21:47
Keeley Barr
I FINALLY HAVE INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Yes we're still alive
Sorry I haven't been online in awhile. I haven't felt great this week between severe allergies and horrible homesickness. No internet at home still. They came but apparently they need to go into my landlord's house to get to the "access point" and he wasn't home so they rescheduled for next Thursday. I have to let him know that and pray he understands and is home! Our furniture arrived on post Monday but they won't deliver it until next Wednesday =-( I'm so sick of it! And no sorry I'm not ignoring anyone on facebook but I can't get on facebook/myspace from the library and when I tried to go to the other internet place it was closed and there were no hours posted. I can read your posts and such through my email but I can't respond to them.
Matt and I went and saw Transformers 2 on Sunday here on post. That theater is a joke. But I guess it's better than nothing. Matt's capt. ended up sittin next to us and while we were waiting on the movie to start (we had to get there an hour and a half early to make sure it wasn't sold out like the two nights before) we were talking and he mentioned that the first month he was in germany he was real depressed. For the most part I'm a roll with the punches kind of girl and very adaptable but this is like no other move I've made. Normally if you even move across country you are still IN the country and have neighbors and hell just store people that speak your language. You don't have to go 2 months with no internet at home and no cable because even if you bought cable it wouldn't be in a foreign language. You have none of your own things to feel like home, no phone to call home, and you've watched every movie in the library that you care to watch. Matt for the most part loves it here but he's not as close to people back home like I am and plus his world is pretty much normal. I mean for the most part the Army is the same everywhere. I on the other hand have no job, no school work, and really no friends except Jen. And it's not like we're rollin in the money so I can just go shopping every day. Bah I dunno. Just over it I guess. Yes I know it will feel better when we get our home stuff in and yes I know I'll hear about student teaching on August 15th (and praying she says yes) which when that starts will be such a booster. Haha bet none of my fellow UTT students were as excited about student teaching as me! LoL
Speaking of- Amanda Williams if you stopped your blog you would be taking away one of the few pleasures in my life! So don't you dare! I wish I could write that on your blog but sadly it doesn't let me comment =-(
Well enough depressing talk. Jen is dragging me out to the furniture store with her. Matt has duty so lonely night for me =-( But good news- library just got Gilmore Girls season 1 in so I'm going to start that! I just finished Rome season 1 and 2 and wow....what a perverted show! But besides scenes that made me want to vomit it's a great story. Gossip Girl season 2 comes out in August and Grey's season 5 in September! Wow....I'm stopping now before I sound anymore like the loser I am!
Matt and I went and saw Transformers 2 on Sunday here on post. That theater is a joke. But I guess it's better than nothing. Matt's capt. ended up sittin next to us and while we were waiting on the movie to start (we had to get there an hour and a half early to make sure it wasn't sold out like the two nights before) we were talking and he mentioned that the first month he was in germany he was real depressed. For the most part I'm a roll with the punches kind of girl and very adaptable but this is like no other move I've made. Normally if you even move across country you are still IN the country and have neighbors and hell just store people that speak your language. You don't have to go 2 months with no internet at home and no cable because even if you bought cable it wouldn't be in a foreign language. You have none of your own things to feel like home, no phone to call home, and you've watched every movie in the library that you care to watch. Matt for the most part loves it here but he's not as close to people back home like I am and plus his world is pretty much normal. I mean for the most part the Army is the same everywhere. I on the other hand have no job, no school work, and really no friends except Jen. And it's not like we're rollin in the money so I can just go shopping every day. Bah I dunno. Just over it I guess. Yes I know it will feel better when we get our home stuff in and yes I know I'll hear about student teaching on August 15th (and praying she says yes) which when that starts will be such a booster. Haha bet none of my fellow UTT students were as excited about student teaching as me! LoL
Speaking of- Amanda Williams if you stopped your blog you would be taking away one of the few pleasures in my life! So don't you dare! I wish I could write that on your blog but sadly it doesn't let me comment =-(
Well enough depressing talk. Jen is dragging me out to the furniture store with her. Matt has duty so lonely night for me =-( But good news- library just got Gilmore Girls season 1 in so I'm going to start that! I just finished Rome season 1 and 2 and wow....what a perverted show! But besides scenes that made me want to vomit it's a great story. Gossip Girl season 2 comes out in August and Grey's season 5 in September! Wow....I'm stopping now before I sound anymore like the loser I am!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Life is still rolling along
This last week has been pretty nice! Very relaxing. Tuesday I just hung out at home but did force myself to go outside and run up and down the hill our house is on. Wednesday I went to babysit Baby Gadiel for Jen while she took driver's ed and her test (she passed)! That was fun. He is by far the EASIEST kid I've EVER been around! He didn't even play with his toys he just crawled all over me and we sang (well I sang- he smiled) and "wrestled" and such. He went down for a nap SO nicely and slept for 2 hours then we had about an hour more of eating/playing before Jen got home. Afterwards I drove her and the baby over to housing so she could talk to them and so I could have someone translate my electric contract.
Bills are very strange here! So with the electricity you are given a set amount to pay (usually between 100-200 euros depending on the size of your place). We were told to pay 144euro's a month. Then in January the company looks at your usage and decides whether or not you over or under paid. If you overpaid they reimburse you. If you underpaid you have to pay up. At that time they also decide whether or not to increase or decrease your monthly payments. I'm already a big conserver when it comes to electricity but now I REALLY am conserving because it would be nice to get money back for that in January AND to have the monthly amount decreased!
Anywho after housing we ran to the lending closet so we could both get more kitchen items. The lending closet is a place where you can borrow kitchen items/irons/ironing boards/car seats/ and highchairs while you are waiting on your stuff to arrive or after they pack up your stuff. I dropped Jen off at the commissary and ran home to walk poor Elvis who had been locked up all day long. Then after picking Jen up we went back to her place where the guys were already at and Jen made us chicken fajitas! Yum. She's puerto rican so any hispanic food she makes is SUPERB! We watched "Taken" after that which was a mistake because I'm a scaredy cat/worry wart so of course I had nightmares after that! And I now understand why Adri was freaking out about flying into Frankfurt alone!! EEK!
Thursday I went to the gym on post which wasn't so bad and did some shopping. That night Matt changed the oil in the car at the auto skills center and I learned how to as well! The hardest part for me will be figuring out how to jack it up if I'm at home doing it hahaha. Luckily at the auto place they had mechanical lifts. Matt changed the oil because the mechanic on post wanted at least $65 to change the oil on a little Kia! I was like are you kidding me?? I thought the dealership was bad and they just wanted $34 back in the states! Holy cow. So we decided Matt would have to use his dormant mechanical skills lol.
Friday I didn't feel so good. Achy from the gym plus tummy troubles. But I recovered and we went bowling with the Barreto's that night. By the way my husband the big talker decided it was going to be a battle of the sexes...do you even have to guess who won both games?? Hahaha I TOLD him he should have been on my team! Oh well...he learned.
Yesterday was a laaaaazy day. We stayed in bed til 12:30pm and then loafed around all day except the 30 minute trip to the commissary and back for a few items. I made this awesome party sandwhich for dinner last night! Yum. I bought turkish flatbread from the german market and cut it in half and put meat and cheese and butter on one side and olive oil on the other side then baked it. Afterwards I loaded on the veggies and voila! Better than Schlotzsky's! Haha
Today I finished reading "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks ---read it! so good! totally going to make a movie about it-- and Matt perfected his guitar hero skills with his new guitar hero Metallica game. Then we decided to come to the library for a while. But I'm about to drag us off to the PX and commissary before they close for a few things!
Oh and our deck is finally finished! Next week they are leveling out and planting the garden! YAY!
I miss all of you very much and I try to check my facebook through my emails. A friend told me that I can get on facebook at the rec center on Conn so I may try that this week! As for internet at home- they come July 21st! I hope its simple because alot of people have had trouble with getting their internet installed!
Bills are very strange here! So with the electricity you are given a set amount to pay (usually between 100-200 euros depending on the size of your place). We were told to pay 144euro's a month. Then in January the company looks at your usage and decides whether or not you over or under paid. If you overpaid they reimburse you. If you underpaid you have to pay up. At that time they also decide whether or not to increase or decrease your monthly payments. I'm already a big conserver when it comes to electricity but now I REALLY am conserving because it would be nice to get money back for that in January AND to have the monthly amount decreased!
Anywho after housing we ran to the lending closet so we could both get more kitchen items. The lending closet is a place where you can borrow kitchen items/irons/ironing boards/car seats/ and highchairs while you are waiting on your stuff to arrive or after they pack up your stuff. I dropped Jen off at the commissary and ran home to walk poor Elvis who had been locked up all day long. Then after picking Jen up we went back to her place where the guys were already at and Jen made us chicken fajitas! Yum. She's puerto rican so any hispanic food she makes is SUPERB! We watched "Taken" after that which was a mistake because I'm a scaredy cat/worry wart so of course I had nightmares after that! And I now understand why Adri was freaking out about flying into Frankfurt alone!! EEK!
Thursday I went to the gym on post which wasn't so bad and did some shopping. That night Matt changed the oil in the car at the auto skills center and I learned how to as well! The hardest part for me will be figuring out how to jack it up if I'm at home doing it hahaha. Luckily at the auto place they had mechanical lifts. Matt changed the oil because the mechanic on post wanted at least $65 to change the oil on a little Kia! I was like are you kidding me?? I thought the dealership was bad and they just wanted $34 back in the states! Holy cow. So we decided Matt would have to use his dormant mechanical skills lol.
Friday I didn't feel so good. Achy from the gym plus tummy troubles. But I recovered and we went bowling with the Barreto's that night. By the way my husband the big talker decided it was going to be a battle of the sexes...do you even have to guess who won both games?? Hahaha I TOLD him he should have been on my team! Oh well...he learned.
Yesterday was a laaaaazy day. We stayed in bed til 12:30pm and then loafed around all day except the 30 minute trip to the commissary and back for a few items. I made this awesome party sandwhich for dinner last night! Yum. I bought turkish flatbread from the german market and cut it in half and put meat and cheese and butter on one side and olive oil on the other side then baked it. Afterwards I loaded on the veggies and voila! Better than Schlotzsky's! Haha
Today I finished reading "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks ---read it! so good! totally going to make a movie about it-- and Matt perfected his guitar hero skills with his new guitar hero Metallica game. Then we decided to come to the library for a while. But I'm about to drag us off to the PX and commissary before they close for a few things!
Oh and our deck is finally finished! Next week they are leveling out and planting the garden! YAY!
I miss all of you very much and I try to check my facebook through my emails. A friend told me that I can get on facebook at the rec center on Conn so I may try that this week! As for internet at home- they come July 21st! I hope its simple because alot of people have had trouble with getting their internet installed!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Happy Late 4th!
So since I last updated we have celebrated our first holiday in Germany...but I'm getting ahead of myself.
So Friday the Barretos, Rav's family, and Matt and I drove to Wurzberg where they just opened a brand new Ikea. I've never been to one so that was cool. We are looking for an entertainment center and some bookshelves, plus a closet for the bathroom. Alot of the stuff in Ikea is very modern and I tend to like the more traditional, heavy, wood furniture. But Jen made a good point in saying "Ok the entertainment center you like is 179 euros (roughly 260 dollars) so you use it for 3 years then sell it and buy something better back home!" And really 260 dollars on furniture you can use for at least 3 years if not longer isn't bad so...we'll probably be going back. Omg and the baby/toddler items!!! Matt and I said that our kid is getting a cheap crib because when it comes to toddler/small children furniture- Ikea is the CUTEST!
Saturday was the 4th of July and we all went to the Kessler Field festival on post. The Ying Yang Twins were supposed to be performing but supposedly they were "stuck at the airport" (darn). But we had a good time. There were bands and lots of cool things for kids to do and a few for adults as well. Plus lots of great food! Matt and I did this "Sky Shooter" which is a swing that sling shots you up into the air. Then I did the thing you stand in the circle and it spins you all different ways...yeah hard to explain. I'll put pictures up soon! And then the night ended with a fireworks display. Well lets back up. So earlier in the evening they presented ALL 50 of the state flags and announced when they joined the union and stuff and they played the national anthem. Yeah I got a little teary. I always get teary now when I hear it because I just think of Matt at war and all the families who lost their loved ones...ok enough of that. Back to the fireworks. So when they started they played that "Proud to be an American" song and yeah I got REALLY homesick. It's weird because it only hits at night or during stuff like that. A few nights ago I was overcome with a huge case of claustrophbia just thinking about how all the houses and business are so close together and I just miss cities being spread out..don't get me wrong there are TONS of country side here but when you're in a city it's so...claustrophibic (I know- what an awesome vocabulary I have). Then during the fireworks I was just hit with this feeling of: it's only been one month. A month! And it feels like I've missed so much back home. And I'm tired of being in a place where a LOT of people don't understand me and I don't understand them. And I'm tired of being illiterate! It's driving me CRAZY to not be able to read ANYTHING- even signs!
But anywho- that makes it sound like I'm miserable which I am not. Remember that song is only about 3 minutes long and that's exactly how long those feelings lasted. So to recap- AWESOME holiday minus those 3 MINUTES! LoL
Sunday the 3 families drove an hour and 40 minutes to Grafenwoehr (pronounced: graf-en-veer. I know- weird right??) where there's another, larger, Army post. It's apparently the training post where Matt will go when they prepare for another deployment. But anywho we'd heard they had a huge PX and we wanted to check it out. It was big but unfortunately didn't have a much greater selection...except in purses hehehe. But it was neat to be in a "mall like" place with ENGLISH signs! There was a large food court- complete with (Crappy) Starbucks! The PX of course and some other indoor small shops then the commissary. MUCH more eye appealing than here in Schweinfurt.
Today we are just relaxing. Matt goes back to work tomorrow and I've got my own chores to do including: registering Elvis at the vet, getting a dentist appt, getting the oil changed, and applying to substitue at the Elementary school (gotta have a back up plan)!
Sorry this isn't more detail- I spent the majority of my computer time reading Amanda's baby blog and looking at the photos! Congrats Williams Family!!
So Friday the Barretos, Rav's family, and Matt and I drove to Wurzberg where they just opened a brand new Ikea. I've never been to one so that was cool. We are looking for an entertainment center and some bookshelves, plus a closet for the bathroom. Alot of the stuff in Ikea is very modern and I tend to like the more traditional, heavy, wood furniture. But Jen made a good point in saying "Ok the entertainment center you like is 179 euros (roughly 260 dollars) so you use it for 3 years then sell it and buy something better back home!" And really 260 dollars on furniture you can use for at least 3 years if not longer isn't bad so...we'll probably be going back. Omg and the baby/toddler items!!! Matt and I said that our kid is getting a cheap crib because when it comes to toddler/small children furniture- Ikea is the CUTEST!
Saturday was the 4th of July and we all went to the Kessler Field festival on post. The Ying Yang Twins were supposed to be performing but supposedly they were "stuck at the airport" (darn). But we had a good time. There were bands and lots of cool things for kids to do and a few for adults as well. Plus lots of great food! Matt and I did this "Sky Shooter" which is a swing that sling shots you up into the air. Then I did the thing you stand in the circle and it spins you all different ways...yeah hard to explain. I'll put pictures up soon! And then the night ended with a fireworks display. Well lets back up. So earlier in the evening they presented ALL 50 of the state flags and announced when they joined the union and stuff and they played the national anthem. Yeah I got a little teary. I always get teary now when I hear it because I just think of Matt at war and all the families who lost their loved ones...ok enough of that. Back to the fireworks. So when they started they played that "Proud to be an American" song and yeah I got REALLY homesick. It's weird because it only hits at night or during stuff like that. A few nights ago I was overcome with a huge case of claustrophbia just thinking about how all the houses and business are so close together and I just miss cities being spread out..don't get me wrong there are TONS of country side here but when you're in a city it's so...claustrophibic (I know- what an awesome vocabulary I have). Then during the fireworks I was just hit with this feeling of: it's only been one month. A month! And it feels like I've missed so much back home. And I'm tired of being in a place where a LOT of people don't understand me and I don't understand them. And I'm tired of being illiterate! It's driving me CRAZY to not be able to read ANYTHING- even signs!
But anywho- that makes it sound like I'm miserable which I am not. Remember that song is only about 3 minutes long and that's exactly how long those feelings lasted. So to recap- AWESOME holiday minus those 3 MINUTES! LoL
Sunday the 3 families drove an hour and 40 minutes to Grafenwoehr (pronounced: graf-en-veer. I know- weird right??) where there's another, larger, Army post. It's apparently the training post where Matt will go when they prepare for another deployment. But anywho we'd heard they had a huge PX and we wanted to check it out. It was big but unfortunately didn't have a much greater selection...except in purses hehehe. But it was neat to be in a "mall like" place with ENGLISH signs! There was a large food court- complete with (Crappy) Starbucks! The PX of course and some other indoor small shops then the commissary. MUCH more eye appealing than here in Schweinfurt.
Today we are just relaxing. Matt goes back to work tomorrow and I've got my own chores to do including: registering Elvis at the vet, getting a dentist appt, getting the oil changed, and applying to substitue at the Elementary school (gotta have a back up plan)!
Sorry this isn't more detail- I spent the majority of my computer time reading Amanda's baby blog and looking at the photos! Congrats Williams Family!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
One Month Anniversary
So it has been one month since we left Texas...strange. The first half of the month went by so fast what with Adri's visit, SNAPS class, and traveling. The 2nd half of the month was slower but we found and rented an apartment and got government furniture delivered, recieved our car and got our licenses, been to a german festival twice, and eaten countless amounts of german food!
No internet at the house and seeing as how they still haven't even called to schedule an appointment- there's no telling when it will be installed. Apparently I can't check my facebook or myspace on the library computer =-( so if I don't write you back, that's why! And when I try to view Amanda's blog I can't see it unless I go into my account and do it through google reader..hmm...Speaking of Amanda- she had the twins!!! They are both here and healthy with the exception of a little fluid on Jason's lungs, but they were moved from level 3 NICU to level 2 so that's awesome! Mom and Dad are doing well also! She's been keeping her blog pretty updated for someone in the hospital who just had her stomach sliced open and two babies brought into this world! For more info on Amanda and the twins go to: thewilliamsbabies.blogspot.com
Apparently you are only allowed an hour on the computer in the library so I will make this fast! We moved into our apartment on Tuesday- well the government furniture was moved in. Our furniture and things should be here by July 23. Our unaccompanied baggage (sheets, towels, dishes, and PS3 things) will be here tomorrow!! We realized the tv we put in our unaccompanied baggage was useless until we bought a transformer so we went to the PX and got a really really good deal on a dual voltage (meaning we can use it in the states as well as here) 32in LCD flat screen that will eventually go in the "Man Room." We also got cables to connect the laptop to the tv so we can watch movies, etc. Our first night the landlord invited us up to his deck where we met his 15yr old son, Chris, and his tattoo artist wife, Nicole! Chris also had two friends over who are nothing but "Metal Heads" so Matt had a great time talking music with them. The kids speak english pretty well- and music of course is an international language haha- and the wife speaks pretty well also! The dang landlord has a "Party Room" on the deck level with a full barr- complete with kegerator- pool table, slot machine, and all of the musical instruments of course. So he offered Matt beer after beer...then eventually had him drinking Asti, then Asti with a german version of Red Bull, and yeah. Matt was hurting the next morning (yes, I told him to stop after the 3rd beer so I gave him the ole "I told you so...") But really the entire family is very nice and I see a friendship in the future!
The landlord is already almost finished with our new patio! He put a slate/granite looking blocks outside the front door and red brick squares on the patio area. He's also started a wood beam/plastic roof to cover the patio. Then he'll do the garden. It's amazing and only getting better every day! Although I could live without the noise...lol
Yesterday I took Matt to work so I could have the car and had my first lock out of the apartment. The front door automatically locks from the outside when it's shut and in order to deadbolt it (from the inside) you have to have a key in it on the inside. Very annoying. Well I learned also that if you leave the key on the inside then you can't lock/unlock it from the outside! So my wonderful husband who was smarter than me figured out how to unlock the window and climb through. See the windows here can be slanted open from the top or opened inwards all the way. We had the two windows slanted open at the top and he figured out how to get one open (not sharing details because who knows who reads this lol). Basically though it showed me how easy it is to get inside through the windows so until we get screens on the windows they remain shut at night (Matt hates me for this but oh well)!
Well my time is about to run up! I am off to the car care center to see if they do oil changes then having lunch with Matt. Afterwards I'll run home and walk Elvis and hang out until 4ish when I'll come back up here to pick up Matt and go grocery shopping! I'll update in a few days! Tschus!
No internet at the house and seeing as how they still haven't even called to schedule an appointment- there's no telling when it will be installed. Apparently I can't check my facebook or myspace on the library computer =-( so if I don't write you back, that's why! And when I try to view Amanda's blog I can't see it unless I go into my account and do it through google reader..hmm...Speaking of Amanda- she had the twins!!! They are both here and healthy with the exception of a little fluid on Jason's lungs, but they were moved from level 3 NICU to level 2 so that's awesome! Mom and Dad are doing well also! She's been keeping her blog pretty updated for someone in the hospital who just had her stomach sliced open and two babies brought into this world! For more info on Amanda and the twins go to: thewilliamsbabies.blogspot.com
Apparently you are only allowed an hour on the computer in the library so I will make this fast! We moved into our apartment on Tuesday- well the government furniture was moved in. Our furniture and things should be here by July 23. Our unaccompanied baggage (sheets, towels, dishes, and PS3 things) will be here tomorrow!! We realized the tv we put in our unaccompanied baggage was useless until we bought a transformer so we went to the PX and got a really really good deal on a dual voltage (meaning we can use it in the states as well as here) 32in LCD flat screen that will eventually go in the "Man Room." We also got cables to connect the laptop to the tv so we can watch movies, etc. Our first night the landlord invited us up to his deck where we met his 15yr old son, Chris, and his tattoo artist wife, Nicole! Chris also had two friends over who are nothing but "Metal Heads" so Matt had a great time talking music with them. The kids speak english pretty well- and music of course is an international language haha- and the wife speaks pretty well also! The dang landlord has a "Party Room" on the deck level with a full barr- complete with kegerator- pool table, slot machine, and all of the musical instruments of course. So he offered Matt beer after beer...then eventually had him drinking Asti, then Asti with a german version of Red Bull, and yeah. Matt was hurting the next morning (yes, I told him to stop after the 3rd beer so I gave him the ole "I told you so...") But really the entire family is very nice and I see a friendship in the future!
The landlord is already almost finished with our new patio! He put a slate/granite looking blocks outside the front door and red brick squares on the patio area. He's also started a wood beam/plastic roof to cover the patio. Then he'll do the garden. It's amazing and only getting better every day! Although I could live without the noise...lol
Yesterday I took Matt to work so I could have the car and had my first lock out of the apartment. The front door automatically locks from the outside when it's shut and in order to deadbolt it (from the inside) you have to have a key in it on the inside. Very annoying. Well I learned also that if you leave the key on the inside then you can't lock/unlock it from the outside! So my wonderful husband who was smarter than me figured out how to unlock the window and climb through. See the windows here can be slanted open from the top or opened inwards all the way. We had the two windows slanted open at the top and he figured out how to get one open (not sharing details because who knows who reads this lol). Basically though it showed me how easy it is to get inside through the windows so until we get screens on the windows they remain shut at night (Matt hates me for this but oh well)!
Well my time is about to run up! I am off to the car care center to see if they do oil changes then having lunch with Matt. Afterwards I'll run home and walk Elvis and hang out until 4ish when I'll come back up here to pick up Matt and go grocery shopping! I'll update in a few days! Tschus!
Monday, June 29, 2009
She didn't say no...
The principal emailed me back! Here's what she said.
Hi Keely,
I am currently out of the country and will not return until August 3rd. Let me check with my superintendent when I return to see what it takes to commit to a student teacher from a University that normally does not work with DoDEA. I will contact you sometime in August...probably after August 15th as we have a week long professional development meeting from the 10-14th.
Soo that's not a no totally but it is a no for this semester I'm sure...by the time I get her answer it may be too late to do things on the UT Tyler end. BUT I will go apply to substitute at least! And this way I get to take my german classes in August... see? I know how to look on the bright side!
Hi Keely,
I am currently out of the country and will not return until August 3rd. Let me check with my superintendent when I return to see what it takes to commit to a student teacher from a University that normally does not work with DoDEA. I will contact you sometime in August...probably after August 15th as we have a week long professional development meeting from the 10-14th.
Soo that's not a no totally but it is a no for this semester I'm sure...by the time I get her answer it may be too late to do things on the UT Tyler end. BUT I will go apply to substitute at least! And this way I get to take my german classes in August... see? I know how to look on the bright side!
Moving Day!
Soo a lot going on...Last Wednesday I had a Dr.s appt- everything's ok they just can't transfer my prescriptions from the US and to get a new one I had to have a check up since my old Dr was not on post and therefore in the system. Boo =-(
Last Thursday we signed our contract for our new flat. It was a funny ordeal because the landlord only speaks a little English (and most Germans say that but they are usually fairly fluent but no, he only speaks a little) so the housing rep. had to translate back and forth: read a paragraph to me in English then to him in German. If either of us had a question he had to talk to that person in their language then translate the whole thing for the other person! But our landlord seems like a nice guy and laid back if we wanted to say get another dog or paint the walls or anything. And if any little thing goes wrong or breaks he wants us to tell him rather than attempt to fix it ourselves. He said it will help with his English and our German lol. He even offered to help us hang big items such as heavy paintings or shelves, etc because he has good tools and he knows where NOT to hammer (because of plumbing or electric).
Friday I was just going to go to the bank on post to open an account (its the only way to pay bills in Germany- blegh!) but THANKFULLY I checked my email while Matt was showering and I had an email saying our car was here and ready for pick up!! A week and a half early (didn't know the Army was capable of such a thing)! So we went and got our car-- soooo nice having one again!! It's weird here though because tax free fuel is rationed for Americans here so they give you a "debit" card which controls your rations and in order to buy gas off post it has to be an Esso station and you have to have money loaded on that "debit" card. On post you just have to show the card and then you can pay however you like. If you don't have your card on you, or don't have any money on it OR you choose to go to a non-Esso station, you have to pay the German price which is double what we pay! We pay .76 Euro cent for a liter (about 2.90 dollars a gallon!!) Holy Moly. Apparently Germany is in a recession as well- didn't know that til I got here!
Saturday we picked up the Barreto's and went to look at a few car lots for something for the guys to drive. They have a 1500 Euro limit but we'd like to stay under 1000 Euro (about 1500 dollars). Found a few possibilities but when we called the guy who owned the lot he didn't speak English at all and we couldn't get anything figured out so we decided to try coming back during the week. Then we went to the big furniture store I saw on my SNAPS trip and looked at some computer desks, "scrapbooking" desks, and coffee tables. Afterwards we went to a Chinese place downtown but they didn't open until 5:30pm so we walked around a little bit. The Chinese place was ok except it was more family style servings and we even ASKED the woman how big the servings were and she said for one person- Pssshh! Thankfully I wasn't hungry so only Matt ordered- and I ate off him and there were STILL leftovers! If you know how much Matt eats at Chinese places then you understand, it was a LOT of food! After eating we went back to the Barreto's hotel room and hung out. The guys had some beers and Jen and I just talked. Oh and watched Transformers on tv (I want to see the 2nd one!!)
Sunday was yet another lazy Sunday for the 3rd week in a row lol. Except I actually got dressed and we ran to the commissary to pick up cleaning things for our new flat. We were supposed to have the Barreto's over for Taco Night but they had to cancel.
Today I have been running around all day! Went to the library to return movies and get some more, went to the bank TWICE to make deposits from our USAA acct to the new acct for our rent and internet. Then later ended up taking Barreto back to the bank so he could open an acct for the same reason. Went to the PX and then had lunch with Matt and the Barreto's at the food court. Mailed my cards FINALLY (sorry Dad, Gdad, and Jake!). Went to the Lending Closet to find out what they offered (dishes, microwave, baby items, etc to use until our household goods come in). Went to housing to have the rep. call Kabel Deutschland to set up my internet for me lol. The internet company will take out the first month's payment (3-5 days) then call and set up an appt. to come install which could be another week or so! While I was at housing the furniture people called me and I was right across from his desk so I talked to him and turns out they have a wait list on washers so won't have a washer/dryer until July 9th...maybe... Then Matt, Barreto, and I went back the car lots to see about test driving and they set up an appt for 5pm today. So I had the guys drop me off here so I could finish laundry and begin packing. Jen is going with them so that makes me feel better lol.
So about to pack up the clothes and things we have bought since being here and then who knows...wait for Matt to get back. So in case you didn't understand the last paragraph- we will NOT have internet for 2-3 weeks at home! I will be checking my stuff every couple of days at the library but I will NOT have Skype!
Wish us luck tomorrow!.....
PS: Continue praying for Amanda's twins! I know she's back in the hospital and they are trying to keep those babies in her for 2 more weeks to get her to 36 weeks but it might not happen. But every day helps!! Pray for her and her fiance to be strong and for the doctors to care for mother and babies!
Last Thursday we signed our contract for our new flat. It was a funny ordeal because the landlord only speaks a little English (and most Germans say that but they are usually fairly fluent but no, he only speaks a little) so the housing rep. had to translate back and forth: read a paragraph to me in English then to him in German. If either of us had a question he had to talk to that person in their language then translate the whole thing for the other person! But our landlord seems like a nice guy and laid back if we wanted to say get another dog or paint the walls or anything. And if any little thing goes wrong or breaks he wants us to tell him rather than attempt to fix it ourselves. He said it will help with his English and our German lol. He even offered to help us hang big items such as heavy paintings or shelves, etc because he has good tools and he knows where NOT to hammer (because of plumbing or electric).
Friday I was just going to go to the bank on post to open an account (its the only way to pay bills in Germany- blegh!) but THANKFULLY I checked my email while Matt was showering and I had an email saying our car was here and ready for pick up!! A week and a half early (didn't know the Army was capable of such a thing)! So we went and got our car-- soooo nice having one again!! It's weird here though because tax free fuel is rationed for Americans here so they give you a "debit" card which controls your rations and in order to buy gas off post it has to be an Esso station and you have to have money loaded on that "debit" card. On post you just have to show the card and then you can pay however you like. If you don't have your card on you, or don't have any money on it OR you choose to go to a non-Esso station, you have to pay the German price which is double what we pay! We pay .76 Euro cent for a liter (about 2.90 dollars a gallon!!) Holy Moly. Apparently Germany is in a recession as well- didn't know that til I got here!
Saturday we picked up the Barreto's and went to look at a few car lots for something for the guys to drive. They have a 1500 Euro limit but we'd like to stay under 1000 Euro (about 1500 dollars). Found a few possibilities but when we called the guy who owned the lot he didn't speak English at all and we couldn't get anything figured out so we decided to try coming back during the week. Then we went to the big furniture store I saw on my SNAPS trip and looked at some computer desks, "scrapbooking" desks, and coffee tables. Afterwards we went to a Chinese place downtown but they didn't open until 5:30pm so we walked around a little bit. The Chinese place was ok except it was more family style servings and we even ASKED the woman how big the servings were and she said for one person- Pssshh! Thankfully I wasn't hungry so only Matt ordered- and I ate off him and there were STILL leftovers! If you know how much Matt eats at Chinese places then you understand, it was a LOT of food! After eating we went back to the Barreto's hotel room and hung out. The guys had some beers and Jen and I just talked. Oh and watched Transformers on tv (I want to see the 2nd one!!)
Sunday was yet another lazy Sunday for the 3rd week in a row lol. Except I actually got dressed and we ran to the commissary to pick up cleaning things for our new flat. We were supposed to have the Barreto's over for Taco Night but they had to cancel.
Today I have been running around all day! Went to the library to return movies and get some more, went to the bank TWICE to make deposits from our USAA acct to the new acct for our rent and internet. Then later ended up taking Barreto back to the bank so he could open an acct for the same reason. Went to the PX and then had lunch with Matt and the Barreto's at the food court. Mailed my cards FINALLY (sorry Dad, Gdad, and Jake!). Went to the Lending Closet to find out what they offered (dishes, microwave, baby items, etc to use until our household goods come in). Went to housing to have the rep. call Kabel Deutschland to set up my internet for me lol. The internet company will take out the first month's payment (3-5 days) then call and set up an appt. to come install which could be another week or so! While I was at housing the furniture people called me and I was right across from his desk so I talked to him and turns out they have a wait list on washers so won't have a washer/dryer until July 9th...maybe... Then Matt, Barreto, and I went back the car lots to see about test driving and they set up an appt for 5pm today. So I had the guys drop me off here so I could finish laundry and begin packing. Jen is going with them so that makes me feel better lol.
So about to pack up the clothes and things we have bought since being here and then who knows...wait for Matt to get back. So in case you didn't understand the last paragraph- we will NOT have internet for 2-3 weeks at home! I will be checking my stuff every couple of days at the library but I will NOT have Skype!
Wish us luck tomorrow!.....
PS: Continue praying for Amanda's twins! I know she's back in the hospital and they are trying to keep those babies in her for 2 more weeks to get her to 36 weeks but it might not happen. But every day helps!! Pray for her and her fiance to be strong and for the doctors to care for mother and babies!
