Where in the World are Craig and Amy?

Friday, January 6, 2012

A Baby Bedding Adventure

Yesterday I received a notice that the baby bedding I had ordered from Amazon.com had finally arrived! I was ecstatic. I had searched forever to find the perfect bedding and once I ordered it, I wanted it immediately. I was scared that baby was going to come before the bedding did.

The problem with the arrival of the bedding is that it went to the Zollamt (custom's office). I decided to journey out there today to get the bedding. Craig wasn't too thrilled about it because he didn't want me carrying such a big package.However, I had a solution; I would bring a suitcase and put the bedding into the suitcase and roll it.

I ended up waking up really early this morning (4 a.m.) and couldn't get back to sleep. So, I took a bath and was wide awake when Craig woke up at 6 (so much for his relaxing and quiet morning!) After being a good wifey and making him breakfast (something he usually does for me), he headed off for work and I laid down for a little nap. Unfortunately, I have found that at 36 weeks pregnant sleeping is just out of the question; I just can't get comfortable.

So, I headed off on my journey to find the Zollamt. I had been told it was quite a journey and Craig had been there once before and also said it was a long tram ride.

I took the tram to the Hauptbahnhof (train station) where I caught another tram. I noticed that the tram I needed was a 3 and the tram I was going to take was a 3E. However, I saw where I could work it out and still make it to my destination.

After 30 minutes on the tram, the last few of those minutes I was alone on the tram, it came to it's final destination. The problem was that it was no where near where I needed to be. Oh no! Somewhere along the way, while I was listening to my iPod and in that "I don't sleep these days" trance, I missed my changeover.

So, I got my suitcase and found a map. I saw my mistake and waited 20 minutes for the next tram. I'm sure I was a sight to see as I sat on my suitcase, alone, on the tram platform next to a busy highway.

I caught this tram and was determined to not miss the changeover. However, as I was exiting the tram at my stop, I saw the tram I needed go past. This meant 30 more minutes of waiting with my suitcase.

Finally, I caught the right tram and got off at the right spot. Craig had told me just to follow the tram line once I got off and the road I needed would be on the left. So, I walked and walked and walked (all while rolling my suitcase), but couldn't find the road. By this point I was in serious need of a bathroom and a break. So, I walked into a Subway restaurant. I was shocked to see that behind the counter was the same girl who works at the Subway restaurant across from the school where I work! I was hesitant to say anything to her because I thought I would look really creepy, but she recognized me and started talking to me. So, I told her that I was lost and looking for the Zollamt. She kindly told me that when I was finished eating she would help me find it.

Another great part is that when I was in the Subway across from the school 2 weeks ago this same girl had told me I could use my Subway card (you know, one of those reward cards) for a free Sub even though it wasn't full because they weren't using them anymore. So, I busted out my Subway card and got a free Sub.

I still couldn't believe she was the one working behind the counter and she couldn't believe that I was so far from the neighborhood where I live and work. Is it bad that not only did she recognize me, but she knew what sandwich I wanted?

After my quick bite to eat, I asked her to help me. She took me outside and showed me where I needed to go (I wouldn't have been able to find it on my own). I was so thankful for her help!

I was relieved to finally be at the Zollamt to get the baby bedding! When I handed over my paperwork they asked for my bill. I just looked at them shocked; I handed them the paperwork I had received in the mail which included a bill. But no, that wasn't correct. So, I had to take a seat while they figured out what to do. I was panicking. I had just taken this massive journey out here, and I might not even get my package.

Luckily, they decided the information they had was suffice. They then had me open the package and I couldn't help but smile as the two men "oooed" and "awed" over the baby bedding. I then paid the import fee and they asked for my passport number. Oh no! I couldn't believe it (again) I didn't bring my passport with me, but luckily my driver's license was suffice.

Thankfully, my journey back wasn't so adventurous. Even though this journey made for a long day, it was better than watching Pawn Stars all day (which is a really addicting show!) Now, I have the cutest baby bedding in Norah Grace's room ready for her when she arrives.

Check it out (I took the picture off the internet--I will upload pictures of her nursery at another time):

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year's Eve 2011

It’s been two years since we’ve been in Leipzig for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration and we thought we would post about it to let you all know about the experience. In Germany, the term for New Year’s Eve is Silvester and it resembles a war zone, just with prettier explosions.

A little less than a week ago, the fireworks went on sale everywhere, including the discount grocery stores. That’s right, people were shooting off mortar fireworks that they bought from discount grocery stores…next to the road.

A big difference between our last experience and this one is our view: having moved apartments since then, we now have one balcony that faces a typically busy street and one that looks over a big garden that runs between two lines of apartment buildings. This picture is of a building behind ours, lit up by fireworks.

The front balcony gave me mezzanine seats over some revelers enjoying their Silvester celebration. Notice the fireworks in the background. There are no parks back there. People are shooting those off from between buildings and on sidewalks.

For those of you who were not aware, the type of firework that comes on a stick and shoots straight up off the stick is called (in America) a bottle rocket. Why? Because you use a bottle to hold it up to avoid getting hurt. And what could hurt you? The sparks and flames shooting out of the back end of the rocket. These people used their hands. I guess that makes them hand rockets? And they just might have hit our building with one of these hand rockets.

And then there’s this guy, who decided to put his face right where the sparks go.

And after all these pyrotechnicians are finished shooting their rockets and blowing things up, they head home. No cleaning up. No kicking everything to the side. The view around the city is the same: everyone's trash is right where they dropped it after they shot off the rocket. The sidewalks are lined with bottle rocket sticks, fire cracker paper and empty champagne bottles.

--Craig

Friday, December 30, 2011

A Look Back at 2011

Wow, what a year 2011 has been! Craig and I, like everyone else, experienced our ups and downs. Between having to look for a new apartment (because ours was being sold), my dream trip to Egypt almost being cancelled because of the riots, and Master's classes (mine at 2 a.m.) it felt at times like we were just trying to stay afloat. But, looking back now, all of these things turned into blessings. We ended up needing a new apartment to make room for baby, Egypt was the perfect holiday because there were hardly any tourists, and by waking up at 2 a.m. I feel a bit more confident about waking up in the night when baby comes. Praise to God for His good graces and always knowing what we need.

Here's a look back at our year.

We started the year off feeling refreshed after a wonderful trip to the USA. There is nothing like good food and time with family and friends to warm the heart.

(Picture: Christmas Day 2010 in Philadelphia's airport. We were on our way to Nashville, TN).

In February we took a weekend trip to Paris.

In April we took a dream vacation to Egypt. We traveled around Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Dahab, and hiked to the top of Mt. Sinai to watch the sunrise.

After our trip to Egypt, Craig ran his second marathon in Dresden, Germany.

In May we found out we were going to be parents!

In June we attended a castle ball hosted by the family of one of my students (who lives in the castle).

After months of searching, we found a new apartment (that exceeded our expectations). We moved in June. It was a crazy experience because we decided to move ourselves. Keep in mind that we do not own a vehicle of any sorts.

Even though Craig had to work and I had Master's classes (plus some awful morning sickness) we spent a very cold July relaxing with our dogs.

In August my Uncle Kenneth came for a visit. We toured around the cities near Leipzig and I tried to show him the beauty of Germany.

Also in August, I started back to school as a fifth grade teacher.

In October we traveled to Cologne, Germany where Craig ran a half-marathon with some of our friends and colleagues.

In October we took a much needed trip to the USA. We had a wonderful time with our families. We were extremely spoiled with two baby showers! Norah Grace (as well as her parents) are very loved.

In November we celebrated Thanksgiving with other Americans.

In December Craig and I spent our last Christmas as a family of two. We love Christmas, but the entire day we just talked about how cool next Christmas will be with baby girl. We received some very sweet cards and some pretty cool packages this year! Thanks to my parents, Craig's parents, my Aunt Pam, and my brother (who lives in South Korea).