German Girl

The German version of HarryPotter6 came out tonight (Harry Potter und der Halblutprinz). Henrik, Ina, OmiOpi (grandparents), und ich went to the HP Party at the big bookstore in town. Ina, Henrik & I dressed up--Henrik was Harry, Ina way Prof McGonagall, and I was Hermione--but with braids not frizzy hair :) I thought the evening was really special... Ina thought it was a little lame and Omi Christa joked that I probably thought it was nothing compared to the US Celebrations, but I missed the US celebrations! It was a nice second chance :)

We went in and were treated to all kinds of yummy snacks and drinks--we had this green drink called 'Mouse Piss' and Gummies called 'Dragon Sh**' (yes! they actually wrote sh**!!) and all kinds of coffee and even wine! We munched our treats and watched a witch do a little monologue, then Ina, Henrik, und OmiOpi listened to a reading from Harry Potter und der Halblutprinz while I went downstairs and perused some English books. (Sorry, 40 minutes crouched on the floor uncomfortably listening to passages I don't understand from a book I already read just wasn't appealing for some reason...)

I am meeting Tara at 5am to begin our trek to Oktoberfest. We bought these cheap tickets (30 euros roundtrip!!) but the trip will take forever cause it's on the slow trains--we are going to read & sleep. If this all works out we will definitely be doing these cheap trips at least once per month. :) So... hopefully there will be FUN stories to report when you next hear from me <3<3

My day was super-empty.... It was that happy, contented kind of empty though, where you stop and appreciate the constantly changing weather (ooohhh... there was some delicious rain today. I looooooove rainy, cold weather--I just imagine curling up with a book and a mug of tea) and just laze around. It was also the kind of empty that doesn't make you want to get anything done. Case in point, I did not even *look* at my syllabus today (but it will be done by this weekend! Promise.) Further, at 8PM when it was beginning to get dark, I realized that the run I had been putting off alllll day would happen now or never.

I dashed upstairs and found the family hanging out in the kitchen. When Lars saw I was going running, he offered to help me negotiate the rapidly approaching darkness.

First #1: I ran in a headlamp. I don't know if I liked it... and I sure felt toolish (and I know I looked toolish because Henrik snickered at me when I tried it on) but it was a neat experience running through the forrest in the dark. I felt faster--and stealther (is that a word?). It was also interesting to react to all the little noises that would never have fazed me during the day. AHHH! It's a Heather-eating squirrel....

First #2: I wrote my first note in German today... and to a boy!! Of course, the boy in question was Henrik. I like to write him Harry Potter style notes, delivered by Owl Post to his placemat at the kitchen table. I have only written to him in English before, and relied on his parents to translate. Well, I am feeling good about my pidgin German (and wanting to flex my language muscles before my German class begins on Tuesday), so here--preserved for posterity--is my first German note!! (***Remember, I have had no formal German lessons. Most of this I pieced together using my dictionary and my all-German textbook!*** Suffice it to say, I know this note looks 'special ed' so no insults. :-P)

Liebe ,,Harry" Baumann--
Hallo! Guten Morgen. Wie geht's? Du bist en gutes kind. Ich bin glücklich weil ich mit dir liebe. Am Freitag, Omi, Opi, Ina, und ich gehen zu ein Party für ,,Harry Potter.'' Willst du mitkommen? Bist gut in schule heute. Bis später. --Deine Heather

Translated:
Dear ''Harry'' Baumann-- (Harry is Henrik's name in English class at school & notice that Germans make quotation marks different from us)
Hello. Good morning. How are you? You are a good kid. I am happy because I live with you. On Friday, Grandma, Grandpa, Ina and I go to a party for "Harry Potter." Will you come with us? Be good in school today. See you later. --Your Heather

I know. I know. It looks like a letter a first grader would write... but we all have to start somewhere, no?

The great thing about German is that I think I am finally going to 'learn me some grammer' ;-) My friends at the WRC would be thrilled... I recall one unnamed fellow Class of 05-er male consultant simultaneously complimenting & insulting my intelligence in regard to my grammar 'skills.' What would PBK say if they found out I don't know what a preposition is? (shh.... don't say anything.)

Monday--watched the kids during the day and babysit at night. Built a HotWheelsBahn w/Henrik and read about 100 stories to Kathi. (Actually, I read the same 3 stories over and over and over.) I really really really love these kids though. Kathi & I baked a delicious Zucchini bread using the recipe that I loved from childhood. Next up is my roomie Amy's mom's pumpkin bread, I think. (Have to e-mail her.) Mmmm..... Mrs. Lutz's pumpkin bread.

Tuesday--Oh, more ordinary-ness. I guess things that are becoming ordinary to me might be exciting for someone else. I (being super savvy) biked to the UBahn station four stops down where three different trains stop (as opposed to Kurze-Kamp-Strasse which is served only by the 7). I went into town to plan my syllabus for the course, but also brought a novel I am reading. So, I sat at the upstairs table in Balzac Coffee--with this great view of the Hauptbahnhof and all the Germans passing below me--and pretended to plan my syllabus but really read a lot of John Irving's A Widow for One Year. Balzac is the most 'American' of the coffee shops here--the atmosphere reminds me of the Starbucks I studied in at WM. This Starbucks ended up being a mecca for Gamma Phi's for some reason. I found it using the logic that there was a Starbucks about 1 mile from WM (near Target); therefore, there must be another approximately one mile away in the opposite direction. I don't know how all the other GPhi's found it, but it ended up being this 'secret' study place for almost my entire sorority. There was this unwritten code though, that when people went there we actually did want to get something done. You could BS with a Gphi for awhile, but then everyone would turn back to their work. (Or, maybe that was just the unwritten code around me because I was working on a thesis... Interrupt the American Girls and feel my wrath.)

So, I can see myself frequenting this Balzac's but also the one near the auslanderämt and near the universität--see, it IS the German Starbucks!! 3 locations within walking distance of each other... I loved ordering coffee there. I guess my accent is sooooo bad (I am still pretty tentative) that they can pick me out as an English speaker immediately. (Plus, to console myself, we were right near the train station so they probably get more tourists...right?) My, 'Ein vanilla latte bitte' was answered with, 'One moment. Oohh... and the cream and sugar are over there.' ARG!!!

Met Steve (older British guy) again last night. We went down to the Brauhaus for a beer and chatted. He is currently reading Steinbeck's Travels with Charley and read me some passages that he liked. Swoon. This is how to romance Heather. :)

Grad school apps continue. Syllabus will be done by tomorrow night.

What a lovely weekend. Saturday began with a trip to the Bothfeld Herbstmarkt. (Our town's fall market.) Both Kathi's kindergarten und Henrik's schule had booths; Ina had to contribute 4 batches of batter for the kindergarten's booth to sell fresh waffeln and stand at the Gartenheim Schule's booth for an hour selling kaffe und kuchen. I had been looking forward to the Kindergarten's waffeln since I learned about the Herbstmarkt, and after meeting the family weaved my way down Kurze-Kampe-Strasse to purchase a fresh waffle. Alas, the waffle was decent, but did not measure up to the waffles that have been tempting me in my dreams. I munched my waffle as Ina and I watched the Bothfeld Parade. The parade gave me my first tinge of WM-sickness, remembering how much fun the Homecoming Parades could be (and making me happy that I will be in Sardinia during Homecoming 05). Ina apologized profusely for the town's 'pathetic' parade and promised that Hannover can put on a good show, but perhaps Bothfeld cannot. I enjoyed the two 'marching bands,' troupe of cheerleaders from our local sportshall, and endless stream of cars covered in advertisements and throwing candy. I thought it was cute.

After a nap and a run, I made my way to Jane's house for dinner. Jane is the woman that I had picked out as American by her 'style' of shopping at the local VMarkt. I ran into her in church a few weeks ago and she invited me over for dinner. When I arrived at her house, we exchanged the usual pleasantries, 'What are you doing in Hannover?' 'Where are you from?' etc. When Jane said she was from Virginia, I told her that I was originally from New Jersey but had gone to college in VA--at William & Mary. She is a WM alum too! Class of '84. I was so pumped and nearly shrieked, 'Ohmygosh! Were you in a sorority? I am a Gamma Phi Beta.' I immediately felt like the ultimate stereotype, especially since she was not in a sorority. Whoops. She majored in Latin at WM then went to Italy as an au pair for 18 months, where she met her husband Marco. I told them that I am preparing to meet my husband Hans in Hannover :)

Before her husband was transferred, Jane and her family most recently lived in the New Orleans area. (Their old house is gone.) She decided to make a N'awlins (did I spell that right?) feast for us. We had gumbo and rice, followed by salad (they eat their courses in the Italian style). Then, we had a 'King Cake,' a dessert typically prepared in the weeks leading up to Mardis Gras. The host hides a baby (normally the Baby Jesus) in the cake and whoever finds it has to bring the King Cake to the next gathering. Jane's daughter Costanza found the baby in this cake, but she won a bag of gummi bears instead.

It was interesting to talk to them. Jane homeschools her children and they don't know a ton of German but can speak Italian. They have lived in Hannover for about 3 years and are aching to return to the states. Jane asked me if I had been harrassed about the war yet. Honestly, I haven't. Most likely because (1) I don't speak German, (2) I go everywhere with my host family and their friends are really nice, and (3) I tend to throw the first stones at the U.S. leaving Germans who talk to me with little ammunition. (I am proud to be American, but not-so-proud of the current state of our country.) I got the impression that this family was veryRepublican (they thought my story about the Matthew Whaley second grader calling French Fries 'freedom fries' was really sweet not really repulsive) so I tried to avoid any political talk. After dinner, we watched a little bit of CNN before I left. Can I tell you how little I miss American tv??? It is sooo nice to have a reprieve from the neverending onslaught of images, talking heads telling you how to think, the drive to create news 24/7. Ick. I read the NYTimes and of course I recognize that those articles have a bias as well, but I feel like it is easier to dissect the bias in the written word because you can really go back, reread, and contemplate the messages of the articles. I can really see myself not owning a tv when I return to the states.

I missed the last night of fireworks (summer is over, wahh!) but Lars informed me that they were not very good. Lars, Ina, and I watched part of Traffic, with Lars sitting in an armchair and Ina and I curled up on the couch. I offered to switch spots with Lars so he and Ina could hold hands on the couch and he said, 'Maybe I will have sex to her on the couch.' I turned red and informed him that you don't have sex 'to' someone, you have sex 'with' someone. Ina pressed on, 'Even if one partner is really active and the other one isn't doing much? Wouldn't that be having sex to someone?' I shook my head and blushed a little bit more, and she told me that I was a 'typical American.' I guess I am--it's not that I can't talk about sex, but more in a joking, curious fashion, not I-live-with-these-people-and-they-want-to-do-it-on-the-couch conversation.

The sex continued today when we went to the Sprenger Museum of Modern Art. There were rooms full of drawings of men and women pleasuring each other, often with very graphic messages inscribed on to the art. There was even a couple with videos--just of women's faces atop painted bodies, but the faces were obviously having a good time. There were some neat modern art displays, and some --eh-- but I guess you could say that for any period of art. The mayor of Hannover and the Governor of Lower Saxony (who could potentially be the next chancellor--looong story) were there for the opening of an exhibit. It was cool to sit on the terrace and sip a latte, enjoy the view of the nearby Maschsee, and watch tv anchors interview these politicians. The potential-chancellor is really cute, but also married. (I guess it wouldn't be a good political move to marry someone who doesn't speak the language of your country. Can you imagine an American First Lady saying 'No English' to the media in a heavily-accented voice?)

We had mittag essen at McDonald's--Henrik begged because McD's had released new happy meal toys. This was a McCafe and honestly reallllly nice. I sipped my eiskaffe and joked to Ina that we could make my day completely American by going to Wal-Mart after we finished eating, but she reminded me that stores are closed on Sundays. Oh Germany, keep trying to resist complete Americanization. ;-) (No seriously, resist, one America is enough.) My Sunday ended quietly. I prepped for my Uni course and enjoyed a wonderful 6 mile run. Ooohhhh endorphins. :) Tomorrow promises to be a completely ordinary day, made even more ordinary by the fact that Ina is out of town so I get to babysit all afternoon and into the early evening. :)

This morning I had to go down to the Uni to sign my contract. I packed a copy of my WM Diploma, my English-German dictionary, and various other important items in my little pink backpack. Clutching my travel mug of coffee, I walked outside and grabbed my bike. Oh no, Ina had taken the basket...what was I going to do with my coffee.

This is a conundrum that only those who know me can fully understand. I had to weigh my love of coffee against my mediocre biking skills. This was a lovingly made coffee--brewed to perfection, stirred with skim milk and vanilla flavored syrup. I just couldn't leave such a coffee on the driveway, I wanted it. So, I clutched the coffee in one hand and climbed onto my bike. It tottered precariously and I almost ran into a car, but then... we were off!! I zipped to Kurze-Kamp-Strasse, sliding into the bike rack as the train pulled up. Of course, my bike lock got all tangled but I managed to lock my bike while shouting, 'Hold the door.' (In English, of course, but the woman got the message and I thanked her profusely.) I bounded onto the UBahn, and slid into a seat.

I was early getting to the University so I went up to the Cafe on the 14th floor just to look around. I can't wait to have coffee there--it has an incredible view of Hannover. If you are coming to visit me, I will have to take you to the Uni to see the Cafe--and also see my very own mailbox and office!! I filled out the information for my contract--I was a privatlehrer für die zentrum für schreiben (tutor at the Writing Center). Sorority auf deutsch--studententinnenverbindung (whoa!) At one point on the form they ask what exams you have taken and the grades you scored. In Germany, Uni students take official exams to graduate-- obviously in the US it is different. I just wrote BA (Amerikanistik). It then asks your grade; the prof gave me examples, 'Were you a first? A double first?' I shrugged and said, 'I will just write the Latin,' and I did and they were suitably impressed ;-). Oh, everyone also thought it was cool that my entire degree was written in Latin :)

Then, they shoewd me around the department and gave me keys for my VERY OWN postbox (with all the other profs... it locks and everything), keys to the copy room and my own code (120, bitte), and keys to the 'Adjunct's Office'--which I am going to 'make my own' by hanging up a postcard of Williamsburg!! I am sooo pumped! It is official! I am onthe schedules that are hanging up all over!!! :) What a high!!

After preparing a Mexican feast for Mittag Essen, I did some course prep before heading off to Tara's house. She lives on the other side of Hannover--at the end of Line 10. (I live almost at the end of line 7.) It can take awhile to get there--and it took forever to get home because I didn't plan the trams right and they don't run as often at night and not all the 7's run all the way out to Kurze-Kamp-Strasse. Well, now I know. We had Abendbrot with Tara's family and then hung out with her host parents. I thought Petra and Christian were nice..no Lars and Ina, but nice. Tara said they normally aren't so friendly, and the next day they went back to their 'normal German selves.' Thank goodness I live with my family :)

Tara is so great, and I love hanging with her, but it cracks me up that she thinks everyhting is 'Australian.' I was telling her about stuckbröt last week and she said, 'Oh. That is Australian.' Hmm... I think Germany was here first, and someone brought that tradition to Australia, and not vice versa. We were comparing German cars to cars in our countries, and she told me that Australia makes the Ford... but America bought that company. Henry Ford was an American... I almost started laughing. It is hard though, because I don't want to put down someone else's country OR look like the typical American snob who thinks america does everything and is the best at everything. So, when you are driving your Ford around, know that that is an Australian car. ;-)

Today, Henrik and I biked to the local library--maybe 1.5 miles away. As we were leaving the Bibliothek, loaded down with books, Henrik's bike chain slipped off... well, whatever it is that bike chains slip off of. I tried to hook it back on, gleefully covering my hands in oil in the process, to no avail. Finally I told Henrik that he could ride in the seat on the back of my bike.

Henrik is 8. A small 8, but still 8. We both started laughing and he climbed up. He pretended to cry like a baby and we laughed. I looked at him, shaking my head, and said, 'You know we're both going to die, right?' I know he didn't understand exactly what I was saying, but he definitely got the spirit of the message because as we took off we both made the same shrieky 'we're going to die' sound.

But, we made it! Ina said that this was my 'bike test.' I am happy to say I passed it with the same dexterity that I passed my driving test almost six years ago. For my driving test, we paid extra so I could take it in the driving school's car--complete with little stickers on the mirrors and windows to aid in parallel parking. I crept precariously around the obstacle course behind Quakerbridge Mall and, I still believe, earned my license because I was so scared I looked like the safest driver the tester had ever seen. Plus, she was friends with the driving school lady who told her to take it easy on me as I was 'scared sh**less.' But, I digress...

Yesterday, I went to Henrik's schule to help with his English class. I tried to explain where I was from and passed around postcards from NJ (the Jersey shore, complete with fat people) and Williamsburg. It was interesting to 'teach' a class without speaking the language of the students. It was also frustrating as heck because I couldn't tell the little monsters to shut up! ;-) The kids liked my 'Colors and Numbers Bingo,' especially the ten 'winners' who earned pieces of chocolate. At the end of class I heard, 'Thank you very much. English lernen's quatsch.' (Loosely translated: It is stupid/senseless to learn English.) Haha... thanks kids.

German school is so different. The kids are only there for the morning, so they don't get lunch but have a mini-meal. Henrik treated me to a bag filled with apple slices, peppers, and cucumber. Did you hear that America??!?!?! Kids were happily devouring apple slices; no one complained about the lack of chips and soda. The entire school poured onto the blacktop and fields outside--I think there was one teacher. Kids seem like they are allowed to be a little more rowdy there, but there is also this order maintained.

In class, all the kids had a chocolate milk on their desk. The teachers switch classes while the kids stay in the same room. So the (unsupervised!) passing times can get a little rowdy... At the end of the day, all the kids hop onto their bikes and head home. Some kids take public transport--it is so funny to see little kids on the UBahn in the morning, looking bored. The subway was definitely not part of the daily routine for me--where is the big yellow school bus?

I love that so many kids bike and walk to school. In my hometown people are up-in-arms because budget cuts have led to the school district eliminating buses for kids who live within a mile of their schools. We live about 1 mile from Henrik's school and it is a great bike ride! Of course, Germany is set up differently--people STOP for pedestrians and bikers. I am still getting used to that. I love the way this country really values the family--no homework on weekends, shops closed on Sundays, 4-6 weeks of vacation. Sometimes, I really think that I could raise my children here.

I guess it is too soon to come to that conclusion though... TODAY is my 'one month anniversary.' Here's hoping that the rest of the months are as great as this one has been!

Got up early this AM to make it to my appointment at the aüslanderamt--getting my visa and work permits in order. Ran some errands (dropping paperwork off at the Uni, etc.) then settled in at the big bookstore downtown to read a Nick Hornby book and enjoy a cafe latte. How peaceful! Made pizza with the kids then Kathi, Henrik, and I went on an adventure! I wanted to take them to the stadtbibliotek--the biggest library in Hannover. This involved biking, UBahn-ing, and walking. We zipped over to the U-Bahn station on our bikes, hopped on #7, and exited at Kröpke for the walk toward Aggie-Platz (yes, this has a long German name but I can't remember it at the moment). We get to the stadtbibliotek and ask a librarian where we can find the kinderbuchen. Alas! This library does *not* have childrens' books :(

Never fear! We press on toward the next nearest library, cramming onto an impossibly crowded Ubahn and meandering along the streets of Hannover before (finally!) arriving at the Südstadtbibliotek. It is slightly frustrating to explain to a child who does not speak your language why he must be quiet in the library and *no* he cannot borrow 20 comic books--how about 5? Because they behaved so well, I treated the kids to some brötchen for the journey home. We hop on the 2 and switch over to the 7. I let the exhausted kids squeeze into one seat and stand over them, praising them for their good behavior and showing them how to make bunny ears.

We are giggling and having a ball when I look over and see Lars--the kids dad is on the same tram as us! The four of us sit down together and I joke that *luckily* I was being nice to his kids today--it would have been so embarrassing if he had seen how I usually treat them ;-).

After a quick abendbröt I journey out for Day #2 of my 'spring training.' I am doing this marathon-prep program. By December I will be ready to begin my training for May's Hannover Marathon! The lazy summer coupled with the copious amounts of bröt und käse (bread & cheese) that I have consumed in Germany have helped Killer (my 'pet name' for my stomach... long story, ask if you are interested) round out quite nicely--so much so that I look like a Sneech (like the Dr. Seuss book) when I run. Every time I run past a store window I kind of giggle... then push harder. :)

Tonight, I had coffee with this British guy I met through an expat website online. He is totally cool and I will not comment further except to say (alas) he is too old for me :( (Or, at least that's what my parents would say, but hey... why not, right?) However, the evening did reveal how much of a Mom I have become--oh, the tales of Kathi & Henrik. I was kind of embarrassed, but he was really chill. It is so neat to love these kids so much already.

I am staying here!

It was a wonderful weekend. I got to have a laaaaazy Saturday morning. I wrote in my journal, listened to music, and hung out with the family until about 3:30 when I went running! Finally, I am getting my hardcore runner-self back. I have only been running about 4 miles at a time, but I got them in under 35 minutes, so that was good. I picked up my friend Tara at Kurze-Kamp-Strasse (the stop for UBahn 7) at about 4PM and brought her home for a sleepover and the 'Last BBQ of the Summer.'

My friend Tara, Ina's mom "Omi Goody," Lars' mom "Oma Karen," and Henrik's friend Leon joined the family for bratwurst, various 'pieces of meat' (as Lars calls them--meaning chicken and pork and such, although I tend to have very different connotations), potato salad, and wine! Because we had done the German tradition of stuckbröt the night before, I introduced the family to the American tradition of S'mores! Well, these were S'mores with a twist, because in Germany they don't have Graham crackers (which are an American tradition through and through), or Hershey bars, or plain white marshmallows. Their marshmallows are multicolored and have a sugar-coating, but we threw them on skewers and roasted them anyway. We used plain 'butter cookies' for graham crackers and some delicious German chocolate in place of the Hershey's--- you could barely tell the difference! ;-)

Afterward, Omi Goody and I smoked a 'hookah' with orange tobacco. (Is that the right spelling??) Lars had gotten it as a present from some Kuwaitis for Xmas. It was funny--I am a good little smoker (thanks for the smoker genes Dad!). We drank a lot of wine and I tried sherry as well. We started drinking at about 5:30, so at about 7 I had a really good buzz... Then you hit that danger zone where you could get wasted or lose the buzz. Obviously I opted to lose the buzz, which is so sad, don't you think? :(

Lars, Tara, and I watched Knotting Hill while Tara and I knitted. Lars set up the projector so it was like being at the movies! We even had popcorn, although Germans put sugar on their popcorn. I had not seen any tv in so long (I have only watched Forrest Gump since I have been here) that Tara and I decided on a double-feature and watched Shakespeare in Love. I had never seen Shakespeare... before and really enjoyed it. Now I have to make a dent in some of the other Oscar-winning movies the family owns that I have never bothered to see--American Beauty anyone? Tara and I stayed up late and chatted--it was really cute. I got to pull out my couch for the first time! It is a great couch bed--come visit and check it out yourself!

Today was sooo exciting! It is election day in Germany. The Chancellor asked for a vote of confidence, meaning that the Parliament gets to vote on whether or not he is doing a good job. He also asked his own party to abstain, so of course they voted 'No Confidence'--that the Chancellor is not doing a good job--and Germany gets a special election. I think Schroeder basically felt that he had hit a wall. He felt powerless to enact change and wanted to see what the people want. At the moment, his party (the SPD) is tied with the CDU (Christian Democratic Union...very conservative). I can't keep all the parties straight right now, but I will research that and post soon.

We went to a local school to vote. Ina checked in and we walked over behind this little stand. It looked like elementary school when you put your notebooks and folders around your desk to make sure no one cheats off you. Ina let me make the X's on her ballot! Then, I got to put the ballot in the big bin. Ina, Lars, and Kathi cheered me on and took pictures. I was really excited about it. All the voting officials looked confused. I bet they thought I was 'special.' :-)

After voting, the family and I met some of their friends at 'Campo,' which is this big indoor/outdoor Sports-plex. Almost like a cross between RexPlex (near Ikea off the Jersey Turnpike) and Explorations. It has climbing walls, hi-ropes courses, places to skateboard and rollerblade, soccer fields, ballpits and climbing areas. It was awesome. I climbed a rockwall and did some hi-ropes. We all sat out in the sun and chatted and ate hot dogs. It was a lovely day.

When I got home I went into Hannover to say good-bye to Agata. She is a Polish girl who is finishing up her au pair year and heading home to Poland tomorrow. Tara had a bad day today and was venting about her family--they don't include her or make her feel welcome. The mom was being really pissy with her. I felt bad for her, but also so so blessed about my situation. I went home and hugged Ina and told her for the billionth time how happy I am :) I think she is getting sick of having this discussion!

Anyway, she asked me to stay for another year. The job would be even less next year, and she said I could even have the apartment below their house (my own 2bedroom apartment with my own kitchen, laundry, etc). I guess I will see what happens. Right now I am so so happy!

This happiness has one caveat. My parents told me today that my younger brother is leaving school (he is a sophomore at Ohio University) to enlist in the Army. I don't understand his decision and I am really scared. Keep my little bro in your thoughts.

<3<3<3

I don't know how to say 'Happy Birthday' in German yet. I know Birthday is 'geburtstag' but there is no direct translation for 'Happy Birthday.' It is some reaaallllly long phrase like 'I wish you health and wellness on your birthday' so whenever we go to a birthday party (which has been frequent!) I always just say, 'Happy Geburtstag' and people get the message :)

We went to a birthday party today for L&I's friend Wilko (Vill-ko). It was awesome. Ina thinks it is funny that I like all these parties so much, when she finds them tedious, but for me it's like a little vacation with free food! I get to eat alllll these delicious treats, and people only talk to me when it is something simple or some story they think is so good that they bother to translate it to English. Basically, I tell where I am from, how long I am staying, smile a lot, and drink coffee. I am actually looking forward to going to parties when I am learning to speak though, because that will be good practice.

In Germany, children don't roast marshmallows over fires they make stuckbröt (stick-bread). It was delicious, but baking bread on a fire takes waaaay longer than making marshmallows, so basically it ends up that the adults are sitting around the fire cooking bread and chatting and the kids are playing again.... However, it was really cool. Henrik told me that I should show my friends in America how to make stuckbröt when I come home (if I ever come home!). ;-)

When we got home from the party, I went up to Ina's office with her. She worked on her classes (she has to teach every other Saturday!) while I looked through my stack of papers for MY classes and began thinking about a syllabus.

Ina gave me this great map for how the US sees the word, which is hilarious...
You can check it out here: http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/kungfu/world/legend.html
Of course, that is a drawing from 1997/8, so the artist kindly updated: http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/kungfu/world/world-usa2003.html

Tomorrow we are having the 'last bbq of the year' (it is finally getting cool here... woohoo!!) and my friend Tara is coming over to celebrate! Happy Friday :)

So, today, I realized that somehow I have become a mom. It was a weird feeling. It surfaced today on the bus. I am sitting in one seat, Kathi is next to me, and I have the stroller balanced precariously against the seat with my foot. Kathi drops her thermos of apfelschorle, and it rolls under the stroller. I can't just lean over and pick it up, I have to shift the stroller, slide Kathi's stuffed rabbit out of the way, move her backpack (which I have strapped over my stomach) and slide my backpack onto one arm. I have to hand Kathi my mug of tea and nearly trip over the stroller as I pick up her thermos. A two-second process turns into a two-minute process.

At dance, Kathi starts crying. I bring her out side and console her and then bring her back to class. She wants me to stay inside and watch, but then she starts bawling again (remind you of anyone taking swim lessons, Mom?). I spend the rest of the 45 minutes dancing with eight three-year-olds. The teacher said it would help me to 'learn German.' We finally get back home about 3 hours after we set out (ah yes, the joys of public transportation!) and as I am emptying the dishwasher, I hear Kathi shout, 'Heather, my pants are wet.'

Oh joy. :)

I also learned today that German dolls are very different from American dolls. On an American doll, there is only a blank space between the dolls legs. German dolls have actual vaginas or penises. Kathi and I had to take home a girl doll today because she colored on it in kindergarten (preschool for German children)--her friend had to take home the boy (and was he a boy). When we got to schule, Henrik grabbed the doll and proceeded to show it to his friends.

Awww.... porno for kids ;-)

(OK, I am cheating. I didn't post yesterday because I was swamped, so we will just pretend that I did)

All these great things happened today. Ina took be to her High School to speak with her English class. They had just learned about America--they read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, listened to MLK's 'I have a dream...' speech, and talked about freedom. The class opened with students sharing their homework; they had to recite a line from the Declaration. It nearly made me cry hearing all this German-accented English quoting, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.' Doesn't that just send shivers up your spine??

I talked with them about how I see freedom: something fundamental to Americans' identities but also an idea that is easily manipulated by politicians. I talked about college life, being in a sorority, the differences between America and Germany, McDonalds and Wal-Mart. They also got to ask me questions:
*How do Americans feel about immigrants?
*Do Americans read about Germany (or other international news) in the paper? [It actually has been a bit of a shock to see how much press America gets in the German papers]
*Why is New York called the Big Apple?

It was really fun talking to the class, and Ina has offered me to her colleagues. Hopefully I will get to go in again :) I am going to Henrik's 3rd grade class on Tuesday to help them learn colors and numbers. It will be a very different lesson than the tenth-graders--who all spoke English so well.

I got a job!!!! I am going to be an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Hannover--teaching two classes per week (the same subject). I will be teaching 'Academic Research and Writing'--hopefully my skills from the WRC (and no comments about my crappiness at grammar!!) and my thesis skills will come in handy. (I feel like Napoleon Dynamite!!) I am soooo excited. I am going to be a 'college professor' already!!!! (Unless the government screws up....I hope it all works out.)

At night I went out with Tara. She just started her German lessons this week (I start 4 October). She was a little stressed, and I know I will be too, because the classes are taught entirely in German! It will be a challenge.

Finally, Tara taught me that if you go into the McDonalds to use the bathroom but not buy anything, that is called a McSh*t. Feel free to spread that one around.

Today I did my 'normal' run (still trying to get back into shape after a summer off). I run from our street through the Kleingartens, through the woods, into town, and back. I come out of the woods on 'Hamstergrund' and reach the halfway point at 'Hartenbrakenstaße.' I call it my 'Hamsters and Heartbreak' Run. Today, on 'Heartbreak Street' this guy in a van slows waaaaaay down and whistles at me.

Oh yes, I've still got it. ;-)

In other news, when I went to pick up Kathi from kindergarten today she ran to me like we were long-lost lovers reuniting in a pivotal movie scene. I almost expected to hear slow-motion music in the background. It was soooo great. I love her so much.

I made dirt today with 5 kids--I felt like a camp counselor again. Except, in some ways this was even more challening than my days at the Y because none of the kids (but Kathi) spoke any English. It was Henrik and 2 of his friends (Payam and Marcel), Kathi, Milan (the 4 year old from next door) and me making 'Dreck.' We mixed pudding for the mud (schlamm), smashed oreos for the dirt (dreck), added gummi worms (wurm) and gummi 'bugs' (insekt). The boys really got a kick out of it and I decided to do cooking projects at least once every two weeks. :) Can't wait to make my mom's famous Sugar Cookies with them.

Pretty humdrum, ordinary day. I am trying to get all the paperwork in order so I can get that job as an Adjunct Professor at the Uni of Hannover... How much would *that* impress old Harvard?!

about the American girl, the Australian girl, the Polish girl, and the Latvian girl...?

The Australian girl taught the other three to knit, this past Sunday in a townhouse in Ahlem (a suburb of Hannover... just like where I live but on the other side of town)

My friend Tara had Agata, Marta, and me over this Sunday for a knitting lesson. She is actually soooo sweet that she bought me needles and yarn when I told her that I wanted to learn to knit. She said it was a 'Welcome to Hannover' present. Now, I need to find Vegemite for her... A 'Pretend You Are Still in Sunny Australia while Hannover Sinks to the Bowels of Winter' present :) We had Australian Biscuits (they actually have this special name that I can never remember... they are cookies people made for the Australian soldiers during WWII, no eggs or milk is used), Latvian Cookies (they tase like carrot cake), and Pierogies. Alas, I didn't know it was a Potluck so I couldn't bring any McDonald's :) (or, food from the 'American Embassy' as Germans call it). Seriously, what would have been a good American food to bring? PBJ?

It was sooo random though. Sitting in Tara's room, learning how to knit, having this conversation with girls from 3 different countries. It was really cool, too. Marta, the Latvian girl, told me that my laugh reminds her of America because it is so 'pure.' I thought that was kind of a cool compliment. Knitting is awesome, too. I didn't want to put my knitting down, but had to when we all went to church together.

OK, I am *not* kidding. The other day I was in the VMarkt buying chicken, peppers, and pineapple to make lunch (we had 'shish kabobs'--how cute am I?). Anyway, there was this women holding up the WHOLE FREAKING LINE because she had purchased half the store. You could tell the rest of us had biked to the store... We all had our little baskets or bags. I think the woman behind me had the second-most items... about 5 things. Everyone is waiting and making eye contact with each other. Rolling our eyes like, 'Can you believe this woman?' I knew she was American because not only did she food-shop like an American, but she did not say ONE WORD to anyone. Of course, I am not Little Miss Conversation, but I say 'danke' (thanks) and 'tschuess' (bye) with the rest of them. So, I see this woman at church. Sure enough, she is American and after I said I thought we lived in the same town because I recognize her from the foodstore, she invited me over for dinner. Ok, that was sweet... but the next comment enraged me. I asked her if she knew German and she says, 'Oh no, I try to avoid it.'

Are you freaking kidding me????? You are going to move to another country--I think she has been here for 3 years--and not learn the language. I was appalled. As the other Americans gathered up their children for post-Church McDonalds (not kidding!!!!!) I said a silent thank-you for living with a German family. I am not trying to say that I don't like America... I love my country... but I think that people should adopt the customs of the country they are living in. As an American, I would be mad if a German family came to the US and didn't learn English...

Ina and I had this great talk today about aspects of America that scare her. She thinks that the way we all say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the national anthem before everything is very similar to Germany in the Thirties. I had never thought of it that way, but how eye-opening! The right leader can take nationalism and warp it into murder. I am going into Ina's English class on Wed to talk about Freedom and what it is like to be an American... I can't wait to hear the kids' questions :)

Finally, although I know this sounds like a pornstar, you may now refer to me as Professor Debby. Well, not quite yet because I still have to get all my working papers in order and figure out the schedule, but I went to meet with a prof from the Uni of Hannover today, and they have openings for adjuncts!! I would be teaching 'Academic Research and Writing'--which will require ALL my skills from the WM Writing Center. I hope it works out!! This would let me save some dinero to travel with my cousin at the end of my au pair year!!!!!!

That is it for now :) Happy Monday.

We had an über-German get-together last night. Lars' Mom & brother and some other friends of the family came over for 'Young Wine' and 'Onion Cake.' Doesn't Onion Cake sound gross? It is actually more like quiche but on pizza crust. Delicious. 'Young Wine' is wine bottled early in its cycle...or something... It tastes like alcoholic lemonade. It was an amazing meal--but I can still feel the onion seeping out of my pores.

Nansa and I hung out in the morning. She showed me some playgrounds that she used to take Kathi to and we walked up and down the Lister Meile--the pedestrian zone in Hannover that is chock full of cafes, shops, this awesome second-hand store, and all these discount airfare places. I am going to save up some $$ (or beg for birthday $ or something) and take a trip in February I think. Just go up to one of those random places and get a weekend flight. I think it will be hardcore... Just pick up and randomly leave for somewhere :) Oohhh... where should I go?

Last night we saw more fireworks. It was Sweden's turn--they have been champs for the past 3 years. Their fireworks were INCREDIBLE. Absolutely incredible. I couldn't believe how amazing they were---the fireworks were timed perfectly to the music. I felt like a small child, staring up at the sky, mouth wide open...

Today, I am going to visit my friend Tara to learn how to knit. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a prof at the Uni! Woohoo :)

Last night was interesting. I met up with some ppl that I had met the night before for a bbq, but I could only stay for a short while because I was supposed to meet Nansa (the family's old au pair) for drinks. Well, this bbq was sooooo out of the way (hidden behind the Machsee) that I only stayed for about an hour then had to get back to an UBahn. Thinking that I am the savviest person alive, I tried to take a different UBahn than the one I took TO the bbq... It took me *forever* to find it, so I got to Mister Q's about 15 minutes late and couldn't find Nansa! I walked around for 1/2 hour and finally gave up--thinking that I had missed her.

I got back on the UBahn & biked home, and Ina said Nansa was running even later and had just gotten to Mr Q's at about 8:45 (must have been MINUTES after I left). Arg, I need a 'handy' (cellphone). But Ina is sooo sweet, she called a cab for me to take me back to MrQ's (and paid for it). Honestly, best family situation ever. Nansa is awesome; we had a blast hanging out and chatting with one of her friends (from Zimbabwe!!). I had this Mango cocktail that almost knocked me over... someone should tell Sven to start plying me with stronger liquor ;-)

This morning, Lars said that the family is thinking about going to Oman in April---and that they would take me (if it works out with budgets and stuff). Um, hell yes. I have to go check on the visa requirements. More later--we are doing German things today (young wine & onion cake, going back to the fireworks to see Switzerland's exhibit). <3

(I am thinking about switching to writing the 'morning after'--cause sometimes I come home at night tooooooo tired. Anyway...)

'Achtzen?' That is what the librarian said to Ina when we went to get a library card for me yesterday. 'Achtzen' means 'eighteen,' as in, 'Is this girl old enough to have her own library card?' AHHH!! Will I ever look my age? In the States it's, 'What grade are you going into?' and in Germany it's, 'Achtzen?'

But, I am so German!! Yesterday I rode my bike in HEELS!! My cute black heels that my mom gave me, and then tried to take back when she heard everyone thought they were cute. ;-) I was running late, so I hauled it to the Ubahn stop, flew into the bike rack (and then took forever to lock my bike, which is what always happens when you are in a hurry), and RAN to the UBahn--narrowly making it into the last door. I felt so cool.

I met Sven again---I still don't know about this. At some moments, I really like talking to him and we have fun conversations or intellectual conversations (which I<3) but other times I am like, 'Arg, you are such a geek!' And if I think someone is a geek, that has to be some kind of problem, no?

Last night he took me to have some 'American fun.' (Why do people do that? I want to have German fun...) We went to this place called 'The States' or something--it has pool & bowling. We played pool (horror of horrors--I am terrible) at the Pool Table called 'Hawaii,' which was exciting because I've never been to Hawaii. He tried to be cute and ask for NJ but they didn't have NJ. :( Then we had coffee & a beer and tried to meet some of his friends at a club, which we couldn't get into cause he was wearing shorts (shudder--why can't I meet a fashionable European guy? Am I holding myself back here?) so I just decided to head home. It was fun, and we will probably go out again, but I hope there isn't some German rule about getting to bed the girl on the 3rd date or something because there is no way.

The cool thing about the pool hall is that there were English-speaking people there, so I went and 'made friends' and got invited to a barbecue tonight. :) Meeting Wayne @ 18.15 at Kröpke (this clock that is the center meeting point for everyone)... then I am meeting the family's old au pair for drinks. :) yay.

Any advice on Situation: Sven? Milk it for all it's worth? ;-)

I realized today that if I don't get my 'me' time in the morning to drink coffee and read the NYTimes, then I am **not** a happy camper... It's good to know those things, no?

Today, I met Ina in the AM to see about signing up for German schule. We went to the VHS (the public college...like a community college) to get their info because I wanted to take class with my friend Tara (yes, I have a friend!!) Anyway, Ina's other au pairs went to the VHS and she is not impressed... she wants me to go to the nicer public school (Bildungsverein) but that doesn't start for another month. So because I can't make a decision to save my life, I have asked *everyone* I know for their input, including 3 year old Kathi... I will decide by tomorrow AM. Why is it that school is *still* the bane of my existence? Between picking a German schule and narrowing down the grad school list, I am going nuts...

(Oh, the cool thing about grad school indecisiveness is that I emailed all the profs I was close to at WM to ask for advice. It was ten professors! That made me feel reaaaaaallllllllly good!)

We went to a gorgeous biergarten tonight and I got this 'Beer spritzer' thing that was really good. I was supposed to go out with Sven again tonight, but I am tired and I am gonna decorate my room and then crash so I can make sure to get my 'me' time tomorrow. (Honestly, I am so much more informed about what is going on in the states right now. I <3 my NYTimes!)

Upcoming events:
Tomorrow, 20.00--Meet Sven for Billiards.
Friday, 20.00--Meet Nansa for drinks (she is the family's first au pair and coming to town to visit)
Saturday, 15.30--'Young Wine & Onion Cake' with Nansa and family friends, at night, fireworks display #2 (I think it is Switzerland this time)
Sunday, ??--Hanging with Tara @ her house, learning to knit, church, etc. :-)

night all!

Someone said HI to me today!! Actually, this old man who was walking (with those two ski-pole like thingies, I forget what it's called) pretty much barked 'MORGEN!' at me as I ran past him--almost looking angry that I hadn't thought to say 'Hallo' to him first. I nearly pee'd myself before I choked out a pathetic, American-sounding, 'uhh...mor-gan.' But, it made me happy too... I *knew* those Germans would come around.

Thought I would post this BEFORE I went into the city tonight, so I have energy. As life turns 'normal' for me, I realize that I am no longer seeing all the awesome things about Hannover that I made sure to detail in my first day here.

I have talked about my LOVE for my bike, right? I rode Ina's bike this weekend because Lars was using mine (it has the baby seat on it) and couldn't help but note the superiority of 'my' bike. Although, now that I am getting better at biking, I think the seat is too low... My calves have been killing me, which is making running painful, which is making me angry. :) So, yeah, I look like a Mommy all the time because of this baby seat on the back of my bike. It is so funny coming home late at night from the city and having my bike be the only one left on the rack in town (near the Ubahn stop). There it is, baby seat and all. People are probably like, 'What the heck is wrong with mothers these days? Staying out until all hours...' Last night, I came home later than I wanted to because the Ubahn had broken down or something, and I went to get my bike and couldn't remember the freaking combination to my lock... I stood there pulling and pulling and pulling on this lock, until I finally realized that I had inverted the middle two numbers. And, without fail, I forget to put my headlight on 99% of the time when I bike home at night and have to stop again and flail around to turn it on. No wonder I wasn't much in the mood for posting last night. I had just had this convo with another American au pair who is having a miserable time (and I think subtly trying to infer that my honeymoon here is about to come to an end), had to wait forever for the UBahn, and then when I finally got back couldn't unlock my bike... Oh Heather...

The family and I live on a brick street. I love it--maybe it reminds me of CW or something. Ina doesn't like it... As a child, she thought she would never live on a brick-lined street because all the planned communities have brick-lined streets--maybe it seemed a little pretentious to her. Pretentious is one of Ina's new fave words--I taught it to her last week when I was talking about my academic self. 'People might think I'm a little pretentious.' So, for me, this street is awesome, but I think for Ina it represents some things she doesn't like. The rule for exiting a brick-lined street is that YOU have to stop for traffic. There is no stop sign at the end of our road, but because it's brick, I stop and the cars on the (asphault) cross street have the right of way.

Because I am an overachiever (and get bored easily) I have planned 'curriculum' for Kathi and I for the year. September is 'garden' month--we are going to make a garden in my room so I can tough out the cold winter. Today, we finished the butterflies (schmetterling) we started yesterday and made ladybug (marienkäfer) cupcakes--vanilla cupcake with red frosted dotted with chocolate chip spots and blue m&m eyes. Aren't I the coolest!?!

Speaking of overachiever, I wrote my CV out last week--the Uni of Hannover may have adjunct prof positions open in the American Studies dept & I need a CV for grad school anyway. (In U.S. terms, a CV is different from a resume because it concentrates on your academic interest and experience--I talked about the presentations I've given, like the Monroe lunch, my thesis, etc.) Anyway, I used this model from the Uni of Tuscon or something. The name on the CV was 'Over A. Chiever' (get it?). The sad thing was... it was my freaking resume, except Over majored in Pscych...

Finally, ELK wins!!!! Thank you ELK for being the first person to send me mail :) (Your letter and my Mom's arrived today, but family can't win--sorry Mom!!) Thought you deserved a Blog shout-out ELK for the pics and great letter!!! I miss you!! I loved the pic from wine & cheese--Kathi made me tell her EVERYONE'S name :) BUT, I especially love how wasted I look in that picture... and remembering some of the info I shared. (PS: Purple is out, pink is in!) Loveya ELK (and you too Mom).

Have a great 4-day week everyone :)

Today was just a normal day. Got up and went running, got the kids, made lunch, etc. Sorry I'm getting to be boring. I am also tired. I went into Hannover to meet another American au-pair, and the UBahn was running waaaaay late--I guess even efficient Germany occasionally runs into problems. Hearing Whitney's experiences about her German family made me ever more grateful and happy to have my wonderful fam!

Looking into graduate schools now... I emailed profs from WM for advice. It was amazing to make a list of Profs I could go to and realize I had at least 10 professors that I was close enough to to ask for help... sooo cool :)

The list of potentials is:
Harvard (definite)
Boston U (definite)
Yale
Brown
UMass Amherst
Bowling Green U (Ohio)
U of Maryland

I want to get it down to 5... comments/suggests much appreciated.

I promise I will have a funny, wry super-interesting post tomorrow !

Our neighbors had a post-party breakfast for all their guests who slept over last night. After crawling out of bed at 10:30, I went over to break bread (and spread with nutella). The English-speaking guests were still there and we had a fun breakfast, but I felt strange afterward. Speaking in English at a party in front of my host family was so strange. I felt like they were seeing a brash, attention-seeking Heather. I felt awkward and stripped bare when it was over. Like they really knew me; like I was exposed. I felt so American; like I had dropped the bike-riding, environmentally-conscious, patient and pensive German veneer that I have cultivated over the past two weeks. It was so strange. I didn't like myself for a while afterward, and I was afraid they wouldn't like me anymore either...

Luckily, those feelings passed. By dinnertime, I felt back-to-normal; concentrating intently on the German conversations floating around me, enjoying the quiet that I really love about living here. In being here, I feel like I've shed some of that American bravado; that type-A, needing-to-prove-myelf-in-every-situation, domineering personality that I began to cultivate in Ms. Montag's (in German, she would be Ms. Monday!!) kindergarten class. I like all the listening I am doing here; I like the thoughtful answers that come with minimal speaking. I like that for once in my life I do not have to meet anyone's expectations; I can enjoy a party without leaving feeling that I made a fool of myself.

However, I did like that my vocabulary started to reemerge after the long English conversations. Sometimes, I feel like I am tripping over myself even when I speak English; the words sometimes seem to dangle just out of reach.... In some ways, living here has made things clearer. Because I am not subject to the neverending onslaught of images of Hurricane Katrina, I am forced to look at the devastation in a different way. I can carefully read newspapers online, talk to Germans who are reading their newspapers, and think thoroughly about the issue before being forced to come to a conclusion. In the states, my emotion often preceeded my brain. However, I nearly cried this morning when I read that Chief Justice Rehnquist died, and climbed out my window (I live on the bottom--almost basement--floor) to tell the American guest before he left. It was this strange feeling; I needed to talk with someone who would 'understand.' I needed to connect with another American...right then...for some reason, I didn't think a German person could understand. I don't know what exactly I wanted them to understand, though, it was strange.

However, I find myself really appreciating the way German people live; how their country is set up to encourage and support the family unit... Right now, I almost find it easier living here than in England. At least here the different language almost eases the other cultural differences; it is ok that things are different. Plus, every English-speaker you meet is a friend!

Alas, this was a departure from my fun and funny posts, but I think I am going to see Sven again, so that will be a fun update. Plus, I will learn German soon (in about a week), and that is BOUND to be funny.

It was an idyllic weekend. I fall more in love with Hannover and my host family every day. Here's to a great rest-of-the-year.

Today was a great day. The sun was shining, the air is getting that crisp fall flavor to it. I love it. This kind of weather convinces me that next year I need to be attending school somewhere where I can easily go apple picking. I just love the fall brisk-ness, and love to imagine pulling an apple of its tree and sinking my teeth into it...

This morning I went to watch Henrik play soccer because Ina had to work and Lars had to do some volunteer stuff at Kathi's kindergarten. Those Europeans are good! The kids were so funny, running up to each other, slamming stomachs, hugging each other until they fell on the ground. Though Ina said she thinkgs German parents yell too much, I found them not bad at all compared to the psychos at Little League games in the US.

In the afternoon/evening we went up to the north of Germany for a party. (Driving on the Autobahn at night is better than space mountain!) On the way up, we had car trouble, so I & L called the BMW people and we pulled over. Within minutes the 'BMW ServiceMobile' was there--and probably 15 minutes later we were back on the road.

Their friends live in this rural paradise. Their house is a thatched-roof cottage! It is gorgeous. When we pulled up I half expected to see Snow White and the dwarves spilling out to greet us. The house looked like little gnomes or something should live in it. Inside still had some of the original 19th century rustic charm coupled with very modern aesthetics. The party was really fun--lots of different foods to try (we had some kind of roasted pig...or something... that was OUT OF THIS WORLD). It was wonderful.

When we got back to our house, we went over to another party next door! Where the party in the north was more sedate, this was like a frat party gone international. It was great. Our next-door neighbors introduced me to another American guest and his polish wife..both English speakers--who are currently living and working in Luxembourg. It was so funny to talk to someone from Detroit who knew what WM is (and was impressed!), and his wife was sooo friendly and pleasant. Branke (next door neighbor) made me try Schnapps... it was OK. The weirdest thing was having an extended conversation in English. I am used to just sitting at a table kind of listening to the rhythm and sound of people's voices, trying to figure out what they are saying by gestures and the few words I do know, and occasionally responding to English. I am a conversation-passenger. It was so strange to be a conversation-driver again; to feel like I had to fill in a lull in conversation... I don't know. I felt like a different person--it was strange. It was strange to be around another American... But, it was also nice to have a full-on conversation in English.

ok, I am sleepy and buzzed. night.

A Nice, Normal day...

Since I went into town the past 3 nights, I decided to take it easy tonight. Lounge around. Read. etc. :) Not a very eventful day, I ran, did Pilates...

BUT, I am falling more in love with these kids :) Kathi and I had suuuch a nice time together today... which is good. It was a little rough at first, we had to get used to each other, etc., but I think things will be good. Henrik and I played fußball (soccer, that ß thingie is 2 s's) in the backyard... he won, 10-9. Just a nice peaceful happy day :-)

Got an email from Sven... Hmm....

This weekend, we go to the north of Germany to go to a party! And, one of their old au pairs is coming to visit :)

Sorry, I'm boring today...

WM: 0 Hannover: 1

I went to WM for 4 years (ok, 3.5, I studied abroad). In that time I had NOT ONE date... I have lived in Hannover for ten days...

Haha, yes, it was the guy I met the other day on the Ubahn. I thought we were just meeting up for drinks, but he brought me a rose and bought all the drinks, so...

I liked him. He's a little geeky... even for me, but eh. Gotta make friends, huh? We'll see where it goes...

As I was biking home after getting of UBahn 7 @ Kurze-Kampe Strasse (my stop) I had the weirdest, most wonderful feeling.

'Heather Ann, who the hell are you?'

I just never pictured myself, zipping home on a bike, a rose in my front basket, feeling the last summer breezes of summer in Hannover after a date with a guy I picked up on the subway...

I hope the rest of this year is as wonderful as these first ten days have been.