Rockstars

When I was 8 years old my parents moved, and I had to change schools and learn a new language, which in kid terms means the end of the world had arrived.

 It was horrible! All the kids had known each other since kindergarden and didn't really need to make new friends and here I was, not understanding what the hell anyone was saying and completely lost. It sucked bad. Then something happened: I made a friend and after that everything wasn't so sucky and scary anymore; it was fun.  My friend translated everything people said by pointing to it and telling me what it meant in German and she never lost her patience with me. Our friendship lasted for about 20 years but then we went our different ways and that is ok.

I left Germany in 1994 and lived in Canton, Ohio for 6 years, where I met some of the funniest, nicest and down to earth people ever, and thanks to Facebook, we are still in touch (even if it's just to make fun of each other's comments and pictures.) I miss them everyday and often think about our time together. We spent half of the time pulling pranks and driving our boss to drink......the poor guy.

After I came back to Germany, I didn't really make new friends. I still had my oldie but goodie friends who, with the exception of Sharonda(fake name), were still as awesome as before.
When I meet someone I either think you will be my new BFF or I think you are stupid; there is nothing in between, unless you are just an aquaintance then we are good and we can small talk till the cows come home, but you will never be allowed into the inner sanctum of my awesomness. 

When I started fashion school, I met someone new who, very quickly, became a very important person to me, and not just because without her I would have never made it through school, but because she is the hardest working person I know and I learned so much from her it is unbelievable. She is the only person I know who has never thought she couldn't do something; she just does it and doesn't think twice.

 

A few things I have learned about friends is that you have to nurture your relationships, you have to take time for them even when you just met somebody and you really just want to hang out with him all the time.

It is easier to hang out with friends who have kids if you have kids yourself, because that way you can just take them with you and not feel bad; I am lucky that most of my friends have kids or that they like kids.

As I have gotten older my idea of what a friend should be has changed, and I myself have changed when it comes to how to treat my best buds.

We all have families and people who rely on us at home so if someone can't go out, we don't get mad -- we understand. If we have to get together at someone's house (so we can bring all the kids) to bake christmas cookies, then we do that. 

If someone gets drunk and acts a fool then, of course, that is something that we make fun of but we don't judge. 

My friends encourage me and tell me that I need time for myself; they tell me when I am being stupid or rude just as much as they tell me when I am funny or nice. 

They always take my side even if they secretly think I am being an idiot and, of course, I am always right no matter what.

 My friends make me a better person and I am grateful for them and everytime we get together we get so excited to see each other that we all talk at the same time. 

Friends are the best.

 

Luederitz Bucht

On Sunday, I went to a little place in Lampertheim known for it's steak and fish and I like me a good piece of meat so this got me excited. What I really like about this place is that it looks out over the water, which gives it almost a vacation feeling. You can see the boats driving by and feel a breeze coming off the water -- absolutely peaceful.

I started out with a salad, which was alright but not great; I could tell that the carrot salad was bought and not made and the same goes for the dressing.

The steak was really good and the potatoes were alright what I didn't care for were the tomatoes on top but those are easily taken off.
If you are looking for a good and reasonable place to take the family then this is a good choice. We paid 67,- euros for 4 people with food and drink.

Fisch- & Steak Restaurant Zur Lüderitzbucht

Aida Gashi
An der Wormser Straße 41
68623 Lampertheim

Telefon: 06206 / 12913

 

Sunday was not a fun day

Sunday is supposed to be family day, the day where you get to spend time together and do nice things that don't involve cleaning something or doing laundry. Christopher works 6 days a week so on Sunday he wants to go places and see something besides home, and even though I am a total hombeody, I go  and usually I have a nice time.... not this time. Mia has been going through a phase of whiny brat, that coupled with teeth coming in, turns her into the biggest pain in the ass this side of the Universe. I feel really bad for her and I try to make her feel as comfortable as I can, but after a while you start to laugh and make fun -- at least I do. It's that or jump out of the running vehicle. Christopher had the idea to go see if we could find an organic farmer and pick up fruit and vegetables which by the way he doesn't eat so I don't know what is up with that. We found this cute place in Dudenhofen that was packed with all kinds of goodness.

 

 I just had to take a picture of this plant and if you watch the Vamipre Diaries then you will understand why I did. In case you can't read German, it is "vervaine".

  

 

After we left and had the cranky pants finally in the car, she fell asleep for a blissful half an hour until we had to stop for gas. 

 

I even let her play in my hair so she would calm down, but even after she had me looking like a scare crow she was still a basketcase.

Teething+ cold+ growthspurt= Miss Cranky Pants

I forgot what this was like when you have to carry a baby that weighs 20 pounds around all day with snot running down her face.
Thank you, Motherhood, for once again adding to my growing supply of gray hair.

Girls Night Out

This week I am starting a series called Girls Night Out where my friends and I try out a new restaurant every week. This week we went to the Zentrale which is in downtown Mannheim and has been around forever it used to be considered a student dive because the plates are big and the food is cheap but good.

 

If you are looking for Pizza, Pasta and Schnitzel then this is the right place to go or even just go for beer it is known for it's Jever beer fresh from the tap.

The staff has been the same for years and the waitresses are efficient and friendly even if it gets really crazy.

 

  In the summer it is nice to sit outside and eat or have drinks there but be prepared to watch a bunch of idiots drive by going 100mph which gets to be annoying after a while. Occasionally street musicians will stop and play for a few minutes before moving on to the next outdoor place. And of course you can't miss the rose selling guy that hits every restaurant and Bar in Mannheim every single night. It has been the same guy for over 20 years and he is very friendly and not pushy at all but I still don't buy a rose for myself.

 

If you are in the area and are in the mood for good food and cold drinks then check it out. 

Gashaus Zentrale

N4 15  68161 Mannheim

10 awesome and not so much

1) Found a new album by Jessie Ware that I love; it's called Devotion

I have been playing it non-stop for 2 days and I am still loving it
I also downloaded the new Justin Timblerlake album and even though I usually love him this album is not my favorite.

2) The weather is warming up, and I have been outside cleaning up the yard and getting ready to plant tomatoes and flowers.

3) I am working hard at getting in shape, and I have seen results with the 30 Day Shred that I never expected. My motivation takes a hike every once in a while and then I have to go look for it -- the little bastard.

 

4) I bought my first pair of sandals and had a pedicure so I am ready for naked feet and sandals weather.

 

They look kind of grandma till you have them on

5) I am getting back to blonde, and even though my hair is dryer than a popcorn fart, I am still curling the crap out of it. 

 

6) Mia is loving the outside but not the grass so much; everytime I put her on it with or without shoes she fusses. I don't know why. But, she likes sidewalk chalk drawing and then licking it off her fingers.

 

 

7) I tried a new recipe for Balsamic Chicken and it was very good and easy to make. 

Chicken Breasts with Balsamico

6Chicken boobs

500gr. Mushrooms

2 cloves Garlic

90ml  BalsamicVinegar

250ml chicken stock

20 gr. Butter

Brown the chicken for 3 minutes and add salt & pepper

add the garlic and mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes

 Add liquid, cover and simmer for 10 minutes

 

Add the butter and stir to thicken up the sauce

Serve over Pasta

It was really good and even the kids liked it.

8) I have been a reading fool lately, but I have not been reading books that would make me smarter, rather books where the main subject is doing it like minks. My newest obsession has been the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R.Ward and the Fallen Angels series; I didn't care too much for the Angel series but I loved all 11 books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It's pretty much steamy sex with a little Vampire action thrown in there -- nothing sparkly Edwardian over the blanket touching but raunchy to the core. 

Black Dagger Brotherhood   

9) It is less than a month till we go on vacation for a week, and I for one cannot wait for a change in scenery. We will be going with friends, who also have kids so everyone will have fun. 

The Farm we are going to 

If you can't read German then don't bother trying to read it; it's all in kraut but it has pretty pictures

10) Just some photos to show you everyday life, which is good and crazy.

It seems that I have way more pictures of Mia than I do of the other two but that's because I am home with her all day.