Blurbs

MY NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION AGENDA:

I purchased two DVDs early this week, and just borrowed one from the library. I predict that I will not be able to watch them consecutively, but they should provide enough entertainment to keep me occupied until Monday morning.

HMMM...

I went to see my new supervisor this afternoon, but he was gone for the holidays. I assume that's a good sign; the team that I will be assigned to is never in their office.
While studying for my driver's exam, I thought about how pathetic it would be to arrive at my new office (anticipated arrival: mid-January, possibly early February) and admit that I still do not have an official driver's license. Driven by that fear, I managed to pass the test with a 91%; I did not miss a single question regarding German road signs!

OUCH

I am eagerly anticipating the shipment of my household goods; the inflatable mattress is okay, but I would prefer a real chair and table to sit at. Also, I'm afraid I might be developing a mini-hunchback, due to the effect of constantly sitting with my back against the wall.
Oh well, just a few more weeks, I suppose.

YUM! (WELL, KINDA)

I've been in the mood for Chinese food since my arrival in Germany. There's a Chinese restaurant in the Exchange, but I prefer not to eat there due to the crowds, and the chance of running into someone I know, and being forced to interact with them. I admit that chance is a bit slim, seeing as how I don't really "know" anyone here, but still.

Hallelujah!

I am now legally permitted to operate a motor vehicle in Germany!

So It Begins

Today I was forced to reintegrate myself into society and assume the mindset of a typical employee. I woke at a semi-decent hour (7am) and rushed out the door to meet my supervisor on-base. After the greetings, discussions, and mandatory signing of paperwork, I was ushered into the office, only to sit motionless while listening in on conversations ranging from healthcare to the dangers of various recreational pursuits.

A dinner has been scheduled tonight, with my counterparts; tomorrow as well (tonight's affair will be informal, as opposed to tomorrow's). It will be a prime opportunity to interact and bond with my future co-workers.
I can't wait.

Action!

During my holiday isolation, I successfully managed to do two things: 1) memorize every scene of the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and 2) find the inspiration deep within myself to develop a new hobby (drum roll, please): film-making!

I was considering creating a YouTube channel - strictly to showcase the efforts of my exhaustive labor - but upon realizing I have no means of actually recording video, I decided against it.
I miss my old phone, with its camera/video storage and export capabilities. *sigh*

THE PHONE

Speaking of phones, my current one has no such benefits. As you will see, there is no exterior screen, no camera lens, no beauty whatsoever:







Only nine more days until my home phone service is activated! Thank God.

K-TOWN

I am beginning to learn my way around, and this morning I ventured over to Kaiserslautern, the "American" village a few minutes (approximately 10) away from the apartment. Wow.
The streets were crowded (with vehicles and people), the roads were narrow, and the homes were not as pretty as I've come to expect elsewhere. However, the scenery was breathtaking. Of course!

UPDATE

I attempted to upload my films to my existing YouTube account; unfortunately, the audio tracks have been deleted, thus lessening the effect of my work (due to my extremely limited resources, I have come to rely solely on the use of Windows Movie Maker, existing photos on my hard drive, and my own unlimited ingenuity).

Bah Humbug

I've met two of my neighbors (a mother and son who live below me), and I have yet to ask if they can help with my phone. I still can't make calls (local or international, despite assurances from the customer service representative), and it is very irritating. Thank God it's only a pre-paid, and nothing more permanent.

I went to the tax office yesterday, but they required additional paperwork that I didn't have. I have it with me today, but the office has closed early for the holidays. I cannot call the gas-meter reader or the telephone company because my phone doesn't work, they don't accept walk-ins, and I would still need the paperwork from the tax office to proceed in an efficient manner.

Ugh...I was told a few moments ago that I will have to go to the bank as well; all overseas payments have to be authorized in person. This is ridiculous!

Transition

The transition from hotel to apartment was, for the most part, successful. Though my furniture consists mostly (well, totally) of an inflatable mattress, I still enjoy waking up in the new surroundings. Since it's been less chilly lately (I went out this morning with just a coat- no hat, scarf or mittens required!), I've reduced the amount of heat needed in the apartment.

RUN-DOWN

Today the gas-meter reader came by, but I was preparing to leave and didn't hear the buzzer. There was a note left in my mailbox, asking me to call so we can reschedule. I guess I can call after I have finished the majority of my tasks for the day.
I was supposed to stop by the bank, but I decided to relax for a bit this morning, instead; I think I may be coming down with something: when I first arrived, a prospective co-worker warned me about the dreaded "German virus," much like the swine flu, but only impacting new-comers. I don't think that is what I am suffering from, though.
Well, I'm at the base library now, and afterwards I am headed to the tax office, and then onward to the electric station.

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

The following are preliminary photos; I will post more once I learn how to correctly aim a camera. Enjoy!


stairwell leading to front door


living room


fireplace in living room


living room



hallway

Nooooo!!!!!

The make-up exam for my European driver's license is tomorrow, and I meant to study- the book was open for a consecutive half hour before I became bored with the process. Tonight, before bed, I will definitely look over the practice test.

Tomorrow is going to be a full day; the tasks I set aside this morning have all been rescheduled for sometime after the exam: with the exception of checking out of the hotel (7am) and paying a visit to the Housing Office (7:30).
Regrettably, I have received an email from my supervisor, thus beginning the inevitable process of returning to steady employment. We are to meet at the base library tomorrow afternoon. **sigh**

ALSO...

I remember reading an article, many years ago, citing the frequency of Hollywood stars appearing in overseas commercials. Tom Cruise, for instance, was reported to have sponsored numerous gadgets, fragrances, and treats in Japan. I never thought much of it, but since I've been here my t.v. screen has been constantly populated by the likes of: Jude Law, Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Beyonce, and Uma Thurman, all advertising various brands of goodies.

A Tad Bit Chilly

I went to the bank this morning, only to be harassed and rudely questioned by the manager. My designated teller and customer service representative were very nice, however, and continuously apologized for their supervisor's behavior. Overall, they made an otherwise horrible trip slightly more pleasant.

BY THE WAY...

Everytime I glance at the Euro in my hand, I think of Monopoly; the bills are so shiny, fragile, and fraudulent-looking:



The toy-like quality makes me smile!

AHH, I SEE...

I left the hotel early this morning to visit the bank, as previously mentioned. My room was unusually cold when I returned; as a result, I was forced to subject myself to a three-hour long confinement in the bathroom, where there is a heated towel rack. After a while, I ventured out to the main area to retrieve my laptop charger, and noticed that the sounds coming from outside were greatly amplified. I threw open the curtains, and...the windows were wide open! I quickly shut and locked them.
The room feels slightly warmer now.

DER AUTOBAHN:

Today's Average Speed: 145 km/h

Hatless

I spent today studying, or at least I intended to. I was sitting with the open book in my lap this morning, but it was breakfast time, and I soon became distracted by hunger. Then there were emails to send, and afterwards, errands to run. Well, there's still time tonight, I suppose.
Tomorrow I finalize the arrangements for the apartment (yay!), which will begin with a trip to the bank, and then on to the store for an inflatable bed. I can't wait!
I will miss the sheets at the hotel, though. I wonder what the blanket and pillow are made of...they are so comfortable.

ALAS!

I went to the store earlier to buy some mittens (I left my nice ones at home), and as I was checking out, I placed my hat next to the register. My order was rung up, I purchased my items, and subsequently headed for the door...
There were tiny flakes drifting through the air, and as I strode towards Luisa, I glanced up and thought, 'Oh, is it snowing? How wonderful!' It wasn't until I reached the door of my hotel room that it occurred to me: my hat was nowhere to be found! How could I have forgotten that essential item, especially in the presence of snow flurries?!
So now, I am hatless. Back to the store tomorrow, to find some fabric to cover my precious head.

CURRENTLY...

I'm watching 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' (in German); I love this movie! There's a melody playing during the wedding scene that I can't recall from the American version. When I first bought this film for myself, I went through a period of watching nothing but for 15 days straight. Maybe I'm mistaken about the music not being in the original. I mean, how different can the two versions be?
All this television has put me in the best of writing moods! I have been coming up with the most fantastic ideas lately...

The Road Not Driven

Today I was officially informed that I should not be driving in Germany.
This morning: woke up, drove to the licensing office (got lost and was 15 minutes late-of course!), sat down and watched a 40 minute video on the ins and outs of driving in Europe...and failed the test! (But I did manage to obtain a library card afterwards! Anyone surprised?)

Honestly, I was flabbergasted. Anguished. Disoriented, and a little angry. I thought I had done so well! (Even though I guessed through multiple series of questions; hmmm...I knew there couldn't possibly be so many 'A' answers in a row!) It was hard to watch as they graded my test sheet- one incorrect bubble mark after another. And when they gave me the tiny slip of paper with the re-test date of next Friday, it was a struggle to take it calmly and just slip out of the room unnoticed.

*Upon arriving, I was told that laws are quite different here, and as a result, very few Americans pass the German driving exam on their first try. When I first heard this remark, I scoffed. Now I am inclined to agree.*

As I drove back to my hotel (illegally, according to the driving officials; my employer's response was, 'Eh, who gives a shit?'), I began to contemplate the possibility of never claiming ownership of the coveted European driver's license. My thoughts began to wander, and I saw, in my mind, the following scene:



That's right: a parking spot. With no car. Because I wouldn't be allowed to drive one. Already, I've been dreading the inevitable separation of myself from my beloved Luisa, but to be denied the privilege of traveling with her - against her heated seats and wooden-paneled interior - prematurely, would be devastating.
Just in case, though, I have my back-up plan(s):



Not as good as my Luisa, of course, but they'll do!

Discovery

Yesterday morning I was feeling lazy and, having previously devoted my day to studying, decided not to fuss over my hair and just let it dry naturally, without any products. A few hours later I happened to pass by the mirror and, lo and behold, I witnessed a miracle! The curls were actually....CURLY! And there was a bit of shine! With a minimum of poofiness!! I couldn't believe it.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN


I don't know why, but ever since I first opened the bathroom door, I have been fascinated with the shower in my hotel room. I love this bathroom! There are no (conventional) counters, and no cabinets, but plenty of room to put all my stuff. And I absolutely ADORE this shower. It's so pretty, and I have fully credited it with my newly-silkened curls (I guess the air has some effect on it as well...). Also, as another plus, the new apartment has almost the exact same bathroom! Plus a bathtub!
Needless to say, I am thrilled.

HOWEVER...

I was so excited by this amazing discovery that I decided to wear my hair down today- but when I walked out of the hotel, there was snow everywhere! On the ground, the bushes, the benches, caked all over my car...and soon, in my hair! Which totally created a counter-silky effect, to my dismay. I ended up having to resort to the dreaded "bun" (see below).





And afterwards:



Anyways....will post more pictures/updates soon. Up next: my new shoes!