Reality TV Pitch (also, German Dogs)

Things are going well here in Göttingen. The weather has finally taken a turn for the better (although this whole "celsius" thing is weird), class is manageable, and I've made friends who can cook for me. Being in the mental institute is really something special. Every day it proves how people from different places and different backgrounds can, under the right conditions, become friends. (God, this is turning into something really tacky... Full House teaching moment anyone?) But seriously, it's a beautiful thing, restoring my faith in humanity bit by bit. If I can play mini-golf with an Iranian and cook dinner with a Chinese guy, what can possibly stop us from solving the world's problems!? Optimism, surging through my cynical, liberally-educated veins!

Maybe we should make all the world's leaders live in an institute and learn a language that none of them speaks. Like some obscure aboriginal language from the middle of Australia, or Elvish (Liv Tyler can teach them.) And we could make it a reality TV show, I'm sure E! would be interested. Then, they would all work on their homework together and before you know it, they're solving the world food crisis (in Elvish!)

Something different:
The dogs in Germany are probably the coolest animals ever. They just trot along, leash-less, checking behind them once in a while to ensure their owner is coming. They aren't wearing sweaters, or being carried in bags, or attacking other dogs... they're so well-trained it's blowing my mind. Dogs, hanging out in restaurants! No big deal, I'll just sit here by my owner, not bothering anyone. That being said, I've only seen one cat so far, but I'll bet they're equally cool.