Sunday, September 28, 2008
What happens at Terra's...comes to Germany!
I just read the book that Terra made up of the extraordinary goodbye party she threw - photos of everyone and letters too. Thank you so much everyone!! It was so much fun, and to have the pictures and your letters to me really means so much! And thanks, Terra, for organizing such a great time! It makes me miss you all quite a lot! Enjoy each other. I'm realizing in a new way what a gift it is to have a community like we have at home.
Folks from home...
This week, my parents, sister, BIL (Brother-In-Law), and niece arrived at 6am at the airport an hour away, and Marc's licence has expired, so it was up to me to drive them. I was a little nervous to find my way on my own, but everything worked out very well. I was even able to drive my neighbour to work on the way. The luggage and people didn't all fit in the van, so we loaded up we could, and two people took the tram home!
We had a few fun jet-lagged days of shopping and seeing a few local sights, and then I drove my sister and BIL to a different airport a little further away so they could go to Scotland. The rest of us continued on to a small town in Holland. We didn't have too much time, but we did manage to see bicycles and a windmill, so what more do you need?
I have previously sang the praises of our GPS system, and now I think I would sing them even louder because we have a new rental car (a VW, not a BMW), with a new system and a new lady. She's nice enough and everything, but she's a little cryptic. Not really what you want in a GPS system. When we get on a straight stretch, she says something like, "Prepare to go straight on soon!" So, if I understand you correctly, right now, I am going straight, and I need to prepare myself to go straight in a little while? Okay, deep breath everyone, and... straight on!
On the way to the airport, we were going on the Autobohn (LOVE it), and she said, "Follow the parallel carriageway". Ooh, a riddle! Fun! But then again, not so fun when you're trying to get somewhere! I'm still not sure what we did right and what we did wrong, but we ended up going in circles - not big circles, little tight expressway circles. Round and round. Things were looking pretty familiar, and we were getting a little nauseous when finally, they started to look a little different, and we were on a different highway which happened to be the one we wanted! I have yet to follow the parallel carriageway (I think), but I'm sure it can't be as fun as those circles.
Yesterday all of us went to Cologne, which was wonderful - the beautiful, sunny weather certainly helped - it's been rainy and chilly lately. We saw the huge cathedral there, and went to the chocolate museum! http://www.chocolateatlas.com/Cologne_Chocolate_Museum/Cologne_Chocolate_Museum.htm) We had schnitzel along the Rhine, watching the boats traveling down the river.
On the way there, the children had been very well behaved, but were getting restless. A certain someone was driving, and a certain other someone told the first someone to do a quick U-Turn. The resulting swerve caused a certain younger someone's head to connect with something hard. Immediately, she started crying (more like bellowing), "I want to go HO-OME!!!" Just as immediately, the other younger someone started wailing just as loudly, "I don't want to go HO-OME!!!" Both of them are not really prone to this behaviour, and they had the same pitch, volume and intensity. It was so funny, the adults burst out laughing which didn't help matters. Thankfully, we were close to the parking lot, and could get out and find something fun!
We're heading to Africa this week. Everyone's a little nervous for various reasons. We'd love to have your prayers for my parents babysitting, and us travelling. We're excited though - should be fun and eye-opening! Stay tuned - it might be a few weeks...
We had a few fun jet-lagged days of shopping and seeing a few local sights, and then I drove my sister and BIL to a different airport a little further away so they could go to Scotland. The rest of us continued on to a small town in Holland. We didn't have too much time, but we did manage to see bicycles and a windmill, so what more do you need?
I have previously sang the praises of our GPS system, and now I think I would sing them even louder because we have a new rental car (a VW, not a BMW), with a new system and a new lady. She's nice enough and everything, but she's a little cryptic. Not really what you want in a GPS system. When we get on a straight stretch, she says something like, "Prepare to go straight on soon!" So, if I understand you correctly, right now, I am going straight, and I need to prepare myself to go straight in a little while? Okay, deep breath everyone, and... straight on!
On the way to the airport, we were going on the Autobohn (LOVE it), and she said, "Follow the parallel carriageway". Ooh, a riddle! Fun! But then again, not so fun when you're trying to get somewhere! I'm still not sure what we did right and what we did wrong, but we ended up going in circles - not big circles, little tight expressway circles. Round and round. Things were looking pretty familiar, and we were getting a little nauseous when finally, they started to look a little different, and we were on a different highway which happened to be the one we wanted! I have yet to follow the parallel carriageway (I think), but I'm sure it can't be as fun as those circles.
Yesterday all of us went to Cologne, which was wonderful - the beautiful, sunny weather certainly helped - it's been rainy and chilly lately. We saw the huge cathedral there, and went to the chocolate museum! http://www.chocolateatlas.com/Cologne_Chocolate_Museum/Cologne_Chocolate_Museum.htm) We had schnitzel along the Rhine, watching the boats traveling down the river.
On the way there, the children had been very well behaved, but were getting restless. A certain someone was driving, and a certain other someone told the first someone to do a quick U-Turn. The resulting swerve caused a certain younger someone's head to connect with something hard. Immediately, she started crying (more like bellowing), "I want to go HO-OME!!!" Just as immediately, the other younger someone started wailing just as loudly, "I don't want to go HO-OME!!!" Both of them are not really prone to this behaviour, and they had the same pitch, volume and intensity. It was so funny, the adults burst out laughing which didn't help matters. Thankfully, we were close to the parking lot, and could get out and find something fun!
We're heading to Africa this week. Everyone's a little nervous for various reasons. We'd love to have your prayers for my parents babysitting, and us travelling. We're excited though - should be fun and eye-opening! Stay tuned - it might be a few weeks...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The first month - a restrospective
I can't believe it's been a month already!!
A quick status update:
Our house:
We have been to IKEA 3 times, and expect to need to go again maybe once or twice more. But mostly, we have what we need. We're putting up curtains and lights, which is quite the endeavour - the ceiling (and walls) are a thin layer of plaster over concrete, and we have yet to find the right drill bit. We still don't have an oven, the dishwasher racks do not roll, but the bees are gone, our grass has been cut (reduces risk of ticks and poison ivy) and we have most of our furniture (most excitingly, a dining room table and chairs, and wardrobes!)
Language learning:
I have had 3 German lessons, and am learning all the time from friends. (Funny story: At the gym, my trainer asked for my phone number, and I said that I didn't know it, but I could go get my handy (cell phone) and tell her. She looked at me strangely, and I realized that she had said "Vorname" - for nah-muh - which means my name. Kind of sounds like "phone number" with an accent, don't you think?) Extracurricular:
I've been to the gym 4 times and have gone to 2 group classes (in the last one, the instructor came off the stage and corrected me, and later spoke to me from the stage - she must have thought I was a little slow...).
Marc has been go-karting, and to a men's breakfast, we've been to a football game, and I've sung at a wedding, gone to Mom's group twice, and to a flea market .
The children:
Lia is settled in Kindergarten, more or less. She talks about all the kids there, and seems to be enjoying herself. She is entering the Terrible 3s, but it's comforting to know that this is a regular stage, and that she is actually adjusting very well.
Kaia is no longer nursing, is learning to walk, and has lots of hair. She is very busy and LOVES playing on the stairs. I went to the neighbour's for something really quickly, and left the door ajar so I could get back in when I returned (the door locks automatically), and Marc found Kaia up the stairs and heading for the street! Pray for her safety, and our energy!
Work:
Marc has yet to have a complete full week at work due to numerous appointments, but is starting to feel in the groove.
Other stuff:
We have a housecleaner and babysitters and most importantly a church home with quite a few friends, and fabulous neighbours!
We miss home, and all you wonderful folks, but are feeling pretty settled here. More and more visits are starting to get organized- so make sure to book yours now!! :)
A quick status update:
Our house:
We have been to IKEA 3 times, and expect to need to go again maybe once or twice more. But mostly, we have what we need. We're putting up curtains and lights, which is quite the endeavour - the ceiling (and walls) are a thin layer of plaster over concrete, and we have yet to find the right drill bit. We still don't have an oven, the dishwasher racks do not roll, but the bees are gone, our grass has been cut (reduces risk of ticks and poison ivy) and we have most of our furniture (most excitingly, a dining room table and chairs, and wardrobes!)
Language learning:
I have had 3 German lessons, and am learning all the time from friends. (Funny story: At the gym, my trainer asked for my phone number, and I said that I didn't know it, but I could go get my handy (cell phone) and tell her. She looked at me strangely, and I realized that she had said "Vorname" - for nah-muh - which means my name. Kind of sounds like "phone number" with an accent, don't you think?) Extracurricular:
I've been to the gym 4 times and have gone to 2 group classes (in the last one, the instructor came off the stage and corrected me, and later spoke to me from the stage - she must have thought I was a little slow...).
Marc has been go-karting, and to a men's breakfast, we've been to a football game, and I've sung at a wedding, gone to Mom's group twice, and to a flea market .
The children:
Lia is settled in Kindergarten, more or less. She talks about all the kids there, and seems to be enjoying herself. She is entering the Terrible 3s, but it's comforting to know that this is a regular stage, and that she is actually adjusting very well.
Kaia is no longer nursing, is learning to walk, and has lots of hair. She is very busy and LOVES playing on the stairs. I went to the neighbour's for something really quickly, and left the door ajar so I could get back in when I returned (the door locks automatically), and Marc found Kaia up the stairs and heading for the street! Pray for her safety, and our energy!
Work:
Marc has yet to have a complete full week at work due to numerous appointments, but is starting to feel in the groove.
Other stuff:
We have a housecleaner and babysitters and most importantly a church home with quite a few friends, and fabulous neighbours!
We miss home, and all you wonderful folks, but are feeling pretty settled here. More and more visits are starting to get organized- so make sure to book yours now!! :)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Are you ready for some football??
We had a great time at the football game. It was a small event- just 20, 000 people. ;) 
Tobias had just been to a 'real' football game the day before. 70,000, I think? But, "our" team won - we think - we left early to beat the crowd on the trams!
It was pretty exciting for a number of reasons: to be out without kids, to be out with our new friends, to be at an organized sporting event of any kind (kinda new for me) and to be at a real live football game in Europe. Hence the big smiles.
The away team's fans were
crowded in a little triangle of the stadium, surrounded by police. Things get a little crazy, apparently. Nothing while we were there, though!
I really enjoyed all the funny cheers, and seeing so many people all jumping together looks really strange - a little like the crowd in the background of Wii sporting events, Marc thought.
Here are our neighbours, Miriam and Tobias, sharing pretzels and cheesy bread with us! Lecker!
Rivalry, yes - Violence, no!
(Remind anyone of "Clean, yes! Germs, no!"?)
Tobias had just been to a 'real' football game the day before. 70,000, I think? But, "our" team won - we think - we left early to beat the crowd on the trams!
It was pretty exciting for a number of reasons: to be out without kids, to be out with our new friends, to be at an organized sporting event of any kind (kinda new for me) and to be at a real live football game in Europe. Hence the big smiles.The away team's fans were
crowded in a little triangle of the stadium, surrounded by police. Things get a little crazy, apparently. Nothing while we were there, though!I really enjoyed all the funny cheers, and seeing so many people all jumping together looks really strange - a little like the crowd in the background of Wii sporting events, Marc thought.
Here are our neighbours, Miriam and Tobias, sharing pretzels and cheesy bread with us! Lecker!
Rivalry, yes - Violence, no!
(Remind anyone of "Clean, yes! Germs, no!"?)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
An upward swing
So things have definitely improved since the mid-week hurdle - thanks everyone for your prayers and nice thoughts and comments! :)
Lia still cried a bit, going to Kindergarten the next two days, but stayed and had a great time. Friday evening was a social time at the Kindergarten, for families to hang out and have pizza and talk. So that was good for her, I think. Our neighbours came over after their kids were down, and we had tea and looked at both of our wedding photos. Great conversation and fun times had by all.
This morning we went to a nearby town - kind of a town within a town, and found a good spot to visit when people come to visit us -- nudge-nudge, wink-wink -- and had a delicious lunch of savoury pancakes. Even Lia ate well!
After dinner (Marc cooked, and it was very 'lecker'), we went on another walk in the woods near our house. It's HUGE - I had no idea. There are amazing animals (wild boar, deer with antlers, and goats), holly growing everywhere, and huge trees (which one might expect to find in a forest...). It was all very beautiful, with the setting sun shining through the leaves and lighting up the ferns under the deer's feet. Food for the soul.
Tomorrow we're doing church and our first outing sans children: a football game with our neighbours. Yippee!
Lia still cried a bit, going to Kindergarten the next two days, but stayed and had a great time. Friday evening was a social time at the Kindergarten, for families to hang out and have pizza and talk. So that was good for her, I think. Our neighbours came over after their kids were down, and we had tea and looked at both of our wedding photos. Great conversation and fun times had by all.
This morning we went to a nearby town - kind of a town within a town, and found a good spot to visit when people come to visit us -- nudge-nudge, wink-wink -- and had a delicious lunch of savoury pancakes. Even Lia ate well!
After dinner (Marc cooked, and it was very 'lecker'), we went on another walk in the woods near our house. It's HUGE - I had no idea. There are amazing animals (wild boar, deer with antlers, and goats), holly growing everywhere, and huge trees (which one might expect to find in a forest...). It was all very beautiful, with the setting sun shining through the leaves and lighting up the ferns under the deer's feet. Food for the soul.
Tomorrow we're doing church and our first outing sans children: a football game with our neighbours. Yippee!
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