Aaaaaand we're back

Not much to report today; I got back from Ohio on Monday and have been doing all sorts of nothing over the past few days. I did make it into school today, though, to measure my classroom and furniture so I can figure out where to put everything. I'm basically trying to soak up the lethargy as much as possible, since I start a workshop on Monday and have pretty much no vacation after that.

To backtrack: The wedding was lovely, Pamela was beautiful, and the reception was lacking of alcohol. (just teasing, Pamela, it's okay!) It was fantastic to see everyone again, especially Heather and Jamie. With some people, you can just pick up your friendship right where you left off. Again, I was not particularly wanting to come back...assisted by Jamie in this matter, as we almost got lost and I almost missed my flight! (Un)Fortunately, I ended up catching it and made it back home with no further issues.

So since my mind is not currently occupied with school-related things, I've had time to think about other things, such as where I want to live for next year and whether or not to buy a car. I think I've decided for the car; being constantly dependant on people is obnoxious and maybe I'd get out more if I had the means. The other question is whether (and if so, where) to move. I like my apartment, especially the location, but it is a bit expensive. However, less expensive one-bedrooms are not to be had. Other options: (a.) moving in with a roommate, or (b.) housesitting for one of my students' families as they live in Germany for one year. Advantages to each of those: (a.) meeting new people, saving money; (b.) living rent-free (!) for a year. Disadvantages: (a.) having to get used to living with someone again, possibility of annoying roommate; (b.) living way the heck far away from everything that I'm involved with in this city, not feeling independent.

These topics are now open for voting! What do you think? Should I stay where I am, check out craig's list for a roommate, or housesit?

*EDIT: Just found an ad on craig's list for roommate wanted...right down the street from where I am now!

*EDIT #2: I am meeting with the housesitting family at the end of next month and have sent an email to the craig's list girl. Guess we'll see what happens!

Quiz

As Ginny, you are friendly but quiet and timid. You have a thing for men with glasses.

Apparently, it figures out which HP character you are most like, and it also sorts you into a house. The character and the house don't have to match. I guess that would be rather unfair, since nearly all the characters are from the same house.

Back in the US...A

Nothing like a thinly veiled Beatles reference as a subject line. Did anyone else get that or is the connection just in my head? I'll explain it if you want, but then it won't seem quite as witty.

Anyway: I'm back! And as much as I wasn't entirely looking forward to returning to my wreck of an apartment and lack of food, it's nice to be back. I got in on Tuesday and was jetlagged as hell, due to going to bed at 1.30, leaving the house again at 4.30AM to get to the airport, and then about 12 hours in planes and airports. Wednesday was also rather shot, but today has been much better, largely due to my having coffee in the house this morning. Life is good when you don't have to go to work.

So tomorrow is Friday already, and that means getting on another plane to fly to Ohio for Pamela's wedding! Amazing that it's in two days already; where has the time gone? I am very, very excited to see Pamela and meet Andrew, and to see Heather and meet Kevin. (sense a pattern there?) It should be an excellent weekend, rounded out by a Toledo Mudhens game on Sunday. (Müs - if you want a Mudhens baseball cap I will totally get you one.)

So... yeah, nothing else to report at the moment. I'll end with an awesome South Park image of me, made by Müs:


...and now for the description: 'I naturally assumed you have a Ramstein tee shirt, a frazzled expression in a classroom of children, and ice cream in one hand (izzy scoop? what?) and a knife to cut anyone who gets too close to it in another.' Thanks, bro!

Happy Fourth of July!

I was going to be all patriotic and write this in fancy red and blue, but (a.) that is too much work and (b.) it would be too hard to read. Nevertheless, Happy Independence Day, enjoy the fireworks and grilling! Oddly enough, this makes the third consecutive year that I'll have missed the Fourth...also oddly, I'm not too upset about that. Oh well.

We just got back last night from spending three days in Berlin and Potsdam, which were great. Berlin is one of my favorite cities; every time I go there, there is always so much to do and to see. I always go with a list of things to visit or do and leave with at least a third of them not accomplished. This time, I checked off the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie (disappointing), the new Jewish Memorial (very moving), and the New Synagogue (as part of a three-hour walking tour -- interesting and informative). Two days in Berlin is not nearly enough; I'm thinking of going back after the program is finished to do some shopping... with my extensive funds, you know.

However, one of the best parts of the weekend was going to visit a friend of mine in Schöneberg, which is a neighborhood in Berlin. She has been studying there for the past year and I hadn't seen her since summer 2004, when we worked in a random teeny village in Sachsen-Anhalt. It was excellent; not only did we get to catch up (a lot), but we also watched some of the soccer match at ......

TIM'S CANADIAN CAFE!!!

Hopefully Müs will find that as amusing as I did; I took pictures of the place and of the menu. The Germans as well as Fiona thought I was crazy. I was too busy laughing and being nostalgic to notice.

Double-double?

PS - Deutschland vor! Deutschland vor! Cheer for them today, it's the quarter final!