I'm not so brave....

She did not have Courage...

I find it humorous how many emails I have received commenting on how brave I am (referring to our move to Germany).  Because, I am anything but.....I may "exhibit courage" but I tell you, BRAVE-I AM NOT.  There are some  many things that can cause my heart rate to quicken and stomach to hit the floor.   Two such things happened today.  However,  I had to "exhibit courage" for my children's sake....

He has much Courage!

Huge 50 acre Green area

 We decided to head to Killesberg Park for our Sunday Family outing.  It is a 50 acres green area/park which was created in the 1930's on an old Quarry site.    


Right off the bat, within the first 30 minutes of our departure, my heart started racing and I felt nervous.  The best way I can explain this 'Kirstin' phenomenon, is in "Alabama terms"  It is a feeling I often experienced when driving down the Interstate ....a bit .....a little.... ok, much faster than the speed limit posted.  I am singing to the music, when to my right, I notice a state trooper hiding on the side of the road.  My heart drops...then races....I grip the steering wheel tighter thinking this will stop them from getting me...I start formulating a million excuses for speeding, and then finally all settles down to normal when I realize he isn't coming after me.  Today, here in Germany, it was a similar feeling.   However, it wasn't an Alabama State trooper that made my heart race, it was the "SchwarzFahren Polizei"  When we were waiting for the train, I noticed the three men in their black outfits waiting to board the train. I immediately had a funny feeling in my stomach, even though we had tickets.  For some reason, I decided to take a picture of them in anticipation of things to come.  I pretended like I was taking a picture of the traffic and they never noticed the picture being snapped of them-or maybe they did......

SchwarzFahren Polizei

Sure enough, they got on our train and announced loudly "Fahrer Schein, Bitte" which means, get out your tickets please.  Well, if you remember in a post a few days ago, this month, I am traveling on a free month train ticket thanks to the SSB.  When "Mr. Polizei "made his way to us, he stood studying our 2 "free month tickets", and Karina's ticket which we had purchased (Cooper rides free). Then my heart starts that "Alabama" racing.   He then states in German ---that these tickets are not correct because we haven't filled out our information (address and phone number).  He hands Jason a pen and makes him fill them out right on the spot.  At this point I look around and all the other train passengers are watching us ( probably thinking we had been caught for "Black riding")   Now my heart is really racing-even though we didn't do anything wrong.  Jason hands back the now properly filled out Month passes.   The Polizei frows his eyebrows, studies the tickets and says, "Ausweis" (ID) OK, I MEAN REALLY????  WHY would I bring my driver's license if I am riding on a train?!?!?!? Jason looks at me and ask for my German license.  I look back at him unable to speak (I think I forgot to mention when we were walking to the train station and were halfway there, Cooper exclaims, "I have to go potty". ... So, he and I walk back home and I make the decision to ditch my purse-including my license) Finally, my voice comes back and I tell Jason, "I don't have my license, but I do have my bank debit card"  Jason gives me that grin (that always tells me "honey, I really love you), looks at the Polizei and explains "My wife has her bank card, will this work" He then studied my EC Card, and decided we were in fact the "Hoffs".  And to think I was excited about not have to look over my shoulder for Alabama troopers for a few years....

42 Foot Tower

looks easy from here..

heading up..up...up

Jason and Cooper headed to the top

My second lack of bravery occured with good reason.  It was such a pretty day (notice the lack of snow clothing and snow) One of the many things to do at Killesberg, is to climb a 42-foot observation tower which boosts "great views of the city.

The kids were 'gung-ho' to climb this "too tall for mom's pleasure" tower.  So, I put my big-girl-pants on and started climbing the numerous steps with the rest of my family.  As we ascended higher, I began to feel the sway of the structure....first of many stomach drops....but I continued to smile since my children were all smiles.  Thank goodness Cooper wanted to take a break on the first level to "rest", it gave me a chance to look for my courage that had run away on the first floor.  A few pictures were taken, then off to the next level with much more swaying!  Once of the second level, Karina decided she didn't want to go any higher because the tower may fall.  "Exhibiting my courage", I offered to take Cooper up higher if he wanted while Jason stayed with Karina(she is a daddy's girl).  HA-why did I even think he would say no?!?  So off we went....one step, two step, three step.....I squeeze Cooper's hand and say, "WAIT".  (Heart is pounding but the stomach isn't on the ground, it is behind my eyeballs)  I immediately turned around and looked down to Jason and said, "Honey, I think Cooper would REALLY like it BETTER if daddy got to go up to the top with him"  Yep, that one put me over my "exhibits courage" level for the day.  We then headed to the animal meadow (good thing Cooper didn't understand the sign that read, "no feeding the animals") and the very crowded playground.  This spring we will visit again when the flowers are blooming, train is running, pool is open as well as all four Biergartens (and hopefully all our upcoming guests will be more than happy to take Cooper to the top of the tower:)

"Please don't feed"

Cooper doesn't read German....or English for that matter

Cooper on Slide, but Karina prefers rocks...

A "trampoline" of sorts...

Cooper is determined to get on top of this ball!

Reisebüro

After spending the past three weeks PLOWING thru brochures, visiting CMT and spending countless hours on the internet, we decided to do as our fellow Germans do when it comes to "holiday". We made a visit to our local Reisebüro (travel agency) According to our German friends and neighbors, it is the "norm" to use a travel agent.  It must be true when I am walking down the streets, I noticed another "Reisebüro" about every 2 blocks.  We found that you don't really get any discounts by using the internet and booking yourself as in the US.  Nor do you save time booking it yourself!!!!! Jason and I have always been able to find great deals with ease and thus, have always planned our own.  So, this was a big change for us, but we finally "gave in". If I had only followed my own motto...."When in Germany, do as..." We could have saved a lot of time and stress. 

So off we went with kids in tow to the Sillenbucher Reisebüro and we were back home in a flash with our Spring Break vacation booked for Mallorca Spain. It is the biggest Balearic island, located in the Mediterranean Sea.   The kids were sold immediately when they heard the words, "ocean, pool, ice cream".  I was sold when I heard "sun, cultural history dating back from 123 BC, great food".  I am pretty sure Jason was sold on the thought "not having to plow through vacation guides every night for Kirstin"
 
For me, it felt a little different planning a European vacation now that I am living here.  In the past, when Jason and I were planning one of our vacations to Europe, I would do research, research, research.  I  always wanted to pick the right spot because I had that old thought, "this trip to Europe has to be perfect, because who knows when we will be back" .  Don't ask me why I feel different now that I am living here...the only answer I can come up with......I guess I know I'm coming back, cause I live here???

Here is a link to a site with great pictures of Mallorca in case anyone would like to join us.  (On the site, above the first picture is an arrow to scroll thru all the interesting pictures of the island.....They forgot to include a picture of the ice cream.....
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/mallorca/index.html

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

I guess there is a little irony in the fact that I received my first speeding ticket in the mail this week and my "welcome to Germany" gift-a free month's subway pass.  

At the end of the day, I pull in our parking space, unbuckle my seat belt, turn off the German radio, pull the door handle, put one foot on the pavement followed by the other, and only then do I take a big ole' deep breath.  It is at this point that I feel like I am exiting "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disney.  Did I really love this ride as a child??????   I guess the closest thing Cooper and Karina have experienced to MTWR, is "Mom's Wild Ride in Germany".  And, like me as a child, they laugh and hoot during this wild ride as we swerve, dodge, slam on brakes and excelerate from 0 to 200. 

I have made a few points about the differences (A.K.A-DANGERS) of a non-experienced American driving in Germany.  (By the way, there aren't many pictures YET-  I have found it isn't very safe to take pictures while driving :) I will however get Jason to drive me around and show the various signs etc.) 

My Experience Driving in Germany....so far (I am sure there will be many more posts about driving here over the years to come)

• Some days I feel like I am playing "Mario Kart"  When stopped at a red light, have your foot moderately aggressively pressing the gas pedal. Because as soon as the light goes from  RED to YELLOW to GREEN, the race is on.  If you aren't already at 60 by the time it turns Green you will for sure get a horn blown at you until you make it to 60.  

• I have learned a new danger to be terrified of...and it isn't snow/ice.  You are driving down the road singing along to a great song, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, OUT OF NOWHERE, COMES THE TRAFFIC REPORT... It is broadcast  ten times louder than any song played.  It still scares me to a swerve.  (Add to the volumn of the radio, two kids screaming "mooooommmmm, turn it down" because they think I turned the radio up.) 

• Here is the obvious-- if you have ever visited Germany or Italy...Most of the time, you are driving on a little curvy road which seems to have been built for one of Cooper's 'Matchbox' cars.  It is dangerous enough driving on these roads, but then you also have to play a game of "Chicken".  See, when there isn't enough space on the road for you and the oncoming car, someone has to make the decision to go up on the sidewalk or stop to let the other car pass.  I am getting good at this undisclosed German sport.  However, I am waiting for the day my tire blows from jumping on the sidewalk so fast.  

• Don't expect to see signs with Interstate numbers.  My biggest advice, study your German map.  Exit Signs are always stated in the direction of XYC city.  Even if it is in the upper most part of Germany.  I am learning all the cities near us very quickly!!

• The biggest challenge I have had as an American (besides reading the German Road signs) is learning to yield to the cars coming from the RIGHT.   You are reading this and thinking, "why is this so hard".  Well, I will tell you.  IF, on the road you are driving, have a little sign with a yellow diamond, you have the right of way to all traffic.  Still sounds easy-Right?  .....Nope, factor in that most four way intersections  don't usually have stop signs, unless it is a "Major road".  Here comes the scary part of this story, I learned this after driving here a whole month. One night I was driving four of my friends home from downtown, as I was passing thru a 'four way' they started shrieking, "stop, stop, stop" I didn't know I was supposed to stop for those cars coming at me.   oops.....

• There is no "Right on Red"...oops....

•  Pedestrians ALWAYS have the 'right of way'.  Even if you have the right of way and they jump out of nowhere in front of your car to cross the street .  Maybe this is another undisclosed sport here in Germany.   (Aren't you glad I didn't say "oops" this time)

• Always be aware of the speed limit, even though you will not always find it posted.  I CAN always seem to find the speed limit signs that tell you what the speed limit IS NOT. (These are a number circled in red with a big line thru them)

• Don't ever think just because you don't see any "blue lights" hiding behind the bushes, that they don't give you speeding tickets in Germany.  The method for "catchin ya" is much different here and if you ask me another driving hazard.  No uniformed officer strolling up to your car while taking his sunglasses off and asking, "Maam, do you know how fast you were going?"  Nope, here in Germany it goes like this......... you are driving down the road with traffic flow (because you have NO idea what the speed limit is), all of a sudden a BRIGHT WHITE light flashes in your eyes and Blinds you for about 3 seconds. That 3 seconds is quick, but add 5 minutes to that hazard as the white floating dots on your eyeballs are trying to clear up.  Yep, you have been "Geblitzed" which translates to: your picture has been taken by a big camera, sent to the police station, analyzed, and ticketed.  Your letter about your excessive speed of 4.9 mph over the limit will arrive 6 weeks later.   If you ask me, (nobody has yet)  this blinding white light is a BIG driving hazard in Germany!!!!  

With this being said, I think I will study my driving rules tonight rather than my German....  Tschüss !

As I sit here studying....

I am still up ---as the rest of the house is snoring.  I have a BIG appointment tomorrow morning with the school I want to attend starting in March.  I am to take a test in German and have a conversation to "judge" exactly where I am in my German schooling.  My brain is about to explode from the past two days of studying.  I am happy to report that most of my German teachers understand that my brain works a little "off-beat".  One of the "study guides" I was given to watch is this German group, Wise Guys,  which sings ACAPELA since you can understand their words.  Once I started watching the various videos on Youtube, I was sold on them!  I am now on a mission to see them live.  Here are links to various concert performances via Youtube.  I think they are funny and hope you enjoy (or maybe it is just because my brain is FRIED and they seem funny)

Die Philosoffen 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Ilr_YtEjs&feature=related

A little Britney remake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PZDe_soPj0

If you get to the middle point of video, they do a "Thriller" version in German

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHZLbZpzms4

Maybe I need to go to English school...

I am going to write a quick post.  I am frantically studying my German in preparation for Thursday's placement test at the new school I hope to attend.  Today was such a funny day in regards to the language challenge....in both English and German.  I am constantly being challenged in both!

The children didn't have school today since it was parent/teacher conference day.  So the kids were home, the dog was sick and our household was 'bustling with energy' (which is a nice way to say chaotic) Add to that,  I had repairmen here at the house from 9:00 a.m.  until 1:00 p.m., (I WILL write a post, after my test, about the HUGE differences in having things repaired here in Germany vs. U.S. ....if my brain still functions)

The funny language lessons I had today....

One set of repairmen pointed to a part of the hot water heater and asked me the English word for this part. I just stared at the hot water heater because I had no idea what it was in any language.  He looks at his assistant and says in German, "maybe she doesn't speak English either"  Ha-maybe he is right since I keep getting lessons from Cooper and Karina..


They both seem to be learning "British English"  They are continuously correcting my pronunciation of words...lately the lessons seem to be on these words "TurTEL (in Southern Ease I say, tuurtlllll), Wa-ter (Again, my Southern ease-War-ter), Flutter (or as I sing...fluhh-tah) Cooper is singing a song with the word flutter and has decided  he doesn't want me to sing with him because I don't pronounce "his heart was all a flutter" correctly.....or maybe it is because I use too many syllables. 

When talking to the Animal Trainer, she asked (in English) "what do you call it when I send together?"  I responded, "send what together?" Her "You know when I send it to you together"  Me- "um, I don't really know" (because I really didn't understand her question.) But I did understand how to ask her if she could speak to 'Repairman number 3' and handed the phone off to him.... because I had no idea what he was asking me even though he was TALKING VERY LOUD SO I WOULD UNDERSTAND.  Unfortunately, I didn't understand her English translation of his question either. 

When Cooper and Karina were having one of their Lovely arguments, I began giving them the lecture #112-being nice to your siblings.  I heard Karina mutter something under her breath and asked her to repeat it out loud if she had something to say.  She responded, "I said, Ich Verstehe"  which translates to "I understand".  I guess she has overheard me say that enough in conversations to be able to use it is a "smartie" way.  o

Tonight when the kids were cleaning their playroom, I overheard Karina say to Cooper, " Mach Schnell"  Go Fast

So I will "Mach Schnell" to go study.  TSCHUSS!