Saturday, February 21, 2004
Week 6
Well this week has been pretty normal...just taking care of the kids and the mom and I are still getting along well! Thursday I was left with the kids from about 3 pm to 8 pm. Viki had ballet and the mom took her and Phillip went to skating exercises with his friends. The mom returned with Viki around 6 pm and I finished up with the baths, made supper and fed the kids. The mom went to the neighbors house (nachbar haus) to get her hair cut and colored. Apparently Sandra, the lady who lives there works as a hair stylist at her house. This lady also just had a child and is getting an AuPair next week I think! WoooHooo! Maybe a friend for me???
I was out on Monday bringing the kids home from Kindergarten and Preschool when I met another AuPair that works here on Hohenstrasse (my street). She heard me speak English and asked me who I was and where I am from. She is from the Ukraine and lived in Hamberg, Germany all of last year. Her English is not so good but her German is wonderful! I am jealous! So we exchanged handy numbers and she should ring me tomorrow for coffee! I am really looking forward to having a girlfriend here!
On Wednesday I went to sign up for my University class so I go on the 4th of March for my entrance examination and then they assign me to the appropriate class. Hopefully the 2nd again. I tried to call on Monday but had no success...no one in their language department could speak English well enough to give me basic information on the phone which is very frustrating and makes me not very confident but maybe I judge too quickly. This will be another wonderful opportunity to make friends. I must admit it sucks spending your Saturday night writing a blog and surfing the net...but it is a good chance to chat with friends and family from the US! By the way...for those of you who instant Message my AOL name is froggyladyb so please add me to your list and send me an im!
I have been battling this flu/sinus infection/cold...whatever it is for over two weeks now and it is finally better-I hope! My congestion is gone and I am left with this incredibly annoying cough. It is only satisfied when I drink water or some sort of liquid...Mass on Sunday should be fun! I feel really rude getting up in the middle of service to have a cough. But, today I am feeling much better!
The mom gave me flowers on Friday for all of my hard work...this is very encouraging. I feel like I am working hard for her-so much so that I think she feels a little guilty. I have made real progress with her over the past two weeks and I really can't believe it! But I am not complaining. While she was gone on Thursday Richard and I made her a cheesecake which is a bit harder to do the shopping for here...no graham crackers. I was iming with an old college buddy of mine, Matt, on Tuesday night and he helped me discover a solution to the graham cracker problem-Vielen Dank Meine Freund! The cake turned out really wonderful and the mom was so surprised and really happy that I had done this for her. The dad had a birthday right after I got here and so I did nothing for him and I felt bad about that. Also, I wanted her to know that I appreciated her help with adjusting here. I give here a 'hard time' on this blog but she really has been better with me.
One of the old AuPairs came for a visit on Friday, Charlotte from Denmark. She is a very nice girl and it was really interesting getting to talk to her. She asked me if it was hard and I said 'Yes!' and I asked if it was hard for her and she said yes, in the beginning but that it got better as time passed. I think most new people on a job assume that their predecessor was a wiz at the job from the beginning. It was nice to hear that this was also not the case for her. She is about my age but as the dad said this morning at breakfast....not as focused on her future as I am. But then again I have always been an old person trapped in the body of a young person. So: the mom, the dad and Charlotte went for a birthday dinner last night and I was at home mit das kinder (with the children). They had supper and watched half of the Lord of the Rings and finally at 9:30 pm I sent them to bed with no arguments from the kids. It is always wonderful when this happens...usually I have to tear them away from the tv! The mom and the dad got home around 10:30 and I went to bed-it was a long and exciting day!
ðI took the boys to chorus on Friday and didn't get lost on the way there or on the way back home....Juhu!!!
This morning (Saturday morning) the mom and the dad slept late and I came upstairs around 9:30 am. The kids were watching TV and one-by-one they trickled into the kitchen for Fruhstruck (breakfast). The dad and the mom came down for breakfast around 1030 amm which is really late for them. I expected them to be finishing with the kids breakfast when I came up (the kitchen is on the 2nd floor, my room is on the first and the kids and parents bedrooms are on the 3rd floor).
ðAn interesting note about labeling floors in Germany and Austria: the first floor is called the ground floor, therefore the 2nd floor is the first floor and the third floor is the 2nd floor...make sense?
I asked the dad what the agenda was for the day and he said they were going into the city with the kids for some shopping so I had the whole day 'off'....JUHU!!!! A free day to do some birthday shopping for a friend and a day to be a tourist and have the city to myself without having to watch the clock. I waecstaticic to say the least. So I took the bus into the city and went to the Sillpark which is a shopping mall. It seemed very promising in the beginning but I had no luck in the end.
I was standing outside of a small store which had a card display on the outside...this is very common in Austria...they aren't nearly so paranoid about people stealing things as we are in the States. Anyway...so I was standing there looking at a card and a gentlemen (I use that terlooselyly...) came up beside of me and commented on the card Deutschetsch (in German) and so I made a very small comment in German back to him about the card. This is a more common thing to happen in the States then in Europe...you don't just talk to everyone that you meet on the street unless you know them. It was really odd that he did this and he tried to start a conversation with me. Normally this would make me very happy because maybe it is a cute guy flirting with me or the opportunity to make a new friend but this man was
50-55 years old or maybe older. He asked me to have coffee with him and I said, 'Warum?' (why?). He continued to speak in German and I said that I was sorry my German is really bad because I am from the US and that I should go because I was late for meeting my boyfriend....Christian is in Feldkirch this weekend but I thought that if he knew that I had a boyfriend he would leave me alone. So I excused myself to go into the store to buy my cards. The lady working behind the desk spoke some English and I told her what happened and that I felt really weird about the situation. She said not to have coffee with him because I don't know him and sometimes men come and try to 'pick up' girls because they have nothing better to do. I saw him standing outside waiting and I thought surely...he's not waiting for me.
I left the store with a confident gait in my stride thinking that this confidence would ward him off...but no dice! He asked me again and I said that I am sorry but I have to go because I am late to meet my boyfriend. Thank you for the invitation. In retrospect perhaps a 'bitchier' approach would have been more effective. So I continued on my way and he continued to follow me. I went up an escalator and he followed. At this point I was looking around for a man that would be about Christian's age that might know some English and might pretend to be my friend for a few minutes to ward this weirdo off! As I spotted a promising young man the old guy put his arm around me and asked me where exactly I was from and why I was visiting. I told him North Carolina and that I came here to get married and showed him my ring. He put his arm around me again as I wrenched away from him and I could feel his hands on my hair...yuck! This time I tore away from him and made a B-line for the nice looking young man. Luckily for me he spoke English and I explained to him what was going on and asked for his help. He said it was no problem and the old guy took the escalator again...in search of new prey. I thanked the young man and continued on my shopping journey.
I don't know what that man wanted....maybe he was lonely or maybe he was a murderer...you can't be too careful. I just knew that he made me feel very uncomfortable and I did not want to be alone with him even in a crowded mall. I don't think I will return to the Sillpark alone again.
I left the mall not too long after that and I went to just wonder through the city. It was really great because I didn't worry about getting lost and I didn't pull out my map once! I went to the Altstadt (old city) and there was a little Carnival dance that they were putting on for the tourist so I grabbed some Margarita pizza (plain cheese pizza with thin crust...wonderful stuff!) and a Coke Light (Diet Coke) and joined the tourist. I met some people from PA and we had a short chat...it is good to use the English every once in a while. I decided to make my way home because it was about 3:30 and I was getting tired. I went to the bus stop where I saw one of my neighbors. She is in her late 60's or early 70's and she is blind. She was alone at the bus stop and so I offered to help her get on the bus when it came. She agreed and when the bus finally came it stopped farther back then normal because there was a bus in front of it. I told her the bus was here, in my really bad German and we proceeded to get on the bus. I waved to the bus driver that we wanted to get on too but we did not make it in time to get on that bus. She got really mad at me and started yelling at me. I apologized and told her when the next bus was coming. I left her there on the sidewalk where she wouldn't get hurt and I felt SO bad. She is such a nice lady and I would never do anything to hurt her.
I came back in time for the next bus and she was still standing there talking to one of the shop keepers from a store right in front of the bus stop. The next thing I knew she was hitting her head on the bus sign and she fell over onto the ground. The paramedics came and she was okay but I think they took her home or called her son to get her. I felt SO bad like it was my fault that she fell. I came home and told the mom what happened...about the man and the neighbor. She said that it was okay and that it wasn't my fault but I still feel really bad and was (needless to say) in tears. What was she doing in the city alone? The mom said that when she goes mountain biking in the mountains during the summer she sees the lady walking around up there in the woods and she is always very concerned.
So, today I learned an important lesson: when I am in the city don't try to help anyone and be careful who you talk to. I am becoming more and more jaded the older I get.
Tomorrow is Sunday Mass with the dad and the kids and then maybe some coffee with my AuPair friend, Iryna.
I hope that you all had a wonderful week and hope to talk to you soon!
I was out on Monday bringing the kids home from Kindergarten and Preschool when I met another AuPair that works here on Hohenstrasse (my street). She heard me speak English and asked me who I was and where I am from. She is from the Ukraine and lived in Hamberg, Germany all of last year. Her English is not so good but her German is wonderful! I am jealous! So we exchanged handy numbers and she should ring me tomorrow for coffee! I am really looking forward to having a girlfriend here!
On Wednesday I went to sign up for my University class so I go on the 4th of March for my entrance examination and then they assign me to the appropriate class. Hopefully the 2nd again. I tried to call on Monday but had no success...no one in their language department could speak English well enough to give me basic information on the phone which is very frustrating and makes me not very confident but maybe I judge too quickly. This will be another wonderful opportunity to make friends. I must admit it sucks spending your Saturday night writing a blog and surfing the net...but it is a good chance to chat with friends and family from the US! By the way...for those of you who instant Message my AOL name is froggyladyb so please add me to your list and send me an im!
I have been battling this flu/sinus infection/cold...whatever it is for over two weeks now and it is finally better-I hope! My congestion is gone and I am left with this incredibly annoying cough. It is only satisfied when I drink water or some sort of liquid...Mass on Sunday should be fun! I feel really rude getting up in the middle of service to have a cough. But, today I am feeling much better!
The mom gave me flowers on Friday for all of my hard work...this is very encouraging. I feel like I am working hard for her-so much so that I think she feels a little guilty. I have made real progress with her over the past two weeks and I really can't believe it! But I am not complaining. While she was gone on Thursday Richard and I made her a cheesecake which is a bit harder to do the shopping for here...no graham crackers. I was iming with an old college buddy of mine, Matt, on Tuesday night and he helped me discover a solution to the graham cracker problem-Vielen Dank Meine Freund! The cake turned out really wonderful and the mom was so surprised and really happy that I had done this for her. The dad had a birthday right after I got here and so I did nothing for him and I felt bad about that. Also, I wanted her to know that I appreciated her help with adjusting here. I give here a 'hard time' on this blog but she really has been better with me.
One of the old AuPairs came for a visit on Friday, Charlotte from Denmark. She is a very nice girl and it was really interesting getting to talk to her. She asked me if it was hard and I said 'Yes!' and I asked if it was hard for her and she said yes, in the beginning but that it got better as time passed. I think most new people on a job assume that their predecessor was a wiz at the job from the beginning. It was nice to hear that this was also not the case for her. She is about my age but as the dad said this morning at breakfast....not as focused on her future as I am. But then again I have always been an old person trapped in the body of a young person. So: the mom, the dad and Charlotte went for a birthday dinner last night and I was at home mit das kinder (with the children). They had supper and watched half of the Lord of the Rings and finally at 9:30 pm I sent them to bed with no arguments from the kids. It is always wonderful when this happens...usually I have to tear them away from the tv! The mom and the dad got home around 10:30 and I went to bed-it was a long and exciting day!
ðI took the boys to chorus on Friday and didn't get lost on the way there or on the way back home....Juhu!!!
This morning (Saturday morning) the mom and the dad slept late and I came upstairs around 9:30 am. The kids were watching TV and one-by-one they trickled into the kitchen for Fruhstruck (breakfast). The dad and the mom came down for breakfast around 1030 amm which is really late for them. I expected them to be finishing with the kids breakfast when I came up (the kitchen is on the 2nd floor, my room is on the first and the kids and parents bedrooms are on the 3rd floor).
ðAn interesting note about labeling floors in Germany and Austria: the first floor is called the ground floor, therefore the 2nd floor is the first floor and the third floor is the 2nd floor...make sense?
I asked the dad what the agenda was for the day and he said they were going into the city with the kids for some shopping so I had the whole day 'off'....JUHU!!!! A free day to do some birthday shopping for a friend and a day to be a tourist and have the city to myself without having to watch the clock. I waecstaticic to say the least. So I took the bus into the city and went to the Sillpark which is a shopping mall. It seemed very promising in the beginning but I had no luck in the end.
I was standing outside of a small store which had a card display on the outside...this is very common in Austria...they aren't nearly so paranoid about people stealing things as we are in the States. Anyway...so I was standing there looking at a card and a gentlemen (I use that terlooselyly...) came up beside of me and commented on the card Deutschetsch (in German) and so I made a very small comment in German back to him about the card. This is a more common thing to happen in the States then in Europe...you don't just talk to everyone that you meet on the street unless you know them. It was really odd that he did this and he tried to start a conversation with me. Normally this would make me very happy because maybe it is a cute guy flirting with me or the opportunity to make a new friend but this man was
50-55 years old or maybe older. He asked me to have coffee with him and I said, 'Warum?' (why?). He continued to speak in German and I said that I was sorry my German is really bad because I am from the US and that I should go because I was late for meeting my boyfriend....Christian is in Feldkirch this weekend but I thought that if he knew that I had a boyfriend he would leave me alone. So I excused myself to go into the store to buy my cards. The lady working behind the desk spoke some English and I told her what happened and that I felt really weird about the situation. She said not to have coffee with him because I don't know him and sometimes men come and try to 'pick up' girls because they have nothing better to do. I saw him standing outside waiting and I thought surely...he's not waiting for me.
I left the store with a confident gait in my stride thinking that this confidence would ward him off...but no dice! He asked me again and I said that I am sorry but I have to go because I am late to meet my boyfriend. Thank you for the invitation. In retrospect perhaps a 'bitchier' approach would have been more effective. So I continued on my way and he continued to follow me. I went up an escalator and he followed. At this point I was looking around for a man that would be about Christian's age that might know some English and might pretend to be my friend for a few minutes to ward this weirdo off! As I spotted a promising young man the old guy put his arm around me and asked me where exactly I was from and why I was visiting. I told him North Carolina and that I came here to get married and showed him my ring. He put his arm around me again as I wrenched away from him and I could feel his hands on my hair...yuck! This time I tore away from him and made a B-line for the nice looking young man. Luckily for me he spoke English and I explained to him what was going on and asked for his help. He said it was no problem and the old guy took the escalator again...in search of new prey. I thanked the young man and continued on my shopping journey.
I don't know what that man wanted....maybe he was lonely or maybe he was a murderer...you can't be too careful. I just knew that he made me feel very uncomfortable and I did not want to be alone with him even in a crowded mall. I don't think I will return to the Sillpark alone again.
I left the mall not too long after that and I went to just wonder through the city. It was really great because I didn't worry about getting lost and I didn't pull out my map once! I went to the Altstadt (old city) and there was a little Carnival dance that they were putting on for the tourist so I grabbed some Margarita pizza (plain cheese pizza with thin crust...wonderful stuff!) and a Coke Light (Diet Coke) and joined the tourist. I met some people from PA and we had a short chat...it is good to use the English every once in a while. I decided to make my way home because it was about 3:30 and I was getting tired. I went to the bus stop where I saw one of my neighbors. She is in her late 60's or early 70's and she is blind. She was alone at the bus stop and so I offered to help her get on the bus when it came. She agreed and when the bus finally came it stopped farther back then normal because there was a bus in front of it. I told her the bus was here, in my really bad German and we proceeded to get on the bus. I waved to the bus driver that we wanted to get on too but we did not make it in time to get on that bus. She got really mad at me and started yelling at me. I apologized and told her when the next bus was coming. I left her there on the sidewalk where she wouldn't get hurt and I felt SO bad. She is such a nice lady and I would never do anything to hurt her.
I came back in time for the next bus and she was still standing there talking to one of the shop keepers from a store right in front of the bus stop. The next thing I knew she was hitting her head on the bus sign and she fell over onto the ground. The paramedics came and she was okay but I think they took her home or called her son to get her. I felt SO bad like it was my fault that she fell. I came home and told the mom what happened...about the man and the neighbor. She said that it was okay and that it wasn't my fault but I still feel really bad and was (needless to say) in tears. What was she doing in the city alone? The mom said that when she goes mountain biking in the mountains during the summer she sees the lady walking around up there in the woods and she is always very concerned.
So, today I learned an important lesson: when I am in the city don't try to help anyone and be careful who you talk to. I am becoming more and more jaded the older I get.
Tomorrow is Sunday Mass with the dad and the kids and then maybe some coffee with my AuPair friend, Iryna.
I hope that you all had a wonderful week and hope to talk to you soon!
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Week 5
On Monday of this week the mom and I got into a bit of a 'tiff' if you will! This week was holiday for Austria because, well I don't really know why...just because! Maybe it has something to do with Carnival which is like Mardi Gras but more family oriented (no beaded necklaces are thrown!) and it lasts from the last week in Januar through the last week in Februar (German spellings...yes, it's a diary and a German lesson all in one!). Anyway, so the Dad has been in from Munich since late Friday night and I am sad to see him leave...he is a good man and he treats me with a lot of respect. So, anyway...the fight, I was giving the kids their bath and Viktoria and Richard had locked me out of the bathroom...
'Kindergarten is like the ocean, don't turn your back on it!' Kindergarten Cop...very appropriate for this instance I think!
I came down stairs to ask the Mom for some help and she blew up at me! I think that she had been on the hunt for something to fuss at me about and this just fit perfectly into her agenda. She said that I had been here a month and that the kids should be listening to me by now and that some changes should be made and I said yes some changes do need to be made. This was not a sweet conversation between two adults this was more like a mom and a teenager fighting. So, she went upstairs and finished with the children. She had not been feeling well because of her leg...and I sat dumbfounded in the kitchen: embarrassed because of my child like conversation with her, sad that she was upset with me, mad at my self and wondering what in the hello do to about it! For those of you who really know me, you know that if you are ever upset or mad at me I am ten thousand times more upset with myself about what is going on!
I was supposed to talk to Christian that night on the phone but he sent me a short message saying that he would call me on Tuesday instead. I felt so terrible: the mom is mad at me and I can't talk to Christian (he usually makes me feel better about these things). We finished supper and I cleaned up while the Mom put the kids to bed. I went downstairs to my room and thought really hard about what had happened. I thought: in the beginning I tried to be hard with them and then I slacked up and tried to be more like the Mom but that hasn't worked. If she wants me to be harder with the kids then I will. This is Plan B.
The Dad came home from being out and I was in the foyer with Richard because he heard the Dad's car. I saw the Dad and my heart sank...I felt so guilty! His wife and I had this terrible fight and we yelled at each other-he's going to be so disappointed and mad at me. And he was! On Tuesday he hardly talked to me and when he did it wasn't really a nice kind of talking...it was the kind of talking the Mom usually did to me when she wanted to treat me like a child. However, everything was fine with the Mom and I and has been since! I begun Plan B on Tuesday and the Mom's response was a positive one! The week continued in this fashion and so far so good.
Wednesday and Thursday night the kids had friends spend the night-which is usually okay depending on who is spending the night. Wednesday night it was one of Philipp's friends and he was not very friendly. He and Philipp enjoyed picking on my poor German. I asked the friend visiting if he spoke any English and he said no. But this is the same attitude that Americans have about people that come to the US-you should know English before you come. This is easier said then done however because it is really hard to learn a second language. Sometimes the people that immigrate to the US can't even read or write in their own native language. For those of you who know something about learning a foreign language-it is based on the knowledge that you have from your first language. Simple things that you take for granted like understanding that each letter makes a sound and it can make a new sound when it is combined with another letter. Anyway....
It is very interesting because the children don't really understand my level of education and therefore they don't really understand that I deserve a certain level of respect because I am almost as educated as their father...who is a man they really look up to! But, when you really think about it, there is a level of respect that all people deserve because they are human beings! These concepts are lost to eight year olds I think! This is an idea that I have to remind myself frequently because I think that sometimes I just expect too much from them.
When Viktoria's friend spent the night, a little girl named Anika, it was not really like that! She is the little girl that I babysat for whose mom gave me 5 euro ($6.37) for babysitting her and her little sister for 2,5 hours. She is really a sweet little girl and a pleasure to take care of! I would take 8 Anika's for these four children anyday of the week! On those two nights I could not use the computer because the kids sleep over with friends in the same room that has the computer in it. On Friday night I was surfing the net and trying to call Christian to chat with him. I was chatting with some friends when the Mom came into the room and asked me what I was doing (in a friendly way). She sat down and we began talking about the kids, my German and my social life (or lack of one as it were!). We talked for a good 20-30 minutes and it was really a great conversation! She said that I had been doing a lot better with the kids and that she was happy with my progress this week! WOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was elated!
Saturday we took the kids up the mountain to go skiing and the weather was really beautiful! Actually, I had planned to go to the city that afternoon and do some shopping for a friends birthday that is coming up but it didn't really work out that way. Actually, I ended up working the whole day like normal. That was okay because everything that I did I did because I wanted to help out-not because I had to! Sounds silly but I didn't mind.
Sunday I went to mass with the Dad and the kids, McDonald's and we went to a local city called Imst for a festival. The McDonald's in Imst is a typical European McDonald's-very clean, nice furniture and layout. The food is basically the same though but the employees come out and clean the tables and clean up after you at the table. Not so self serve as it is the States. The funny thing about Imst is that there are 8,000 people that live there and the children's Opa (grandfather) used to be the Mayor of the town. Some people still remember the Dad and kind of know who he is. So, picture this: a 40 year old man, an 8 year old boy, two children that are 6 years old, a 3 year old and the AuPair (or is she the mom?!?!) scandalous! I got some really weird looks which I am used to except it usually happens after I open my mouth and speak English or try to speak German!!! I enjoyed my BigMac though and we continued on our way to the parade!
It is a parade through town with men from the town dressed in these masks that are about 300-400 years old. They are hand-carved wooden masks and they originated from the farmers in the town who wore them to scare away winter so that the spring would come. It's an old tradition that they continue to celebrate with Carnival season and it has some modern twists to it. The parade itself is the same...there are different characters with different roles (depending on what costumes and masks you are wearing) and that part comes first. Next there are these tractors that are covered with wooden structures to resemble houses or buildings...think about the floats that we have in our parades except you can't see the tractor. It was really great!
The parade cars are covered totally and the houses or buildings were very elaborate and beautiful! You can go on them and get some gluewein (a type of red wine that is served hot). This word is really spelled glu(with an umlaut or the two funny dots on top)wein. Wein is German for Wine and Wien is German for Vienna. Vienna is the capital of Austria. So, you can get gluewein or schnaps or Coke or Sprite. Some of the cars had this noodle soup that is made here...a special kind of noodle with a vegetable or beef stock and some green onions...very tasty! You could also get Wurst (sausages) und brot (bread). You could actually get on the cars and ride for a little bit and enjoy your gluewein which was kind of neat. One car had a slide on it for the children...it was built into the inner part of the car so you couldn't tell from the outside. It was really interesting.
We got home around 4:30 and had coffee. I took a walk to work off some of the MickeyD's and that has been my week. It started really bad but has ended really well. The mom just paid me for my last two weeks of February and we had a pleasant conversation...I'll take it!!! (the money and the conversation)
I start my German course at the University at the beginning of March and I can't wait. In the mean time I have to get hopping with my own studies...I have been slacking!
So....please email me if you have the time...I love you all and miss you!
'Kindergarten is like the ocean, don't turn your back on it!' Kindergarten Cop...very appropriate for this instance I think!
I came down stairs to ask the Mom for some help and she blew up at me! I think that she had been on the hunt for something to fuss at me about and this just fit perfectly into her agenda. She said that I had been here a month and that the kids should be listening to me by now and that some changes should be made and I said yes some changes do need to be made. This was not a sweet conversation between two adults this was more like a mom and a teenager fighting. So, she went upstairs and finished with the children. She had not been feeling well because of her leg...and I sat dumbfounded in the kitchen: embarrassed because of my child like conversation with her, sad that she was upset with me, mad at my self and wondering what in the hello do to about it! For those of you who really know me, you know that if you are ever upset or mad at me I am ten thousand times more upset with myself about what is going on!
I was supposed to talk to Christian that night on the phone but he sent me a short message saying that he would call me on Tuesday instead. I felt so terrible: the mom is mad at me and I can't talk to Christian (he usually makes me feel better about these things). We finished supper and I cleaned up while the Mom put the kids to bed. I went downstairs to my room and thought really hard about what had happened. I thought: in the beginning I tried to be hard with them and then I slacked up and tried to be more like the Mom but that hasn't worked. If she wants me to be harder with the kids then I will. This is Plan B.
The Dad came home from being out and I was in the foyer with Richard because he heard the Dad's car. I saw the Dad and my heart sank...I felt so guilty! His wife and I had this terrible fight and we yelled at each other-he's going to be so disappointed and mad at me. And he was! On Tuesday he hardly talked to me and when he did it wasn't really a nice kind of talking...it was the kind of talking the Mom usually did to me when she wanted to treat me like a child. However, everything was fine with the Mom and I and has been since! I begun Plan B on Tuesday and the Mom's response was a positive one! The week continued in this fashion and so far so good.
Wednesday and Thursday night the kids had friends spend the night-which is usually okay depending on who is spending the night. Wednesday night it was one of Philipp's friends and he was not very friendly. He and Philipp enjoyed picking on my poor German. I asked the friend visiting if he spoke any English and he said no. But this is the same attitude that Americans have about people that come to the US-you should know English before you come. This is easier said then done however because it is really hard to learn a second language. Sometimes the people that immigrate to the US can't even read or write in their own native language. For those of you who know something about learning a foreign language-it is based on the knowledge that you have from your first language. Simple things that you take for granted like understanding that each letter makes a sound and it can make a new sound when it is combined with another letter. Anyway....
It is very interesting because the children don't really understand my level of education and therefore they don't really understand that I deserve a certain level of respect because I am almost as educated as their father...who is a man they really look up to! But, when you really think about it, there is a level of respect that all people deserve because they are human beings! These concepts are lost to eight year olds I think! This is an idea that I have to remind myself frequently because I think that sometimes I just expect too much from them.
When Viktoria's friend spent the night, a little girl named Anika, it was not really like that! She is the little girl that I babysat for whose mom gave me 5 euro ($6.37) for babysitting her and her little sister for 2,5 hours. She is really a sweet little girl and a pleasure to take care of! I would take 8 Anika's for these four children anyday of the week! On those two nights I could not use the computer because the kids sleep over with friends in the same room that has the computer in it. On Friday night I was surfing the net and trying to call Christian to chat with him. I was chatting with some friends when the Mom came into the room and asked me what I was doing (in a friendly way). She sat down and we began talking about the kids, my German and my social life (or lack of one as it were!). We talked for a good 20-30 minutes and it was really a great conversation! She said that I had been doing a lot better with the kids and that she was happy with my progress this week! WOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was elated!
Saturday we took the kids up the mountain to go skiing and the weather was really beautiful! Actually, I had planned to go to the city that afternoon and do some shopping for a friends birthday that is coming up but it didn't really work out that way. Actually, I ended up working the whole day like normal. That was okay because everything that I did I did because I wanted to help out-not because I had to! Sounds silly but I didn't mind.
Sunday I went to mass with the Dad and the kids, McDonald's and we went to a local city called Imst for a festival. The McDonald's in Imst is a typical European McDonald's-very clean, nice furniture and layout. The food is basically the same though but the employees come out and clean the tables and clean up after you at the table. Not so self serve as it is the States. The funny thing about Imst is that there are 8,000 people that live there and the children's Opa (grandfather) used to be the Mayor of the town. Some people still remember the Dad and kind of know who he is. So, picture this: a 40 year old man, an 8 year old boy, two children that are 6 years old, a 3 year old and the AuPair (or is she the mom?!?!) scandalous! I got some really weird looks which I am used to except it usually happens after I open my mouth and speak English or try to speak German!!! I enjoyed my BigMac though and we continued on our way to the parade!
It is a parade through town with men from the town dressed in these masks that are about 300-400 years old. They are hand-carved wooden masks and they originated from the farmers in the town who wore them to scare away winter so that the spring would come. It's an old tradition that they continue to celebrate with Carnival season and it has some modern twists to it. The parade itself is the same...there are different characters with different roles (depending on what costumes and masks you are wearing) and that part comes first. Next there are these tractors that are covered with wooden structures to resemble houses or buildings...think about the floats that we have in our parades except you can't see the tractor. It was really great!
The parade cars are covered totally and the houses or buildings were very elaborate and beautiful! You can go on them and get some gluewein (a type of red wine that is served hot). This word is really spelled glu(with an umlaut or the two funny dots on top)wein. Wein is German for Wine and Wien is German for Vienna. Vienna is the capital of Austria. So, you can get gluewein or schnaps or Coke or Sprite. Some of the cars had this noodle soup that is made here...a special kind of noodle with a vegetable or beef stock and some green onions...very tasty! You could also get Wurst (sausages) und brot (bread). You could actually get on the cars and ride for a little bit and enjoy your gluewein which was kind of neat. One car had a slide on it for the children...it was built into the inner part of the car so you couldn't tell from the outside. It was really interesting.
We got home around 4:30 and had coffee. I took a walk to work off some of the MickeyD's and that has been my week. It started really bad but has ended really well. The mom just paid me for my last two weeks of February and we had a pleasant conversation...I'll take it!!! (the money and the conversation)
I start my German course at the University at the beginning of March and I can't wait. In the mean time I have to get hopping with my own studies...I have been slacking!
So....please email me if you have the time...I love you all and miss you!
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Week 4
So I haven't been very good about this the past week...was sick with a flu from the kids and tired...so I will begin to catch up what's been going on!
Last (week 4) was actually really great! The mom went to Gratz for the graduation of her niece and was gone from Thursday to Saturday afternoon. Which means that I took Viktoria to Ballet class that day and dropped the mom at the train station. Then, after Ballet, I took Viktoria to a friends house to spend the night. Richard went to Oma and Opa's house (grandma and grandpa) and the boys also went to friends houses. So, you are thinking...Wow! The night off and no one in the house...HOUSE PARTY. But no, I had two hours of ironing and I had to vacuum the entire house...about an hours worth of work. So, no night off and definitely no house party. I must admit there is something very weird about being in a kitchen that costs as much as your parents' entire house does! So, I made some frozen pizza (it might be a $70,000 kitchen but we still eat frozen pizza) and did the ironing and called it a night. I got up early on Friday to finish the vacuuming and prepare lunch for Adrian and Phillip who came home after school. Viktoria and Richard joined us for supper that night along with the Dad.
In the mean time I had to take the boys to Chorus which was a chore but I am really proud of the way that I handled it! I told the boys that they had 10 minutes to be in the car and if they both were not there with their boots, jacket, gloves and hats that we were not going to Chorus and they could stay home. Needless to say they were ready to go. We got lost on the way there (no problems from the train station and the Ballet-wooohoooo!) but we made it in time for class and we got lost on the way home but that didn't matter because I wasn't expecting the Dad for another 2 hours.
On Saturday, the Dad and I took the kids to see some bobsledding on the mountain across from us but the kids were more interested in going to McDonald's and then going home-so that is what we did (got to keep the kids happy!). An interesting note about the McDonald's here...you don't have to clean up after yourselves when you leave. An employee comes out and does it for you and they are very clean and neat here (both the restaurant and the employees). The Mom came home right before dinner time and seemed to have enjoyed her break. She was disappointed that nothing went wrong while she was gone...what a surprise, I did what she asked and I did it right! She spent the rest of the weekend and early into the next week trying to find something to fuss at me about....and she did! (intriguing, I know!)
Last (week 4) was actually really great! The mom went to Gratz for the graduation of her niece and was gone from Thursday to Saturday afternoon. Which means that I took Viktoria to Ballet class that day and dropped the mom at the train station. Then, after Ballet, I took Viktoria to a friends house to spend the night. Richard went to Oma and Opa's house (grandma and grandpa) and the boys also went to friends houses. So, you are thinking...Wow! The night off and no one in the house...HOUSE PARTY. But no, I had two hours of ironing and I had to vacuum the entire house...about an hours worth of work. So, no night off and definitely no house party. I must admit there is something very weird about being in a kitchen that costs as much as your parents' entire house does! So, I made some frozen pizza (it might be a $70,000 kitchen but we still eat frozen pizza) and did the ironing and called it a night. I got up early on Friday to finish the vacuuming and prepare lunch for Adrian and Phillip who came home after school. Viktoria and Richard joined us for supper that night along with the Dad.
In the mean time I had to take the boys to Chorus which was a chore but I am really proud of the way that I handled it! I told the boys that they had 10 minutes to be in the car and if they both were not there with their boots, jacket, gloves and hats that we were not going to Chorus and they could stay home. Needless to say they were ready to go. We got lost on the way there (no problems from the train station and the Ballet-wooohoooo!) but we made it in time for class and we got lost on the way home but that didn't matter because I wasn't expecting the Dad for another 2 hours.
On Saturday, the Dad and I took the kids to see some bobsledding on the mountain across from us but the kids were more interested in going to McDonald's and then going home-so that is what we did (got to keep the kids happy!). An interesting note about the McDonald's here...you don't have to clean up after yourselves when you leave. An employee comes out and does it for you and they are very clean and neat here (both the restaurant and the employees). The Mom came home right before dinner time and seemed to have enjoyed her break. She was disappointed that nothing went wrong while she was gone...what a surprise, I did what she asked and I did it right! She spent the rest of the weekend and early into the next week trying to find something to fuss at me about....and she did! (intriguing, I know!)
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
End of week 3/Weekend 1 at Christians
As you can imagine by the time I was putting the kids in their jackets for the Banhof (train station) on Friday I was ready to kill them! I say that with all of the love that I have for them in my hearts. The mom left me alone with three of her kids and two of their friends. She wanted me to: entertain/care for them, get myself and the 5 of them ready for the train station by the time she got home from taking Philipp for his biweekly singing lessons-WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!! For those of you with children you understand that there is a balance-the kids have to be in their jackets early enough so that they the mom doesn't have to wait but late enough that they don't have to wait in their jackets and get hot and cranky! So after a lot of begging, crying and pleading on my part the kids were ready to go and I was on the train to Feldkirch!!!! Hallelujah!!!
-Interesting side note: Earlier that day there was a dispute about my position and work requirements. Philipp, the 8 year old, came home from school and left his jacket and boots laying in the middle of the foyer. This is a normal habit that the mom told me she wanted broken. When I noticed that he had done this I went up to the third floor of the house to bring him down to the first to remedy the situation. He told me in his girlish-like German scream that he did not want to hang up his jacket and he wasn't going to! He went to his mom, who was on the 2nd floor and asked why they had an aupair if she can't even hang up a jacket! (HUGE GRIN FROM ME!!!!) The mom just laughed and sent him back upstairs to play with his Gameboy until Mitagessen (lunch).....After reading this I hope that you get two things: 1. kids learn from their parents model, 2. if you have someone that works for you (nanny, babysitter, maid, secretary, co-worker, etc.) please show them all of the respect that they deserve, it is very under-rated!
So, I took the train all by myself!!! It was exciting and really a great time. You never know who you are going to end up sitting next to and of course there is the destination to look forward to! I sat next to a lady from the Mid-Western part of the US and she has been living in Wein (Vienna, the capital of Austria) for 8 years. Amazingly, she doesn't really know much German because she works for the US Government. She was also on the way to Feldkirch to meet her husband who is starting a new job. She was an odd lady but she made the last 30 minutes of the 2 hour ride fun. It is interesting how much you miss the sound of English. I saw that she was reading a book in English and so I asked in German if she spoke English and that is how our conversation began. It was good that I waited so late to ask because she wasn't much of a talker. We talked about the foods we missed: she said Donuts and I said peanut butter!
So, the weekend at Christian's was really wonderful! We watched ice hockey on TV and hung out with Evi and Reinhard for what was left of Friday night. Saturday we fixed my cell phone problem...if you want my new number just email me! Sunday Christian went to participate in a ski race and I hung out with his folks. We had a little German and English lesson afternoon and Evi taught me how to cook: deer, schpetzli and brussel sprouts. Christian's Opa (grandfather) came over for lunch and then he returned from the race. We went to an ice hockey game-Feldkirch won-YEAH!! Monday morning Reinhard took me to the train station--was a great weekend. I always think how lucky I am that I actually like my in-laws...not everyone can say that!
When I returned to Innsbruck Monday morning I discovered that the mom had an accident on Sunday. She tore a ligament in her knee and has to be off it for the next 6 weeks. This is really bad for her because she loves sports. She is about 5'6" and 110 lbs. When she was younger she was a gymnast. She really confuses me though: she is a vegetarian, works out like crazy and smokes....I don't understand the smoking part! She is only 35 and look about 45...I think that is from the smoking!
Anyway, so it seems that life will change a little. I have to start doing more of the cleaning because the mom can't-she can barely walk. She said that she would pay me extra but I wonder how much!?!?! I would have done it without the extra money but I am really glad that she is going to pay me. Normally, I would say an extra 5-10 Euro a week...Christian thinks it should be 15 Euro! I wish!!! I babysat Friday morning for a mom around the corner. I got there at 8 am and left at 10:45 and she paid me 5 Euro!!!! ($6,27) If I were in the US I would expect between $15 and $20. I asked Doris and she said that was normal, I asked Christian and he said that it wasn't. The mom and dad seem really cheap: they want Mary Poppins for 10 Euro a day and I say-What ever, if that's all that your 4 kids mean to you?!?!? So, we will see about the money thing!
I am going on Wednesday to take care of my Visa and I am hoping that the people are nice....most Europeans are nice to Americans because they are used to us! I should start language class next week--WOOHOOO!!!! I can't wait!
So, today and yesterday were much better with the mom. Maybe the accident made her realize how much she needs me now or maybe she thinks that if she wants my help she should be nice to me. I can tell that she is really trying to be nice to me and I am, of course, continuing with the plan to kill her with kindness-maybe that is working! Whatever it is I'll take it!!! Tonight, while I was on the computer working on some email she brought me a glass of red wine and we talked about pets and had a 'cheers' to I don't know what...but like I said, whatever it is I will take it!
So, gonna run! Luv you all and hope to hear from you soon!
-Interesting side note: Earlier that day there was a dispute about my position and work requirements. Philipp, the 8 year old, came home from school and left his jacket and boots laying in the middle of the foyer. This is a normal habit that the mom told me she wanted broken. When I noticed that he had done this I went up to the third floor of the house to bring him down to the first to remedy the situation. He told me in his girlish-like German scream that he did not want to hang up his jacket and he wasn't going to! He went to his mom, who was on the 2nd floor and asked why they had an aupair if she can't even hang up a jacket! (HUGE GRIN FROM ME!!!!) The mom just laughed and sent him back upstairs to play with his Gameboy until Mitagessen (lunch).....After reading this I hope that you get two things: 1. kids learn from their parents model, 2. if you have someone that works for you (nanny, babysitter, maid, secretary, co-worker, etc.) please show them all of the respect that they deserve, it is very under-rated!
So, I took the train all by myself!!! It was exciting and really a great time. You never know who you are going to end up sitting next to and of course there is the destination to look forward to! I sat next to a lady from the Mid-Western part of the US and she has been living in Wein (Vienna, the capital of Austria) for 8 years. Amazingly, she doesn't really know much German because she works for the US Government. She was also on the way to Feldkirch to meet her husband who is starting a new job. She was an odd lady but she made the last 30 minutes of the 2 hour ride fun. It is interesting how much you miss the sound of English. I saw that she was reading a book in English and so I asked in German if she spoke English and that is how our conversation began. It was good that I waited so late to ask because she wasn't much of a talker. We talked about the foods we missed: she said Donuts and I said peanut butter!
So, the weekend at Christian's was really wonderful! We watched ice hockey on TV and hung out with Evi and Reinhard for what was left of Friday night. Saturday we fixed my cell phone problem...if you want my new number just email me! Sunday Christian went to participate in a ski race and I hung out with his folks. We had a little German and English lesson afternoon and Evi taught me how to cook: deer, schpetzli and brussel sprouts. Christian's Opa (grandfather) came over for lunch and then he returned from the race. We went to an ice hockey game-Feldkirch won-YEAH!! Monday morning Reinhard took me to the train station--was a great weekend. I always think how lucky I am that I actually like my in-laws...not everyone can say that!
When I returned to Innsbruck Monday morning I discovered that the mom had an accident on Sunday. She tore a ligament in her knee and has to be off it for the next 6 weeks. This is really bad for her because she loves sports. She is about 5'6" and 110 lbs. When she was younger she was a gymnast. She really confuses me though: she is a vegetarian, works out like crazy and smokes....I don't understand the smoking part! She is only 35 and look about 45...I think that is from the smoking!
Anyway, so it seems that life will change a little. I have to start doing more of the cleaning because the mom can't-she can barely walk. She said that she would pay me extra but I wonder how much!?!?! I would have done it without the extra money but I am really glad that she is going to pay me. Normally, I would say an extra 5-10 Euro a week...Christian thinks it should be 15 Euro! I wish!!! I babysat Friday morning for a mom around the corner. I got there at 8 am and left at 10:45 and she paid me 5 Euro!!!! ($6,27) If I were in the US I would expect between $15 and $20. I asked Doris and she said that was normal, I asked Christian and he said that it wasn't. The mom and dad seem really cheap: they want Mary Poppins for 10 Euro a day and I say-What ever, if that's all that your 4 kids mean to you?!?!? So, we will see about the money thing!
I am going on Wednesday to take care of my Visa and I am hoping that the people are nice....most Europeans are nice to Americans because they are used to us! I should start language class next week--WOOHOOO!!!! I can't wait!
So, today and yesterday were much better with the mom. Maybe the accident made her realize how much she needs me now or maybe she thinks that if she wants my help she should be nice to me. I can tell that she is really trying to be nice to me and I am, of course, continuing with the plan to kill her with kindness-maybe that is working! Whatever it is I'll take it!!! Tonight, while I was on the computer working on some email she brought me a glass of red wine and we talked about pets and had a 'cheers' to I don't know what...but like I said, whatever it is I will take it!
So, gonna run! Luv you all and hope to hear from you soon!
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Week 3: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
As I was sitting at the dinner table (esstisch) Monday night I had a small pain of sadness and I wasn't sure why I felt this way. I realized...for a brief moment...I felt really sorry for the Mom. She sits at one end of the dining room table and I sit at the other and in the middle are the kids...the twins to the left of me and the oldest and youngest boys to the right. The kids were playing with drinking straws that she had given them and she was telling them to stop making bubbles in their mineral water and apple juice but they weren't listening to her. I say that this was a fleeting second of sadness and pitty because just as I realized why I was sad for her I realized that it was her own fault....they listen to her as well as they listen to me. She has taught them that they run the house and they prove it to the three of us (when the dad is home and not hiding in the office downstairs!) daily. She has made our bed and now we must lay in it.
On Tuesday the kids were just plain bad...all four of them. But their manners at supper were better. It amazes me the things that she lets the kids get away with...lets just put the 'back talking' aside for a moment and talk about what a meal is like with these children. They barely eat anything on their plates, especially if they don't like it. For example, tonight, we had vegetable soup with small shell noodles in it-she picked out all of the carrots from the two oldest boys bowls because they don't like carrots. This amazes me because in my house it didn't matter if you liked it or not-if it was put on the plate then you ate it. Mama would have never made three different 'meals' to satisfy me, Jesse and Daddy. We just all ate the same thing.
To continue...there is definitely going to be burping, slurping, throwing of food and or napkin and loud yelling, crying and singing at the table. I am a person who enjoys a nice quiet meal with good conversation or maybe television if I am eating alone. This is very odd and uncomfortable for me. When Jesse and I were growing up (get used to this sentence starter) we had quiet and polite conversation...if you burped (never on purpose) you would say, 'Excuse me!' and that would be the end of it. There was little conversation about whether or not we would eat what was on our plate...we would try to argue a little but we knew in the end Mama and Daddy would win the fight.
On Wednesday morning I took the bus to the train station to buy my ticket for Friday (YEAH!!!!!!!!) It is hard to believe that it is already time for a visit with Christian. Our shortest interlude before this one was 1,5 months-this is heaven! I bought the ticket using German and a little English. After that I wondered around downtown for a little bit and did some window shopping and then returned to the house in time to get the kids.
I must admit that I need this break badly. Being a nanny doesn't really sound like it would be that hard but it is and my comfort level here has a lot to do with that. I can't get the children to really listen to me because the mom comes behind me and undoes what I do. They only listen to her when she asks them to do something that they already want to do. A good thing did happen today...she said that we need to start making the children hang up their own coats and put up their boots and I say, 'hallelujah!!!'
After lunch we went ice skating and I must admit that I am getting to be okay at it! I have found that it is something that I really enjoy. The rest of the day was typical: snack, play, bath, TV, supper, bed. I did find out that I can babysit for one of Vicktoria's friends' mom on Friday for a couple of hours in the morning! This makes me happy...a few extra ÂÂÂÂ-maybe enough to pay for my train ticket. Also, the mom must have said good things about me and the little girl has come to the house to play before so she must like me too. I hope that this babysitting deal continues on a frequent basis-Â240 a month doesn't really go that far especially when you are paying for school.
I think that the relationship with the mom is getting better...continuingueing to kill her with kindness! I hope that this weblog finds all of you well-miss you all very much and hope to talk to you soon! Oh yeah...GO PANTHERS!!!!
On Tuesday the kids were just plain bad...all four of them. But their manners at supper were better. It amazes me the things that she lets the kids get away with...lets just put the 'back talking' aside for a moment and talk about what a meal is like with these children. They barely eat anything on their plates, especially if they don't like it. For example, tonight, we had vegetable soup with small shell noodles in it-she picked out all of the carrots from the two oldest boys bowls because they don't like carrots. This amazes me because in my house it didn't matter if you liked it or not-if it was put on the plate then you ate it. Mama would have never made three different 'meals' to satisfy me, Jesse and Daddy. We just all ate the same thing.
To continue...there is definitely going to be burping, slurping, throwing of food and or napkin and loud yelling, crying and singing at the table. I am a person who enjoys a nice quiet meal with good conversation or maybe television if I am eating alone. This is very odd and uncomfortable for me. When Jesse and I were growing up (get used to this sentence starter) we had quiet and polite conversation...if you burped (never on purpose) you would say, 'Excuse me!' and that would be the end of it. There was little conversation about whether or not we would eat what was on our plate...we would try to argue a little but we knew in the end Mama and Daddy would win the fight.
On Wednesday morning I took the bus to the train station to buy my ticket for Friday (YEAH!!!!!!!!) It is hard to believe that it is already time for a visit with Christian. Our shortest interlude before this one was 1,5 months-this is heaven! I bought the ticket using German and a little English. After that I wondered around downtown for a little bit and did some window shopping and then returned to the house in time to get the kids.
I must admit that I need this break badly. Being a nanny doesn't really sound like it would be that hard but it is and my comfort level here has a lot to do with that. I can't get the children to really listen to me because the mom comes behind me and undoes what I do. They only listen to her when she asks them to do something that they already want to do. A good thing did happen today...she said that we need to start making the children hang up their own coats and put up their boots and I say, 'hallelujah!!!'
After lunch we went ice skating and I must admit that I am getting to be okay at it! I have found that it is something that I really enjoy. The rest of the day was typical: snack, play, bath, TV, supper, bed. I did find out that I can babysit for one of Vicktoria's friends' mom on Friday for a couple of hours in the morning! This makes me happy...a few extra ÂÂÂÂ-maybe enough to pay for my train ticket. Also, the mom must have said good things about me and the little girl has come to the house to play before so she must like me too. I hope that this babysitting deal continues on a frequent basis-Â240 a month doesn't really go that far especially when you are paying for school.
I think that the relationship with the mom is getting better...continuingueing to kill her with kindness! I hope that this weblog finds all of you well-miss you all very much and hope to talk to you soon! Oh yeah...GO PANTHERS!!!!
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Week 2 in Innsbruck, Austria
So this week was very similar to last week except the kids are listening more and hitting less (that has to be a plus right?!?!) The mom and I had a discussion about this on Tuesday. She said that they usually don't hit and that they had never even tried to bite anyone before. I personally find this VERY hard to believe!!! They seemed to know exactly what they were doing and for those parents who are reading this I ask...what do you think???? Anyway, she said that she was very pleased with my work and had only two criticisms: I can't iron as fast as she can and sometimes I mix up the boys socks (which she admitted that she does as well). I felt pretty good about this-esp. considering that I AM NOT HER MAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I discovered something about the Mom this week which makes me feel SO much better!!! She is critical of EVERYONE-even her husband!!! I was beginning to think that she was just picking on me but this seems to be a personality trait of hers so it is apparently something that I have to deal with. For those of you who know me (which should be all of you!) you know that I am not athletic but more academic. I enjoy stretching my brain more than my muscles. I do enjoy the outdoors and exercising to stay in a good health condition but really and truly-that's about it. I don't excel in sports I excel in academics...this is hard for the Mom to understand. I would much rather sit quietly and read a book then go outside and play sports. I think that I just have to explain this to her...she's not getting it right now.
I took the bus to the city three times this week! I am becoming more comfortable with it and the layout of the city. A friend of mine, Christoph, was supposed to take me for a beer on Monday night. Just in case you are wondering, Christian and I are still together and very much in love and actually Christoph is his best friend. This is a very common social practice here among colleagues and friends! So, anyway I went to the city on Monday morning to find something new to wear. I brought a lot of my older clothes here so if the children spilt paint or something on them I wouldn't be upset. I found some pretty great deals and got a sweater for Â10 (that's $ 12,59) so I was wicked excited! I have found that shopping here is not like shopping in the states....sometimes you can find some really great deals...like the sweater but all of the shops are spread out and you have to visita lott of places to really do some shopping! So after my wonderful discovery I came back to the house and took care of the kids. I got all ready to go but no Christoph! His parents own a hotel and Inn in Feldkirch and his mother had to get him to come back home to take care of somethings.
Wednesday morning I went to the city to check into my language school for February. As luck would have it they had their next placement test that afternoon and there would not be another one for about 3 weeks-which would be too late. So, I wondered around the town for a little bit after that to get myself oriented and I found that being in town makes me the most happy! So many people and beautiful buildings-most importantly no critical mom and yelling kids. I have a very fragile ego...I can't takea lott of criticism! So, I returned home and then returned to the city late afternoon for the test. I'm quite proud of myself! I placed in the 2nd class (1st class is beginners, 4th class is basically fluent). I sign up for the class on Monday. It will go early Feb-early May and I'll still take a course at the University here in town in March. It will bea lott of school but I think it will be really good for me mentally with my German and emotionally to get me away from the house for a while!
Friday night I watched the kids from 8pm until 9:30pm while the Mom and Dad went to see Philipps' (the oldest boy) priest about his communion. It was pretty good...we were watching the American Idol of Austria called 'Starmania'. They were deciding on the final star so the two older boys stayed up and watched it with us. I really like it when the Dad is home-he treats me with respect and the Mom even treats me better when he is around...wish he was here all week!
Saturdays I kind of have the afternoon off so I watched the kids in the morning while the Mom and Dad went skiing for a couple of hours then I took the car to the 'mall'. There are two main shopping centers here in town - one is in the city and I can take the bus there and the other is across town about 15 minutes. So, I took the car across town and got lost a little on the way and was fine getting back! I didn't have that long to shop because the shops close at 5pm on Saturdays and I was leaving here around 3:15pm. So, I didn't buy anything but it was good to be out. I helped the Mom with the supper and dishes (just to be nice). Hope that she doesn't take this as a trend.
Today I have been a hermit. I admit that it was totally avoidance on my part: didn't want to see the kids, the Mom or the Dad! In fact it is 5pm and I have yet to see one of them! Sundays are really great, aren't they!
So, that's it for this week...not terribly exciting. I may start 'blogging' on a daily\nightly basis and the blogs are listed chronologically...so check down the page if you get something weird on the screen! Hope that you all have a wonderful week and that I hear from you soon! Luv Ya!
I discovered something about the Mom this week which makes me feel SO much better!!! She is critical of EVERYONE-even her husband!!! I was beginning to think that she was just picking on me but this seems to be a personality trait of hers so it is apparently something that I have to deal with. For those of you who know me (which should be all of you!) you know that I am not athletic but more academic. I enjoy stretching my brain more than my muscles. I do enjoy the outdoors and exercising to stay in a good health condition but really and truly-that's about it. I don't excel in sports I excel in academics...this is hard for the Mom to understand. I would much rather sit quietly and read a book then go outside and play sports. I think that I just have to explain this to her...she's not getting it right now.
I took the bus to the city three times this week! I am becoming more comfortable with it and the layout of the city. A friend of mine, Christoph, was supposed to take me for a beer on Monday night. Just in case you are wondering, Christian and I are still together and very much in love and actually Christoph is his best friend. This is a very common social practice here among colleagues and friends! So, anyway I went to the city on Monday morning to find something new to wear. I brought a lot of my older clothes here so if the children spilt paint or something on them I wouldn't be upset. I found some pretty great deals and got a sweater for Â10 (that's $ 12,59) so I was wicked excited! I have found that shopping here is not like shopping in the states....sometimes you can find some really great deals...like the sweater but all of the shops are spread out and you have to visita lott of places to really do some shopping! So after my wonderful discovery I came back to the house and took care of the kids. I got all ready to go but no Christoph! His parents own a hotel and Inn in Feldkirch and his mother had to get him to come back home to take care of somethings.
Wednesday morning I went to the city to check into my language school for February. As luck would have it they had their next placement test that afternoon and there would not be another one for about 3 weeks-which would be too late. So, I wondered around the town for a little bit after that to get myself oriented and I found that being in town makes me the most happy! So many people and beautiful buildings-most importantly no critical mom and yelling kids. I have a very fragile ego...I can't takea lott of criticism! So, I returned home and then returned to the city late afternoon for the test. I'm quite proud of myself! I placed in the 2nd class (1st class is beginners, 4th class is basically fluent). I sign up for the class on Monday. It will go early Feb-early May and I'll still take a course at the University here in town in March. It will bea lott of school but I think it will be really good for me mentally with my German and emotionally to get me away from the house for a while!
Friday night I watched the kids from 8pm until 9:30pm while the Mom and Dad went to see Philipps' (the oldest boy) priest about his communion. It was pretty good...we were watching the American Idol of Austria called 'Starmania'. They were deciding on the final star so the two older boys stayed up and watched it with us. I really like it when the Dad is home-he treats me with respect and the Mom even treats me better when he is around...wish he was here all week!
Saturdays I kind of have the afternoon off so I watched the kids in the morning while the Mom and Dad went skiing for a couple of hours then I took the car to the 'mall'. There are two main shopping centers here in town - one is in the city and I can take the bus there and the other is across town about 15 minutes. So, I took the car across town and got lost a little on the way and was fine getting back! I didn't have that long to shop because the shops close at 5pm on Saturdays and I was leaving here around 3:15pm. So, I didn't buy anything but it was good to be out. I helped the Mom with the supper and dishes (just to be nice). Hope that she doesn't take this as a trend.
Today I have been a hermit. I admit that it was totally avoidance on my part: didn't want to see the kids, the Mom or the Dad! In fact it is 5pm and I have yet to see one of them! Sundays are really great, aren't they!
So, that's it for this week...not terribly exciting. I may start 'blogging' on a daily\nightly basis and the blogs are listed chronologically...so check down the page if you get something weird on the screen! Hope that you all have a wonderful week and that I hear from you soon! Luv Ya!
Hello to all of my friends and family and loved ones. For those of you who are a bit confused...maybe you have neve heard of a weblog before? It is a wonderful way for me to share what's going on in my life and my head with those people who care! If you search the net you'll find a whole bunch! Not only can I write to you but you can write back to me (or you can just email). What is the difference you ask: anyone searching the net might come across my blog and read what I write or what you write. When you email me I promise not to share that email with other people!
This one is changing from academic to personal in nature. I originally wrote this blog for a technology class I had-Thanks Dr. Ferdig. So the previous blog entries probably don't make sense to you and you probably really don't want to read them...they are just 'my rambling thoughts' about the articles and discussions from class. So, hope that you all enjoy this and please write back if you feel so inclined!
This one is changing from academic to personal in nature. I originally wrote this blog for a technology class I had-Thanks Dr. Ferdig. So the previous blog entries probably don't make sense to you and you probably really don't want to read them...they are just 'my rambling thoughts' about the articles and discussions from class. So, hope that you all enjoy this and please write back if you feel so inclined!
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
This blog is written in response to: Technology Education and the Search for Truth, Beauty and Love by William S Pretzer
p. 2 "...although technology relies upon science and mathematical verities, in the end it responds to the demands of the human spirit." Yep! That's great! Why do we forget this? As humans it seems that there are times when we forget that WE make computers, they didn't make us. Although, I will say they "make" us to a certain degree because they mold and shape us and our character into different people then we were before we had them. Our world has become smaller and our libraries of knowledge have become bigger. Our access has become greater and in some ways has made our social class less relevant to our future.
However, it is interesting that this article says that by being literate in technology you will not necessarily be more marketable when you go to apply for a job. This is very interesting because for so long now that has been the main push for technology: you have to know about computers, etc. if you want a job. I think that there is still some truth to this statement but I enjoyed the change in focus that this article took. Character education, problem solving, team work and critical thinking skills are much more important to employers. It has become a trend that, as Americans at least, we depend on computers and other technologies to do our dirty work for us. Need to know the answer to a question: just look it up. I think that is part of the reason why there has been such a push in education for higher order thinking skills and inquiry learning.
Our children need to know that they are as capable of solving school and life problems using their own brain. They don't need a computer or other technology to do that for them. Don't mistake me, technology is wonderful and it makes life so much simpler but I think that we shou ld shift our focus more in the direction of problem solving skills. Partly because this is what employers are looking for and if we want our future work force to be successful we need to teach them these tools. I think an average American feels like that is the ultimate goal of education for their children get a good education then they can get a good job. I think that people don't believe in geniuses anymore and they don't believe in miracles. In our current society geniuses are usually related to technology. We don't recognize genius in music or art any more. Since the industrial revolution it seems that technology is far more important than the arts. If it doesn't make you money it isn't really important.
As Americans we look for tangible things that represent our ideal. We don't believe in miracles that are unexplained--if it can't be proven with science then it isn't really important. It is this creativity and belief in the unexplainable that some children really miss out on. Without these ideas of the unexplainable and unimaginable we would never be able to fly in air planes and there would be no computers. If we are killing this type of thinking--what wonderful technologies are we missing out on? It is important to look within yourself for answers before you turn to technology. I think that some people feel very helpless and they have lost faith in their religion, the power of love and the power that exists within themselves. I guess I would say: use technology to discover the truth, beauty and love in our world but don't forget about looking within yourself and within other human beings. Tap these resources because you are only as much of a slave to technology as you allow yourself to be.
p. 2 "...although technology relies upon science and mathematical verities, in the end it responds to the demands of the human spirit." Yep! That's great! Why do we forget this? As humans it seems that there are times when we forget that WE make computers, they didn't make us. Although, I will say they "make" us to a certain degree because they mold and shape us and our character into different people then we were before we had them. Our world has become smaller and our libraries of knowledge have become bigger. Our access has become greater and in some ways has made our social class less relevant to our future.
However, it is interesting that this article says that by being literate in technology you will not necessarily be more marketable when you go to apply for a job. This is very interesting because for so long now that has been the main push for technology: you have to know about computers, etc. if you want a job. I think that there is still some truth to this statement but I enjoyed the change in focus that this article took. Character education, problem solving, team work and critical thinking skills are much more important to employers. It has become a trend that, as Americans at least, we depend on computers and other technologies to do our dirty work for us. Need to know the answer to a question: just look it up. I think that is part of the reason why there has been such a push in education for higher order thinking skills and inquiry learning.
Our children need to know that they are as capable of solving school and life problems using their own brain. They don't need a computer or other technology to do that for them. Don't mistake me, technology is wonderful and it makes life so much simpler but I think that we shou ld shift our focus more in the direction of problem solving skills. Partly because this is what employers are looking for and if we want our future work force to be successful we need to teach them these tools. I think an average American feels like that is the ultimate goal of education for their children get a good education then they can get a good job. I think that people don't believe in geniuses anymore and they don't believe in miracles. In our current society geniuses are usually related to technology. We don't recognize genius in music or art any more. Since the industrial revolution it seems that technology is far more important than the arts. If it doesn't make you money it isn't really important.
As Americans we look for tangible things that represent our ideal. We don't believe in miracles that are unexplained--if it can't be proven with science then it isn't really important. It is this creativity and belief in the unexplainable that some children really miss out on. Without these ideas of the unexplainable and unimaginable we would never be able to fly in air planes and there would be no computers. If we are killing this type of thinking--what wonderful technologies are we missing out on? It is important to look within yourself for answers before you turn to technology. I think that some people feel very helpless and they have lost faith in their religion, the power of love and the power that exists within themselves. I guess I would say: use technology to discover the truth, beauty and love in our world but don't forget about looking within yourself and within other human beings. Tap these resources because you are only as much of a slave to technology as you allow yourself to be.
This blog is written in response to : Toward Technoliteracy by Andrew Ross
This article discusses the pros and cons of computer hackers. More importantly it discusses how we, as humans, have to change the way we perceive technology and its role in our daily life. There is a lot of talk about hacker/computer ethics. On p 338 in particular Ross talks about the hackers that lack a cause and thus dismissed. And so I wonder: why? Why do some people hack if they don't have a real reason to (it's not a political statement or for revenge)? Are humans just evil? Is there a way to combat this evil by giving them something to care about and if so how do we do that? Also, can we prevent this evilness? Don't misunderstand me: hacking is hacking is hacking. Just because you have a reason to hack doesn't make it an okay thing to do. Also, for those who hack for a purpose: can we give them another outlet to voice their frustrations or anger that will be as effective to them as hacking is?
I think that some people are just evil and technology provides a medium for them to express their evilness. But I also think that these evil people have the possibility to do good things and overcome this evilness. I believe that this evilness comes when a good person becomes so frustrated with something and the current outlets that they use to express this frustration or to solve whatever problem is causing their frustration is no longer effective. Technology is the cause, the medium and the solution.
As an American I see technology as a way for me to be more productive, make more money and make my quality of living better. But, as one technology allows me to make more money and be more productive it also takes me away from the people that I love and want to be with. But there is other technology that allows me to spend more quality time with the people that I love and fulfill my dreams of travel and having exciting adventures. However, my desire and the influence of my boss' desire for me to be more productive can get in the way of the quality time with the people that I love. In America: more is better and bigger is better. These thoughts make me wish for that coconut tree--
Many people blame the corruptness of our world on technology. There is a very romantic view of the ways things used to be when time was simpler. But it is a trade off: if you could go back to that simpler way of life would you? I don't know that I would, even if it meant less crime and nicer people. I love technology! It has given me opportunities to meet people and go places that I never would have been able to do back in the "good old days". Crime and corruption are just a bi-product of technology and you have to take the good with the bad. But something deep down makes me think that people really aren't any meaner than they used to be: our technology has allowed us to highlight their cruelty and provided the evil people with new and better ways of being evil. Crime and punishment has progressed with the technology.
This article discusses the pros and cons of computer hackers. More importantly it discusses how we, as humans, have to change the way we perceive technology and its role in our daily life. There is a lot of talk about hacker/computer ethics. On p 338 in particular Ross talks about the hackers that lack a cause and thus dismissed. And so I wonder: why? Why do some people hack if they don't have a real reason to (it's not a political statement or for revenge)? Are humans just evil? Is there a way to combat this evil by giving them something to care about and if so how do we do that? Also, can we prevent this evilness? Don't misunderstand me: hacking is hacking is hacking. Just because you have a reason to hack doesn't make it an okay thing to do. Also, for those who hack for a purpose: can we give them another outlet to voice their frustrations or anger that will be as effective to them as hacking is?
I think that some people are just evil and technology provides a medium for them to express their evilness. But I also think that these evil people have the possibility to do good things and overcome this evilness. I believe that this evilness comes when a good person becomes so frustrated with something and the current outlets that they use to express this frustration or to solve whatever problem is causing their frustration is no longer effective. Technology is the cause, the medium and the solution.
As an American I see technology as a way for me to be more productive, make more money and make my quality of living better. But, as one technology allows me to make more money and be more productive it also takes me away from the people that I love and want to be with. But there is other technology that allows me to spend more quality time with the people that I love and fulfill my dreams of travel and having exciting adventures. However, my desire and the influence of my boss' desire for me to be more productive can get in the way of the quality time with the people that I love. In America: more is better and bigger is better. These thoughts make me wish for that coconut tree--
Many people blame the corruptness of our world on technology. There is a very romantic view of the ways things used to be when time was simpler. But it is a trade off: if you could go back to that simpler way of life would you? I don't know that I would, even if it meant less crime and nicer people. I love technology! It has given me opportunities to meet people and go places that I never would have been able to do back in the "good old days". Crime and corruption are just a bi-product of technology and you have to take the good with the bad. But something deep down makes me think that people really aren't any meaner than they used to be: our technology has allowed us to highlight their cruelty and provided the evil people with new and better ways of being evil. Crime and punishment has progressed with the technology.
