Back in Germany

Dezember already

2009-12-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Have not forgetten about this blog, but just don't find time to sit down and write something...
Uni keeps me busy all day and week long. I am longing for a night I get at least 7 hours of sleep...
Uni is fine - I leave home round 6:20am and return about 7pm. If the S1 (the train I am pending on) is cancelled (which happens unfortunately nearly weekly), there is lots of fun.
Lectures are comparable to school - there are some that are really interesting ones and others I actually need to kick myself to attend. In my few breaks between lectures I sit in the libary in order to get some homework done, write flashcards or try to learn.
After two weeks had passed my life got a bit easier as I adjusted to the early rising and the long day. Now it seems incredible that it is just 3 weeks till christmas! In the first week of January I will already have taken my first exam!
So long I need to read another 2 books (I have already finished 4), unterstand the theory of British Litrary and find a way to remeber all the stuff in sociology...

Besides, I wanted to see 4 films in the cinema but could not find time to go there. Then the Christmas Markets are open and I am dying to stroll there, especially since it became really cold during the last days.

So long,

London

2009-10-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

Did spent the last weekend - that wone before uni started - in London!
What a great time I've had: good weahter (it was quite cold but dry), did do some sightseeing and, of course, did watch some west end shows!

Arriving in Stenston and getting to Wembley is quite a challenge but I did it! It took me around two hours to get to the hotel - but I managed without taking the wrong way.

Friday I strolled aroung the city, seeing St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster, The Hourse Guard and the Tower Bridge.
Saturday I just watched the Change of Guards, as I attended a matinee as well as an evening performance.
Sunday I had to leave in the afternoon what couldn't keep me off a shoppin gtour through Harrod's and the Covent Garden Markets.

I know I am told crazy by a couple of people: I attended 4 west end performances within 3 days! I loved it!

All started with WICKED:

Ashleigh Gray as Elphaba and Dianne Pilkington as Glinda. First I was a bit upsad as I had hoped to see Alexia Khadime performing. Nevertheless, Ashleigh Gray was amazing! Her performance and voice made my flesh creep; to say nothing from Dianne Pilkington! Still I am strilled!
Ashleigh did imitate 'Glinda's' voice in 'Loathing' - I have never heared that in the german or the Melbourne performance. The iridescent lights in 'One short day' and the performance of 'Defying Gravity'. All those has to last till I can see Wicked in Oberhausen (I got a ticket for the first puplic show in March!!!! Can't wait March to come).
A friend of mine came along and even he would say it was an extraordinary show...

After a day of strolling around London I bought a ticket for Avenue Q on friday. Did see a song being performed in a charity show 2007 in Bochum. I liked that one much.
Wondering why TV sreens were pointed to the audience I couldn't wait the show to start. It turned out that the screens are used to visualise some parts of a couple of songs for the audience. Great fun!

On saturday I thought of attenting two shows. The main problem here: I knew Pia Douwes is performing in London's Chicago for two months only. But in which show would she be - matinee or evening? The nice assistent at the ticket shop did phone the theater to find out. As Pia would perform on both shows I got a ticket for the matinee one.
Never have seen Chicago before - not the film either. What is the show about? Would I understand everything? YES!
Seeing Pia on stage as 'Velma' was great and I had nearly no trouble understanding. There was the one or other dialouge which was hard to follow though but at least I was fine!

After the end I searched my way to the Palladium Theater. Anybody who says that's easy - let's be told the story:
Finding the station is not hard and getting off the tube at the correct station is not hard as well. But then my problems started: Which exit do I need? Wandering around and trying to work out the map I finally decided for oen exit - it was the right one. Having round 90minutes left I searched a café to sit down for a bit. The next challange and I was not successful! The first ones did close at6pm, others were too crowed to step in and yet others just to expensive. While looking around I got lost - just couldn't remeber if I had to take Oxford or Regent Street and in which way I had to turn - was it right or left?
Asking people on the street didn't help me either - I asked several other tourists. After quite some time I spotted a policeman and finally was told the way back...
Time was already preceded and I hoped to get into the theater. Again I was mistaken: The doors wouldn't open till 7pm; an hour before the show starts. Furthermore the doors to the seats wouldn't open before another 30minutes! Great! I was fessed up. There is no 'really' Foyer but you are taken in a 'gangway' to you seats and then you can't get to your seats....
Anyway, the show recompense for that! It is a seperate show and not the musical way of the film! I liked it much. Things like the costumes on those scenes the nuns perform in church, I didn't like - they don't fit for me; are to colourful. But in realtion of the story the costumes do fit. Voices were great! Have seen some trailor of the musical in before and wasn't sure what I would think about it. I am glad I've seen it now. No regretting!

There are just a couple of things I can't make sense of. Though, if you do - tell me please!

1. There is left-hand traffic in GB, that's clear. But why on earth do I have to stand on the escalator, which is placed on the left side as well, on the right-hand side?
2. I know from German Shows that there is no encore in most shows. That's a pity - but allright. Nevertheless, there will be 2 or 3 curtseys. What happend in the west end shows is: The last note was sung, the audience applauded, the actors gave a bow and immediatly lights were turned on! One wouldn't have the chance to give standing ovations. Song ended, applause, lights on and everybody leaves... Couldn't deal with that in wicked but experienced the same in Chicago and Avenue Q. Sister Act handled it a bit different. They performed 'Raise your Voice' once more and bowed at the end 2 times...
3. Why the hell are there no shows on sundays? Next to Saturdays and Fridays that should be the day where most people would watch a show... It was really suprising...

Anyway - I loved those 3 days in London very much and can't wait to go there again ....

Hamburg

2009-09-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

I am back from Hamburg!
Johanna and I spent a very nice weekend there. The weather-god was with us: it was quite cold but dry and yesterday even the sun came out for a bit.

Have been driven off on friday morning (5.30am) we arrived in Hamburg at 9am. My plan worked out well: Leaving early and so driving away from the rush-hour traffic. There was just a short stopp and go just before Bremen. But not as bad as it could have been.

As check-in was not before 3pm, we decided to left our bags in the car and searched for a cafe to get some breakfast.
Easy - you think?!? It was hard work! But finally we found one both of us 'liked'. After breakfast it felt much easier to stroll around and discover the city. We ended up in the old warehouse district and had a coffee in a coffee roas house. Saturday was 'day of the coffee' and after we drank ours, we had a 'Barista Lesson' and talked to a coffe master later on.

That is what the coffee should look like

Looks similiar - don't you think so? I was told after a weekend working as a Barista (and 1500 coffees later) that one would look like the other one...

Subsequent to that we went to our hostel, checked in, refreshed and were off again.
After having finished our dinner - in a Tansanian restaurant - we found our way to the 'Neue Flora', the theater we would watch 'Tarzan'.
It's a really wonderful musical. Lots of dancing and acrobatics - both on stage and in the air. A pity is that the lead is a Swede: a gorgeous man with clear voice (as long as he sings) but when speaking German there is a hard and badly sounding accent...
Anyway, really sweet: the young Tarzan, performed by a boy maybe 10years old, had a part in the beginnin of the second act as well and was even on stage at the very end for the curtseys! Next to 'Beauty and the Beast' I guess, it is one of the few musicals you see children on stage for the bow.

Yesterday we went for a sightseeing tour in one of the red double-deck busses. Sun came out and it was great!
I attended severel tours before while my differnt stays in Hamburg, the last one in 2007. There changed so much! The new 'Hafen City' - Europe's largest inner city development - is not only a construction side any more. The first 1000 inhabitents did move in the first completly finished buildings, a school and a preschool did open this year and even a restaurant and a shop are already open.
I loved to stroll around that area! If I win the lottery I would by an appartment in Hafen City! (Main problem is, I don't play lotterie. So, how can I get up to 11.000€ / square meter for my appartment?)
Johanna and I did walk through the Old Elbe Tunnel and had an astonishing view to the harbour promenade, then went to 'Cap San Diego', a museum ship, on which an exhibition is on about the emmigrants who left to Amerika between 1880 to 1910. Very interesting!
After a drive on a small boat in the evening, when the harbour side was lighted up, we walked to our hostel again and fell into bed...

After breakfast we headed back to Marl this morning, as Joey needs to work tonight.
What a pity! Such a nice weekend... ended so fast...

Federal Elaction

2009-09-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Just a bit data:

There are 82.117.000 people who live in Germany (according to a census from July 2008).
About 62.000.000 are eligible to vote.
That means round 1/4 off all residents are not eligible to vote. There can't be that much children who are younger than 18... If I am not mistaken there are round 80tsd births per year; that means there should be round 1,4 mil. under 18-years olds.
Brings me to the question - who are the missing 18,5 million people?

Now waiting for the first results...

OWD

2009-09-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

I did it! I am an OWD now!

Christoph and I did manage to spare some time and went for five dive trips. It seemes that I am not incapable of diving:
Not being to nervy when we start to sink and finally sinking independently (which isn't as easy as it sounds to be); finding my way with a compass and being able to use the alternative air supply.
The really hard thing about diving? Switch off your brain! For me, it's really hard to float. When sinking, I touch the ground; well, then I use the inflator to pump some air into my jacket - and raise up (but to much!!). I don't manage to float at the first attempt (or the second or third). But when holding the finimeter or inflator in my hands - it's much better and I finally seem to float!!!!!

What next? The AOWD - of course! Down to 30m, a trip with photographing, a night trip. I just need to find the time. That is the problem. Usually the courses are held on the weekends. Those days I am working! That is way ,again, I need to make an arrrangement with Christoph...

My Sister's Keeper

2009-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have read the book, written by Jodie Picoultonce. Guess, that's years ago. But I still remeber the story and especially the surprising end.
Here is a short overview:
My Sister's Keeper is a fictional novel written by Jodi Picoult. The story follows the life of 13- year-old Anna Fitzgerald, who enlists the help of an attorney, Campbell Alexander, to sue her parents for rights to her own body. Kate, Anna's older sister, suffers from leukemia, and their parents conceived Anna through in vitro fertilisation to be a genetic match donor for her sister Kate. Anna donated genetic material throughout her life, such as blood and bone marrow. Now, their parents want Anna to donate a kidney to Kate, but Anna instead files a lawsuit against her parents for medical emancipation so she will not be forced to donate one of her kidneys to her sister.

When getting to know that there will be a movie I had conflicting views. First, only a couple of movies are as good as the books they are based on.
But then I saw the trailer and did read some good reviews.
Well, even knowing that I probably would regret it, I went to see the movie:

I was astonished! What a great production. A relator is to hear in the very beginning. That was annoying but worked out well. Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin and to their site Abigail Breslin as Anna and Sofia Vassilieva as Kate. I liked the movie till 10 minutes before the end.
Of course there were enough women watching the film who started to cry. Sniffing, snuffling and sobbing all around me.

But then! Why can't they stick to the book till the very end? Why the hell did they change the end?
Kate dies, Anna survives and the family remembers Kate life by spending the holidays in Montana. F...

This could have been a superb movie - it is 'just' a good one.

What is quite unbelievable to me - Jodie Picoult is Co-author...

Saving money

2009-09-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Allright, it is true: I went to London last week and yes, I do have some (round 10) tickts for local theater shows. But hey - I live to see musicals!

But here is a list of things I quit in order to save my money and get to Australia back soon:

I didn't buy a ticket for 'Spamalot
I won't see 'Best of Musical 2010'
I did neither drive to Xanten ('Evita') nor to Tecklenburg ('Aida' - with Willemijn Verkaik!)
I will not spent a couple of days in Stuttgart and see the last 'Wicked' performance there
I do not buy a ticket for 'The Buddy Holly Story' which opens next month in Essen

Just needed to write this down to remember myself how much money I have saved already - that helps...

Summer Breaks

2009-09-08T05:40:00.000-07:00

What to watch in TV?

The final ER episode was shown three weeks ago, last week the season final of Grey's Anatomy (season 5) was shown.
There is no 'House'or 'The Mentalist' on either.

The one and only series 'VOX' shows on and on is 'Mc Leod's Daughters' - so I end up in watching these again and again or spend more time working with the laptop...

The next month is gone

2009-09-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it - it's 2nd of September. I left Aussie 9 month ago to the day. Unbelievable!

No I am counting the days I have to work as a PT. Maybe tomorrow is my last, maybe next thursday will be the last one or the thursday the week after - all depends on when my boss manages to get a new employee for the job... So long I smile for the patients and just keep on moving.

Last week was horrible: There are four PT's in two practises. One is on sick-leave scince two weeks now - his work could make up for. On monday the second one got sick. My boss decided I had to work in the second practise instead doing my 'normal' patients. The third PT had to attend a trainee on thursday & friday - me alone! Tuesday to Thursday from 8am to 7pm - after works I did work two days per week only, I felt smached in the evenings. Luckily I had a 'short' friday - just up to 3pm, therefore without break!
The problems were not to do so long hours. But for all that patient moaned and were unhappy; I got stuck in the traffic, the GPS stopped working and I had to drive while reading the road map and the street name's. Last I had a heated discussion with a patient's nurse about the time I worked...
Whenever I had puniest doubts concerning my study - that week depicts I am right!
Guess, you can imagine it was great to hear I won't need to work this week that many hours as well.

A faboulus week but the best follows:
When I needed to fill up fuel I got stuck at the station - could open the doors with the key but not the ignition. At least I managed somehow to start the car and drove home. Worse happend on friday morning: again the car did not start!
What to do? Being happy about an aunt who is up early and needs her car seldom - I borrowed it for the day.
While working, my mom got in touch with the auto shop so the spare parts could be ordered. Express delivery!
We suggested the part would be delivered and the car repaired on monday - failure.
The spare part was not delieverd on tuesday either! What is meant by 'express delivery'???
The good side - when my boss asked me to work today for a couple of hours I have had an excuse. She understand and I was off today! Much better: just before midday the auto shop called, the spare part was deliverd(finally) and our car was about to be repaired!!!!!!!!
Yeeha - I've got the car back; it's a small holdon. Much easier to find parking spots with these one than with my aunt's big one!

Let's see what's happening tomorrow....

Nothing

2009-08-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you what I've done the last weeks. I don't know anymore but I do know that there was no time to rest. Working, helping kins, rushing from agency to agency, working, preparing for the TOEFL, working some more...
Yesterday was the first day for a long time I had the morning off. Though instead off doing something I did nothing!
I laid down in the garden for an hour or so and it was great - 28°C, some wind and sun! I could have slept! You can't imagine how good it felt to do nothing and just relax!

All right, in the afternoon I went to work again - for 7 long hours.
Due to the fact that I passed the TOEFL and going to quit my job tomorrow (as I cannot keep on with that one during my study) I decided I would need a new time filler.
After surviving DSD (discover scuba diving) 10 days ago I signed up for a OWD (open water diver) today. There is a DVD to watch (3 hrs), a book to read and learn (about 8 hrs, the instructor told me) and then time to find for doing the diving...

Just recognized that I didn't write anything about the DSD yet - let's change that:

Quite some time ago I googled to find a dive school nearby. When I found one in Bochum they offered a diving trip, so called 'Discover scuba diving'. Though, after I had changed my shifts at the station and went for it.
It was great - allright, I had some problems first: couldn't get down onto the ground - I got 4 more kilos of lead and that was fixed. Furthermore I had some trouble with the glasses and my ears, but after sometime that was allright as well.
Last I lost the breathing tube! I don't really know how that had happend, but I actually didn't get any O2... What I did remember was to sign my buddy that I didn't had any air - but I was way to agitated to think about my or her 'octopus' (the emergency breathing tube). We ended up to arise and I switched between coughing and gasping for air...
An hour later I went down again. This time with a male instructor who took my hand and was leading me around - he didn't speak a word while being above the water but just signed to go down and let me... What a feeling! I couldn't see any fish - not because there weren't any but because I didn't had lenses at that time and was halfway blind. Anyway, it is a great feeling to go down, equalize the pressure and then just floating.....

Kernie's Wunderland

2009-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Today I went to an amusement park in Kalkar - that's close to the Dutch border, 90km away from where I live.
My cousin and her two daughters (8&10)came along.
The day started out fine - cloudy but dry. We went on a pirate ship, spinning cups and a fairy wheel. Everything was fine. Unfortunately rain started around midday - and hasn't stopped yet. We continued with a couple of rides - roller coaster (without looping, what a pity!) included.
Rond 2pm we were seaked to the skin and freezing although we were drining hot chocolate.
So we diceded to put a stop to all of that and drove home.

The park is great - enough rides for adults and children to have fun. Something special is, that softdrinks & coffee, icecreame and chips are included in the admission - the children loved it and even I did eat some chips (which tasted really good).
We think about going there a second time - with good weather forecasted!

Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince

2009-08-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have seen part 6 already - and forgot to write about it!
I went to the movies a week ago to see that part.

It was the same like the last ones - just to hard to get the story of a 700 page broad book into a 150 minute movie.
In short - disappointing!

You don't get to know the complicate progress in Tonk's & Lupin's, Hermine' & Ron's or Harry's & Ginny's love life.
The Halfblood Prince is slightly mentioned. Harry isn't asked to wear his unvisible cloak with himself all the time. All the time I waited for the death scene, imaging how it will be made. And again - disappointing. Harry is not petrified but walking around instead. The school is sleepy instead of the DA fighting....

There is one scene I do like:
At the very end, Dumbeldore is already dead, Prof. McGonegall points her luminous wand into the air and all the others follow. That way the Dark Mark vanishes.
It is a great scene to watch - all together they fight the dark...

For not repeating myself and writing again about something disappointing, just take it from me:

There is no chance to put a story like HP 6 in a movie right down to the last detail, I know. The movie is all right. You get to know main parts, others are left out. I can say for sure - even when not being overly excited about this part I will be in the first row when parts 7 & 8 are shown in the cinemas...

The Proposal

2009-08-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

I went to the movies again to see the new Sandra Bullock release.
What a fun!
The story in short: Margaret Tate, a Canadian working in N.Y., stands to lose her visa. She brings up a story when telling she is to marry her assistent, Andrew Paxton.
The big problem: Andrew hates his boss and they don't know any detail from the others life. As if this wasn't enough the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)starts invetigating their case. While attending a family feast in Andrews hometown of Sitka, Alaska they come to know better...
He hates her, she is not interested in anything that happens during the time in Sitka. Margaret and Andrew have to tell Andrew's family of the planned marriage, feign a couple and sleep in the same bedroom - lots of funny moments are bound to occur. When being forced to kiss each other things seem to change...

I haven't laughed that much in a movie for a long time. A great evening - hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did!

TOEFL Results

2009-08-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

After finishing the test two weeks ago I felt really bad. It seemed I had done so many mistakes and did not understand a thing. Just now I have get my results!
I claimed 89 points!!!! I assume, this is not a high score but enough for being allowed to study English at uni! I feel so relieved!
Yesterday I got the consent for university and today these results. Even with working the whole weekend I am feeling great!!!!

What I missed last year

2009-08-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

I have done and seen so many things last year! I had visited every capital city in every state and stepped in the four oceans which surround Australia! I saw Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley; Kangaroos and Koalas; travelled by air, train and bus; could do a boat trip, and so on.
But what did I miss?
I didn't find time to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Furthermore I had to skipp the diving and surfing course when I ran out of time as well as the sky diving trip.

While being back I have been thinking about these thigs so often. Now I found a diving school nearby my home - but because of my two jobs I don't find time to give it a whirl. Hopefully I can arrange a test diving lesson for the next weekend....

All the other things have to wait...

Starlight Express

2009-07-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

A week ago a local paper raffled 5x2 tickets for an adult and child each to go and see 'Starlight Express'.
I wrote an email in my cousin's name (she's 8) and we actually won! Tuesday was the big day.
First an employee told us a few facts about Starlight in Bochum: it is the one and only show to be performed at the same location for more than 21 years now. The show had been seen by more than 12 million people. That makes Starlight Express in Bochum the most successful musical in the world!
We were allowed to watch the warm-up and met 'Rusty', the chief character, afterwards.
The cast starts warm up 90minutes before the show and that is coordinated by a trainer! He speaks english all time and gives advice as well as indicates who shall scate what way...

The highlight was meeting Rusty. The 5 children were flabbergasted. It took several minutes till the first question was asked.
Finally we watched the show. It was my 6th time but my cousin's first.
After two songs were swapped in 2002 and actual stunt-skaters engaged, I don't like the show as much as before. It is still nice but a lovely song is missing and I am not keen on the RAP that is done by now.
My cousin, in contrast, was absolutely delgihted and the first thing to ask, after the show had finished, was: Can we go and see it again?!

More work

2009-07-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

What a live.
Because of the long sick-leave I was forced to take with my foot injury I got fired. In the meantime I found another one but that is part-time only. Therefore I work 20 hours a week by half the salery I received in the last job. That is far to little!
When meeting with a friend for breakfast a week ago, she told me about a job she couldn't take. But I could!
Since a week I work at a fuel station as well. Not what I dreamed of but I spend 9 hours on the weekends there and get an extra 250€ in the months.

Now I planned to do a diving course in the next time. I phoned the guy today and that was really funny:
He offers 'test courses' on the weekends. Sounds good to me. But those will take a whole day. I have to work on saturdays from 11am to 4pm and on sundays from 6pm to 10pm. There is no chance getting a whole day off in August...
All right, he said, there would be a chance maybe this friday. No chance for me - my boss (from the physiotherapy) is on holidays and I have to work all week long.
You see, it got tricky... Now we agreed on following: I will start with the others on sunday but drive to the lake in my own car for being able to leave the rest of the group at 3pm. If everything works out I will be back in time here for my job...
Now just imaging how difficult things will be when I really start my studies in October. Then I need to quit the PT job (it won't be possible to work there in the evenings only), find another job for 20hours/ week in the evenings, hold on to the fuel station and find time to learn......

Real TOEFL

2009-07-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

As I told previously, I attended a preparation course for the TOEFL Test. That seemed to be worth the money I spend on it - till yesterday!
I did the real TOEFL yesterday.
What a shit! The reading texts were much more difficult than anyone I have read before. When I had 15 minutes left during the preparation tests, this time I was happy when I finished the tasks in time. There was no time left to re - read my answers!
I went on like that. I got stuck several times in the speaking time and there was even one question I didn't understand at all...
The listening was okay but the writing was another disaster: First, I was stuck when I had to write down in what way a lecture opposed the thesis given in a text.
The second essey should be the easier one as it is an essey to write about an independant task. I had no difficulties to point out my opinion but I coulnd't find any substantiations for my point of view. I ended up with 230 words when 300 were recommended and my feeling is bad.
I really hope that not that is judged what I wrote down and said but the way I did it....
In fact, I just need to get 80 points (that is the target for enrolling to the study)- but right now I feel like I'd consider myself happy when claiming 30 points.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Salery expectation and reality

2009-07-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Whenever I attended a job interview I got, of course, the question concerning the salery. Here in Germany we are used to get the salery monthly, which means you are asked for your monthly expactation.
Being 26 and having 3years of experience in differnt practices I expect a salery from about 2000€ (which is about 11,50€ per hour).
Here are some examples of what I got to hear in several job interviews:

- Calculating the payment
I was told they would pay e.g. 12€ /hour. Being quite astonished I calculated: that would be 2057€ per months. The employer would write 1920€ in the contract. That is 12€/hour as well - but based on 48 weeks in a year! Their way of calculating the payment is quite differnt from mine. Most employers calculate in the following way: 40hrs/week and 12€/hour => 40hrs x 4weeks x 12€ = 1920€/month
Isn't that great?!

- vacation days
24 have to be given by law (5 working days/ week), some employers grant 26. When working part time it's usually the same. I got a part time contract, which was saying I woul dwork 20hrs/week and get 20days leave. However, what was not written down: that was based on a 4day - week!

- side jobs
when being in a job interview (for a part time job as PT) I usually ask for the possibility to have a side job. It is so kind if the employer consent to a side job (without limitation) and when reading the contract you get to know you would be allowed to earn not more than 400€ in a side job...

The best thing I have heard was the following:

For a job as physiotherapists in a practise, located 35km away from my home, where I would have to drive home visits with my own car as well, I would be payed a basic salery from 1250€ !!!
That is equivalent to 7,29€/hour! At the end of the month I yould earn maybe 1500€ as one gets a proportional interest in the prescriptions you finish in that very month. That, of course, would increase your hourly payment - to about 8,75€. As I write this - that is just an estimate. The employer couldn't say for sure how much the interest would be...

To be honest: If I can't get a job where I earn more than 7,29€ per hour, I will apply at McDonal's or Burger King. Those companies pay about 7€ per hour and I wouln't have to worry about old lady's aching knees or about broken backs and if I might harm the people with my treetments.
I had not paid a lot of money and efforts for my education to end up in a job where I earn as much as a 'burger turner'...

Funeral

2009-07-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today I attended a funeral in The Netherlands. My mom's and aunt's cousin passed away and as both of them don't like to drive longer routes (especially when they need to use the motorway) I came along for the driving.
It was such a differce to German funerals! The service took about 2 hours and after it was finished everybody (!) queued behind the coffin and went along absolutely quietly! It was quite a short walk but there was nobody talking. We walked on the street - cyclist did stop to let us pass and even cars stopped - no honing, nothing; I couldn't believe my ears and eyes!
Later on the funeral reception took place in a cafe. It is quite usual in Germany that there are coffee and canapés or even a whole lunch and tea afterwards.
Today we got a breadroll and a cup of coffee, followed by the codolence (which was not held at the grave).
The service was wonderful - Catrien (the cousin who passed away)did plan her funeral with the pastor a short time ago. Her children orated, the choir, she sung with, did present the songs and even one of her daughter's was able to sing 'Climb every mountain'.
In the end there were about 400 people around the grave place and nearly the same amount attended the funeral meal. She must have been very well known and loved....

Wicked

2009-07-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Can't tell you how much I love this musical.

Did see it in 2007 in Stuttgart and when I had stayed in Melbourne, of course I must attend a show!
The wizard and I - Popular - No Good
I love those songs.
Quite some time I am spending in the moment for listening to wicked songs. I youtubed Kristina Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who created the rolls of Glinda & Elphaba on the Broadway. Can't get enough! I am obsessed!

The thing is - I do prefer the English version of the musical. There are changes in meaning in the German lyrics and for those the music had to be changed as well (not much, but when listening to both versions you'll understand what I mean. There are parts which are more slowly in the German type.)
However, people like my mom and aunt will prefer the German version - they don't understand a single word English.

Now I have just searched the net to find out the cast I have seen in Melbourne and guess what? Wicked changes location! From September onwards it is shown in the Capitol Theater in Sydney!!! I'd love to see it there! The Capitol is one of the most wonderful theaters I have ever seen (did see Billy Elliot there).

I have to wait a bit longer - Wicked changes its location in Germany as well. From March 2010 onwards it is shown in Oberhausen - round 30km from my town. I'll try getting tickets for the very first evening (and if not, then for the very first week).

This and that

2009-07-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

I don't wanna write about the TOEFL onece again but all my freetime is filled with preparation for it. Still guessing that the speaking part is the most difficult one for me as I have still trouble to use different past tenses in the right way. On the other hand, when speaking in simple past only it sounds boring to me. But I should use maybe only the simple past in the test to get points for grammar instead of loosing points because I mix them up all the time and doing mistakes...

What else is happening here? Weather is really good now. After we had have some rally hot and hunid days now there are lows of 23°C during the day and tops of 32°C. The right weather for cycling and strolling through a zoo (when I find a day off in my diary).

My foot is well again - of course it hurts from time to time especially when I did do lots during the day. But who cares? Me not!

In my study breaks I look through 'youtube'. After beeing to that musical gala in Hamm I searched 'youtube' for videos. I watched those ones but then continued to look for some 'wicked' ones as well. Now I am absolut 'crazy' about Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in paticular. Wow - these voice is just unbelievable!

On some days I am wondering what life has geared up for me. I don't know but I would love to know if some decisions and concepts really work out for me or if I am wrong (again). Just wondering why life is that hard sometimes and seems to be so easy for others! Why can't I win some money? Even knowing money is not all but it makes life so much easier in some way...

Weekend

2009-06-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening there was an event called 'Extraschicht - Night of the industrial culture' in my area. Between 6pm and 2am one could go and see shows and performences at 40 locations. Singers, artists, light shows and firework - what a night.

On sunday I went to Hamm for the NRW Day 2009. Uncountable shacks presenting banks, insurances, clubs, and lots more. Shows were given on 13 stages.
My highlight:
'The young tenors' gave a show at 6pm and afterwards Uwe Kröger presented a musical gala. For this he could count on Pia Douwes, Anna Montanaro and Jesper Tydén.
What a show - I loves seeing Pia on stage once more.
Songs from musicals given in NRW were presented, e.g. Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Elisabeth and further more.
They sang for 100 minutes - great! The sqare was packed - no chance to move for- or backwards. My shirt was wet through with perspiration when it was finished.
The last song 'Thank you for the music' was modified. A great job! Uwe Kröger started in German, Pia Douwes followed with and then Anna would take over from here and sing the parts with dancing before walking and about the golden hair.
A great show, great voices and I am happy that I drove the 100km just for seeing Pia Douwes live on stage...

As I don't know if it would be wise to publish a video I took on sunday, here just a few photos:

Pia Douwes & Uwe Kröger performing "Wenn ich tanzen will" from 'Eliabeth - Das Musical'

Uwe Kröger & Anna Montanaro

Uwe Kröger, Pia Douwes, Anna Montanaro & Jesper Tydén just before performing 'Thank you for the music'

TOEFL

2009-06-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh! I survived the first hours in the preparation course!
Friday evening 6pm - others would start a BBQ (especially as the weather was great) but I sat inside a warm room with 10 our people, listening to Cliff (one of the instructors).
Topics were Reading and Listening - enough for the start. Round 9pm everybody was groggy - no chance to concentrate a minute longer...
The next day we started at 9.30am. Kirk lead us through the day with the topics Speaking and Writing. I knew that would be my 2 problems: For the speaking you have to read a small passage, take notes and then listen to a source that is dealing with the same topic you've read about. Not too bad. The problem are all the information you get. I do understand everything but after a short preperation time I have to speak about the listening and reading passage for a minute. The thing is - with all those info I speak round 45sec about the first part and then I'm running out of time...
The really horror is the writing! I mix up the tenses, don't get the structure right or don't know what to write about when a theme but no info are given...

I don't wanna write to gloomy, as I still have another weekend. There will be much work for me and the real test end of the months...

Corpus Christi

2009-06-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

The 'Solemnity of the Body and Blood Christ'.
I was christened, went to the Holy Communion, was confirmated 11 years ago and that's it. So I can say today is a seriuos feast day but the really good thing on it is - it is a public holiday in North Rhine - Westphalia.

All the day it is drizzling and cold - I am missing the sun!!!!

As I still should not drive a car on my own, I am stuck at home and do what I can do best - reading.
I have just finished Clancy's 'Patriot Games' so I will continue with 'Red Rabbit',the next 'Jack Ryan' title in the series.
Then there is still the English grammar and '500 essential words for the TOEFL' to go through.....

TOEFL

2009-06-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

I don't know what got into my mind yesterday but I finally enroled for the TOEFL.
A preparation course on two weekends in the late June and than the exam a month later.
I really hope that is worth the money I have paid.....
So now I start again in learning the grammar by myself, a special vocabulary book is beeing sent to me and then I have to buy another thick book for the course.
If everything works out like I plan it - I will be able to study English.

Keep your thumbs crossed!!!!

more shows

2009-06-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

I went to the movies on saturday evening - it was the present my godchild got from me. After we settled on the 6:30 pm movie (she loved to attend the 8:30pm one) the hardest part was done.
We left home about 6pm that evening and drove to the movies. She got her coke and popcorn and we waited for 'Night in the museum II' to start.
Of course there were again the main characters you'd know from part one: Jedediah, the cowboy, Octavius, the roman general, Teddy Roosevelt and Dexter, a capuchin monkey.
Then several new one like General Custer, Emilia Erhardt (the first woman to cross the atlantic ocean in an aeroplane), Ivan the Teribble, Napoleon, Al Capone and Kahmunrah (Akmenrah's embittered brother).
You mustn't know the first part of all. It is fun to watch that film. A 'war' between the goods and the bad ones (Al Capone, Kahmunrah, Napoleon and Ivan) and a loving affair between Larry and Emilia.
Very good special effects, you will laugh most times of the film!!!

Next evening (sunday) and I went out again - this time in a Varietee with my cousin (that was what I gave her for her birthday; I have had enough from presents you don't really like or need...)
Vertical rope, dancing, a magician, Jonglage - but with massive iron bullets.
A really good show but my favourites were 'Maestro' who walks on a sagging rope while 'conducting' some music classics and Darkan. This man shows you the most beautiful acrobatic with the 'Strapaten' - that are two bands hanging down form the ceiling. Like nothing he did roll up (!) to the ceiling, did do the splits and much more.
A great evening!!!

Meteorology

2009-06-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

The weather again!

After 'surviving' the icemen

1. Mamertus – 11. Mai
2. Pankratius – 12. Mai
3. Servatius – 13. Mai
4. Bonifatius – 14. Mai
5. Sophie – 15. Mai

now there is the 'sheep iciness' (a cold spell around June 11th).

Named is this cold snap because of the sheep, which had been fleeced by now, and were because of that in jeopardy.
The temperatures did sink about 5-10°C! There is no sun in the moment and all the day drizzling. We are freezing at temperatures from around 12°C...

Hope there will be sun out again soon

Shopping

2009-06-02T10:51:00.001-07:00

Before I even could think about learning some more grammar I went shopping today!
So what do I get? Some more cards for the theater!!!!

I am going to see:

- a Varietee next sunday
- Mandela (9th October)
- Musical Night (28th November)
- Sleeping Beauty (9th December)
- Little Lord Fauntleroy (11th December)
- Thomas Borchert 'Besinnlich' (one of the most famous German Musical Actors has got a gig in the Advent Season - I am curious about it)

Then there will be some movies in the cinemas and hopefully a trip to London or Hamburg in autumn....

Time

2009-05-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

When I was phoning my collegues for telling them about my sick-leaves extension there were the questions again:
- how are you
- what are you doing

I hate those questions!

What am I doing? The same I had done in January when being unemployed: I read books (I am reading the 9th in 3 weeks now)and watch DvD's (what a pity there are only 8 seasons McLeod Daughters - they had been finished in March or April and today I finished Harry Potter as well!).
What else? I am learning English grammar once more and do hope it will stay in my mind for quite some time. I did inform about the special needs study which I can (and am going to) apply for from the 8.6 onwards.
After having finished a little spring clean I put different stuff on ebay and hope it will be sold - otherwise, that is a promise, I will through everything out!

You see, all activities I can put my leg up; but as you might know I cannot rest all day. So, of course, I walk 'a lot' - maybe an hour in the morning. When being back home my foot is aching and I am happy about putting it up again...

The nicest thing is - the sun did shine 3 days last week and the weather should be fine naxt week as well. If that's the case ypu can expect me sitting outside in the sun and getting some colour!!!!

Just some pictures

2009-05-25T05:45:00.001-07:00

26.03.2009 - Dinner at my birthday with sushi and cheese platter

1.01.2009 - 7.30am having breakfast on the patio

10.04.2009 - 3.00pm enjoing the first warm & sunny day on my patio

02.05.2009 - heavy rain in the late afternoon

18.05.2009 - 5.30pm being back home with these lovely crutches; one day the desinfektion stuff will wash off - I hope

21.05.2009 - the first BBQ this Year; Father's Day and the weather is great

Illuminati

2009-05-23T07:24:00.001-07:00

has started the 13th this month in the movies over here - I watched it on wendsday.
I love Dan Brown's books - have read The Davinci Code,Illuminati and Meteor several times.
When I watched The Davinci Code I was quite unsure - not a bad movie but the book was times better. So this time it was the same - would the film rival the book?
Tom Hanks is Prof. Langdon again; this time the location is placed in Rome - how nice the scenery is... Remembered myself of being in Rome again...
Anyway - the movie itself: Not bad at all. As far as I can remember there are not many things cut out. It is not too bloody but thrilling.
Again my problems with 'excess lenght' movies - these damned break after 90minutes (60minutes film and 30min adverts before).

One good thing about the adverts & trailor:

I did see some nice ones and will go to see them soon:

Night in the museum 2 (did start on thursday)
Harry Potter and the half blood prince (15.7)
The Proposal (30.7)
Pope Joan (29.10)

Nebbia

2009-05-20T03:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday the Magic Flute and Sunday Nebbia presented from the Cirque Éloise Montréal.
Singing, dancing, music, jugglery, acrobatic and magic.
It was a nice show but unfortunate the artists did speak a lot - a mixture form Italian, French and English; not very good but I could understand.
The differnt parts were worked in a story about fog (Nebbia): The regisseur Daniele Finzi Pasca (did lead the closing ceremony in Turin 2006) is remembered of early mornig fog which billows fly over the sea to the coast...
Vertical rope, trampoline, rotating plates on sticks, artistic - I have seen much harder artistic but never put in such a nice story!

The Magic Flute

2009-05-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

is presented by an australian group in my hometown!
Co-opera ( http://co-opera.com.au/ )are off to make their first appearances in Europe. The opera management of the 'Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden' has invited Co-Opera to perform in the celebrated May Festival '09 and show to German audiences The Magic Flute production.

There was an article in the newspaper and so I called the hotline to get some last tickets - no problem. My mom was to come along - I need a driver!

The story is placed in a restaurant in the 60's. Prince Tamino would like getting Pamina to know. Some employees - among them Papageno, a clumsy chicken delivery boy, who knows everything about the chef cook Monostatos' mischief.

Like in the classical oper the figures in these variation are menlike and magical; the music is pure Mozart.

A simple scenery - only a scaffolding - is sufficient: the company achieves a maximum of theater with a minimum of equipment.

Special is - the Flute was given in english and parts of it in german as well - so my mum could understand as well...
The spectators were amazed, longtime applause and standing ovations at the end!!!

I love

2009-05-15T03:37:00.000-07:00

my crutches so much.
There is nothing for me to do in the moment. I am absolutely exhausted after having had a shower this morning. I eat my breakfast in the kitchen when mom is not arroung to bring my plate into the living room. What I am able to do is to carry a bottle of water or something unbreakable or something I can put into a bag...
We went grocery shopping this morning - about an hour - an beeing back home I went straight onto the sofa putting my feet up.
So what am I doing all the day?
Sitting on the sofa in front of my laptop or watching TV. Meanwhile - when bored of sitting around - I try to help in the household. Putting my washing away frisking on one leg, dry up the dishes, stuff like that.
I am longing for the moment I can put that crutches away!

'Australia sickness'

2009-05-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

I am home and sitting at the laptop - what else could I do in the moment.
Then I am reading the mails Don, Patricia and Charly sent - about Dylan and Gwyneth progresses in eating, walking and communication - I would love to see them again very soon. The photos I get are wonderful and call up all my memories.
I am thinking off all the things I would like to do - seeing the whitsundays, Uluru, a swarm of wildlife budgies, a trip to Nullarbor, attending 'Christmas in July' and so on.
But time will go by and then...

... being in hospital

2009-05-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have worked and walked with the painful foot quite some time but last friday it all got to an end!
I had to get in touch on the ward at 7am and was showed my room, which I shared with two elderly ladies. After having unpacked I did change my clothes against those wonderful and most dressful op gowns... I was told to take the medicine (a painkiller and a tranqualizer) and then to stay in bed. The time went by - minute by minute and hour by hour. At least I didn't care about the 'prohibition' of getting up once more - I needed to go to the toilet. So I stood up 4 or 5 times, finished reading the first book, got a headache (because I mustn't drink a little drop for more than 14 hours by then) and was more than bored...
Round 2pm I finally was conveyed to the surgery. The anaethesist was kind and not soon after starting the drugs, I lost control of my eyes and was gone!
An hour later nearly everything was fine - I woke up again, got lots of painkiller and was allowed to drink again. What I still cannot understand is the surgeon telling me about the op right when I am waking up and not quite with my mind again. But anyway - I remember being told everything went fine and they removed the small fragment and I wouldn' be allowed to walk without crouches for 6 weeks.
I coldn't really stay awake and my bloodstream wasn't the best; I got hot and nausea and was feeling just tired. After round 90 minutes I was brought back into my room and was cared for.
Towards evening I was feeling a little better bt still very tired and so I was quite happy about mom leaving me and the both ladies beeing asleep.

Saturday was a much better day. The ladies and I did chat a little; but I have to tell you the one (the older one) was seemingly dead. I called her 'the spine' as she laid in hospital with pains in her backbones. The younger one (only 75 ) I did called the TEP - she got a new knee! Her was it I did speak with mostly as the spine did sleep nearly all the time.

Scince friday afternoon (my mom did walk into my cousin on accident)the whole family did know me being in hospital; exactly what I wanted to prevent. So during the day I got phonecalls, my mom and my cousin visited with the kids and I got the needle.
On the other hand it was nice as well, but as I would be in hospital only for a short time I thought I could went in without anybody noticing.

My days in hospital were structured:

- Waked up round 6h30am from a nurse giving you your daily pills
- 7h30am round was made by a doctor
- between 8am and 8h30am breakfast
- breakfast was cleared up and the TEP and I got an icepack
- between 9h30 and 10h30 the PT came
- icepacks were cleared up
- 11h45 lunch was brought
- an hour later the tablets were cleared away
- 2pm the knee and I got a 'hard liquor' - some liquid painkiller and again an icepack
- 2h30 afternoon tea was served
- 4pm Ice was packed away and we three got Heparin injections
- 5h30 dinner
- 6h30 cleaning up the tablets again
- 7pm icepack once more
- 10pm last hard liquor for the day

The TV program is bad in the moment so I mostly read - round 750 pages per day. Then I had 2 games and some crossword puzzles with me. When being to nerveous (you may remember I can't sit still for a long time) I went outside on the corridor for 5 minutes and was happy about falling onto my bed again afterwards!
The first nights I couldn't find any sleep:
a soft bed that was very noisy - and mine wasn't the only noisy one, sqeaking doors and room mates who had to go up several times a night. Unfurtunat the rooms light switch and the bathrooms one were put next to each other - I noticed a few times during the night that the spine couldn't remember which is which!
When the knee came back from the toilet, the spine got up from her bad and vice versa. As a last resort both of them do snor! The knee lumberred the whole rainforst in one night!!!!!

In such a structured day the meals are the variation. Breakfast was fine as I ordered a piece of bread, marmelade and cheese; dinner was fine as well because I got a huge salad every night. The one problem was lunchtime:
I hate potatoes and especially mash which is served in hospital - mash is like cement, so I wouldn't even try this. The meat did die for two or three times at least - so hard and untasty. The veggies looked like veggies but tasted like nothing. The soup was coloured but you couldn't make out which kind of soup it should be. So lunch was a big disappointment all the days. But when you do nothing during the day apart from standing up a few times to stretch your legs and going to the toilet you aren't hungry very much (or I am not).

So, I am not allowed to put weight on my foot for two weeks and then I have to walk with 30kg weight on the left foot for 4 weeks. That means I have sick-leave form work for round 2 months.
As summer is coming that is not such a bad thing - BUT
- I can't walk as much and fast as I like to
- I can't carry things around
- my foot is still sore

Damn it! Anyway - my pain will wear off soon (I hope) and I will walk as much as I can and otherwise just enjoy my time in the garden!!!

Even with my np3 player put in both ears I couln't overhear her snorring - so I was really amazed when sleeping through this last night in hospital.

May Day

2009-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

is occuring on May 1st and is synonymous with 'International Workers Day' or 'Labour Day', which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement.

In acient times known as 'Walpurgis Night' men celebrated the beginning of the warmer season. Today both are combiened:
Usually there are lots of partys on April, 30th and then there are manifestations and different kinds of events on the 1st.
In my area the 'Ruhr Festivals' start in May and the 1st is the official opening day.
So today there are lots of activities outside - bands, varietee, some manifestations or demonstrations - peacefully ones.

I confess, not having done anything today but watching films and take care of my new budgie. But I savorred the non-working day!

Once upon a time...

2009-04-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

... back in the year 2008 in Australia. A young woman did work, travel, enjoy the time and nature... While doing that she slipped in the forest or the driveway or dropped a tin (or something similiar) onto her foot. Of course that hurt in the time being but who would think of a serious accident? Me not.
Weeks later she mentioned the (from time to time) hurting foot. But as she did plan her travel route quite some time ago and a hurting foot wouldn't stop her, she did forget about it - as long as the foot was not aching.
So, around christmas time, she made up the plan to see the doctor when being back in her native country.
Back in Germany - a land of bureaucracy - it took about 4 weeks to get back the medical insurance. With that done it took another 6 weeks to get an appointment with an othopedic. Like most of the orthopedics the doctor didn't consider a x-ray for advisable. First the woman got inlays for her flat feet. When the pain was not decreasind she got another appointment. Another orthopedic (on the same practise) assumed a bandage for 4 days. Yeah! That one worked - for a couple of hours.
Another week later the woman did see the doctor again, who now wanted to inject a painkiller into the foot. When the woman did refuse a x-ray was done. The doctor watched it closely, looked up in some books and did consult with a collegue. They didn't come to a result so the women was referred to the hospital.
Two weeks later - nearly 8 weeks after seeing a doctor for the first time - she saw an orthopedic in hospital. Her first phrase - after welcome and the first glance onto the x-ray: A typical avulsoin fracture!!!
The doctors decision: The women has to be operated - either for a tension band or a revision of the fracture fragment.

To be continued!!!

Work

2009-04-14T11:30:00.001-07:00

So, you'd like to know something more about my work... I try to be objective.

It is quite a good job: I have to have 2 patients in 1 hour. They get a physical treatment, stimulation current and train on tools for 20 minutes each - usually. Then there are some other patients who get a massage, treatments for a neurological disorder or just a physical treatment.
For a PT Job is is really nice - the best one I have had so far. But there is still this feeling: not being happy or feeling balanced.
I am not satisfied with my doing: there are people after an operation involving the knee or hip. These clients come, get there treatments and after 2 weeks (around 6 treatments) I don't know what to work on more - there is no muscular weakness or instability. But as those ones get 30 (!) treatments I have to do something...
Then there are people with shoulder problems - broken upper arms, impingement sydroms, rotator cuff rupture - when 60 or 90 treatments are finished they can hardly use their arm in the normal way (usually). I do know that, the doc does know, the patient does know but I still have to work with the patient as long as they get doctors prescription. - In Germany the PT are not allowed to work indipendently; we have to get a dos's prescription beforehand! -
Another group of patients is the one with broken forearm or ankle. They come off hospital and the very next day I get them for the first treatment - we cannot do much apart from wiggling toes or finger...
The "Neuros" are my favourites - we both know nothing will help persistently. So the question before each treatment is what we should do for the moment.

Hard is I am waiting for the day to finish - at 8:05am. And I am waiting for the weekend - from monday morning on.

As mentioned above: It is a good job, not paid to badly. But still there is this feeling: doing my job - not a vocation - as good as I know and with that sentence in my mind: the earlier I start the earlier I've finished...

Marie Antionette & Bremen

2009-04-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

While being in Bremen I could not resist and did attend the Musical "Marie Antoinette". Stars like Sabrina Weckerlin and Ethan Freeman do play rolls and as I like history - there was no question: I had to see it!!!
The musical tells M.A. story about 20 years to her behadding in 1793. I guess, it is hard to fit 20 years into 2 hours. The change of the scenery isn't that easy as well.
All in all the story is nice, even while superficial every now and then.
There is one thing that annoys me again and again: music and vocals are not well-ochestratet; means there are parts the music is much too louad and when the singer does start you can't hear the voice in the first measures.

So - I had a very nice evening, but have to tell you I mustn't watch it a second time.

My stay in Bremen was really good: sun and warm and less wind during all the day. I was so happy having remembered taking my sunglasses along.
Walking through the city center, visiting the 'Town Musicians', 'Roland' and the Cathedral. I did enjoy the sun, the water (while walking along the Weser)or just sitting in the one of the parks and listen to nothing (the calmness).
I can't remeber when being that calm and relaxed for the last time - quite some time ago.

The Bremen Town Musicians

2009-04-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

A tale, written by the Brothers Grimm, tells about four animals (donkey, dog, cat and rooster)who shall be died by their owners. Each of them get it to know and take off. They meet accidentally and decide to become Town Musicians in Bremen. Their way takes quite long and the animals have to sleep somewhere. They find a house in which some bandits just have dinner. The Dog climbs on the donkeys back, the cat on the dog's one and the rooster flies on the cats hat, then they start making an ugly noise and so they drive the badits off.
The Animals do like their new home very much and in the end they don't continue the way to Bremen but stay in the house instead!

40 days after Carnival

2009-04-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

... it is Easter!!!

I have got 4 days off now - yeah!

Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday and Monday - what shall I do with all the free time?

Going to church and / or for a walk; watching the Easter Fire on Saturday Night; having pussy willow branches in a vase and searching for Easter baskets and many coloured eggs...

Then there are things like the TV Program - all the day movies are shown and it would be possible to spent the whole day in front of the TV. Scince a week I am angry about the service stations: every year again - right to the Easter Holidays beginning - the prices do raise; last week they've gone up by 10 cents a liter!

As the weather forecast gives us hope, I'd like to prepare a 'real' BBQ - with coal and not by usind gas!!! - tomorrow for lunch and then just sitting in the garden enjoying the sun.

Will let you know what else will have happend...

sunshine

2009-04-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

During last week temperatures did raise - up to 23°C!!!!
So on friday afternoon I decided to clean up our patio, being able to sit in the sun on saturday...
I did clean up - but no sun all the weekend! Instead it was grey and not very nice.
Can't give up hope: Eastern is coming

Trying to buy fish...

2009-03-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

... on a saturday is very hard here in Marl!

I did try to find some salmon or tuna for preparing sushi on the day before yesterday.
First I mentioned the one and only fish - shop in town (maybe I should write 'village')has closed quite a while ago; I recognised it when standing in front of the vacant window...
So I drove to another supermarket, and another and another. The salesperson was about loughing into my face when I asked for fresh fish; fresh fish is available on thursdays and when that's sold out that's it!!!

90 minutes and 5 shops later I gave up - I nearly threw a fit: I ended up in buying smoked salmon cutted in slices.

The good at last: My self - maked sushi tasted very nice!!!

Daylight Saving

2009-03-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Daylight saving took place on sunday - the clock was turned forward an hour so there is more daylight in the evening.
This means the time difference is 9 hours to Sydney by now!It'll be 8 hours when daylight saving ends following saturday night and you'll have turned the clock backwards.

ZOOM

2009-03-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

"A space to live close to nature for animals and an exotic place to experience things for people - that is the ZOOM Erlebniswelt! A unique landscape architecture and a large number of exciting adventures make it possible to immerse into distant worlds: riveting expeditions into the wilds of Africa, Asia and Alaska await the visitors - right in the middle of the Ruhr area! "

Still quite cold (10°C only)but sunny and so I drove to ZOOM today.
I've been in Alaska, seeing polar bears and seals. The animals did lie in the sun!
Afterwards I went on safari, watching lions, watussis and servals. A unique day.

I am not a fan of zoos; but as there the animals are not kept in small enclosures it is nice to watch them...

Recipes & TV& Weather

2009-03-19T05:15:00.000-07:00

I did copy and translate some recipes as well as I remembered some nice ones (e.g. Honey & soy Ribs).
So I wrote them down and today prepared the ribs - successfully. Mum did like them (and she wouldn't be mum when there weren't some points of criticism: salt is missing, next time put onions in as well, try to get the sauce firmer,...)
There was Dessert as well: Tiramisu! Yummy!!! Mascarpone, quark, eggs and amaretto; just delicious!

The TV program gets as good and interesting as in Oz (if you don't know me - that's tongue in cheek).
In the time being there are two good series: McLeods Daughter's is on again and shown middays from 12pm to 2am - I cannot watch it.
But this week ER starts again - season 15, the final one; haven't got seen 14 but that's ok.

So apart from working there is not much to do right know. Weather is getting better - just in time for the spring which starts on the 20th here. The bright and warm stuff - guess its knwon as 'sun' - does shine some time a day. Hopefully the weekend will be that nice as well. I am planning to visit a zoo...

German Dart Championship

2009-03-16T12:43:00.001-07:00

This weekend there was a Dart Tournement in Marl - the German Championships. I helped some friends from friday afternoon up to sunday evening: cutting buns, selling, making coffee, helping in the tournement, etc. Long hours and little sleep - but it has been a very nice weekend.
In between I attended the womens tournement but wasn't too successful - I did win one game out of three; that is enough to be an 'also-run'...

Memories & Everydaylife

2009-03-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

10 weeks ago I landed in Frankfurt. It was a cold and foggy day. Since than there were lots of cold and rainy days.
It is so easy to remember the warm and sunny days back in Sydney.
Last week my parcel (I had to sent one before leaving Oz)arrived and now I definitly can finish my unpacking. Flyers, photos, letters - everything will be fitted in an album and remember me of the best time of my life.
Everdaylife in contrast is a bit more difficult - there are no sunny days yet just very gloomy ones.
What is the difference? Why was everything so simple and very good last year? Why am I moaning that lot?
There must be an answer somewhere...

Spring!!!

2009-03-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

There - I did see it. Something bright. I could see it through my window. What is it named again??? I remember - SUN!!!!!
Alright, it is a snatch of sunshine and not a blazing hot one like that in Oz - but anyway there is sun!!!
The first day which can be titled "spring - day"....
Just remember the last day with 10.5°C on which you felt really good and it seemed to be warm; honestly I can't remember it but today is a nice day.

Karnival

2009-02-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

The time has come again. Cologne, Duesseldorf, Mainz and Aachen are celebrating. Masqueraded people - known as "Jecke" - walk aoaring through the streets, many of them drunken...
The season did start yesterday on a day called "Women's Carnival Day". As used women from a Karnival Culb 'storm' the townhall and the mayor is to present the key to the women. Afterwards they get some lunch and are celebrating.
Most people use the carnival time to get drunken and just celebrate.
During the weekend the feats continue; there are cortages through the streets where in differnt clubs or schools are walking and throuwing sweets to the cheering crowd.
On Rose monday there are the huge cortages in the towns which are shown on TV as well.

The origin takes place in the christian practices of a heathens way to cast out the winter.

Typically you would eat some "Berliner" (in some areas they are called "Krapfen"); that is a sweet similiar to a doghnut but filled with jam intsteas of a gap in the middle. (I am sorry for this comparison but that way it is the most easiest way to understand.)

Everything is finished on Ash wendsday, after that the Lent starts.

Snow

2009-02-15T10:16:00.000-08:00

Great! Snow is falling again! With temperatures round 0°C there could be the danger of black ice in the morning. This in turn means I have to get up 30minutes early (which is before 6am then) in case I have to scavenge a possibly snowy street in the morning and getting to work in time...

St. Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T05:05:00.001-08:00

Another year, another february - and another 14th of february in which the paper's are filled with announcements of love. Flower, chocolate and gift shops are advertising in all papers, the shops are decorated with lots of red hearts...

And I have to announce - I DON'T CARE!

I survived another 14.2 and what did I do? I went to see some dart games in a huge tournament in Dortmund. Afterwards I visited some kins and the rest of the day I did do my washing...

So whatever; if you like to celebrate the day you do but don't be cross with me that I don't.

Cinema

2009-02-15T03:02:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see so many movies when I have stayed in Australia - especially in the last week. But then there was so little time and I ended up with watching "Madagascar 3" only.
Two weeks ago "The curious case of Benjamin Button" did start here in Germany and I planned to go and watch it. My friend wanted to see a movie as well and so we went for watching it on thursday.
I do like the story: a newborn (Benjamin) looking like an old man, is getting younger the older he becomes. He ended up falling in love with a girl who is visiting her grandmother in the old people's home where in Benjamin is raised. The path of them is crossed several times in their life and when they are in the 30's they become a couple. Problems appear when Benjamin is to become a father...

Johanna and I do agree by saying that the movie is lengthly in some parts but the story of one person getting younger while everybody else is getting older is special.

What a great movie!

Like everywhere else there are several trailers before the movie did start. And like so often I did see a few movies I'd like to see in future.
Now I hope I can find time for those ones...

Work situation

2009-02-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

It is incredible! I didn't write lots of aplications but uploaded an CL in one of the PT - pages. So I was really impressed when I got several mails written by possible employers.
Two weeks ago (on a saturday) I went to see one of those employers who has got a small practice in the city nearby. She offered a part-time job with working hours between 8am and 9pm. The people are really kind there and I woulnd't need a car as it is provided for the home-in-physiotherapy. The salary was good and I excepted.
I started on the next friday; the boss hadn't printed the contract till the next wendsday. When I got a call on that morning I couldn't believe my ears - if I would still be interested in a full-time job I applied for two weeks ago. Hey - this would be a full-time job, not in a hospital but with regulated working hours; I made an appointment for a job interview on thursday.
On Friday I spoke to "my old boss" with the result of her drumming me off. So eihter I would be successful on monday on the training day or I would still be unemployed; I didn't care.
Today I went along with the girl who is changing jobs. The colleagues are kind, the patients have got neurological and surgical desease patterns - working hours to 6pm in maximum and week ends free.
Just fantastic!

I GOT THE CONTRACT AT ONCE!

Now I do hope I am attaining happiness there. It could be THE job...

Musicals

2009-02-08T02:25:00.000-08:00

Beeing back 4 weeks now and I have seen 2 musicals already!
Two weeks ago I have seen "Ich will Spaß" (I want fun) - it's a quite funny story about a girl in the 1980th, beeign in love with a hot guy for the first time. Her mother is an aged Hippy girl, the father unknown. The girls best friend ( another girl named Rosi) is shy and grown up very protected in a conservative family.
In the end it is shown that the hot guy is the son of the girls father and her mother is still in love with that guy (he appears after a few scenes and dies in the middle of the second part). The girl is having a baby with the guy, Rosi is in live with another boy and everything is fine.
It's not a very profound story but the music is type of the "New German Wave" - this music started in the end of the 70th and the peak was in the early 80th;it is a mix of German spoken punk and New Wave.

Last thursday I did listen to a Musical Night - 4 singers presented songs out of several musicals: New and older ones, well known and nearly forgotten ones.
The ticket had cost just 30€ - usually such tickets coust 70€ or more; but this one was shown in a small town on a small stage.
In the very beginning I was more than disappointed - the voices dind't suit to the songs and the two female singers did kill my most favourite songs (What is the feeling and Defying gravity from "Wicked"). So when the break was on I couldn't understant some people comments who were really delighted from the show.
So when the second part startet I was ready for everything and expected the worst - I was wrong. Ths part was times better than the first - Evita, Chicago, Starlight Express - the voices did suit well and I was happy not having left in the break!!!

Now I am waiting to earn some money as I have to save for my next ticket to Australia as well as for "Spamalot", "Marie Antoinette", "Tarzan", "Peter Pan", "Dance of the Vampires" and "The shoe of Manitu".....
I keep you updated!

Harder than thought it would be

2009-02-05T01:57:00.000-08:00

A month is gone now. Everybody talking to me how well I setteld in. The times I am sad and speaking aloud about it all the people around me tell me stuff like: I shouldn't see things so negative, being open minded, not thinking to much about Australia,... I am puting up agood face on the matter.
Here is the onjective view of things in the moment: I live in my old room in my mother's flat, ended my relationship, the grey and rainy weathe makes me depressive and I am starting again in the job I don't like...

This blog seems to be the only possibility to speak about my sentiments. So don't be cross with me when there is no funny post in the next weeks.

Sickness

2009-01-28T11:20:00.001-08:00

I didn’t suffer with allergies for a year now: cat – hair, dust, grass – I didn’t react! It was great!

Right after being back everything did start from the beginning. I sneezed every five minutes, reacted on everything. Further on I got a cold within the first 3 days – which kept on for three weeks. Now I stop sneezing but start coughing….

Fruit, Biscotti and activities

2009-01-28T11:19:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I met for having brunch with my best friends. A really nice buffet was offered: different kinds of bread (can’t tell you how much I missed it), quark and joghurt, cheese and cold meat and lots of fruit. Unfortunately I tried kiwifruit and ananas – a pity; I can vividly remember the nice taste I had in December.
The last evenings I was looking for something “nice” to eat. There were fruit or chocolate available – but I am missing Don’s Biscotti.
Another thing I do miss is the activity. I did start to cycle again, but with cold and rainy weather I often just stay home. By doing this I notice a special ‘not resting possibility’ – I have to do something! And because of this and the weather I decided not to start cajaking but Tai Chi (I’ve got the first training on Friday).

Freetime activities

2009-01-24T06:14:00.000-08:00

I have got a lot of free time in the moment. So you may ask what I am doing - tidy up the flat and my room, writing applications, training darts?!? That's almost right.
But there is so much time so I did start to read all my books for young people (written by Berte Bratt) again, finished the Harry Potters already
(of course I did read the english version!),

did the Aboriginal Puzzle I was given for Christmas

and I am watching McLeods Daughters! I couldn't resist and had to by season 1-7 - season 8 will have been bought in february, when it is purchasable.

Marl

2009-01-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

Marl is a small town in the west of germany. It is part of the state Nordrhine Westfalia, the area is called the "Ruhr area". As one of ten towns in the district "Recklinghausen", it expansed on 87,7km² with a population number from around 90.000 people ( that are 1023 resedents/ km²).
As I got to know lately the town was already settled 600 a.C. by te Celts, which were frightend away by the Teutons. The Romans followed but pulled back after the "Battle of the Teutoburg Forrest" 9 p.C. 80p.C. the tribe of the Brukerer settled and a few y
ears later (during the next centurys) the Saxons settled as well.
In medevil times Marl was involved in several wars and in the late 19th century 2 coal mines were opened; the first one was closed 1972 and the second one is subsidized for years now - it has to close in the next years.
Formed in 1938 the "Chemical factory Hüls" was one of the main employers in Marl. This was one reason for the town to be bombed during the 2nd World war and afterwards occupied by the Americans.
1974 the "Marler Stern" - the one shopping mall- opened. It was a spectacular moment, this building with its 2 storages 180m long and 25m wide. Especially the "Air cushion roof" was a new invention.

So, in this industrial town I grew up and now I am back. By the way - 60% of the area is green: parks, fields, forest and waters.

Everyday life

2009-01-19T08:02:00.000-08:00

is as boring as before. I am still looking for a job and waiting for responses to my applications, battle with red tape and don't really know where I belong. It seems like I have change a lot but everything here didn't. - Have I written that before and start to weary you?

However, I continued my dart playing and am still surprised how well it is working - conciedering a break of 13 months.
I fixed my mums bike and try to cycle consistently every day; what is very hard when it's cold and rainy.

So today I decided not to write about my life back here in Germany in general but about my city and public holidays as well.

Breakfast - Quartett

2009-01-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

Four good friends whom knew each other science school. We try to meet every month once which is hard enough with three people working on weekends and two of them doing shift work. However, last year my three friends (without me) haven't met once!
So I was very suprised when I got a text asking for a meeting this weekend. In the end I had brunch on saturday and sunday as the one friend must work on saturday and the other on sunday; Joey was there both days. These two meetings were great; each for its own.
We laughed and entertained not just ourselves but the neighbours as well. My Australia - Photobook was looked at jealously and both times we sat together, laughing & speaking for approxemetly 4 hours.
It was so good seeing them again after such a long time.
This days I am in a better mood. It is amazing how quickly I adjusted in the end. I am still not happy about the weather. It is typical weather for this season: rainy, grey and cold (the snow is gone - I am so about about that!). The sun is seen every now and then and it's getting dark around 5pm. But I am back and everybody around me is happy; and I am happy about seeing my friends here. Even though I am missing everybody back in Australia now...

Reality

2009-01-11T05:52:00.000-08:00

Knowing I would come off a "high" back here into reality is not easy - but I will manage.
My year 2008 was a complete success; it did start a bit rough but turned out really great! I found a new family and some real friends, did see the most beautiful beaches, learned to work on a farm and improved my english.
So when I arrived in Frankfurt - in a winter as cold as it hasn't been for ages - I was disappointed and had a negative attidude against everything. This did change towards a realistic attitude: it is cold and grey here, I am unemployed and not yet sure what to do.
I had made plans what I wanted to achieve in Down Under - not everything was done in december as often happens. And of course I did made plans for the year 2009.
Next to "finding a job" are lined up things like: continuing to speak english, improving riding skills, saving money for the next journey (which is to earn first), stay in touch with these great people I did meet,...

You will get to know how things work out...

Friends

2009-01-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Being back now for a week and nothing changed - I mean, I did change a lot in one year time but it seems nothing else did...

So,yesterday I went for my first Dart play in the year and after a 13 months break. It was okay. I had fun, even when it is still allowed to smoke inside the room we played in - after two hours my eyes were itchy and burning and I smelled like smoked meat. This is the part I still hate - but I can't amend that. Some of my team mates I haven't seen for that period of time and we chatted, I did show some photos as well.
Doing this I became a bit homesick and realized that I am home here and not in Australia anymore...
However, on the highway I did see a friend of mine (driving in her car), got up close next to hear and honked my horn - Joey did recongnize me! Obviously I did not change very much!!!

TV

2009-01-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

As much as I groused about Australian TV - the German doesn't seem to be better:

Okay, we haven't got commercials every 10 minutes but the range is as good or bad as in Australia:

There is "How I met your mother", "Two and a half men", "The biggest Loser", "The Tudors", "Everwood", "Deal or no Deal",...

But the worse is: just old movies are shown in the moment; I mean not really old movies but such you have seen in the last (1)5 years every year - "Home alone", "Sister Act", and German productions I did see the 5th time now... There are no new movies in the common TV in the moment...

Am I happy, that I orderd the whole McLeods Daughter's lot: I got season 5 - 7 today and the first four ones should arrive tomorrow!!!

Missing

2009-01-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

The next things I am missing:

sushi for lunch - the next sushi available is about a 30km drive away and the frozen one is just aweful!

Fresh seafood or nice fish'n'chips - Marl seems to be just a village...

sun - sunset is around 8.15am and dawn at 4.30pm... great feelings!

weather - there is snow lieing outside and it is freezing cold; this didn't hapend for ages in my area! I miss the heat and humidity!!!!

And especially I miss all these nice phrases which I mentioned in my last post! Here is no Darling, no mate, no see ya later,....

Dialogues

2009-01-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

During the day I had to talk to several people: making appointments with docters and the bank, shopping for books, Dvd's and shoes,... It is not the same than 2 weeks ago. I do miss all the typical stereotypical expressions. There is no "G'Day", "Thanks, mate", "no worries". Everything is so formal over here. The people didn't even announce you with "Mam" or "Miss" - here I do wait for the "Darl(ing)", "Dear" or "Sweety" - there is nothing.
I touch somebody really softly and apologise immediatly - the reaction: I get a strange view!!!

I had really forgotten how prim and unpersonal the contact is!

"1st Day"

2009-01-06T01:53:00.000-08:00

okay, I arrived on saturday and so it would be the 3rd back in Germany - but the first day I had to go out...
'Out' in this case means, I went to the employment office to notify them me being back and getting my insurance.
I got up at 6.30am, looked out of the window and couldn't believe my eyes: the street was white, the tree was white, I could hardly see the cars parking at the rear - there was 20cm fresh fallen snow!!! And this in my area - where that amount of snow hasn't got fallen for years!!!
So, after getting dressed, I was looking for a bicycle - it was just incredible: The lights on mine are broken, the tire on my mum's is flat... In the end I ended up walking to the office.
On that way I did hear a men swearing when some snow did fall on him (he just walked underneath a tree, when some snow did fall down). I was nearly bumbed by a car, sliding out off a side road. And when I entered the office at 7.30am there was an employee sitting who told me I would need my photo ID but couldn't use my passport. Then I got another appointment in 10 days time to finish off with the aplication. I was already pissed off!
It is dark till 8.30 am, freezing cold, the people seem to be not as kind as in AUS and I can hardly see the sun.
So far everybody is happy me being back - I just can't tell anybody what I want to do or not or what my feelings are; it seems I don't know myself anymore...

Arrived

2009-01-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

Charlotte dropped me off at the Airport, I queued and could finally check in my baggage. Even with 20,9kg not aproblem at all!!!
Then the securtiy check without complaints and I entered the security area. I was not really interested in the duty free products, so I just set down and did my sudoku.
In the end my flight was in time and we started at 5pm to go to Singapoure.
The entertainment system did work for 30minutes, then we (not just me, but round 1/3 of the passangers) noticed problems and in the end the crew/ captain spoke to the quantas engineers, so we had a choice between 13 films and series. We should have the choice between those 13 - I could decide between 2 (women and another one) films and 3 reportages - really nice for an 8h flight!
Landed in Singapoure I did hope, they could fix those problems as I would sit in this very plane on the way to Frankfurt...
So after a 60 minutes stay in Singapoure we went on to the 2nd part of the flight. My crossed finger did work - no problems with the entertainment!
I did watch Mamma Mia!, Ghost Town, Witness, The Dutchess, House, Grey's Anatomy and CSI - 13 hours went by and I did land in Germay, 5.35 am on the 3rd.
As accepted I was picked up by Maik and my mum; after the first hugs we could leave the airport and drove back home. The german winter welcomed me: -12°C, frosty and foggy; it dawned somewhen after 8am.
This is so strange. I still see me on the patio on the 1st, having dinner there, talking till 10pm and being dressed in shorts and shirt. On the 2nd I woke up, be wakend by the kookaboora and Oscar running up and down the steps.
I didn't sleep in the plane, so I slept for 3 hours yesterday afternoon and went to bed early. This morning there was nothing - I couldn't hear a single sound...