After a week of tough-on-the-feet standing all day at work wasn't really prepared to do a lot of walking, but Ingo and I were determined to check out some other corners of the city so after a morning of (Ingo mostly) searching and hunting the internets for things in Cologne of interest to us that wouldn't involve to much foot work, we finally had a plan for the day :)
First we set off to Friesenplatz where we had a look at the Fahrradmarkt there to get an idea on bike prices for a bike for me. Right beside the Fahrradmarkt was an Oxfam shop that we wandered into not expecting anything and I came out with 2 books, a woolen top and a woolen skirt–the startings of a winter wardrobe!–all for under 20EUR!!! not bad!
We then headed further into the inner city in search of a bookstore we'd found on the internets called 'English books and Tea'. Once we found it–which wasn't hard, thank you iphone!–we had a great time in there talking to the owner and listening to him play the ukelele and a banjo tenor guitar thingee which was pretty cool! Great little store! Chris, the owner, is super friendly and had us in there chatting about where we've come from, played us some "Classic Cologne" songs that he said we have to know :) We also found out that he's been here in Cologne now for 11 years (phew!) The store is a cute wee store with just enough room for 3 comfy seats where you can sit and have a cuppa tea :) We have promised to take along my ukelele when we go back and will hopefully pick up some playing tips!
We had a home-packed lunch down at the river Rhein, a really nice stretch where everyone comes out to find a spot to sit while the sun is shining! Not quite Wellington harbour, but the large trees and big patches of grass filled with people make it something special on its own :)
Later that evening we got all geared up to head out again to the night fleamarket Ingo had found (happens 4 times a year) which happily was only a short walk from our home! Very cool atmosphere, very cool people (wanna be friends anyone?!?) first wandered the few stalls with their array of mixed goods then we realised that there was an indoor part, it was huge!!! So many stalls indoor, you could buy drinks and they had various–what I'm guessing are–local bands playing live and managed to pick up a few goodies including an awesome new winter coat! Which I will need, as I put it on straight away and was super cozy! It's only October and it's friggen freeeeeeeezing already! makes me nervous for winter! earmuffs gloves and 3 pairs of socks here I come!
Anyways we're now home with still a few hours of the evening left to us so I'm gonna get my crochet on ;) Just thought it would be nice to share our awesome day with you all :)
xx
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Love it or Hate it...
Ikea.
I'm caught somewhere in between, now that I'm a bit of an expert (3 times and counting haha) love it in the beginning while we're gearing up to go there, love it while I'm eating my delicious Swedish meatballs with dessert to follow, love it upon first entrance while the excitement of ALL the POSSIBILITIES is still there... half an hour later, starting to feel a little less love as the maze starts to become a little trapping and the trolley's got a few more things in it than originally anticipated and we haven't even gotten out of the bedroom section yet... 2 and a half hours later hate it and wanna get out. Now. please walk faster people in front of me, and please would someone take their screaming child out of the store, and please get all this industrialised cheap materialistic crap away from me... 10 minutes from that, back to loving it as we get into the very awesomely organised you'll find this item at 'Regal 22, Fach 19' seriously. this is like heaven after the chaos of stuff you've just walked into it. Directly back to hating when get to the counter and realise this is going to A. cost a fortune, B. you have to somehow pack it all into really awful shaped canvas bags that you have to pay for (even if you take in your ones from a previous visit, cause they can't tell the difference between new ones and the ones you've brought from home) and C. when you realise you have to carry all this crap home again!
Finally back to loving when you get home and unpack everything and are feeling pretty good about your selection of not-too-Ikea looking items and useful kitchen things that everybody needs at ridiculously awesome prices.
So all in all the Ikea experience as I have learned is quite time consuming! Frustrating, satisfying and ingeniously money grabbing! We will now be limiting our Ikea trips to "we really need these 2 items and they'll be really cheap at Ikea" and will save our "we would like this, but don't really need it" for flea markets and buy-it-when-you-spy-it moments :)
I'm caught somewhere in between, now that I'm a bit of an expert (3 times and counting haha) love it in the beginning while we're gearing up to go there, love it while I'm eating my delicious Swedish meatballs with dessert to follow, love it upon first entrance while the excitement of ALL the POSSIBILITIES is still there... half an hour later, starting to feel a little less love as the maze starts to become a little trapping and the trolley's got a few more things in it than originally anticipated and we haven't even gotten out of the bedroom section yet... 2 and a half hours later hate it and wanna get out. Now. please walk faster people in front of me, and please would someone take their screaming child out of the store, and please get all this industrialised cheap materialistic crap away from me... 10 minutes from that, back to loving it as we get into the very awesomely organised you'll find this item at 'Regal 22, Fach 19' seriously. this is like heaven after the chaos of stuff you've just walked into it. Directly back to hating when get to the counter and realise this is going to A. cost a fortune, B. you have to somehow pack it all into really awful shaped canvas bags that you have to pay for (even if you take in your ones from a previous visit, cause they can't tell the difference between new ones and the ones you've brought from home) and C. when you realise you have to carry all this crap home again!
Finally back to loving when you get home and unpack everything and are feeling pretty good about your selection of not-too-Ikea looking items and useful kitchen things that everybody needs at ridiculously awesome prices.
So all in all the Ikea experience as I have learned is quite time consuming! Frustrating, satisfying and ingeniously money grabbing! We will now be limiting our Ikea trips to "we really need these 2 items and they'll be really cheap at Ikea" and will save our "we would like this, but don't really need it" for flea markets and buy-it-when-you-spy-it moments :)
Friday, September 9, 2011
A German C.V.. in German...
been learning German right?! been speaking a lot of German lately right?! Only have to translate the English one right?!?! Writing a C.V. in German should be a piece of cake right?!?!? hahaha I bet you're all laughing at me right now. Writing a C.V. in English is hard, why on earth would you ever expect writing something like in a different language–even if all you're doing is translating it–to be any easier!!!
Silly Verity. Thank goodness for Karolin is all I can say! Karolin is Ingo's sister and–convieniently–works at the German equivalent of Winz I guess, helping people (like me) to do the things they need to do to get a job. First off I translated the job titles, then I went through that with Karolin and she chopped and swapped and turned my New Zealander C.V. into the–at least–proper order with the necessary information that I needed German Lebenslauf, then said "ok Verity, off you go! go and write it in German now and then I'll look at it again!" (not in those words obviously ;))
Damn! You mean I have to translate it myself?!
Step 1: Find print company's websites and get correct industry terms from them
Step 2: Using a combination of your German-English dictionary, Google translate (thank you thank you thank you google for google translate!) get a rough translation down
Step 3: Get it proof read
Step 4: Get it proof read again
Step 5: Get a *naff* photo taken because you can't have a Bewerbung/Lebenslauf in Germany without one
Step 6: All of a sudden have a font identity crises when Ingo suggests you use a different font, then spend more than one day procrastinating by scouring the internet for different font's and good font combinations, finding this awesome website and then realising the combinations you like you don't have the fonts for and these aren't the awesome over designed free fonts you can grab anywhere off the internet.
Step 7: Finalise your C.V. design
Step 8: Repeat step 2 for your cover letter
Step 9: Give your cover letter to Karolin
Step 10: Research companies you want to work for to tailor your cover letter too
Step 11: Final proof read, create pdf file with appropriate documents and email to prospective employers.
Well that's pretty straight forward. Didn't take into account how much all the - trying to translate when I have no idea what the words are in German - would be stressful and tear creating (how many times I said to Ingo "I had a great job in NZ, who is going to hire me when I don't even know how to write this stupid thing, how am I going to even be able to have an interview, why oh why did we leave?!?!" I have no idea)
Again, if it wasn't for Karolin and Ingo, I'd still be procrastinating with pinterest and ebay, so I guess I'm dedicating this post as a big huge massive thank-you to them and their patience :) My advice to all those other non-German speakers who require a Bewerbung... Get help!
Silly Verity. Thank goodness for Karolin is all I can say! Karolin is Ingo's sister and–convieniently–works at the German equivalent of Winz I guess, helping people (like me) to do the things they need to do to get a job. First off I translated the job titles, then I went through that with Karolin and she chopped and swapped and turned my New Zealander C.V. into the–at least–proper order with the necessary information that I needed German Lebenslauf, then said "ok Verity, off you go! go and write it in German now and then I'll look at it again!" (not in those words obviously ;))
Damn! You mean I have to translate it myself?!
Step 1: Find print company's websites and get correct industry terms from them
Step 2: Using a combination of your German-English dictionary, Google translate (thank you thank you thank you google for google translate!) get a rough translation down
Step 3: Get it proof read
Step 4: Get it proof read again
Step 5: Get a *naff* photo taken because you can't have a Bewerbung/Lebenslauf in Germany without one
Step 6: All of a sudden have a font identity crises when Ingo suggests you use a different font, then spend more than one day procrastinating by scouring the internet for different font's and good font combinations, finding this awesome website and then realising the combinations you like you don't have the fonts for and these aren't the awesome over designed free fonts you can grab anywhere off the internet.
Step 7: Finalise your C.V. design
Step 8: Repeat step 2 for your cover letter
Step 9: Give your cover letter to Karolin
Step 10: Research companies you want to work for to tailor your cover letter too
Step 11: Final proof read, create pdf file with appropriate documents and email to prospective employers.
Well that's pretty straight forward. Didn't take into account how much all the - trying to translate when I have no idea what the words are in German - would be stressful and tear creating (how many times I said to Ingo "I had a great job in NZ, who is going to hire me when I don't even know how to write this stupid thing, how am I going to even be able to have an interview, why oh why did we leave?!?!" I have no idea)
Again, if it wasn't for Karolin and Ingo, I'd still be procrastinating with pinterest and ebay, so I guess I'm dedicating this post as a big huge massive thank-you to them and their patience :) My advice to all those other non-German speakers who require a Bewerbung... Get help!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Another day...
I've now experienced my first couple of bouts of home-sickness :( Not nice! I hope they don't happen too often, as it disrupts the whole day and makes you feel miserable about everything!
However, it is easier to cope with since I have Ingo here :) Ingo decided to go for a run - I decided not to join ;) - and then when he comes back, he goes straight into the kitchen. A little odd. Then comes up to see me and surprise! This is what he's collected up for me: (the kitchen trip was to get a rubber band to hold them together)
Also I finally saw my first forked lightning! It was while I was in the garage in the middle of the day, sanding down our bed (more on that later...) when all of a sudden the wind picked up, then it was rain, thunder and lightning! So I went and stood at the door :) Whoop! 1 fork, and it wasn't one of those impressive ones that come down like tree roots, more like 1 lonely branch. But still. Whoop! It's the little things :)
However, it is easier to cope with since I have Ingo here :) Ingo decided to go for a run - I decided not to join ;) - and then when he comes back, he goes straight into the kitchen. A little odd. Then comes up to see me and surprise! This is what he's collected up for me: (the kitchen trip was to get a rubber band to hold them together)
 |
| Pretty huh? Do you love my stylish use of the apricot jam jar? |
Also I finally saw my first forked lightning! It was while I was in the garage in the middle of the day, sanding down our bed (more on that later...) when all of a sudden the wind picked up, then it was rain, thunder and lightning! So I went and stood at the door :) Whoop! 1 fork, and it wasn't one of those impressive ones that come down like tree roots, more like 1 lonely branch. But still. Whoop! It's the little things :)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Getting a bank account
Was an easy thing to achieve!
First off I used Ingo's already done research in order to pick an online bank (that I liked the look of and they had an ok website–kiwibank I miss your awesomeness) called Norisbank which has a few branches just in case translation over internet and phone becomes difficult and I need to actually try and talk to a person. Then with Ingo's help I signed up online, went to the post office to confirm my identity and post that confirmation off to the bank, then sit back and wait for the letter, no wait make that 2 letters, no no no got that all wrong, 3 letters, no 4 lett, 5 le, wait make that 6 letters to arrive.
Yes that's correct 6 individual letters - which makes sense really when you think about security, 1 letter was my "welcome here's your bank account number" letter
Then there was the "wahoo! it's a money card" letter
Followed a week later by the "oh and so you can use the money card, here's your pin number"
Another was my "here's your phone banking code"
Then there was the "here ya go, an online internet banking code"
Then there was the "oh but wait, to actually DO anything on the internet you also need to have this stupid piece of paper with 100 random codes on it and whenever you want to transfer money, pay a bill, etc. etc. you will be asked randomly for a specific code which you then have to enter in from your piece of paper" letter.
Phew. So yeah, actually getting the bank account was no problem, using online banking however... I haven't (apart from using the money card) actually done anything on online banking yet, it's too difficult and I can't be bothered. In fact now that I'm at a new address I should really go and change my address, but again, too difficult... Seriously kiwibank, you're awesome, don't ever change!
Country and culture differences I think are obviously a huge part in this, NZ is small with not as many people, therefore not as many annoying people who try to steal your bank account and all your moneys in it *knock on wood* as there could be... Germany on the other hand is a lot bigger with millions more people and therefore thousands more of those idiots (who actually are not idiots in the haven't-got-a-brain sense at all) Also I think because NZ is a much younger country there are less rules and restrictions around what a bank and it's website can be and should have on it... Just a couple of thoughts there anyway :)
First off I used Ingo's already done research in order to pick an online bank (that I liked the look of and they had an ok website–kiwibank I miss your awesomeness) called Norisbank which has a few branches just in case translation over internet and phone becomes difficult and I need to actually try and talk to a person. Then with Ingo's help I signed up online, went to the post office to confirm my identity and post that confirmation off to the bank, then sit back and wait for the letter, no wait make that 2 letters, no no no got that all wrong, 3 letters, no 4 lett, 5 le, wait make that 6 letters to arrive.
Yes that's correct 6 individual letters - which makes sense really when you think about security, 1 letter was my "welcome here's your bank account number" letter
Then there was the "wahoo! it's a money card" letter
Followed a week later by the "oh and so you can use the money card, here's your pin number"
Another was my "here's your phone banking code"
Then there was the "here ya go, an online internet banking code"
Then there was the "oh but wait, to actually DO anything on the internet you also need to have this stupid piece of paper with 100 random codes on it and whenever you want to transfer money, pay a bill, etc. etc. you will be asked randomly for a specific code which you then have to enter in from your piece of paper" letter.
Phew. So yeah, actually getting the bank account was no problem, using online banking however... I haven't (apart from using the money card) actually done anything on online banking yet, it's too difficult and I can't be bothered. In fact now that I'm at a new address I should really go and change my address, but again, too difficult... Seriously kiwibank, you're awesome, don't ever change!
Country and culture differences I think are obviously a huge part in this, NZ is small with not as many people, therefore not as many annoying people who try to steal your bank account and all your moneys in it *knock on wood* as there could be... Germany on the other hand is a lot bigger with millions more people and therefore thousands more of those idiots (who actually are not idiots in the haven't-got-a-brain sense at all) Also I think because NZ is a much younger country there are less rules and restrictions around what a bank and it's website can be and should have on it... Just a couple of thoughts there anyway :)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Today...
Today I experienced my first day-time full on summer thunderstorm! Hail and everything!!!
We were on our way to get my beautiful and not-at-all cheesey *sarcasm* and "oh me, oh my do they REALLY want one on there" photos for my job applications (see below) and so that I wouldn't stress out (seriously hate getting "proper" photo's taken) and my hair wouldn't frizz, Ingo offered to drive, which means when it really started pelting down there was no accidental drifting to the left.
I had sensibly taken the umbrella with me so gentlemannly like Ingo hopped out first and came round to my side in order to protect the hair (seriously, warm wet weather is not my friend)
Unfortunately I was either too slow, or looking the wrong way and never saw any of the forked lightning - which I've never seen before, "what!? No?!" you say with unbelieving tones, "yes that's right, forked lightning in Upper Hutt, NZ isn't exactly a common occurance" I reply. So I will have to be extra vigilant in the next storm (they are supposed to be ongoing for the next couple of days)
Anyway... here I am:
You'd hire me, wouldn't you??? ;)
We were on our way to get my beautiful and not-at-all cheesey *sarcasm* and "oh me, oh my do they REALLY want one on there" photos for my job applications (see below) and so that I wouldn't stress out (seriously hate getting "proper" photo's taken) and my hair wouldn't frizz, Ingo offered to drive, which means when it really started pelting down there was no accidental drifting to the left.
I had sensibly taken the umbrella with me so gentlemannly like Ingo hopped out first and came round to my side in order to protect the hair (seriously, warm wet weather is not my friend)
Unfortunately I was either too slow, or looking the wrong way and never saw any of the forked lightning - which I've never seen before, "what!? No?!" you say with unbelieving tones, "yes that's right, forked lightning in Upper Hutt, NZ isn't exactly a common occurance" I reply. So I will have to be extra vigilant in the next storm (they are supposed to be ongoing for the next couple of days)
Anyway... here I am:
You'd hire me, wouldn't you??? ;)
Home-Hunting
Whoop! What a mission!!! And thank goodness it's all over and we move into our new apartment on the 1st of October :D For a wee while there I was starting to think we'd never get one...
German's are very particular about letting people rent off them (probably a good thing, considering some of the trouble people I know have gone through with tenants they've had) and a self-employed, freelancer working for a company in New Zealand, with his foreign, unemployed girl friend aren't exactly what you'd call 'risk free' so again YAY!!! That we have a new home!!! :D
Also we had a very restricting list of "must haves" and "would-be-great-if-it-has haves"
So yeah... not too fussy ;) Our final home ticks 8 of the 10 boxes plus it came with a cabinet, couch and some curtains, so we're doing pretty well.
Here's a quick squizz at what it looks like before we take over:
The couch in the middle is ours now :)
Another thing I wasn't prepared for is the kitchen... homes in Germany don't always come with kitchens! Crazy huh?! So your house is kitted out with a nice spanky kitchen, everything fits and works well, couple of years down the track you decide to move. What do you do? Take the kitchen with you! that's right! and then get to your new place and try and figure out how the kitchen that worked so well in one place is going to work in another :/ As a tenant, same thing! So our 'must have a kitchen' list item was a lot harder then normal! In the end we bought the kitchen off the previous tenants, just a small simple IKEA thing. We are now proud owners of a stainless steel bench top with sink and taps, 2 cupboards underneath, 2 high wall hung cupboards and an oven!!!
You would think that now I would be all relaxed and happy since we have a home... Nope! Now that I can no longer put off the job search in favour of the home hunt it's all come crashing down! Arrrrhhh! Wish me luck!!
German's are very particular about letting people rent off them (probably a good thing, considering some of the trouble people I know have gone through with tenants they've had) and a self-employed, freelancer working for a company in New Zealand, with his foreign, unemployed girl friend aren't exactly what you'd call 'risk free' so again YAY!!! That we have a new home!!! :D
Also we had a very restricting list of "must haves" and "would-be-great-if-it-has haves"
- would be great if it has a balcony or garden (or both!)
- would be great if it's in one of 4 select areas
- must be close to transport (U-bahn and/or S-bahn stops)
- must have at least 2 rooms
- must be bigger then the last (those that know it know why)
- must be not too big (we own NO things and don't want to buy in excess)
- must have heating
- must be within our price range
- must not have a stupid "pay me just cause" provision fee
- must have a kitchen
So yeah... not too fussy ;) Our final home ticks 8 of the 10 boxes plus it came with a cabinet, couch and some curtains, so we're doing pretty well.
Here's a quick squizz at what it looks like before we take over:
The couch in the middle is ours now :)
Another thing I wasn't prepared for is the kitchen... homes in Germany don't always come with kitchens! Crazy huh?! So your house is kitted out with a nice spanky kitchen, everything fits and works well, couple of years down the track you decide to move. What do you do? Take the kitchen with you! that's right! and then get to your new place and try and figure out how the kitchen that worked so well in one place is going to work in another :/ As a tenant, same thing! So our 'must have a kitchen' list item was a lot harder then normal! In the end we bought the kitchen off the previous tenants, just a small simple IKEA thing. We are now proud owners of a stainless steel bench top with sink and taps, 2 cupboards underneath, 2 high wall hung cupboards and an oven!!!
You would think that now I would be all relaxed and happy since we have a home... Nope! Now that I can no longer put off the job search in favour of the home hunt it's all come crashing down! Arrrrhhh! Wish me luck!!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Chocolate flavoured joghurt
This post is just a quick one to notify any unsuspecting NZer's (or others who may fit the category - keep reading) so they can avoid the HORROR I had to go through recently.
History: A chocolate joghurt in NZ (possible in other places aswell) sometimes known as "Dairy food" (is that trademarked?) Is a delicious tasting lunch-box treat that is basically chocolate pudding in a joghurt container.
The story: Went grocery shopping - by myself (again!) - and saw much to my delight a chocolate joghurt, and this one had chocolate flakes in it. Whoop! For me this was hugely exciting. Unfortunately the following day when I decided to take this familiar delicious treat out of the fridge and proceed to consume it, on the first mouthful came an unsuspected shock! What?!? Chocolate joghurt in Germany ISN'T delicious chocolate flavoured pudding?!?! You mean to say that chocolate joghurt is actually joghurt that has a chocolate flavour?!? What is this travesty???? Joghurt -tangy, un-sugared- just doesn't go with chocolate flavouring. It's supposed to be the other way around! Joghurt is the garnish to the deliciously sickening dense chocolate fudge cake brownie :( I almost cried!
And after I finished it - yes I finished it, it was still food and it still had chocolate flakes in it after all - I resolved never to eat a Joghurt that's flavoured chocolate ever again. Such a shame after such a good experience with chocolate cream cheese - see now that one you expect to be disgusting! think again! Yum!
History: A chocolate joghurt in NZ (possible in other places aswell) sometimes known as "Dairy food" (is that trademarked?) Is a delicious tasting lunch-box treat that is basically chocolate pudding in a joghurt container.
The story: Went grocery shopping - by myself (again!) - and saw much to my delight a chocolate joghurt, and this one had chocolate flakes in it. Whoop! For me this was hugely exciting. Unfortunately the following day when I decided to take this familiar delicious treat out of the fridge and proceed to consume it, on the first mouthful came an unsuspected shock! What?!? Chocolate joghurt in Germany ISN'T delicious chocolate flavoured pudding?!?! You mean to say that chocolate joghurt is actually joghurt that has a chocolate flavour?!? What is this travesty???? Joghurt -tangy, un-sugared- just doesn't go with chocolate flavouring. It's supposed to be the other way around! Joghurt is the garnish to the deliciously sickening dense chocolate fudge cake brownie :( I almost cried!
And after I finished it - yes I finished it, it was still food and it still had chocolate flakes in it after all - I resolved never to eat a Joghurt that's flavoured chocolate ever again. Such a shame after such a good experience with chocolate cream cheese - see now that one you expect to be disgusting! think again! Yum!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Shopping on my own!
How independent of me! I went to the grocery store all by my little lonesome self!
And it wasn't that traumatising, in fact had I not been under a time limit (Ingo: "you have 50 minutes to walk there, get everything, pay and get back here") due to an appointment at a apartment (more about THAT wee kettle of fish later...) I would have found the entire experience quite pleasant!
As it was I had to search-find-grab in quick succession from my list, which was NOT in order of the store's aisles (when we have a local supermarket, this will cease to be a problem). Also decided on a basket over a trolley at the entrance way as the list didn't look that bad... Didn't consider the fact that I'd written "fruit" and "vegetables" (yes the grocery list is still in English :p) and ended up struggling mightily with a very heavy basket!
However, the reasons I would have enjoyed it otherwise is, grocery shopping is quite therapeutic, the Rewe supermarkets are awesome - especially when there's a cheese and meat centre (much like in Moore Wilsons Fresh) and a bakery near the entrance :) and finally I need to search and decide on what our "Germany brands" are going to be. You know when you've found that brand of shampoo, or milk, or cheese, that never seems to be too pricey, packaging doesn't suck (seriously.) and ticks all the right boxes (organic/free range/always smells good/never lets you down). Well it took Ingo and I a good year to find the eggs we used to buy, almost double that for the milk and sadly I had only just tried and discovered the shampoo and conditioner (Tresemme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth if anyone's coming over and has room in their suitcase ;)) that was to be my new best friend, and now we have to DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN! Hence my excitement for the time I can spend shelf gazing.
On a more "Living in a new land" specific note; it's really not hard to grocery shop in a foreign speaking country, you pick what you want (pictures help), you take it to the counter (never hard to find) and you pay the amount that shows on the screen (just in case you didn't understand what they said ;)) A "good morning/day/hello" and a "thank you and goodbye" doesn't go a-miss either!
And on a last note: OH MY GOODNESS - I always knew that NZ check-out operators (sorry to the people I may offend*) were slow (physically, not mentally) but I didn't realise HOW slow!!! I won't be able to handle it when we're there again, Germany check-out operators are awesome! They're machines! Hands a blur, conveyor belt never stopping, phew! Impressed! Although it would be nice if they gave you a few seconds to get your stuff out the way before they start whooshing the next persons through ;)
* Seriously, I was a check-out operator for all of 3 months and even I (haha) was snail paced compared to here!
And it wasn't that traumatising, in fact had I not been under a time limit (Ingo: "you have 50 minutes to walk there, get everything, pay and get back here") due to an appointment at a apartment (more about THAT wee kettle of fish later...) I would have found the entire experience quite pleasant!
As it was I had to search-find-grab in quick succession from my list, which was NOT in order of the store's aisles (when we have a local supermarket, this will cease to be a problem). Also decided on a basket over a trolley at the entrance way as the list didn't look that bad... Didn't consider the fact that I'd written "fruit" and "vegetables" (yes the grocery list is still in English :p) and ended up struggling mightily with a very heavy basket!
However, the reasons I would have enjoyed it otherwise is, grocery shopping is quite therapeutic, the Rewe supermarkets are awesome - especially when there's a cheese and meat centre (much like in Moore Wilsons Fresh) and a bakery near the entrance :) and finally I need to search and decide on what our "Germany brands" are going to be. You know when you've found that brand of shampoo, or milk, or cheese, that never seems to be too pricey, packaging doesn't suck (seriously.) and ticks all the right boxes (organic/free range/always smells good/never lets you down). Well it took Ingo and I a good year to find the eggs we used to buy, almost double that for the milk and sadly I had only just tried and discovered the shampoo and conditioner (Tresemme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth if anyone's coming over and has room in their suitcase ;)) that was to be my new best friend, and now we have to DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN! Hence my excitement for the time I can spend shelf gazing.
On a more "Living in a new land" specific note; it's really not hard to grocery shop in a foreign speaking country, you pick what you want (pictures help), you take it to the counter (never hard to find) and you pay the amount that shows on the screen (just in case you didn't understand what they said ;)) A "good morning/day/hello" and a "thank you and goodbye" doesn't go a-miss either!
And on a last note: OH MY GOODNESS - I always knew that NZ check-out operators (sorry to the people I may offend*) were slow (physically, not mentally) but I didn't realise HOW slow!!! I won't be able to handle it when we're there again, Germany check-out operators are awesome! They're machines! Hands a blur, conveyor belt never stopping, phew! Impressed! Although it would be nice if they gave you a few seconds to get your stuff out the way before they start whooshing the next persons through ;)
* Seriously, I was a check-out operator for all of 3 months and even I (haha) was snail paced compared to here!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Learning to drive on the right (wrong) side of the road
I think this is going to be a continuing story throughout the trials and tribulations of my lessons.
I love driving. Driving in New Zealand was never a problem for me (had the occasional cracked light/mirror/hubcaps but no majors). I love the left hand side of the road, I agree with all the road rules (even the one that they're changing - much to my disgust) and I happily get infuriated with people who don't know how to indicate properly at roundabouts (it's not that hard, seriously people!)
Plus a 6-7 hour drive across windy roads where you have to keep reducing to 50km/h everytime you drive through a town I enjoy - especially with a fully functional radio/CD/mp3 player of some sort. I don't know if I'm that great of a driver... Point being, you would think switching to the other side of the road would be a case of 'ok, so this is how it's done, sweet! and off we go'.
For a lot of people I think that is the case, I know Ingo didn't have any lessons to transfer from the right to the left side of the road. But for me, the confidence on the wrong side of the road just isn't a happening thing :/ I feel all nervous and stupid, and if I can get out of it I will :s
In fact I feel the same way I felt when I started having driving lessons with my dad and mum... Plus I have that similar feeling of 'the person in the passenger seat reeeeeeally doesn't feel to great about me driving right now' which does nothing to increase the confidence levels :s
At least I get told "that was good!" at the end of each little outing :) That helps!
Well onwards and forwards! Haven't crashed - yet - and practise makes perfect (and all those other sayings)
On a more information is helpful to others note: You can drive in Germany on your NZ drivers licence for up to 6 months. After 6 months you can either extend it for another 6 months (but you have to prove that you're only going to be in Germany for another 6 months) or you can do the Germany theory test and get a brand spanking new German "Führerschein" (and you'll be giving up your NZ one if you do this) Otherwise there's the option of an internation licence - not sure what's involved there!
Happy driving!
I love driving. Driving in New Zealand was never a problem for me (had the occasional cracked light/mirror/hubcaps but no majors). I love the left hand side of the road, I agree with all the road rules (even the one that they're changing - much to my disgust) and I happily get infuriated with people who don't know how to indicate properly at roundabouts (it's not that hard, seriously people!)
Plus a 6-7 hour drive across windy roads where you have to keep reducing to 50km/h everytime you drive through a town I enjoy - especially with a fully functional radio/CD/mp3 player of some sort. I don't know if I'm that great of a driver... Point being, you would think switching to the other side of the road would be a case of 'ok, so this is how it's done, sweet! and off we go'.
For a lot of people I think that is the case, I know Ingo didn't have any lessons to transfer from the right to the left side of the road. But for me, the confidence on the wrong side of the road just isn't a happening thing :/ I feel all nervous and stupid, and if I can get out of it I will :s
In fact I feel the same way I felt when I started having driving lessons with my dad and mum... Plus I have that similar feeling of 'the person in the passenger seat reeeeeeally doesn't feel to great about me driving right now' which does nothing to increase the confidence levels :s
At least I get told "that was good!" at the end of each little outing :) That helps!
Well onwards and forwards! Haven't crashed - yet - and practise makes perfect (and all those other sayings)
On a more information is helpful to others note: You can drive in Germany on your NZ drivers licence for up to 6 months. After 6 months you can either extend it for another 6 months (but you have to prove that you're only going to be in Germany for another 6 months) or you can do the Germany theory test and get a brand spanking new German "Führerschein" (and you'll be giving up your NZ one if you do this) Otherwise there's the option of an internation licence - not sure what's involved there!
Happy driving!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
My first Haircut
History:
In New Zealand, I had finally found a hairdresser I could rely on. No matter what he did -even if it was the complete opposite of what I'd asked for- I knew it was going to be OK. No tears for me after a haircut! Ridiculously overpriced, but I was happy to pay for the security, the way my head felt afterwards, and the a-mazing head massage always received at the conditioning side of life.
So needless to say, I was a teeny bit nervous about finding a good hairdresser and being able to convey the importance of the moment to them in German.
Thankfully, Ingo also needed a haircut, so I put my wussy I-can't-cope-on-my-own boots on again, and went with him to a nice little place in Morbach.
Also good tip: take photos! and use lots and lots of gestures: "here, and here, short here, long here...." and don't sit down until you're quite sure they know what you're talking about!
I was quite happy :) Not only was the hairdresser very lovely "your German is really good!" "no really!" (thanks, but I'm not stupid ;)) she was also very competent. Only 2 things that I found a little bit wrong hehe
1. Conditioner people??! where was my massage!? (at a quarter of the price of my NZ hairdresser I'm not really too surprised though ;))
2. I realise having thick hair is something many people would love to have (and I DO love having thick hair) however that doesn't necessarily mean I want to have BIG hair. Mousse + hairdryer (without a narrow attachment) + some contraption that puts more air in the hair while flooffing it up more + wax + hairspray = 80s disaster.
But because the cut was so awesome it just took a wash (with conditioner) and a little bit of straightening to get it looking pretty ok :) First haircut experience overall rated pretty high!
In New Zealand, I had finally found a hairdresser I could rely on. No matter what he did -even if it was the complete opposite of what I'd asked for- I knew it was going to be OK. No tears for me after a haircut! Ridiculously overpriced, but I was happy to pay for the security, the way my head felt afterwards, and the a-mazing head massage always received at the conditioning side of life.
So needless to say, I was a teeny bit nervous about finding a good hairdresser and being able to convey the importance of the moment to them in German.
Thankfully, Ingo also needed a haircut, so I put my wussy I-can't-cope-on-my-own boots on again, and went with him to a nice little place in Morbach.
Also good tip: take photos! and use lots and lots of gestures: "here, and here, short here, long here...." and don't sit down until you're quite sure they know what you're talking about!
I was quite happy :) Not only was the hairdresser very lovely "your German is really good!" "no really!" (thanks, but I'm not stupid ;)) she was also very competent. Only 2 things that I found a little bit wrong hehe
1. Conditioner people??! where was my massage!? (at a quarter of the price of my NZ hairdresser I'm not really too surprised though ;))
2. I realise having thick hair is something many people would love to have (and I DO love having thick hair) however that doesn't necessarily mean I want to have BIG hair. Mousse + hairdryer (without a narrow attachment) + some contraption that puts more air in the hair while flooffing it up more + wax + hairspray = 80s disaster.
But because the cut was so awesome it just took a wash (with conditioner) and a little bit of straightening to get it looking pretty ok :) First haircut experience overall rated pretty high!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Ordering my first Macca's meal
After a step aerobics class with Ingo's sister Karolin and her friend Sabrina, I was invited to go shopping with them on Saturday! YAY! Girl-time and shopping :D
I was a little bit nervous about going out without Ingo as my "translator-safety-net" but it turns out I didn't have to be worried at all :)
Everyone has been really good (and super patient!) with me. And I'm trying hard to just concentrate on understanding the gist of what's going on (as opposed to getting worked up over individual words that I don't know) Anyway, the girls were really good at "erklären auf Deutsch" (explaining in German) which means that I don't have to keep switching German-English-German - very stressful on the ole noggin!
The point of this post however is that when we arrived in Trier (the city closest to Hundheim for shopping and other city things) we decided to get something to eat.
You may think that ordering Macca's in another country is pretty straight forward (it is) and you may also be wondering the importance of a post such as this, but I find it extremely rewarding to have achieved SOMETHING relatively by myself ;) You see if Ingo had have been with me, he would have just gone up and ordered for both of us - terrible I know! I'm relying far too heavily on him at the moment! So I couldn't ask one of the girls to order for me (how pathetic would that look) so it was suck-it-up-Verity time, and up I went.
Again, it's super easy to order Macca's in any country, for one thing there are at least 1 or 2 burgers that will always have the same names, and if worst comes to worst you can just point. I asked for a combo (I can't remember which one now) and here is where I made my first mistake: the girl at the counter asked me a question, I didn't hear properly and flustered myself, just said yes, all was ok! Then came the food, and it was a large!
Tiny mistake, turns out the question was something like "do you want a large?" but I'm already eating waaaaaay too much, and not wanting to be wasteful tried my hardest to get all the fries down, not to mention the coke (why oh why is it sooo hard to drink more then 250ml of coke?! Probably a good thing!
Lesson learnt: Don't always say "Ja" You'll probably look less stupid if you just ask them to repeat the question - makes for a happier tummy all round ;)
I was a little bit nervous about going out without Ingo as my "translator-safety-net" but it turns out I didn't have to be worried at all :)
Everyone has been really good (and super patient!) with me. And I'm trying hard to just concentrate on understanding the gist of what's going on (as opposed to getting worked up over individual words that I don't know) Anyway, the girls were really good at "erklären auf Deutsch" (explaining in German) which means that I don't have to keep switching German-English-German - very stressful on the ole noggin!
The point of this post however is that when we arrived in Trier (the city closest to Hundheim for shopping and other city things) we decided to get something to eat.
You may think that ordering Macca's in another country is pretty straight forward (it is) and you may also be wondering the importance of a post such as this, but I find it extremely rewarding to have achieved SOMETHING relatively by myself ;) You see if Ingo had have been with me, he would have just gone up and ordered for both of us - terrible I know! I'm relying far too heavily on him at the moment! So I couldn't ask one of the girls to order for me (how pathetic would that look) so it was suck-it-up-Verity time, and up I went.
Again, it's super easy to order Macca's in any country, for one thing there are at least 1 or 2 burgers that will always have the same names, and if worst comes to worst you can just point. I asked for a combo (I can't remember which one now) and here is where I made my first mistake: the girl at the counter asked me a question, I didn't hear properly and flustered myself, just said yes, all was ok! Then came the food, and it was a large!
Tiny mistake, turns out the question was something like "do you want a large?" but I'm already eating waaaaaay too much, and not wanting to be wasteful tried my hardest to get all the fries down, not to mention the coke (why oh why is it sooo hard to drink more then 250ml of coke?! Probably a good thing!
Lesson learnt: Don't always say "Ja" You'll probably look less stupid if you just ask them to repeat the question - makes for a happier tummy all round ;)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Registering
I am now registered!!! Whoop!
Who would've thought it was going to be so easy? Not me. Just in case anyone else is wondering what registering is (as I had no idea) It's basically telling the State (capital's show importance) where you're living while you are in Germany.
It would be nice to have some simple guidelines out there somewhere -anywhere!- telling a person whether or not they're supposed to register, in fact at the same time as you get your visa would be a nice idea, send you your passport back with a wee little "steps you need to take" booklet...
I digress, my point being, if you are in Germany on anything more then a tourist visa, you need to register at your local council.
And after some helpful hints from a friend that's been-there-before turns out registering is not even that hard! One form later (that the lady we were dealing with filled most of) I am now registered.
Germany knows exactly where I'm living! I can't hide!
I've also had recommended to me this book: Living and working in Germany which I've decided to purchase and will hopefully find very useful!
Who would've thought it was going to be so easy? Not me. Just in case anyone else is wondering what registering is (as I had no idea) It's basically telling the State (capital's show importance) where you're living while you are in Germany.
It would be nice to have some simple guidelines out there somewhere -anywhere!- telling a person whether or not they're supposed to register, in fact at the same time as you get your visa would be a nice idea, send you your passport back with a wee little "steps you need to take" booklet...
I digress, my point being, if you are in Germany on anything more then a tourist visa, you need to register at your local council.
And after some helpful hints from a friend that's been-there-before turns out registering is not even that hard! One form later (that the lady we were dealing with filled most of) I am now registered.
Germany knows exactly where I'm living! I can't hide!
I've also had recommended to me this book: Living and working in Germany which I've decided to purchase and will hopefully find very useful!
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