Weekend Review {07/29}

FRIDAY

Work, Chem test, more work.  I skipped Lunch Beers because I wanted to leave the office "early" to go to the gym and get in at least a minimal workout before hitting up Halls Chophouse for dinner with the Lady Gang.  A reservation had been made months ago for 4 and someone wasn't able to go, so I was able to take her place.  #WIN.

After my workout, I headed home, walked the dogs, showered, and then I drove us downtown.

I will admit that Halls is stupid expensive, but I knew that going in, so I was prepared.  We also planned to grab dessert after dinner, so I made sure to leave room for dessert.  Since I had never been there and I'd been told that Kaminsky's is OMFG SO GOOOD, I suggested there for dessert and everyone approved.  We ended up at the West Ashley location so we didn't have to deal with parking for a 2nd time downtown.

I'll be honest.  I was not impressed.  I ordered the Jimny Cricket adult milkshake and it just wasn't good to me.  I think it was more grasshopper, less chocolate mint... and I wanted chocolate mint.  My 2nd choice was the Dreamsicle.. and I chose poorly.  Oh well.  In other news, I'll be sticking with Kilwin's from here on out.  The individual who preached to me about the blessing that is Kaminsky's pretty much said it was way better than Kilwin's.  It's not.  I don't overly care about the adult part of an adult milkshake.. or the dessert part of any adult beverage.. and that is where Kaminsky's shines, I will admit that.  But I'm in it for the deliciousness and I can find something more delicious somewhere else.

That said, I didn't have the Tollhouse Pie, but I doubt I would be wowed by that either since I don't really like chocolate chip cookies.  I'd be willing to go back and try a bite of someone else's Tollhouse Pie while I enjoyed a brownie sundae though.  So I mean.. there's that.

After dessert, we headed back home.  The Husbands were enjoying Smoking Hour when we arrived.  They had also went out to dinner and did some bar crawling in North Charleston, which sounded sketchy as fuck to me.  Other than obvious intoxication (Teh German), everyone was of sound mind and body.

Eventually, it was go home time and bedtime.

SATURDAY

I got up with the dogs on Saturday knowing that Teh German was going to have a rough morning.  After the beasts were taken care of, I went back to bed...  We slept until 11am.  #NoRagrats.

When we finally got up, we had breakfast and coffee and then I did laundry and then I was bored and had nothing to do.  That is still such an unusual occasion that I cleaned out bowl on the island that gathers things and then decided to finally apply the mounting putty (aka Tacky Stuff if you knew me as a kid) to the collage wall so the frames would no longer be crooked.  I also did the rest of the frames in the house while I was at it. 

At some point, Teh German installed the mount I purchased for the Show, I was pleased.  Now I just need the opportunity to test it with Teh Running Bestie.

After putty was applied, I checked the laundry, and I really had nothing to do.  I showered.  Bored, again.

So I took a picture of the babies coming up on the succulent I "stole" from the Math and Computer Science Lounge at school.

I finally decided to lay on the couch and finish reading a book on my Kindle that I was 95% of the way through.  Teh German asked if I wanted to watch The Americans and I told him that I wanted to finish my book, but not to get too involved into anything (motovlog videos) because after I was done with the last 5% I was ready.

With the book finished, we marathoned through some Americans until it was time to head over to Teh PT House for a Cool Kids gathering.  There were blue jello shots and I planned on not being sober for long, and I achieved said goal.  There are no pics.  We ate, we talked, we drank, we took jello shots, Teh German wanted to be argumentative with me, I ignored him, then it was finally go home time.

I promptly got ready for bed and passed out before Teh German got in the bed.

SUNDAY

I woke up at 0500 with the reminder that I am not a 20-something anymore and wished for death.  My world was spinning and my head was hurting and my stomach was quite disgruntled.  I laid in bed hoping for sleep or death and neither happened, so I finally got up, used the bathroom, took 3 advil, and went back to bed.

Thankfully, when I woke up a grouchy Teh German at 0800 to feed the dogs (which I had done the day prior before the dogs woke him), I was feeling much better.  I couldn't really go back to sleep, despite my efforts, so I scrolled through social media and then finally got up.

I wanted eggs and toast for breakfast, but Teh German needed the eggs for dinner, so instead, we had to fend for ourselves.  Wanna know the best solution for a hangover?  Bison steak with truffle butter and mushroom risotto.

Before it got too hot, I opted to take the beasts for a stroll.  Pax, in a rare event, shit on the sidewalk, like the gentleman he is.  Then he spent the next 5-6 hours passed the fuck out in his bed.  He didn't even bother to get up with Teh PT Husband came over to deliver stuff, very unusual for our dogs.

We had borrowed Teh PT Fam's air fryer to test how it would make schnitzel and it actually worked out really well.  Since we borrowed their equipment, we invited them and the SC Parents to dinner.

Yay for German dinner.

Teh NY Chef did a search for "easy German desserts" and made these delicious blueberry cake type of bars.  They were super scrumptious. After dinner, it was smoking hour and Teh NY Chef and I cleaned up the mess.  I was feeling generous, so I did the dishes for Teh German since he had done most of the cooking work.  After the kitchen was cleaned up, we headed outside with the dudes and dogs for a bit of socializing until it was time for everyone to head home.

Caught these gorgeous cotton candy clouds as I was about to head upstairs.

Shortly after everyone left, I headed upstairs to get ready for bed and have some scrolling time.  Eventually, Teh German came to bed and then it was sleepy time.  And just like that, the weekend was over.

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I probably could have written this post yesterday, but it's been several days of not clear days and I just didn't have the ability to focus.  Instead, I did homework and work things and picked up Teh PT Kid from camp, had buffet dinner with Teh German, walked the dogs, watered the plants, and did the laundry. 

Today was the last day of instruction in our chemistry class.  🙌🙌🙌
Wednesday is our final lab test, our class make up test, then Friday is the final.  I'm not obviously stressed out, and I mentally feel fine (as in, I'm not going to have a stress breakdown about my grade or what's on the test/etc), but my body is obviously stressed about something, based on the mouth Herpaderp I've had going on since I got back from MD.  First it was in my chin/lip crack (that divet under your bottom lip where your chin comes out) and the blisters went away and as it was almost healed, another blister came up in the corner of my mouth, and I got a cold sore on my gum line.  So much rage.

This week is the end of the summer semester, so test, test, final, then we're headed to NC.  Saturday is my 2nd tattoo appointment with Noel and Teh German is making the trek with me on Friday evening.  We'll be staying with Teh Dad and while I'm getting inked, Teh German will be riding, rain permitting.  Sunday, weather permitting, we'll ride... and I'm trying to plan a zipline surprise for Teh German.  We've talked about going ziplining soooo many times and we've yet to do it.  I think it's time to fix that. 

Thoughts and prayers and vibes or whatever are appreciated for me making it through the rest of this week without:
-another mouth sore
-killing anyone
-failing anything.

Happy almost August, Gentle Readers.

Five on Friday #197

EINS - This Week

TUESDAY: School, lunch adventures with Teh Deutsch Asien at a Korean place, then shopping for a flask, then back to the flat to pack and do work things and wait for Teh German to arrive!!!

After Teh German arrived, he talked with my host lady for a few minutes, where I she talked about herself more to him in the 5 minutes than to me in my entire month there....  After we got my bag to the car, we walked to Schalander for dinner with Teh Running German and Frau Always Cold.

After dinner, we went to the Eis Cafe down the street for one last dessert.

Then we drove back to Essen.  When we arrived, we sat with Papa G and Stepmom G and chatted until it was bedtime.


WEDNESDAY: FINALLY.. after over a month, a sleep in, relax, do nothing day.  I didn't get out of bed until 1030.  After I went downstairs, I started on some work stuff and ate breakfast with Papa G and Teh German, who finally came downstairs with some prompting.  After my work stuff, I finally wrote my weekend blog and started on this post.  I also did laundry.  *Disgruntled noise*.. but at least I know THIS Laundry Fairy won't turn my shit pink.......  Also, I rewashed my pink clothes and most of the pink came out.. so ya know.. small victories, but I still know she turned my shit pink.

In the evening, we had dinner with Auntie P.  Sehr lecker (very tasty)!  We sat outside for a while enjoying the sounds of the loud ass birds singing and the neighbors yelling and our Deutsclisch conversation.  At almost 11:00, we went back home and it was bedtime.

Dessert was strawberries with homemade cream.
You should be jealous, I won't... sugar coat it.. HA!

THURSDAY: We slept in until around 9, then had breakfast with Papa G and Stepmom G.  They left around 11, which meant that Teh German and I were allllll alllloooonnneeee.. So, of course, Teh German got one bathroom and I got the other and we had Teh German/Teh Megan Time (aka, we had our separate alone time in the bathroom for how ever long we wanted).  Then I repacked my luggage since we are mailing a box back to the US so we don't have lug an extra bag through Italy, and then it was finally study time.  While it was sweet when Teh German came into the same room as me while I was packing, it wasn't so sweet when I was trying to study and he was listening (abet quietly) to YouTube videos.  I finally had to ask him to leave.  After studying for several hours, I took a break and went downstairs to socialize and scavenge for a snack.  Instead of coming back up to study more, we ended up taking a nap.

When we woke up, we got ready and then headed to visit with Opa.  Auntie P came later and we all had dinner together.  After dinner, Auntie P, Teh German, and I headed to an Eis Cafe for dessert.  #NoRagrats.

#BookHunter
This is the library at Opa's living place.

Fried potatoes, pickles, messewurst, and eggs.
NOOOOOMMMM

Spargel, Kartolffeln, and Schenk.
white aparagus, potatoes, and ham

Family time!

Translation: Ice cream fries with strawberry sauce (as ketchup) and whipped cream.

Spaghetti Eis (right): Ice cream that looks like spaghetti with strawberry and raspberry sauce with white chocolate flecks
Speigelei-Eis (left): Ice cream that looks like a soft egg, but it's really just vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and a peach.

Silly selfie.

On the way to the ice cream place, we passed by this gem.  We HAD to walk back and get a photo to send to Teh Running Bestie.

After we got back home, I did more laundry, wrote this post, and should have studied.  #YOLOMFS


FRIDAY:  Today is exam day.  I'll save that fun story for the weekend review... mostly because.. I'm writing this on Thursday night and my future predictions aren't so great.

ZWEI - Random Shit

-On Tuesday morning when I left, I only unplugged my phone charger, not my computer, when I left for the day.  Of course, my computer was unplugged by the time I got home.  It was the last fucking day dealing with that shit, but I definitely noticed.  SOOOOOOOOOO glad that shit is over with.

-My host lady talked more to Teh Deutsch Asien and Teh German than she did to me the entire month I was there.  Both my visitors were with her for a pretty short amount of time.  Maybe I didn't ask the right questions, but I also feel like she didn't like me much..   I mean, she told me she was going to Israel to visit a friend, but when Teh Detusch Asien came to visit, my host told her she was going to Israel with one daughter to visit her other daughter who lives in Israel.  Whatever.  Let's just say, I wasn't sad to leave

-I'm on vacation and cannot eat enough dessert and delicious heavy foods.  It's gonna be a real struggle when I get back to America, lol.

-I've also been eating on a weird schedule here.  I will eat lunch after my class ends, so generally from 1:30-3, then if I eat lunch that late, usually no dinner.  But if I don't eat a big lunch or any lunch, I'll have a big dinner.  For breakfast I was eating a piece of toast with cream cheese (since Leberwurst and I had some intestinal disagreements) and it wasn't lasting long enough.

-When I get back to Charleston, I'll be signing up for our community gym again.  I'm excited and scared that I won't go at the same time.  It's been a millionty fucking degrees in Charleston the last few weeks, so I definitely know I won't be outside running unless I get my ass up at stupid early to go in the dark.

-My poor credit card is weeping.  #VacationLife #StudyAbroadLife

-Teh German was going to sleep in the room without a window shade and I managed to talk him into moving into the bedroom in the attic with complete window coverings.. and I have ZERO regrets.

-I finally figured out how I burned the screen on my laptop.  Sometimes, when I close my laptop, it doesn't go to sleep.  I didn't realize it the first few times and didn't associate the burned pixels on the screen with what was happening.  I confirmed the cause and effect event on Tuesday night after I had closed my laptop to put it in my backpack.  When I unpacked my laptop to upload stuff over night, I opened it and it was still running and the burned area on the screen is now even bigger than it was.  I think the heat generated from the computer trying to cool itself in my bag, which doesn't work well, causes the computer to get super hot, and then the metal of the keyboard gets warm and then the screen gets too hot and the pixels are fucked up.  Thankfully, I have the complete warranty and the computer needs to be sent in for repairs when we are back in Charleston for T key repair anyways.

-When Teh German comes to me after trying to troubleshoot something with his dad and tells me that he saw his own reactions to stuff from his dad while trying to help him.. the same shit that I have to deal with from Teh German all.the.fucking.time, I lllaaauuughhhh and laaaauuugggghhhhh.  He did comment that, "Knowing you have the issue is the first step to fixing it."  So, there's hope, loooooool.

-I'm always torn when in eating in Germany between trying something new that sounds delicious or ordering what I know is delicious.  It's a rough life I lead...

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Just because I'm in Germany doesn't mean I've stopped checking in!
I'm pretty pleased with myself being the Baroness of a German area.

I saw a sign for strawberry Raffaello, but maybe it was actually raspberry..
Either way, these are delicious.

I forgot to ask for milk tea, and ordered regular tea instead.
This wasn't disappointing though.

Dear Google,
NO.  I do not mean "Thank you for offering your SKIN to me."
WTF, Creeper.

If you are ever in need of a tour via photos, I know a guy who can do a VERY detailed photo tour (Papa G).
But also, can I just say how pleased I am that someone noticed the bathroom baskets at our wedding?

America: TJ Maxx
Germany: TK Maxx

Bought some gin made in Düsseldorf.
Hopefully it's not shit.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

And here you are, after everything you endured far too long.
You did not know you could be this strong.
You did not know after all that went wrong, you had this courage and strength all along.
-MHN

Not everything will be easy, but not everything will be hard.
Many things will happen in this life but they will not define who you are.
-MHN

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Snuggles with the Teh German.  And hugs and kisses and just being with Teh German.. ya know, cheesy, spouse-y shit.
2. Mezzo Mix
3. When servers ask, "English or German?" and I say, "Beide (both)."
4. SLEEPING IN.  Especially, sleeping in, in a DARK room.  *all the praise hand emojis*
5. Family time.
6. Doing my own laundry.
7. It finally spring in Germany and I didn't need a jacket this week, which meant cute outfits!
8. Speaking German with Opa and his partner and they could understand me.
9. Leaving all my shit plugged in and it not being unplugged every day.
10. Understanding German.  It's weird, but it's a thing now.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Weekend Review {05/06}

FRIDAY

Possibly the longest day of my life.. One day, I'll be too old for connections, but at that point, I hope to be rich, so nonstop flights will be in my budget.. buttt, not yet.

My flight went from Charleston to Boston to Dublin to Düsseldorf.  In Boston, I grabbed dinner at Wahlburgers with a "smores" adult milkshake then booked it to my gate.  I chatted for a short bit with 2 ladies about runcations and then it was time to board.

Unfortunately, there was minimal sleep on the flight from Boston to Dublin, which was not how I planned it. 

On the flight from Dublin to Düsseldorf, I joined my row-mates in their nap time.

My, I'm so fucking glad I'm about to be done with airplanes, face.

Through Customs where the officer recognized my name as German.

Then, I waited on Auntie P and tried not to nap.. but I slowly went horizontal because being vertical for a millionty hours is exhausting.  I wasn't too worried about the weird looks I was getting for laying down at the McCafe.

Auntie P fetched me from the airport and we went back to her flat and ended up taking naps and I finally showered.  I found the card that Teh German had snuck into my luggage... and I read it and cried.  I know I'm a strong independent woman, but I really do like Husband.  I know sometimes I get frustrated or angry at him.. but he really does make my life better all the other times.

After naps and a shower, Auntie P and I walked to my room and dropped off my stuff, then we went to the store for dinner things.  I mentioned it in Friday's post, but I luuurrrveee going to stores when I am overseas.  It's always interesting the different items at different stores you can find... and sometimes the same things.

Dinner was pancakes with bacon and salad.

Then, I walked back to my room, stopping at the store for dessert, and tried to ignore the ruckus that was going on outside.  Teh German and I chatted while he was on his way home from work since I wasn't sure how long I would be able to stay awake.

It's hard to tell in this photo, but German bedding is different than American bedding.  Each person gets their own blankets, so I got to use both duvets for myself.  It was a perfect weight.. except I got super hot.  Oh well.

SATURDAY

I woke up Saturday with a headache.  Probably from super hard bedding and a different pillow than I'm used to and maybe a lack of caffeine and an irregular sleep schedule and getting used to new plants and spring in Germany (aka, pollen is attacking me.. again).  At the store, I had picked up Mezzo Mix, a soda that is essentially Fanta + Coke, and it is my German favorite.  It is also my caffeine replacement since I won't be drinking coffee since I don't like it black or with regular cream.. only peppermint mocha creamer and coffee for me, or tea, or nothing.

After medicating and showering, I felt bearable and I walked to Auntie P's flat.  We had breakfast and then we walked to the Markt to pick up items for dinner.

Wisteria on the walk.

AND THISTLES.

The thistles are actually kinda funny because on the way into our neighborhood, there is a car for sell in a yard with a HUUUUUGGGEEE thistle bush beside it.  Despite having mowed the yard several times, the owners have left the thistle bush instead of cutting it down and it blows my mind.  Whhhhyy wouldn't you cut it down?  Do you think that this massive thistle bush will protect your 1988 Lexus that you are trying to sell for $5000?  Really?  Ugh.

Anyways, after getting back to the flat, we rested until it was time to go visit Opa.  The view from the living room:

After we returned from visiting Opa (who took 45 minutes to mention my blue hair, we expected it to be much less time), I fell asleep while Auntie P made dinner.  Oops.  For dinner we had Schenken (ham), Kartoffeln (potatoes), und Weißspargel (white asparagus) mit geschmolzene Butter (melted butter).  It definitely got Teh German's seal of approval.

After dinner, I headed back to my room.  Teh German and I tried to have FaceTime, but the internet was poor, so we ended up chatting on the phone with no video.  Then it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday night was garbage for sleep.  I went to sleep at 10pm-ish but was awake at 0200, 0500, 0700, and finally 0915 when my alarm went off.  I got up and showered and checked out of the hotel and headed back to Auntie P's house. 

German things that are different from American things.

All the fuel options.  For ~a millionty Euro per liter.  No, not per gallon, per LITER.

At 1130, we dropped off my luggage at the place where I will be staying in Düsseldorf.  The lady hosting me did not agree to me staying with her the night before my class started, so we headed back to Essen.  We stopped for brunch on the way home.

When we got back to the flat, we took naps, because it was a rainy Sunday and .... that's what you do!  In the evening, we worked on getting my phone set up for purchasing my train ticket from Essen to Düsseldorf and ate dinner and watched TV and I actually wrote this post on a Sunday instead of Monday or later!  Crazy, I know.

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A very good, relaxed weekend before school starts.  The lady that is hosting me is older, but she speaks English, and she corrected my German while I was there, which is good.  My room is large, but full of sun and this vampire really struggles with that.  There's a table and cabinets.  I didn't stay longer than 5 minutes total and most of that was going up the stairs with my luggage.  She explained the protocol for the first day, showing up at the Goethe Institute from 9-11ish to take my placement exam then going back to her flat.  I think that when I get there, she will give me a tour of the house and I will unpack.

I know it will workout, but first I have to worry about it.  There are many shops around the flat and the train stop is a 2 minute walk from the front door, which is good since I will be taking the train from the flat to the Institute everyday.

Semi-related to my German problems.. THE HURRICANES WON GAME 4!!!  4/4 wins against the NY Islanders.  This good because it means they get to rest before the 3rd Round.  Sadly, I didn't get to watch because the game was in the middle of the night for me, butttt I did watch the highlights and it was enough for me.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers, for an easy enough first week.  There will be work-work and school work.. and trying to speak correct English while attempting to use good enough/correct German and I'll be living with... an old lady.