We're Back!
We're back from our three week trip to the U.S. now. I'm not sure I mentioned here that we were actually going. But anyways, we are back and trying to get settled back into a place I think we've already left in our minds. The jet lag is bad this time, very bad. We have been back for five days already and are all still completely whack.
For example: I woke up awhile ago, and, with my very bad eye sight, determined it was 4 AM. So I figured, okay, I'll just get up now, do some baking, get a head-start on the day, etc. But after I went nuts taking a shower, doing laundry, making coffee, I had another look at the clock, this time with my contacts (and pearl earrings and make-up) on. It was actually only 1:30 AM. Damnit frickin' jet lag! So, here's Mama Jens now, 2 AM, having lunch - a big bowl of pasta salad (which has sundried tomatos, green and red bell peppers, corn, green olives stuffed with feta, green onions, fusilli pasta, and my famous balsamic vinegar mixture. delish.)
I can't remember ever having jet lag quite this bad. The kids have it too. Maybe its the time of year? The length of the trip (from California)? Who knows...all I know is that this being awake in the middle of the night (at least the kids are actually asleep right now) is getting pretty wacky.
Oops. Spoke too soon. Husband and older daughter just came in. Well, at least the baby is still sleeping.
So, our trip, it was long. Ohio (for my brother's wedding), Las Vegas (which, as you probably guessed, I can't help but calling Veg Ass), L.A., and Santa Maria. Airplanes. Cars. Starbucks.
Here are a few of the highlights:
The hairdryer warmth and humidity of a real, American summer.
Seeing my little brother get married. The Mama Jens weeping fest during the exchange of vows reminded me of Ms. Calvert, my high school English teacher, who said that people cry at weddings not because they are moved, but because they are sad that the people standing at the altar are giving up their freedom. Hmmm...I guess that said a lot about her marriage.
Watching my brother sing the entire song, "Baby Got Back," to his new bride at a very fancy wedding reception while tailored guests looked on.
Gambling at the $4 roulette table at the ever-so-fancy Casino Royale (just kiddin' about the fancy part) in Vegas (Veg Ass) with my husband while my dear Maman watched over my little nest back at the hotel.
Walking into the Mandalay Bay hotel, having a free drink and winning $40 before walking back out. If only going out were always that profitable...
The salmon my dad barbequed on a cedar plank. Whoa.
The two cheeseburgers I had while in the U.S. Whoa. Whoa.
Breakfast at IHOP. Rooty Tooty Fresh n' Fruity.
Standing before the Baking Section of a big American supermarket with a BIG empty cart next to me.
Washing a load of laundry in an American wash machine (the size of a small car).
The aforementioned load only taking about an hour start to finish. (For those of you that aren't familiar with the wonders of doing laundry in Germany, it takes me about a day to wash a load of laundry here. You start with the teeny, "energy efficient" machine that runs in slow, intermittent cycles for about three hours, and end with all the little scrunched up pieces that have been hung to dry and are crispier than fresh saltine crackers.)
Taking pictures in the desert.
Realizing that people in America are pretty aware of the disturbing level of consumerism and waste.
I am sure there are many other noteworthy trip highlights, but it is 2 AM, so my brain isn't exactly operating at a level I would term "clear."
Okay, back online. More to come. More recipes. More fun.
Love from Berlin,
Mama Jens
For example: I woke up awhile ago, and, with my very bad eye sight, determined it was 4 AM. So I figured, okay, I'll just get up now, do some baking, get a head-start on the day, etc. But after I went nuts taking a shower, doing laundry, making coffee, I had another look at the clock, this time with my contacts (and pearl earrings and make-up) on. It was actually only 1:30 AM. Damnit frickin' jet lag! So, here's Mama Jens now, 2 AM, having lunch - a big bowl of pasta salad (which has sundried tomatos, green and red bell peppers, corn, green olives stuffed with feta, green onions, fusilli pasta, and my famous balsamic vinegar mixture. delish.)
I can't remember ever having jet lag quite this bad. The kids have it too. Maybe its the time of year? The length of the trip (from California)? Who knows...all I know is that this being awake in the middle of the night (at least the kids are actually asleep right now) is getting pretty wacky.
Oops. Spoke too soon. Husband and older daughter just came in. Well, at least the baby is still sleeping.
So, our trip, it was long. Ohio (for my brother's wedding), Las Vegas (which, as you probably guessed, I can't help but calling Veg Ass), L.A., and Santa Maria. Airplanes. Cars. Starbucks.
Here are a few of the highlights:
The hairdryer warmth and humidity of a real, American summer.
Seeing my little brother get married. The Mama Jens weeping fest during the exchange of vows reminded me of Ms. Calvert, my high school English teacher, who said that people cry at weddings not because they are moved, but because they are sad that the people standing at the altar are giving up their freedom. Hmmm...I guess that said a lot about her marriage.
Watching my brother sing the entire song, "Baby Got Back," to his new bride at a very fancy wedding reception while tailored guests looked on.
Gambling at the $4 roulette table at the ever-so-fancy Casino Royale (just kiddin' about the fancy part) in Vegas (Veg Ass) with my husband while my dear Maman watched over my little nest back at the hotel.
Walking into the Mandalay Bay hotel, having a free drink and winning $40 before walking back out. If only going out were always that profitable...
The salmon my dad barbequed on a cedar plank. Whoa.
The two cheeseburgers I had while in the U.S. Whoa. Whoa.
Breakfast at IHOP. Rooty Tooty Fresh n' Fruity.
Standing before the Baking Section of a big American supermarket with a BIG empty cart next to me.
Washing a load of laundry in an American wash machine (the size of a small car).
The aforementioned load only taking about an hour start to finish. (For those of you that aren't familiar with the wonders of doing laundry in Germany, it takes me about a day to wash a load of laundry here. You start with the teeny, "energy efficient" machine that runs in slow, intermittent cycles for about three hours, and end with all the little scrunched up pieces that have been hung to dry and are crispier than fresh saltine crackers.)
Taking pictures in the desert.
Realizing that people in America are pretty aware of the disturbing level of consumerism and waste.
I am sure there are many other noteworthy trip highlights, but it is 2 AM, so my brain isn't exactly operating at a level I would term "clear."
Okay, back online. More to come. More recipes. More fun.
Love from Berlin,
Mama Jens
posted by mama jens at 2:03 AM
4 Comments:
Oh wow, you're back!!! I was wondering whether you guyz had already moved back to the US without telling the other bloggers about it!
I really had to laugh when I read that paragraph on doing the laundry in Germany. I know the woe of it, being the one here to do my and my boyfriend's laundry....and I seperate white, dark and colour, i.e. 3 loads of washing = a day gone. ;)
Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great time. We always do the "eating lunch at 2 a.m." jet lag thing too. There's just no getting around it.
I have about 7 loads of laundry sitting here waiting to be done. It'll take me weeks!
Welcome Back Jen ... You were missed.
Oh California (Joni Mitchell playing in the background here) - I lived in LA for a time and can still feel the face of the afternoon heat on my own - a wave-wall of hot dry energy seasoned with just a hint of jet fuel. Then sunset comes and the desert night teases you with just enough of a chill that you need to cover your shoulders ... I'd better stop this recollection before I drift off into a state of terminal melancholia!
It's official - we will be in Cologne (not Berlin) by mid November. The decision was made last weekend and we feel a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of actually leaving - all the STUFF that needs to be sorted out, arranged, cancelled, changed etc ... I'd appreciate any words of wisdom you might wish to impart, for example; should I bring over all my kitchen gear, books?
Be well ...
Richard
Thanks for the nice comments, Elemm, Christina, and Richard. I'm glad to see you guys were still checking the site!!
Richard, good luck on the move to Köln! As for your stuff, the lighter the better I would say. Kitchen stuff is hard though, especially if you cook a lot. You just get used to your own little supplies...like a badly bent potato peeler that is about a hundred years old, but you have a certain kind of relationship with it and therefore find it hard to simply abandon, even if there is an ultra deluxe one with extra good grip in your near future.
Keep in mind, we have IKEA!!!! I have to admit that I get a little wacky in the kitchen/cooking section.
Hmmm...and books....will you ever read them again?
What about furniture and so on? Are you doing a lot of shipping?
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