Okay. I’ve been here in Germany a month now, and I think it’s about time to establish a motto. All I want to do is travel every minute of every day. I don’t live in a perfect world and alas, I must work. I don’t love my work schedule, but such is life. I understand why I have to have a job, I am an adult after all. I’ve been a student since I was six years old, so this 8-5 job thing is weird to me.
I am starting to see why most of the spouses don’t get a job while in Germany — it is so they can travel and/or take care of their babies. I have a love/hate relationship with the fact that I have to work. I love that I get to work with people daily and help them pursue their educations in a field that I am quite passionate about myself and the extra moo-lah is nice for the student loan situation, but I hate that I can’t go to the spouse get-togethers or other fun activities that happen during the 0800-1700 chunk of day. I hate that when the Viper Pilot has to go to the states for 6 weeks for training, I have to stay here because I don’t have that much time off available. I especially hate that I have to miss that prime opportunity to see my family back in the states.
It may sound like I’m complaining, but I’m not. Well, not really. I was pretty bitter about it for a while, but I’ve decided to change my attitude. A change of attitude can change everything. I figured a motto would be a great way to change my state-of-mind. My motto is as follows:
For example, we were supposed to get internet hooked up this week but there was a “problem” with our order so it will be another week to week and a half.
{rotten lemon}
And they haven’t mentioned boo to us about our household goods shipment that was supposed arrived in-country last weekend.
{rotten lemon}
My backyard is so serene and the weather has been so beautiful, I realized who cares if I don’t have internet and if I have to be an adult with a real job. A cup of coffee, a chair, and a beautiful sunrise in the backyard is bliss. The community center has great internet and Belgium is open on the weekends.
{awkward lemonade}
I do what I can with my rotten lemons. 😉
Last weekend I went to Tongeren, Belgium with my friends Helen and Stephanie. It was a fun girls’ day out. Stephanie has been in Germany longer than Helen and I, so she knew all the ins and outs of going to Tongeren — including where to park, which can be very confusing. Tongeren is located in the southeast corner of Belgium, which is the Flemish speaking region. “Dank u!” means “Thank you” in Flemish. There is also a French speaking region in Belgium. Fortunately, everyone there speaks very good English since there are so many other languages. English, I’m discovering, is as universal as you read about.
Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium and was the only Roman administrative capital in Belgium. It is only a two hour drive from where we live, but it looks so different. In 1677 the city was nearly completely destroyed in a fire by Louis XIV’s troops and really never recovered, although they considered the rebirth of the city in 1830. The architecture is much more dingy, grubby that what I’m used to in Germany and it reminded me a lot of Mary Poppins or Harry Potter.
One of the most popular attractions in Tongeren, especially for the locals, is the antique market on Sunday mornings. Think American Pickers, but Euorpean style. Hundreds of vendors, or pickers, set up their stuff, of which may be in excellent to crap condition, and people meander through the streets bargaining and purchasing the goods. You can get just about anything there.
After seeing several homes of our friends in the squadron who have been living her for quite some time, I determined that there existed a few antique essentials that I need…want…need. Once I get the basics, I’ll start picking up the little nick-knack things, like Danish cookie cutters, etc. I picked up a few things last Sunday and I’m stoked because they are all essentials, in my opinion. I managed to get all my goodies for under 200 Euro. The Viper Pilot was even cool with me spending the money because the stuff I got is so unique, we won’t be able to find it anywhere else in the world. I thought I did pretty good considering what some of these items cost replicated by Pottery Barn…
Bread bowl that I need to wax but I got a great deal on it because it needed work, and a well bucket. |
Wine jugs — these come in all shapes and sizes and in various shades of green, too. I’m probably going to have one in every room when it is all said and done. |
Pottery pitcher — I’m currently in love with polka-dots. |
various sources, I determined that this particular camera is the Agfa
Billy Rekord folder camera. It started production in 1928 and continued
until 1960. The camera takes 6×9 cm pictures of 120 film. I love the Art
Déco/Nouveau style of this diamond in the rough. I
would love to have it appraised because it has some metals parts and
some nickel plated which hints to estimate the production year. Nickel
was commonly used before WWII. Another hint to dating the camera is the
coating of the lens. If it exists, which I’m not sure if it does on this
one, it is most probably made after the war. However, it may also have
been assembled after the war using parts which were made before the war.
Regardless, it is my German beauty and I will always love it even it if
isn’t worth a pickle and a nickle.
Belgian waffle with fresh fruit |
Croque Madame (toast, halm, cheese, egg < YUM) |
My personal favorite of the ones I brought back with me. |
Kriek means cherry. This is THE SWEETEST beer I’ve ever had. It tastes just like cherry juice. |
I got a new-to-me car! It’s a VW Touareg and it is so fully loaded that I can’t even figure out how to use it. I learned this morning that when you crank up the heated seat, the steering wheel heats up. See the little square things under the headlights? When you wash the windshield, those pop out and spray the lights. What in the what?! It handles the Authobahn quite nicely, so I’m pretty happy with it. We don’t even have a name for the Volvo yet, so it could be a while before this one gets a name. Again, suggestions are welcome.
Today is Friday, which is a wonderful thing because it’s a 3-day weekend! Woop! Tonight, the Viper Pilot and I are going to a movie and tomorrow we are going to the Bernkastel Wine Festival. I don’t really know much about it other than there is wine, a river cruise, and what I’ve been told is the best firework show ever so it should be a good time. No worries, I’ll take picture and report back to you! Stay tuned!!
Tschüss!
cburtnett says
Back yard is BEAUTIFUL! You did very well"picking". The camera looks like a gem! Elle looks pretty cute with her new "do"! You have a sharp looking car. I would love a heated steering wheel! Can't wait to hear about the wine festival! Oh, and I like your awkward lemonade��
Alison Donlon says
LOVE the awkward lemonade…going to use that one 😉 LOVE the car..the boys are trying to think of a name. They were so excited to see a pic of Elle that Cale took a pic of it with his ipod so he could have it…awww…they wanted a pic of you guys as well. Can't WAIT to try that cherry beer 🙂 Love your outlook and if you have a rough day, just add vodka to your awkward lemonade and smile! Love you!
Dave says
That looks like fun to me "picking" through that stuff.If Mike and Frank find out they might film a show there. Looks like everything from a ship prop to pedal car, my kind of place!! I like your camera, it looks neat. What a cool thing to collect. Love reading the blogs. Miss you guys!!
Oh by the way like the car nice ride.. Heated steering wheel?? I suppose it's too late to name it Ford..? Life gives you lemons? take 'em…free lemons.