Let's sum it all up

Well, I've nearly been back in Germany for a week, so I figure I need to start back up with my blogging my experiences. I haven't yet put up pictures, so I need to get that done at some point. But first, let's hit the highlights:

1.) Okay, well, the flights sucked, I didn't get in until last Wednesday. Now you may be asking "wait, weren't you supposed to get back Tuesday?" Well, yes. I was supposed to fly from KC to Chicago to Frankfurt then take a train to Stuttgart. But... the weather was really bad in Chicago and was causing all sorts of problems so the guy at the ticket counter booked me through Dulles. Long story short- I got to Dulles- the plane was broken- stayed at Sheraton over night- out 24 hours later- in Frankfurt guy in KC had changed train ticket to plane ticket for last leg of journey and you can't do that- got run around for five hours- eventually landed on a train back to Stuttgart where the sight of Dorothee waiting for me was a wonderful sight to behold.

2.) The gifts I brought back for everyone have been a huge hit! This makes me happy. Now the girls can't wait to have bathtime with the new colored crayon soap I got them, Paula never lets go of her stuffed snowman, Carola pours over the Sweet Valley Kids books (though only the pictures at this point), neighbors were thrilled with the cupcake and circutboard Converse shoes for their twins, and Dorothee pronounced that I will have Alex's undying love for the sheerly obsurd amount of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing I brought back with me. So all in all a job well done.

3.) Bitchy Canadian showed her claws again the yesterday at Ballet- evidently she asked Dorothee at Ballet when I was gone "What? No more nanny?" Dorothee told her I had gone home for the holidays. And she just couldn't imagine why I would want to do that. (Evidently no one in Canada loves her and she's hiding out in Germany because she doesn't have a choice). Ugh.

4.) Cool thing. The girls attacked me when they saw me again for the first time. All I heard was the fast patter of little feet then a small pause then I was knocked to the floor by a full body slam. (okay, I'm exaggerating, but it's not far off.)

5.) Yeah, events are out of order in this count up (count down?) but I'm lazy and I'm not going to re-do it. So there! *sticks tounge out*

6.) I went with Irena into Stuttgart today, which was cool. We went to this fancy-schmancy department store. While there she asked me if I would like to get a store credit card. And as I looked around at the signs on the wall declaring that this store had brands like "Hugo Boss", "Juicy Couture" and "Ralph Lauren Polo", I looked back at her and explained that while someday that would be nice to drop the money the way she does, and that while some day it's in my future plans to be able to have a reason to get a credit card to a place that sells 329 Euro hippy dresses (I looked) and has jeans on sale for 169 Euros, My bank account is currently only stocked towards Target and thrift store -and even that is pushing it. I'm the kind of gal who is thrilled with H&M and C&A (normal department stores with "normal" prices") But thanks for asking.

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.