I woke up just a little bit ago and looked out my window. What did I see? More gray.

Gray. Gray. Gray.

The sun hasn’t made more than a glimpse of itself in what seems like an eternity and the temperature hasn’t risen either. I really think I did bring Iowa’s ‘lovely’ weather with me. As if finding the motivation to get into the schedule of things and to start the work week isn’t hard enough on Mondays.

Mondays have always been the days where I’m not overly enthusiastic or energetic. This even more true now, after experiencing the lazy Sundays here in Germany. Focused around attending church and spending time with the family, Sundays here mean absolutely nothing to do and being lazy in its purest form. It’s truly a very strange phenomenon to me.

I thought Sundays in Cedar Rapids were unexciting, but now I am enlightened. There’s no quick trips to Target to just look around here. Forget an ingredient to bake some cookies? That’s too bad. Nothing is open for business—no clothing stores, no grocery stores, no movie theaters, etc., and the public transportation is intermittent on the good ol’ day of rest.

What do you think? Is this how things should be in the USA, too? Do we live our lives too fast?

At this point I’m really not sure. All I know is that it’s even more difficult for me to start out on Mondays because all I did was sit around on my butt on Sunday. Back at home I live a lifestyle of go-go-go, and while it is nice to be away from work and have the option of laying around  once a week, I think at some point the boredom will start to drive me crazy. I kind of miss the chaos.

Of course, I say this before my week of intensive German courses and cultural exploration (including a trip to Cologne, Germany) has begun. When next Sunday rolls there’s a distinct possibility that I may have had a change of heart.

Is pretty much the same as my life would be in Iowa City right now. Cold weather and stress relating to school is building more and more each day. I woke up feeling a little ‘blah’ this morning to say the least…

Looking out my windows I could see the sun shining and a beautiful blue cloudless sky. Any other morning I would have taken a second to enjoy the view, but earlier the novelty of being in Germany had nearly completely worn off.  I couldn’t have cared less.

I kind of predicated that my morning would begin the way it did just a few nights ago, after I wrote out my schedule for the next three weeks. With my days now consisting of 3.5 hours of German instruction plus other various required ‘cultural’ activities, I’m no longer on vacation. My days are planned out and I’m back to the daily grind.

Well, almost.

I’m back to the daily grind  in a place  that  virtually seems the same as home right now, but is actually 5,000 miles away. On any other day besides today it wouldn’t have given me a negative attitude, but today was different.

It was my birthday.

The big 2-1, the most celebrated time among most college students in the United States, means absolutely nothing for those who live around here. As a non-drinker I really haven’t cared about the whole ‘rite of passage’ aspect of turning 21. I’m wasn’t bummed because I couldn’t stumble around Iowa City with my friends tonight. I don’t/have never want any of that.

It’s was just the fact that I didn’t have the option of seeing my friends or family today. Obviously that’s something I’ve never had to experience, and it felt like I got smacked in the face.

I’ve known that today there would be no birthday cards, cake or gifts, but none of that mattered anyway. It’s the fact that I’m virtually completely alone on a day that is usually spent with friends and family, and it bothered me more than I thought it would. Luckily my “Dortmund-doubles” Doro and Vera helped to brighten up the day by taking me to a local ice cream/pasta/anything delicious parlor downtown to eat some crepes and talk.

I was extremely surprised to receive gifts (a nice book on the Ruhr Region and a fiction novel) as well as chocolate from them. Doro also picked out a nice bottle of wine that we can share when we ‘celebrate my ability to purchase alcohol in the United States’ on Friday, when we have time to spend some more time together (I had class duties tonight).

Today didn’t start the way it probably should have, but it sure ended nicely. I’m sure there will be more days where I wake up and want to snap the curtains closed and magically wake up back home, but for now I feel darn lucky that I’m not in Iowa City tonight.

Afterall, unlike most at the UI, I’ll remember my birthday and I’ll have a story to tell that doesn’t involve falling down the stairs at Jake’s, visiting the ER, or eating an ungodly amount of Panchero’s at 3 a.m.  I spent my 21st in Europe, with new (and hopefully lifelong) friends  in front of the beautiful Reinoldikirche, and I wouldn’t change a thing about today.

When I heard that the Dortmund stadium sat 80,000 die-hard fans I immediately thought of Hawkeyes football. I thought I would walk in and hear cheers for the team and hear predictions for the day’s match up. I thought wrong.

Think Iowa City is crazy on game day? Think again. Soccer here is nothing comparable to Iowa Hawkeyes Football. Borussia Dortmund makes a trip to Kinnick Stadium look like going to the ballet.

Drunken cheering in the subway station? Check. Police in riot gear? Check. Seven-year-old kids drinking beer out of mini-steins? Check.

This is soccer in Germany.

Fighting through the overly crowded subway platforms all I could see what black and gold. The stench of beer was everywhere and as trains passed carrying fans out to the stadium you could hear songs and the beating against windows. After finally being able to squeeze into one of the subway cars we made our way out to the stadium. Loud, extremely hot and crowded the ride there was nothing short of anxiety producing. I’ll admit, once we exited the train I had to take a breather for a few minutes just to process the experience I was having.

Outside the stadium gates things were very much the same. Loud chanting, drunken fans, public urination (which evidently isn’t a crime here because the police just watched) and young children walking with beer was a pretty common sight. Alex, my guide, told me that this behavior isn’t “typical Germany” but it is “soccer in Germany.” Either way it was an atmosphere that you really can’t describe or fully understand  until you experience it.

After searching for tickets from scalpers we were able to secure standing room in the famous Südtribüne of Borussia-Dortmund , an  area reserved for the rowdy die-hard fans who would never be caught sitting down in a seat.

Though I don’t particularly enjoy soccer and the game was pretty one-sided as Dortmund went on to defeat Borussia-Moenchengladbach 3-0, the experience of the atmosphere at the stadium on game-day is something that I’ll never forget. In fact, I’m pretty sure  I’ll be running on the remaining adrenaline for the next few days.

Erica’s Dortmund-Soccer verdict: Complete insanity.

Staker, Ferentz finalists for award

Coe College football coach Steve Staker (Division III) and Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz (FBS) are finalists for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Awards.

Winners get $50,000 to donate to charity and a $20,000 grant for the school’s alumni association for scholarships and activities.

Vote through Dec. 29 at www.CoachoftheYear.com

Fan votes constitute 20 percent of a coach’s final score with a panel of media and former players coaches making up the rest. Winners will be announced Jan. 6.

Winners will receive $20,000 to their school’s alumni association and $50,000 to the his charity of his choice.

University of Iowa Homecoming
Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10

It’s that time of year – and no one celebrates Homecoming quite like the Hawkeyes. The team will be taking on Michigan at Kinnick Stadium with kickoff at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Whether you have tickets to the game or you just plan on tailgating, it’s safe to expect a big black and gold crowd just about anywhere in the Corridor Saturday. For those making a weekend of it, be sure to check out New Orleans’ own Hot 8 Brass Band – they’ll be on hand Friday evening for the Homecoming parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Iowa City. The band also will wrap up Homecoming weekend with a free performance Sunday afternoon at the UI Pentacrest.

University of Iowa Homecoming Game
7:05 p.m. Saturday (10/10), Iowa vs. Michigan, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City

Food, Fun & Fitness with Shawn Johnson
Saturday, October 10

Olympic gold medalist and “Dancing With the Stars” champion Shawn Johnson is making a trip to the Corridor this weekend. Food, Fitness & Fun, sponsored by area Hy-Vee Food and Drug Stores, will feature national and local exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, food samples and fitness demonstrations. A free coupon book comes with your ticket, and the first 3,000 attendees will receive a free limited-edition canvas bag.

Food, Fun & Fitness with Shawn Johnson

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (10/10), U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, $6, www.uscellularcenter.com

Krauka
Friday, October 9

Take a cultural break this weekend at CSPS, where Nordic trio Krauka will make their Corridor debut. The band, from Denmark, combines storytelling and music to put on a show for the modern Viking. The band plays instruments reconstructed after archaeological findings to create a one-of-a-kind experience for audiences. They’ve been recognized across Europe for their research into Nordic music and Viking traditions.

Krauka
8 p.m. Friday (10/9), CSPS, 1103 Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids, $15 in advance, $18 at the door, www.legionarts.org

Three other things

Movies  “Lost Nation —
The Ioway”
2 p.m. Sunday (10/11)
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, 10 Macbride Hall, Iowa City, free, www.uiowa.edu/~nathist/

Sunday Aftertunes
2 p.m. Sunday (10/11)
Fireside Winery, 1755 P Avenue, Marengo, free, www.firesidewinery.com

Brucemore’s Nooks & Crannies Tour
9:30 a.m. Saturday (10/10)
Brucemore, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Brucemore members $10, non-members $15, registration required, www.brucemore.org

As any true fan will tell you, tailgating is just as essential as watching the game. When it comes time to scout out your spot, make sure you get there early, dress appropriately (in Hawkeye gear, of course), and have plenty of food and beverage with you (the last thing you want to do is run out of chow). Many tailgating addicts are still mourning the loss of the Field House and Olive Court lots, but there are plenty of other options.

--LEAH

Dental Lot (reserved)
This lot is right next to Carver – it’s a reserved lot that is family-friendly and a bit calmer than some of your other choices. People are welcoming and it’s easy to strike up conversations with fellow fans.

Stadium Lot (reserved)
The big-time donors tailgate here, and you’ll see lots of flat-screen TVs, big speakers, etc. It’s a small lot, but is lots of fun. Those without tickets often hang out here to watch the game on TV.

Melrose Court (general)
This is where many of the college students head (or people who want a good show). Every house on the block participates in the party. Close to the stadium
and located on a dead-end street, almost anyone can walk up and join in on this big celebration.

Myrtle (general)
A good mix of students and adults, this lot took on many tailgaters when the Olive Court lot closed. The location of this space is good, but it’s farther from Kinnick than some might like. A plus: There’s a gas station at the bottom of the hill in case you need more supplies.

Magic Bus (general)
Sports Illustrated once dubbed this the No. 1 tailgating spot in the United States. On the south side of Kinnick, the Magic Bus sits across the street from the stadium. There’s a $10 charge to get in, but the beer is free once you pay. This option fills fast, so get there early.

Finkbine (general/reserved)
This spot is pretty big, and you can find a wide variety
of people here. Olive Court tailgaters were encouraged by the University of Iowa to make this their new tailgating spot last year. It’s located just a few blocks west of the stadium; the walk down Melrose Avenue from Finkbine toward Kinnick has an atmosphere that’s just as fun and energetic as the act of tailgating itself.

Before you head out for the day, make sure you have the info you need:

•  Certain University of Iowa lots open at 7 p.m. on the Friday before home games. All other lots are open at
  7 a.m. on game day.
• Tents/tarps are only allowed if they don’t hinder traffic or extend into an extra parking spot.
  l Wood fires aren’t allowed (only gas or charcoal in approved grills).
•  Saving spaces for other tailgaters isn’t allowed.
• You can’t use extra parking spaces to set up grills, trailers, tents, chairs, etc.
• No visible kegs, hard liquor or glass bottles are permitted.
• For more information, go to www.hawkeyesports.com/gameday/

Since 2007, when Brent and Christie VanWey’s daughter Mikayla, now 6, was diagnosed with leukemia, the couple has done all they can to help their daughter fight her battle with cancer. They’ve also reached beyond their family to help support other families and children fighting childhood cancer.Last year they started a local chapter of Flashes of Hope – a national nonprofit organization that captures photos of children fighting cancer to create powerful, uplifting portraits – and have partnered with Dance Marathon and The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Camps to take photos of more than 400 Iowa children affected by cancer in the last two years. They also help facilitate a support group for families dealing with childhood cancer.

Even when Mikalya finished her treatments earlier this summer, the VanWeys didn’t slow down their efforts. Recently, they teamed up with four other families (all living in the Des Moines area) to make the state of Iowa-namely Iowa and Iowa State fans-take notice of childhood cancer during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, September 12.

This year, that happens to also be the day the Hawkeyes take on the Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames for the annual intrastate football rivalry. And, thanks to the VanWeys and other Iowa families, the message of “Beat Cancer Today,” an initiative to raise awareness of and funds for childhood cancer, will reach the thousands of fans flooding the stadium.

Players and coaching staff will wear gold ribbons (symbolizing childhood cancer). Childhood cancer survivors and those currently fighting the disease will have photo opportunities with the players after the game. Plus, tickets and parking spots have been donated to cancer families. Announcements and media promotions about childhood cancer awareness will even be broadcast before, during and after the game.

“There are many ways the universities have supported this effort,” Brent VanWey says. “They really put the focus on the cancer families.”

But that’s not all. In order to raise funds for research, the group came up with the idea to sell “Beat Cancer” shirts (in the tradition of the “Beat State” rivalry garb) to fans. Hawk fans can get a black and gold “Beat Cancer” shirt, while Cyclone fans can sport crimson and gold.
All proceeds from shirts sales go to CureSearch, the leading childhood cancer research organization. (Find out more at www.curesearch.org) CureSearch funds the Children’s Oncology Group – of which both the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines are a part of.

The group has been contacted by a whole slew of other colleges and universities that want to get involved and have “Beat Cancer” shirts in their school colors, including Drake University, University of Northern Iowa, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Grandview College to name a few.

“We really didn’t know where we wanted this thing to go, but this is where it’s going on its own,” Brent says “This year is bigger than what we expected and we feel like we’re actually making a difference.”

His ultimate goal is for all college football teams playing on the second Saturday of September (designated by Congress in 2008 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day) to have a gold ribbon on their helmet in honor of childhood cancer and to sell “Beat Cancer” shirts nationwide.

“Perhaps then people everywhere will understand what this childhood cancer thing is all about. But right now, we are just trying to get through September, 12 (of this year),” he says.

Brent admits the group had no idea this effort, literally started by five families between Eastern and Central Iowa, would rally thousands of other supporters. (Their fan site on Facebook now has more than 1,600 members.)

“We thought, ‘what are we gonna do if we sell 200 shirts? 500 shirts?’” VanWey says. “This thing, it absolutely exploded. We’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg.”

To date, the group has sold more than 3,000 shirts (and counting.)

That’s what we call showing some real team spirit.

– KATIE

DID YOU KNOW?
Each year, more than 12,500 children and teens will be diagnosed with cancer. That’s the equivalent of two classrooms a day.

WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR YOU
Want to be part of the battle? Visit www.BeatCancerToday.org to get your shirt and support the fight to cure childhood cancer.

T. Coraghessan Boyle, better known as T.C. Boyle, is an extremely prolific writer. His most recent book, “The Women,” follows countless others including “After the Plague,” “Drop City” and “The Inner Circle.” After reading some rave reviews of “The Women” I decided it was time I tried some T.C. Boyle for myself to see what all the fuss was about. On my search for books by T.C. Boyle I found “The Tortilla Curtain” released in 1995. If T.C. Boyle’s other books are half as good as “The Tortilla Curtain” then I am definitely going to add them to my ever-increasing list of must reads.

“The Tortilla Curtain” focuses on the parallel lives of two couples in Los Angeles. The first, Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher, are your typical American family. They have a 6-year-old son, a mortgage and good jobs. Delaney writes a column for a magazine and Kyra is a high-end real estate agent. They worry about the same things many Americans worry about, declining home values and the desire to keep their neighborhood safe.

In stark contrast to the Mossbacher’s are Candido and America Rincon. The Rincon’s are illegal immigrants living in a makeshift shack in a valley not far from Mossbacher’s safe secure neighborhood. They have no papers, no money, no jobs, don’t speak English and to top it all off, America is pregnant. Try as they might, work and money seem impossible to find.

While the Mossbachers’ and Rincons’ lives seem completely unrelated, as you can imagine, they crash into each other in a bizarre, yet oddly believable, way: Delaney behind the wheel of his Acura runs into poor Candido. Events unfold, biases are revealed and a truly intriguing story results.

“The Tortilla Curtain” examines touchy political and social issues but manages to do so in a non-judgmental way. In a time when immigration and violence are still hot political issues, and declining home values are on everyone’s mind, this book offers an honest look at these issues from both sides of the fence. It is hard to not feel a pang of sympathy for both Mossbacher’s and Rincon’s; on the flip side, it is hard to not want to hit all of them upside the head for some of the stupid choices they make and for the completely absurd comments that come out of their mouths.

It is only right to mention that T.C. Boyle has Iowa ties. He attended the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop in 1974 and received his doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1977. While he currently lives in California, I can’t help but think he has fond memories of our great state.

Boyle is definitely an author worth checking out and may I suggest starting with “The Tortilla Curtain.” You will not be disappointed.

— NATALIE

Chicago native Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman competes on the new season of 'Project Runway'. (Courtesy of Lifetime Television)

A designer on the latest season of “Project Runway,” Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman, 31, took an unusual path to fashion design. At the University of Iowa, he was in a neuroscience program but began to have some doubts that was his true calling. He returned to Chicago and ended up studying art history and fashion design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Read more about Ra’mon here.

“The ‘Green’ Industry and Jobs in the Corridor Area” is the focus of a career networking development event to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at Daniel Arthur’s, 821 3rd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Organized by the alumni associations of Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, the event is free and open to the public. No advance registration is required.

Guests at the renewable energy session will include Barry Butler, professor and dean of the UI College of Engineering; Craig Just, adjunct assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering coordinator of sustainability programs and research engineer at IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering; and representatives from Acciona Windpower, Clipper Turbine Works, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Iowa City Area Development Group and Corridor Careers.

Future career events, all scheduled between 5 and 7 p.m. at Daniel Arthur’s, 821 3rd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapid, include:

Sept, 17, “Social Media and Marketing in Business.”
Oct. 15, “Community Engagement: Get Out, Get Involved!.”

For more information, call 1 (800) -IOWALUM, e-mail alumni-learning@uiowa.edu or visit the iowa alumni Web site.