UPDATES:
Dan's Employment
On Thursday, Dan and I went to the base to run some errands, and he ended up asking a Shoppette worker about employment opportunities in the area. Some useful information was relayed, and that afternoon we talked about the possibility of Dan submitting an application for service jobs on-base. Later that day, he spoke with an HR Representative (as mentioned in the previous blog), and the next day received a job offer! Now we will have the same degree of base privileges, and will be able to achieve a bit more independence from one another...always a good thing.
My Employment
On Friday, I visited my office in order to drop off some paperwork, and ran into my designated supervisor. We had a long discussion, and it was decided that, beginning Monday, I am to start coming into the office for a few hours each day, to "mingle" with my future co-workers. Although I won't officially begin training until mid-February, it has been advised that this activity will be extremely beneficial to my professional growth.
THE BOOK I JUST COULDN'T FINISH
I borrowed Lady Chatterley's Lover (by D.H. Lawrence) from the library about a week ago, and I have spent the entire week attempting to get past the first few pages.
Yesterday, while struggling to finish page 32, I finally realized that the stress of attempting to feign interest in the plot, as well as overcome my distaste for the author's writing style, has rendered all enjoyment obsolete; therefore, I have decided to discontinue reading this book. It has been passed along to Dan, who (so far) is enjoying it immensely, and I have moved on to bigger and better things: namely, John Irving's The World According to Garp.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
On-Base Adventures
Today was productive: Dan and I went to the base and accomplished a variety of work-related tasks. I scheduled appointments and set up a few accounts, while Dan spoke with an on-base HR Representative about prospective job leads. Both of us have to go back tomorrow, and plan on having a celebratory evening afterwards.
DAN'S POPEYE'S ADVENTURE
After spotting the Popeye's restaurant on-base, Dan spent the past few days eagerly awaiting his opportunity to feast on fried, spicy food. Since we were in the area today, we decided to have lunch there, and make a feast out of it: he ordered a spicy chicken meal with rice and a biscuit, and I ordered a chicken bowl with mac-and-cheese (of course!). Afterwards, as soon as we got in the car, he leaned back in his seat and began moaning, lamenting our decision to eat at Popeye's, and swearing not to return in the near future.
He's in the bedroom now, resting and attempting to recover from his ordeal.
DAN'S POPEYE'S ADVENTURE
After spotting the Popeye's restaurant on-base, Dan spent the past few days eagerly awaiting his opportunity to feast on fried, spicy food. Since we were in the area today, we decided to have lunch there, and make a feast out of it: he ordered a spicy chicken meal with rice and a biscuit, and I ordered a chicken bowl with mac-and-cheese (of course!). Afterwards, as soon as we got in the car, he leaned back in his seat and began moaning, lamenting our decision to eat at Popeye's, and swearing not to return in the near future.
He's in the bedroom now, resting and attempting to recover from his ordeal.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Yucky Cheese
A few days ago I told Dan that I was in the mood for bread and cheese: I meant loafed bread and sharp cheese (i.e. cheddar or something of that sort). He went to the market and later presented me with the following:
Cheese for the Bread
Miscellaneous Cheese
I was satisfied with the first cheese, and very excited to try the second. Dan unwrapped the package and handed me a small piece. Upon closer inspection I became skeptical; the outer shell was somewhat hard, quite a contrast to the inside, which was incredibly soft, almost sticky. I hesitated, then took a small bite.
It tasted a bit like glue and mold, and I instantly felt nauseous. Dan said it tasted fine, but I get sick everytime I see the package.
This afternoon I made sandwiches for us, and we both agreed that the first cheese was very good (well, Dan couldn't really taste the cheese in his sandwich, but I liked mine).
Cheese for the Bread
Miscellaneous Cheese
I was satisfied with the first cheese, and very excited to try the second. Dan unwrapped the package and handed me a small piece. Upon closer inspection I became skeptical; the outer shell was somewhat hard, quite a contrast to the inside, which was incredibly soft, almost sticky. I hesitated, then took a small bite.
It tasted a bit like glue and mold, and I instantly felt nauseous. Dan said it tasted fine, but I get sick everytime I see the package.
This afternoon I made sandwiches for us, and we both agreed that the first cheese was very good (well, Dan couldn't really taste the cheese in his sandwich, but I liked mine).
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Out and About
THE YELLOW BAG
The Germans have a very strict recycling program, and the following must be separated and sorted accordingly: glass, paper, bio (food and garden) and residual waste (everything else). Residual waste, being the majority of the trash collected, is gathered in a yellow bag, appropriately entitled Der Gelbe Sack (The Yellow Bag). According to the pamphlets provided by the Housing Office on-base, these bags could be found at the Verbandsgemeindeverwaltung; however, no translation or location for this place was given.
So, Dan spent the entire morning yesterday calling various community offices, and was finally given an address. We drove to the next town over and went to claim our bags:
Mission Accomplished!
TRIER
Dan and I set out for Trier this morning; the city houses Roman ruins, and we explored the ancient city gates, the Emperor's baths, and the amphitheater. We originally intended to visit Luxembourg as well, but the sightseeing lasted longer than expected. Also, once exhaustion set in it was decided that the trip would be better enjoyed on another day.
Overall, the sights were amazing! The pictures will be posted in full later, but here is a taste of what we saw:
City Gates
Emperor's Baths
Amphitheater
ALSO...
Our internet and phone connections have been fixed! We are very excited, of course.
The Germans have a very strict recycling program, and the following must be separated and sorted accordingly: glass, paper, bio (food and garden) and residual waste (everything else). Residual waste, being the majority of the trash collected, is gathered in a yellow bag, appropriately entitled Der Gelbe Sack (The Yellow Bag). According to the pamphlets provided by the Housing Office on-base, these bags could be found at the Verbandsgemeindeverwaltung; however, no translation or location for this place was given.
So, Dan spent the entire morning yesterday calling various community offices, and was finally given an address. We drove to the next town over and went to claim our bags:
Mission Accomplished!
TRIER
Dan and I set out for Trier this morning; the city houses Roman ruins, and we explored the ancient city gates, the Emperor's baths, and the amphitheater. We originally intended to visit Luxembourg as well, but the sightseeing lasted longer than expected. Also, once exhaustion set in it was decided that the trip would be better enjoyed on another day.
Overall, the sights were amazing! The pictures will be posted in full later, but here is a taste of what we saw:
City Gates
Emperor's Baths
Amphitheater
ALSO...
Our internet and phone connections have been fixed! We are very excited, of course.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Setbacks
CAR
For reasons I'd rather not discuss, our rental car is currently inoperable. I called the rental company this morning and they sent a mechanic who promptly loaded Luisa onto his tow truck and left, saying that I would receive a call when they are finished with her. The rental company offered to deliver a replacement, but there is currently a shortage of small, automatic vehicles.
INTERNET/PHONE
Since Dan arrived, there has been no reliable access to the internet or phone. Yesterday morning the internet was available from 9:59-10:05, 10:10-10:14, 10:27-10:30, and in small increments thereafter. It's been a week since I've been able to go online after 5pm.
The phone situation has improved, however: we're often able to converse with callers without being subjected to the static that's usually there. When Dan called the technicians, the static was so bad that he couldn't even hear the advice they were giving him. Eventually they tested the line, confirmed that there was a problem, and said that it would be resolved within 24 hours.
That was approximately 36 hours ago.
OUTINGS
Dan experienced his first taste of military community shopping, at the Exchange and Commissary, and he's still recovering from the experience. The aisles were cramped, there were people everywhere, and our bagger at the commissary was indifferent to the point of being rude. Dan doesn't want to go back unless it is absolutely necessary.
On Monday we drove an hour to Mannheim, and spent the day shopping at Ikea and Media Mart: we bought a chair for the living room, an alarm clock, and a webcam! I'm so excited about the webcam; now I will be Skype-ing in style!
After the big stores, we went to a grocery store and picked up a few essentials (coffee for Dan, milk, and peanut butter), then returned home. Yesterday morning Dan walked around the neighborhood again, and found a grocery store and butcher within walking distance of the apartment. He confirmed that the local passion for meat is just as strong as I suspected.
BONUS?
I was recently informed that my camera does indeed have video capabilities, so last night I ventured out and recorded a bit of the apartment's exterior (well, the walkway and front door areas). Unfortunately, since our internet connection is not reliable, I am unable to post it...for now.
For reasons I'd rather not discuss, our rental car is currently inoperable. I called the rental company this morning and they sent a mechanic who promptly loaded Luisa onto his tow truck and left, saying that I would receive a call when they are finished with her. The rental company offered to deliver a replacement, but there is currently a shortage of small, automatic vehicles.
INTERNET/PHONE
Since Dan arrived, there has been no reliable access to the internet or phone. Yesterday morning the internet was available from 9:59-10:05, 10:10-10:14, 10:27-10:30, and in small increments thereafter. It's been a week since I've been able to go online after 5pm.
The phone situation has improved, however: we're often able to converse with callers without being subjected to the static that's usually there. When Dan called the technicians, the static was so bad that he couldn't even hear the advice they were giving him. Eventually they tested the line, confirmed that there was a problem, and said that it would be resolved within 24 hours.
That was approximately 36 hours ago.
OUTINGS
Dan experienced his first taste of military community shopping, at the Exchange and Commissary, and he's still recovering from the experience. The aisles were cramped, there were people everywhere, and our bagger at the commissary was indifferent to the point of being rude. Dan doesn't want to go back unless it is absolutely necessary.
On Monday we drove an hour to Mannheim, and spent the day shopping at Ikea and Media Mart: we bought a chair for the living room, an alarm clock, and a webcam! I'm so excited about the webcam; now I will be Skype-ing in style!
After the big stores, we went to a grocery store and picked up a few essentials (coffee for Dan, milk, and peanut butter), then returned home. Yesterday morning Dan walked around the neighborhood again, and found a grocery store and butcher within walking distance of the apartment. He confirmed that the local passion for meat is just as strong as I suspected.
BONUS?
I was recently informed that my camera does indeed have video capabilities, so last night I ventured out and recorded a bit of the apartment's exterior (well, the walkway and front door areas). Unfortunately, since our internet connection is not reliable, I am unable to post it...for now.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Winter Gear
I didn't go to Paris last weekend, but that's okay: Friday morning officially marks the beginning of my designated "SUPER WEEKEND OF SUPER FUN" (to correspond with Dan's arrival). And though I didn't get to leave the country, I did go shopping, and am very pleased with my new jacket (the boots were ordered a few days ago):
I had my eye on another coat; a brown one with a faux-fur hoodie, but I realized just in time that I had already ordered one similar to it a few days ago, online. I've also been planning to buy a new hat, but can never find one to suit me well enough. I would have bought one on-base, but EVERYONE shops at the exchange; as a result, there is a constant shortage of essential items (e.g. winter clothing during winter).
There has been a lot of snow here lately; Luisa and I were cruising along when we came across an unplowed stretch of road. She immediately began flashing warning signals, and of course I slowed down (it seems as if our neighborhood is rarely plowed as well). Every morning there is more snow, adding to the piles on street corners and at the end of driveways. The kids love it. I've seen them sledding and building snowmen taller than me.
I think my body is adjusting to the new atmosphere. Not only can I tolerate having the windows open, but my lungs seem to crave the fresh, crisp air. Also, the other day I was preparing to walk upstairs to the apartment, when a can fell out of my grocery bag. Immediately and without thinking, I bent over to pick it up and stuck my unmittened hand directly into a pile of snow.
The effect was a bit chilly, but not too bad.
UPDATE:
I have visited - and eaten from - the Chinese restaurant on-base. I was passing by approximately one half hour before closing, and thought, 'eh, why not?' The food was decent, though there weren't as many choices as back home, and the taste was a bit dulled.
I had my eye on another coat; a brown one with a faux-fur hoodie, but I realized just in time that I had already ordered one similar to it a few days ago, online. I've also been planning to buy a new hat, but can never find one to suit me well enough. I would have bought one on-base, but EVERYONE shops at the exchange; as a result, there is a constant shortage of essential items (e.g. winter clothing during winter).
There has been a lot of snow here lately; Luisa and I were cruising along when we came across an unplowed stretch of road. She immediately began flashing warning signals, and of course I slowed down (it seems as if our neighborhood is rarely plowed as well). Every morning there is more snow, adding to the piles on street corners and at the end of driveways. The kids love it. I've seen them sledding and building snowmen taller than me.
I think my body is adjusting to the new atmosphere. Not only can I tolerate having the windows open, but my lungs seem to crave the fresh, crisp air. Also, the other day I was preparing to walk upstairs to the apartment, when a can fell out of my grocery bag. Immediately and without thinking, I bent over to pick it up and stuck my unmittened hand directly into a pile of snow.
The effect was a bit chilly, but not too bad.
UPDATE:
I have visited - and eaten from - the Chinese restaurant on-base. I was passing by approximately one half hour before closing, and thought, 'eh, why not?' The food was decent, though there weren't as many choices as back home, and the taste was a bit dulled.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pictures of Sausage (and other things)
I was flipping though the pages of the weekly grocery store advertisements, anticipating the shopping experiences to come, when something occurred to me: the Germans are obsessed with meat!
Granted, this is not the first time I have thought this. However, with the evidence now vividly displayed before my eyes, there was no more brushing aside the fact. Merchants feature detailed depictions of raw, glistening meat on their front pages, followed by mundane photos of household goods and other familiar products (to include German versions of Danon yogurt and Frosted Flakes). Then, the excessive display of lifeless animal parts is lovingly continued. There is no escape from the visual onslaught of sausage and ground meat.
But don't take my word for it! See for yourself:
FOCUS ON THE MEAT
Front Page: Ground Meat and Sausage
Meat and Veggies
Nothing but Meat!
Another Front Page: More Ground Meat
(ALMOST) LIKE HOME:
Bananas and "Danone" Yogurt
Kellogg's "Frosties" Cereal
AND NOW...STORY TIME!
I have decided to add an addition to my blog: a new section featuring my stories and ideas, exclusively.
Reader Beware: All stories posted here should be considered "under construction," unless otherwise noted. While comments are appreciated, please remember to keep this in mind!
Enjoy!
Granted, this is not the first time I have thought this. However, with the evidence now vividly displayed before my eyes, there was no more brushing aside the fact. Merchants feature detailed depictions of raw, glistening meat on their front pages, followed by mundane photos of household goods and other familiar products (to include German versions of Danon yogurt and Frosted Flakes). Then, the excessive display of lifeless animal parts is lovingly continued. There is no escape from the visual onslaught of sausage and ground meat.
But don't take my word for it! See for yourself:
FOCUS ON THE MEAT
Front Page: Ground Meat and Sausage
Meat and Veggies
Nothing but Meat!
Another Front Page: More Ground Meat
(ALMOST) LIKE HOME:
Bananas and "Danone" Yogurt
Kellogg's "Frosties" Cereal
AND NOW...STORY TIME!
I have decided to add an addition to my blog: a new section featuring my stories and ideas, exclusively.
Reader Beware: All stories posted here should be considered "under construction," unless otherwise noted. While comments are appreciated, please remember to keep this in mind!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Resolution
PEOPLE SUCK (WHAT'S NEW?)
Unfortunately, this week has already been bad. But today my internet service was activated, and I spent the morning awaiting the arrival of the telephone installation person (who arrived and departed approximately 30 minutes ago). I then decided to take the day "off," in order to relax and begin anew tomorrow.
Last night I spent a while thinking about my dreadful day and the circumstances behind it, and came to the conclusion: "who cares?" Meaning, of course, who cares what other people think? Having said that, I've officially declared the following as my #1 New Year's Resolution for the year 2010:
*Don't let others (particularly complete strangers) get me down. Nothing a stranger can say to, or think about, me is worthy of extensive consideration on my behalf (with few exceptions). As long as I have my family and friends, all is well in the world.*
A bit cliche, I know, but still very true! Just like two of my favorite sayings:
1) "Everything is always okay in the end; if it's not okay, then it's not the end."
and
2) "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
I'm not a big "quoter" so I don't know where either of these are from, but they're both very pretty!
IN OTHER NEWS...
I (really) made a genuine effort to watch the movie I borrowed from the library: Sylvia, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig. It portrays the relationship of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, which I thought would be pretty interesting.
There were simply too many references to poetry; by minute seven my brain just couldn't take anymore.
I'm going to return it tomorrow.
Unfortunately, this week has already been bad. But today my internet service was activated, and I spent the morning awaiting the arrival of the telephone installation person (who arrived and departed approximately 30 minutes ago). I then decided to take the day "off," in order to relax and begin anew tomorrow.
Last night I spent a while thinking about my dreadful day and the circumstances behind it, and came to the conclusion: "who cares?" Meaning, of course, who cares what other people think? Having said that, I've officially declared the following as my #1 New Year's Resolution for the year 2010:
*Don't let others (particularly complete strangers) get me down. Nothing a stranger can say to, or think about, me is worthy of extensive consideration on my behalf (with few exceptions). As long as I have my family and friends, all is well in the world.*
A bit cliche, I know, but still very true! Just like two of my favorite sayings:
1) "Everything is always okay in the end; if it's not okay, then it's not the end."
and
2) "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
I'm not a big "quoter" so I don't know where either of these are from, but they're both very pretty!
IN OTHER NEWS...
I (really) made a genuine effort to watch the movie I borrowed from the library: Sylvia, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig. It portrays the relationship of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, which I thought would be pretty interesting.
There were simply too many references to poetry; by minute seven my brain just couldn't take anymore.
I'm going to return it tomorrow.
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