Hi folks--
Now that my computer's back among the living, I've resolved to update this thing more often. The big news around these parts is that the European Cup kicks off tomorrow night. In honor thereof, Stephan and I are playing in a fun soccer tournament tomorrow...I'm actually kind of psyched for it, considering that I haven't played soccer in about...ten years. It could be cool. Germany totally transforms during big, international tournaments like this one--the World Cup in 2006 was like Christmas, Easter, Passover and everyone's birthdays all happening at once. The traditionally anal-retentive and whiny Germans (okay, they're not ALL like that, but there are days when you really think that complaining is the national passtime) were happier than fat kids with a lifetime supply of free cake. So I'm looking forward to the atmosphere first and the actual games second, although they're not too bad, either.
Let's see...what else? I've got my German taxes about 9/10 filed...only a week late. I mean, I say "I've" got them almost filed, but I haven't gone near the damn things. This is one of the many moments where I'm glad I'm dating a "host country national" who has a vague idea of German tax law.
I also got some new plants! I replaced the oregano and the thyme that didn't survive the winter, got some strawberry plants and a banana tree. Don't ask about the banana tree. Wasn't my idea, but we'll see how it goes.
Aaaanyway...in other news, the rental still isn't reserved for my parents, because Stephan refuses to make an executive decision (ford or volvo) and insists on asking my dad, who checks his emails about once every three weeks. H'm...
Other than that, there's not a whole lot going on here. I'm going to sign off and enjoy not being at work. Yay!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
My Laptop Liiiiives!
Huzzah!
After months of senseless procrastination (one of my strong suits), I finally managed to shell out the 15 Euros and replace the power cable to my lovely old Dell. The graphic card on the desktop has kind of bitten it, kind of not, so we're living with a technical situation whose precariousness makes me realize how dependent on all this stuff I actually am. All my lesson plans and resources are backed up on an external hard drive, but when the computer isn't working AT ALL, that doesn't really help me get any work done. But enough of that, because things are good right now...
The short list of beautiful people to have graced my couch since I last posted is short but illustrious--Ms. Andrea Danielson stopped by to kick off her whirlwind European post-peace corps adventure and taught me an amazing amount about Africa and the Gambia...and we figured out how to make her ATM card work (PS to those of you intending to visit, a tip: Visa IS everywhere you want to be). All around a fabulous time. Then came the ever lovely Germanophile Mlle. Julia Follick for a jam-packed ten days of Germanic fabulousness, including but by no means limited to drinking gin at the kitchen table, helping me survive vicious stomach funk and going to bizarre garden parties. Also a rockin' good time. Next up....
The Fam.
(Dunnn Dunnn Dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn)
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a tad stressed. Technically, I should be scouring the city looking for distilled water for my Mum's anti-snoreilator. Or doing about eight bajillion other things. Like looking for a wedding present for my unlce and his bride-to-be, or writing up the protocol from our parent night, like...over two weeks ago. Or filling out invoices for work. I also don't have a dress. You know, for the wedding. In the Czech Republic. The rental car has also not yet been reserved. I mean...I'm wicked excited that they're coming. They get to check out my whole life here, which is equal parts stressful and fantastic. Two weeks ago, we started using organic cleaners around the house so that no one gets an allergy attack from any freaky euro-chemical cleaners. Like I said...there's a lot going on.
The awesome thing is the weather, though. Berlin has had incredible sun and like, ninety degrees for the last two weeks. It's been wonderful. We take the KiLa kids to the garden every day for the whole morning, feed them breakfast, hose them down with sunscreen and let them go. Today it got a little intense, so my boss decided to put up a tarp over part of the garden. Guess who was in charge of climbing up all the different trees and securing all the corners? ...You guessed it. Yours truly. If that's not full-body enthusiasm for one's job, I don't know what is. The downside is, it's too hot to cook, to run or to do much of anything...but from being outside every day I'm getting a helluva tan.
So the motto of the story, Kinders? ...book yo' flights! My parents are going to be occupying my time until the beginning of July (inlcuding the necessary preparation and recovery time--all y'all know how it is...), but after that it's open season.
Anyway, that was a blitz update from here. Hope everyone's happy and healthy.
After months of senseless procrastination (one of my strong suits), I finally managed to shell out the 15 Euros and replace the power cable to my lovely old Dell. The graphic card on the desktop has kind of bitten it, kind of not, so we're living with a technical situation whose precariousness makes me realize how dependent on all this stuff I actually am. All my lesson plans and resources are backed up on an external hard drive, but when the computer isn't working AT ALL, that doesn't really help me get any work done. But enough of that, because things are good right now...
The short list of beautiful people to have graced my couch since I last posted is short but illustrious--Ms. Andrea Danielson stopped by to kick off her whirlwind European post-peace corps adventure and taught me an amazing amount about Africa and the Gambia...and we figured out how to make her ATM card work (PS to those of you intending to visit, a tip: Visa IS everywhere you want to be). All around a fabulous time. Then came the ever lovely Germanophile Mlle. Julia Follick for a jam-packed ten days of Germanic fabulousness, including but by no means limited to drinking gin at the kitchen table, helping me survive vicious stomach funk and going to bizarre garden parties. Also a rockin' good time. Next up....
The Fam.
(Dunnn Dunnn Dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn)
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a tad stressed. Technically, I should be scouring the city looking for distilled water for my Mum's anti-snoreilator. Or doing about eight bajillion other things. Like looking for a wedding present for my unlce and his bride-to-be, or writing up the protocol from our parent night, like...over two weeks ago. Or filling out invoices for work. I also don't have a dress. You know, for the wedding. In the Czech Republic. The rental car has also not yet been reserved. I mean...I'm wicked excited that they're coming. They get to check out my whole life here, which is equal parts stressful and fantastic. Two weeks ago, we started using organic cleaners around the house so that no one gets an allergy attack from any freaky euro-chemical cleaners. Like I said...there's a lot going on.
The awesome thing is the weather, though. Berlin has had incredible sun and like, ninety degrees for the last two weeks. It's been wonderful. We take the KiLa kids to the garden every day for the whole morning, feed them breakfast, hose them down with sunscreen and let them go. Today it got a little intense, so my boss decided to put up a tarp over part of the garden. Guess who was in charge of climbing up all the different trees and securing all the corners? ...You guessed it. Yours truly. If that's not full-body enthusiasm for one's job, I don't know what is. The downside is, it's too hot to cook, to run or to do much of anything...but from being outside every day I'm getting a helluva tan.
So the motto of the story, Kinders? ...book yo' flights! My parents are going to be occupying my time until the beginning of July (inlcuding the necessary preparation and recovery time--all y'all know how it is...), but after that it's open season.
Anyway, that was a blitz update from here. Hope everyone's happy and healthy.
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