I went to a seminar about Japanese acupuncture today. Awesome parts:
1. I got to eat lunch outside did not have to share it with anyone or order a "just in case you hate your meal" meal and then got to sit quietly in a park to eat ice cream
2. The seminar was in German (spoken by a native English speaker, but still) and I could follow it - mostly. (Thank goodness George left me the dictionary).
3. I have taken some advanced versions of the same system but never the introduction. So all through the seminar I kept having "ah ha" moments.
4. At every point along my journey (3 transfers back and forth) someone asked me for directions. I must look like I know what I am doing, or where I am going, or at least am approachable.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
packing
We are headed back to Germany after a brief reprieve (as George does his mandatory tour around Germany which we are not invited to). And everything is packed, the suitcases are weighed, and even my wallet is bursting with the different sections for each countries' credit cards, money and "discount" cards. (Note to self - the Kroger card is worth taking so you do not have to ask people as you stand in line to borrow theirs when you should be making sure you have everything in your cart or at least enough for the day because you do not have to go shopping every other day in the US.)
And the travel is the straight forward part: its the adjustment for the jet lag and language and a very tired irrational toddler that can make the process take a week. On the plane, I will try to resist explaining that "Yes, he is a good traveler on the plane where full attention, constant TV access and an endless supply of snacks is available (those of you who travel for over 24 hours I feel for). It is when we get off and have to magically be 6-7 hours different culminating in both Mom and child tears that it gets messy."
And the travel is the straight forward part: its the adjustment for the jet lag and language and a very tired irrational toddler that can make the process take a week. On the plane, I will try to resist explaining that "Yes, he is a good traveler on the plane where full attention, constant TV access and an endless supply of snacks is available (those of you who travel for over 24 hours I feel for). It is when we get off and have to magically be 6-7 hours different culminating in both Mom and child tears that it gets messy."
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Cold Days Inside
Ben has gone on strike - he does not want to do anything that is suggested, even things he likes. And not going outside is the first thing he often mentions in the morning. "I don't want to go outside - ever!" Along with "I don't have to use the potty," "I don't like to eat breakfast," and "No mommy, don't." Life is full of things to reject when you are 2.
Unless it is a big kid job - then Ben is super helpful, almost too helpful for tasks like setting the table (many forks and spoons get lost on the way to the table), blowing his own nose, make pancakes, or sweeping.
We have been inside more as it is colder - that means adventures in the form of stories, songs, imagination and starting arts and crafts. Today we did potato stamps and managed to make one page! Keeping Ben's attention on crafts is a crazy challenge. We were working well until I called them stamps... then Ben interpreted as a good opportunity to stand up so he could stamp with his foot in the paints. That was a mess and then Ben was up and done.
Unless it is a big kid job - then Ben is super helpful, almost too helpful for tasks like setting the table (many forks and spoons get lost on the way to the table), blowing his own nose, make pancakes, or sweeping.
We have been inside more as it is colder - that means adventures in the form of stories, songs, imagination and starting arts and crafts. Today we did potato stamps and managed to make one page! Keeping Ben's attention on crafts is a crazy challenge. We were working well until I called them stamps... then Ben interpreted as a good opportunity to stand up so he could stamp with his foot in the paints. That was a mess and then Ben was up and done.
Friday, February 10, 2012
SNOW
Yesterday a low pressure system put everyone into a wonderfully deep nap and when we awoke there was a dusting of perfect powder snow. Not so good for making snow balls or snow men - but great for snow angels, drawing on the sidewalk, and throwing in the air to make more snow. Plus we got out to play before everyone's dog had peed.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Jam Session
Our upstairs neighbor is learning and playing the Irish tin whistle at all hours - usually when Ben is asleep. Which is disappointing because the one person who would really enjoy such serenading is Ben.
So we invited our neighbor over for a jam session. Sunday morning at 9 am. A time we know he likes to practice. It is very hard to explain a jam session to a upright engineer of a German (much less not laugh when he calls it "the cham"): a jam session is where we play songs and sing and everyone is just going to do the best they can. So we got out our glockenspiel - which we got Ben for Christmas but that mostly George plays - and our other percussion instruments. Ben played the tambourine and the kazoo and I did my best to just keep a steady beat to keep us going together. And we set a specific time limit because there was a two year old involved and because if it is a complete fail you want to be able to know when your escape is coming.
Onkle Tom hat einen Bauernhof/Old MacDonald had a Farm was a big hit complete with farm animals. And we did Frere Jacques in French, German and English. And Scarborough Fair, Sally's Garden and some solo Irish tune were also featured. And we tried to finish with an open music time or free play accompanying a song on CD but our neighbor got nervous with such improvisation.
A worthwhile adventure! Ben got to play music and was facsinated by the tin whistle. Now we just have to explain we like to play music but are not going to attend a 3 day Celtic music celebration next month.
So we invited our neighbor over for a jam session. Sunday morning at 9 am. A time we know he likes to practice. It is very hard to explain a jam session to a upright engineer of a German (much less not laugh when he calls it "the cham"): a jam session is where we play songs and sing and everyone is just going to do the best they can. So we got out our glockenspiel - which we got Ben for Christmas but that mostly George plays - and our other percussion instruments. Ben played the tambourine and the kazoo and I did my best to just keep a steady beat to keep us going together. And we set a specific time limit because there was a two year old involved and because if it is a complete fail you want to be able to know when your escape is coming.
Onkle Tom hat einen Bauernhof/Old MacDonald had a Farm was a big hit complete with farm animals. And we did Frere Jacques in French, German and English. And Scarborough Fair, Sally's Garden and some solo Irish tune were also featured. And we tried to finish with an open music time or free play accompanying a song on CD but our neighbor got nervous with such improvisation.
A worthwhile adventure! Ben got to play music and was facsinated by the tin whistle. Now we just have to explain we like to play music but are not going to attend a 3 day Celtic music celebration next month.
Nope - everyone got sick
We have recovered! Rarely does one get a stomach bug where the healthy adult needs to stay in the house to take care of the sick one for 12 hours at a time. We ventured out on Friday to restock food, money and to see the sun.
Celery root is declared safe again.
Celery root is declared safe again.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Celery Root?
Everyone here is suffering from some type of different stomach upset after eating matzo ball soup made with one of those soup combos (parsley, celery root, carrot, and leek in a little box) you can buy at the grocery. Everything was boiled and pealed and bought that day? What the heck?
There was high hopes of going to Trier today (maybe tomorrow?) but instead there will be just little explorations for who ever feel up to it, like the Wildspirale Hundretwasser haus. Here is a picture of the first time we were there:
There was high hopes of going to Trier today (maybe tomorrow?) but instead there will be just little explorations for who ever feel up to it, like the Wildspirale Hundretwasser haus. Here is a picture of the first time we were there:
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy Birthday to me
Yay for the many messages on Facebook. (Are the rumors true that you should un-friend anyone who doesn't wish you Happy Birthday?) And yay for a great birthday day filled with walks, visiting friends, a delicious dinner at Zum Grohe, and cake. And finally, yay for 33.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Off to KITA
Ben is at his first full morning of KITA (this is short for Kindertagesstätte: Children's Day Center) or preschool. He will be going 2 mornings a week. This a great way for all of us to culturally dive into Germany and German.
The first week, everyday he and I went in together and I would stay for a shorter amount of time (from an hour to 5 minutes) and he would stay later (from an hour to 3 hours). This process of acclimation is mandatory and a little rough. I was glad to not have to do it again today, instead sending George who just did a drop off.
Several things about the school that are different at least from when I went to preschool - he is provided with lunch and a 9 am snack and tea, his only responsibility is to play peacefully (and learn German), they have little red toilets (that Ben has successfully used) but he can still be in diapers, and after using the bathroom or eating the child washes his or her hands and wipes them with a provided cloth hand towel. There is 1 teacher for every 3-4 kids, kids of all ages are together in each group and the kids range in age from 2 months to 4 years. The building set up is similar to where my sister went to preschool: Ben will spend most of his time in one room, but there is an outside space next to the building, and there is an inside gym area, an art area and a music area (although the theme is quiet music not bang as many things as hard as you can). Also, the kids are sometimes taken to the park.
What is my worry? Just that Ben is a goofy kid - he makes a lot of word play or little kid puns especially if he is bored with the conversation and will tease you if you are being too serious. And the Germans are stoic and serious, especially about something important like kids' education and if they are adjusting. What cultural miscommunications may occur?
Last week, I suggested to an evening babysitter that if he whined too much ("Where's Mommy?") she could just ask him back teasingly ("Where is Mommy?" Usually he answers correctly and then you can go on, "Where is Ben? Where is Ben's nose?" etc). Not only was she shocked and appalled that I would make light of his suffering but I could tell she was worried about what other terrible tricks I used on Ben.
And finally, this is forcing us to buy Kinder Matschhose! Children's Waterproof pants! It seems like all German little kids have these crazy pants: suspenders attached to waterproof pants with extra knee and butt fabric (like a roofer's pants) and more elastic for under the feet (think '80s dance pants). They look ridiculous but are probably amazing and I cannot wait for ours to show up.
The first week, everyday he and I went in together and I would stay for a shorter amount of time (from an hour to 5 minutes) and he would stay later (from an hour to 3 hours). This process of acclimation is mandatory and a little rough. I was glad to not have to do it again today, instead sending George who just did a drop off.
Several things about the school that are different at least from when I went to preschool - he is provided with lunch and a 9 am snack and tea, his only responsibility is to play peacefully (and learn German), they have little red toilets (that Ben has successfully used) but he can still be in diapers, and after using the bathroom or eating the child washes his or her hands and wipes them with a provided cloth hand towel. There is 1 teacher for every 3-4 kids, kids of all ages are together in each group and the kids range in age from 2 months to 4 years. The building set up is similar to where my sister went to preschool: Ben will spend most of his time in one room, but there is an outside space next to the building, and there is an inside gym area, an art area and a music area (although the theme is quiet music not bang as many things as hard as you can). Also, the kids are sometimes taken to the park.
What is my worry? Just that Ben is a goofy kid - he makes a lot of word play or little kid puns especially if he is bored with the conversation and will tease you if you are being too serious. And the Germans are stoic and serious, especially about something important like kids' education and if they are adjusting. What cultural miscommunications may occur?
Last week, I suggested to an evening babysitter that if he whined too much ("Where's Mommy?") she could just ask him back teasingly ("Where is Mommy?" Usually he answers correctly and then you can go on, "Where is Ben? Where is Ben's nose?" etc). Not only was she shocked and appalled that I would make light of his suffering but I could tell she was worried about what other terrible tricks I used on Ben.
And finally, this is forcing us to buy Kinder Matschhose! Children's Waterproof pants! It seems like all German little kids have these crazy pants: suspenders attached to waterproof pants with extra knee and butt fabric (like a roofer's pants) and more elastic for under the feet (think '80s dance pants). They look ridiculous but are probably amazing and I cannot wait for ours to show up.
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