How are you and how is your German?

I really don't understand why strangers are so interested in how my German is coming along. I am now annoyed with the question. I went for a follow-up visit today to see the dermatologist or Hautartz. I had been to this office once before for my initial check-up and was now returning 6 months later to follow-up on a suspicious looking mole. I'll save the initial check-up and the Germans love of being naked for another post.

Anyway, the doctor walks in says hello and ask me how I am doing and why am I here. I remind her, in English of course, that we need to look at a suspicious mole. Instead of asking me about the mole and if I have noticed any changes, her next question is, "So how is your German coming along?" Really? I didn't realize your were Dr. Berlitz! Caught off guard I simply relpy, "It's fine thank you."

Dr.-"Then we can speak German now?"

Me-"We could, but we wouldn't get anywhere."

Dr.-"Why is it so hard for you to learn German?"

Ok, this is where I bit my tongue and almost needed stitches. WHY? Let's see... It's a fricking crazy language for starters! There are words longer then our English alphabet. And don't get me started with Der, Die, Das. It's THE! Simple one word, no gender needed! And why do you break up verbs and split them in a sentence? And only one of them? How do you know which one? Uggh! Too many rules and then too many exceptions to the rules. But I digress. Back to the doctor.

Me-"Do you really want to know? Really?"

Dr.-"Is it that everyone speaks English to you? It is isn't it? I would really like to know."

Now I understand that every family has it's challenges and I am by no means complaining how hard I have it compared to any other mom. I am very fortunate and blessed, but like everyone, life can be a bit overwhelming. So here was my response.

Me-"Let's see. I have two kids that go to two different school 1 hour apart. So I spend 4 to 5 hours a day driving someone somewhere. One kid has special needs and I take him to therapy 3 times a week. Then I have to work with him at home, everyday. My daughter has piano and dance. Oh, yeah and they both have school work. My husband is always working and last time I checked, I do not have a driver, nanny, maid, tutor or any family support here. Somewhere in between being taxi mommy and care giver, I also need to grocery shop, clean my house and do all the other things to run a household. And no, not everyone speaks English to me, which makes the above mentioned take, I don't know, 20 times longer! I would LOVE to speak German! More then you know! But when you look at the big picture, my kids are doing great, everyone is fed, my house has not been taken over by dust bunnies and mold, and I even managed to make this appointment and get here on time. I'd say my German is pretty damn good!!"

Dr.- "Okay, so let's have a look at the mole..."

Our Thanksgiving

We were fortunate enough this year to celebrate Thanksgiving twice. Of course neither of the celebrations happened on the actual day, but let's not be picky.

Our first celebration was in the states and we called it Thanksoweenie as we celebrated both Halloween and Thanksgiving together. It was actually one of the best Thanksgivings ever. The kids ate in their Halloween costumes and we went to the cider mill, ate carmel apples, went bobbing for apples and the like. My sister had her house all decked out for Halloween and we ate our turkey with our spider friend looking over us!

Our 2nd Thanksgiving celebration was celebrated with our friends Anna, Felix and Kyle. This was Anna and Felix's first Thanksgiving and first ever pumpkin pie! Anna and I had a little trouble finding the right size turkey (we could only find a 17 lb. one!) so we opted for 2 smaller turkey breasts we named Wolfgang and Helmut. Since they were skinless and we wanted gravy, I decided to try something at my mom's suggestion. Using cheese cloth like skin, I covered the turkey with a herb paste and then covered it with the cheese cloth that had been soaked in butter and herbs. It turned out great! I'm thinking of writing a cookbook for how to improvise as an expat in Germany! I was able to put together a yummy dinner without all the normal Thanksgiving necessities. But no matter how much improvising I was able to do, Wolfgang became our problem child and refused to cook! He was only 4 lbs. but he took all of 4 hours to cook! Luckily Helmut made us proud and we ate him while Wolfgang continued to cook.

In the end we've had a great Thanksgiving season and as always, so much to be thankful for. We are a very blessed family and we try to remember that every day, not just once a year.