Misc. Thoughts and Things

Just wanted to remind myself one day as I'm looking back on our time over here of some various and interesting things that have been brought to mind lately:

*The Bachelor and Bachelorette Party thing over here is taken quite seriously. On the weekend we usually see 2 or 3 different groups walking all over town. We have witnessed and even participated in different aspects of these occassions. We have signed the shirt of a mobile party going down the road, seen shots of alcohol being taken with random strangers to the party, and the funniest thing we have seen (at least Bryan thinks so) is a group of Men with t-shirts on them that said "Game Over". It is truly a funny shirt, but when you stop to think about the fact that their language is not English - it is German - it is extra amusing. Bryan decided if he ever got married again - this ensemble would be a must.

*Mia told Me the other day that I wasn't pretty because I didn't wear a princess dress and crown or high heels :-( (I guess I better step it up a notch or 2)

*Mia's bike is the greatest invention that we have seen - and SOOOO Simple. The theory is that a tricycle helps you ride a bike, but you are not really riding a bike beacuse you aren't balancing in the least bit. The little kids over here, instead (of tricycles), ride real bikes withought pedals and instead use their feet to move. It serves as fast transportation, while also quickly teaching kids to balance. It is amazing how young some of these kids learn to ride. It is probably one of the coolest things that we have seen.

*Speaking of Bikes...last weekend all 5 of us went for a bike ride. When we were stopped at a street light, Mia announced to me that we were just like the family on the Sound of Music - I thought that so cute that she even remembered that!

*Today we went to a festival in town and of all things the theme was "Americana." It was fun to see what "Americana" was like to the Germans. The theme was "Wild West" and there was even a bull ride. Too funny.

*When our friends came back from living in Germany, they said the hardest thing to get used to was how loud the restaurants are in the States. I whole heartedly agree, because the entire country here (o.k., maybe I'm exaggerating a little) is sooo quiet. Our family has single handedly raised the decibel level by at least 5 notches. We are so loud! I even thought we were loud back in the states, but here it is strikingily noticable. I never have to worry where anyone is because all I have to do is listen. It is one of the hardest things to get used too. Quite amusing!!!

*It's sounds pretty bad when your 8 year old is telling his friend how cool a particular Bier Garten (Beer Garden) is - because he has been there once or twice - and it really is cool for him (playground and all).

*It's extra bad when your 4 year old daughter recognizes the elf that is on the truck of our favorite beer and yells - Look Mommy and Daddy - Fassla!!!

*In all honesty, the Beer here is considered a food. It is part of meals, as are vegtables and meat. It is hard to get used to the fact that Beer is available everywhere at all times (for example; McDonalds, Lunch Breaks, Children's functions, Beer Machines in the Hotel Lobby - just like a Coke Machine, Church Functions etc. It is available everywhere, but rarely abused. It is interesting how this culture has created an atmosphere where it seems to work just fine. One other interesting note - you can drink at the age of 16, but can't drive until you are 18!

*Mia had her friend Megan sleep over last night. At 5:25 AM (yes, way too early) they were awake. They are so loud so I was able to hear Megan tell Mia how her Mom was in her Grandmom's tummy and then how she was in her Mom's tummy. I was a little sad that Mia couldn't say the same thing back to Megan. I will continue to tell her how special her circumstance is, but it made me stop and think. On the other hand, about 10 minutes later, Mia came into my room and said that her tummy didn't feel good and that she thinks she has a baby in it - SOOOO FUNNY!!!

*In the Spring, Summer and Fall we hardly ever see it dark here. It stays light until 9:30 and is light when we wake up at 5:30. The winter is another story though...