Fräulein Frieda: 2014

Surprise everyone!!!! I am alive J

Sorry that it has taken me two weeks to inform everyone about my current adventures in Germany. I can assure you that I have very good reasons. As you can imagine, moving to a new country has its challenges. I feel like I am having to re learn how to do everything! I’m quite surprised that I don’t have to reteach myself to walk. I’m serious guys. The first week was rough. Everywhere I turned I faced an obstacle. Like how to flush the toilet, unlock the door, figure out what kind of trash goes in what trash can (damn those Germans and trying to save the world), opening the window, and learning how I can avoid an ice cold shower. You would think those would be simple task right? But no, I failed in all of them and that is just the small stuff ( I actually managed to make all the power on the first floor go off and broke my straightener in the process).

So this week I have been working on rebuilding my self-esteem. “You’re smart Bobbi. You graduated from A&M Bobbi. You are not a failure Bobbi. You can do this Bobbi! ” Those have been sentences I have repeated over and over this week. Following these self-given motivational thoughts I had successes. I like to think that God made simple everyday things hard so I could truly enjoy my little triumphs. For example:

1. The time I didn’t get hit by a car, tram or bus while I rode my bike on a busy street into town.

2. Getting the 6 year old girl I watch, Dina to finish her homework. Even though she was kicking me and screaming in the process.

3. Finding my way back home after walking Dina to school.

4. Preparing a meal that didn’t cause 1 person in the family to barf.

5. Getting to Nils’ place all by myself by taking the subway.

As you can see, I AM A ROCK STAR!!!!!

But seriously speaking, my time in Germany has proved to be a challenge. But that is okay because it has taken these two weeks for me to see that it takes getting lost and scared to discover what you are truly capable of. Who knew I could wake up at 6 am to have the breakfast table set by 7, get Dina ready for school, take her to school, go grocery shopping for a family of 6, fold laundry, attend German class 9-1 Monday through Friday where I am the ONLY one who speaks English, pick Dina up from school at 1:20, prepare lunch, make sure all the kids do their homework, think of crafts to do with the kids, set the table for dinner, do dishes and then hang out with Nils. This is what I do every weekday and remember that I have no car. I either walk, take my bike or ride the subway. Every day is a full day but I absolutely love it. I am learning something new all the time and as the days pass I am feeling more and more like a German citizen and not some clumsy American who can’t figure out the subway system to save her life. Things are good and for this I am very grateful! I’m sure my mom is too. God bless her for answering my calls that would come in at 3 a.m. her time that consisted of “Mommy, help me! I hate it here. I am coming back home. “(Thank you so much mom for always knowing the right thing to say. Even though you would love nothing more than for me to be back in Texas, you pushed me through the hard part and got me to stay. You are super woman!)

So besides all the chaos that newness brings, the family is AWESOME! I am still trying to get acclimated in my new house but I really do like it here. The dad is hilarious and very helpful with getting me settled in. The mother is sweet as can be and I can already tell that I will learn a lot about motherhood from her and the kids are to die for! Jona is honestly the smartest 10 year old I know. If you walk into his room you see many self-made projects of his that look like something a 20 year old would make. He already knows that he wants to be a mechanical engineer and let me tell you, he will be. Dina is a straight up princess. She loves horses, turquoise and the movie Frozen so I am already in love. David, the 14 year old is on an exchange in France so unfortunately I will not meet him until November L

So I guess that pretty much sums up everything. These last two weeks were extremely busy with me getting settled in, Dina starting her first year at school, the parents getting off their summer break (they are teachers), Dina having her 6^th birthday and me starting my German class. Hopefully these next few weeks will be a little slower and it will allow me to really settle in and start my own life here. To all my friends and family, I miss you all like crazy and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Muah!