The Force

What urges one to wear tights that have a precarious run over the
buttox area. One that you know is there and will leave you feeling
exposed for the rest of the day. Or sweltering hot because you left
your coat on in an attempt to 'cover up'.

Probably about the same mysterious force that results in only ever
needing to poop when you have left the house. Or only ever knocking
your body in places that have already been hit (leaving a bicycle in a
small passage way is probably not a good idea, especially if you are a
Midnight Wee-er). And I would dare say it's the same force that
leaves you positively dehydrated when you have no cash what so ever
and are on a train, or in the middle of a field or some other shopless
area.

The same force that makes it pour with rain when you have no umbrella,
raincoat, ANORrrrrrrrAK (emphasis on the 'K' for the afrikaans effect)
and the wind is making you chilly. Or makes the sun shine when you're
wearing warm clothes, can't remove layers and are prone to facial
redness.

That makes the teacher ask you for the answer the 0NE time you didn't
do your homework. Or the one that makes you NEED to have THAT dress
when you have money for petrol to get home and petrol ONLY.

It's a mysterious thing.
My buttox just says I should have worn a looooonger top or a dress so
it wouldn't feel so violated every time I sit on a bench in a station.

New Hair Day

I have been moaning about my hair for a while. It was short, and then
it started to look a bit 'shaggy'. This is not really a good look for
me. My skin is now pale, and I have been working late nights, so it is
dull and a bit lacluster. (There are bags under these eyes too).

Then there was the question of 'What To Do'?
Do I want to cut it so it remains short, and while it would then
require regular maintenance it would be so easy to manage, especially
in the mornings-wash, dry (this takes about 2 seconds) and go...
OR: I could cut it so that it can grow. This requires less
maintenance, offers infinite styling possibilities, but takes longer
to dry etc, and with winter well on it's way... Hmmm

Needless to say, there was a lot of thinking involved. A lot of
pretend pony-tail making. And a few skype calls too. What is a girl,
if not one that requires the advice from at LEAST 3 other
professionals.

And by professionals I mean 3 people who have hair and have known me
for longer than a year. Clear qualification I say!

So off I went... Trotting along to a GERMAN hairdresser, where I had
made an appointment IN GERMAN, and then proceded to explain to the
hairdresser, who only speaks GERMAN, what I would like her to do to my
precious locks with those very sharp looking scissors. All the while
hoping I hadn't switched the word grow with something fatal, like
"Extremely Short Please"... Eek

And so the snipping began.

For the first time in my life I did not attempt to make small talk. I
did not attempt to watch watch she was doing. I did not attempt to
anticipate where she would cut next. I simple looked down at my lap
where she had placed a lovely GERMAN Glamour magazine, and poured all
of my energy into trying to decifer what was written in that tiny font
on those tiny pages.

It's funny the difference a haircut can make (even if you don't let
them dry your hair for fear of the price doubling, or something sneaky
to that effect). Just a few small snippidy snips and it's as though
the sparkle was re-added to my moisturiser.(I am convinced that that
is where the transformation from Asleep Face to Awake Face comes
from).

Even though my hair is now shorter (I went for the growing option, but
a style was needed. Mullets don't suit me, unfortunately), and I still
feel rediculously pale, and boyish (this may have more to do with my
height and constant jean wearing), and I am working late again and
will, no doubt, have even bigger bags under my eyes tomorrow, I feel
as though every person that walks by is admiring my mane. And even
better than that, I feel ok. I feel like I can confidently reprimand a
naughty child, and make it home through the cold, and rightfully so,
accomplish damn near anything.

I even managed to wear the right shoes today.

And all because of a haircut.
Aaah, the wonders of being a girl. :)

Stepford Wives

Since our house guests left, we haven't really had a chance to get things back in order. So, I decided today was the day. The ironing pile was growing, the dust was collecting in the corners and it was all getting a little too much.

The problem for me, however, is that once I start, I become quite particular, and can't stop until it's a little closer to perfect. Far cry from the little girl who used to just push it all under her bed, I know!

It was right about when I was folding the last freshly ironed t-shirt, that I realised how tired I was! I literally hadn't stopped for about 4 hours. (I know this seems a long time for a small apartment, but like I said, I'm particular, and there were hidden crevices that really had never been touched.)

Why did I not befriend some sort of army of stepford wives, with their pearly white aprons and incredible folding skills. It'd sure be a little easier! Maybe then I could learn the secrets to remaining immaculately put-together whilst tackling grime.
(I seem to be a more sweat-on-the-brow-hair-in-a-mess kind of cleaner, and then I, myself need to be cleaned.)

The problem with having a 'cleaning day' is that once you sit down, it's very hard to put your feet up. Will you mess up the sofa? Tread dirt on the carpet? Leave a ring on the table? Small things to be sure, but they add up, and soon enough it's cleaning day again.

At least it's just an apartment. Vacuuming literally takes 5 minutes if you're only going for the visible areas. Perhaps the trick is to remain incredibly busy, that way there is no time to obsess about the cleanliness of a cleaning cloth.

And there is always the upside of a REQUIRED glass of wine after it all.

Mind the spillage!!!

Shoes, glorious shoes

I know you're tired of wearing the same shoes all the time. And
they're so, well, black and beige. And your toenails are freshly
painted in a lovely colour... It's a sunny day.

Still, this is no time to be wearing slops Robyn!

Not only will you realise that, once again, you are the only person in
Munich wearing slops/sandals, but your toes will nearly fall off as
you cycle off to catch the train. Those people are not staring at your
feet in admiration of you free toes and wonderful workmanship with
nail polish... They're wondering why you are being so silly, so
unpractical, so un... German!

So I cower, and tuck my toes under my chair, and HOPE that when I
leave school today the sun will have warmed everything up 3 fold, so
open shoes feel neccessary.

These people have been here a little longer than me, so MIGHT know better.

But despite any strange glares and gusts of cold air, I have to say...
Man, it feels good to have free toes!

The Oktoberfest Magic

Today I started work at 6pm. Definitely looked like it was closer to
4pm the way the sun was still shining so furiously!

We are currently experiencing what is known as the 'Oktoberfest Magic'...
For some mystical reason the Autumn chill holds off for these two and
a bit weeks.

Personally I think it's amazing as I am not QUITE ready for the real
cold weather to set in. I need a pay check and a bit of a shop first I
think :)

Good weather also means trips to the play ground and walking home from
school, which means tired little girls. And while the need for
icecream is greater, as is the risk of sugar-crash-induced grumpiness,
and an apparent inability to eat peas ( try explain to a tired 6yr old
why she should eat more than 4 peas, tricky...) It does mean that
falling asleep is a much quicker event, and let me tell you... After
all that, I have begun to appreciate the stillness and QUIETness of
the night!

Also, the longer the day is, the more 'tea time's I can fit in!

Viva long sunny days! Viva!

Oktober Festivities

Oktoberfest.
A world famous gathering of hundreds of thousands of Beer lovers, and generally curious souls.

Got a picture in your head?

So did I... and it was completely wrong.

The large field filled with tents is actually a HUGE parking lot type surface, and the tents, well, they're not quite tents at all. In fact they are massive prefab halls, that are constructed just for, and come down straight after, Oktoberfest.
(A far cry from the shmooshy, muddy field I had envisioned.)

What we were greeted with was more along the lines of a LARGE scale fun fare.
Food, horses, roller coasters, beer halls, brightly coloured lights, laughter, food and hundreds of people, all dressed in their traditional get up.

Just in case you missed that... let me repeat... ROLLER COASTERS.
These are incredibly fun for once you have drowned any fear of heights and strangely directed motion with beer, and feel like you might ENJOY being flung around in the sky. Nothing but a few bolts and bars of metal keeping you from falling a looong way down. The view, however, is AMAZING! Especially at night!

The people are loud, festive and for the most part, pretty drunk. But everyone is toasting everyone, and chanting and cheering together.
Finding a table is a bit tricky, especially if you get there later in the day, but once you're in, you are prepared to settle in for the day.

Well, until the roller coasters call becomes too loud to ignore.

My traditional outfit was far from warm, and my snotty nose was a bit of a pain, but I was there. Oktoberfest. No way I was going home until after AT LEAST 3 rides and a very warm, sticky, nuttela pancake.

And the best part?
It goes on for two more weeks!!!!!

While my beer drinking for the rest may be limited, I will DEFINITELY be returning, even if just to watch the people walk on by. If I make it through the recovery day, that is.

I would not recommend

settling into a few bottles of wine the night before Oktoberfest begins.

This will only lead to more bottles, a late wake up, and a pretty severe headache and missing the opening parade.

It also makes it relatively hard to summon the will to drink beer.

Oh, who am I kidding.
I'm literally salivating at the thought of an icy, cold beer.

Autumn Leaves

The problem I have with cold weather is that I feel as though I am constantly wearing the SAME outfit.

Black top, black shoes, jeans, cream jacket.
White top, grey shoes, jeans, cream jacket.
Black jeans, black boots....

You get the picture.

And even if you try mix it up with a different colour scarf, you still feel like you're wearing the same thing that you wore yesterday, and the other 5 days before that.

Walking to school, and then to work, I can't help wondering a) how everyone else managed to look so NICE and WARM in dresses, and skirts and other lovely things, and b) if anyone has NOTICED that I seem to wear a slightly different version of the same thing EVERY DAY?

True, I don't know many people, but I am going into a classroom everyday with a very limited number of people, (and I sure notice what they wear) and while children may not take much note of clothing, they are particularly blunt when they do. "Why do you wear those same shoes everyday"
(Because it's cold, Sugar, and my sandals just don't fly in this kinda weather!)

My clothes are all Clean And Paid For, and I am warm (not quite sure how this flu crept into my throat!!) and I am in GERMANY for crying out loud. So really cares what you look like. Unless grandparents are around (then it's neatly cut and combed hair and your BEST clothes).

At least I have something different to wear tomorrow. Dirndl... the traditional dress for woman in Germany... specifically at this very special OKTOBERFESTY time of year. :) And at this time of year, the clothes sure don't matter. The only thing you need to worry about is the temperature of the beer.

House Guests

When having people come stay with you, it is probably important to actually be at home so they can stay WITH you.

However, given the Castle Capturing circumstances, we were not around to welcome our First House Guests.

It is probably also a good idea to spend time with / see said house guest. Go on adventures, do activities, swop stickers, usual things. However, I am doing a course in the mornings and then going straight to work until about 7:30pm, so the only thing these house guests see of me is my Tired Face.

This is mostly because our apartment, while roomy enough for two of us, is not all THAT spacious, so in order for me to get out of the bedroom, I need to step over their mattress in the lounge. Well, that, and the difficulty I have keeping a hair dryer quiet.

Perhaps it is better, then the Visitors can do their own thing, and have stories to tell over The Evening Wine. (This of course is the most important part of the day!)
That's what I will tell myself anyway, what with schools going back this week and new schedules, so I don't feel like SUCH a bad host.

I promise, I will make sure I am available for mid morning tea when you come!

The Tired Face in the mornings and after an afternoon of intensive colouring in however, I cannot be sure will go away...

I am a real princess...

King Ludwig. What a visionary!
The aim was to build 3 castles, each better than the last.
He may have died under very mysterious circumstances, and with a debt of 13 million Euro (in 1886 this was a substantial amount, I am sure) but he left castles whose creation can only be marveled at.

How these massive castles were constructed, on top of hill and mountains, and in areas that were battle appropriate (hard to reach), is something I cannot comprehend.

How the architects envisioned what we see now, and how these beauties were constructed before any of the technology we have today existed, blows my mind.

More mind blowing... how the rocks, stones, HUGE mouldings got up (WAY up) to where they are now.

For example, the one castle we visited this weekend, the Schloss Neuschwanstein, was King Ludwigs final masterpiece before his drowning in 1886. The castle took about 17 years to build, and was never completed to Ludwigs intended standard. Yet, in that day, there was running water in his bed chambers. They had these intricate tunnels in the walls between each room so the servants could fill up the heaters from the rear, without being seen.
And the craftmanship! The carvings and mouldings and gold and silver plated gifts... all so intricate.

And to see a castle, up on a mountain, with lush green fields all around, you cannot help but imagine what it was like when there were only carriages and horses to carry you across them. Poor messenger boy, running along, and up all the hills. I doubt the stairs had the railings that I used to haul myself up to the castle.

I think it's clear that I find this all fascinating. The power, the empires, the lifestyle, the CLOTHING. I saw Ludwigs mothers bed and all I could think was " I wonder if she would have felt the pea!!!" :)

Naturally, I then dreamt of 1886 when my former self, in a long passed life, was DEFINITELY a princess. DEFINITELY.

So if someone could just point me in the direction of MY castle. I'm sure it's out there somewhere...


(Pics to follow)

These German Folk

They don't drink a lot of tea.
Personally, I think if you don't involve a tea cup (as a permanent fixture to your hand) in your day to day clothes choices, or feel the need to put the kettle at LEAST every hour, then there is a serious problem in your genetic make up.

SERIOUS problem.

I'm not yet sure how this affects their daily functioning, nor how it affects their character... but it MUST!

So this post is for the tea drinkers...
My house, 4pm tomorrow. It's tea time!
Actually, any time, of any day. I will make myself available.

P.s. No, we will not be drinking rooibos, or peppermint, or earl grey, or any other bag of leaves that dares call itself 'tea'. It'll be classic 5 roses, straight up.

p.p.s If any one is in the mood for posting me some tea... pls feel free :)

p.p.p.s. Cheers

Going Back To School

Do you remember that feeling, on the first day of school (or Varsity, or work) where everyone is supposed to have something, and you don't?

You have the thick koki pens instead of the thin ones. One hard-covered-feint-ruled book too few. You don't have the text book. Or, you didn't read the required pages?

I started school today.

I had to learn a bit of German in order to be eligible for my Visa, but I am doing an A2 course. We thought it would look good on my Visa application if I was signed up to continue, and I figured I had crammed so much in in such a short space of time that it would be silly not to carry on.

So off I headed, like a nervous 1st grader, not wanting to be That Late Kid. I arrived, found the classroom, and settled in amongst the few that were already there. It was then that I noticed that they all had this book, most looked as though they'd been working through this book for some time. It was quite an Important Looking Book. Slowly, as the classroom filled up, I noticed more and more people with The Book. I checked my registration certificate and saw no mention of The Book. And I was the only one who didn't have one. By the time the teacher walked in, as I am SURE you can imagine, my face was red, and I was having a mild panic. Did everyone else notice that I was Without-Book? (probably not, but it sure did feel like it).

So, very quietly, I approached the teacher and whispered "Sprechen Sie English?", To which she replied "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?". Of course. This is a German Course Robyn, I thought. So I quickly whispered "I don't have The Book, where can I get it?". "From the course"... aaah, ok.. relief.

Now, either she didn't understand me, or I don't whisper too well, because there was no Book Handing Out Ceremony. Only the brief mention that this was the book that we will be working from, and if you don't have it, you need it by tomorrow. All of this was in German, by the way. It is, as was explained a bit later, a SPEAKING course, and in order to learn German from her, and from each other, we would need to speak ONLY German. So if you are like me, and lose focus every now and then to fly off on a brief day dream, then sorry for youuuuuuuu!!!!!!

This seemed to happen frequently as I tried to figure out how I was going to get this book between the end of the course, the trains I needed to catch to get to work after, work, and then grocery shopping.

The girl next to me didn't seem to mind my peering desperately over her shoulder trying to catch a glimpse of this exclusive Book Owners Club, and not fall behind on my first day, so I think I did ok.

I should probably have paid a little more attention to what the homework assigned actually was, instead of just looking at the gloriously shiny pages.

I got the book (it was actually two that I needed). The problem now, is that I don't know what to do with it. The club ain't so great once you get in! ha ha

So I have packed my shiny books into my backpack. And there will be lunch made in the morning ( the cafeteria line was long today and I have a DOUBLE lesson day!). And off to school I will go.

At least, at the end of these 3 weeks of learning, running for trains, working and exploring, I will be able to speak German in a grammatically correct manner.

Let's just hope I have the confidence to use it!

Survival

There are certain seemingly obvious things that you need to find / note / realise when moving to any new location.

A good doctor, dentist, hairdresser and beautician. A nearby, but decent supermarket, and a good pub.

I've got the food and the pub down, and we're being very careful with our new, very sharp knives. It is also good to note when said supermarkets are open, in case, for example, you were to frequent said pub and not have any hang-over-appropriate food the next day. (There is nothing but Subways open on Sundays).

Then there are the other, not so obvious things.

While an Au Pair Visa is, though not without it's trials, suprisingly easy to obtain, the job itself may leave you wondering what the freakydeak you are doing looking after someone else's kids, instead of working on your own career. The decision to take some time out from working in an office for so long and take a 'gap' year looks rather silly when faced with three very different, very bored children.

Which brings me to my next point.

Starting work as an Au Pair to 3 children in the last two weeks of their very long summer vacation, in the midst of rainy weather that forces everyone indoors, is probably not the best time. This will, no doubt, lead one to above mentioned questions of "What am I DOING?".

Regardless, I appear to have survived my first week of work. This, however, may be an illusion, and I may actually have died a slow, noodle cooking induced death.

p.s. children don't like pepper. just in case you were wondering. and putting some on noodles because you 'thought it would taste nice' is not an appreciated answer!

Living

The novelty wears off slightly as the reality of actual living creeps in.

Work starts, you come home late, there's washing and ironing and cooking and cleaning and grocery shopping and sleep is needed. Playing princesses all day does require actual energy and involvement in the game, unless you are willing to feel the wrath of little girls who feel you're not playing right. The game is especially taxing when you are too big to fit through all the 'doorways' of the jungle gym and have to climb over everything.

The good part is that the living is easy. Things just work. We just do.
The bad part is that if you don't take the time to cycle a little slower to work, or look out the window of the train, or listen to the accents around you, it can be easy to be swept up in the day-to-day tasks and forget exactly where you are.

The other good part is that it only takes one ice cream to remind you that this is Europe. At the end of summer. And the living is eeeaaaassssyyyyyy.