Grüezi! Banjos and Borzois - The 3rd Entry

Sent September 15, 2009

Gruezi! Banjos and Borzois - The 3rd Entry

Guten Tag alle,

Let's see, the usual. I truly can, Ich spreche ein bisschen Duetsch, since last week was all about learning common verbs like; to go, to do, to make, to see, to listen, to read etc... and a few more nouns under my belt and adding conjunctions makes it all the better. Today, i tried making sentences with what i knew so far. I think that I'm understandable even though the structures are crude. yesterday at Priska & Marko's, i practiced a bit.

I do have a funny (to some) story to tell but let me get through all the other stuff first.

The boys are good. Whiniest bunch of critters. Libby and Alain are having to deal with how exceedingly clingy (and i mean CLINGY) Aidan is to Libby. Other than that, they are like normal almost 2 year olds except that they can't say words. This week, I got them to shake their
head when they DON'T want something. It's better than nodding for everything.

Tomorrow we leave for Calabria, Italy. Honestly, I'm willing to trade my spot for anyone who wants to go. The thieves and mafia capital of the universe (I wish i was lying) has never been of any interest to me. I rather spend my time here hiking and wandering through Schlosses
(castles), seeing rose gardens and working on my German than sitting in a mini van with whiny babies and an overly emotional and dramatic sister for 17hours just to go to another country where I can't speak the language and remember to wear clothing where i can hide my money
and passport. LOL. Plus like I want to miss the newest episode of Sturm der Liebe (my German soap opera. They speak simple and slow enough so i can barely understand them and hear how they pronounce words). Felix just asked Emma to marry him!!!

This week's adventure was to Schloss Wildegg in Wildegg, Switzerland to see the exhibition i was absolutely eager to see, a poisonous plant exhibition which was awesome. They discussed how certain lethal plats are used in modern medicines and had lists, examples and books on the
plants and their usages. Schloss Wildegg itself was lovely, recently inhabited until 1912 when the last relative died (were they stupid enough not to have kids to keep this beautiful small castle?!?!?!). To get to the mountain, the town bus which runs every hour (it was a
village), dropped me off at the base of the mountain and stupid me, in heels hiked up the mountain (which is surrounded by farms) through cow and sheep pastures. I ate lunch under a large hazelnut tree in the rose garden and descended the mountain barefooted.

The next adventure was the day i spent in Schaffhausen, rediscovering Munot in the summer time, walking the Rhine (all 6 miles of it) and practicing my German whenever i had a moment, even if no one understood what i was saying, which was often. The pronunciations of
the umlauts (all those letters with the dots over them) and the Diphthongs (Double umlauts that are spelled multiple ways but make the same sound) are what i am having the most trouble remembering. At least the basic 26 letter alphabet is the same for der Deutsch
Alphabet and it almost sounds the same too in English. I feel terrible for the Turkish, Slovenians and the South Koreans in my class who don't use a Germanic based alphabet. When we learned it tonight, I tought the South Korean girl was going to cry.

Yesterday we went to priska and Marko's for Raclatte (its like fondue but not really) and I baked a carrot cake with creamcheese icing. Once again devoured completely. Tomorrow, I'm using up the last of our apples and peaches and making bread for the trip.

whatever else i did last week, i don't remember. It wasn't important then. Finally, Okay, now we all know that i can't meet nice normal people. Libby was like, "I've lived here for five years and no one talks to me, says hi to me or waves to me! You get people talking to you, guys
waving and everyone says hi! What the hell??" I always have to meet fellow freaks and weirdos. Effie, you would appreciate this encounter, it reminded me of "Ketchup and Sauerkraut".

So after an afternoon of eating lunch by the Rhine which we took the boys, I decided that i wanted to watch the sunset by the Rhine. Libby worked the night shift, so i put the boys to bed, Alain came home and I left and took the bus. but i knew that it was well past sunset, so I
figured on a nice evening stroll.

Now backpackers are common here in Switzerland so its not unusual to see a filthy guy on a bike with a backpack peddling down the sidewalk. So of course i see some backpackers setting up to sleep along the Rhine, and there were also groups of people everywhere. Apparently
there was an event going on.

Now i go under a small canopy of trees, humming along when i suddenly hear a banjo. Yes, a bonifide American banjo, strumming away some country tune. In the darkness i squinted and i see a large snow white dog standing in the middle of the sidewalk. As the banjo music got
closer, i realized that i was looking at a real life Borzoi! I've always wanted to see one of those dogs, especially since they are said to be almost gone.

There is a small bench in the alcove of the hazelnut trees and at first the stench of filth hits me. Then i see two guys, both dirty with shaggy beards, they looked younger than me, one was dark haired with a stupid looking hat and the other a blonde wearing suspenders and a pinstripe shirt. The blonde was strumming away on the banjo. The borzoi sat next tot the blonde man as i started passing them.

"Gruezi." the dark haired guy said.

"Guten Abend." i replied.

Then the blonde guy asked me something in German and i stopped because I thought i could translate it. He resaid it again and i realized that he was a foreigner, like myself, speaking german. So i replied, "ich spreche ein bisschen Duetsch aber ich spreche English. du?"

The guys looked at each other, blinked and slowly the dark haired replied in american english, "Yeah. Cool. Well maybe you can help us, we are looking for a gas station so we can buy beer."

Now I'm waiting for them to ask me for money. "Beer? Which way did ya'll came from because you would have passed one if you came from," and I pointed towards Munot, "That way."

"What about that way. "pointed the blonde guy.

"well, that way takes you to Germany and the only gas station is the one after the customs booth."

They looked worried, "Will they search us?"

and i laughed, "looking like they way ya'll do. Absolutely!"

They laughed. "So there's one this way" and he pointed towards Munot.

Once again i replied that he was correct and for a few minutes they wanted to extract an exact location from me but i didn;t know so i bid them a good night and started walking away.

the blonde guy then asked if i had wanted to smoke a joint with them, and promptly laughing out loud i told them that they smelled too bad for me to consider it. They waved to me, wishing me a good night and i wandered down the Rhine.

I didn't stay long because there was just too many people for me to find somewhere comfy to sit.

Anyways, that was it. Oh and don;t expect pics of the boys smiling, they are very camera shy.

TTYL,

Rebekah

PS: Schloss Munot is Schaffhausen's castle. Its on the mountain in the center of the town, you can;t miss it!

Attached:


Pic1: the Rhein


Pic2: Rhinefalls


Pic3: Sign for the Poisonous Plant exhibition


Pic4: Aiden


Pic5: Raffie

Grüezi! So Many Trains - The 2nd Entry

Sent: September 7, 2009

Gruezi! So Many Trains - The 2nd Entry

Howdy ya'll,

So so far, alle ist gut in der Schweiz! Oh the babies have taken to me so well and look for me every morning at the base of the stairs. I've taken three small movies with my camera. One of the boys watching their daddy have his OCD ticks, them running out back in diapers and
another at the park. They may be too big to add since they are all like 3 min or so but i'll try. Also pics will be included.

The temperature is still good here. Chilly at night and warm during the day. Libby gave me a couple of her "fat" clothes (all medium - and yes, this is fat to her) to wear and a new pair of "inspiration" pants, size 10 jeans, since I already fit into the size 12 jeans that Rachael's gave me. I've already had one German class, just basic greetings and farewells, where I'm from and what language i speak, kind of stuff. I practice by reading out loud labels, their version of the pennysaver and putting together 2+2 since, surprise!, alot of our words in English (ya'll have no idea how many) came from German because its spelled and means the same. nouns are easy to figure out here, not so much the verbs.

As for adventures, other than going to Herblingen (shopping mall) and Winterthur (classes), I finally traveled to Griefensee (Gree-fen-sea) and Hinwill (Hin-vill), Two small nowhere towns, why? Well, I had a character from Hinwill and i finally wanted to see it. Its the last stop on the S5 train, seriously a village in the mountains. Nothing worth noting until I came home and Alain is like, "did you go to the tower in the mountains and the pirate bar?"

to which i replied, "What tower and pirate bar?!" Why doesn't anyone tell me these things, especially since Alain grew up in Wetzikon (Vet-si-con), the village right before Hinwill. So i'm having another trip there. Now Greifensee was beautiful, its on a huge (i mean it
looks like it never ends) lake and its a sailing, canoeing, cycling, swimming town. I wished i had a bike, none of this psychotic mountainous hills, nice flat mountain trails along the lake to bike.

That day it was raining off and on and i put my most said phrase to good use, "Ich spreche ein bission Deutch" = I speak very little German. Exhausted after hiking a total of five hours, it was pouring, i found a bus stop and it looked like it said that it went to the Bahnhof. I was catching the last bus in this village and when the driver went to the last stop and opened the door for me to get off, i went up to him and said my coined phrase followed by, "bahnhof, ja?" he figured out that i was not from there and smiled, apparently it was not far since he took me to the bahnhof, i jumped off the bus saying, "Vielen Danke!!" which meant, "Thank you so very much!"

Friday night i went wandering into town to the Rhine. Today (Sunday) we all went to Konstanz, Germany to an aquarium. Its was the boy's first time and maybe not the best choice for them. they were PETRIFIED of the fishies. and on our hands were the whiniest, scaredy cats ever.
Silly things. Thank goodness we didn't go to the petting zoo with Priska and Marco (canceled due to car trouble), those boys would be screaming and shaking in their shoes! Ah, they'll get over it. On the way back, we went to Stein am Rhine to the Schloss (castle) on the top of the mountain since i never got the chance to and its a good few hour hike up the damn mountain (i'm referring to the day i came back in January. Today we just grove). The view is breathtaking, especially
on a clear sunny day. I am returning to Stein am Rhine for the museums and i want to tour the Schloss. Libby and i want to come early one sat morning and jog the numerous mountain trails on the way to the Schloss.

Sarah, the Indian neighbor gave me half a Kewpit ( i think that's how its spelled), its like a pumpkin that she grew in her garden and in her broken English, she said that she heard i baked. I tasted the flesh and inspired by its mild sweetness, i baked two loves of bread with a homemade glaze. The first loaf disappeared within a day and i gave half of the other loaf to Sarah. She is bugging me for this recipe so i got to sit down and convert it all to Metric. :)

Okay, picture time! beware these are only from the point and shoot. Finally.


1. WC in Oerlikon Bahnhof. (i was waiting for my connection) It was
literally the size of a closet.


2. Boys at park


3. View from Stein am Rhine's Schloss at the top of the mountain.

4. Karaoke at Priska's

gute Nacht,

Rebekah

Grüezi! Kissies - The First Entry

Okay, so I decided to back log my email as entries here. I figure, why not?
--
SENT: AUGUST 31, 2009

gruezi! Kissies - the first entry

Howdy ya'll,

as promised, an email! Well since i am writing i obviously made it to Switzerland in one piece, luggage included! Unlike last time when a piece was lost. Did have way too much drama at the airport but that was handled efficiently. Its a big difference coming here in the late Summer with so many people in the airport and more people out and about. Its so beautiful here with the roses and flowers in every flower box and garden. Including Libby's, I spent Saturday pruning the
roses since she doesn't like the thorns. The boys are very handy helpers and picked up the clippings for me.

I flew with United this time and the only perk was that i didn't have to pick my luggage up in DC on the way to Switzerland but in comparison to AirCanada, it was 3 out of 5 stars.

Cons: less legroom, food was mediocre, crappy entertainment system with inability to choose what you want to watch, barely any attention from the stewardesses after the lights went out. And panel of the plane inside the cabin fell off and hit the lady next to me. Seriously, it was very nerving.

Pros: Didn't need to go through customs on the way, and more bathrooms.

I had the vegetarian meal (which i normally do on a plane since i don;t want to hit the bathroom often) and it was very good. I heard nothing but complaints about the meat dish so i was happy i didn't get the turkey. Of course i had to have the super talkative person next to me but in the morning a 12month old wanted to look out the window and her mommy asked me if it was ok for me to hold her. The baby girl was adorable, she loved the clouds.

The boys are huge and adorable! They don't do hugs but they will give you kisses and unlike last time, they actually come to you! Libby is so happy that the boys are taking to me. Of course they love their sausages and yogurt, still can't live with "blankie" but they can eat with their utensils, they can tell you when they are going to the bathroom, they nod = yes, they can get their shoes, assist you with putting on their clothes, hold hands when out walking, do handstands and rollovers, and let you know when they are hungry. They haven't expanded their vocabulary too much, added "ababba" for drink and that's about it. but they are very vocal now with other people but they still speak to each other constantly in their own special language. Aidan sings and Raffie dances.

Day one, to Winterthur to sign up for my German classes which i will start tomorrow (Monday), a little bit of window shopping and some food shopping. Friday was they big shopping day to Germany, this time instead of going to the other border near Singen, Germany we stayed in
the Kanton of Schaffhausen and went to the border here. One of the buses here goes to that shopping center since the village of Burlingen (within Schaffhausen) actually belongs to Germany, so it has Schaffhausen transit to take the folk of Burlingen to go shopping.

There is a Lida (like an Aldi), DM (like a Walgreens), a "dollar store" and i can't remember the other place. Then we went into town for a little bit where we picked up a cell phone to use while I'm here. So i have my own Swiss number! but it seems weird having a phone with no one to call. Its just for us to be able to get a hold of each other since i am going to be out and about alot on my own.

Saturday, we went to Jumbo (like a cross between Michael's and Lowes) to get me a plug adapter for my laptop. Mainly played with the boys and Today we had breakfast together and then we went to Priska's for dinner and sang karaoke. Raffie held the microphone and was singing.
(It was more lake "wawawaaawawaaa" but absolutely adorable to witness!) She's letting me borrow an extra pair of roller blades (we wear the same size) to practice on since she wants me to join them when they go out. Libby's happy to have a running partner and we run up the road to the forest that houses the hospital which is well lit at night. Running here is nothing like running back in Florida; higher altitude, hills galore, perfect weather where you are not dying of heat and lovely scenery.

LOL, Priska's cat, Sonne, broke my sunglasses and it also likes to attack toes. I'm heading into Winterthur and hour early tomorrow to buy glasses, they have a C&A and a Claires and it will be less expensive than going to a MANOR or a H&M here. Right now there is so many summer sales! I'm waiting for H&M to have one since i loved shopping there. I baked biscuits for breakfast and honey soaked cakes for dinner Friday.

Anyway, currently, Libby and I are eating jelly filled wheat croquettes while waiting Wurthering Heights on the Italian TV station. Almost time for bed. I'm getting my railway and buss passes tomorrow!

TTYL,

Rebekah

ps: i will have pics next time.

2 Weeks for free books

So happy to know that the film was absolutely loved! I feel very proud of it and hope to make many more. My friend who helped me is interested in making more as well as inviting me to participate on some of his films. I'm happy. As I explained earlier to him, I've always been interested in films. My works reflects that with the use of multiple imagery (narratives) and the use of text. What held me back? The lack of skill in using a video camera and editing scares the bejesus outta me. So I am already working on Bunni's next movie. Something with the German I will have learned, maybe a musical...

In two weeks, at this time, I will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean. I have figured out my luggage situation and my fear of not having enough space is resolved. Its sad to realize that all my stuff will fit in a small suitcase but I have to carry two HUGE ones just for all the "gifts". I shouldn't be complaining but being the efficient/utilitarian person I have become in the last two years, it drives me crazy.

Luckily I have a busy next few days that will help the time pass but next week will be free until Friday. I may just hit the beach. Found out that ordering books off of Amazon Germany and have them shipped to my sister's home is FREE! I love countries that charges no S/H for books. Too bad nothing will be in English but in the process of learning German, I want to pick up a few young adult books in German. Why? The English is MUCH simpler yet not as trite as children's books.

Little Bunni Goes on an Adventure

Here's is my 3rd video - My first one with sound and editing. You are viewing the really crappy quality version. The almost DVD version is up on Youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY_0fzVJ96s

Enjoy!

News x3

Wow, so three new cool things are happening.

One: I'm going back to Switzerland. I will be gone from August 26 - November 23. So expect pictures posted on here. I am resurrecting my email group that I had when I was there back in January 2009 and this time, add a pic every email. As to why I'm going? Well, my sister needs me right now and everyone knows how I work, I go where I'm needed.

Two: I'm making my 3rd film tomorrow. It was a response to "how am I going to tell people that I'm leaving without answering unnecessary questions??" My friend who is a film teacher is helping my put this together. So this will actually be my first film with sound and really good editing! I'm excited. I finished the script and emailed it to him last night so he can make his own notes. I'm so excited that I may ask him to help me with a mockumentary that I've been wanting to make for a decade now. Don't worry, the film will be emailed, posted here and on Facebook. I still don't trust YouTube and still believe it should rot but that's just my opinion.

Three: I posted this on Twitter but this is my second year advancing to the Photographer's Forum Best of Photography (I've always done the college one) International Competition and I am in the top 100 as a Finalist! They haven't chosen yet who placed but I am so excited that my work will be published! How cool is that!

Overall, I'm scared and anxious to be away for so long in a foreign country but its not like I'm alone. I have my sister and nephews to drive me lovingly insane, I'm taking immersion German twice a week, get some writing done and I have a list of museums and events that I want to do. Plus TONS of pictures.

I will be posting one last thing on here before I go.

Have a great day!

Writing Booster

Currently, I have enjoyed the sudden burst of inspiration to tackle a whole plot line that I have struggled with for the last four years. It has been one of those obstacles that I discussed with Manda-chan well over a decade ago.

In my plotline layout, it came to this one point where I could go either way with my heroine. The road I had pondered over, didn't sit well on my stomach. The ending would be horribly tragic but for all the wrong reasons and that just doesn't work. My people need to suffer in a way that pleases me. The other path, well, I knew it was there but it was dark, under heavy rain and road construction. I tinkered with it, had all these other scenarios, but nothing was right. Until it took a broken heart (sadly mine) to realize what had to be done. The rain stayed but it was no longer dark, just night. Finally! A name, place and why!

I wish I could give more but the only person up to date I no longer talk to and Manda-chan, if I could just get all my thoughts onto a simpler layout, I'd send it to you with a hundred page explanation. My only other problem is where to not begin with this whole thing. I have so much information...

I have to say this only because I can't contain it; I am proud of my heroine for making the hardest decision of her life.

Even better, I am grabbing primer from my storage unit tomorrow. I feel like painting again.