I mentioned him in an earlier post. I don't think we need him back any time soon.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/05/mtv.awards.russell.brand.ap/
Friday, September 5, 2008
First Day of School
First day of school was a success. When I walked into the house yesterday, A was laying on the couch looking very exhausted. With a lot of physical exercise and probably a lot of brain processing after a very relaxing summer, she went to bed last night without being asked which NEVER happens.
A is one of those kids that doesn’t immediately tell you everything you want to know about her day. You’ve got to wait for bits and pieces over a five hour time span and you need to know the right questions to ask. The first thing I asked her was were the girls nicer than she expected or meaner than she expected. She was very nervous about this so she had a very relieved look on her face and said, “Waaay nicer than I expected”. She said at one point in the classroom she was sitting at her desk and there was a wall of girls surrounding her. When she was being introduced to another girl, she asked A, “Are you from America?” When A responded yes, the girl said, “I love you!” They couldn’t believe she walked to school. So see, teenagers are universally lazy!
Some differences:
She doesn’t have the same schedule each day. For example, she had French on Thursday but she won’t have it again until next Tuesday. The different rotation of classes will keep her on her toes and she has a planner to help her.
She has to take two languages. She chose French and Latin. She has already had one year of French but quickly realized she was behind the other girls since they have all had two years and her St. Louis French teacher moved at a snail’s pace. She wanted to take Spanish but she would have been two years behind so we talked her into Latin, which was starting fresh.
They got a kick out of A’s “here” response when attendance was being taken. They just say “yes”.
When she walked in she was directed to go to the hall to get her picture taken. After standing puzzled in what we call the hall, she was directed to what we would call the auditorium.
I told her she needs to just relax and enjoy the differences. It’s going to be an interesting year.
A is one of those kids that doesn’t immediately tell you everything you want to know about her day. You’ve got to wait for bits and pieces over a five hour time span and you need to know the right questions to ask. The first thing I asked her was were the girls nicer than she expected or meaner than she expected. She was very nervous about this so she had a very relieved look on her face and said, “Waaay nicer than I expected”. She said at one point in the classroom she was sitting at her desk and there was a wall of girls surrounding her. When she was being introduced to another girl, she asked A, “Are you from America?” When A responded yes, the girl said, “I love you!” They couldn’t believe she walked to school. So see, teenagers are universally lazy!
Some differences:
She doesn’t have the same schedule each day. For example, she had French on Thursday but she won’t have it again until next Tuesday. The different rotation of classes will keep her on her toes and she has a planner to help her.
She has to take two languages. She chose French and Latin. She has already had one year of French but quickly realized she was behind the other girls since they have all had two years and her St. Louis French teacher moved at a snail’s pace. She wanted to take Spanish but she would have been two years behind so we talked her into Latin, which was starting fresh.
They got a kick out of A’s “here” response when attendance was being taken. They just say “yes”.
When she walked in she was directed to go to the hall to get her picture taken. After standing puzzled in what we call the hall, she was directed to what we would call the auditorium.
I told her she needs to just relax and enjoy the differences. It’s going to be an interesting year.
Facebook and Old Friends
For a number of reasons, I recently took the plunge and created a Facebook account. Much to my surprise through this account, we were able to re-connect with a couple that we were friends with when we lived in Germany. We had lost touch with them about twelve years ago and I was so happy that we have found them again.
Moving back to Europe this past year, I have thought a lot more often about our time living in Germany. I now realize a military move is much simpler than a corporate move, due to all the assistance (and full-sized American appliances) that the military offer. I have also thought about all the bits and pieces that you pick up from friends along the way that become part of you as time goes by. We are all just amalgamations of the people and places we have known. Before knowing this couple, I had never heard anyone yell, “Roll Tide!” before, and I had never tasted homemade crawfish etouffee and other wonderful Southern treats. I am changed for knowing them, and glad to catch up with them again to hear about their adventures since we last spoke.
If you’re thinking of an old friend that you lost touch with, there’s no time like the present to try and find them.
Moving back to Europe this past year, I have thought a lot more often about our time living in Germany. I now realize a military move is much simpler than a corporate move, due to all the assistance (and full-sized American appliances) that the military offer. I have also thought about all the bits and pieces that you pick up from friends along the way that become part of you as time goes by. We are all just amalgamations of the people and places we have known. Before knowing this couple, I had never heard anyone yell, “Roll Tide!” before, and I had never tasted homemade crawfish etouffee and other wonderful Southern treats. I am changed for knowing them, and glad to catch up with them again to hear about their adventures since we last spoke.
If you’re thinking of an old friend that you lost touch with, there’s no time like the present to try and find them.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
School Starts Tomorrow
A is packing up for her first day. We live close enough to the school (within 3 miles) to not have bus service so she and I will be walking the 1.7 miles in the morning for her first day.
Bus Tales, Part Two
When I got on the bus last week the bus driver, in a thick possibly Russian accent yelled at me for getting on the bus too early and started pointing at the ticket dispenser to explain that he could not give me a ticket for another minute. I told him I didn’t understand and his response was, “Where are you from?” I responded with the name of my village. He got this look on his face as if to say “like hell you are”. Not only had I disobeyed by getting on the bus early, but somehow he now also thought I was a smart ass.
On the way to work the next day we got stopped in the usual place where the road narrows and the bus driver was not willing to give in and put it in reverse to give the oncoming driver some space. Next thing I know, a man has walked up to the bus driver’s window to cuss him out. It went on for almost five minutes with a lot of “you fat fuck” and “fucking twat” thrown back and forth. Never have I heard so many “f” words jammed in one span of time. It was a bit unsettling at first, but then it was just downright funny.
My last note on the “f” word. Due to the after 9:00pm the “f” word is okay rule here, I think A has heard it more in the past three months than she has her entire life. I’m beginning to think it is not the holy mother of swear words that it is in the U.S. I asked one of my colleagues who used to live in the States and they agreed.
On the way to work the next day we got stopped in the usual place where the road narrows and the bus driver was not willing to give in and put it in reverse to give the oncoming driver some space. Next thing I know, a man has walked up to the bus driver’s window to cuss him out. It went on for almost five minutes with a lot of “you fat fuck” and “fucking twat” thrown back and forth. Never have I heard so many “f” words jammed in one span of time. It was a bit unsettling at first, but then it was just downright funny.
My last note on the “f” word. Due to the after 9:00pm the “f” word is okay rule here, I think A has heard it more in the past three months than she has her entire life. I’m beginning to think it is not the holy mother of swear words that it is in the U.S. I asked one of my colleagues who used to live in the States and they agreed.
One Last Thought on A1
I was looking on for the A1 commercial on youtube where the guy is grilling and a drop of A1 hits the grill. I didn’t find it but I was amazed at the number of clips there were of people chugging a bottle of A1. Seriously???
Monday, September 1, 2008
Yeah, It's That Important
My buddy RB sent us a care package from the U.S. last week, which contained special treats for all, including my favorite condiment, A1! Forget ketchup and mustard, A1 is good on everything, from steaks to burgers to French fries, to baked potatoes.
The blog Best Ads Ever has a link to the A1 centrifuge commercial. This will be me trying to get that last drop out of the bottle.
The blog Best Ads Ever has a link to the A1 centrifuge commercial. This will be me trying to get that last drop out of the bottle.
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