Train and Ketchup Heaven

Well it's been a while since I last posted because I've been saving money, which generally results in long nights alone watching my favorite show Veronica Mars or reading...not really blog worthy.  I've never had so much alone time in my life, and while it can be maddening, I'm learning to value it.  Let's see though, what has happened this month. We've had some gorgeous days so Piet and I have finally played outside and I've helped Catrin in the garden a little.  I've been running a good bit too, which makes me feel really good.  Some days I feel like I fly and others I drag along, don't know why. Um, I went with my host family to a neighbor's house where we all sat around a fire pit.  Felt a lot like hanging out with Madi and Tad, with one funny exception.  Instead of hot dog weenies, Germans cook bread on a stick! They just stick some dough on it and practice extreme patience as it bakes. I like our cook it fast, eat it fast method, but this was nice too. Still, there's a business endeavor in there somewhere.  Bratwurst + fire = Euros!!  (maybe)

I guess the most festive activity this month was celebrating St. Patrick's day in the Irish pub.  Elisa and I met up with some of her school friends and were later joined by Yvonne and her brother and it ended up being pretty fun.  There was a nice band called "Arish" who played really well and because Elisa was bustling around the stage as they performed, they took note of us and even dedicated a song to me. I think it was a typical American song so it came my way.  They played again that Friday, and considering the desperate nature of our social lives, we decided to act as their biggest fans to see them again. They seemed pleased to see us too and we played cards after the show.  Although they deemed the game Bull (ahem) stupid, they were funny and nice to get to know.  But, now they've returned to their land of Sweden and it's doubtful our paths will cross again.  Who knows though, facebook has made the world a much smaller place.

Piet would give me a stern look if heard me claim St. Patrick's day as more fun than Monday.  Because, after months and months (literally) of waiting, we finally journeyed to the much esteemed train restaurant!!  To quote Ashley in "Junebug"  it was "Better'n Christmas!"  I have never seen him so excited.  The trains were just like the video and brought all of our drinks and even our desserts right to our table.  Piet was fully impressed when his mom asked for ketchup and before the question had left her lips, the train had arrived with a full bowl.  He also loves ketchup, so really, he's been to heaven and back.  The food was good for us though and it was a delight to see Piet so excited.  Ah, youth.
   
Veggie cleaning continues to be a highlight of my weekly schedule.  Sadly though, I got hit with some rough news there a few weeks back. One of my favorite fellows there was killed in a car wreck the second week in March.  The lady who told me didn't speak English so it took me a few minutes to even know what she was saying, and it floored me.  He's the smiley guy to my right in the picture below and that smile was the first thing anyone noticed when he walked into a room. He didn't speak English either, but he always gave me chocolates that I would save up and distribute to my German class. Oye, death even happens when I'm hiding in Germany.  He will, most assuredly, be missed. 

On a happier note, I got to see another smiley face this weekend for the first time in a while.  Daniele has been the busy scientist that he is and between conferences in Britain and visits from other Italians, I hadn't seen him since my birthday trip.  So finally this weekend we met up and went to an amazing Brazilian restaurant in Oldenburg.  They have this awesome deal where you sit with an empty plate and the servers bring big portions of vegetables and meat and just keep filling up your plate throughout the night.  They had steaks and lamb on skewers and cut it fresh in front of you.  Oh my gosh, it was delicious.  I was so full when we left that laughing caused me great pain.  Didn't stop Daniele from making jokes though.  He is definitely my comic relief in this zany experience.

So, today Jorn's parents came over which was lovely as always.  Piet had two more sets of ears to hear the wonders of the train restaurant and we had a valid reason to eat apple walnut cake.  I am so insanely spoiled with food here.  When/if I get to grad school next year, these days of over eating delicious, free food prepared by other people will be sorely missed. I'm trying to run enough just to break even. I plan to take a break from fine dining in the next week while I spend a cheap-as-possible trip to LONDON!! Yep, leaving tomorrow night from Bremen.  Julie and I will get to Bremen early in the afternoon so we can chill and have dinner with my buddies Andre and Martin and then we'll be flying out!  We've got all our accommodations set and I've composed a list of must sees, but other than that we'll be playing it by ear. I'm just excited to speak English to anyone and everyone again.  It's hard to explain how psychologically restricting a language barrier is when you have to live within it day after day, and although I'm learning and managing, I'll be so happy for a break.  I can speak to the waitresses! I can communicate with the bus drivers! I can talk to strangers! (Just Kidding :)  So yeah, long blog will be due after that.

Please keep us in your prayers this week though.  Traveling reminds me that a billion million things can go wrong, and while using your brain helps the odds, you need the Big Man to have a smooth, enjoyable trip. Also, I'm still waiting to hear from Boston.  I've had to fuss to get some of my paper work in, but it's all there. I called today to confirm this and asked if applicants would still find out in the next days, but the lady said they expect it will be the end of April.  Can you believe that!?!  I really really really hope I find out sooner because I want to start working on a backup plan if it falls through, but I also just want to know where the next phase of my life will be taking me.  Limbo is a strange, uncomfortable place.  But when was a long awaited deadline not extended? I half expected this, but I'm still impatient.  Let me in your school, Boston University!!

Alright, rant over.  I'm going to call Mamma and Daddy and then get some sleep. Hey, we've hit the 6 month mark now.  I'll be home before you know it.  Love you!