and please notice the tail. Ben wore his ears all day on the 30th butrefused today - insisting "It doesn't matter." (Who taught him this phrase?)
And finally, here are some of the first images from our furnished apartment. Ben calls that painting "scenery" and is always trying to paint on it. To me, it is one of the many accents that call up my Grandma Luba and her style. Happy Halloween.
6 comments:
Oh man!! So cute! I love that he calls that "the scenery." Hugs!!
I know right - Brianna reminded me that the whole point of Halloween was painting a face on your kid!
Happy Halloween!
The holiday has become a week-long celebration in the states, so by the time October 31st arrives, the kids are worn out, having already trick-or-treated in town, at the Elk's Club, Mt. Holiday, and the YMCA. But, tonight is the real deal, so that is scary fun.
I bet in Germany, All Soul's Day will be the focus. I will remember your Mom tomorrow and think fondly of you on your grand European adventure.
Are you learning any German. What about the little one? Does he have German play dates?
Love and kisses,
Aunt Donna
Love,
Aunt Donna
German remains a super duper hurdle but I have an appointment at the language school next week (getting that was its own challenge, as inconvenient as it always is, I could not speak German). Continuing to learn on my own with Pimsleur CDs and Heuber Workbooks. While looking forward to the day that I can have more then a two sentence helpful conversation that does not conclude with "I don't understand. Ich verstehe nicht."
And you know what, when I first moved to Chicago it was a rare Chicagoan that I spoke to socially. I met other great folks. Eventually, I knew lots of natives but a month in - no way.
And that is what it feels like here - met some awesome expats and expat kids (Chilian, Russian, English speakers galore), but the Germans are busy being living full German lives. And socially, people do not just start conversations with strangers.
Ben and I rode the train next to a dude (20 something year old guy) who clearly understood and enjoyed everything we said for 30 minutes (including the stuff to him - "Dude, if you love these songs so much they are all from Singing in Rain" get the movie) and he said not a word. The only folks we have met that ignore this social convention are old ladies (70+) that are past worrying what others think and dance with Ben in the Supermarkt aisles. Easy to recognize as they also do not bother to dye their hair (at least not red).
The costume is adorable. I had a hard time when I first moved here six years ago (6 years today!) because back home in the South, everyone talks to strangers. All this time later and I'm still not used to people on the train looking at me funny if I speak to them.
Except little old ladies. The best conversations I've had here were with little old ladies. Especially about books, on the train.
Maybe you guys can find a nursing home to go visit. I'm sure even German elderly people get lonesome.
Congrats on 6 years PoS! And your nursing home idea is brilliant! We will be going to a nursing home for Thanksgiving - maybe I can make a friend who wants to speak in v. simple sentences.
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