A bit of bliss

There is something about the sun that warms not only skin but also heart and mind. It produces joy and touch of euphoria. Life brightens. Flowers emerge.  On a day like today anything seems possible. 

I need a song to sing

I need a song to sing. I shuffle through the music horde of my mind and land on a tune. Hum a bar of "you've lost that loving feeling" and then I stop. That's not it. My fire burns eternal. What then? I don't know. I've been going through this process over and over. But the tune eludes me. An irritation. Consternation. If I were to make up a song on my own it would start with a scream of "Ahhhhh!" Accompanied with hair pulling. Hmmm... Long live Punk!

I cry uncle and brush the dust off

I have returned. Why here and not on the Sauerkraut and Sausages blog? Well this doesn't seem to fit with the theme of "Our Deutsche Adventures". This post is more reflective and personal and its in line with my past use of this space. I need a place to stretch myself beyond the "this and that" of  the everyday even if the everyday is rather extraordinary and amazing and I can't believe that it is really my life. Anyway,,, 

My grandmother was a woman who was always reading the signs. I find I am much like her in that regard .. and in others. How easily the words "nocternal recluse" could apply to me if I let them and perhaps they will once my child rearing responsibilities are through.. but I digress.  Lately I have been contemplating connections and asking for signs and direction. And I have been getting them. A pair of ravens sitting on the fence watching the house. A quote that appeared seemingly out of no where. And most recently, yesterday, while on a contemplative walk through the park, a tree branch fell at my feet. I had been reflecting on a recent change in my personal path. The branch was in the shape of the Rune Elhaz  and was far too large and imposing to be dismissed. This is not a rune I have worked much with in the past but it is a paired with Sowilo (the sun rune with which I am quite familiar) So anyway, a quick study of Elhaz indicated that it signifies a beneficent new influence, willing sacrifice, the exchange of lesser for greater good. It is a sign of protection. It speaks of walking through these reeds that when forced will slice you like papercuts but if you move softly they will bend and yield.  I take it to mean that my change in course is for the best. I am no longer pressing an issue but have yielded to the elements at hand. Why bleed when I don't need to.  And despite a change in course, I know my destination really hasn't changed. My getting there now rests more in divine hands. 

"Elk´s sedge has its home / most often in the fen / it waxes in the water / and grimly wounds / and burns with blood / any man / who in any way / tries to grasp it"
(Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem)

Time to switch it up a bit

I have set up a new blog for the recording of our time overseas. A clean slate for new Beginnings. Click the link to see the first post and if you get this blog sent to you via email, you can arrange for the new one to do the same by entering your email address in the form on the sidebar. Much love! V.


http://ourdeutschadventures.blogspot.de/

Getting By With A Little Help From Strangers

Yesterday morning I headed out to run errands.First I went down town. I had to pick up some notecards so that Willow could do her homework. I also had the challenge to fiqure out how to get her school books covered. We learned the school supply store carries book covers but how and where were big questions. I used my translator app and approached an employee with my question. She gave me the German questioning look of a head tilt and a small shake of her head. I pulled out a text book and she responds.. "your translator is no gut." and proceeds to help me out.  After I left that store I went to a book store where I had to order a book for Connor to use at school. It was a learning German book and the clerk at the counter recognized that I would not speak German and assisted me in English. It went easier and smoother than I anticipated.

While the language gap in Germany undoubtedly serves as the most difficult hurdle here in Germany, there are a few others. One of these has to do with the German way of doing business and conducting transactions. There are many places that operate on a cash only basis. Coming from a world where cash is seldom carried, this can be seen as a bit of a hassle. When we first came I took to carrying a large bulk of Euros with me. After a week and a half I developed a decent idea of where I could use my card and where I could not.  I used my card at the mall to by Willow school clothes and also at the mall to purchase batteries from the electronic store. I had success with a few smaller shops there as well. So I took out the large lump sum and took to carrying 50 or so Euros in case I wanted to purchase lunch  (restaurants tend to be cash only) or I ran into a smaller shop for some little thing.

After my errands downtown I headed over to the Mall. I had to get sweatpants for Willow to use in PE and I was also going to pick up some groceries. I had up until now been using a small grocery store up the street. But the grocer at the mall carried a large and varied supply of all things edible and I was excited to expand my knowledge of German foods and what is available. I was ready to do a little stocking up. So I wandered the isles and lined us up with meals to last a few days. I got to the check out , proceeded to bag things up and when the total was rung up I pulled out my card. It had worked at the other stores in the mall thus far. So imagine my surprise when the clerk frowned and told me they didn't take my card. OH SHIT! A bit of panic ensues. I have 65 Euros and my total is 90. What Am I going to do? She is talking to me I don't understand and the line behind me is long. I start putting things back for her to take off. Shes getting on the intercom. The people in line are mumbling, grumbling. The person directly behind me starts talking to me really fast and directly. I say "I don't speak English" So she says she will pay for it for me. And she does. Her name was Krista and she is a tourist visiting Weimar. She has had something similar happen to her and she didn't mind helping out. I gave her the cash I had and I sent her an email so we can get in touch. I will be sending her the difference via bank transfer later. How kind of her. I thanked her. We shook hands and parted ways. I would have given her a hug but I find that Germans are not very huggy people.

After that little drama the family set out for an afternoon in Rudolstadt. Rudolstadt is the town where Greg has his plant. Its about an hour south of us. Greg was told that a festival was going on and that we should check it out. From a look on the website we thought it was an Art festival. turned out it was more like an Carnival/Faire. We went on a handful of rides and had some ice cream. It was a good time.

Afterwards we used the cars Navigation and found a Mexican restaurant. you heard right. Mexican.  We were a little surprised by this and thought we would check it out. In many ways it was Mexicanish. In many ways it wasn't. For instance Connors Chimichanga was more akin to a Salad in a fried tortilla shell. And Gregs dish was seasoned more like Texas BBQ. But regardless we devoured our dishes.

All in all it was a very event filled Saturday. Sundays here are quiet days. Everything is closed and people are expected to spend time with the family, go for walks, and otherwise truely take a break from the rigors of our active lives.

It is quiet heavenly

to finally be able to sit down at the keyboard. To hear and feel the quiet clicking of the keys as they respond to my touch. To connect with myself and my inner world. To share.

I recently read an article called "New Bloggers: The Statistics Are Against Us" It was a whiny piece about how new bloggers often don't get the number of readers they think they deserve. Cry Cry Sob Sob. I don't get it. This is not what blogging is about. At least not to me. And I don't understand why people seek fame and fortune this way. Really Fortune??  For me writing a blog is like .. well.. growing my hair. My hair is a record. It holds countless memories. It records the minutia of changes in my chemical composition.. every meal every drink, every emotion making its mark, the extent of which varies. Sometimes the changes are subtle (to be read through chemistry) and sometimes profound (hair turning white from fright) but ever present. My writings are much the same. And eventually my words meet the same end.

Whether being cut short as the shears descend or eventually just splitting away...After time hair and words degrade. Disintegrate. Becomes dust dancing on the breeze and dissolving into the cosmos.  I don't get the whole blogging for an huge audience.... But then I usually wear my hair up and out of the way.

But I digress. Im sitting here today.. finally.. and allowing my inner realm a voice is recount some of the observations and stories of our new life in Germany. It has been a bit of a whirlwind. When last I wrote we were on the road. Spending time visiting family and friends stateside from Portland to Reno to Monterey and all points in between. There was a house to clean (No small job) and a Car to sell (Which became a nightmare at the DMV) and other frustrations as our radiator blew on the way to pick up the kids. But the time was also filled with many blessings and the love and support of family and friends. I can't begin to say how grateful I was to my cousin Jeff who rescued us and towed us from Sac to CC. Or how dear my limited time was with my brother and his family. Or how much fun we had enjoying an evening out with Kaleb and Kira on their anniversary. And who can forget the time with D. when I danced with Daniel the Kilt wearer and Greg found out his shirt possessed much magic in picking up chicks. Then there was a farewell Dinner at Terry's where somersaults and fun prevailed. I have a boat load of pictures to sort through and forward and post but that will have wait just a bit longer.

 Eventually our time came and left Reno with every intent of making our flight in SF only our car broke down at Donnor and after some delay and a taxi back to Reno our trip got pushed out another day. Sometimes I loathe technology. See it as evil. But this experience reminded me of what a blessing it can be as well. How easily (If not wearily) we were able to handle the hiccups. 

Soon enough we took flight. What a long one it was. (I have no desire to make that trip again anytime soon!) Its almost hard to believe that we arrived only one short week ago. We had a lengthy layover in Dublin where we noted that the McDonalds at the airport served beer.and I enjoyed listening and trying to comprehend the thick accents.  And finally .. finally.. we landed in Frankfurt. Ah to have our feet touch the ground. We made our way through customs very quickly and easily. And then I fell down an escalator while trying to manage a fair bit of luggage. (Needless to say Im still recovering but at least the bruises are fading.)  We turned in to our hotel and slept deep and sound for 12 hours before heading off to Weimar. Weimar is about 3 hours from the airport in East Germany. 

Our first three weeks here are being spent in a furnished vacation apartments. The kids are sharing one and Greg and I are in another. They are well appointed and our hosts are decent. Our first week was filled with chores more than anything. Trips to the government to establish residency. A trip to the bank to set up an account. Luckily with all of these things we have had the support of a translator. A trip to our new house to sign our lease. Its a lovely home and will fit us well. We pick up keys next week. A trip to tour the school and meet some of the staff. Back to school shopping. Grocery shopping. A trip to another city to the IKea to fiqure out what we are going to be sleeping on when we get to the house. Our household goods shipment from the US is not going to be arriving until October. There was an issue on the docks and our shipping container sustained some damage so who knows what might be broken. Greg in the meantime has been constantly involved with work and the kids started school on Wednesday. Like I said it has been a bit of a whirlwind. All the while drinking in the sights and sounds and adapting to much higher humidity. 

The area here is beautiful, lush and green. The buildings are brick and the architecture is pleasing to my eye. In the midst of all our activities, I have walked in the park and drunk in as much as I can. I have not been sight seeing in the formal sense nor have I been taking pictures but I have taken in many sights as I walk from one place to another. ANd my senses have been a bit overwhelmed. Not only my senses but also my body. I estimate that I have been doing about 3 miles a day and while it was difficult at first (So many stairs and hills!) I have started to adjust to the exercise. In fact when I look at my legs I don't even recognize them! I will be getting to the picture taking and sharing the local color once all the crazy details get resolved and my time opens up to exploring. Which is starting to happen otherwise I would not be writing just yet. Next weekend is the Wine festival in the downtown area. 

Here is another story, Greg picked up a hitchhiker yesterday. He has an hour drive to work and on his way home saw a guy with a sign that said to Weimar. Something told him to stop. He has never in his life picked up a hitchhiker. Apparently the man was a history teacher in Romania and was taking summer courses at the university in Weimar. The class went on a fieldtrip to a place he knew and he had been given permission to go his own way. But in doing so didn't realize that the there was not a way back to join his class for the trip home. (He spoke english) He was frazzled and lost. Greg was quite the good Samaritan. Plus with very little crime to speak of here, he was not too fearful of there being a problem. 

Well all of that being said, I need to get going. Todays activities? I need to hang up the wash to dry (There are no clothes dryers in Germany) and make my way downtown to get some school supplies and books for the kids. Then I need to head over to the grocery store for dinner and handle a few other errands. The temperatures are much like Monterey this time of year (Except when we got here and they were in the 90's) Im ready for the hike! 

Hugs and love,
V. 

Deep breath in and "Ahhhhhhh"

We are finally on the down slope. Not yet unwound but unwinding as all the details come together and fall into place. As chores get wrapped up on this side and lined up at our destination. The odd Hiccup thwarting our progress. and... well... that's not even where this story needs to start... I digress. 

I think it has been more than a month since I last posted..

We had a major yard sale and opened our home to Friends Neighbors and Gregs coworkers on a Friday Night and what little was left over we cleaned out publicly on Saturday. I sold to rid myself of stuff rather than make a buck and the process of clearing out was cleansing and left me feeling so much lighter. 

The following weekend we had a grand 4th of July celebration. IN the morning I hung with my bestie Susan and we watched her son (my bass teacher) play his first big gig. And by big I mean they were playing to crowd of at least 1000 at the City of Monterey's 4th of July Celebration. The band was tight, Played a 45 minute set. And had a well selected playlist of covers. It like to say that Matt was smokin... but they all were. 

That afternoon, we had a pot luck party at the house with our local friends and neighbors (including Nell!). We chatted and visited over a wonderful selection of dishes and drinks (We can't move our liquor to Germany so we thought it wise to drink it!)

Monday I drove Greg to SFO and off he went for two weeks to Germany. Tuesday the movers arrived to assess the contents of our move and when they left the kids and I followed suit. We enjoyed two weeks and 2100 miles on the road. Some may argue that that time counts as a vacation and there were some moments of rest and relaxation with far flung friends and family ( Elaine, Rebecca, Cat, Denise to name some) but by and large it a whirlwind of windshield time and central to the trip was our attendance at Uncle Dons funeral. 

Meanwhile Greg was racking up his own mileage overseas as he attended to a company audit, made his introduction to vendors country wide and did a little house hunting.

At the end of that wonderfully full time I dropped the kids with the  cousins, picked up Greg, and dove into the storm of prepping the house for the movers and cleaning it up for our landlord (who's new tenets were already beginning to unload their possessions in the driveway.)  A  huge shout out here to my friend Susan who was my support and assistant through it all.. I could not have done it without her.. I also sold the chub tub. It went to  Kathleen "The Bunny Lady".   In the midst was a night of Karaoke.. Believe it or not I actually sang. My first time ever. What did I sing.. Plush. There was a night of dining with the neighbors and a rousing game of "Cards Against Humanity" There was even a few games of Magik. The week was filled to the gills for Greg as well as he wrapped up his work at the plant as well accepting the emotional and deeply heartfelt goodbyes of his employees. 

We turned in the keys and were on the road again to get the kids. Greg's car broke down in route ( feeling blessed that it was only 30 miles from our destination) and my cousin picked us up and towed us on into mom's on Sunday.  I can't begin to say how grateful I am for everything my cousins did for us. Family is the best!

Which brings us to this week. Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to "Culture Sensitivity Training" Ultimately it boiled down to the Germans are extremely direct and don't take anything personally.Today we spent the day at Sand Harbor with my mom who just retired. We are finally in vacation mode. 

Then  after another hiccup or two, our next bout of travel arrangements have been planned out and prepped for.  A loose end or two remain to be attended to. We fly out of SFO on the 8th and in between... nothing but vacation and good times. THose stories and pictures to come. In the meantime here is the  Picture Album of Summer so Far