Sticky Apple Kisses

We here in Deutschland have two choices when it comes to movies, see it late dubbed in German, or wait a few months and hope the only original language cinema in the area (at least the only one that does not involve me prepositioning solders) picks it up half a year later. And tonight was the big premiere of Kung Fu Panda, which considering it was only a month late is not so bad. And I must confess I loved it. To the point where I was hee hawing my cackle (much to the dismay of all around me, but as I went by myself not to the public embarrassment of my friends. You should have seen me at Juno, the girl I was with threatened to move.) But this evening saw me alone as everyone else had something else to do besides hang with me, and despite the fact that the money I now have must do me for the next 3 months as I travel from here to Turkey and back, I decided to indulge myself. One of the nicer parts about living in a tent instead of opting for luxury vacations, 10 Euros may be a room with a shower, but then biker boots kind’ve make the whole clean thing moot anyway. Bring on my fat kung fu pandas!!!

Janine, upon seeing my Facebook photo from the other night where I had on this hat:

Wrote me this lovely email: (Janine is a German historian, also a Newfoundlander living in Germany, and we did our Masters together. Whereas I then ran from anything and everything academic, J9 has embraced it and is now living in Germany while working on her PhD.

Ms. McCarthy,
It is a well known fact among German historians that the development of the German nation state was directly related to a growth of nationalism that was fostered, not by the nation, but from the ground level. Of key importance to this growth was the use of associations, particularly those dedicated to sports such as shooting and gymnastics.

Some time has past and we have witnessed the defeat of German nationalism. However low and behold once again, its growth is influenced by sports. In this case given that times have changed, gymnastics would only work for anorexics and shooting clubs are out of the question because the rest of the world are weary of German with guns for some unknown reason, the torch has been past on to football.

I have been resisting the attempt to wear the red, gold and black for this reason. They have convinced me that not watching football is a sin and I have learned my lesson that if you ever used the words, “well hockey is much more exciting”, I may find my way on a train and might not live to see deportation. However I have resisted becoming a full on foosie. (I just made that up, do you like it, its a combination of the derogatory word for someone from the east and for someone from the west;)
However, I was quite shocked to see that you have been unable to resist. I know that you have been living here much longer than i and given your relationship status, resistance is not the best policy but I still thought that you would join in the resistance and refuse the colors.

So tonight I will be watching the finals, rooting for Germany but not giving into their nationalism, as my loyalties still remain with Newfoundland which might be why I am getting deported.

But remember Ms McCarthy, I am not mad, I am just merely disappointed. You may redeem yourself in my eyes by painting a NL pink white and green on your face on the opposite side of your newly anointed colors.

Germany did lose, which prompted these guys to crawl around on cross walks whenever a car supporting Spain tried to pass.

My tomorrow has been ruined, and yes I am a spoiled princess. Instead of having class tomorrow evening like scheduled, I now have my lesson 6 30 am for 2 units before having to run straight back to work to begin at 8 30 and to go on straight til 12 15. Why is this bad? I teach English just so that I never HAVE to get up before 7 in the morning, EVER!!!! (In Korea I took the job because it began at 2 in the afternoon). Plus I am going to be so sweaty for my almost 4 hours of private lessons. Next time Orlando vacations, because that may be easier than getting a license before Saturday.

Some families are serious and spend their time talking about the “important” things in life, comparing term life insurance, mortgage rates, investments and stock portfolios. Me and mine. we like to send insulting videos to each other, preferable of something that will upset the other person, or at the very least give a giggle.

I share my latest goody I sent to my baby brother, who made it worth it by almost peeing he laughed so long, before becoming upset as he wondered which group I may have been suggesting he was.

This is so not politically correct, you’ve been warned, I don’t want emails about it. I mean the name alone should tip you off.

Why you should never go to the zoo with Tracey: she learned from years of my fathers wisdom that you dont need to outrun the bear, just the person your with. She applies that philosophy to Lions as well.

Wheeeeeeeee, I have the day off today, after putting in 25 hours of work in 2 days today is freedom. Which gives me a chance to catch up on everything I have to do before leaving, including checking out travel insurance (or does my insurance cover everything because I am currently covered in Europe anyway? Turns out that my motorcycle insurance covers all the countries I want to visit without having to get extra).  I also need to enjoy this sunshine, so not TOO much internet time today. 

This describes German roads in a way I never could. Good for a giggle, and come July 5th should I fail (which I am not planning to do, but who knows in this country what I am actually SUPPOSE to do on the roads at any given point in time), well you have a better idea why I might have.

So yes, July 5th I dance the happy dance, or I scream cry and curse.

I really hope its the happy dance.

 German Signs Do Not Tell You The Speed Limit

I despise this:

German Traffic Lights Are Directly Above Your Head

and finally:

Germans Drive Binary  (I have had my instructor yell at me for not racing up to a red light at full speed,as well as for not accelerating at “full gas” when I see the yellow about to go green.)

Sigh, I may be able to start the bike on a mountain (a requirement of the test) but if I fail because I dont fly out of a red light I will dropkick.

What is the first thing you expect when a friend calls and shrieks into your ear OH MY GOD I JUST NEED A GIRLFRIEND TO TALK TO RIGHT NOW. You start to think that you will be off with her to help her pick out baby bedding, instead it turns out that it was a missed train, (and I know this pain and this rage as you realize that you are stuck in the middle of Germany for the next 3 hours to stare at a train wall and think about all the pain you would like to inflict upon the mother f**ker who messed up your life by screwing with the perfect German timetable and causing you to be 5 minutes late and therefore 4 hours longer as you miss your only connection for the foreseeable future.)

But that makes me breathe easier. But figured I would share that little blip as the day has been completely uneventful otherwise.

I passed, I passed, I passed!!! I got the do you run over children question (worth 5 points) wa ha, and the math question came with 3 possibly answers which I always just pick the highest, and it worked!!!

Me leaving TUV (ok on the Black Devil, but whatever, still a motorcycle helmet!) : waha!!

Although I do have a question, I was sent a link on natural acne treatment, which is all fine and dandy, however I have noticed that since I have started motorcycling the past 3 years my skin has become crappier. Is it the wind? The sun baking me through the visor? Or just age?

As well as a place to vent frustration, but studying for this test is driving me mad, one moment it asks can you drive without car insurance? Or my favorite - there is a child in the middle of the street, but they are not on a cross walk, do you continue driving anyway? (The variation on this is “a car has pulled out in front of you, do you wave your priority or continue on to a head on collision?”).

The next question: You are driving at 100 kms an hour, you have a reaction time of one second, and the road is wet with a wind velocity of (insert cruel number here) - what is your stopping distance?

Consistency people!!!!  Work with me!