Want to know what isn't so great?

A week of temps above 80 in a southward-facing school with many windows. My answer to this sauna? Ice cream bars.

Transitions

In less than two months, I will be home. My flight is booked for June 27, and Zoe is confirmed too. As I get ready to leave, I am going to share some things that I'll miss and some that I won't.

I'll miss spring in Dresden. It is so wonderful when the weather finally changes. I love being able to open all the windows. Eating outside, especially at Biergartens, is a real treat. Everyone's spirits seem lifted.

I'll also miss not having the expense of a car. I buy a tram/bus pass for 44 euros, and that is pretty much the extent of my transportation expenses for the month (unless I take a taxi, which is rare).

I won't miss seeing people drinking openly on the street. It's just odd to me to see someone drinking straight out of a wine, beer, or liquor bottle at anytime of the day or night anywhere, including the trams and buses.

I won't miss not having the convenience of having a car for grocery shopping. Yesterday, I misjudged and carried home close to 40 pounds of groceries for about half a mile. I weighed it when I got home. That's not even the heaviest grocery load that I've carried.

Grumpy

Lately I have noticed that I have been a grumpy gus. I have just been so annoyed by complete strangers recently. There was a couple at the grocery store on Friday, and the guy was licking the girl's neck! It was completely disgusting, and I wanted to ram them with my shopping cart. Then today, an old woman got on the tram and asked for my seat even though there were at least 5 empty seats in the area. Oh no, she wanted the exact seat where I sat. I was more than a little frustrated. I need to go to the beach and chill out or something.

Great Weather and Spring Trips

The past two days have been great here. It's been sunny, and yesterday's temp was in the 60s!! Also, since there's more daylight now, the winter seems to be fading away. This spring, I'll be going to Dublin, Ireland as a chaperone for Model United Nations. I'm going the week before Easter, so I'm hoping to attend some Holy Week services in English while there. (if there's any chance) Then, we have the European Destination trips in June. Since I speak Spanish and was the geography teacher last year, I'm getting to go with the Grade 11 geography students to Barcelona! Those are my only spring trips so far. I still don't have anything planned for Easter break yet. I might stay in Germany but go to Cologne or Hamburg. I've also thought about Budapest with a stop off in Bratislava. I might even stay in Dresden.

'Fridge

After more than four months, at least four visits from repairmen, and lots of frustration, I finally have a permanent refrigerator! It came last Thursday. They decided to repair the old one because they couldn't order a new one that fit my kitchen. They brought the repaired fridge and took away my replacement fridge that I've had since October. All I can say is "Hallelujah!"

Funny school story and other thoughts

The students in my advisory group are 7th graders. Advisory is similar to homeroom; we meet for about 10 minutes, and I announce things about school and check on the students' work, etc. This week, one of the boys asked if I was sick. I replied, "No, why?"
"You look really tired," was his reply.
I can't remember what I said next, but then he said, "You need a good time in bed."
Now I know that he meant I needed some rest, but still... I thought it was pretty funny.

Next, I have good and bad news about the 'fridge. I now have one, but it's temporary. My "kaput" fridge is built into the cabinetry in the kitchen. It is older and the dimensions on new ones are different. Therefore, I have to wait for one to be ordered. If one can't be found that fits the kitchen, I might get a whole new kitchen. How crazy is that?

Finally, one last thought. Have you ever seen someone and afterwards you wished that you would have gone up to him/her and said something? That happened to me on Saturday. I saw a super cute guy on the tram. Black hair, blue eyes, tall, with just the right amount of stubble, AND straight white teeth (often something hard to come by in Europe) He was reading a book about learning English, and he was sitting close to me. I thought about saying something, but I chickened out. Then I mentally kicked myself as I got off the tram. Oh well.

Pray for me!

So my refrigerator broke last Monday. I kept calm and cleaned it out, taking some stuff to school and cooking and eating far more salmon that I usually do to keep it from going bad. I was pretty sure the fridge was owned by the landlords so I called and asked for a repair guy to come by. He did last Thursday, and I totally understood in German that the refrigerator is "kaput." It would cost 400 euros to repair. He said the landlords may want to buy another one and that they would contact me. So I went the whole weekend without a fridge. Not fun.

Monday, I asked a secretary to call again to check about it, and they told me that they would be in contact about either repairing or replacing it. So I waited... Then I asked her to call again today thinking that I would just give them a little encouragement to have it fixed by the weekend. Turns out that the apartment manager could probably have it fixed by NOT next week, but the NEXT. They have to get approval from the actual owner, then get bids, then buy one or wait for a a repair guy to come.

But hey, the manager said at least the weather was cool so I really didn't need a refrigerator. It's in the 50s and 60s!!!! I can't put food outside!!! What an idiot!

What really burns me up is that I pay extra on my rent for a furnished kitchen. (Most apartments in Germany do not come with a kitchen just an empty room). When asked for a discount on the rent, the manager said, "Well, sure if it takes 6-8 weeks."

I thought about putting a whole bunch of stuff on my window sill with a sign that says, "My refrigerator is broken. The landlord won't fix it, but he said it was cool enough to keep the food outside. Enjoy the sight of my milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, meat, and eggs, as you enter the building!!"

Thoughts on fall and something funny at school

There are some seasons that make me wish I were at home. Fall is my favorite season in Alabama. From football to the first cool days and the leaves changing colors, I love it. I even like fall because all the TV shows have their season premieres.

Fall is here in a big way. We're in a cooler pattern of weather with highs in the 50s. The sky-when it's not raining- is the deep blue fall color. It's still pretty dark when I get up in the mornings, so I know the really dark days are coming. I've been taking Zoe on long walks when the weather is nice and dry. I want to make sure to go to a Biergarten a few more times. I think fall here in Dresden is just something to get through until winter arrives. I'm really looking forward to the Christmas season here, but fall just seems to be so-so.

Something funny happened at school today. Right outside the back door (which is the main entry/exit for students) a dog had left a very big deposit. (At least, I assume it was a dog!) I saw it as I went out for lunch. When leaving school, I saw three boys outside wanting to come in, but not wanting to touch the door knob. I opened it from the inside. As he entered, a German sixth grader proceeded to tell me in a very serious way, "There's dog shit on the door."

That cracked me up. I then went to the reception area to tell the secretary. I said," Do you know that at the back door, there is..."

"Dog shit? Yes, I know."

That made me laugh even more. It was said withought any shame or lowering her voice. I guess that's not such a bad word here? I'm just trying to imagine the reaction at Oak Mtn if the secretary said that in the front office.

It's a good thing that my German is bad.

I really do like living in Germany a lot. I love my job, and I really like Dresden. One thing that I do not like is the tendency for some Germans to scold complete strangers. This has happened to me twice in the past few days.

Two nights ago, I was taking Zoe for her last walk of the night. She only ever does #1 then, so I didn't have a bag to pick up after her. As we were walking back, a man from a nearby building came home. Even though I have never talked to him before, he proceeded to say in a very ugly way that I should pick up after my dog. Today, my next door neighbor yelled at me about Lord knows what. She's about 70 and a little crazy. One teacher at school said that a complete stranger tried to put socks on her baby because the stranger thought he was cold.

Sometimes it is just so frustrating to not speak German!! I did ask another teacher how to reply to the guy who yelled at me about Zoe. So I now know how to say, "Kiss my a**." in German. I really hope that I will not have to use that phrase.

Should I mention?

That tomorrow's high is supposed to be 62 here?

That's like 40 degrees cooler than back home. Sorry to rub it in. You can return the favor when it is 60 there and -25 here.

I went to my last German class today. I do understand more, but it is still a challenge to speak. School starts for the teachers Monday. I'm so glad to NOT be the new teacher.

Hot!

We have had a heat wave for the past few days. Yesterday was 97! The day before was in the 90s too. Today is cooler but still in the high 80s. I don't have AC so I was really worried that I would be dying. Thankfully, last week was cool and my building is still pretty cool. I keep the shades and curtains drawn during the day and try not to go out. Tomorrow is supposed to be around 73 and I'm glad. It's just no fun to have Alabama heat without Alabama air conditioning. In fact, I don't know of a single place other than the dairy section of the grocery store that is cool. If it gets hot and stays hot for more than three or four days at a time, I will seriously think about going to Norway or Sweden.

Summer?

Is it really summer if the high temperature is 65 degrees?

(Since I don't have AC, I'm not complaining!)

Travel (Again!) and a Zoe update

Thanks so much for your prayers for Zoe. Today on our third trip in one week, the vet finally took x-rays, and noticed two areas of concern on her mid and lower back. She is stocked up on pain and other meds (including B Vitamins). It's wait and see now because Wednesday I leave and will only be back home for a day or two until June 2. I'm taking her to her usual boarder with strict instructions for no climbing stairs, jumping, running, or playing with other dogs. Pobrecita! How boring!

Now for the travel details. I leave for Krakow on Thursday with friends from school. Since Auschwitz is close, we are going there too. It should be a great trip, and I'm going with the funniest people I've met so far here. (Although they don't compare to Trey and Co., the Lunch Crew, or the Glencoe girls for peeing in the pants laughter) We get back Sunday just in time for me to turn around and leave Monday for Vienna with the Grade 10 on their European Destination field trip. We're there til Friday. There's a possible trip to Berlin for Saturday and Sunday to watch English movies, and then Monday, I leave to chaperone a Model United Nation group in Oldenburg, Germany. We get back Saturday. My poor Zoe won't recognize me!!

As I type, a good old fashioned Southern thunderstorm is going on outside complete with hail. A part of me wants there to be a "weather event," but it's just not the same without James in the weather center. He wouldn't have even taken off his coat for this one much less rolled up his sleeves. Oh what the Germans are missing with their sedate weather!

Spring!

Spring seems to have arrived in full force here in Dresden. The weather has been outstanding. In fact, some people have said it's like summer because the highs have been around 75. Of course, as a good 'Bama girl, I scoff at summer temps in the 70s unless it's midnight. One interesting thing is that it is still light after 8 pm. Right now, its after 9, and it's not even completely dark yet. What will happen in June?

Unfortunately, with spring, I've seen disturbing fashion choices including tube tops with bra straps showing, (it actually seems like part of the outfit!!), open toe sandals with reinforced toe pantyhose, and MEN wearing capri pants. I haven't been to the States in warm weather since last August. Is this normal? It looks really messed up to me, and I think Stacy and Clinton would disapprove.

Apart from the fashion missteps (or wipe outs), Dresden is really wonderful. There are so many plants and trees that are blooming. God has created such a gorgeous world for us to enjoy. His creativity is astonishing. When I walk Zoe, I marvel at the beautiful colors in spring.

A split second decision

Do I run or not?

That is the question I asked myself today as I walk out of the store and see the tram that I need to take go by. Since today is Saturday and there are only 4 trams an hour and because this is a big stop so there will (I hope) be several people loading and unloading, I decide to run. I cross two streets without looking to see if I have the green light and weave my way through old people all while carrying a big canvas bag full of groceries. Thank goodness there is a man pushing a stroller running in front of me going for the same tram. He goes to the next to last door because he needs room for the stroller, and that gives me just enough time to make it to the last door and jump in a second before the tram pulls away. Running for the tram is something I do more often that I would like. I've made a dash for it in the snow, in the rain, and across busy intersections. It can be fun if I make it, but if I don't, cursing is usually involved.

Loneliness

Sometimes it's just really lonely to live in another country. I like it here a lot, and I feel that this is where God wants me, but all my closest friends live about 5,000 miles away (I looked up the distance). I haven't really made any friends here that I feel like hanging out with no matter what. Plus, no one here makes me laugh so hard that I forget where I am or that I'm literally going to die because I'm laughing so hard that I can't breathe.

I know that God hasn't dropped me here in Dresden and forgotten about me, but sometimes it feels like that. Maybe I'm just in a funk, but this has been a hard weekend.

By the way, I'm going to try to get my driver's license tomorrow, so I can go 120 mph on the Autobahn. Maybe that would make me feel better.

Dave Matthews in Berlin

Monday night-no, Tuesday morning- around 12:50 AM, I realized that I am not really that young anymore. I went to see Dave Matthews in Berlin on Monday night with Joe from work. Since neither of us has a car and we would miss the last train back to Dresden, he arranged for a German friend of his to go with us and drive. We paid for his ticket, which was less than train fare and a night in a hostel.

So far, so good. We arrived a little late to the show and Dave had already started playing, but it was a really great concert. I heard all my favorites, and he played for almost 3 hours. It got out around 10:45. As we were leaving, I thought, "Hey, we'll get home before 1. Even though I have an 8:00 class, that's not terrible." Then, up walks this German girl and she hugs/attacks our driving buddy. They hugged for about 5 minutes then walk over and he says, "Why don't we go eat?" Eat? Eat? At 11:00 at night, in Berlin? Two hours from home? And I have to get up at 6:00? Joe uncomfortably says yes. I say nothing.

Apparently, the driver had hooked up with this girl a few weeks ago and had made plans to meet her after the show. Which is all well and fine for him. He's at university and can sleep until noon. Joe and I cannot. In fact, Tuesdays are our longest days. What makes it even more distasteful is that she used to be with his best friend. He actually used the phrase "keep it in the family" and made a comment about her hands since she's a massage therapist. Gross!!

We went to this Turkish place (think German Waffle House, but with Arabic techno) in Neukolln, which is like the Ensley of Berlin and sat there until after midnight watching them eat. I don't talk to them at all. That is when I realized that I am almost 30. I do not want to be here and I don't want to hang out and do things like a kid anymore. I want to have an adult, in bed by 10, hang out with decent people kind of life.

We got in after 2. I'm still ticked off at the rudeness. It almost ruined the concert experience. I will not be going to anymore German concerts though. I don't like standing the entire time. (There are no seats.) Even worse, my lungs still feel burned from all the cigarette smoke. If I go to another concert here, it will be outside.