Amis the (not so) Famous

I went to the doctor’s today. Now, I have been to the doctor in the US while I was away, and he was very good. But coming home to my own doctor was so much better. German doctors take their time and answer questions, AND WAIT to see if you have any more. They don’t brush you off with an authoritative tone when you have further worries, and there is no such thing as a 12 minute in and out rule. Keep reading →

I just talked to my brother in law about a ride home from the airport.  I’m excited to get back into my own home, despite the fact I will miss this old home of mine.  Anyway, it’s time to see just how much damaged our poor little car has after the freak hailstorm they had in Germany.  Fingers crossed please!

I’ve come to realize a few things.  First of all, trying to get any kind of writing done with the husband around is pointless.  Second, I don’t really want to go back to  Germany.  I know, what’s my freakin problem, huh?  Well, the problem is this: California is by far one of the best places on earth despite chronic fires, drought, and the threat of earthquakes.  There is a beach,  and mountains, and baseball exists here.  There is mouth watering Mexican food and shoes that come in colors other than black and brown.  Red, white and blue is a sign of nationalistic pride and not oppressive  occupation.  You can find everything and more thanks to rampant consumerism and the constant need for bigger, better, more.  They understand a drink needs plenty of ice here.  The weather is beautiful, and dammit, I have a tan!!

Germany is home now.  It is the place where all my stuff is.  It is equally beautiful in a quaint kind of way and the people are fabulous.  They have great bratwurst, bread and beer and understand that Italian food does not equal the Olive Garden.  I have terrific in-laws and a few good friends.  I can drive faster there.  Life is not as excessive, and therefor much more simple and relaxing.  So, what is my problem?

I guess it boils down to one simple fact:  You can take the girl out of America, but you can’t take the American out of the girl.  And by God, I am a rootin, tootin, flag waving dreamer at heart AND a true blue Californian.   People worldwide think I’m nuts and there’s not a damn thing I can or care to do about it.

So I need to find different activities in Germany.  There is no ocean, so rule that out.  There are no mountains by me.  I live in a very rural, flat bit of farmland.  Here are some options:

• start hunting
• start farming
• swimming  (problem: can’t exercise right now, doc’s orders)
• yoga  (again,  the no exercise rule)
• write write write!!
• more social interaction (problem: need to learn German)
• get a job (current pregnancy and the lack of German get in the way.  Maybe with the Brits?  The Americans?)
• find an art class
• start my 600 hours of German integration coursework required by the government (Ok, but we were looking for fun here)
• drag race circut
• join the circus
• golf

Or maybe I should just stop whining and get on  with it.  Life is actually pretty good and who wants all ice in a drink anyway when it’s snowing?

I forgot mention that I went to the Dream Mall in Taiwan.  Yes, there is such a place, the Dream Mall. I immediately saw little cherubs handing out glossy shopping bags and free-gifts-with-purchases while basking in that glowing, golden light.  I’m pretty sure Brad Pitt would follow me around and tell me which jeans my ass looked fabulous in, and there’s a chocolate and wine restaurant where everything is calorie/  fat free.  Can you hear the “aaaaahhhhh” chorus?

Only I found this, and it still hurts my head. Keep reading →

A while ago I was tagged in a food quiz. Since I’m still playing blog catch up and seem to be back in my “I can’t sleep after 4:30 am” phase, I think it’s the perfect thing to do RIGHT NOW.

1. What food do you consider the best “date” food? In other words, what meal or food item do you think is sexiest to eat in the company of someone you would like to look sexy around?

First of all, I look sexy eating anything I can keep off my shirt. Having said that here are some random considerations. Keep reading →

Well, I’m back.  I know I’ve been terrible about writing, but a little over three weeks on the road visiting friends and family I haven’t seen in ages didn’t allow for much time to write.  Instead, I enjoyed familiar territory, good food, conversation, and enjoyed the company of countless people I hold dear to my heart.  It has been wonderful!!

Anyway, a quick little update about the current life and times of Amis the (not so) Famous. Keep reading →

I am here! I am in California! Finally in my home state! And while I miss my husband terribly as he flies away for work in Portugal, I am thrilled to be back in the USA!

First of all, people talk to you here. OK, it’s small talk, but it’s friendly, fun and I LOVE the fact that people don’t think I’m a freak for striking up a conversation with random strangers. I talked to the customs official as he swiped my passport. Airport security cracked jokes with me, fellow travelers chatted about the oversold plane, and I struck up an on flight friendship with the two ladies sitting next to me on the plane. I even shared CHEESE with one of them! The ongoing friendly banter is something that doesn’t happen in Germany and it’s refreshing to come home to! Thank you, America, for welcoming me home with a smile, open arms and a friendly conversation. I have missed you tremendously! Keep reading →

I have never in my life celebrated Easter Monday.  Just like there is a second day of Christmas (Dec. 26), there is a second day of Easter here in Germany; Easter Monday.  “Why”, I asked.  “Why is there an Easter Monday?”  The answer is simple.  Jesus died and was buried on a Friday.  Three days later he rose again.  So: 1. Saturday, 2. Sunday, 3. Easter Monday.  Simple math I have never done correctly, as I took for granted that three days was automatically Sunday and your holiday is over on Monday, as is the norm in the USA.  Germany gets it right.  They have Easter Monday.

 Of course in the last few days I have checked out the German holiday chocolate selection.  Chocolate eggs and bunnies, totally standard, but they also have chocolate ladybugs (normal) and chocolate potato bugs (totally weird) as signs of spring.  On top of the potato bugs I’m told that tonight, Easter Monday night, is the night the farmers all light bonfires in the fields in order to burn away the winter.  All I can say is I really hope it works, since we have had rain, slush, sleet and snow falling out of the sky for the last four days now.  Burn, baby, burn!

We went out with the family last night for dinner.  Very international affair.  Due to family origins we had the Germans, the British, and me, the lonely American at the table.  Had we mixed in my side of the family we would have a regular UN on our hands.  Keep reading →

I never thought I would say this. I am thrilled, yes THRILLED to be back at home in Germany. The open green spaces. The food, oh the FOOD! Eating is now enjoyable again, and not just something I have to do. (Although, sadly, this problem didn’t help me loose any weight while we were away.) The daffodils in bloom everywhere along with the spring buds on the trees. The clean crisp air and patchy blue sky. And finally the snow that was falling this morning. I had to get outside in it all.

My husband and I walked into the fresh crisp air this morning at about 8am. The brief storm had cast a thin white blanket of snow over the newly green fields. Soft piles of crisp white snow surrounded bright green and yellow daffodils, pink cherry and white apple blossoms. The sun had come out against a bright blue sky, and our breath billowed out like soft smoke from our mouths. Hand and hand we walked to the bakery for fresh roles for breakfast, smiling at the beauty surrounding us. It’s good to be home!