I am writing this just as the street lights flicker on. It's only 19:09! This change in weather and shortening of days has got me looped!! When did it happen? How did it happen so fast? Burrrrr!
Normal?
Things here are mostly normal. Normal is a funny thing though, since normal is a bit variable.
Home and beyond:
We've had furniture now for some time and still enjoy it like it's brand new (since it is... even the used stuff). We've even gotten some fancy things that were on our "want list" versus the very long "need list" for a change. NEW BIKES!! We caught a season-end sale (ha!!) and we've gone for a couple of rides and LOVE them!! The truth is, we've been looking since spring and found that cycling is a really German thing to do. So of course, the bikes are all business! Top quality components and technology. Yes, there is a considerable price range of course, but don't test ride a good bike if you're getting a crappy one. You will be extra disappointed. Note: the "crappy" bikes start around 200 euros. We got mid-range bikes (on sale). That's all I'll say about that! Aside: you can finance bikes over a year!
Anyway, so this is the first time I've ever chosen my very own bike and it FITS!!! It's my first girl bike too. :D You know, with the lower bar in the middle. Ahhh, nice!! The balance of my body works much better now! I even got a cushy seat for my pointy sitting bones (oh how nice, my butt is happy!!!)
Back to our home; we have a cleaning lady now! No, it's not me and yes, lucky us!! I got a bit tired of constantly cleaning (averaging 2 days/wk). We are messy (and I'm neurotic)! :D Our lady is quite nice and full of energy. She is Croatian and has been in Germany for 13 years. She sort of speaks German, but I barely understand her, as my German still sucks. Somehow, things get done. She does a good job and saves me tons of time!
As I mentioned, my German still sucks. I've only take 2 courses since we first arrived. I plan on restarting soon??? at a better school. I've forgotten some rules and vocab and have half-hartedly been reviewing with Rosettastone (a really good language instructional program). Really! I really like Rosettastone, but find many other ways to fill my day. We also have a nice collection of books that my Mom got us - and ibid... Ahem... On the good side, I've picked up more confidence to stumble through the little German I do know to communicate daily...
Health:
Pretty much resolved! We have found most our new doctors. We only need to find a dentist (not that I want a new one) and a massage therapist Gurrrr....
Funny thing... we keep getting bills in the mail. Evgueni did a routine check-up and the doctor had a field day with the tests. I suppose we've got "stupid foreigner" written all over us and they decided to have a hay-day. At any rate, at least he's done and passed every test imaginable. Just so you know, despite the rumors, NO, he's not pregnant. They checked! (jokes...)
I found Tai-Chi (in German) for 12 euros an hour and decided not to do it. Just crazy!! But I am back to my swimming. It may not sound like a lot to some but I swim 1km+ two times a week. I feel great!! My pooch is getting back to a tolerable wobble.
The German swimming pool is very different than the French one. In Fontainebleau you swim in loops in the lanes as soon as there is more than one person in each - and I would get punched from across a lane. OUCH!! Here, the lanes are wider and you swim back and forth in your half-lane unless a 3rd person joins, at which time you start the loop. Yes, I've had collisions with Germans, but in the pool for the most part, they are exceptionally polite and friendly! YAY!!!!
We eat well. Mostly dinners at home, but lunches are 50%50 in/out. We found lots of nice places and even have a favourite sushi restaurant (of 3 surveyed). We don't usually eat German food unless we have guests who want a taste. We have guests often enough that we don't go out of our way to eat the local dishes.
Okay, that's enough! I have dinner in progress!
