I was sitting, waiting, wishing...

I'm currently tucked into one of the study rooms at the Johnson County Library, with my computer, my mom's computer, and lots of study material. Which of course means that I'm updating my blog. Sheesh, why would I actually study?

We haven't made it to Colorado yet. Dad says it all depends on the weather. If we were honest- we all know it really depends on him. But whatever. Today is my first Hype 7 practice in nearly 7 months. OMG! I'm reallly excited, I love Hype 7. It's fabulous because you can be as out there as you want and it's normal. The stranger the more you fit in. Gotta love that! So right now I'm just whilling away the time until I can head out to Bonner Springs to the practice.

Yesterday I broke down and got some sushi. I had... 30 pieces. OINK! I say, OINK! haha no but seriously, it was great. California Rolls- no squid for this girl.

Well, that was a bust

Maybe it's all my imagination- but I don't think that it is. Today my mom's family came from around the Emporia area and all congregated at my brother, Toby's, house in Kansas City. It's been a long time since my side of the family has hosted Christmas, and I thought this year would be nice. I was wrong. From the very beginning I felt snubbed. No hello Tiffany"'s except from my second cousin, Taylor, who is five, and my younger cousin Trey, who is eighteen. I had to approach my aunts and uncles and almost force them to give me a hug. It was so bad I actually had to ask my grandma if I had done something to upset her. It was very hurtful. But I'm still not sure if it was intentional, or if they even had any clue how their behavior was coming across.

My baby second cousin was there, I had only seen him once before I went to Europe and I was excited to get to play with him. I picked him up and my aunt ordered me to put him back down and said I couldn't play with him. Though everyone else was able to. Taylor said she wanted to sit by me at lunch- and my aunt said that she couldn't trust me. It was really mean. Plus- this may seem poor of me, but no one asked me about how it was in Germany- not one question, though all of them knew that I was there. I didn't expect to be the center of attention, but that was unexpected. I literally had to semi-force my grandma to sit down and look at a few of my pictures online. Needless to say I've had my fill of the extra family and am done.

But it was nice to hang out with my immediate family- including Nikki and Winston. Especially since with other people present they couldn't bother me about classes. :) Currently the family has left and it's just my family. Toby and Dad are tearing apart Toby's kitchen floor to see what lies beneath- they are hoping for wood floors. I don't think they are going to get their wish.

So that's how my day's going. Woo hoo...

Weather it is meant to be or not

I remember Dorothee telling me about one of her previous au pairs, who after coming back to Germany after Christmas back in the states with her family, was so excited to be back with the Kleins and away from her family. Well, I think I broke her record, because after just two days last night I started wondering when I get to head back. Don't get me wrong, I'm now able to gorge myself on all the things I've been missing. I've had my pumpkin pie, milk, canned gelled cranberries, cocoa krispies, mexican food and culver's hamburgers. But my parents are once again acting like parents and are driving me out of my mind. I still don't have the online classes done, and my parents are driving me out of my mind. I know the pressure to get them done, I feel it and am totally aware of it. I know that I'm dirt poor and it's because of Dad that I'm getting to do as much as I'm getting to do. But after months of no contact unless I call them- being stuck in a car with them lecturing is going to drive me out of my flippin' mind.

Plus- my "bed" is a blow up mattress on the floor. Which evidently has a large leak since I was pretty much just sleeping on the floor last night. Lovely.

Yesterday was gorgeous weather. It was about 65Degrees and lovely. I went to the Legends to eat sushi with Jessica and her two girls. Then we walked around a bit shopping. I was able to find the cutest Converse shoes for my neighbor back in Germany's twins. The pair for the girl has cupcakes on it. The one for the boy looks like a circut board- which I thought was appropriate since the dad works in IT. Cute right? Best part is that she's going to pay me back- but I still found them on sale. So yay!

I'm supposed to take one of my old friends, Katherine, to the Roving Imp in Bonner Springs to see some improv tonight, but the weather is not cooperating quite as well today. It rained all night- including thunderstorms and hail. Which has left the yard a virtual marshland. Then a cold front is supposed to come in with sleet and ice, then more winter weather in the form of snow. So the improv may be a no go. We'll see.

Hello Boys. I'm Baaaccckkk!!!

So I'm back in KC, and all I know is that this is going to have to be a short blog today because my internal clock is all messed up. I got in at about 3am this morning. Which meant that I had been up for 29 hours straight. I was sooooo tired. And.... yeah, and, my parents weren't there when I landed to complete the trip with a sentimental meeting because of the terribleness of the snow. First they didn't know when or if I had landed, and the roads in KC weren't looking so good either. I was in bed by 3:30am, cuddled up with my puppy- who had originally snubbed me, but eventually gave in to the undying love she holds for me.

This morning my mom offered to make me any breakfast I wanted- I requested biscuits and gravy. Mmmmm. Then I went to visit the girls that I used to nanny. They were great. I got christmas presents and we played hide and go seek and a electronic version of Life. It was really fun. I'm going to have to go see them a few more times while I'm home.

Then I went to my brother's house up north in KCMO, where my parents had gone up to. Mom, Dad, Toby (my brother), Nikki (who is Toby's girlfriend) and I went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant then went back to Toby's to watch Dark Knight. I slept through most of the movie (don't worry, I've seen it before) and now I'm here. Typing to you. Okay, consider yourself updated. I'm going to go sleep now. ZZZZzzzzzz

I'm comin' Home

Nuff Said. See you tomorrow.

Wheeee!

One Week! One Week! One Week!

La la lala la la!

I'm sooooo syked! Which I hope holds. Since that might be able to get me on the plane. Ugh! 17 hour flights can kiss my ass. When the hell are the scientists going to get around to the whole teleportation thing? And will Sharper Image be carrying it? (They have the coolest stuff.)

Anyways, I've been working on the whole "online-class-schoolwork" thing. (Double ugh). The 1960s one isn't so bad, but gag me with a spoon on the Western Civ one. I mean, could Rene Descartes be any more hard to read, understand and write a paper about. Everytime I think I have a handle on it, turns out I don't. So I'm just concentrating on the one at the moment.

This weekend was really busy. There were christmas trees to pick out and have cut down, sledding, clubbing, trying not to get our car towed, and Christmas markets. Wow. buuuuuussy. Oh, and then on Monday the girls had their Ballet recital. Which wasn't so much "ballet recital" as much as "Hey mom! Watch us jump around like pink fleas!" I have videos- will share.

Two Weeks and Counting...

I believe strongly that stomach flu should be like chicken pox- you should only have to suffer it once... of course, I was the kid who got it twice- even though that is NOT supposed to happen. What can I say? As one of my favorite book characters would say: "I am a riddle wrapped in an engima drenched in Big Mac special sauce."


But alas, the great bug of stomach ickiness has come and attacked me. Again.

Joy

*Rolls Eyes*

Okay, but this blog is not about that... entirely. No, this blog is about the fact that I am anxiously waiting/dreading going home in 2 weeks. That's right, two weeks from now I will be hurling myself into the sky in a tincan filled to brimming with my fellow sardines- braving the December weather and hoping and praying until my eyes bulge out that we won't get delayed. (Honestly, 17 hours of travel time is enough, thank you very much.)

I can't wait to get home... even though I have been enjoying Europe tons and I have a trip to Barcelona planned for two weeks after I get back. I just miss the familiar. Like driving my car, eating Mom's cooking, 30 theater-ed Movie theaters (oh the selection, oh the rapture!), like going to thrift shops, Target, used bookstores and last but not least: MY DOG!!!!

I tried to bring her with me. Really I did. See.

But she just wouldn't fit. The more I tried to squeeze her in, the more she would squeak. And although she may sometimes resemble a rat- she just doesn't naturally squeak. She does however have other amazing ablities. Check this out:

Oh yeah, my puppy kicks booty!

Things I've Learned Since Last Posting

Last week I discovered many things:
1. Germans have alcoholic beverages available to the adults at children's school functions. Dorothee and I attended Carola's sport's Christmas program- where here was alcohol available for a price. Nice. Then the same night we attended Paula's Kindergarten's Christmas party- where gluhwein (hot spiced wein) was available to all adults for free. (even better). So I preferred Paula's even though they did send the kids to a play then made all the adults wait around in the kindergarten and wouldn't even let us eat any of the food that was sitting there tauntung us. (Nana nana boo boo)
***
2. Weihnachtsmarkts Rule! A Weihnachtsmarkt or Christmas Market winds it's way through the streets of the city. It is made up of stalls that are festively decorated with people selling everything. Scarves, ornaments, toys, jewelery, things that slice and dice food, minatures, and just about anything else that people could want. They also have stalls that sell food and of course, gluhwein. The best part of this is that you can keep the mug when buy the gluhwein. Here's the one I got:

***
3. Where kids track- so do their school mates' germs. Yeah, I would like to send out a special thanks to Carola for giving me her stomach bug which had me calling Grandpa (Raaalllppphhh) and bowing down before the porcelin throne for many hours.
***
4. Straight up electolytes from a packet are nasty. Stick to the gaterado. Personally, future consequences be damned, I don't care if the chemicals are slowly pickling me from the inside out. If I'm trying to keep a stomach settled, nasty things don't help. So if someone offers- just say no. Remember the techniques they taught you in D.A.R.E.:

Saying "No Thanks"

Giving a Reason of Excuse

Broken Record

Walking Away

Changing the Subject

Avoiding the Situation

Cold shoulder

Strength in Numbers

(Heart you Dorothee :D )

***

5. I'm a terrible fan. I found out Friday that my favorite actor of all times: Will Smith, has a new movie coming out very soon and I didn't even know about it. UGH! How terrible am I? Yeah I know. Okay, so it's called "Seven Pounds" and it's by the same director as "Pursuit of Happyness" which we all know was a tear jerker- and it looks like this one's along the same path, but hey, it's Will Smith, so go see it- it will of course be great! Click here to see the trailer.

***

6. Carola+Scraped Hand= Drama Queen. Last night Carola fell, scraped up her hand and became convinced that that was the end of her ablity to write and therefore can no longer do her homework. *rolls eyes*

Spontanety is the spice of life- Use liberally.

Sicily was a trip beyond my wildest expectations. From just before the plane was to set down on the island of Sicily, my trip began to stand on it's head. Orignally I had planned to go to Palermo and just hang out, shop, go to the beach and see the sights. But all that changed.

The storm which had been raging for quite some time in Palermo still hadn't quieted and the plane which was scheduled to go to Palermo just before us, had been re-routed to Catatina- which is on the other side of the island. The turbulance was horrible and it was because of this that I heard the couple behind me speaking with American accents. I struck up a conversation with them and it turns out - long story short- that they are friends of one of my friends. Strange how small the world is really. So Andy and Erin invited me to come with them. Their plan was to take the 3 1/2 hour train from Palermo to Milazzo that afternoon, then stay at a b&b that night. Getting up early the next day to take the ferry which would take then to the island of Vulcano which has an inactive Volcano on it. So that's just what I did. The photos are currently loaded onto flickr, and I'm working on the video. Enjoy! I know I did. :)

Woo Hoo!!!

I got a deeesssk. I got a deeeesssk.

La lalala la la laaaaa!

Dorothee has moved out of her office. Which means that all the things that were in her office are now downstairs in the house office. So with much moving taking place, she decided to shake it up a bit more, and now I have a desk in my room. Boo yah! I really like it. I used to have a short table in my room which was about the same height as my bed- which made it hard to type. Now I have a proper desk to set my lamp, laptop and the new (to me- but it's actually like 20 years old) radio. Yay! I told Dorothee it's like Christmas morning.

Oh and one other thing I'm really excited about. I was all bummed because I was going to have to miss out on Thanksgiving this year. I like Thanksgiving- turkey, family, card games, jelled cranberries in the shape of a can and pumpkin pie. (oh, and let's not forget me trying to avoid being dragged into dish duty.) So I was really surprised with Dorothee asked me if I would like to go out to eat to celebrate Thanksgiving. I was surprised and pleased. Yay!

Soooo... needless to say I'm fine as frog hair split four ways (thank you Grandma for that phrase). Oh and I want to give some shout outs!

Holla~Ellie- My sista from another mother. (really that works better for boys)

Peace Out!

New Video

Taken and uploaded today. Enjoy!

Oh and...

I'm working right now on updating pictures. I'm putting up the Vienna pics. Woo hoo.

My America

I've been having interesting experiences here. Ranging from talks with several people including a bitchy ex-canadian to Europeans who think that since I'm here I obviously don't like America anymore. After thinking about it for awhile this morning I came to the conclusion that America is like an older sibling to me.

I don't always agree with it, or with the things that it does. I may even think it's dull at times and stupid beyond belief. But as the sibling- I'm the only one allowed to pick on it. If you mess with my big brother I will mess with you. Sure I may agree with you, but it's not your place. You don't see me picking on your older sibling- talking about how when it was a kid it spent much of it's time bullying others, picking on the weaker or using a magnifying glass to scorch the feelers off of a particular type of insect. No. I don't. Because I didn't grow up with your sibling. I don't know everything about it, and what it was like to grow up in that enviroment. I'm not qualified to judge.

I've spent my life growing up with my sibling. I know him. I've spent years talking with him, laughing with him, and getting into trouble with him. I know his faults, his failures, his successes, and his strengths. I know he's not perfect, but he's the only one I have- will ever have.


It doesn't matter that I haven't seen him in five months, it doesn't matter that I'm thinking about not seeing him for a few years. He's still my sibling- America is still my home. If you don't like that- kiss my ass.

I also want to add that while you may have been to NYC or LA or Las Vegas and so you think you know America. You don't. That's like going to London, Paris or Munich and deciding that all of England, France or Germany is the exact same way. How wrong would I would been to have come to Germany believing that all Germans eat bratwurst and sourkraut, drink warm beer, wear lederhosen and have no sense of humor. Generalizing a country by a quick trip to one city not only makes you ill informed, it also makes you stupid. When you have visited: Stilwell, Kansas- Spearfish, South Dakota- Nevada, Missouri- or yes, even Toadsuck, Arkansas. Then we can talk.

(This post is prompted by several people, not one. It's become a source of irritation and frustration for me, so you guys get to suffer the consequences.)

Rant Complete

Recovery- Faster than a speeding bullet.

Okay, so maybe not that fast. But I do believe that a significant portion of the CO2 gas left my body last night, and I woke up today feeling much better. Still easily worn out and worn down, but otherwise much less achy. So basically I can now actually see that there is in fact an end to this tunnel of misery and I can view some light streaming in. YAY!!! I will find out what this was all about from the lab results on Monday, and Wednesday the stitches come out. Then all better.... I hope. Is it too soon to say? I'm not sure.

It's not a laughing matter

Who ever said that laughter is the best medicine had never had their abdomin cut open, filled with CO2 gas so to become a doctor's personal balloon.

I started having those pains again that I was having a month ago, back when I went to the ER the first time. It started Sunday when I was in Vienna- Then Monday I still wasn't feeling well. By Tuesday I told Dorothee I was ready for the ER again. So she dropped me off on the way to work. By 2pm they had determined that there was a fluid in my abdomin that shouldn't be there, and it might be blood, so they needed to operate to find out if I was bleeding internally. Let the fun begin.

By 3pm I was on the OR table and later that evening I woke up with two new holes and a few bright blue stitches. That and a body full of the CO2 gas which had been used to inflate me so they could insert a tool to move my organs around. What fun.... I will spare you the pictures as I'm not a pretty sight right now, but you'll be happy to know I'm not bleeding internally, instead I may have an infection on the inside lining of my abdomin which has been causing all the problems, though we won't know until Monday. Until then, the CO2 is floating around in my body- making me achy and sore. It feels like I have pinched nerves, pulled muscles and my jaw feels like I have been clinching it for hours on end. In short- I hurt. You would think the docs would send me home with pain killers. But noooooo. I want morphine and I'm taking asprin. I asked Dorothee last night if she would kindly take a sledge hammer to my forehead. She said that the authorities may not like her killing the au pair. I guess she's right.

For now, I'm wishing for unconciousness. I hurt when I walk, sit, stand, lie still, sneeze, cough and let's not forget- laugh.

All the news fit to print

I'm back from Vienna. I flew there Friday afternoon and came back this morning. It was great fun. I really enjoyed it. Soon I will be posting pictures, probably tomorrow since it takes a day to upload them.

Here's what I saw:

Naschmarkt

Schloss Schoenbrunn

Stephansdom

Hundertwasserhaus

Spanische Hofreitschule

Hofburg

Wien Operhaus

Mozarthaus

And many random parts of town as I became lost. :)

That's about it. I was really tired each night and my feet were killing me. I'm just happy that this time when I took the plane to my destination I didn't have as much trouble getting back. (Thank God!)

FYI- If I don't have your address, I won't send postcards. If you send me your post address I will then decide how much I like you, then I may or may not send a postcard.

Bis Spaeter!

Oh, and one more note, as of today I have been in Germany for 5 months. Phew, and Dad didn't think I would make it this long. Well, I'm not in danger of missing him TOO much. Because even from the other side of the ocean he still has the ability to annoy the heck out of me. Cheers!

One thing down

I just added about 262 new pictures to my flickr account. (Mind you I then deleted the ones I didn't like). I know none of you have time for that insane amount. But feel free to browse. They are broken up into month, then event. Yay! I got something accomplished today. I now feel somewhat better. :)

The Laughing Loon

So I made the mistake of listening to Bill Engvall on my ipod while walking to pick up Paula. Here I am listening to my ipod walking with my bright blue umbrella in the rain and laughing like I had lost my everlovin' mind. People are staring at me, crossing the street to get away from me and I'm finding that an umbrella can be used to hide your face from other people.

I especially felt bad for the elderly woman I saw on the street today, I was just walking down the street, then immediately started to laugh to the point of snorting directly after I had passed her. I hope she didn't think I was laughing at her.

Worst part was is that it was just so funny, I couldn't put it down. So while Paula and I are waiting at the bus stop for a half hour, I continue to listen while she plays with my German to English dictionary. Occasionally she looks up at me with this nervous look in her eyes and tugs on my coat sleeve, "Are you okay?" No, I'm not okay. My sides now hurt. I figured this didn't tramatize Paula too badly since she's used to me, but the six people sitting across from us at the other bus stop looked a little worried.

Don't know who Bill Engvall is? I suggest you click HERE and go to a youtube clip of what I was listening to. It was soooo funny. Enjoy.

<3

I love Cheerios.

That is all.

Castles, Palaces and Me... Oh my!

Today I woke up got around quickly then went to catch the bus to take me to the s-bahn to take me to the other s-bahn to take me to the bus so that I could get off and then walk to Ludwigsburg Schloss. :)

It was amazing. I really liked it. It was all silks, sculptures, gold, paintings, trims, brilliant yellows, rich reds and lucious greens. Truely amazing. Tomorrow I'm going to upload pictures. It was just amazing. I llloooovvveee going to palaces and castles. It's a real thrill for me. So I was extra pleased when I came across a book in the palace giftshop. The book listed all the palaces, castles, monastaries, and residences in most of Europe, with special attention to those in Germany. I'm really excited. It has full color pictures, information about admission, hours and how to get there. What really makes me happy is that it lists those castles which are open to the public as hotels. I know it would probably cost a pretty penny but how I would love to stay overnight in a castle. Hell, I'd stay in a sleeping bag on the floor- but to be allowed to wander one of these magnificent buildings at my leisure. I mean, wow! So I think I'll look around and see what I can find. *fingers crossed*

What I've been up to

Everything is pretty slow on the Germany front. Last weekend I did a lot of babysitting. In two days I worked for three different families- and that's not including the family I'm an au pair for. The money was nice and I was able to pick up some more American groceries. I got things like Cheerios, Cheetos, Apple Cinnimon Oatmeal, Chocolate Chips and finally Raisin Bran for the Paula. Who knew that Raisin Bran is ambrosia for four year olds?

Sunday I was lazy and hung around the house for most of the day. At five o'clock I went to Echterdingen to go to the Krautfest. Yes- that's a Cabbage Festival. Weird huh? Anyways. Here's a picture of me with a large kraut.

I hung out at the festival for about three and a half hours until I left to head to the Corso- the only American Movie theater I can find in the area. I went to see Eagle Eye, with Shia Le Bouf. He's a really good actor. It's funny to see him in such an action packed movie and remember when he was the bratty brother on Even Stevens. Times how they change.

Wednesday the girls and I made play-dough from scratch. Here's some pics of us playing, and the "sculptures" I made of each of our favorite stuffed animals.


The week has gone by pretty fast. Not much to tell, except we are currently working on getting a certain little girls ears cleaned out so maybe she will listen better. ;) (We've had issues). But other than that I'm well, the girls are great, and I'm hoping to take the girls to Stuttgart later this afternoon so that I we can get stuff for Halloween. The girls have never been trick or treating, so I shall enjoy breaking them into it. (and charging a tariff of a few pieces of candy). Muah ha ha.

Haha, I accomplished Something

Slowly, oh so slowly, I am getting videos up. I have just gotten Part One of my trip to Colonge. So here it is. I will now start to put up Part Two.



FYI- If you would like to be able to keep touch with my blog, and not have to always come look at it to see if there is something new, please send me your email address. I can put you on a mailing list that will let you know whenever I update my blog. Easier, yes?

Well, Peace Out! :)

No wait, I also have a trip planned to Barcelona I will be taking at the end of January. :) Holla!

Cheeky Girl

Every now and then I really love little kids.

Case in point:

Carola, Paula and I were walking back from the playground. Carola was holding my hand and Paula was following behind, probably about six feet back or so. I wrapped my arm around Carola's shoulders to draw her nearer and I did one of those behind the back kicks on her rearend. (I love those). She then turns around and looks at Paula and says "Paula don't." Paula of course is bewildered. So I do it again. Again Carola turns around and says "Paula, don't!" Smirking to myself I think about how gulible a six year old child is, when Carola cups her hand around her mouth and says "Do it again." Laughing I realize that she evidently is aware it was me all the time. So I oblige. Kicking her behind again, she once again says to Paula who is six feet behind us still "Paula, don't."

Hahaha I love a little cheeky girl. :)

Funny Thing Happened on my Way Home Today

As I was walking to the bus station to take the bus to pick Paula up this afternoon, I got to thinking about how I haven't written a blog in a little while. I started wondering what I could write about that would be interesting enough for all of you to read. Because, although being in Europe is interesting in itself, it becomes routine after a while as all things eventually do.

Well, it is my opinion that a seriously wiseass angel must have heard me, and decided to poke at me in order to make me happier when I have nothing to write about.

Here in Germany there seems to be a serious slug problem. Yes, slugs. They are everywhere; I have even seen them climbing up walls. It's seriously icky. Oh, sure it's sometimes fun to pour salt on them and pretend they are the Wicked Witch of the West as the shrivel up silently crying about how it's a cruel cruel world. But for the most part they are just icky. When coming home late at night I am always worried I am going to step on one and squish it under my shoe. The visual isn't pretty and is enough to have me skirting every leaf, twig and possible slug that stands/lays between me and the door.

"Interesting, but where is the relavence?" You ask? I'll explain. About ten minutes ago the girls decided they wanted to go visit their friends'. So I rolled the stroller out to the end of the walkway that connects us to the street, and stood waiting as Carola helped her younger sister get her bike out of the underground garage. I handed the stroller off to Carola, explained in no uncertain words that they were to stay together and that Paula was responsible for making sure the bike got back safely. I saw the girls off and turned around to walk back to the house, when I noticed my sock was sticking to the bottom of my foot.

Oh No! You say. Oh yeah.

The bottom of my sock is a rainbow of all the colors to be found on the inside of a slug, and I just happened to stop in front of where the "incident" had occurred.

I, stepped on a slug with my socks on!!! EWWWWWW!!!!

Hmmm...

Had one kid.

Had two kids.

Had no kids.

Have three kids.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a ferris wheel.

High highs, low lows and capacity always fluctuating.

Computers and Crocheting

Don't you hate it when technology hates you?

My computer is on the fritz... again. Luckily Alex will be home tonight and he doesn't know it, but he gets the job of wiggling the wires again in hopes that he can get it to turn on. :) This is the second time my computer has done the same thing. Last time Alex was able to fix it, but we're of a mind that my computer is preparing for the final big sleep. Ugh. In the meantime, I have no computer- which makes me happy I can use the one in the basement.

This morning I went to Böblingen again to meet up with my knitting/crocheting group, Purlingurlz, (I'm the only one who crochets). We met up and had cappachino, and worked on our projects. It was really nice. There are two in the group who are army wives, one who is a translator who will be getting married in January, and then there's me. I'm odd one out. I'm also about 10 years younger than anyone else in the group. Ah well. I had a lot of fun, though I have to leave a lot earlier in order to make it back in time to take care of the girls. (It takes an hour to travel from one village to the other).

Rolling Right Along

Since Friday, I have been sick. Ugh. Sniffles, mucus, sore throat, fever, thy name is Tiffany.

I would say that I have been lucky I haven't had a stomachache- but I think that showed up tonight along with it's good friend- headache.

I say again. UGH.

On the good side, I have gotten two more trips planned. Ha! That will teach Dad to tell me that I should travel now and not worry about the money. No. Wait. I'm the one who has to pay this all off when I come home. Well, shit. I wonder how long I can make this job last.

Anyways.

My planned trips are:

Vienna, Austria- Nov. 7-9

Palermo, Sicily Italy- Nov. 28-30

Holla!

So, when you are cold, windblown, snowed on, and sick of the bad Kansas weather.

Just think of me.

And remember that when flipping that bird- I'm to the East. :)

Life goes on...

Still alive and kickin'. I had a great birthday- Dorothee, the girls and I went to a biergarten to have real German food- well, stereotypical German food- for my birthday. It was awesome and very yummy. This treat was made even sweeter when I was blindfolded and kissed from behind from a surprise person- Melly! Turns out that Dorothee had planned out with Melly a couple weeks ago to surprise me and Melly, Judith and Sahra all came to the restaurant to spend some time with me on my birthday. It was really sweet. I was totally surprised.

I was supposed to go the Volksfest in Stuttgart this weekend. It's the real German's version of Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest which is held in Munich is all over run by tourist. Just crazy- so all the Germans come here instead. Well, I was half way there when I realized I simply wasn't going to be able to make it. I was totally going to throw up. I felt soooo sick- and more beer would not help the problem. So I went home instead. Then spent the next two days in bed very sick and with a fever- which I almost never have. Ugh. It was so sweet when on Saturday Melly and Judith brought me soup. Awwww. :)

You may be wondering how my meetings with the army family and the crocheting group went. Well, the army family had to cancel- but we are going to try again next friday. And the crocheting group I made a mistake thinking we were meeting on my birthday when in fact it was to be the next day. Whoops. So when I went to meet one of the girls who was going to show me how to get to the host's house, I thought I had been stood up. Well, I did meet them on Wednesday and they were all super nice, and I had a blast! We meet again this Thursday and I am sooo excited. I'm soo lucky to have met so many nice people since I've been here.

THE NEWS

Good News, Better news, Best News!

La la lala la la!

Good News: I found a group of German/English speaking knitters. Although I don't knit as of yet, they said I could join their group with my crocheting. I'm going to meet them tomorrow (found the group online) and I'm really excited about meeting new people. Woo Hoo!

Better News: Meet a woman at the gym last Friday, she's an American Army wife and she was super nice! She has two kids, and knows of more who could use a babysitter. I'm going to meet up with her again next Friday and we are going to go on the Army base and she's going to show me around. This is cool because they have reallllly cheap movies at the movie theater on base, and they have a commissionary which carries American stuff but cheap! Cheerios here I come! Plus, the Schmidts (Name has been changed to protect the innocent), have already started requesting that I pick stuff up for them too. :) I can't hardly wait! SQUEAL!

Best News: Yesterday I booked and paid for the flight which will bring me home for Christmas!!! Holly here I come! I'm really excited. I will get in on Dec. 23, at 6:23pm. YIPPEEE!!! Finally I will have some time where I get to the youngest in the household and be the one who gets to run amuck, amuck amuck amuck!<- if you noticed that last part is from Hocus Pocus, then you can get yourself a cookie. Then again, I suppose that I already do, occasionally... but this time I don't have to worry about setting a good example while doing it.

In other news- last Thursday I went and saw the first movie that I watched in a theater in some time. Okay, since I came here. I saw "Dark Knight", not too shabby. Over all I like it.

Oh, and something funny. So you know how the dad flies planes as a hobby. Well he was going Saturday for a lesson or something and as he is leaving Carola, 6, tells him: "Do everything you are supposed to and don't die." I thought that was a pretty good one.

Filderado El Dorado

Haven't written in a while, but never fear, I'm still here. :) I started going to the gym again this week. Which is good. Previously in the three months that I have been here, I have only been there a grand total of... once. Which is really sad because it's an awesome setup. It's a techno freaks gym. They give you a usb thingy that tracks your progress, and the machine tells you to go slower, move wider, and what machine to do next. It's cool. Plus when you are running it isn't so bad because you can watch TV on your machine. Sweet!

So why hadn't I been going?

Because the first time I went there they made me do everything twice, I was there for what seemed like forever, it took forever to get there, no one spoke English and therefore couldn't answer my questions- it was just so frustrating and unlikeable.

But the last two times I've gone, people have been nice, English speaking, only making me go through hell once, and all around nicer. So now that I've changed my out look on the gym I feel bad, because the week before I had said, "No more gym, I don't go so why have Dorothee pay for it?" Now I say "Ugh why not? It's really not so bad, and with a nice swim afterwards it's really rather enjoyable."

So I suppose it's official- I'm a flip flopper.

So. I learned something

So do you want the good news or the bad news first?

The Good News?

Okay, the good news is that yesterday we began the de-lice-ing of the family. Turns out Carola brought lice back with her from America.

The bad news? The bad news is that last night I had a date with a tall blond hair blue eyed German guy.

Confused? Let me explain.

So recently I have been thinking about how sad it is that I'm about to turn 23 and have never had a boyfriend... guyfriends, yes. Dated, yes. Kinda boyfriends...yeah. But not a real long term relationship- which would be a month or two. So I got to thinking and it started bothering me a little. Soooo late monday night I was up til 2 am, couldn't sleep. I was sitting in my room surfing the web when I kinda ran across Match.com. (Still not sure how). Out of curiousity I surfed around on the German version's website and wound up signing up for a free trial membership. (don't ask) and kind of surfing through the guys on there. Well, with one thing and another I kind of ran across a German guy started emailing him and on Thursday night he asked me if I would like to go to dinner with him this weekend. Maybe Friday night. I thought, okay sure. I've talked with him a bunch online, and I can see his picture, he doesn't look half bad. And on top of that he mentioned a really fancy and expensive restaurant to take me to in Stuttgart. I figured what the hell and accepted. <- This is where I went wrong.

Waiting outside of the train station at the appointed time I began to really get nervous. Here I was all nicely dressed up to go to a really nice posh Italian restaurant and I am essentially waiting for my blinddate to show up. So with visions of abducted young idiots dancing in my head I texted him to let him know I was standing outside the trainstation. He then texts me to let me know he's wearing a blue shirt and a black jacket. Okay.... so I text him to tell him that I waiting outside of the DM (like the German version of Walgreens). I then see a guy matching the previous description walk past the DM.... Yep, black slacks, blue polo, black jacket... but it wasn't until he looked at me that I noticed the hunchback and lazy eye.

I don't want to me one of "those" girls who judge people by their appearence... but I'm afriad I am. I really wanted to turn and walk away before he noticed who I was. Maybe claim I didn't know who he was and I wasn't the girl from online. But I am just not the kind of girl who could leave a guy walking around looking for his date. I shook his hand and we took off in the direction of the restaurant. I could feel everyone's eyes on us as we walked down the busy walkway.

It was a looooonnnnggg date. Although the food was nice, the restaurant was nice, and for the most part Hartmut (that's the guy's name) was nice. I had a couple things I had trouble getting over.

1.) He brought like 200 pictures from his last vacation with him to show me. Then he described them to me... in detail...ALL of them!

2.) He never actually Looked at me. He spent the entire time looking over my left shoulder. It was driving me nuts! Finally I turned and looked over my left shoulder and glanced out the window and back at him. "I was just wondering what was so interesting out there that you were looking at."

Two and a half hours later I declared it was time for me to go home. I told him I still had to catch a train and then take a bus back. So he walked me to the station and I departed. I got home at about 11:30 or so. Dorothee, who I had called previously from the station and who I had told how the date went, came down stairs. "Dorothee, first thing tomorrow I need you to help me get off of that website. I thought I was sad me cause I've never had a boyfriend. Now I think I'm okay. At least I don't think I'm so far gone that I need a website."

So today we got me unregistered for the website. We (Dorothee, Carola, Paula and I) went shoe shopping then to Ikea. And with some more wisdom, experience, and retail therapy I think I can now laugh about my experience. One I don't want to repeat any time soon.

Fingers crossed......Check Toes are crossed....Check

So the three month mark hit me like a ton of bricks. Oh, I could make it the whole year I suppose, but I really think it would be soooo much easier if I could come home for Christmas. I miss everyone so much, I miss things I know, I miss being able to drive, I miss normal cheese, I miss HOLLY!!! My crazy psycho puppy!

I have been .... okay, Harassing my parents saying that I realllly want to come home for Christmas. Knowing that in another three months I will get to come home would really make me happy.

Unfortunately, my parents say to wait a month, or else they say I should spend the money in Europe and not come home for Christmas- I should travel etc.

But Christmas is family time, friend time... not spending it with a family, who although is super nice, and I luv 'em to pieces... just isn't mine (they lack that special formula of familial dysfuction).

Well, this morning I think I found the price of all prices, And maybe... just maybe it will work... I think it will...

Now I have to wait 5 more hours before all of you sleepy people wake up so I can put it to the 'rents. *Shakes fist* "Damn you time change!"

Houston, We Have Internet!!!

Today, I am writing you for the first time from my computer in my room!!! There is serious excitement here. I like that I will be able to upload pictures, videos etc and check up on everyone without having to leave the comfort of my room. Holla!

Today is cleaning day. Dorothee is like a whirlwind going through the girls' rooms. I try to stay out of the way. Which might work, except that my room is one that is also under construction. Dorothee, poor soul, has decided to take up the task that many have attempted, but none have succeeded- organizing my room. Heh heh heh Good Luck Dorothee *salute*

Don't misunderstand me. I don't intentionally mean to be messy it just... happens. Like rain from the sky, like falling down stairs, like kids hyped up on sugar, like... well you get the point.

But I'm not sleepy

Today was a pretty average day. Not average for a Friday- since I normally don't work Fridays, but average all the same. The girls played, went to visit friends, and put off going to bed as long as possible. The last part isn't anything new- except when it is.

Tonight I was in the final streach. The girls had watched a movie and gorged themselves on popcorn and some chips. A treat, since their parents were not home and would not be back until after they had gone to bed. I had them in their jammies, and getting ready to brush their teeth when Paula announces that she is hungry. Grrr... and to make matters worse, Carola hears what Paula has said and latches on declaring that she too is hungry.

But of course. Why not? It's not as if they couldn't have said something while they were watching the bleeding MOVIE! They declare that they want pasta. Which takes time since I don't have any made, and they think they have successfully fooled me into letting them stay up even later.

Uh... I don't THINK so!

Toast and kinderwurst is a wonder. And an explaination of the non-stupidness of me seems to have done wonders. Marching off to bed, they are now safely snuggling with their chosen stuffed animals.

I know kids all over the world stall, heck, I used to. So here's my thought. I want to hear from readers, what was a creative way you used to put off bedtime? That's right, time for you lazy people to sit up and test those keyboards. Talk to me, and help me keep my sanity. But hey, tomorrow is Saturday and I'm making plans to go into the city with Melly. Which makes me happy since I have only seen her once while picking up Paula from kindy since Seenachtfest... so about a month. That's a long time to go without my friends. ugh.

A Picture is worth a Hundred words

I am currently a photo uploading maniac! Really, a total crazy woman. I have been adding every picture taken since July 27- which is a lot, seeing how many trips I've been on.... it's currently numbering in the hundreds. I still have videos to make, but at least I'm catching up a bit. Please go check them out, and leave comments. I LOVE comments! The best way to look at the pictures, is not through photostream, because they are all out of order, and honestly, it won't make much sense. Instead, go through the months, and then to the organized events- that's why I put in all the effort folks!

So go check out and make me think the last three days of uploading weren't in vain.

Good News

Pictures are now up and labelled from Cologne and Düsseldorf. I will get Dresden's up tomorrow and work on the videos from all three cities. Work Work Work.

Oh, and I'm now back in Filderstadt!
Woo Hoo!

Let me hear you say 'GRRRRR!!!!'

I love my job, most of the time. I adore Dorothee, Alex and the girls, but I also have impotent power. When the girls won't listen to me, most of the time there is nothing I can really do. Normally, when at home, I will threaten to take away CBeeBies which is basically kid's programming from the BBC. But currently at the grandparents' house I can't get them to mind. Just now Dorothee was trying to take a nap, the Grandmother is coming back home from the hospital for the first time in two weeks, and I've somehow found myself in charge of two little girls even though Friday to Sunday are my days off. Well, since Dorothee's trying to take a nap, I'm trying to get the girls to be quiet. Nope. Paula squeals, Carola screaks, and every time I say, last time, last time, this is the last time I'm telling you. Finally I get up and tell them if they insist on being loud after I have told them countless times to be quiet then they need to go play outside. Carola pouts, is being bullheaded, and I'm just so frustrated.

Normally I don't mind helping out occasionally, normally I'm happy to do it. But this morning I was woken up at 9:30- yeah, late for most people, but most people don't get woken up by their charges and their boss's aunt to get up. Especially not by having my blanket yanked off. I was pissed. I went in search of Dorothee only to find the aunt again sitting with the girls at the breakfast table. She said something to me in German. She doesn't speak much English, and she knows I speak good enough German. But first thing in the morning my language sensors are still blinking on and English is barely on. I look at Dorothee with a 'what did she say?' look and turns out she woke me up because she thought I had had enough sleep and it was time for me to go change Paula's pullups.

First, Paula can do that on her own. She does it everyday.
Second, I'm not working today.
Third, I just really didn't like the tone and I took offense at it. Yeah, I know I'm technically an employee, but I chose this family because they don't treat me like one.

I haven't said anything about it, but I'm all full of impotent power at the moment. I want to help Dorothee as much as I possibly can, because I know that this is not her idea of fun, and she's stressed. She's always so nice to me, that I don't want her to have to try to wrangle the kids on her own, but I'm really frustrated and just want to escape for a while. If it gets to be too much I'm sooo out of here. I know that a block or so away there is a carnival of sorts going on, I think I may make a trip down there.

Two Things I Learned while in Düsseldorf

I went out into the city today. I learned two things:

It doesn't matter if I take a very impressively detailed map with me, I will still get lost my first day in a new city. It's irritating. Although by then finding myself off the beaten path and forcing myself to learn my way around, the second day I am then usually an expert. However, Düsseldorf simply does not hold much appeal to me. Good stores. Mayer's (A book store here in Germany) has an excellent English books sections here, (which I was somehow able to restrain myself from buying anymore) and yet it has no cool old buildings, impressive history, or fun (at least to me) museums. Dorothee suggested the K21, which is a modern art museum with art just from this century (so about 8 years) and that just doesn't hold the appeal to me that impressionism and other older forms of art hold. Ah well. So I visited got lost, and figured out with the map where I was while sitting in a small cafe drinking black tea, and eating apple cake with sliced almonds on top. Lovely.

Okay, the second thing I learned is that I have restraint. I seriously saw a woman who looked to be dressed in Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Armani etc. She was just decked out. She was walking next to a reasonable dressed man too. And I really wanted to take her picture. Unfortuantely she may have asked why. Then I would have been forced to tell her: "Although you seem to have good fashion sense, you are by far the ugliest woman I have ever seen in my life. Your face looks like a jigsaw puzzle, you seem to have tattooed arched eyebrows, you look like you have had daily face lifts for the past 70 years, and you have obviously been dying your hair blonde for the same amount of time. So much so that it looks to be falling out of your head and you resemble the crypt keeper. I mean, I think with one look at this woman Hannibal Leckter (I'm sooo not spelling that name right) would have lost his appeitiate. Which brings me to the man. Who, seeing at he was obviously WITH this woman. Had a large, capital letters, bold, flashing sign plastered to his forehead which read: KEPT.

With all of this taken into consideration, I figure she wouldn't have wanted to hear what I had to say, and it's really just as well I didn't bring my camera with me.

Cologne and Düsseldorf

Hello Uberbloggen readers and Greetings from Düsseldorf.

Last week was fairly uneventful, the only interesting part being that since the girls are currently on summer vacation, I get them full days. Which I suppose is more than fair seeing as I just had three weeks without the kids. Woo Hoo! Some huge pluses that have occured since they returned include:

* Kids missed me so much that they are now no longer trying to test me at every turn. Which I have to say was getting VERY old. VERY fast.

*No longer alone in the house. During the days I like to be alone in the house, however, come nighttime I'm not quite as thrilled. Although I know the neighbors, the neighborhood, and know that the area is very safe-- I have simply seen too many scary movies and the beings that actually scare me run more along the lines of Samara from "The Ring". So I was happy to have my nighttime people there.

* Dorothee was not upset about the burnt lawn, or the temporarialy lost key. Phew. So I was able to stop fretting over that.

I had to be back from Dresden by Friday because on Saturday the girls were flower girls in a wedding. They were really cute.

Interesting Fact Time!!!

When Germans get married they have to have two ceremonies, a civil one and a church one. They also have a separation between church and state that is more pronounced than the one in America. But I found it to be very interesting that in their weddings it is highly unusual to have all the jobs in the weddings that we have in America. For instance, the girls being flower girls was unusual. Normally they don't have the brides maids, maid of honor, best man, ring bearer, or flower girls. What really disappoints me is that there was no real procession of the father walking down the aisle with his daughter and giving her to her future husband. That's my favorite part. In the wedding I saw the bride and groom walked in together behind the priest. BORING!!!

The plan for this past weekend went like this: I rode north with Dorothee and the girls on Friday and they dropped me off in Cologne. Then they headed on to Dusseldorf. I spent the weekend bumming around Cologne and then Monday took the train the 30 minutes to Dusseldorf. Dorothee picked me up outside of the Main train station and we went to pick the girls up at her in laws, then continued to her parents. Where I currently am.

So much happened while in Cologne that to write it all would be exhausting, so I'm going to have to put the video together and do it that way. I figure if a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video is going to be much more valuable to my time.

I do however what to add two things:

Dumbass, If it's evening, or nighttime, and you see a woman walking down the street, seemingly alone. And you ask her if she is in the city alone. Why on Earth do you possibly think that she would say yes? Is it perhaps the ancient German way of discovering stupid vunerable women. (Neither of which am I.)

Can't get away from the Mormons, even in Germany. I get tired of people trying to convert me. When all I really want is for you to leave me alone, while you go worship the god of your choice and I worship mine. I figured I could get rid of the pest by stating that I can't speak German (cough cough). Unfortunately I soon found out that that wouldn't work since the sorry SOB had evidently followed me from America. Damn it.

Greetings from KÖln

Still Alive. Love ya'll. Time almost up at internet cafe. Peace

Dresden was a Doll

This last little bit here has been absolutely crazy. I went to Dresden and made it back safely. It excites me to no end to know that I can think of, plan, go and return safely from something so adventurous. I think there are few people who would go by themselves to a foreign city with a foreign language by themselves. I don't think I could have done this a year ago, then again, a lot has changed.

I had a great time in Dresden. I have tons of videos and pictures, and I'm still working on organizing them so that I can successfully express the excitement, history, and frustration that I felt in this great city.

Some of you may not know that on February 13-14, 1945 the Allied Forces bombed the living hell out of Dresden, destroying a truely awesome city that is home to lots and lots of history. Afterwards, while many cities struggled to rebuild, this city fell on the east side and was part of East Germany and was handed to the Russians who took over all of the city's once amazing buildings that remained standing, and used them to within an inch of their lives. No rebuilding, no proof to the people that they would rebound and recover. I think living in this city would have been very depressing during this period. One of the city's most famous sights was the Frauenkirche-

This is a picture I found from 1880. After the bombing it looked like this.-

Until 1991 the building stood just as pictured above. Like a gaping hole in the middle of the city. The government refused to give the city money to put it back like it was. So the citizens of Dresden appealed for private donations. In 1994 the first stone was laid, in 2004 the exterior finished and in October 2005 it was reconsicrated.

The dark stones you see scattered among the lighter stones in the current picture of the Frauenkirche are original stones, and on the left you can see a mass of dark stones, this is original and the only part that was left standing.

Though there is much more history, and so much more to learn, this was the most interesting thing I saw. I seriously suggest Dresden if you ever go to Europe, it is a wonderful city. And if you would like a nice inexpensive place to say, I suggest the Youth Hostel Dresden from Hostel International. There were young as well as old, and families too. Rooms reminded me of the dorms at KU, but really nice. I ended up having a room to myself. In the mornings there was a huge breakfast all you can eat and it was included in the 22Euros per night. For 5Euros extra per meal, you can have an all you can eat buffet for lunch and dinner. It was really nice. And as soon as I can, I will get photos and videos up.

Thanks for reading.

Special Shout out to Candy!

Still Alive

I made it to Dresden okay. Just wanted to let everyone know. I'm having a great time and I will tell you all about it when I get back... well to Stuttgart that is. XOXOXO *

The Morning News

Good News everyone!!
I found my red flashdrive which means that when I get back there is going to be some serious media uploading.

Bad News everyone!!
Tried to load the video from Seenachtfest yesterday, turns out that youtube has a new rule and videos have to be 10min or less. Which is bad because I worked really hard to get it down to under 16. Because the old rule was that it had to be 15ish. Sooo... that needs work, I think that's going to be a two part-er.

Anyways, I'm heading out soon to go to Dresden. I think I'll have internet capablities so I will try to say something each day to let you know I'm okay, but I don't know how feasible it is. So don't worry if you don't hear anything.

OMG!!!!

While this post will make more sense if you read the previous post. It's really part two.

So where we last left off the lady in Switzerland with my keys was going to be sending them to me Monday and Melly would bring them to the family on Tuesday because I would be in Dresden. That's what I thought at least.

About 10 minutes ago, Melly shows up at my door with the keys in her hand.

Go ahead and let that sink in.

Melly and Judith had driven back to Switzerland today to go get my keys from the lady. Personally, I'm stunned. Not that Melly is a great friend, but I'm stunned because I just didn't expect this. I mean, wow!! I'm ssoooo happy. But at the same time I realllly want to smack her upside the head. I mean, I live no where near Switzerland... okay, yeah- closer than my blog readers, but still. It's a good couple of hours and about 40euros in gas. I can hardly believe she did that. Wow. Just wow. Thanks Melly!!!

Constantly Konstanz

WARNING LONG BLOG AHEAD

But then again, I haven't been writing as often as I should, so there should be a balance somewhere in there.

Well yesterday was certainly interesting, bloggable and totally made up for the fact that there has been next to nothing happening this week.

It was decided some time ago that a group of us would go to Seenachtfest in Konstanz, Germany, which is on the German side of the Bodensee, or otherwise known as Lake Constance. This sounded like a fun idea. Evidently it's a huge part wth lots partying, music on the beach, and at dark there would be lots of fireworks. All of which sounded great. We were going to find a place to sleep, but decided it would be less expensive if we just all slept on the beach under the stars. Which sounds awesome, but when Sarah came back from her trip to Bodensee with her class she was covered in Mosquito bites and we all decided that maaayybe this wasn't the best idea. So I pushed and I prodded, and I kept asking- "Okay, then was ARE we going to do?" But by the time anything was actually done every hotel, hostel, inn and apartment in the area was completely booked. So it was decided we would sleep in the cars. ugh.

So Saturday morning Melly and Judith came to pick me up at 8am and we took off to meet up with Sarah, Marion, and Mattias (aka Kelpchen- Little Calf). Taking two cars we drove the about two hours to Konstanz.

We ate Italian, we found a place on the Switzerland side of the border to park our cars. It was behind a farm-ish looking house and we figured it would work well enough to sleep there too. We walked back to Konstanz (aka over the border) and did a little shopping in a Mall. Yes, that's right. I found a mall here, which is rather rare and it made me happy.

We then paid 15 Euros to get bracelets that let us over the walkway into the Seenachtfest which was on the other side of lots of train tracks- a good way of making sure people don't sneak in without paying.

The whole festival was basically on the beach the entire way around the lake, at least from where I could see. It had food vendors, craft vendors, lots of beer vendors, many stages set up with music- DJ, Radio personalities, and bands. It was really neat.

While others sat and lounged in lounge chairs under a canopy, I decided to walk around. I mean, really, why was I here if not to take it all in? So I walked, and I walked, and I walked. I got a braid wrap done by some women from Africa, I bought a hermite bracelet, and I rode a ship around the lake and sat back to drink some appleschorle while I watched the waves crash, yachts sail, and seagulls attack one another. It was really nice.

After all of my adventuring I went back to find my friends. We chilled out for a bit under the canopy with me singing along to the excellent mix of American music coming from the stage near by, and enjoyed soaking up the sun.

As the sun went down we decided to go get some food and find a good place to watch the fireworks. Everyone else at pizza. Me? I'm getting tired of pizza. I found a vendor called "Bonanza" where the meals came with names like "Little Jo" "Big Hoss" and etc. I had myself a "traditional American dinner" with what Angus Steak, potato wedges, and cucumber salad.

Sitting by the lake we waited.. and waited... and waited for the fireworks show to start. Though, when it did start it was on the other side of where we were sitting and in the rush to scramble over to where the fireworks could be seen I got slightly trampled.

I was amazed at how much the Germans were awed by the fireworks. Turns out they are only allowed to set them off once a year- Sylvester's Day. I'm not really sure what that is or when, but then and these organized events are the only times. So it's not like home where all you have to do is drive to Missouri and pick some up. Me? I've seen fireworks, and more impressive displays, I took the time to go to the restroom while hoping against hope that the lines were shorter. They weren't. But I did think it was interesting/funny as hell to watch as in the dark, desparate people to go to relieve next to the chainlink fence. While not hard for men, and so I thought, fairly private, I was alarmed? confused? laughing? when I saw that across from where the men were facing the chainlink fence, directly in their sight was a group of women with the same idea answering nature's call behind a vinyl banner. While the banner shielded them from the people on the sidewalk only feet away, it would have been fairly obvious on the otherside. I personally think that when you resort to these measures, and you obviously don't have a clue about your surroundings- it's time to go home and sleep it off.

After the fireworks I was tired... sooooo tired. The Seenachtfest was just beginning and there wasn't a chance in hell that I was going to make it any longer. The thing lasts until 5am. I'd been up since 7am... do the math.

Unfortunately there was a lot of people who must have also been tired because there was a mob scene, caustrophobia, and lots of pushing. So when I saw an ambulance come through and then go by I grabbed Melanie, who was holding onto Judith who was hold ing onto Sarah and we made a run for it. Why? Ambulance was Moses- we were Jews. Nuff said. I ran after the ambulance as fast as I could (not very fast) and watching people's faces as the four of us ran after the ambulance was hilarious. So here I was, running after an ambulance laughing histarically as the Germans slowly realized what had happened and began to join me. Um... I had Running with the Bulls flashes. Soon enough we were once again mobbed in, but we were a helluva lot closer.

Once we made it to the bridge that took us back over the railroad tracks to the rest of the city we watched as people streamed up the three flights of stairs and we walked over to meet Kelpchen and Marion and I pushed the button for the elevator at the bottom. This was smart for two reasons. 1) There was a stream of very drunk people walking up a winding three story staircase- I didn't feel the need to be an example in a dominos game. 2.) I'm lazy.

We walked back to the car towards Switzerland and got to the car, only to discover that although we had previously decided to stay the night there, we were wide awake and all people who would be driving were very sober. So we decided to be like German bananas and split schnell.

I fell asleep at some point and woke up to an event that I will be laughing about for years to come. I could hear Melly yelling at Judith to slow down. But she wasn't sitting in the backseat next to me like she was when I fell asleep. That and her voice was coming for behind me. I turned around to see Melly and Marion running to catch up with the car and Melly yelling at Judith through the open hatchback. This was new.

Turns out we had been in creeping slow traffic for quite a while and we evidently had been going slow enough that Marion felt it was okay to get out of her car to come over to us to ask if we had anything she could drink. Melly, being a great friend, hopped out of the car to help Marion search the trunk for something to drink. And that's when the traffic started up again. I can tell you now, that I almost cracked a rib. But that wasn't even the end of the weirdness. We saw a group of 6 people pushing a car along the road with one person inside steering. I thought, "Ah, poor people. It would suck to have your car break down and have to push it, there's not even a shoulder." Although, after talking with them... we were moving reeeallly slowly, it turns out they were just trying to save gas, and this seemed like a good idea for the slow traffic. And ya know, it did.

A while later we arrived outside my place and I began getting everything together to go inside when I discovered I didn't have my keys. This is BAD!!! See, the thing with keys here is that they are special and can't be easily duplicated, and if one is lost then everyone in the little community of townhomes and apartments that is connected to the house has to also get new keys and locks. So it's realllly expensive. We tore apart Judith's car and could find no trace of the &#$^$ keys. I panicked. Knowing this is really bad. I knew that the property manager had an extra key, Dorothee had told me that if I got locked out to go to them, but I don't think she had 4am in mind. No, definately not. So I decided to do the only thing I could. Melly and I walked over to my neighbor's house. My neighbor's name is Irena and her husband is Thomas. They have the cutest pair of fraternal twins- girl and boy. I help Irena out twice a week with the children. She knew that I was alone while the family was away in America. I called her cell phone in an attempt to not wake up the kids with the doorbell and like a sleepy little angel she came to let me in, offered me food, drink, blanket, and pillow. After telling her I would be alright and expressing my sincere graditude I fell asleep on her large comfy couch... until the kids woke up screaming 4 hours later.

In the morning I was able to get the extra key from the property manager's wife and I was able to go to my own bed and sleep a short while. I am lucky though. Because in Germany I was lucky enough to find a friend as good as Melly, who spent the morning surfing the internet, calling people, and she was somehow able to locate the person who's house we parked behind. And now my keys will be sent back to me and should arrive tomorrow. Ugh. It was awful, but that's to Melly it's not terrible.

So yeah, that's my trip to Konstanz. Any questions?

Videos

I'm running behind on getting videos up. I know. This is because I can't find my #*$&%($ flashdrive with all the #*$%& videos on it. So here's one I have finished I will be adding soon a video of my trip this last weekend to Freiburg and Strassbourg.

Without further ado here's the video of my new German friends and them teaching me to drive a manuel.

There's more of rant than of news in this post.

I always think it's interesting to look around you and notice how different or simular you are from other people. This becomes more interesting when in a foreign land. One difference I can see between myself and every other person around my age that I have met so far in Germany is this: They smoke... a lot.

It's hard. I will admit to trying it. I mean, who hasn't. Trying is a crime, though I will NEVER become a smoker. I spent far too long getting my dad off Satan's evil smoke. But, it's hard to sit in a group of 3, 6, or 10 people and be the only one who doesn't resemble a chimney. It makes me proud, but it also makes me verryyy different.

I talked with Melly today about how in America, it's not the norm to smoke. While here it seems expected and seems to be looked at as a good thing. I don't really get it.

I feel bad when I see my friends here start to need the cigarette. Today I went to the pool with Melly. We get laid out with towels and lean back to catch some serious rays (say no to lung cancer, skin cancer???? um... maybe.) Then Melly realizes that she left her cigarettes in the car. Since she had to pay to get in, she can't go back out and get back in. So the withdrawl begins.

Later while we sat at the food court...is that what it's called?... anyways. I was munching on ice cream, and Melly on french fries, when I started to notice she was holding the french fries like one would a cigarette. Rolling my eyes I told her there was a vending machine behind her that sold her "pacifiers". She gave me a weird look. After explaining what a pacifier was, and that I was trying to be funny... sarcastic? ... by calling it that she then hopped up to get her larger bill broken to small change so she could get a hit.

Not even waiting until she was sitting down she started to open the packaging and sat down excitedly. Watching her I watched as the lightblub above her head flickered and lit. She didn't have a lighter.

I, of course, laughed at her misery.

She then held a cigarette in one hand, poised to light, and in the other gripped her box of cigarettes.

We talked for a while, while I watched her eagle eyes search out for a fellow smoker. I saw the moment she spotted one, her eyes lit- much as she wished her cigarette would, and she rushed over to an old lady in a bright blue bikini- *shudder*- and bummed a light.

Me? I would have held out for a cute guy... but that's just me.

This post isn't so much to rag on Melly. Because she's simply awesome. A great friend, and a truely beautiful person. (and yes she reads this blog, so I don't want her mad at me for sharing). I just wanted to point out the difference, and I think this was a great example.

I think it's sad that so many people smoke, and they don't seem to see how it effects them. I don't think my dad did. Me. I won't be a smoker, doesn't mean I don't occasionally light up, but there's a difference. In habit, in the need to smoke. Then again, I'm not one to cast stones. I crack my knuckles all the time.

Good Quote for this Adventure

Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.

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On this note I let you know my plans for while the family is away. This weekend I will be going with my friends to Freiburg on Friday, and spending Saturday there. Then traveling on to Strassburg which is in France. Should be interesting.

Then Sunday we come back to Filderstadt.

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The next Friday, I'm traveling with friends again to Lake Constance, which borders Switzerland and Germany. We are going there to the Seenachtfest which is basically a huge festival/party. And we're spending the night on the beach beneath the stars.

Then on Sunday we come back.

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Then Monday I'm flying by myself to Dresden where I will be until Friday. I'm really excited. Though scared to travel on my own. Which is where the above quote comes into play. Though I have several backup plans in case of emergency, so I have cushions on which to fall back on.

Wish me luck. I'll let you know how everything goes.

Peace Out!

Unexpected adventure and a reading suggestion

Yesterday I got bored. I was sitting on my bed, staring up at the ceiling and thinking-- BORED!!! So I decided to go for a bike ride. It was beautiful outside, about 8pm, and I decided, "What the hell." So I put on my shoes, and headed downstairs to the garage to grab my bike.

I started out thinking, "I wonder if the bakeries are open?" Which is stupid I found out because everything closes at 6pm. Think I got to thinking, I've never seen the other side of Filderstadt, so I decided to explore.

Listening to music pound through my earphones courtesy of my lovable ipod, I wound my way though the twist and turns that make up a small village. Not a right angle to be found. I came upon some bikes come out of some fields, deciding, what the hell. I decided to go check out where they had come from. Turns out that there are miles and miles... and miles of paved trails that wind in and out of the fields of corn and wheat, which are there specially for walkers, runners, and little old bikers like me. Which I found to be especially nice since, well... I have no desire to get my slow ass run over.

So I went riding in and out of the trails happy as Corrine's "Put your records on" played in my ears, and the wind blew through my hair, and I didn't even have to pedal very hard. This last part should have been a warning. Because if you don't have to pedal one way... well, it's going to suck going back.

On reflection, I suppose there are quicker ways to kill myself. Probably more humane anyways. I soon lost track of where I was, found myself in another village 7km from where I started, having to turn around and go uphill, and, ha, Lost.

I had to call Dorothee to get directions back. Yeah, I'm a dumbass. I felt bad about having to bother her too, she was running around like crazy trying to pack for her family's trip to America (They left at 5am this morning, to go on a 14hour flight across the ocean with two small kids that don't sit still well. -May God be with her.)

Anyways, I (obviously) did make it back, but had to stop several times, walk the bike a bit, and as soon as I got home I drank 3 glasses of water, several puffs on my inhalers, and did a great imitation of a fish out of water.

So, now, a little bit wiser I have decided that next time... no wait... I've decided to hell with next time. There's a reason for stationary bikes. It's so you don't have to do the trip back. Just get off the damn thing!!!


On a side note, I highly suggest reading the book: "Lamb- The Gosphel according to Bff, Christ's childhood pal" by Christopher Moore. I just finished it, and laughed so hard that I think I broke a couple ribs, (okay, just kidding about the rib part). But no really, it's great. I highly recommend it. If any of you read it let me know if you liked it. If you don't like it... well,... here's a nickel, go buy yourself a sense of humor. Here's a great passage that I loved. It starts with Josh (Jesus) working on the Beatitudes with his friend Biff who is called Levi. I know it's hard to follow who is speaking, so Jesus it's blue, and Biff is Green:

"...How are we doing on the Beatitudes?"

"Pardon me?"

"The blesseds."

"We've got: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; blessed are the poor in spirit, the pure in heart, the whiners, the meek, the--"

"Wait, what are the meek?"

"Let's see, uh, here: Blessed ar the meek, for to them we shall say, 'attaboy'."

"A little weak."

"Yeah."

"Let's let the meek inherit the earth."

"Can't you give the earth to the whiners?"

"Well then, cut the whiners and give the earth to the meek."

"Okay. Earth to the meek. Here we go. Blessed are the peacemakers, the mourners, and that's it."

"How many is that?"

"Seven."

"Not enough. We need one more. How aout the dumbfucks?"

"No, Josh (Jesus), not the dumbfucks. You've done enough for the dumbfucks. Nathaniel, Thomas--"

"Blessed are the dumbfucks for they, uh- I don't know - they shall never be disappointed."

"No, I'm drawing the line at dumbfucks. Come on Josh (Jesus), why can't we have any powerful guys on our team? Why do we have to have the meek, and the poor, the oppressed, and the pissed on? Why can't we, for once, have blessed are the big powerful rich guys with swords?"

"Because they don't need us."

"Okay, but no 'Blessed are the dumbfucks.'"

"Who then?"

"Sluts?"

"No."

"How about the wankers? I can think of five or six disciples that would be really blessed."

"No wankers. I got it: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake."

"Okay, better. What are you going to give them?"

"A fruit basket."

"You can't give the meek the whole earth and these guys a fruit basket."

"Give them the kingdom of heaven."

"The poor in spirit got that."

"Everybody gets some."

"Okay then, 'share the Kingdom of Heaven.'" I wrote down.

"We could give the fruit basket to the dumbfucks."

"NO DUMBFUCKS!"

"Sorry, I just feel sorry for them."

"You feel for everyone, Josh (Jesus). It's your job."

"Oh yeah, I forgot."

Long passage I know, but it's just sooooo funny.

Ah, the things you learn

Personally, I think it's interesting that no matter how long you have been working around kids, 10 years for me, there are always new lessons to learn.

1. If they tell you "I'm going to close the door, don't come check on me." Wait five minutes, then go catch them doing something they aren't supposed to do.

2. If they try really really hard to convince you of something that's normally really simple... there's something up.

3. Kids have no internal volume sensor that monitors their own volume.

4. More than one kid= more than one item. Sharing only works up until the point when it's time to decide where the thing will live at night.

5. It doesn't matter how often you have them go to the toilet before bed, if it means not having to go to sleep, they will sit on it and count their own toes if they have to.

Yesterday I stopped at the backery on my way to pick Paula up at kindergarten. I bought a couple pasteries while there, both very yummy. I went and picked up Paula and we walked back to the bus stop. We sat down on the bench and I asked her if she would like a piece of one of my pasteries. She nodded yes. So I tore of a piece of one that was crossaint breaded with raisins and thick vanilla pudding. She munched happily as did I. I looked down to see she had finished and was now playing with a paper coupon book she had found on the bench. I asked her to go throw it away, she went and threw it away, then picked a potato chip bag up off the ground and threw it in the basket for trash also. She then turns to me. There was something black and brown on her hand that had not been there before. Before I could say anything she raises her hand to her mouth and LICKS IT OFF!!! OMG!!! The lady next to me, I'm fairly sure could not speak English, but I think she understood my "Ew ew ewwwww"-ing. She handed me a tissue, but it was too late. Be it oil, chocolate, or doggy doo doo, the little girl had ingested it.


Today we returned to the same bus stop to wait for the bus. I look down at my phone to check the time to see how long til the bus came, looked up and Paula was hanging onto the trash basket, and peering in. Why? I don't know. I called her "Paula! Please get away from the trash can." She looks up at me, and guiltily backed away from the trash can. I sighed, "Paula, please come here." She slowly walked back to me, her head hung guiltily. She sat down next to me. "Paula," I asked, "do you know why I don't want you to hang around trash cans?" She doesn't respond. I pull out her collar so she can see it "Because of this."
Her collar is covered with the same mystery substance from the day before.

Me, I'm a wuss and don't really want to know what it was.

Traveling Plans

Well, the family leaves on Thursday, I'm going to start traveling. I have plans to go to Hamburg fromAugust 1 to the third. Then August 8 through the 10th to Lake Constance, then round up the traveling with 11th through the 15th in Dresden. Wooo it's going to be crazy. I'll be taking lots of pictures. Don't worry, I will ... for the most part... be traveling with a group. Dresden, however, will just be me. I'm really excited. I'll have lots to tell.

This weekend I went to Stuttgart, explored, got lost, and found some really cool stuff. I'm putting together another video which I will be posting... some point this week. Well, Dorothee is due home with the girls any minute, I better go get ready. See ya'll later.