1 Year in Germany
We cannot believe we have officially been here a year already. It has really flown by. This week Greg had a four day weekend and instead of trying to go somewhere, we stayed close to home spending time together playing games (Monopoly Deutschland) and going to parks. I admit the Community Chest and Chance cards were a bit difficult to figure out at first, but we muddled through. Bailey had a field trip on Friday to a Butterfly Forest. Apparently it was really fun. The rest of us went to Koblenz to enjoy the Deutsches Eck (German corner) where the Mosel and Rhein Rivers meet.
Because this is our one year Anniversary in Germany, it has caused us to reflect a bit on what we miss about America and what we love about Germany, so here are our top tens...
America
Taco Bell
Good Take-Out Food (Zingermans Roadhouse, Grizzly Peak, Jefferson Market, Hello Faz)
Target
Fall Saturdays at The Big House (Greg mostly)
Warm spice doughnuts from Parmenters or Jenny's Market
Finding whatever you need at the grocery store
Being able to use Credit Cards everywhere
Being close to Family & Friends
Being able to understand questions people ask you
Parks - the Arb, Delhi Park, Allmendinger Park, Rolling Hills
Germany
Always a bakery (with fresh baked goods) within walking distance
Our house (design and location - 5 blocks from town and two blocks to the Rhein)
Being 1 hour away from Belgium, 1 hour from The Netherlands, 2 hours from France, etc.
Cool Architecture everywhere
Cobblestone Streets
Learning about Germany
Language (Bailey added this one, I think it is really hard)
House Windows (top tips in or opens in completely)
Holiday schedule
The people here are genuine (not that people are not genuine in the US, but it is a trait that stands out amongst the people we have met here)
As much as we have enjoyed our time here so far and are looking forward to another year + of adventures, we are still American. I think our perspective on America has changed, at least mine has. I think it has been a trend in America (especially since people are unhappy about the War in Iraq) to be down on America. I see a whole lot of complaining about the economy going on, the real estate market, and fuel costs (last time we filled up by the way it was a $150.00). There are a few things in America that require help, but remember when JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," what are we doing to help our American Plight? The United States of America is a country that offers so much. I have always taken it for granted. All I'm saying is let us not be a nation full of complainers. America was founded on principles by people who were willing to make sacrifices and work hard to create a better life. What do we sacrifice? We are guaranteed "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." What other Country gives you that kind of written guarantee? Okay, I will jump down off of my soap box now and finish by saying that I have found a new appreciation for being American.
Because this is our one year Anniversary in Germany, it has caused us to reflect a bit on what we miss about America and what we love about Germany, so here are our top tens...
America
Taco Bell
Good Take-Out Food (Zingermans Roadhouse, Grizzly Peak, Jefferson Market, Hello Faz)
Target
Fall Saturdays at The Big House (Greg mostly)
Warm spice doughnuts from Parmenters or Jenny's Market
Finding whatever you need at the grocery store
Being able to use Credit Cards everywhere
Being close to Family & Friends
Being able to understand questions people ask you
Parks - the Arb, Delhi Park, Allmendinger Park, Rolling Hills
Germany
Always a bakery (with fresh baked goods) within walking distance
Our house (design and location - 5 blocks from town and two blocks to the Rhein)
Being 1 hour away from Belgium, 1 hour from The Netherlands, 2 hours from France, etc.
Cool Architecture everywhere
Cobblestone Streets
Learning about Germany
Language (Bailey added this one, I think it is really hard)
House Windows (top tips in or opens in completely)
Holiday schedule
The people here are genuine (not that people are not genuine in the US, but it is a trait that stands out amongst the people we have met here)
As much as we have enjoyed our time here so far and are looking forward to another year + of adventures, we are still American. I think our perspective on America has changed, at least mine has. I think it has been a trend in America (especially since people are unhappy about the War in Iraq) to be down on America. I see a whole lot of complaining about the economy going on, the real estate market, and fuel costs (last time we filled up by the way it was a $150.00). There are a few things in America that require help, but remember when JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," what are we doing to help our American Plight? The United States of America is a country that offers so much. I have always taken it for granted. All I'm saying is let us not be a nation full of complainers. America was founded on principles by people who were willing to make sacrifices and work hard to create a better life. What do we sacrifice? We are guaranteed "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." What other Country gives you that kind of written guarantee? Okay, I will jump down off of my soap box now and finish by saying that I have found a new appreciation for being American.
Comments
Oh, and Ryan was super excited to learn that Taco Bell recently changed their pricing structure to be more like it was pre-mission, with tacos for $.79. $.89, and $.99 now.