Hey sorry it's been awhile. But haven't really been in the writing mood as of late. In that I haven't felt inspired as per a topic to right and haven't had many a profound revelation. Other than that life's been alright here. I am slowly adjusting to my new schedule, that's right it has changed again. So up until a week and a half ago, my responsibilities and the claims on my time were confined to the kids. So besides the hours between 2 and 6, and the occasional baby-sitting night, I was free to explore munich, to go out with friends, or do absolutely nothing if I so pleased. Then the family went on vacation last week, which as I did not go with them means I too was on vacation. They were in Austria for a week , both to ski and just take a bit of time off to relax at a lodge there. Which of course meant, I got the house all to myself. And the best part was that their trip nicely coincided with the start of my first german language course, allowing me to easily transition into the addition of a new responsibility.

So far so good. Four mornings a week I travel via S-Bahn from where I live between Schloss Nymphenburg and Neuhausen to Pasing, a quaint village-like area of Munich just south of where I live. In Pasing is my language school, the Volkshoschule, and on the 3rd floor in the corner room (312) is my class, Level -1 German taught, and very well might I add, by Karoline (no last name). There are about 15 of us, and we are as international as we can get. However true to form, I have already one absence under my belt, however I find the reason valid and worth it in my humble opinion...that's all I'm going to say.

So this week marks the beginning of my schedule. And believe me when I tell you it has been FULL (and I know all you 9 to 5 -ers, or perhaps more, are chuckling to yourselves and rolling your eyes at this). But I stand by my feelings of slight fatigue due to the new schedule. I get up somewhere between 7 and 7:30 ideally walk to the S-bahn, hop on, go two stops, get off, switch trains to go one more stop and then walk from the station to my school. There I have class for 3 and a quarter hours. Then I either grab a quick lunch in Pasing then get back on the S-bahn , switch, walk or take a bus and then walk to the kids kindergarten, OR I take the S-bahn home have a quick lunch and then am out the door in somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes to walk to the kindergarten to pick up the kids at 2. And that's when probably the biggest challenge of the day takes place, getting Martin ready for the walk home or if I'm lucky getting him to do it himself. Then probably somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes we're FINALLY out the door. Then our usual walk home, which for an average adult would take somewhere near 1o to 15 minutes, is either double or triple that time, depending on the number of sticks that or poles or walls that happen to distract Martin and/or Irene. And then 3 hours of reading books, games, crafts, art, and crazy running around most always accompanied by the making of loud noises. Then dinner at 6 (every night....craaaazy I know!!!), the Sandman (a quintessential communist germany kids' show produced in the 70's, sired eveyry night at 6:50 and lasting only ten minutes, but probably the highlight of everyday for the kids), and free time (unless baby-sitting ensues). An that is my day. And I'm tired!! and can't wait for the weekend!!!!

next entry to update you on social outings....