I have returned safely to Deutschland. I heard many comments about my blog during my trip....I'm too wordy, but I'm a good writer.....I write too much about my cats, but I'm a good writer....I write about the mundane and don't share the really interesting, but I'm a good writer....while I'll try to take this all to heart, don't expect too many changes.....
Departing Detroit on my birthday turned out to be a really good idea. My large suitcase was very heavy. I was very up front and told the lady at the check-in that I thought I was over the limit on it. Later, I pointed out to her that it was my birthday. So when my suitcase was almost 10 pounds over, she said, "Happy Birthday, you're all set!!!" That was a nice birthday gift!
I think I had the oddest seatmate I've ever had on any flight. The chicken dish had some gravy on it and she used her finger when she was done eating to get all of the gravy out of the dish. And then she licked all of her fingers and didn't wipe them off.....then she even licked the plastic covering that you peel back off of the food. It was gross!
No problems at all at customs in Amsterdam. It's so much easier to get into the EU than into the US. And I guess that work permit stamped into my passport helps too. But I HATE having a layover. It's just wasted time. I haven't had one in a while, but this reminded me how much I hate it.
I splurged and took a taxi home from the Stuttgart airport, instead of taking a train to Feuerbach and then a taxi the short distance. I figured that I didn't want to have to lug my 30 and 60 pound suitcases onto the train, so I just paid for it.
There was no way the sixty pound suitcase was making it upstairs. So I backed the car out of the garage and unloaded a bunch of stuff into the car that I have to deliver to various people right there on the sidewalk. Hope none of the neighbors were looking!
I picked up the cats....they seemed happy to see me. There were 20 cats boarding there! So the lady seemed okay with giving back my three. They seem a little weirded out....there's more meowing than normal and Cheese is currently sleeping under the covers (yes, I'm in bed at 1 p.m.), but other than that, I think they're just fine.
After four trips up the stairs (or what my Mom has taken to calling my personal gym), I have a few hours to lay around (not unpack) and try to sleep before heading to the New Year's shindig.
More to follow.......
31 December 2006
25 December 2006
12 December 2006
Procrastinator is in fact my middle name.
| You Are Rudolph |
 Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you! |
Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland!
Or see you again, Germany!
The car is parked in the (hated) garage.
The cats are at the cat pension.
The out-of-office notice is on at work.
The neighbors have the contact info in the US.
The neighbors will take over my Kehrwoche if it snows.
The alarm clock is set for 4:30 a.m.
The taxi is ordered for 5:20 a.m.
The seat on the train from Stuttgart to Frankfurt is reserved for 5:51 a.m.
The arrival in Frankfurt is shortly after 7 a.m.
The flight departs at 10 something a.m.
The suitcase is not packed, but will be.
The heat will be turned down.
The dishwasher will be run.
The garbage will be taken out.
Better get going........
The car is parked in the (hated) garage.
The cats are at the cat pension.
The out-of-office notice is on at work.
The neighbors have the contact info in the US.
The neighbors will take over my Kehrwoche if it snows.
The alarm clock is set for 4:30 a.m.
The taxi is ordered for 5:20 a.m.
The seat on the train from Stuttgart to Frankfurt is reserved for 5:51 a.m.
The arrival in Frankfurt is shortly after 7 a.m.
The flight departs at 10 something a.m.
The suitcase is not packed, but will be.
The heat will be turned down.
The dishwasher will be run.
The garbage will be taken out.
Better get going........
10 December 2006
Catching up.....
This week flew by. Tuesday and Wednesday were both busy days at work.
Wednesday was St. Nikolaus Day here in Germany. On this day, the children are all supposed to put their shoe in front of their door and St. Nikolaus (Santa Claus) comes and fills their shoe with goodies, usually chocolates and perhaps a small gift. Well, I didn't get a shoe full on Wednesday, but I did get a stocking full on Tuesday night. My friend made me this stocking and filled it with chocolates and a tiny little book. I love traditions and holidays, but I wasn't expecting to participate in this one, so this was definitely a fun surprise!
Wednesday, we left for a business trip. But, because of the meetings I had, I couldn't leave until 4:30 p.m. And because we were driving, the trip took 8 hours. So we arrived around midnight. Then we couldn't find our hotel. And it took forever to find someone who could speak either German or English. So we checked into the hotel really late and went straight to bed. The next day was filled with meetings. Then in the evening, we went into the city, which was very pretty. And my colleague, using my camera, took a bunch of pictures. Here's one:
But what is it? Well, I asked the same question, because they almost all turned out like this. I had my camera set on night scene, which means that you have to hold it still longer, because the shutter is open longer. Apparently, he didn't. And apparently, he also didn't check to see if the picture had turned out after taking it. And then my battery went dead during dinner. So I don't really have any good pictures. Which I'm very sad about. But we did get a picture of how my soup was served at dinner...
It's a little blurry, but you can probably tell that that it is a small pot hanging on a stand over a tealight. It was a delicious goulash soup.
We drove back on Friday. I think that I drove for six of the eight hours. Somehow, though, when you can go 110-120 mph, it just isn't so bad to drive for that long. (Wherever did I get this need for speed???)
Yesterday, we went to the Christmas Market in Ludwigsburg. It's a Baroque-style market and was very pretty. But the camera drama continued. I had switched my batteries, but apparently, the batteries I put in weren't new. So after two pictures, they died. Here are the two pictures.
The Christmas pyramid is very popular in Germany. It's a pyramid of figures with candles and at the top there's a "fan," which is rotated by the heat rising from the candles. This one was oversized (about as tall as an adult man) and was lit with electric candles.
This one's a little dark, I realize, but it's an angel. The body is sculpted out of metal and the wings and the circle are made out of christmas lights. These were standing high in the air, above the market stalls and were absolutely gorgeous.
At the Christmas market, I was reminded of how small Germany is, when I ran into some people from work. My friends were very surprised when someone loudly called my name and then I was hugging a bunch of people that they had never seen before....there were three of them and two of their spouses. I had seen the one guy at the Volksfest this summer, but the other two I haven't seen since I left Michigan. That was a really nice coincidental meeting!
Then it started to rain, unfortunately, so we left the market. Snow would have been nice, but rain so wasn't.
Today after church, I went back to the Stuttgart Christmas market by myself. I saw lots, bought a few things and ate some Bratwurst. Sorry, no pictures, because nothing's open on Sunday, so I didn't buy batteries. Well, I probably could have found them somewhere in the train station, but they would have cost a small fortune. Another funny coincidence today - the chairman of my company was signing oranges at a charitable booth at the Christmas market (don't ask me why oranges....). They were selling for 1 Euro and the money was of course completely for charity. I thought that was pretty neat.
Tomorrow and Tuesday should also fly by, as the days at work are packed with meetings. Tomorrow night, I will have dinner with my friends from Michigan who are also here on assignment. And then on Tuesday, I have to take the cats to the cat house by 6:30 at the latest, so I can't even work late. Especially because I will have to make three complete trips up and down the stairs to get each of them to the car. I am sure the lady will take good care of them, but at the same time, I hate having to give them to a stranger for 2.5 weeks.....Speaking of my cats, Miss Jemma was watching TV a couple of weeks ago....
If you look closely, you'll see that there's a cat on the TV - I guess she was trying to make friends......
Tuesday night, I think we're going to try to fit in one more Christmas market (they're fun and addictive!) and then it will be Wednesday and I'll be getting up way too early to get to the train station at an unlovely hour to be at the airport in Frankfurt at a reasonable time.
I'm sure I'll have no trouble getting out of Germany and hopefully they'll let me back into the States (I always seem to have the pleasure of having my luggage searched....). And then we'll head to Red Robin for some Diet Coke, a Turkey burger and endless fries..........
Wednesday was St. Nikolaus Day here in Germany. On this day, the children are all supposed to put their shoe in front of their door and St. Nikolaus (Santa Claus) comes and fills their shoe with goodies, usually chocolates and perhaps a small gift. Well, I didn't get a shoe full on Wednesday, but I did get a stocking full on Tuesday night. My friend made me this stocking and filled it with chocolates and a tiny little book. I love traditions and holidays, but I wasn't expecting to participate in this one, so this was definitely a fun surprise!
Wednesday, we left for a business trip. But, because of the meetings I had, I couldn't leave until 4:30 p.m. And because we were driving, the trip took 8 hours. So we arrived around midnight. Then we couldn't find our hotel. And it took forever to find someone who could speak either German or English. So we checked into the hotel really late and went straight to bed. The next day was filled with meetings. Then in the evening, we went into the city, which was very pretty. And my colleague, using my camera, took a bunch of pictures. Here's one:
But what is it? Well, I asked the same question, because they almost all turned out like this. I had my camera set on night scene, which means that you have to hold it still longer, because the shutter is open longer. Apparently, he didn't. And apparently, he also didn't check to see if the picture had turned out after taking it. And then my battery went dead during dinner. So I don't really have any good pictures. Which I'm very sad about. But we did get a picture of how my soup was served at dinner...
It's a little blurry, but you can probably tell that that it is a small pot hanging on a stand over a tealight. It was a delicious goulash soup.We drove back on Friday. I think that I drove for six of the eight hours. Somehow, though, when you can go 110-120 mph, it just isn't so bad to drive for that long. (Wherever did I get this need for speed???)
Yesterday, we went to the Christmas Market in Ludwigsburg. It's a Baroque-style market and was very pretty. But the camera drama continued. I had switched my batteries, but apparently, the batteries I put in weren't new. So after two pictures, they died. Here are the two pictures.
The Christmas pyramid is very popular in Germany. It's a pyramid of figures with candles and at the top there's a "fan," which is rotated by the heat rising from the candles. This one was oversized (about as tall as an adult man) and was lit with electric candles.
This one's a little dark, I realize, but it's an angel. The body is sculpted out of metal and the wings and the circle are made out of christmas lights. These were standing high in the air, above the market stalls and were absolutely gorgeous.
At the Christmas market, I was reminded of how small Germany is, when I ran into some people from work. My friends were very surprised when someone loudly called my name and then I was hugging a bunch of people that they had never seen before....there were three of them and two of their spouses. I had seen the one guy at the Volksfest this summer, but the other two I haven't seen since I left Michigan. That was a really nice coincidental meeting!
Then it started to rain, unfortunately, so we left the market. Snow would have been nice, but rain so wasn't.
Today after church, I went back to the Stuttgart Christmas market by myself. I saw lots, bought a few things and ate some Bratwurst. Sorry, no pictures, because nothing's open on Sunday, so I didn't buy batteries. Well, I probably could have found them somewhere in the train station, but they would have cost a small fortune. Another funny coincidence today - the chairman of my company was signing oranges at a charitable booth at the Christmas market (don't ask me why oranges....). They were selling for 1 Euro and the money was of course completely for charity. I thought that was pretty neat.
Tomorrow and Tuesday should also fly by, as the days at work are packed with meetings. Tomorrow night, I will have dinner with my friends from Michigan who are also here on assignment. And then on Tuesday, I have to take the cats to the cat house by 6:30 at the latest, so I can't even work late. Especially because I will have to make three complete trips up and down the stairs to get each of them to the car. I am sure the lady will take good care of them, but at the same time, I hate having to give them to a stranger for 2.5 weeks.....Speaking of my cats, Miss Jemma was watching TV a couple of weeks ago....
If you look closely, you'll see that there's a cat on the TV - I guess she was trying to make friends......Tuesday night, I think we're going to try to fit in one more Christmas market (they're fun and addictive!) and then it will be Wednesday and I'll be getting up way too early to get to the train station at an unlovely hour to be at the airport in Frankfurt at a reasonable time.
I'm sure I'll have no trouble getting out of Germany and hopefully they'll let me back into the States (I always seem to have the pleasure of having my luggage searched....). And then we'll head to Red Robin for some Diet Coke, a Turkey burger and endless fries..........
04 December 2006
Happy Advent!
Do you have your Advent's calendar? I have mine....they're seriously so popular here. On December 1st, several people (without their own children) said that they had opened the first door on their calendar before coming into work. These people take their advent calendars seriously! My neighbors were nice enough to give me the gift of an Advent calendar, so I have been enjoying this tradition as well. (Mine even plays music!)
As my sister-in-law pointed out, it's been a while since I blogged (thanks for the reminder!!:). I guess I have been busy.....but what have I been doing? Well, after celebrating Thanksgiving twice, I started last week off by going to an Integration Seminar (you know, because I'm so poorly integrated here ;). It's required for all employees from other countries who are assigned here. It was interesting, but I didn't really learn a whole lot of new information. After two days there, last Tuesday night, I had dinner with my friend T. in the city. I decided that rather than pay the parking fees in the city, I would take the S-Bahn (street train). Plus, they're doing a campaign here right now about how we should all reduce our driving to protect the environment, so I've been feeling guilty about how little I use public transportation. (I mean, really, when it's still 50 degrees at the beginning of December, you have to think that something might really be wrong with our eco-system, right?) The problem was only that the stop which I took (Stadtmitte) has about 50 million exits (from the underground stop). T. said he'd wait at the top of the stairs, but when I got to the top, he wasn't there. So I called him and sure enough, I had taken the wrong exit. So I went back down underground and came up another exit.....wrong again. But this time, I walked above ground, past Starbucks and eventually found him. 50 million might be an exaggeration, but there really are at least 4 or 5 exits from the one stop - and they're not close to one another. Anyways, we drank some Gluhwein, which really doesn't fit to our overly warm weather, but was tasty nonetheless and then headed to a Thai restaurant for dinner, which was delicious!
Wednesday night the ladies from my church had a cookie exchange. But after "cooking" for Thanksgiving and being at the seminar for two days (including Monday night for dinner), I didn't have time to make any cookies, so I just said I couldn't make it. Stephanie came to my rescue, though, and baked cookies for both herself and for me. So I did go and it was a lot of fun...we decorated St. Nicholas canisters to hold our cookies and ate too many in the process.
Thursday night I had a dinner for work. The restaurant reminded me of Lazy Lizard, which was sort of unusual for Germany. It's a very popular Mexican restaurant in the city. The food was just ok, but I met a lot of new people and so that was really fun.
Friday and Saturday were not interesting - worked late on Friday and just generally recuperated from the high-speed pace of the past couple of weeks on Saturday.
At church on Sunday, we had a really beautiful Advent wreath. It's probably the nicest I've ever seen. We sang really low-key Advent (but not really Christmas) songs. Sunday evening, we visited a few Christmas Markets, but they weren't really as good as last year, so that was kind of disappointing. But the company was good!
And then, suddenly, it was Monday again!
Today after work, we went to the Stuttgart Christmas Market, which was lovely, just like last year. And although it's still 50 degrees or so, we drank a Gluhwein anyways (sort of obligatory at the Christmas Market...). I saw a lot of stuff and didn't buy anything - I need to go back on the weekend. (I'll try to get some pictures then.)
On Wednesday, I have to go on a business trip for work. It's a blitz trip: leave Wednesday at 4, drive for 8 hours. Meetings on Thursday. Meetings on Friday morning. Leave Friday at 11, drive back for 8 hours......
Then it's the weekend again and Christmas shopping and church......and then Monday and Tuesday are packed with meetings at work, Tuesday night I take the cats to the Cat House (really, it's called that in German) and Wednesday morning I have to catch the train at 5:30 a.m. to be at the airport in Frankfurt for my flight to Michigan!
I'm tired just thinking about it, so I'd better go to bed. I'll try to blog between now and the 13th, but if I don't: See you all soon!
As my sister-in-law pointed out, it's been a while since I blogged (thanks for the reminder!!:). I guess I have been busy.....but what have I been doing? Well, after celebrating Thanksgiving twice, I started last week off by going to an Integration Seminar (you know, because I'm so poorly integrated here ;). It's required for all employees from other countries who are assigned here. It was interesting, but I didn't really learn a whole lot of new information. After two days there, last Tuesday night, I had dinner with my friend T. in the city. I decided that rather than pay the parking fees in the city, I would take the S-Bahn (street train). Plus, they're doing a campaign here right now about how we should all reduce our driving to protect the environment, so I've been feeling guilty about how little I use public transportation. (I mean, really, when it's still 50 degrees at the beginning of December, you have to think that something might really be wrong with our eco-system, right?) The problem was only that the stop which I took (Stadtmitte) has about 50 million exits (from the underground stop). T. said he'd wait at the top of the stairs, but when I got to the top, he wasn't there. So I called him and sure enough, I had taken the wrong exit. So I went back down underground and came up another exit.....wrong again. But this time, I walked above ground, past Starbucks and eventually found him. 50 million might be an exaggeration, but there really are at least 4 or 5 exits from the one stop - and they're not close to one another. Anyways, we drank some Gluhwein, which really doesn't fit to our overly warm weather, but was tasty nonetheless and then headed to a Thai restaurant for dinner, which was delicious!
Wednesday night the ladies from my church had a cookie exchange. But after "cooking" for Thanksgiving and being at the seminar for two days (including Monday night for dinner), I didn't have time to make any cookies, so I just said I couldn't make it. Stephanie came to my rescue, though, and baked cookies for both herself and for me. So I did go and it was a lot of fun...we decorated St. Nicholas canisters to hold our cookies and ate too many in the process.
Thursday night I had a dinner for work. The restaurant reminded me of Lazy Lizard, which was sort of unusual for Germany. It's a very popular Mexican restaurant in the city. The food was just ok, but I met a lot of new people and so that was really fun.
Friday and Saturday were not interesting - worked late on Friday and just generally recuperated from the high-speed pace of the past couple of weeks on Saturday.
At church on Sunday, we had a really beautiful Advent wreath. It's probably the nicest I've ever seen. We sang really low-key Advent (but not really Christmas) songs. Sunday evening, we visited a few Christmas Markets, but they weren't really as good as last year, so that was kind of disappointing. But the company was good!
And then, suddenly, it was Monday again!
Today after work, we went to the Stuttgart Christmas Market, which was lovely, just like last year. And although it's still 50 degrees or so, we drank a Gluhwein anyways (sort of obligatory at the Christmas Market...). I saw a lot of stuff and didn't buy anything - I need to go back on the weekend. (I'll try to get some pictures then.)
On Wednesday, I have to go on a business trip for work. It's a blitz trip: leave Wednesday at 4, drive for 8 hours. Meetings on Thursday. Meetings on Friday morning. Leave Friday at 11, drive back for 8 hours......
Then it's the weekend again and Christmas shopping and church......and then Monday and Tuesday are packed with meetings at work, Tuesday night I take the cats to the Cat House (really, it's called that in German) and Wednesday morning I have to catch the train at 5:30 a.m. to be at the airport in Frankfurt for my flight to Michigan!
I'm tired just thinking about it, so I'd better go to bed. I'll try to blog between now and the 13th, but if I don't: See you all soon!
27 November 2006
Sometimes it's the small things
Have you ever had something happen, that with the passing of time will seem very minor, but at the moment in which it happened, it was very major?
Today I had a very long day. I attended an integration seminar that is required for all company employees from overseas who are in Germany on an assignment greater than 12 months. It started at 9 and it ended at 9:30. 9:30 p.m. that is. And tomorrow, it will go from 8:30 until 5:00 p.m. And although it's nice to meet some new people, I really haven't learned anything. I should have attended last time, but I had a work scheduling conflict. Actually, I had a work conflict today, too, so I had to leave the seminar at 5:15, drive to work, have a meeting with an engineering VP and drive back to the seminar, arriving back at about 7 (in time for dinner - yep, I'm my father's daughter :).
Anyway, I was really tired as I arrived home at 10 to 10 p.m. I checked the post and almost didn't notice that there was a small white card all the way at the back of the mailbox. I pulled it out and it was a postcard from Yosemite. It was from Rene and Melissa, who are living in my house while Rene does an "internship" at C3. In January, they will return to Germany. I've never met them - they left right around the time I got here....but we've connected "virtually" and I can't wait to meet them in Michigan in December.
Getting the postcard from them was really a bright spot in my long (non-productive) day. And so, sometimes it's the small things that mean the very most.
Today I had a very long day. I attended an integration seminar that is required for all company employees from overseas who are in Germany on an assignment greater than 12 months. It started at 9 and it ended at 9:30. 9:30 p.m. that is. And tomorrow, it will go from 8:30 until 5:00 p.m. And although it's nice to meet some new people, I really haven't learned anything. I should have attended last time, but I had a work scheduling conflict. Actually, I had a work conflict today, too, so I had to leave the seminar at 5:15, drive to work, have a meeting with an engineering VP and drive back to the seminar, arriving back at about 7 (in time for dinner - yep, I'm my father's daughter :).
Anyway, I was really tired as I arrived home at 10 to 10 p.m. I checked the post and almost didn't notice that there was a small white card all the way at the back of the mailbox. I pulled it out and it was a postcard from Yosemite. It was from Rene and Melissa, who are living in my house while Rene does an "internship" at C3. In January, they will return to Germany. I've never met them - they left right around the time I got here....but we've connected "virtually" and I can't wait to meet them in Michigan in December.
Getting the postcard from them was really a bright spot in my long (non-productive) day. And so, sometimes it's the small things that mean the very most.
25 November 2006
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving was fun. It was all-American: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry and us. I mean that the people were all American, too. Well, Jerry's Chinese-American, so we had chinese dumplings and something else that I can't remember the name of, but that was very delicious! It was tough, though. I have gotten so used to eating my big meal in the middle of the day. We didn't eat until around 5:00, so I was starving. And then it was hard to have all that food in my stomach in the evening, all I wanted to do was to go to sleep.
Tonight is Thanksgiving #2. This will be a lot bigger - I think there are 15 or so adults and a bunch of kids. And this will be a mixed group - 4 Americans, 1 German-American and the rest all "real" Germans. It should be really fun. The question is.........
Will my jello have set by then?
I made jello for tonight. I have to leave here in about an hour. When I checked about an hour ago, it hadn't set. So I put it in the freezer....think that will help? If it doesn't.....well, there won't be any jello tonight. (I think we'll still have enough food!) They don't have J-E-L-L-O jello here, they have this other stuff. And you have to add sugar to it, it doesn't already have sugar in the mix. But still, I don't know why it's not gelling.
The other day, an American said to me that everything's harder over here. And then I had a couple of minor things happen to me, some bigger like not being able to get into my apartment and some really minor like the jello not gelling and I started to think that maybe she's right. Certainly, not everything is easy.
But was life that easy in Michigan? For example, what did I do when my sump pump was acting up? I called my Dad. It wasn't any easier than when my mirrors fell down here. It was just that the solution was easier - calling my dad is certainly easier than having to go downstairs and tell my neighbor that I need help, again. I know I can count on my dad to help me any time, whereas I feel like I'm imposing on my neighbor every time (even though he says that I'm not). But that's true whether I live anywhere in the US not in vicinity of my family or in Europe, so that has nothing to do with being an expat.
I don't think life's harder over here. It's just not as intuitive. I have to spend more time researching where to buy something. Or I have to ask someone. And I have to adapt. There are certainly differences here, for example, there's no Target, Gap or Old Navy. There are some things I have been unable to find, like Diet Coke. But when I moved here, I knew it wasn't going to be the same as living in the States. And there's nothing that's missing here that I can't live without. So I have to be willing to be flexible enough to accept the changes that this move has brought to my life, both good and bad.
So I'm thankful. I'm thankful that I've been able to adapt (relatively well). I'm thankful for the friends that I've made here, who help me when I have problems or questions. I'm thankful for this opportunity to live in Germany. I'm thankful for what I've learned about myself through this experience, both the "good" and the "bad."
And I'm thankful for the opportunity to come to Michigan in just two and a half weeks!
What are you thankful for?
Tonight is Thanksgiving #2. This will be a lot bigger - I think there are 15 or so adults and a bunch of kids. And this will be a mixed group - 4 Americans, 1 German-American and the rest all "real" Germans. It should be really fun. The question is.........
Will my jello have set by then?
I made jello for tonight. I have to leave here in about an hour. When I checked about an hour ago, it hadn't set. So I put it in the freezer....think that will help? If it doesn't.....well, there won't be any jello tonight. (I think we'll still have enough food!) They don't have J-E-L-L-O jello here, they have this other stuff. And you have to add sugar to it, it doesn't already have sugar in the mix. But still, I don't know why it's not gelling.
The other day, an American said to me that everything's harder over here. And then I had a couple of minor things happen to me, some bigger like not being able to get into my apartment and some really minor like the jello not gelling and I started to think that maybe she's right. Certainly, not everything is easy.
But was life that easy in Michigan? For example, what did I do when my sump pump was acting up? I called my Dad. It wasn't any easier than when my mirrors fell down here. It was just that the solution was easier - calling my dad is certainly easier than having to go downstairs and tell my neighbor that I need help, again. I know I can count on my dad to help me any time, whereas I feel like I'm imposing on my neighbor every time (even though he says that I'm not). But that's true whether I live anywhere in the US not in vicinity of my family or in Europe, so that has nothing to do with being an expat.
I don't think life's harder over here. It's just not as intuitive. I have to spend more time researching where to buy something. Or I have to ask someone. And I have to adapt. There are certainly differences here, for example, there's no Target, Gap or Old Navy. There are some things I have been unable to find, like Diet Coke. But when I moved here, I knew it wasn't going to be the same as living in the States. And there's nothing that's missing here that I can't live without. So I have to be willing to be flexible enough to accept the changes that this move has brought to my life, both good and bad.
So I'm thankful. I'm thankful that I've been able to adapt (relatively well). I'm thankful for the friends that I've made here, who help me when I have problems or questions. I'm thankful for this opportunity to live in Germany. I'm thankful for what I've learned about myself through this experience, both the "good" and the "bad."
And I'm thankful for the opportunity to come to Michigan in just two and a half weeks!
What are you thankful for?
23 November 2006
0:00
Midnight
12:00 a.m.
0:00
Whatever you call it, it's late. Especially when you have to get up at 6:30 for work (ok, maybe I usually end up getting up closer to 7).
Where was I at midnight?
Nope, not in bed.
I was outside my apartment building, sitting on some very cold little cement posts.
Why?
Not because I forgot how to get home.
But because I couldn't get into my home.
Not because I forgot my keys.
But because my key wouldn't work.
The key worked fine on the front door to the building. But when I got upstairs to my apartment, the key wouldn't turn in the lock. It was 11:20 or so. Late to be bothering the neighbors. So I fiddled with it for 20 minutes or so, believing that surely it would work eventually. Then it's 11:40. But I can't get into my apartment. So I go down to the neighbor who has helped me with other household issues and I knock softly, but firmly on his door. No answer. I was not willing to ring his doorbell.
What to do?
I called my friend Nicole, who lives just a little ways away in Feuerbach and with whom I had had dinner tonight (or last night now, I guess). She looked in the Yellow Pages (yes, we have them here, too) and found the number for a locksmith who is available 24 hours a day. She called him (I had no pen to write down his number) and gave him my address and everything. And he came in 15 minutes or just shortly after midnight (by which time I really needed to go to the bathroom!). He used some wire to get the door open. (I was not crazy, the key really didn't work.)
What was wrong?
The cylinder in the lock was simply broken from overuse. He offered to install a new one, but then didn't have any new ones with him. So he turned it around (I have a lock on both sides of the door) as the (former) inside cylinder works just fine. And that was that. And that cost me 100 Euro!
Ah, the joys of apartment living......(no back door)
12:00 a.m.
0:00
Whatever you call it, it's late. Especially when you have to get up at 6:30 for work (ok, maybe I usually end up getting up closer to 7).
Where was I at midnight?
Nope, not in bed.
I was outside my apartment building, sitting on some very cold little cement posts.
Why?
Not because I forgot how to get home.
But because I couldn't get into my home.
Not because I forgot my keys.
But because my key wouldn't work.
The key worked fine on the front door to the building. But when I got upstairs to my apartment, the key wouldn't turn in the lock. It was 11:20 or so. Late to be bothering the neighbors. So I fiddled with it for 20 minutes or so, believing that surely it would work eventually. Then it's 11:40. But I can't get into my apartment. So I go down to the neighbor who has helped me with other household issues and I knock softly, but firmly on his door. No answer. I was not willing to ring his doorbell.
What to do?
I called my friend Nicole, who lives just a little ways away in Feuerbach and with whom I had had dinner tonight (or last night now, I guess). She looked in the Yellow Pages (yes, we have them here, too) and found the number for a locksmith who is available 24 hours a day. She called him (I had no pen to write down his number) and gave him my address and everything. And he came in 15 minutes or just shortly after midnight (by which time I really needed to go to the bathroom!). He used some wire to get the door open. (I was not crazy, the key really didn't work.)
What was wrong?
The cylinder in the lock was simply broken from overuse. He offered to install a new one, but then didn't have any new ones with him. So he turned it around (I have a lock on both sides of the door) as the (former) inside cylinder works just fine. And that was that. And that cost me 100 Euro!
Ah, the joys of apartment living......(no back door)
17 November 2006
When Fact becomes worse than any imaginable Fiction
I check my email in the morning before work. Why? Because I live six hours ahead of most of my friends and family. So I figure that there's a good possibility that they might have written an email to me while I was sleeping. And because I'm not good at surprises or waiting, I check my email to see what might have arrived. (And really I'm hoping that there will be an email from my realtor telling me that there's an offer on my house....)
So, a couple of days ago, as I was checking my Yahoo mail, I noticed this headline: "O.J. Simpson: If I Did It."
I literally did a double take. And I promptly clicked on the article heading, only to read that Fox will be airing an interview with Simpson, in which "O.J. Simpson will describe in a televised interview how he would have committed the crime if he were the one responsible." The program is tentatively titled, "O.J. Simpson: If I Did It, Here's How It Happened."
Apparently, Mr. Simpson has decided that the world would like to know how he would have, hypothetically, killed his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. And so he wrote a book about it. Then there was a publisher, who apparently agreed that this was a topic the world wanted to read about and agreed to publish the book under her name, Regan Publishing. Then, there were booksellers, who decided this book should be available worldwide and are selling it. Then, there was a TV network, Fox, which decided that the US viewing public wanted to watch Mr. Simpson detail how he would have killed Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Goldman and so they decided to air it on TV.
I'm not even going to try to guess what's going through O.J. Simpson's mind. I just have one question that I would like to ask him: Haven't your children suffered enough??? It's bad enough that the kids lost their mom and to such a violent crime. Now their Dad has written a book and will appear on TV to describe how he would have done it, "if" he had done it.
Ms. Regan, the publisher, now says that she did this because she was a victim of domestic violence and she thought that the money would be going to Simpson's children. She went on to defend her decision by stating:
And while she may not be endorsing the book, she did put her name on it. I personally wouldn't put my name to something that I didn't endorse.
And to compare Simpson with Hitler? Sorry, but Hitler had a little bit more of an impact on the world. And I think to learn from history is important, crucial even. And Hitler didn't write Mein Kampf in the hypothetical. I think if Simpson had written an account of what he had done, as much as I personally would not be interested in reading it, I would feel differently about the house that chose to publish such a work. But because he did write in the hypothetical, I just find it.....disturbing. And wrong.
Booksellers......Only $24.95 on Amazon. (I can think of hundreds of ways to spend $25 better.) And the reader tags on this book on Amazon? boycott (28), disgusting (21), shameful (17), murderer (10), pathetic (10), repulsive (8), sick (8), guilty (7), evil (6), scum (6), boycott regan books (5), liar (5), blood money (4), sociopath (4), controversial (3). And the discussion boards are running like crazy. I'm not recommending that you read them, some people are pretty twisted, like the one who titled, "I'm buying this book and excited about it!" I don't know what his post said, as Amazon has removed it, but there have been 166 posts in response. Yikes. If only people were to be so passionate about other critical issues....
And Fox. What can I say? The down-the-drains nature of TV has been bemoaned for almost as long as I can remember. But I really think this is a pretty good low. I find it even lower than Jerry Springer, because it's talking about how he would have murdered (if he had, of course). Apparently, not all the Fox affiliates will be carrying the show. I read that one affiliate will be airing a domestic violence special and a St. Jude spot instead. I applaud those affiliates. Not an easy decision, I suspect.
This whole thing just makes me sad. It makes me sad that parents lost their children, that children lost their parent, that friends lost friends. It makes me sad that there is a preponderance of evidence that justice was not done. It makes me sad that people cheered the "slow" chase. It makes me sad that he wrote such a book. It makes me sad that she published such a book. It makes me sad that they're selling such a book. It makes me said that they're airing such a TV show.
It makes me sad.
I will not buy this book. If I could, I would not watch the TV special. And I will not address this again, because there are many other more critical issues in this world that are worth my time and thoughts than this.
So, a couple of days ago, as I was checking my Yahoo mail, I noticed this headline: "O.J. Simpson: If I Did It."
I literally did a double take. And I promptly clicked on the article heading, only to read that Fox will be airing an interview with Simpson, in which "O.J. Simpson will describe in a televised interview how he would have committed the crime if he were the one responsible." The program is tentatively titled, "O.J. Simpson: If I Did It, Here's How It Happened."
Apparently, Mr. Simpson has decided that the world would like to know how he would have, hypothetically, killed his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. And so he wrote a book about it. Then there was a publisher, who apparently agreed that this was a topic the world wanted to read about and agreed to publish the book under her name, Regan Publishing. Then, there were booksellers, who decided this book should be available worldwide and are selling it. Then, there was a TV network, Fox, which decided that the US viewing public wanted to watch Mr. Simpson detail how he would have killed Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Goldman and so they decided to air it on TV.
I'm not even going to try to guess what's going through O.J. Simpson's mind. I just have one question that I would like to ask him: Haven't your children suffered enough??? It's bad enough that the kids lost their mom and to such a violent crime. Now their Dad has written a book and will appear on TV to describe how he would have done it, "if" he had done it.
Ms. Regan, the publisher, now says that she did this because she was a victim of domestic violence and she thought that the money would be going to Simpson's children. She went on to defend her decision by stating:
"To publish does not mean 'to endorse'; it means 'to make public,'" she said.
"If you doubt that, ask the mainstream publishers who keep Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' in print to this day. ... There is historical value in such work ... for anyone who wants to gain insight into the mind of a sociopath."
Well, where to begin. I'm sorry to hear that she was a victim of domestic violence. She says she thought selfishly that having Simpson confess (which he apparently did not do, always playing the hypothetical card), would help her personally. But that's an excuse, in my book, not a reason. While I fully respect her situation as a victim of abuse, I don't find her explanation anything other than ridiculous. If we follow this logic, robbing a bank would also be defensible, "because I thought it would help me personally." Who can debate that?And while she may not be endorsing the book, she did put her name on it. I personally wouldn't put my name to something that I didn't endorse.
And to compare Simpson with Hitler? Sorry, but Hitler had a little bit more of an impact on the world. And I think to learn from history is important, crucial even. And Hitler didn't write Mein Kampf in the hypothetical. I think if Simpson had written an account of what he had done, as much as I personally would not be interested in reading it, I would feel differently about the house that chose to publish such a work. But because he did write in the hypothetical, I just find it.....disturbing. And wrong.
Booksellers......Only $24.95 on Amazon. (I can think of hundreds of ways to spend $25 better.) And the reader tags on this book on Amazon? boycott (28), disgusting (21), shameful (17), murderer (10), pathetic (10), repulsive (8), sick (8), guilty (7), evil (6), scum (6), boycott regan books (5), liar (5), blood money (4), sociopath (4), controversial (3). And the discussion boards are running like crazy. I'm not recommending that you read them, some people are pretty twisted, like the one who titled, "I'm buying this book and excited about it!" I don't know what his post said, as Amazon has removed it, but there have been 166 posts in response. Yikes. If only people were to be so passionate about other critical issues....
And Fox. What can I say? The down-the-drains nature of TV has been bemoaned for almost as long as I can remember. But I really think this is a pretty good low. I find it even lower than Jerry Springer, because it's talking about how he would have murdered (if he had, of course). Apparently, not all the Fox affiliates will be carrying the show. I read that one affiliate will be airing a domestic violence special and a St. Jude spot instead. I applaud those affiliates. Not an easy decision, I suspect.
This whole thing just makes me sad. It makes me sad that parents lost their children, that children lost their parent, that friends lost friends. It makes me sad that there is a preponderance of evidence that justice was not done. It makes me sad that people cheered the "slow" chase. It makes me sad that he wrote such a book. It makes me sad that she published such a book. It makes me sad that they're selling such a book. It makes me said that they're airing such a TV show.
It makes me sad.
I will not buy this book. If I could, I would not watch the TV special. And I will not address this again, because there are many other more critical issues in this world that are worth my time and thoughts than this.
14 November 2006
This German Life....
On the radio on my drive home last night: The Spice Girls. Ewwww........How can they still play this stuff?
13 November 2006
I knew there was something else!
I almost forgot to share today's utterly ironic moment......On Sunday, I posted that I can't eat meat if I know its' source.....just one day later and the main dish at work (there are always choices, but there's one main meal, which is cheaper than all the rest) was:
Maultaschen gefuellt mit Leber und Griebe
Kartoffelbrei
Sauerkraut
Now, Maultaschen is normally one of my favorites. LEO defines it as Swabian ravioli or pockets, or better yet, pasta squares filled with meat. And yet, this definition does not do Maultaschen justice. I love Maultaschen. It's a regional specialty here and I just love it.
Kartoffelbrei is mashed potatoes, another of my favorites.
And Sauerkraut is, well it's sauerkraut and I like it too (although the version in our cafeteria isn't the tastiest I've ever had...)
So now you're probably wondering, "Well, then what's the problem? Sounds like you like all of these foods...."
And if you're quick, you've already figured it out.
The problem is the filling in the Maultaschen. Leber is liver. And I've been known to eat liver since I've arrived here in Deutschland (shocking, but true). As a matter of fact, Leberkaese (liver loaf) is a dish that I quite enjoy (reminds me of bologna). So that's not my issue. Although I still don't understand the German fascination with telling you what part of the animal you're eating.....couldn't they just say meat loaf or something instead??
No, the problem isn't the liver. It's the Griebe. Griebe is crackling or greaves or tallow refuse (again, according to my good friend LEO). Well, that might not help much, so we turn to my friend Wikipedia [Caution: if you have a sensitive stomach (Dad), do not read whilst eating!!]:
To put it succinctly, "In food discussions, greaves is the unmeltable residue left after animal fat has been rendered."
And tallow? Well, tallow is used in animal feed, to make soap, for cooking, as a bird food, and was once used for making candles. It can be used as a raw material for the production of biodiesel and other oleochemicals.
Maultaschen gefuellt mit Leber und Griebe
Kartoffelbrei
Sauerkraut
Now, Maultaschen is normally one of my favorites. LEO defines it as Swabian ravioli or pockets, or better yet, pasta squares filled with meat. And yet, this definition does not do Maultaschen justice. I love Maultaschen. It's a regional specialty here and I just love it.
Kartoffelbrei is mashed potatoes, another of my favorites.
And Sauerkraut is, well it's sauerkraut and I like it too (although the version in our cafeteria isn't the tastiest I've ever had...)
So now you're probably wondering, "Well, then what's the problem? Sounds like you like all of these foods...."
And if you're quick, you've already figured it out.
The problem is the filling in the Maultaschen. Leber is liver. And I've been known to eat liver since I've arrived here in Deutschland (shocking, but true). As a matter of fact, Leberkaese (liver loaf) is a dish that I quite enjoy (reminds me of bologna). So that's not my issue. Although I still don't understand the German fascination with telling you what part of the animal you're eating.....couldn't they just say meat loaf or something instead??
No, the problem isn't the liver. It's the Griebe. Griebe is crackling or greaves or tallow refuse (again, according to my good friend LEO). Well, that might not help much, so we turn to my friend Wikipedia [Caution: if you have a sensitive stomach (Dad), do not read whilst eating!!]:
Cracklings is the American name for pork rind produced by frying or roasting, though it can be expanded to include the skin of a goose or another animal.
As a snack, cracklings is usually understood to consist of cooked pork rind that has had salt rubbed into it and that has been scored with a sharp knife. This produces a crisp, bubbly outer surface with a layer of cooked fat on the underside. Crackling is considered by some to be an essential part of joint of roast pork. However, the term in cooking also applies to a variety of fatty materials, fried to crispness, such as poultry skin or the remains of trying out for fat of a number of animal products [beef, lamb, et cetera].
Cracklins are very high in fat and cholesterol, which is to be expected considering what they are composed of and the fact that they are generally prepared by being deep-fried or skillet-fried in lard.
To put it succinctly, "In food discussions, greaves is the unmeltable residue left after animal fat has been rendered."
And tallow? Well, tallow is used in animal feed, to make soap, for cooking, as a bird food, and was once used for making candles. It can be used as a raw material for the production of biodiesel and other oleochemicals.
Umm, can you say gross???? I've already described on this blog that I've become a (relatively) adventurous eater, generally with satisfying (to my stomach) results. But a girl's got to draw the line somewhere!
My lunch consisted of: mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and a salad. Needless to say, no maultaschen filled with crackling or greaves or tallow residue came anywhere near my lips! For which I was especially thankful when my colleague, who did eat the Maultaschen, had a stomachache for the rest of the afternoon.
The extreme darkness of.....well, darkness.....
I'm having a tough time. It gets dark so unbelievably early! Reality check, please, Michiganders....is it getting dark there at 5 p.m. or slightly before right now? I seriously want to jump on a plane and fly to where it is light....and warm, warm would be good. That whole "at least it's light when I get up" line just isn't cutting it for me. I have no desire to do anything besides go to bed when I get home from work (I'm writing from there as we speak...). I'm even considering going tanning (yes, there are tanning places here in Germany....there's one in my little town, as a matter of fact) just to try and get some feeling of sunlight and what's the stuff that the sun gives that we miss in the winter, besides the bad stuff that causes skin cancer? - Well anyways, I want some of that. I have been told, by someone here who lived in Michigan, that while we often have those really cold, crisp days where at least the sun is out, here in Germany they tend to have more overcast days during the winter. Super! Cold and cloudy for the next four months or so.
In other news, the brownies turned out well. I thought they were a little too chewy, but I only came home with three teensy, tiny little squares, so I guess that the Germans enjoyed them!
Speaking of food, I am celebrating Thanksgiving twice! We now made plans for a German-American Thanksgiving on the Saturday following the actual holiday. Should be fun. And multicultural, kind of like the first Thanksgiving. :o)
And continuing on the happy note, the bed squeak is gone!! And here's how it went away.....the cat - which my friend David says is the fattest cat he's ever seen in his whole, entire life...no really...no seriously.....he promises......that cat is fat!.......(and yet, I call him my friend....hmm...gotta love that German directness) - jumped onto the bed the other day. And there was this funny noise, like the frame was falling apart or something (but it didn't - he's fat, but not that fat) and then the mattress dropped a tiny bit. And the squeak was gone. So I guess the mattress wasn't properly in the frame and that's why it was squeaking. I don't know exactly and I really don't care, I'm just happy that the squeak is gone. And I'm thrilled that my cat was able to accomplish such a feat. ;o)
And now I'm going to make a shameless pitch for visitors.....to my lovely, wonderful family and friends: my recent acquaintances here ask me often when you all are coming to visit. And as I cannot yet answer the question, given that no plans exist at this time, I defer to you for an answer. When will you be coming to visit? You know, just so I can let them know......since they asked......
[Wow, can you tell from this post that I love ellipses???]
In other news, the brownies turned out well. I thought they were a little too chewy, but I only came home with three teensy, tiny little squares, so I guess that the Germans enjoyed them!
Speaking of food, I am celebrating Thanksgiving twice! We now made plans for a German-American Thanksgiving on the Saturday following the actual holiday. Should be fun. And multicultural, kind of like the first Thanksgiving. :o)
And continuing on the happy note, the bed squeak is gone!! And here's how it went away.....the cat - which my friend David says is the fattest cat he's ever seen in his whole, entire life...no really...no seriously.....he promises......that cat is fat!.......(and yet, I call him my friend....hmm...gotta love that German directness) - jumped onto the bed the other day. And there was this funny noise, like the frame was falling apart or something (but it didn't - he's fat, but not that fat) and then the mattress dropped a tiny bit. And the squeak was gone. So I guess the mattress wasn't properly in the frame and that's why it was squeaking. I don't know exactly and I really don't care, I'm just happy that the squeak is gone. And I'm thrilled that my cat was able to accomplish such a feat. ;o)
And now I'm going to make a shameless pitch for visitors.....to my lovely, wonderful family and friends: my recent acquaintances here ask me often when you all are coming to visit. And as I cannot yet answer the question, given that no plans exist at this time, I defer to you for an answer. When will you be coming to visit? You know, just so I can let them know......since they asked......
[Wow, can you tell from this post that I love ellipses???]
12 November 2006
Sarah's Screw-ups Continued
I don't share much about work, because I don't think it's something that I need to write about here and because I've now read enough stories about people being dooced (fired for what they've written on their blog regarding their workplace) that I think it's a better idea to stay away from that.
But Friday ended on a pretty funny note, which I think is worth sharing. My colleague and I had a mid-afternoon meeting at our headquarters, which is about a 20-25 minute drive from the plant. He drove, because he has a parking spot much closer to our building (he's at a higher level than I am). His spot has been moved, however, because of construction. So as we returned, I suggested that we park in my boss' spot, which is much closer to the building, because he was at a conference and would presumably not be returning to the office that day, as it was already 4. We had another meeting from 4-5 and I was just shutting down my computer at about 5:30, when my boss came into the office. Hmmm, can we say "oops!" As he came through to greet us (typical here - greet everyone in the office individually upon arrival), I said to him, "Mr. H. (we're on formal terms), your parking space is occupied." And he replied, "Yes and now so is the one from Mr. V" (a colleague in another department). To which, my colleague, to whom the car belongs, spoke up and said that I had recommended that we park there as we didn't expect our boss to return to the office that day. [Whilst that is true, I would like to point out here that it's his car, he was driving and he parked it there.] Mildly mortified and in full blush, I replied by thanking him very much for sharing that tidbit. To which my boss replied, in English: "Yep, he's a really nice guy, isn't he?" Which had the whole office laughing. A good way to end the workweek.
Although, I momentarily felt like doing this:
My cats like to sleep under the covers.
Or cuddled up together.
And one last photo. Recently, we had a really amazingly beautiful sky....
But Friday ended on a pretty funny note, which I think is worth sharing. My colleague and I had a mid-afternoon meeting at our headquarters, which is about a 20-25 minute drive from the plant. He drove, because he has a parking spot much closer to our building (he's at a higher level than I am). His spot has been moved, however, because of construction. So as we returned, I suggested that we park in my boss' spot, which is much closer to the building, because he was at a conference and would presumably not be returning to the office that day, as it was already 4. We had another meeting from 4-5 and I was just shutting down my computer at about 5:30, when my boss came into the office. Hmmm, can we say "oops!" As he came through to greet us (typical here - greet everyone in the office individually upon arrival), I said to him, "Mr. H. (we're on formal terms), your parking space is occupied." And he replied, "Yes and now so is the one from Mr. V" (a colleague in another department). To which, my colleague, to whom the car belongs, spoke up and said that I had recommended that we park there as we didn't expect our boss to return to the office that day. [Whilst that is true, I would like to point out here that it's his car, he was driving and he parked it there.] Mildly mortified and in full blush, I replied by thanking him very much for sharing that tidbit. To which my boss replied, in English: "Yep, he's a really nice guy, isn't he?" Which had the whole office laughing. A good way to end the workweek.
Although, I momentarily felt like doing this:
My cats like to sleep under the covers.
Or cuddled up together.And one last photo. Recently, we had a really amazingly beautiful sky....
Life
I have one word to say about the Delirious? concert: Awesome. Just awesome. Well, actually maybe I have another: Loud. Am I getting old? (Don't answer that, Andy!) It was really, really loud. But, I left without any broken toes and while I had no personal space whatsoever, really couldn't see anything happening on stage and smelled more body odors (none of which were my own, thank you!) than I would have preferred, it was still really, really awesome.
And in other small victories on the German front: I found eggs at the grocery yesterday. They were tucked away in the very back corner of the store (they're not refrigerated here). And as I was walking away with my little carton of eggs, I noticed that I had received the wonderful added gift of a chicken feather (yuck!). While I am not vegetarian in that I eat meat and animal byproducts (eggs, cheese, etc.), I quickly become a vegetarian when the source of my food becomes identifiable. This led to an enjoyable pastime for my brothers of discussing, during dinner, the source of our particular meal. Something like....."I wonder if this meat loaf came from a big cow or a small cow" or "What part of the cow does this cut of meat come from?" It was just lovely and something for which I will be forever grateful to them. (I think you don't even have to read between the lines there to detect the sarcasm.)
So last night I made brownies with the eggs....my Mom sent some mixes (yep, guilty of not making brownies from scratch) and we have a get-together later this afternoon to which I was asked to bring something....."maybe brownies?" (Question came from an American, although it's a German get-together.) I hope, I hope, I hope that they taste good. My oven here is different. It's a circulating air oven (literal translation from the German). So it bakes differently. They look okay, but a little flat. So we'll see how they turned out.
I just have to share that I'm currently drinking black licorice tea and it's absolutely delicious!! I was skeptical, but it's yummy. Just thought I'd let you know. :o)
Last Sunday, we went for a walk in the vineyards on the mountain. It was pretty cold, but we were well-bundled and it was so beautiful, because the leaves on the grape vines are changing color. And because we haven't had major frost, the grapes on the vine were still edible. David said that once the grapes have been harvested (which they already have), anything that's left can be picked by passers-by (normally you are not allowed to pick the grapes, unless you own the vine). He even said that they intentionally leave grapes on the vine, following the Biblical principle of leaving part of the crop for the widows and the poor to harvest themselves. I'm not sure if I believe that part, but he seemed pretty sincere about it. So we ate quite a few grapes during our walk, a really nice afternoon snack. Here are some pictures:
And in other small victories on the German front: I found eggs at the grocery yesterday. They were tucked away in the very back corner of the store (they're not refrigerated here). And as I was walking away with my little carton of eggs, I noticed that I had received the wonderful added gift of a chicken feather (yuck!). While I am not vegetarian in that I eat meat and animal byproducts (eggs, cheese, etc.), I quickly become a vegetarian when the source of my food becomes identifiable. This led to an enjoyable pastime for my brothers of discussing, during dinner, the source of our particular meal. Something like....."I wonder if this meat loaf came from a big cow or a small cow" or "What part of the cow does this cut of meat come from?" It was just lovely and something for which I will be forever grateful to them. (I think you don't even have to read between the lines there to detect the sarcasm.)
So last night I made brownies with the eggs....my Mom sent some mixes (yep, guilty of not making brownies from scratch) and we have a get-together later this afternoon to which I was asked to bring something....."maybe brownies?" (Question came from an American, although it's a German get-together.) I hope, I hope, I hope that they taste good. My oven here is different. It's a circulating air oven (literal translation from the German). So it bakes differently. They look okay, but a little flat. So we'll see how they turned out.
I just have to share that I'm currently drinking black licorice tea and it's absolutely delicious!! I was skeptical, but it's yummy. Just thought I'd let you know. :o)
Last Sunday, we went for a walk in the vineyards on the mountain. It was pretty cold, but we were well-bundled and it was so beautiful, because the leaves on the grape vines are changing color. And because we haven't had major frost, the grapes on the vine were still edible. David said that once the grapes have been harvested (which they already have), anything that's left can be picked by passers-by (normally you are not allowed to pick the grapes, unless you own the vine). He even said that they intentionally leave grapes on the vine, following the Biblical principle of leaving part of the crop for the widows and the poor to harvest themselves. I'm not sure if I believe that part, but he seemed pretty sincere about it. So we ate quite a few grapes during our walk, a really nice afternoon snack. Here are some pictures:
08 November 2006
No prose for me today.
I'm tired. I'm not feeling very wordy or witty or inspired or anything. I don't feel like commenting on the elections. I don't feel like discussing Brittany Spears' petition for divorce. I only feel capable of thinking in short, concise, shallow sentences. Like this: I made french fries for my dinner. They didn't taste good. (I know, how can french fries not taste good? But they didn't.) (Or are they still being called Freedom Fries in the Land of the Free?)
Strange, because it's only 8:30, so I shouldn't be so tired. And I haven't posted since Sunday, so I should have more to say.
But I don't. Well, except to say that Jemma is making little holes in my blanket, because she pounces on my feet every time I move them under the blanket, grabs the blanket with her teeth and thereby makes holes. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive foam blanket from Target (an old friend which I will be visiting in a matter of weeks ;), so I don't care too much.
Oh, I do have a "fun" (read: embarrassing) story....I parked in my garage last night. But I parked right against the edge of the lift. So the hubcap was touching the metal side of the lift. And apparently, I didn't put the lift all the way up last night. So this morning, shortly before 6, my neighbor was leaving. She noticed that the lift wasn't all the way up, which is good, because if she tried to back out when the lift was not all the way up, she would damage her car. So she put the lift the rest of the way up. Apparently, because the car was in contact with the lift, putting the lift up shook the car significantly, causing the alarm to go off. At 6. In the morning.
Oops.
So how did I awaken? To my doorbell ringing and my neighbor telling me that my alarm was going off. [Fortunately, the sound part of it only went off briefly and by the time I got there (in my pajamas, slippers and winter coat - it was freeeezing!), only the lights were blinking.] I'm sure my neighbor is tired of this dumb American girl who can't seem to properly use the garage.
Have I mentioned that I HATE my garage?
My Christmas wish list:
-an elevator
-a new garage/different parking system
-balcony neighbors that like me or at least pretend to be friendly
-a sun that does not set at 5 p.m.
What?? Are you doubting St. Nicholas' ability to deliver on these wishes??
Well, in that case, I'll share my material desires of the moment (although I refuse to decorate for Christmas until we have celebrated Thanksgiving - which we are going to do here, by the way - I'm bringing cranberry [thanks, Mom!!] and salad):
-a new camera....this one was recommended to me by my hmm.....he's my.......well, let's see, my dad's uncle is my great uncle. My great uncle's daughter would be my second cousin, right? Yes, that must be right, because she is my dad's cousin. And so her husband is my second-cousin-in-law? Or my second cousin's husband (whatevah, I said I was too tired). And I think his recommendation is worth taking, because he takes awesome pictures!! It's a beauty (the camera I mean). But do I need this many features?? No, I don't mean "need." I mean, if I have this many features on my camera, will I learn how to use them??
-a machine that makes fizzy water. Yep, I'm addicted to bubbly water. Just don't like flat water that much any more. But I hate having to buy cases of water and haul them upstairs. So they have this machine...you use tap water and inject the fizz (it's Carbon Monoxide, right?) into the water. I should just buy it, because it's offered on Ebay for 1 Euro plus 6 Euro shipping and handling for the whole kit and caboodle.
That's pretty much it. It's really not a long list this year. I'd like to find a couch, too, but I can't very well add that to my list, can I?
WAIT! How did I almost forget my biggest Christmas wish of ever and all time??? Which is:
That my HOUSE sells!!!!!!!!!!
Strange, because it's only 8:30, so I shouldn't be so tired. And I haven't posted since Sunday, so I should have more to say.
But I don't. Well, except to say that Jemma is making little holes in my blanket, because she pounces on my feet every time I move them under the blanket, grabs the blanket with her teeth and thereby makes holes. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive foam blanket from Target (an old friend which I will be visiting in a matter of weeks ;), so I don't care too much.
Oh, I do have a "fun" (read: embarrassing) story....I parked in my garage last night. But I parked right against the edge of the lift. So the hubcap was touching the metal side of the lift. And apparently, I didn't put the lift all the way up last night. So this morning, shortly before 6, my neighbor was leaving. She noticed that the lift wasn't all the way up, which is good, because if she tried to back out when the lift was not all the way up, she would damage her car. So she put the lift the rest of the way up. Apparently, because the car was in contact with the lift, putting the lift up shook the car significantly, causing the alarm to go off. At 6. In the morning.
Oops.
So how did I awaken? To my doorbell ringing and my neighbor telling me that my alarm was going off. [Fortunately, the sound part of it only went off briefly and by the time I got there (in my pajamas, slippers and winter coat - it was freeeezing!), only the lights were blinking.] I'm sure my neighbor is tired of this dumb American girl who can't seem to properly use the garage.
Have I mentioned that I HATE my garage?
My Christmas wish list:
-an elevator
-a new garage/different parking system
-balcony neighbors that like me or at least pretend to be friendly
-a sun that does not set at 5 p.m.
What?? Are you doubting St. Nicholas' ability to deliver on these wishes??
Well, in that case, I'll share my material desires of the moment (although I refuse to decorate for Christmas until we have celebrated Thanksgiving - which we are going to do here, by the way - I'm bringing cranberry [thanks, Mom!!] and salad):
-a new camera....this one was recommended to me by my hmm.....he's my.......well, let's see, my dad's uncle is my great uncle. My great uncle's daughter would be my second cousin, right? Yes, that must be right, because she is my dad's cousin. And so her husband is my second-cousin-in-law? Or my second cousin's husband (whatevah, I said I was too tired). And I think his recommendation is worth taking, because he takes awesome pictures!! It's a beauty (the camera I mean). But do I need this many features?? No, I don't mean "need." I mean, if I have this many features on my camera, will I learn how to use them??
-a machine that makes fizzy water. Yep, I'm addicted to bubbly water. Just don't like flat water that much any more. But I hate having to buy cases of water and haul them upstairs. So they have this machine...you use tap water and inject the fizz (it's Carbon Monoxide, right?) into the water. I should just buy it, because it's offered on Ebay for 1 Euro plus 6 Euro shipping and handling for the whole kit and caboodle.
That's pretty much it. It's really not a long list this year. I'd like to find a couch, too, but I can't very well add that to my list, can I?
WAIT! How did I almost forget my biggest Christmas wish of ever and all time??? Which is:
That my HOUSE sells!!!!!!!!!!
05 November 2006
Judgement
Today, Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for the deaths of 148 people in a massacre in 1982. (All references are from the Yahoo article, which can be found here.) As I read the opening line of the article, my heart tightened and I felt sudden, very unexpected compassion for the former dictator. I can't imagine being sentenced to death. Even worse, being sentenced to death by hanging. How horrible. I think that I believe in the death penalty. I thought that I was certain that I believed in the death penalty. But now, I think that I believe in it. Somehow, the prospect of lethal injection "softens" the severity of the death penalty for me. Somehow, when I'm confronted by the fact that in some places the death penalty is administered by hanging, I have trouble with it. I think this tells me that I am not immune to violence, to suffering, that I do not wish pain inflicted on others. For that I am glad.
And then I read on. And I felt some kind of twisted respect for Saddam, when he suggested that because he alone was in charge, he alone should be tried. I don't agree with that, but I can almost find it admirable that he tried to save his co-defendants. Who is this man? This man who committed such atrocities, but would sacrifice himself to save the others. This man who divided a nation along religious lines, but according to his defense attorney, "called on Iraqis to reject sectarian violence and refrain from revenge against U.S. forces." This man, who, if his appeal is lost, will hang within thirty days after losing the appeal.
Don't misunderstand. I don't think that Saddam is innocent. I don't think that he shouldn't be punished. He and his regime committed acts of violence, horrible atrocities that I cannot imagine. Against people. Against living, breathing, fellow human creatures. Against their neighbors. Based on the documentation of his own government, he is clearly guilty of crimes against humanity. And I am not saying that I think the verdict of death is wrong. I'm just not sure that it's necessary. Is it? If Saddam were sentenced to life in prison, what, from the perspective of justice being carried out, would be "worse" about it? Yes, it would cost more to house him, feed him, clothe him, provide him with medical care and so on. But he would have to live his life in a cage. He would have to live the rest of his life in a cage thinking about the crimes that put him there. That is not my idea of a good life. That, to me, is punishment. But is it "enough"?
Then, I read on. And I read that in 1982, "Some of those hanged were children." Who could hang a child? And I know, I'm aware, that children often become part of the fighting forces in warfare. I'm recognize that children are capable of unfathomable acts of violence - the school shootings in the US are an easy example to cite. But to hang a child? To place a noose around the neck of a child, to look into their eyes, knowing that you are going to end their life and then to go through with it? It's incomprehensible to me. It's absolutely incomprehensible.
But I return again to the question of what's right....."an eye for an eye..." is Old Testament law. And we don't live under the old law anymore, by the Grace of God. So should we continue to follow it? Or should we move beyond that? Should the punishment "match" the crime or should the punishment fit the crime...should the punishers show more grace, more control, more justice than the criminals? But then, is the death penalty unjust?
As he was sentenced, the article states that he was trembling and defiant, as he shouted "God is great." His statement is not false. But in light of his actions, of his regime, of the life he lived and of his statement "Long live the people and death to their enemies. Long live the glorious nation, and death to its enemies," the premise of his initial statement, his belief system on which his statement is based, certainly is. But the trembling, I have to come back to the trembling. When confronted with his own mortality, with the very real reality of his own practically imminent death, I have to believe that the trembling came from fear. Fear. Because within the monster is a man. A human. And that, the fact that above all else, beyond all crimes, is the fact that I, for one, cannot overlook. Call me naive, call me overly compassionate, call me what you will. No matter what you call me, you cannot dispute that Saddam Hussein is a human being and that with the execution of his sentence, the life of a human being will be taken.
Is it right? Is it justice?
I don't know. That's how I have to conclude. I just don't know. Do you?
"'The verdict placed on the heads of the former regime does not represent a verdict for any one person. It is a verdict on a whole dark era that has was unmatched in Iraq's history,' Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's Shiite prime minister.
And then I read on. And I felt some kind of twisted respect for Saddam, when he suggested that because he alone was in charge, he alone should be tried. I don't agree with that, but I can almost find it admirable that he tried to save his co-defendants. Who is this man? This man who committed such atrocities, but would sacrifice himself to save the others. This man who divided a nation along religious lines, but according to his defense attorney, "called on Iraqis to reject sectarian violence and refrain from revenge against U.S. forces." This man, who, if his appeal is lost, will hang within thirty days after losing the appeal.
Don't misunderstand. I don't think that Saddam is innocent. I don't think that he shouldn't be punished. He and his regime committed acts of violence, horrible atrocities that I cannot imagine. Against people. Against living, breathing, fellow human creatures. Against their neighbors. Based on the documentation of his own government, he is clearly guilty of crimes against humanity. And I am not saying that I think the verdict of death is wrong. I'm just not sure that it's necessary. Is it? If Saddam were sentenced to life in prison, what, from the perspective of justice being carried out, would be "worse" about it? Yes, it would cost more to house him, feed him, clothe him, provide him with medical care and so on. But he would have to live his life in a cage. He would have to live the rest of his life in a cage thinking about the crimes that put him there. That is not my idea of a good life. That, to me, is punishment. But is it "enough"?
Then, I read on. And I read that in 1982, "Some of those hanged were children." Who could hang a child? And I know, I'm aware, that children often become part of the fighting forces in warfare. I'm recognize that children are capable of unfathomable acts of violence - the school shootings in the US are an easy example to cite. But to hang a child? To place a noose around the neck of a child, to look into their eyes, knowing that you are going to end their life and then to go through with it? It's incomprehensible to me. It's absolutely incomprehensible.
But I return again to the question of what's right....."an eye for an eye..." is Old Testament law. And we don't live under the old law anymore, by the Grace of God. So should we continue to follow it? Or should we move beyond that? Should the punishment "match" the crime or should the punishment fit the crime...should the punishers show more grace, more control, more justice than the criminals? But then, is the death penalty unjust?
As he was sentenced, the article states that he was trembling and defiant, as he shouted "God is great." His statement is not false. But in light of his actions, of his regime, of the life he lived and of his statement "Long live the people and death to their enemies. Long live the glorious nation, and death to its enemies," the premise of his initial statement, his belief system on which his statement is based, certainly is. But the trembling, I have to come back to the trembling. When confronted with his own mortality, with the very real reality of his own practically imminent death, I have to believe that the trembling came from fear. Fear. Because within the monster is a man. A human. And that, the fact that above all else, beyond all crimes, is the fact that I, for one, cannot overlook. Call me naive, call me overly compassionate, call me what you will. No matter what you call me, you cannot dispute that Saddam Hussein is a human being and that with the execution of his sentence, the life of a human being will be taken.
Is it right? Is it justice?
I don't know. That's how I have to conclude. I just don't know. Do you?
"'The verdict placed on the heads of the former regime does not represent a verdict for any one person. It is a verdict on a whole dark era that has was unmatched in Iraq's history,' Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's Shiite prime minister.
04 November 2006
Shopping Saturday
Today I....
Purchased 1 standing fan, 1 coffee machine and 1 coffee grinder from expats relocating back to the States. Total cost was a mere 20 Euro - I LOVE the expat exchange!! They gave me filters and coffee as a bonus gift.
Went to the tire store to purchase winter tires and have them put on, but the wait was 4 hours!!! 4 hours!! 4 hours! Yes, I was that suprised. I had no book with me, I had many other errands to run before the stores closed, I was not waiting 4 hours. I will be returning this week....
Then I went to Stuttgart Mitte and.....
Purchased 1 2007 kitchen calendar (have to keep track of the Gelbe Sack pick-ups somewhere...I think I already explained the Gelbe Sack, but if you don't know what it is, ask and I'll explain again.) and 1 2007 pocket calendar for my purse.
At Galeria Kaufhaus, I finally found jeans that aren't too long. They were ridiculously expensive, but given that the pair I am currently wearing are just too big, I bought them anyway. I can't wait to go shopping when I'm in Michigan at Christmas. Target, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Kohl's - those places where you can buy basic, inexpensive clothes.....
At Zero, I bought a really, really cute blazer. I might just take a picture of it for you, if you ask nicely.
At this really expensive kitchen store, I bought the two most inexpensive items....a canister for the coffee that I now have. :o) And two door-stops, because until now, I have been using a piece of the stuff the neighbor used to patch the wall to hold one door open and a big rock from the fish tank that used to be in my apartment (they left all the rocks/stones from the tank on the balcony) to hold the other door open.
I wanted a coffee from Starbucks, but the line was too long. :o(
At the inexpensive deco store, I bought a teapot "oven." It's a little ceramic thing that holds a tealight candle and then you put your teapot on top of it to keep the tea warm. It looks like what goes under a potpurri pot. The one I bought was 2.95 Euro. (The one I did not buy at the super-expensive store was 29.95 Euro.)
I might as well have purchased a parking spot in the parking deck, too. I spent 3.5 hours in the city and paid 8 Euro in parking fees!
From there, I went to the Drink Market and returned the empties and bought new.
Then I went to pet store for cat litter and I bought this really cool thing for the cats. It's a metal frame that hangs on the heat register and has a nice soft material covering. It's practically a kitty hammock. How nice am I to my cats? (Of course, they haven't figured it out yet and they got all freaked out when I put them on it, but I have confidence that once they figure it out, they'll LOVE it.)
Then I went to Obi, because I need a new bathmat and the ones that I looked at downtown were just too expensive. But I thought they were expensive at Obi, too, and I didn't really like any of them, so I didn't buy one. Gotta keep looking.....
Last, but not least, I went to the grocery store. Cereal, soy milk (plain and chocolate), bread, cheese, meat, the basics, nothing too exciting. But, I couldn't find eggs. I need eggs to make the brownies from the mix that my Mom sent. I couldn't find them anywhere, but I felt too ridiculous to ask if they had eggs. Because if they did, I should have found them. And if they didn't, I should probably know where to buy them, other than the grocery store (can you tell that I haven't made any eggs in the last 4 months?). I guess I have to ask where one is supposed to purchase eggs when I'm at church tomorrow or at work on Monday (unless my favorite German reads this post soon and advises me where to purchase eggs....;o)
Then, I made two roundtrips up and down the stairs to bring everything in. The fan is still in the car, but that'll just have to wait until tomorrow to go into the basement.
Valuable lessons learned:
1. Do not procrastinate in purchasing winter tires.
2. Take a book to the tire store.
3. Take the train downtown, do not drive.
4. If you need to get by someone when you're shopping, you have to make your way through - no one is going to stand aside for you to get by. And if you stand aside for other people to get by, you might be there all day.
5. If you need help when you're shopping, with the other shoe of the pair, for example, you have to approach the staff, not wait for them to approach you.
6. Do not go into H&M when they are having a sale. IT'S JUST NOT WORTH RISKING INJURY!
I'm sure it's probably the same in the States, but Christmas stuff is EVERYWHERE already. The ice rink and a few of the Christmas Market huts are already set up downtown. But even though Thanksgiving is not a holiday here, I can't bring myself to buy anything Christmas or start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I am, however, very much looking forward to the Christmas Markets!
Gotta go, Jemma's playing with something she shouldn't be........
Purchased 1 standing fan, 1 coffee machine and 1 coffee grinder from expats relocating back to the States. Total cost was a mere 20 Euro - I LOVE the expat exchange!! They gave me filters and coffee as a bonus gift.
Went to the tire store to purchase winter tires and have them put on, but the wait was 4 hours!!! 4 hours!! 4 hours! Yes, I was that suprised. I had no book with me, I had many other errands to run before the stores closed, I was not waiting 4 hours. I will be returning this week....
Then I went to Stuttgart Mitte and.....
Purchased 1 2007 kitchen calendar (have to keep track of the Gelbe Sack pick-ups somewhere...I think I already explained the Gelbe Sack, but if you don't know what it is, ask and I'll explain again.) and 1 2007 pocket calendar for my purse.
At Galeria Kaufhaus, I finally found jeans that aren't too long. They were ridiculously expensive, but given that the pair I am currently wearing are just too big, I bought them anyway. I can't wait to go shopping when I'm in Michigan at Christmas. Target, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Kohl's - those places where you can buy basic, inexpensive clothes.....
At Zero, I bought a really, really cute blazer. I might just take a picture of it for you, if you ask nicely.
At this really expensive kitchen store, I bought the two most inexpensive items....a canister for the coffee that I now have. :o) And two door-stops, because until now, I have been using a piece of the stuff the neighbor used to patch the wall to hold one door open and a big rock from the fish tank that used to be in my apartment (they left all the rocks/stones from the tank on the balcony) to hold the other door open.
I wanted a coffee from Starbucks, but the line was too long. :o(
At the inexpensive deco store, I bought a teapot "oven." It's a little ceramic thing that holds a tealight candle and then you put your teapot on top of it to keep the tea warm. It looks like what goes under a potpurri pot. The one I bought was 2.95 Euro. (The one I did not buy at the super-expensive store was 29.95 Euro.)
I might as well have purchased a parking spot in the parking deck, too. I spent 3.5 hours in the city and paid 8 Euro in parking fees!
From there, I went to the Drink Market and returned the empties and bought new.
Then I went to pet store for cat litter and I bought this really cool thing for the cats. It's a metal frame that hangs on the heat register and has a nice soft material covering. It's practically a kitty hammock. How nice am I to my cats? (Of course, they haven't figured it out yet and they got all freaked out when I put them on it, but I have confidence that once they figure it out, they'll LOVE it.)
Then I went to Obi, because I need a new bathmat and the ones that I looked at downtown were just too expensive. But I thought they were expensive at Obi, too, and I didn't really like any of them, so I didn't buy one. Gotta keep looking.....
Last, but not least, I went to the grocery store. Cereal, soy milk (plain and chocolate), bread, cheese, meat, the basics, nothing too exciting. But, I couldn't find eggs. I need eggs to make the brownies from the mix that my Mom sent. I couldn't find them anywhere, but I felt too ridiculous to ask if they had eggs. Because if they did, I should have found them. And if they didn't, I should probably know where to buy them, other than the grocery store (can you tell that I haven't made any eggs in the last 4 months?). I guess I have to ask where one is supposed to purchase eggs when I'm at church tomorrow or at work on Monday (unless my favorite German reads this post soon and advises me where to purchase eggs....;o)
Then, I made two roundtrips up and down the stairs to bring everything in. The fan is still in the car, but that'll just have to wait until tomorrow to go into the basement.
Valuable lessons learned:
1. Do not procrastinate in purchasing winter tires.
2. Take a book to the tire store.
3. Take the train downtown, do not drive.
4. If you need to get by someone when you're shopping, you have to make your way through - no one is going to stand aside for you to get by. And if you stand aside for other people to get by, you might be there all day.
5. If you need help when you're shopping, with the other shoe of the pair, for example, you have to approach the staff, not wait for them to approach you.
6. Do not go into H&M when they are having a sale. IT'S JUST NOT WORTH RISKING INJURY!
I'm sure it's probably the same in the States, but Christmas stuff is EVERYWHERE already. The ice rink and a few of the Christmas Market huts are already set up downtown. But even though Thanksgiving is not a holiday here, I can't bring myself to buy anything Christmas or start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I am, however, very much looking forward to the Christmas Markets!
Gotta go, Jemma's playing with something she shouldn't be........
03 November 2006
Mug Shot
I have a German driver's license! The picture is not attractive, but it's not as bad as the picture on my Michigan license.
Tomorrow's task: Winter tires.
Tomorrow's task: Winter tires.
02 November 2006
It wasn't funny in the first place.....
Kerry’s prepared vs. actual statement
AP
What Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said about Iraq: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”
What his spokesperson, Amy Brundage, said Kerry’s prepared text called for him to say: “Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush.” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13018908/)
Are middle-schoolers running for political office these days? Or am I the only one who thinks that the "prepared text" sounds like something one middle-schooler would say to insult another? Yikes.... And how did he apologize?
Earlier in the day, appearing on the radio program “Imus in the Morning,” the Massachusetts senator said he was “sorry about a botched joke” about President Bush. He heaped praise on the troops, adamantly accused Republicans of twisting his words and said it was the commander in chief and his aides who “owe America an apology for this disaster in Iraq.”
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13018908/)
Sorry, but what was there to twist? The words that came out of the man's mouth were so twisted, they needed no spin.
And yes, this even made it into the German news. A subtitle on another article is notable: "Der US-Wahlkampf verkommt zur schlimmsten Schlammschlacht seit Jahrzehnten. Vor allem die Republikaner scheuen vor fiesen Tricks nicht zurück. Die Demokraten schießen sich lieber selbst ins Bein - wie jetzt John Kerry." -(approximate translation) The US election campaign degenerates into the worst mud-wrestling in decades. Most notably, the Republicans don't shy away from nasty tricks. The Democrats prefer to shoot themselves in the leg - like John Kerry now. - Nice picture of the American political system being presented, isn't it?
In complete and total contrast, please read the October 31st post on Matt's blog. (Of course, you can feel free to read his other posts, too, but this one really struck me.) Reading stories like this restores my sense of patriotism. Wouldn't it be nice if this was one of the headlines in the paper, instead of the above?
You can tell I'm working really hard on my paper, right??
AP
What Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said about Iraq: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”
What his spokesperson, Amy Brundage, said Kerry’s prepared text called for him to say: “Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush.” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13018908/)
Are middle-schoolers running for political office these days? Or am I the only one who thinks that the "prepared text" sounds like something one middle-schooler would say to insult another? Yikes.... And how did he apologize?
Earlier in the day, appearing on the radio program “Imus in the Morning,” the Massachusetts senator said he was “sorry about a botched joke” about President Bush. He heaped praise on the troops, adamantly accused Republicans of twisting his words and said it was the commander in chief and his aides who “owe America an apology for this disaster in Iraq.”
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13018908/)
Sorry, but what was there to twist? The words that came out of the man's mouth were so twisted, they needed no spin.
And yes, this even made it into the German news. A subtitle on another article is notable: "Der US-Wahlkampf verkommt zur schlimmsten Schlammschlacht seit Jahrzehnten. Vor allem die Republikaner scheuen vor fiesen Tricks nicht zurück. Die Demokraten schießen sich lieber selbst ins Bein - wie jetzt John Kerry." -(approximate translation) The US election campaign degenerates into the worst mud-wrestling in decades. Most notably, the Republicans don't shy away from nasty tricks. The Democrats prefer to shoot themselves in the leg - like John Kerry now. - Nice picture of the American political system being presented, isn't it?
In complete and total contrast, please read the October 31st post on Matt's blog. (Of course, you can feel free to read his other posts, too, but this one really struck me.) Reading stories like this restores my sense of patriotism. Wouldn't it be nice if this was one of the headlines in the paper, instead of the above?
You can tell I'm working really hard on my paper, right??
My buddy....
How cute is this guy?? See the countdown at the bottom of my blog to find out how much longer I have until I see him again.....
If I remember correctly, this photo was taken a day or two before I left for Germany. In the summer, back when it was, you know, warm.....And now it's cold. And raining. And windy. And it gets dark at 5 p.m......ah the joys of winter. My mom pointed out to me today that it won't be winter until January. And then promptly told me that there will be significant snow in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan, that is) tonight......I don't care what the calendar says about when winter starts, for me it starts when it gets cold. When I have to wear a sweater and a coat and a scarf to walk into town for breakfast, it's winter for me.
Which is what I did today, actually. I wore a sweater, a coat and a scarf and walked into town for breakfast with two people who were much colder than I was (they're both from Charleston, SC and so they haven't been conditioned for the cold....). It was fun. I love that we can walk into town. I love that we have bakeries in town and have our pick. I love that the pastry cost 1 Euro and not $3.50 like at Starbucks stateside. And my Schoko Croissant was tasty. The coffee was good, too. And no, I wasn't skipping work, today is All Saints' Day. And so we had the day off. Did I work on my paper? Ha. What do you think? My parents' should have given me the middle name of Procrastinator. Because that, my friends, is what I am. Indeed.
If I remember correctly, this photo was taken a day or two before I left for Germany. In the summer, back when it was, you know, warm.....And now it's cold. And raining. And windy. And it gets dark at 5 p.m......ah the joys of winter. My mom pointed out to me today that it won't be winter until January. And then promptly told me that there will be significant snow in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan, that is) tonight......I don't care what the calendar says about when winter starts, for me it starts when it gets cold. When I have to wear a sweater and a coat and a scarf to walk into town for breakfast, it's winter for me.Which is what I did today, actually. I wore a sweater, a coat and a scarf and walked into town for breakfast with two people who were much colder than I was (they're both from Charleston, SC and so they haven't been conditioned for the cold....). It was fun. I love that we can walk into town. I love that we have bakeries in town and have our pick. I love that the pastry cost 1 Euro and not $3.50 like at Starbucks stateside. And my Schoko Croissant was tasty. The coffee was good, too. And no, I wasn't skipping work, today is All Saints' Day. And so we had the day off. Did I work on my paper? Ha. What do you think? My parents' should have given me the middle name of Procrastinator. Because that, my friends, is what I am. Indeed.
31 October 2006
German Traffic Signs
I'd just like to state, for the record, that I scored 100% on this brief Verkehrszeichen Quiz! And I didn't even have to study first!
30 October 2006
Happy Halloween!
[If you haven't already figured it out, all the "cute baby" pictures are of my (first!) nephew, Mason, who is already one month old!!!]I'd like to take the occasion of this most non-momentous of holidays to point out that I have now been here for four months! Time flies!!! [A statement with which my Mom will most certainly wholeheartedly disagree!]
A question: Can a bed catch a squeak? You know, like we catch a cold?? My bed has developed a squeak. Since Saturday. And not just the one-little-spot-squeak, the all-over-squeak. The "when I breathe, my bed squeaks" kind of squeak. (The more I write the word "squeak" the funnier it looks.) Seriously, though, I never noticed that my bed squeaked before. I changed my sheets on Saturday and ever since then, it squeaks.....maybe it hates these sheets? I don't know, but seriously, I am sleeping terribly, because every time I turn over, it squeaks. Every time a cat jumps on or off the bed, it squeaks. You get the idea. It is awful. And now the question is, what do I do??? I tried moving the mattress a little bit, thinking I had moved it when I changed the sheets and therefore caused the squeak, but that didn't help. I don't know.....
Saturday I participated in pumpkin carving. "Participated" meaning that I separated the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkin goo. (Joy!) It was an interesting mix of American expats and Germans. I don't think any of the Germans had actually carved a pumpkin before, so it was really fun for them. I have to say that being an expat creates interesting relationships. Not in a bad way at all, but it's definitely something unique. For example, the family who hosted the pumpkin carving - he's an engineering manager at my company. I knew him pre-Germany, but not well, there were certainly other managers that I knew better. But since moving here, I've been over to their house several times and am invited to Thanksgiving there. Which is really nice, in all sincerity. It's just interesting, because it's something that probably would have never happened in MI.
Late Saturday afternoon, I was driving home (from a different house than the pumpkin carving house....) and I realized that I had left my purse behind. Seriously, I only have to keep track of myself and somehow I can't even do that. But I was so close to home and where I left my purse was almost thirty minutes away, so I decided to hope that they would be online that night so that I could ask them to bring my purse to church. (I would have called them, but I couldn't. Because where was my cell phone? In my purse. And where was their phone number? In my cell phone.....) Eventually, D. was online, so I asked him to bring my purse to church, but they weren't going to be at church, so they would bring it to the birthday party that we were invited to yesterday afternoon. Let me just tell you that I drove very, very carefully Sunday.
Sunday was not my "smartest" day, definitely not an improvement from my forgetfulness on Saturday.....We "fell back" on Saturday night, just like in the States. Supposedly, I have a radio-controlled clock, which theoretically should set itself. So when the alarm went off, I got up and got ready for church. When I checked my email before leaving, I noticed that my computer clock was not in sync with my alarm clock. For some reason, it was an hour behind my alarm clock (yep, that should have been a clue to me, but it wasn't). I figured it missed the time change somehow and thought I would adjust it later (I should have noticed that to correct to what time I thought it was, it would have to spring forward an hour, but I didn't....) On my way to church, the low gas light went on. Here, I try not to procrastinate on filling my tank (unlike in Michigan), because you never know when you might run into a Stau (backup, but not like anything you Metro-Detroiters can imagine, seriously, but that can be for another time). But where was my money? In my purse. And where was my debit card? In my purse. And where was my purse? Not with me! Fortunately, I had 15 Euro that I had stuck in my jeans pocket on Saturday, when S. paid me for their half of the gift that I bought for us to take to the birthday party on Sunday. If I hadn't had that money, I either would not have been able to go to the birthday party on Sunday night or I would have had to have borrowed money from someone at church on Sunday morning (which would have been totally mortifying!). After the gas station, I looked at my clock in the car and thought "how cool, the clock in my car must be radio-controlled, too", as it had apparently "fallen back" all on it's own. (Yes, go ahead and start laughing now....) I pulled into the parking lot and church and ................................................... there were two cars in the parking lot. And the announcer on the radio said, "It's 10 minutes to 9." [A note here on time: here in Schwabenland, they don't say "It's eight fifty." Nope, they say, "it's 10 before nine." And they don't say it's 8:30 either. They say that it's "half nine" when it's 8:30. The best ever was when I heard someone say, "It's 5 after 10 before half nine." Now, you tell me what time that is??? Even the Germans who aren't from here have to think about that one twice.] Anyways, church starts at 10. So I went back home, because I was not going to sit in the parking lot for an hour. And somehow, after being an hour early for church, I still managed to be ten minutes late. Now that's talent!
On to more serious issues....my house in Michigan still has not sold. It seems that I need to consider truly dropping the price drastically in order to sell it. Imagine taking a whole bunch of money, throwing it in the toilet and flushing. That's about how I feel right now. Sometimes I don't understand. I believe that moving to Germany was the right decision. And I have seen His Hand in this move in more ways than I can tell you (someone told me I should write all the ways out, so that I never forget the immensity of all that I've experienced). So I struggle with why my house won't sell. But like almost everything else in my life, I can place this in perspective....Michigan's unemployment is the highest in the nation at more than 50% higher than the national average. Consider then how fortunate I am that I have a job, that my family members have jobs, that my friends have jobs. To be honest, I don't know anyone who's lost their job because of the economic situation in Michigan, which is pretty amazing, considering that I work for an automotive company! In that light, losing some (well, okay, a lot, from any perspective) money on the sale of my house is still upsetting, but seems less devastating.
On to happier topics...I'm headed into a 5-day weekend! Tomorrow is All-Saints Day and since I live in a Catholic state, it's a state holiday here. And then I have vacation on Thursday and Friday. Well, really this isn't so happy, because I need to really sit down and work on my paper. I hope I'll be disciplined to do that, because I've already made some plans for my long weekend and I can see the possibility of more being added. But the draft is due on the 15th of November if I want to have the opportunity to revise it for an improved final grade, which I do. So, enough said. One large dose of self-discipline, please. I also need to get my winter tires (yep, we have to switch between summer and winter tires, please don't ask me, I don't know....) and pick up my German driver's license, which I'm looking forward to getting - imagine, though, the office is only open from 8:30 to 13:30 Monday through Wednesday and Friday and from 13:30 to 17:00 on Thursday. If a government agency had hours like that in the States, there would be an all-out revolt, with demonstrations and picketing, I do believe.
There's a challenge going around right now to blog for every day of November. I haven't signed up, because I don't know if that's something that I can commit to. But I'm going to make an attempt and we'll see if I can make it....
To all my friends in Detroit....so sorry about the Tigers. But it's pretty impressive that they made it as far as they did, don't you think? Now it's time to focus on my boys - the Red Wings. Unfortunately, I don't see the games, but you know I'm watching those stats! And while the boys aren't looking too bad, Anaheim, Dallas, Atlanta, Buffalo and Minnesota are doing pretty well. All I have to say is "Go Wings!"
Okay, that's all from me for today. Happy Trick or Treating!
27 October 2006
Happy, Happy, Happy....
Happy Weekend!!!! And "Go Tigers!!!!!!!"
Oh, and.....Delirious? - you know, the music group? Well, they're going to be here. Not just here as in Germany. And not just here as in Stuttgart. Here as in Stuttgart-Feuerbach. Here as in at Gospel Forum, like two minutes (well, okay, maybe four minutes) from where I live......I am so going! Now I just have to find somebody to go with me......Any takers???
26 October 2006
Who am I?
And what have I done with myself?????
I take the stairs instead of the elevator.
I drink fruit juice that's 100% fruit without any added sugar (the kind you have to shake because it separates).
I prefer bubbly water to tap water.
I can't drink fruit juice straight any more (it's too sweet) - I have to mix it with the bubbly water.
I haven't had a soda in over a month.
I eat mushrooms.
I take vitamins.
I no longer work 50 hours a week.
I eat breakfast (almost every day).
I eat lunch every day.
And if all that wasn't enough, I live in a foreign country, which is close to no longer feeling foreign......
Scary, huh?
Today was gorgeous! 76 and sunny. We actually had to open the windows at work, it was so warm (so glad we can open the windows here, in Michigan we couldn't). It doesn't feel like the end of October. And actually, they're saying that it's bad, because it means that everything's off-balance.....bugs, plants, etc. and that this probably means the leaves won't turn and so on. I really, really want the leaves to turn - it's my favorite part of fall, which is my favorite season.
By the way, Sarah H., I'm watching "Never Been Kissed" auf Deutsch. Good times. :o) Well, to be honest, I'm flipping between that and the German version of Wife Swap (Frauentausch).
I take the stairs instead of the elevator.
I drink fruit juice that's 100% fruit without any added sugar (the kind you have to shake because it separates).
I prefer bubbly water to tap water.
I can't drink fruit juice straight any more (it's too sweet) - I have to mix it with the bubbly water.
I haven't had a soda in over a month.
I eat mushrooms.
I take vitamins.
I no longer work 50 hours a week.
I eat breakfast (almost every day).
I eat lunch every day.
And if all that wasn't enough, I live in a foreign country, which is close to no longer feeling foreign......
Scary, huh?
Today was gorgeous! 76 and sunny. We actually had to open the windows at work, it was so warm (so glad we can open the windows here, in Michigan we couldn't). It doesn't feel like the end of October. And actually, they're saying that it's bad, because it means that everything's off-balance.....bugs, plants, etc. and that this probably means the leaves won't turn and so on. I really, really want the leaves to turn - it's my favorite part of fall, which is my favorite season.
By the way, Sarah H., I'm watching "Never Been Kissed" auf Deutsch. Good times. :o) Well, to be honest, I'm flipping between that and the German version of Wife Swap (Frauentausch).
23 October 2006
Awww, shucks.....
Thanks for all the comments, guys! I really, really appreciate it. 5 comments on one post is an all-time high! And just to reiterate, I will not stop blogging.
Hmm, it's raining so hard here right now. But I'm not complaining, because the weekend was beautiful!!! Saturday, I went to the Stuttgarter Culture Night that I mentioned in my last post. It was so cool! There were 70 different places in the city of Stuttgart that participated. There was classical music, jazz, opera, dance, theatre, film....pretty much you name it and you could see it. And there were buses to take you to the parts of the city that were too far to walk. So, what did we do? We heard a classical organ concert in this really beautiful church, we saw a really funny dance performance and we heard opera. And we learned a really, really valuable lesson for next time (yep, we already decided that we're going next year!). We have to buy tickets in advance so that we can get the program in advance so that we can make a time table of everything we want to see and where to go when. Imagine....70 venues with 500 collective hours of culture! You can't do everything in the 7 hours during which it takes place, so you have to be really organized. And next year, we will be!
Sunday after church, I went to Bretzfeld. I had a delicious lunch!! I eat well here, but never better than there. (Yum!) It was fun, because we haven't seen each other in about six weeks. I saw fun pictures of lots of my friends from C3 (miss you guys!!) and my Mom and Dad (miss you guys, too!!). :o) And then they gave me the items they brought back from Michigan for me. So I now have brownie mix!!! I am very much looking forward to having some brownies!!!
Sunday evening, we had a dinner at the home of a family from church. They live in a village. Really a village. So small it doesn't show up on my map or in the route planner program in the internet. Well, I didn't think it was that far from Bretzfeld, but it was! It was over ninety minutes away.......So I was an hour late getting there (and not because I go lost). But the drive was beautiful! Through the mountains, leaves are all changing, it was gorgeous.
Today after work I went to check out the place where the cats will stay while I'm in Michigan. It's near the airport, which is a plus. The second and third floors of the house are both multiple rooms with all kinds of cat toys, cat beds, etc. And the lady seemed nice enough. Hopefully they won't be to sad to go there. They'll be together, of course. And if the other cats don't get along with them, she'll put them in their own room. So they'll be fine. (Right?? I feel like I'm leaving my kids....or at least what I think it would feel like if I left my kids.)
And what I'm so excited about....I'm going to volunteer at the Children's English Library here in Stuttgart!!! The training is in the first week of November and then I'll be on one Saturday a month for about three hours. I'm really looking forward to this. I love books!
Miscellaneous Germany items that are floating around in my head.....
-I have to get winter tires for my car. Yep, that's right. There are two kinds of tires and people change them over with the seasons. This is actually something I need to do pretty soon. Thankfully, someone at church has offered to help me....
-Shopping isn't so easy. I need new pants. But all the pants are too long. And expensive. And the sizes here.....clothing size 8 in the US is a size 36 in Germany. How fun is that? And the shoes are similar. US size 7 is size 38. This doesn't mean anything, because it is what it is, but imagine how weird it is to walk up to a sales clerk and ask if they have a shoe in size 38....
-There is not Diet Coke in Germany, there is Coke Light. And it does not taste the same. And I do not like it, Sam I am. (Sorry, that really made me think of Dr. Suess.) I want a Diet Coke! I'm not craving much, but that is something I am craving.
-Now that I have TV again, I'm noticing how much American programming is dubbed into German. Right now, I could watch Sleepless in Seattle, Crossing Jordan, Lost or Married with Children (yuck!). Other than that, it's mostly all news programming.....
Happy Monday!
Hmm, it's raining so hard here right now. But I'm not complaining, because the weekend was beautiful!!! Saturday, I went to the Stuttgarter Culture Night that I mentioned in my last post. It was so cool! There were 70 different places in the city of Stuttgart that participated. There was classical music, jazz, opera, dance, theatre, film....pretty much you name it and you could see it. And there were buses to take you to the parts of the city that were too far to walk. So, what did we do? We heard a classical organ concert in this really beautiful church, we saw a really funny dance performance and we heard opera. And we learned a really, really valuable lesson for next time (yep, we already decided that we're going next year!). We have to buy tickets in advance so that we can get the program in advance so that we can make a time table of everything we want to see and where to go when. Imagine....70 venues with 500 collective hours of culture! You can't do everything in the 7 hours during which it takes place, so you have to be really organized. And next year, we will be!
Sunday after church, I went to Bretzfeld. I had a delicious lunch!! I eat well here, but never better than there. (Yum!) It was fun, because we haven't seen each other in about six weeks. I saw fun pictures of lots of my friends from C3 (miss you guys!!) and my Mom and Dad (miss you guys, too!!). :o) And then they gave me the items they brought back from Michigan for me. So I now have brownie mix!!! I am very much looking forward to having some brownies!!!
Sunday evening, we had a dinner at the home of a family from church. They live in a village. Really a village. So small it doesn't show up on my map or in the route planner program in the internet. Well, I didn't think it was that far from Bretzfeld, but it was! It was over ninety minutes away.......So I was an hour late getting there (and not because I go lost). But the drive was beautiful! Through the mountains, leaves are all changing, it was gorgeous.
Today after work I went to check out the place where the cats will stay while I'm in Michigan. It's near the airport, which is a plus. The second and third floors of the house are both multiple rooms with all kinds of cat toys, cat beds, etc. And the lady seemed nice enough. Hopefully they won't be to sad to go there. They'll be together, of course. And if the other cats don't get along with them, she'll put them in their own room. So they'll be fine. (Right?? I feel like I'm leaving my kids....or at least what I think it would feel like if I left my kids.)
And what I'm so excited about....I'm going to volunteer at the Children's English Library here in Stuttgart!!! The training is in the first week of November and then I'll be on one Saturday a month for about three hours. I'm really looking forward to this. I love books!
Miscellaneous Germany items that are floating around in my head.....
-I have to get winter tires for my car. Yep, that's right. There are two kinds of tires and people change them over with the seasons. This is actually something I need to do pretty soon. Thankfully, someone at church has offered to help me....
-Shopping isn't so easy. I need new pants. But all the pants are too long. And expensive. And the sizes here.....clothing size 8 in the US is a size 36 in Germany. How fun is that? And the shoes are similar. US size 7 is size 38. This doesn't mean anything, because it is what it is, but imagine how weird it is to walk up to a sales clerk and ask if they have a shoe in size 38....
-There is not Diet Coke in Germany, there is Coke Light. And it does not taste the same. And I do not like it, Sam I am. (Sorry, that really made me think of Dr. Suess.) I want a Diet Coke! I'm not craving much, but that is something I am craving.
-Now that I have TV again, I'm noticing how much American programming is dubbed into German. Right now, I could watch Sleepless in Seattle, Crossing Jordan, Lost or Married with Children (yuck!). Other than that, it's mostly all news programming.....
| You Are Pumpkin |
 Realistic and practical, you see the world for how it is. You know what it takes to succeed in life... And you're happy to help others reach their goals. |
Happy Monday!
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