As I gaze into the pond that is life, all of the beauty and wonders that is nature frame the bewitching eyes below.
The eyes bespell and create a sense of confusion in me. I want to look away, but I dare not. Just who am I looking at, myself or someone else.
The reflection doesn't look like me, but it feels like me, it feels like home.
*written 2006*
Recently I've made some new online friends. Do I feel the need to qualify that they're online as opposed to local, of course not. However I do feel that online friends tend to be in a completely different calibre than the everyday run of the mill people I encounter. Is this good or bad, no, just different.
For me I tend to put up with more garbage from people in my immediate surroundings than I ever would from people online. Is that a bad thing, certainly not. It just means that I tend to be less "true" to me. Of course this mostly has been since I've been married. The marriage has nothing to do with it per se, just that being that my spouse is in the military, you never know who you'll see again and it can be more like being back in high school with the "I can't be friends with you cuz my friend doesn't like you".
Okay where am I going with this. I don't know if it is the age gap or something else, but I find that most of the people in my immediate locality (wherever that may be) and I have very little in common. Apart from the fact that we live in the same area is the only thing that brings us together. Would I choose those same people as friends in another situation, certainly not. This isn't to say that these are bad people, because they're not. The situation being what it is, I deal with the cards that are dealt and make the most of it.
This brings me back to my new online friends. These are people I choose to talk to (although I'm sure at times they'd rather I talk less) and we have "real" conversations about "real" things and not the "what are we drinking tonight and where are we going". While the latter is appropriate on occasion, it gets old after the 10th day in a row.
So thank you to MJ, Fi and BW (order in which I met you) for reviving my belief that even though it's rarely come by (for me at least) there are people out there who you can make a connection with.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Monday, June 05, 2006
Miffed...
Weather is still dreary. Slowly getting better.
AFN isn't going to air any of the worldcup games. Hoping I can get to see at least one game live *shrugs*.
Have 36 disks of 42 left to catalogue. These are Rob's music, so I'm finding a few songs that I'll put in my MP3 player.
New computer and laptop are now on the wireless network. Too bad we can't see each other.
Have spare room/office to organize. Basement looks a lot better than it did 3 weeks ago.
AFN isn't going to air any of the worldcup games. Hoping I can get to see at least one game live *shrugs*.
Have 36 disks of 42 left to catalogue. These are Rob's music, so I'm finding a few songs that I'll put in my MP3 player.
New computer and laptop are now on the wireless network. Too bad we can't see each other.
Have spare room/office to organize. Basement looks a lot better than it did 3 weeks ago.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Time certainly flies
It is hard to believe that it's been over 2 months since I last blogged. Where does the time fly?
In the last couple of months:
The computer that I had to resurrect after hubby deployed finally died.
Had to buy another one, that was some feat considering I'm in Germany and selections are quite limited (esp if you're German is poor).
Mad preparations were done in preparation of hubby and his company returning from deployment. Preparations were done both at home, at the company and a few other places.
Some of the same issues I had with B upon her father's departure resurfaced with about the same time frame as his return. While I did excuse a lot of it (erm, too much probably) when he initially left, there were no excuses to be had upon his return.
Weather had finally started to warm up and the sun was shiny, now it's gotten cold, overcast and dreary again. It's supposed to be a high of 59F and a low of 44F today with marginally warmer temperatures through Tuesday. I don't know what is going on. First it started to warm up, then there were sheets of yellow everywhere (pollen like it was going out of style). Now there's less pollen and more icky weather.
In the last couple of months:
The computer that I had to resurrect after hubby deployed finally died.
Had to buy another one, that was some feat considering I'm in Germany and selections are quite limited (esp if you're German is poor).
Mad preparations were done in preparation of hubby and his company returning from deployment. Preparations were done both at home, at the company and a few other places.
Some of the same issues I had with B upon her father's departure resurfaced with about the same time frame as his return. While I did excuse a lot of it (erm, too much probably) when he initially left, there were no excuses to be had upon his return.
Weather had finally started to warm up and the sun was shiny, now it's gotten cold, overcast and dreary again. It's supposed to be a high of 59F and a low of 44F today with marginally warmer temperatures through Tuesday. I don't know what is going on. First it started to warm up, then there were sheets of yellow everywhere (pollen like it was going out of style). Now there's less pollen and more icky weather.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Thankful...
As you well know, it's been a while since I've been around to update regularly. It's not that I don't have the time but it's the desire that is the problem. I sit back and think to myself about who is (or isn't) going to read this and it being a waste of time and then I realise that I'm doing this for me. The fact that someone reads or even comments is quite incidental and more of a plus than a requirement.
I've been going to the gym with my neighbours for about 3 weeks now. Something always seems to happen that means instead of the 3 times a week workout, it always ends up being twice a week. This week was no different.
After Wednesday's workout we went to the dining facility to eat. I had a $20 bill with me but when I went to pay, I could only find a $1 bill. Thankfully Sara loaned me $2 so I was able to eat lunch with them. The other lady we we work out with found my $20 later on after we got home so on Thursday I went to get change for Sara. While I was doing that Sara got involved in some sort of crisis.
While I won't go into details about this other person's crisis, I just want to say that I'm thankful for being mentally healthy. I cannot even imagine having to take medications to keep me sane and functional. The fact that some of those medications may have side effects that aren't listed that can make life intolerable is something else. While I feel sympathy for this other person, I am thankful that it is one of those things that I don't have to worry about.
This could have all been avoided if said medical professionals had listened when she explained before. Somehow I would hope that if she pressed the issue and refused to accept their answer that it would have happened differently, but I doubt it. I just hope that from now on, that these same people really listen when their patients tell them something.
I've been going to the gym with my neighbours for about 3 weeks now. Something always seems to happen that means instead of the 3 times a week workout, it always ends up being twice a week. This week was no different.
After Wednesday's workout we went to the dining facility to eat. I had a $20 bill with me but when I went to pay, I could only find a $1 bill. Thankfully Sara loaned me $2 so I was able to eat lunch with them. The other lady we we work out with found my $20 later on after we got home so on Thursday I went to get change for Sara. While I was doing that Sara got involved in some sort of crisis.
While I won't go into details about this other person's crisis, I just want to say that I'm thankful for being mentally healthy. I cannot even imagine having to take medications to keep me sane and functional. The fact that some of those medications may have side effects that aren't listed that can make life intolerable is something else. While I feel sympathy for this other person, I am thankful that it is one of those things that I don't have to worry about.
This could have all been avoided if said medical professionals had listened when she explained before. Somehow I would hope that if she pressed the issue and refused to accept their answer that it would have happened differently, but I doubt it. I just hope that from now on, that these same people really listen when their patients tell them something.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Gym Naps
For the last 3 weeks I've been going to the gym 2x a week instead of three and this week is no different.
I figured out that when I get home from the gym and have a nice hot bath, the only thing I want to do after that is sleep. So today I figured I'd try something different. I went and had a decent shower and washed my hair and settled down with my lunch and my book. The next thing I know I'm drifting off to sleep. Go figure.
Had a fairly decent workout today. I did upper body workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill (with about a minute of jogging) and then 20 minutes on the bike along with 2 sets of stretches. I guess the run got my heart rate up good as I was sweating furiously after that.
Doesn't help that today it snowed briefly. It ended up being rather chilly outside today that when we walked into the gym we were cold. That didn't last for long. After that job I was sweating buckets and buckets.
I figured out that when I get home from the gym and have a nice hot bath, the only thing I want to do after that is sleep. So today I figured I'd try something different. I went and had a decent shower and washed my hair and settled down with my lunch and my book. The next thing I know I'm drifting off to sleep. Go figure.
Had a fairly decent workout today. I did upper body workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill (with about a minute of jogging) and then 20 minutes on the bike along with 2 sets of stretches. I guess the run got my heart rate up good as I was sweating furiously after that.
Doesn't help that today it snowed briefly. It ended up being rather chilly outside today that when we walked into the gym we were cold. That didn't last for long. After that job I was sweating buckets and buckets.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Oh happy day
Well today has been a good day.
I went to the library and I got all but 1 book that's on my reading list (I need to get this list smaller).
From there I went by the post office and not only did I get mail, but my cargo pants came in (need to return the other one), a netflix came in and also I got a card from a friend. Yippee!
I went to the library and I got all but 1 book that's on my reading list (I need to get this list smaller).
From there I went by the post office and not only did I get mail, but my cargo pants came in (need to return the other one), a netflix came in and also I got a card from a friend. Yippee!
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Food
No matter what the conversation starts off with, before the end of the conversation is over, the subject of food always comes up.
I love food, I love talking about food, I love trying new food. For me, food is to be enjoyed, savoured, relished, not something to wolf down as you're running from one place to the next.
As I was reading the email from my mother this morning, she mentioned going to Bayside for dinner last night. Normally when she tells me about where she's going for dinner, she has to tell me where it is or what the restaurant used to be called before as things are always changing, restaurants moreso.
I would have to say, my all time favourite type of restaurant is Indian. While I'm of Chinese descent and have been raised eating Chinese food, I don't like most Chinese restaurants. As most people who know me could tell you, I'm a food snob. I find that the more popular chinese restaurants do not serve authentic chinese food. Presumably making slight variations to appeal to the masses is what drives these restaurants. While I can understand that and appreciate that they have families to feed and clothe, I don't have to frequent such establishments.
In 1999 I had to go to Baltimore for a work-related conference and I was lucky enough to have a friend who lived in Baltimore. One of the places he took me to was The Helmand restaurant which serves Afghan food. I can still remember my first taste of the dish I had and how it melted in my mouth and it was the best tasting thing I'd ever had. I still rave about that restaurant and I know if I'm ever in the Baltimore area that's the first place I'd go. It is too bad that the restaurant hasn't figured out a way package their food for shipment as I'd be ordering constantly. Several weeks later I receive a package from Amazon, this same friend had sent me an Afghan cookbook.
Last year during Lent, one of my friends took me to an Ethiopian restaurant in Tuscon. She had been there before and had raved about the food. Since I'm up for trying different cuisines off we went. While being somewhat sparsely decorated, Zemam's more than made up for in food. It was quite a bit different eating with only ones fingers but believe me, I soon relished not being hindered by utensils. After I got home that evening I went looking up recipes. Unfortunately I haven't been brave enough to try them yet.
So this brings me full circle to this restaurant. In my email to my mother today I told her that everytime I'd been to that location, there was always a different restaurant there and I can't figure out why (apart from some traffic issues) it doesn't do better. Maybe they should have a different kind of restaurant there. Their menu should have a few regular items but a change of cuisine maybe once a month. Maybe have a guest chef in for a week or two to cook different types of food. I can't speak for all chefs but I would think that maybe a good way to see the world. The cuisines I can see right now would be something like Indian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Afghan, Korean, Middle Eastern etc.
I know that as long as it wasn't terribly expensive, I'd go to that restaurant. Sometimes there's a comfort in knowing ahead of time what you'll order, but other times it's nice to have a different change of pace.
I love food, I love talking about food, I love trying new food. For me, food is to be enjoyed, savoured, relished, not something to wolf down as you're running from one place to the next.
As I was reading the email from my mother this morning, she mentioned going to Bayside for dinner last night. Normally when she tells me about where she's going for dinner, she has to tell me where it is or what the restaurant used to be called before as things are always changing, restaurants moreso.
I would have to say, my all time favourite type of restaurant is Indian. While I'm of Chinese descent and have been raised eating Chinese food, I don't like most Chinese restaurants. As most people who know me could tell you, I'm a food snob. I find that the more popular chinese restaurants do not serve authentic chinese food. Presumably making slight variations to appeal to the masses is what drives these restaurants. While I can understand that and appreciate that they have families to feed and clothe, I don't have to frequent such establishments.
In 1999 I had to go to Baltimore for a work-related conference and I was lucky enough to have a friend who lived in Baltimore. One of the places he took me to was The Helmand restaurant which serves Afghan food. I can still remember my first taste of the dish I had and how it melted in my mouth and it was the best tasting thing I'd ever had. I still rave about that restaurant and I know if I'm ever in the Baltimore area that's the first place I'd go. It is too bad that the restaurant hasn't figured out a way package their food for shipment as I'd be ordering constantly. Several weeks later I receive a package from Amazon, this same friend had sent me an Afghan cookbook.
Last year during Lent, one of my friends took me to an Ethiopian restaurant in Tuscon. She had been there before and had raved about the food. Since I'm up for trying different cuisines off we went. While being somewhat sparsely decorated, Zemam's more than made up for in food. It was quite a bit different eating with only ones fingers but believe me, I soon relished not being hindered by utensils. After I got home that evening I went looking up recipes. Unfortunately I haven't been brave enough to try them yet.
So this brings me full circle to this restaurant. In my email to my mother today I told her that everytime I'd been to that location, there was always a different restaurant there and I can't figure out why (apart from some traffic issues) it doesn't do better. Maybe they should have a different kind of restaurant there. Their menu should have a few regular items but a change of cuisine maybe once a month. Maybe have a guest chef in for a week or two to cook different types of food. I can't speak for all chefs but I would think that maybe a good way to see the world. The cuisines I can see right now would be something like Indian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Afghan, Korean, Middle Eastern etc.
I know that as long as it wasn't terribly expensive, I'd go to that restaurant. Sometimes there's a comfort in knowing ahead of time what you'll order, but other times it's nice to have a different change of pace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Feelings...
I've been feeling a little out of it.
Not sick kind of out of it, just as though I'm levitating and I can't seem to be on solid ground.
Today has been a week since I've started going to the gym. Still not quite pleased with the early morning activity but it certainly is starting my days off alright. I guess part of my annoyance is that it's cold out. I feel kind of silly walking into the gym with a coat and sweat pants on, only to have to change them before I work out. It's too cold outside to do otherwise.
Some days I feel like a boat drifting out to sea, no land in sight and no oars to propel me in one direction or another. Today is a drifing day. I guess I need to find something to fulfill each day so I'm not drifting. Yesterday I made pizza from scratch, finished up my book and was quite leisurely. Makes me give serious consideration to going back to work, if only so I don't lose my mind.
Not sick kind of out of it, just as though I'm levitating and I can't seem to be on solid ground.
Today has been a week since I've started going to the gym. Still not quite pleased with the early morning activity but it certainly is starting my days off alright. I guess part of my annoyance is that it's cold out. I feel kind of silly walking into the gym with a coat and sweat pants on, only to have to change them before I work out. It's too cold outside to do otherwise.
Some days I feel like a boat drifting out to sea, no land in sight and no oars to propel me in one direction or another. Today is a drifing day. I guess I need to find something to fulfill each day so I'm not drifting. Yesterday I made pizza from scratch, finished up my book and was quite leisurely. Makes me give serious consideration to going back to work, if only so I don't lose my mind.
Monday, March 13, 2006
More tax annoyance
After emailing the husband the tax details and getting him to proof it. I figured I was ready go to. Only to find out that since I'm in Germany, that I would have to pay to get my taxes filed because while we're over here none of the companies that are offering free state filing cover the APO's.
Ended up having to use another company and entered all of the details there. While it was relatively painless, the one thing I don't like is that it doesn't show you your 1040 so you can see what went wrong. Good news is that it came up with the same figure so that's a bonus.
So the taxes have been sent off, or so that software says. Still have time, if I don't get our refunds in before April 15th, then I'll have to pay and resubmit them using the original company.
Ended up having to use another company and entered all of the details there. While it was relatively painless, the one thing I don't like is that it doesn't show you your 1040 so you can see what went wrong. Good news is that it came up with the same figure so that's a bonus.
So the taxes have been sent off, or so that software says. Still have time, if I don't get our refunds in before April 15th, then I'll have to pay and resubmit them using the original company.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Tax fun
Well I've spent as long on my taxes as I'm going to this year. Yes I know it's March 11th and normally I would have filed my taxes a while back (and spent the return) however with moving and my last employer sending my W-2 to the wrong place, it has taken some time to get all of the ducks in a row.
I swear just when I think I have the entire filing tax situation sorted out, not only do they change things, but our W-2s end up with more stuff. Oh well, next year should be interesting.
Not been doing a lot. There are things I should be doing, but no motivation is forthcoming. Managed to start going to the gym so while I feel better, I'm tired earlier, go figure.
Also been hanging out with my neighbours which has been interesting to say the least but I won't go into it. Definately considering going vegetarian, but we'll see.
Hoping the weather here in Germany continues to warm up. Not looking forward to the floods associated with the melting but am looking forward to warmer weather.
I swear just when I think I have the entire filing tax situation sorted out, not only do they change things, but our W-2s end up with more stuff. Oh well, next year should be interesting.
Not been doing a lot. There are things I should be doing, but no motivation is forthcoming. Managed to start going to the gym so while I feel better, I'm tired earlier, go figure.
Also been hanging out with my neighbours which has been interesting to say the least but I won't go into it. Definately considering going vegetarian, but we'll see.
Hoping the weather here in Germany continues to warm up. Not looking forward to the floods associated with the melting but am looking forward to warmer weather.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
AFN confusion
Well yesterday was a pretty good day.
KellyJ and I went and bummed around the DEZ mail yesterday, she was looking for boots and I was looking for cargo pants. She saw several pairs, unfortunately the ones within her price range were the wrong size but she didn't let it get her down. I remember seeing one pair of cargo pants and they were €59.99. Needless to say it was left on the rack. Who in their right mind would pay USD60.00 for a pair of cotton cargo pants much less USD74.00 (equiv of €59.99).
We did see a couple of other things that I may get after we get paid tomorrow. Maybe going on Saturday would be a better idea than going on Thursday but we shall see. May end up returning on Friday as that may be a better day for all.
Girlchild was fairly good yesterday, but we did spend several hours at my neighbour's house just chilling out. I guess I shouldn't complain about how long she takes to do her homework as the child next door was still doing hers when we left and it's doubtful whether they'll finish before bed time.
AFN has changed its programming ever so slightly so I'm all sorts of confused. I guess I'll have to ensure that I never run out of books to read.
My amazon book list (of to read items) is nearing 200 now. I'm sure I'll get more book recommendations before it's brought back below 100. Heh.
KellyJ and I went and bummed around the DEZ mail yesterday, she was looking for boots and I was looking for cargo pants. She saw several pairs, unfortunately the ones within her price range were the wrong size but she didn't let it get her down. I remember seeing one pair of cargo pants and they were €59.99. Needless to say it was left on the rack. Who in their right mind would pay USD60.00 for a pair of cotton cargo pants much less USD74.00 (equiv of €59.99).
We did see a couple of other things that I may get after we get paid tomorrow. Maybe going on Saturday would be a better idea than going on Thursday but we shall see. May end up returning on Friday as that may be a better day for all.
Girlchild was fairly good yesterday, but we did spend several hours at my neighbour's house just chilling out. I guess I shouldn't complain about how long she takes to do her homework as the child next door was still doing hers when we left and it's doubtful whether they'll finish before bed time.
AFN has changed its programming ever so slightly so I'm all sorts of confused. I guess I'll have to ensure that I never run out of books to read.
My amazon book list (of to read items) is nearing 200 now. I'm sure I'll get more book recommendations before it's brought back below 100. Heh.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Food for thought - Lethal Injections
Some days I'm not quite sure how I feel about lethal injections and the death penalty. On one hand, what gives anyone the right to end someone's life and on the other hand, some criminals can't be rehabilitated but is it fair for the tax payers to have to pay for the criminals to remain behind bars until they expire?
Of course with the prevalence of DNA and discovering that the wrong people have been incarcerated, that just throws another spanner in the works. Where do you stop?
This morning as I was doing my normal internet rounds, I came across this article: Death Penalty
In a nut shell it talks about fighting lethal injection because that form of execution may be painful. Quite honestly, should we care? Should the fact that people who commited horrendous crimes be spared pain. Did they even give a thought to their victims or the victims family how pain they've inflicted.
Maybe the threat of pain as part of their final punishment will be a deterrent.
Of course with the prevalence of DNA and discovering that the wrong people have been incarcerated, that just throws another spanner in the works. Where do you stop?
This morning as I was doing my normal internet rounds, I came across this article: Death Penalty
In a nut shell it talks about fighting lethal injection because that form of execution may be painful. Quite honestly, should we care? Should the fact that people who commited horrendous crimes be spared pain. Did they even give a thought to their victims or the victims family how pain they've inflicted.
Maybe the threat of pain as part of their final punishment will be a deterrent.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Let it never be said...
that my life is unexciting.
Monday was a holiday and Tuesday was a teachers in-service day so the kids had a 4-day weekend.
I dread 3-day weekends and 4-day weekends with a passion. It is not that I don't enjoy spending the weekend with the girlchild, however it always ends up that we're at odds with one another. The more days off she has in a row, the more likely she is to irritate me as she can't find enough things to do to occupy her time.
With that being said, I was thinking of going to the mall in Regensburg on Saturday. Sunday was going to be a chill out day as Monday I was to take my neighbour to have her brakes worked on and then possibly head to Wurzburg on Tuesday.
Life being what it is, it didn't turn out that way. Apparently my neighbour was going pottery shopping in Poland and wanted me to watch her daughter on Saturday night as she was leaving in the wee hours of Saturday morning and wouldn't return until the wee hours of Sunday morning. I ended up with both kids on Friday and Saturday night and they more or less entertained each other which was a big help.
Monday morning started off as planned and was going rather well. At 5:30 I left to take my neighbour to go and pick up her car. It's amazing just how quickly it can go from having a little bit of light left to being completely dark.
The road we were coming back on was dark, narrow and winding, not to mention having 3 icy spots. My neighbour slid through the first one, braked for the second one and by the time she hit the third one she had lost control of car and ended up spinning it around and turning it over on the embankment. Thankfully she didn't have a scratch on her, but she was in shock for a while. I guess we'd been gone about 3 hours with waiting for the Polizei and ADAC to show up.
Due to the wreck, she'd asked me on Tuesday morning if I would take her to Amberg to pick up her rental. I figured that my plans for that day was shot so I went to the post office instead with the intention of getting something done that day.
Turns out that where I was in Amberg was only 20 minutes from Vilseck so I drove there instead of having to waste gas and go there today. After much deliberation and going back and forth, I ended up with:
A Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer. It ended up being the same price as a regular hand mixer and I had been talking about a stand mixer for a while (although I'm still going to buy a Kitchenaid one).
All in all it wasn't a bad 4-day weekend, I feel badly for my neighbour that she wrecked her car but otherwise I think it all went okay.
Monday was a holiday and Tuesday was a teachers in-service day so the kids had a 4-day weekend.
I dread 3-day weekends and 4-day weekends with a passion. It is not that I don't enjoy spending the weekend with the girlchild, however it always ends up that we're at odds with one another. The more days off she has in a row, the more likely she is to irritate me as she can't find enough things to do to occupy her time.
With that being said, I was thinking of going to the mall in Regensburg on Saturday. Sunday was going to be a chill out day as Monday I was to take my neighbour to have her brakes worked on and then possibly head to Wurzburg on Tuesday.
Life being what it is, it didn't turn out that way. Apparently my neighbour was going pottery shopping in Poland and wanted me to watch her daughter on Saturday night as she was leaving in the wee hours of Saturday morning and wouldn't return until the wee hours of Sunday morning. I ended up with both kids on Friday and Saturday night and they more or less entertained each other which was a big help.
Monday morning started off as planned and was going rather well. At 5:30 I left to take my neighbour to go and pick up her car. It's amazing just how quickly it can go from having a little bit of light left to being completely dark.
The road we were coming back on was dark, narrow and winding, not to mention having 3 icy spots. My neighbour slid through the first one, braked for the second one and by the time she hit the third one she had lost control of car and ended up spinning it around and turning it over on the embankment. Thankfully she didn't have a scratch on her, but she was in shock for a while. I guess we'd been gone about 3 hours with waiting for the Polizei and ADAC to show up.
Due to the wreck, she'd asked me on Tuesday morning if I would take her to Amberg to pick up her rental. I figured that my plans for that day was shot so I went to the post office instead with the intention of getting something done that day.
Turns out that where I was in Amberg was only 20 minutes from Vilseck so I drove there instead of having to waste gas and go there today. After much deliberation and going back and forth, I ended up with:
A Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer. It ended up being the same price as a regular hand mixer and I had been talking about a stand mixer for a while (although I'm still going to buy a Kitchenaid one).
All in all it wasn't a bad 4-day weekend, I feel badly for my neighbour that she wrecked her car but otherwise I think it all went okay.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Days are a flying by
I can't believe it's been that long since I was here. Boy the time has flown.
Lots of things with the girlchild have been happening, some of it good and some of it bad. Par for the course really.
The last couple of days have been quite enjoyable. I've reconnected with my friend KJ and we've spent the last couple of days hanging out. Sometimes there's nothing like just spending a couple of hours talking and getting to know someone. It's been a while since I've done that. Normally I get to know someone through IMs as one or both of us are quite busy or through the exchange of emails. I'd forgotten just how enjoyable it is doing it the old fashioned way.
There are tentative plans in the works for Tuesday as the kids have a 4-day. Heaven help me.
Lots of things with the girlchild have been happening, some of it good and some of it bad. Par for the course really.
The last couple of days have been quite enjoyable. I've reconnected with my friend KJ and we've spent the last couple of days hanging out. Sometimes there's nothing like just spending a couple of hours talking and getting to know someone. It's been a while since I've done that. Normally I get to know someone through IMs as one or both of us are quite busy or through the exchange of emails. I'd forgotten just how enjoyable it is doing it the old fashioned way.
There are tentative plans in the works for Tuesday as the kids have a 4-day. Heaven help me.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
In awe of beauty...
As a child growing up in the Caribbean, the first snow I'd ever seen apart from what was on the television set was the summer of my 14th year when I was fortunate to spend a month in England and Scotland. At the time we were told that it was the coldest August on record but from the lake district we could see snow on the caps of the mountains. To this day, whenever I see snow, I can still remember the very first time I saw it and how I felt.
If I am quite honest with myself, I love the snow. The purity, the feeling of warmth that it generates within me. The seemingly haphazard way that flakes fall and the sensation one gets when a flake falls on your nose and melts.
The little town I live in has a bridge right on the outside of the town that you have to cross. The river that runs beneath it is all covered with white and the swans have gone to find less solid parts of the river.
Since I have been in Germany it's been more white than green but I can't wait to see what spring holds. It's been snowing every day since Saturday although not for the entire day either. I can't imagine that in another month, month and a half that it will be all gone.
If I am quite honest with myself, I love the snow. The purity, the feeling of warmth that it generates within me. The seemingly haphazard way that flakes fall and the sensation one gets when a flake falls on your nose and melts.
The little town I live in has a bridge right on the outside of the town that you have to cross. The river that runs beneath it is all covered with white and the swans have gone to find less solid parts of the river.
Since I have been in Germany it's been more white than green but I can't wait to see what spring holds. It's been snowing every day since Saturday although not for the entire day either. I can't imagine that in another month, month and a half that it will be all gone.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Busy busy busy
The computer still isn't up and running and to be quite honest I've been too busy to actually if it is working now. Unfortunately when one is busy, some things tend to suffer.
Had a great weekend in Garmisch, going to Prague on Sunday so I'm quite looking forward to that. Pictures (on disposable) didn't come out too great which is quite disappointing esp since those things aren't really cheap. Will have to remember to keep a camera with me at all times instead of toting around one of those blasted disposables. Lesson learned!
Hubby called on our anniversary, can't believe it's been 6 yrs already and we're into the 7th year. Egads where does the time fly.
This week is my Conversational German class. The class is only for 2 hours a day but that is just as well as the amount of stuff to learn is mindboggling. Right now I'm having issues with the definate articles (the) and today's mind blowing subject was telling time. More on that another time. Must head home now.
Had a great weekend in Garmisch, going to Prague on Sunday so I'm quite looking forward to that. Pictures (on disposable) didn't come out too great which is quite disappointing esp since those things aren't really cheap. Will have to remember to keep a camera with me at all times instead of toting around one of those blasted disposables. Lesson learned!
Hubby called on our anniversary, can't believe it's been 6 yrs already and we're into the 7th year. Egads where does the time fly.
This week is my Conversational German class. The class is only for 2 hours a day but that is just as well as the amount of stuff to learn is mindboggling. Right now I'm having issues with the definate articles (the) and today's mind blowing subject was telling time. More on that another time. Must head home now.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Darn Computer
Computer at home isn't working.
Had a great time this weekend at my trip. Took lots of pictures (see above note) with the digital camera.
Going to Prague on Sunday, will take more pictures then.
Really busy this week as girlchild has gotten suspended from riding the bus (more later).
Had a great time this weekend at my trip. Took lots of pictures (see above note) with the digital camera.
Going to Prague on Sunday, will take more pictures then.
Really busy this week as girlchild has gotten suspended from riding the bus (more later).
Thursday, January 26, 2006
New Fangled Things
Even before moving to Germany I gave serious thought to purchasing a digital camera. The digital camera I currently have is quite old (puts images on a 3.5" floppy) however still works really well (although I find the pictures come out a bit dark). I've asked almost everyone I know what kind of digital camera they have, I've read so many consumer reports and countless reviews that after being bogged down with information I was almost back to square one.
After talking with my friend Jin I realised that one of the main reasons for my wanting a digital camera is to send photos out with the shortest turnaround time. It had nothing to do with my wanting a new gadget or how cheap it will end up being in the long run. To be quite honest I enjoy my 35mm camera and I love taking pictures. There is no equal to opening your photo package and seeing what your photographs look like. To me it is almost like mini presents all year round (so much for instant gratification right). So after several emails to and from my mother and husband I shelved the idea indefinately, or so I thought.
Two days later my husband sends me an email telling me to get a digital camera. Of course I respond saying that I wasn't going to get one but I appreciated his support. The response was short, swift and sweet. Apparently the enthusiasm at the thought of buying one was infectuous that now he wanted one and really wanted me to purchase two, one for me and one for him. I guess this tour in Iraq is quite different from his last one and it feels more like he wants me to "see" certain things that are there. When I was visiting my mother, she showed me a book that she had been given. In this rather large book were pictures. These were ordinary pictures, but then again, not quite so ordinary. The book was organized alphabetically and there was a two-page spread for every country on this planet. There was one main picture and about 4 or 5 other smaller ones, each depicting something different. It wasn't unusual to see a photograph of one well-known place and yet others may not be as well known. I know that I may never be lucky enough to travel to Afghanistan but I still remember the photograph of a Mosque that was in that book. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of that building. Despite what is happening in the sandbox, I know that there are some gorgeous, breath takingly scenic views to be had. But I digress.
After much deliberation and many emails back and forth, I decided to buy a digital camera (Samsung). Oh my word, talk about confusing. My camera of preference is a manual 35mm and I'm used to setting the camera up depending on what sort of scene I'm taking. Knowing that was only a drop in the bucket. Trying to figure out how and where to set all of this stuff up on this digital is a job for a rocket scientist. With that being said, I'm sure many people have bought this camera in the past, left everything on auto and called it a day. Unfortunately that isn't me.
Anyway the digital camera has been tinkered with a little bit. I just hope I remember everything for when I go to shoot the first picture. Now I just need to remember to take it with me tomorrow. I'll take some photos with it, hope for the best and then send the camera to the husband.
After talking with my friend Jin I realised that one of the main reasons for my wanting a digital camera is to send photos out with the shortest turnaround time. It had nothing to do with my wanting a new gadget or how cheap it will end up being in the long run. To be quite honest I enjoy my 35mm camera and I love taking pictures. There is no equal to opening your photo package and seeing what your photographs look like. To me it is almost like mini presents all year round (so much for instant gratification right). So after several emails to and from my mother and husband I shelved the idea indefinately, or so I thought.
Two days later my husband sends me an email telling me to get a digital camera. Of course I respond saying that I wasn't going to get one but I appreciated his support. The response was short, swift and sweet. Apparently the enthusiasm at the thought of buying one was infectuous that now he wanted one and really wanted me to purchase two, one for me and one for him. I guess this tour in Iraq is quite different from his last one and it feels more like he wants me to "see" certain things that are there. When I was visiting my mother, she showed me a book that she had been given. In this rather large book were pictures. These were ordinary pictures, but then again, not quite so ordinary. The book was organized alphabetically and there was a two-page spread for every country on this planet. There was one main picture and about 4 or 5 other smaller ones, each depicting something different. It wasn't unusual to see a photograph of one well-known place and yet others may not be as well known. I know that I may never be lucky enough to travel to Afghanistan but I still remember the photograph of a Mosque that was in that book. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of that building. Despite what is happening in the sandbox, I know that there are some gorgeous, breath takingly scenic views to be had. But I digress.
After much deliberation and many emails back and forth, I decided to buy a digital camera (Samsung). Oh my word, talk about confusing. My camera of preference is a manual 35mm and I'm used to setting the camera up depending on what sort of scene I'm taking. Knowing that was only a drop in the bucket. Trying to figure out how and where to set all of this stuff up on this digital is a job for a rocket scientist. With that being said, I'm sure many people have bought this camera in the past, left everything on auto and called it a day. Unfortunately that isn't me.
Anyway the digital camera has been tinkered with a little bit. I just hope I remember everything for when I go to shoot the first picture. Now I just need to remember to take it with me tomorrow. I'll take some photos with it, hope for the best and then send the camera to the husband.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Can you say brrrr?
This all started on Sunday night when my neighbour Barbara came by to borrow some last minute things for her daughter's homework. Barbara and I had a short discussion about our respective kids homework and the last thing she mentioned to me before she headed back next door was to say that she'd heard on the news prior to coming over that sometime this week we are to expect a cold front.
I didn't think anything more of until late last night when my friend from Regensburg (about 25 mins away) was complaining of how cold she was. What do I do this morning? Get online and find out what the temperature is. From 8am until around 10:30am it was 10F (although it felt like 2F) and the forecast for today had the high of 27F and the low of 21F. Well you can imagine my dismay when I discovered that we were well below the forecasted low temperature.
I knew I had to make myself head to post today but I didn't see the sense in rushing myself as I still had to find my husband's weight belt and workout gloves that were in his dungeon (the affectionate name given to any room in any of our houses where all of his military gear resides). Those items weren't quite where he said, but the room is still more or less a mess (and with it being in the basement and as cold as it is, I'm not rushing to go and tidy up that room) so I didn't feel too bad throwing things around.
With those items being found along with the other surprises I was sending him (as he tells me that even though they have a PX out there in the sandbox, they're always out of whatever it is that he needs) they were boxed up and once again I look at the temperature. By now it's 11am and we've moved up 1 degreeF. Yay, warmer, only slightly *sighs*. I figure I can't possibly stall for anymore time as by now the PX is open (11am) and the commissary is open (I think 10am) so away I go.
I managed to do my errands and make it home safely without too much issue or complaint (but I had several layers of clothes on). The only thing that I found annoying is that my feet couldn't stay warm. By the time I got home the temperature made it all the way up to 16F (feels like 7F). So now I'm going to go on amazon.com and hope they have something suitable.
I didn't think anything more of until late last night when my friend from Regensburg (about 25 mins away) was complaining of how cold she was. What do I do this morning? Get online and find out what the temperature is. From 8am until around 10:30am it was 10F (although it felt like 2F) and the forecast for today had the high of 27F and the low of 21F. Well you can imagine my dismay when I discovered that we were well below the forecasted low temperature.
I knew I had to make myself head to post today but I didn't see the sense in rushing myself as I still had to find my husband's weight belt and workout gloves that were in his dungeon (the affectionate name given to any room in any of our houses where all of his military gear resides). Those items weren't quite where he said, but the room is still more or less a mess (and with it being in the basement and as cold as it is, I'm not rushing to go and tidy up that room) so I didn't feel too bad throwing things around.
With those items being found along with the other surprises I was sending him (as he tells me that even though they have a PX out there in the sandbox, they're always out of whatever it is that he needs) they were boxed up and once again I look at the temperature. By now it's 11am and we've moved up 1 degreeF. Yay, warmer, only slightly *sighs*. I figure I can't possibly stall for anymore time as by now the PX is open (11am) and the commissary is open (I think 10am) so away I go.
I managed to do my errands and make it home safely without too much issue or complaint (but I had several layers of clothes on). The only thing that I found annoying is that my feet couldn't stay warm. By the time I got home the temperature made it all the way up to 16F (feels like 7F). So now I'm going to go on amazon.com and hope they have something suitable.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
What happens when you have a cold.
For most of last week I have fought the good fight against this cold. I am quite in tune with my body and when it tells me that if I don't act, I'm soon going to have a nasty cold I start to listen and act. Three days this went on and I hoped I would be victorious. Yeah, that didn't happen. Not only do I have this monster of a head cold, but it seems that our bedroom in the loft area has a draft. So I went to bed Wednesday night feeling fine and woke up on Thursday morning with a head full of fuzzies.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I really dislike taking any forms of medication unless I have to. Sore runny noses fall under the catergory of having to. It doesn't matter what the writing on the box says as 95% of the time, any medication will make me drowsy. Whether it will keep me asleep however is another matter entirely. I have this deep seated need to be in control (of myself normally) which is why I dislike taking medication, drink moderately and have never done drugs.
As you well know if you've read past posts, I'm not working. I won't belabor the point of feeling guilty about this however it means that my mornings don't start until around 10am even though I'm up at 6am. The only motivation for my 6am wake up is to ensure that the girlchild gets off to school. While she'd love to stay home with me, somehow I don't have the patience for and I don't think she'd enjoy being homeschooled as much as she thinks.
The normal routine is to wake her up, fix her lunch and put the cereal out for her breakfast. Last year sometime I started fixing her lunches as the amount of money we were spending on school lunches were too high when you consider that she'd be ravenous when she got home, and yes, this is after going back in the queue for a 2nd lunch. I figure that we were going to spend that much money I could at least send her to school with a healthy lunch that would fill her up until she got home.
Since having this cold I get online as soon as I'm finished, not only to ensure that she takes her lunch and eats her breakfast, but also to make sure that she catches the bus, otherwise I'd just fall back to sleep. These last several mornings I have done my usual, checking of/responding to emails, reading the online versions of the newspapers from back home, getting on my other blog and just generally hanging out.
These last two days I have gotten to know one of my internet pals a lot better and started a friendship with another one. Legion, for want of a better name, I have spoken to off and on for several years. Up until yesterday morning the only thing I knew about him other than his gender is that he lived in the USA. I won't go into details but I learnt that his early life was very difficult and it's a sheer miracle that he is still alive. He is alive despite his ailments and bouts of depression but it's a testament to his sense of humour, sense of self and general all around pleasure of life which is why he's alive.
I find that there are so many people on the internet that you talk to and you barely get a glimpse into their lives. Sometimes the picture you get is all wonderful which may hide a deep dark secret and others the pictures are heart wrenching as they have a hard time finding the silver lining. Unfortunately what you rarely get is an entire picture. Yesterday I felt as though I really connected with someone which is a great feeling and one I rarely get.
Now Dost (his regular handle is quite a bit longer) and I had a fascinating discussion. I'm not sure where else I've ever been able to have an hour conversation about genealogy and the fascination and frustration of it all outside of a forum dedicated to that subject. It made me think that a little over 6 years ago I really started to do some research but came up with nothing but dead ends. In retrospect I find it amusing that right after I had shelved the idea that someone created a group dedicated to that same very thing and I wasn't to find this group for another 3 years. I owe a lot to this group as they've found lots of information for me while doing their own research and it's humbling to find distant relatives who are on the quest as you. While my research takes me to a different part of the planet than Dost, we have very similar blockades and it's interesting to note that even a first world country doesn't always keep the best records. For a second day in a row I really feel like I've made a connection.
This isn't to say that these are the first times I've made similar connections, it's just that those connections I've made in the past, those people are more like friends and family even though I still haven't met some of them. We keep in contact as our lives allow and there are days when I have a hard time remembering life without them.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I really dislike taking any forms of medication unless I have to. Sore runny noses fall under the catergory of having to. It doesn't matter what the writing on the box says as 95% of the time, any medication will make me drowsy. Whether it will keep me asleep however is another matter entirely. I have this deep seated need to be in control (of myself normally) which is why I dislike taking medication, drink moderately and have never done drugs.
As you well know if you've read past posts, I'm not working. I won't belabor the point of feeling guilty about this however it means that my mornings don't start until around 10am even though I'm up at 6am. The only motivation for my 6am wake up is to ensure that the girlchild gets off to school. While she'd love to stay home with me, somehow I don't have the patience for and I don't think she'd enjoy being homeschooled as much as she thinks.
The normal routine is to wake her up, fix her lunch and put the cereal out for her breakfast. Last year sometime I started fixing her lunches as the amount of money we were spending on school lunches were too high when you consider that she'd be ravenous when she got home, and yes, this is after going back in the queue for a 2nd lunch. I figure that we were going to spend that much money I could at least send her to school with a healthy lunch that would fill her up until she got home.
Since having this cold I get online as soon as I'm finished, not only to ensure that she takes her lunch and eats her breakfast, but also to make sure that she catches the bus, otherwise I'd just fall back to sleep. These last several mornings I have done my usual, checking of/responding to emails, reading the online versions of the newspapers from back home, getting on my other blog and just generally hanging out.
These last two days I have gotten to know one of my internet pals a lot better and started a friendship with another one. Legion, for want of a better name, I have spoken to off and on for several years. Up until yesterday morning the only thing I knew about him other than his gender is that he lived in the USA. I won't go into details but I learnt that his early life was very difficult and it's a sheer miracle that he is still alive. He is alive despite his ailments and bouts of depression but it's a testament to his sense of humour, sense of self and general all around pleasure of life which is why he's alive.
I find that there are so many people on the internet that you talk to and you barely get a glimpse into their lives. Sometimes the picture you get is all wonderful which may hide a deep dark secret and others the pictures are heart wrenching as they have a hard time finding the silver lining. Unfortunately what you rarely get is an entire picture. Yesterday I felt as though I really connected with someone which is a great feeling and one I rarely get.
Now Dost (his regular handle is quite a bit longer) and I had a fascinating discussion. I'm not sure where else I've ever been able to have an hour conversation about genealogy and the fascination and frustration of it all outside of a forum dedicated to that subject. It made me think that a little over 6 years ago I really started to do some research but came up with nothing but dead ends. In retrospect I find it amusing that right after I had shelved the idea that someone created a group dedicated to that same very thing and I wasn't to find this group for another 3 years. I owe a lot to this group as they've found lots of information for me while doing their own research and it's humbling to find distant relatives who are on the quest as you. While my research takes me to a different part of the planet than Dost, we have very similar blockades and it's interesting to note that even a first world country doesn't always keep the best records. For a second day in a row I really feel like I've made a connection.
This isn't to say that these are the first times I've made similar connections, it's just that those connections I've made in the past, those people are more like friends and family even though I still haven't met some of them. We keep in contact as our lives allow and there are days when I have a hard time remembering life without them.
Monday, January 23, 2006
What have we become?
This morning while trying to fall back asleep after sending the girlchild off to school I happened to switch the channel and Oprah was on. Until moving to Germany I may have watched a total of maybe 10 Oprah shows. This isn't to say that I am for or against watching her, but until moving I've never had the time to watch it.
The last show I watched of hers before coming here was one about pack rats and what people save and to be frank that show scared the bejesus out of me. Just to summarize that episode, the woman in question had been married over 25 years, she was still wearing underwear (with the help of clothes pins) from when she was first married, her bathroom had disposable razors that she was still using after 3 and 4 months and she had a pound of ground beef in her freezer for almost 10 years that was cement grey. They had people come in to take air samples and to swab her kitchen sink and bathroom toilet and the results were enough to give anyone heart failure.
Anyway I digress. The show that aired today (I believe aired in the US on Friday) was about a couple who were arrested because they hired a stripper for their son's 16th birthday party. Apparently the issue wasn't so much that they hired her, but her son had taken explicit photographs after they had given the stripper additional money to go completely nude. The mother took the roll of film in to be developed and the police were called in.
A lot of people are outraged at this for obvious reasons. I'm not going to stand on pedestal and wag my finger at them and say what poor parenting that showed, but I have another angle. Imagine the same scenario, but instead the birthday boy had a digital camera. Would this episode have gone unnoticed? What happened with the stripper? I gather that she wasn't charged with anything. Surely she must have figured out that going topless for a bunch of 16 year olds was one thing, but rubbing her genitals in their faces or other places...
The closest I would take a teenager to a female naked body would be to a museum or to Hooters, but probably in that order. That isn't to say that I'm a prude or anything, but I draw the line at encouraging a minor into something along those lines.
What have we become; Just look what we have done; All that we destroyed; You must build again
White Lion: When The Children Cry
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Thumbs up for Technology
I used to live for the weekends, now that I'm not working they don't hold the same enjoyment for me.
The only thing I have planned for this weekend is to go to a play tonight. I'm hoping that my head cold goes to sleep for the duration of the trip and the play as right now I'm walking around in a cloud of fog.
Today I am thankful for technology being what it is. I remember when I started college and I had used the first internet browser and seen the first web page and that was when the majority of people who had email accounts were through an institute of higher learning. It is amazing to think back just how times have changed.
As I mentioned, I am thankful for technology. The girlchild came home from school yesterday with her prideplan and a letter th at she'd written. This prideplan is a weekly sheet that they get at the beginning of the week and although there isn't much space on there to write a lot, I think it's a very good idea. This sheet has columns for Monday through Friday and is divided into sections for behaviour, teacher comment area, homework assignment, what books they've been reading and for how long, a section for parents to send a comment to the teacher and a signature area for parent to say they acknowledge everything on the paper. The girlchild had a problem with her conduct yesterday and after talking to her about it, she felt justified in her actions (kicking the bathroom door after being spoken to by her teacher) and said that the next time it'd just get worst with the teacher. If this had been any other child I would have just said that it's anger talking and that they don't really mean it. However when this same child has been in counselling at school (for behaviour at school) and counselling after school (for behaviour at home) you can't afford to take statements like that too lightly.
My husband has been deployed less than a month and we decided that he wouldn't call on a scheduled basis. The only time/s he'd call would be if I asked him to or if he wanted to. This works out fine for me as I am lucky enough to get several emails from him daily and he doesn't really enjoy talking on the phone. Anyway, I sent him an email yesterday about what was going on and suggested that maybe he should call. It seems that whenever daddy is away, I'm the mean dragonlady occupying space. Of course during this time she feels that if daddy were here he wouldn't think this was a big deal yadda yadda yadda. This isn't true, but you can make yourself believe all sorts of things when said person isn't around to set you straight.
Thankfully hubby did get the email and called within 25 minutes and they seemed to have a nice phone call. Turns out that she didn't like what her father had to say and refused to comment any more on it. Amazing how that happens.
I wish I was feeling better so I could drive and see what Vilseck has to offer, however that is going to be the case. The cold meds that I've been taking said not to drive as it can make you drowsy (any and all meds seem to make me drowsy) so I guess we'll be staying in and I'll be hoping that she won't be complaining about how bored she is.
The only thing I have planned for this weekend is to go to a play tonight. I'm hoping that my head cold goes to sleep for the duration of the trip and the play as right now I'm walking around in a cloud of fog.
Today I am thankful for technology being what it is. I remember when I started college and I had used the first internet browser and seen the first web page and that was when the majority of people who had email accounts were through an institute of higher learning. It is amazing to think back just how times have changed.
As I mentioned, I am thankful for technology. The girlchild came home from school yesterday with her prideplan and a letter th at she'd written. This prideplan is a weekly sheet that they get at the beginning of the week and although there isn't much space on there to write a lot, I think it's a very good idea. This sheet has columns for Monday through Friday and is divided into sections for behaviour, teacher comment area, homework assignment, what books they've been reading and for how long, a section for parents to send a comment to the teacher and a signature area for parent to say they acknowledge everything on the paper. The girlchild had a problem with her conduct yesterday and after talking to her about it, she felt justified in her actions (kicking the bathroom door after being spoken to by her teacher) and said that the next time it'd just get worst with the teacher. If this had been any other child I would have just said that it's anger talking and that they don't really mean it. However when this same child has been in counselling at school (for behaviour at school) and counselling after school (for behaviour at home) you can't afford to take statements like that too lightly.
My husband has been deployed less than a month and we decided that he wouldn't call on a scheduled basis. The only time/s he'd call would be if I asked him to or if he wanted to. This works out fine for me as I am lucky enough to get several emails from him daily and he doesn't really enjoy talking on the phone. Anyway, I sent him an email yesterday about what was going on and suggested that maybe he should call. It seems that whenever daddy is away, I'm the mean dragonlady occupying space. Of course during this time she feels that if daddy were here he wouldn't think this was a big deal yadda yadda yadda. This isn't true, but you can make yourself believe all sorts of things when said person isn't around to set you straight.
Thankfully hubby did get the email and called within 25 minutes and they seemed to have a nice phone call. Turns out that she didn't like what her father had to say and refused to comment any more on it. Amazing how that happens.
I wish I was feeling better so I could drive and see what Vilseck has to offer, however that is going to be the case. The cold meds that I've been taking said not to drive as it can make you drowsy (any and all meds seem to make me drowsy) so I guess we'll be staying in and I'll be hoping that she won't be complaining about how bored she is.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
These are days...
...you'll remember. Never before and never sine, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this. And as you feel it, you'll know it's that that you are blessed and lucky. It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you. These are days you'll remember.
Right now this part of the song is running through my head. How anything can run trhough my head right now is beyond me. Talking to the girl child is akin to hitting your head against a brick wall, minus the blood. Right now my head is pounding... throbbig and the 12oz of Smirfnoff Ice Triple Black isn't helping it go away. I have to ask myself day in and day out why I try and help as I go to bed emotionally drained and so tired that I am unable to sleep. Prime time television selections grow dismal as time goes on so I resort to reading and by the list of books I've read this year thus far, you can see how much sleep I'm not getting.
Of course the weather isn't helping either. I have been fighing off a cold for a couple of days and the cold that seeps in through my shoes and slowly makes its way up the rest of my body is enough to keep me in a funk for days. Maybe I can avoid going anywhere and avoid all this. Unfortunately that isn't to be the case as I have another hungry belly to feed and somehow I don't think that will go over well. I just want to curl myself around a warm ball and hibernate for the winter.
These are days by 10,000 Maniacs
Right now this part of the song is running through my head. How anything can run trhough my head right now is beyond me. Talking to the girl child is akin to hitting your head against a brick wall, minus the blood. Right now my head is pounding... throbbig and the 12oz of Smirfnoff Ice Triple Black isn't helping it go away. I have to ask myself day in and day out why I try and help as I go to bed emotionally drained and so tired that I am unable to sleep. Prime time television selections grow dismal as time goes on so I resort to reading and by the list of books I've read this year thus far, you can see how much sleep I'm not getting.
Of course the weather isn't helping either. I have been fighing off a cold for a couple of days and the cold that seeps in through my shoes and slowly makes its way up the rest of my body is enough to keep me in a funk for days. Maybe I can avoid going anywhere and avoid all this. Unfortunately that isn't to be the case as I have another hungry belly to feed and somehow I don't think that will go over well. I just want to curl myself around a warm ball and hibernate for the winter.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Where has all the time gone?
I can't believe it's been a while since I've posted. I wish I could say I've been super busy but that hasn't been the case. The only busy thing I've done has been reading like crazy.
Yesterday was MLK and so B was out of school. Thankfully several weeks ago the FRG leader here (Edna) said she was going to Kaiser Porzellan and invited us to follow. I guess no one else took her up on it, but not only do I love pottery (having done some myself) but I thought it'd be a nice trip for me and B while her father was gone (yeah, he's so not into that). I was told that it would take about 1.5 hrs to get there, but driving at 85mph we got there in about an hour.
Hopefully later I can get my digital camera to work and will take pictures of what we bought but I think I did fairly well. I had done some research and figured out what pieces I liked (that were affordable) and I was pleasantly surprised that the prices at the factory were 50% of what was online/in brochure. Major kudos there.
Today I'm feeling rather icky as I think I'm getting sick but thankfully the only thing I have planned to do today is to work on my husband's PDA. That should be a lot of fun.
Got email from hubby this morning and he was thinking that since B enjoys taking pictures like I do, that we should get her a camera. While I'm all for that, I'm going to see about getting her a cheapy film camera. I'd like to be sure that she's going to take care of her camera before I go out and spend money on a really nice one. I will have to go back to the PX tomorrow and see but I don't remember them having a lot of selection there. The websites (walmart, target, kmart) don't offer a lot of selection but amazon does but they only mail those within the US (a $20 camera and will only mail within the US, what a crock).
Oh well, that's all that's up with me. The only things that are coming up are this Saturday my internet friend is in a play which I'm taking B to, the following weekend we're going to Garmisch for the long weekend and Sunday February 5th, we're going on a daytrip to Prague. Man I'm tired just thinking about it.
Yesterday was MLK and so B was out of school. Thankfully several weeks ago the FRG leader here (Edna) said she was going to Kaiser Porzellan and invited us to follow. I guess no one else took her up on it, but not only do I love pottery (having done some myself) but I thought it'd be a nice trip for me and B while her father was gone (yeah, he's so not into that). I was told that it would take about 1.5 hrs to get there, but driving at 85mph we got there in about an hour.
Hopefully later I can get my digital camera to work and will take pictures of what we bought but I think I did fairly well. I had done some research and figured out what pieces I liked (that were affordable) and I was pleasantly surprised that the prices at the factory were 50% of what was online/in brochure. Major kudos there.
Today I'm feeling rather icky as I think I'm getting sick but thankfully the only thing I have planned to do today is to work on my husband's PDA. That should be a lot of fun.
Got email from hubby this morning and he was thinking that since B enjoys taking pictures like I do, that we should get her a camera. While I'm all for that, I'm going to see about getting her a cheapy film camera. I'd like to be sure that she's going to take care of her camera before I go out and spend money on a really nice one. I will have to go back to the PX tomorrow and see but I don't remember them having a lot of selection there. The websites (walmart, target, kmart) don't offer a lot of selection but amazon does but they only mail those within the US (a $20 camera and will only mail within the US, what a crock).
Oh well, that's all that's up with me. The only things that are coming up are this Saturday my internet friend is in a play which I'm taking B to, the following weekend we're going to Garmisch for the long weekend and Sunday February 5th, we're going on a daytrip to Prague. Man I'm tired just thinking about it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Early mornings...
do not agree with me, however I managed to get everything done and dragged myself out of the door to arrive 1 minute early for my class. I am so proud of myself.
Class went well, although the presenter was surprised (she was doing stress management) that my stress level was so high (she said to think about the last 12 months) and even more so that I wasn't surprised about it. Uhm hello... let me do a quick run down. Single parent to 1 14 year old male child and 1 8 year old female child. 14 year old had major issues and we would clash constantly. Ended up being so bad that he no longer lives with us anymore. Was single parent as my husband was in Korea for what initially was 12 months but ended up being about 6 months. Had to do all the paperwork and arrangements to move the contents of the house from AZ to Germany, flew to see my parents, my dear friend was having Chemo and radiation treatment, had to make arrangements to ship my car and drive it to the processing center (from AZ to Dallas), moved to Germany, husband is currently deployed and those are just the highlights. I would be awfully dumb not to think that last year was stressful.
Managed to get most of my errands done today and now I'm back home and trying to thaw out. Was rather pleased with myself as I went to the grocery store and got quite a number of things discounted. Definately chuffed about that. Going to take some downtime on the sofa with my book while I figure out what I'm fixing for dinner.
Class went well, although the presenter was surprised (she was doing stress management) that my stress level was so high (she said to think about the last 12 months) and even more so that I wasn't surprised about it. Uhm hello... let me do a quick run down. Single parent to 1 14 year old male child and 1 8 year old female child. 14 year old had major issues and we would clash constantly. Ended up being so bad that he no longer lives with us anymore. Was single parent as my husband was in Korea for what initially was 12 months but ended up being about 6 months. Had to do all the paperwork and arrangements to move the contents of the house from AZ to Germany, flew to see my parents, my dear friend was having Chemo and radiation treatment, had to make arrangements to ship my car and drive it to the processing center (from AZ to Dallas), moved to Germany, husband is currently deployed and those are just the highlights. I would be awfully dumb not to think that last year was stressful.
Managed to get most of my errands done today and now I'm back home and trying to thaw out. Was rather pleased with myself as I went to the grocery store and got quite a number of things discounted. Definately chuffed about that. Going to take some downtime on the sofa with my book while I figure out what I'm fixing for dinner.
Monday, January 09, 2006
... And we're back
Yes I'm back online and so far so good. I've been back online less than 4 hours and I've already had 1 trojan and my newly installed firewall has blocked 4 attempts already.
Right now the girl-child is upstairs playing with the little girl that lives next door S. S is two years older than the girl-child but only 1 grade ahead of her in school. While I do like S and enjoy having her around I feel really sorry for her. She is a very pretty girl and has a skewed sense of popularity and desires nothing else but to be popular. The sad part of it all is that most of the kids at her school doesn't like her and the majority of the other kids in the neighbourhood doesn't like her either. A big part of it seems to be her inbuilt self defense mechanism that seems to put everyone off. I just hope for her sake that she is able to resolve all if it as she really is a lovely girl.
Apart from that I haven't been doing too much really. I ran around last week and I honestly couldn't tell you what I accomplished (apart from reinstalling the computer). I did sign myself up for some classes (free) that should keep me out of trouble while the hubby has deployed. Took the girl-child to see Narnia yesterday and she said that she really enjoyed it. Poor thing cried almost throughout the entire movie. She has the entire series of Narnia books and I hope the movie stirred some interest in her reading the series.
Right now the girl-child is upstairs playing with the little girl that lives next door S. S is two years older than the girl-child but only 1 grade ahead of her in school. While I do like S and enjoy having her around I feel really sorry for her. She is a very pretty girl and has a skewed sense of popularity and desires nothing else but to be popular. The sad part of it all is that most of the kids at her school doesn't like her and the majority of the other kids in the neighbourhood doesn't like her either. A big part of it seems to be her inbuilt self defense mechanism that seems to put everyone off. I just hope for her sake that she is able to resolve all if it as she really is a lovely girl.
Apart from that I haven't been doing too much really. I ran around last week and I honestly couldn't tell you what I accomplished (apart from reinstalling the computer). I did sign myself up for some classes (free) that should keep me out of trouble while the hubby has deployed. Took the girl-child to see Narnia yesterday and she said that she really enjoyed it. Poor thing cried almost throughout the entire movie. She has the entire series of Narnia books and I hope the movie stirred some interest in her reading the series.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Keep your fingers crossed...
Well the computer has been loaded, software etc burned off, re-partitioned and re-loaded. Now I'm waiting until Monday to get a call from the tech support desk to help me get connected to the internet.
Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well.
Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Still around
Today has been crazy. I'm at the library using the machine and it's not the same as doing it from the comforts of your own home. Today i'm trying to fix the one computer I know what's wrong with it. Wish me luck.
Year in Review
2005 was a very good year for me overall.
I met some wonderful people (both online and in person), reconnected with some old friends, got to see family, moved to a new country and most importantly realised that I'm still a strong person.
There are lots of things that I still would like to do, but these aren't the resolution type of things. Maybe they should be, but they're not.
Books as of June 2005
Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
The Serpent's Shadow - Mercedes Lackey
Bad Attitude - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Mirage - Soheir Khashoggi
Grave Sight - Charlaine Harris
Mosaic - Soheir Khashoggi
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) - J.K. Rowling
Blue Smoke - Nora Roberts
Point Blank - Catherine Coulter
Voyager - Diana Gabaldon
Without Mercy - Jack Higgins
State of Fear - Michael Crichton
Impossible - Danielle Steel
London Bridges - James Patterson
Genevieve - Eric Jerome Dickey
Black Rose - Nora Roberts
Bloody Bones - Laurell K Hamilton
Heart of Devin McKade - Nora Roberts
Almost Adam - Petru Popescu
The Cabinet of Curiosities - Douglas Preston
The Lair of Bones - David Farland
Crescent - Diana Abu-Jaber
The Kingmaker - Brian Haig
A Stroke of Midnight - Laurell K Hamilton
Hour Game - David Baldacci
3rd Degree - James Patterson
Allies - Brian Haig
I met some wonderful people (both online and in person), reconnected with some old friends, got to see family, moved to a new country and most importantly realised that I'm still a strong person.
There are lots of things that I still would like to do, but these aren't the resolution type of things. Maybe they should be, but they're not.
Books as of June 2005
Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
The Serpent's Shadow - Mercedes Lackey
Bad Attitude - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Mirage - Soheir Khashoggi
Grave Sight - Charlaine Harris
Mosaic - Soheir Khashoggi
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) - J.K. Rowling
Blue Smoke - Nora Roberts
Point Blank - Catherine Coulter
Voyager - Diana Gabaldon
Without Mercy - Jack Higgins
State of Fear - Michael Crichton
Impossible - Danielle Steel
London Bridges - James Patterson
Genevieve - Eric Jerome Dickey
Black Rose - Nora Roberts
Bloody Bones - Laurell K Hamilton
Heart of Devin McKade - Nora Roberts
Almost Adam - Petru Popescu
The Cabinet of Curiosities - Douglas Preston
The Lair of Bones - David Farland
Crescent - Diana Abu-Jaber
The Kingmaker - Brian Haig
A Stroke of Midnight - Laurell K Hamilton
Hour Game - David Baldacci
3rd Degree - James Patterson
Allies - Brian Haig
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