now Bella is dead. New Moon is a roman- saga. Part two of the four-volume struggles with the loss of her soul tic drama that attracts mostly teen- series is just as dangerous as its mate Edward Cullen (Robert age girls and will be condemned as predecessor and the movie industry Pattinson) in the second installment cheesy by many guys. Still, it in- promises two more episodes that New Moon – Bis(s) zur Mittagsstunde . cludes well developed fighting are highly awaited, at least by the He decides life with him and his scenes between the vampires, as huge fan base that is growing by the family of vegetarian vampires is too well as beautiful landscapes and the hour. dangerous for her. Bella fights performances of talented and prom- against forgetting the memory of ising young actors alongside well- Anja Sternicke Edward by risking her life when known performers such as Billy English Department

As everything has to come to an end, we Scriptorium Britannicum must say goodbye at this point. Get pre- pared for the January issue. We‘ll work Contributors: hard again, but not for the money - we Anja Sternicke work for ourselves to gain wisdom, experi- Daniel Kober ence and, as always, to have some fun. May Christin Gäbel this become a “Neverending Story”! Cynthia Kazi Kathrin Wonner Katja Genschorek

“You can‘t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club!”

Santa Claus is Coming to the UT Chemnitz!

As a small pre-Christmas present The second issue will be available in January! The Department of English and American Studies gives you We are still searching for inter-

ested writers to contribute their the first issue of the articles to the journal. WS2009/2010 online

Student Journal See our website for details of Scriptorium Britannicum how to submit your creative on the webpage work by http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ 08.01.2010. phil/english/iaa/ scriptoriumbritannicum