American holidays are just normal days in Germany...

This was my 4th year of missing 4th of July and Thanksgiving. I see the blogs from all of my family/friends and I think to myself: 'oh, yeah...everyone has a few days off for Thanksgiving. Huh. Is it already the 3rd Thursday in November??'

Yes, and that means it is the 1st weekend of Advent.
That means, here in Germany, Christmas season can officially begin. (Despite that traditional Christmas foods have been on sale since the end of September).

So, am I rapidly cleaning our apartment and getting ready to decorate???

why, no, I am not...we are flying to Berlin today to meet with Thomas' group of friends from America. (it has been 7 years since Thomas was in the States...ahhh!!!) <---total other blog required to explain my feelings of how fast 7 years has gone by...

So, spending the weekend on the North Sea relaxing with old friends. BUT first, I have to go and buy shampoo, conditioner and body wash in 150 ml bottles. Good times!!

See you all again on Sunday!

jeez, way too long

Hi all,

a very late Happy birthday needs to go out to a few of my favorite people: All the Fuierers (Alq on 3rd May, Sabine on 15th May, Kol 30th June); Heiko on 8th May; Laura on 18th May; Liz on 20th May; Shannon on 3rd June; Jamie on 14th June; Aaron and Missy on 22nd June; Joerg an 25th June; Kerri and Brandon on 2nd July; Michaela on 5th July.

Many many thoughts go out to my friends and family that have added to their families this year: Tobi and Anne (baby girl Franziska); Ross and Kerri (baby girl Kennedy); Heather and Mike (baby boy, Michael); Joe and Rebekah (baby girl Aurelia "Elli"); Ashley and Dave (baby girl Amy). Seems to be a baby GIRL boom lately.
And congrats to my cousin Justin, who graduated from college. NOT TO MENTION: the final, youngest Owings has completed high school (whew!! All 7 of us through high school!!!) Congrats Bobby!

My contract was extended 6 more months, which is a HUGE relief. I work for a company that does 95% of its business with the automobile industry. It has been a rather tough year for us in the company. Just keep your fingers crossed for an "unending" contract. *Things are a bit different here. Usually you have a contract in the beginning of your new job. After a specific time period, you get an "unending" or 'never ending' contract.*

We were in Scotland in April for 10 days of vacation. We LOVED IT!!! If you ever want to go, it is a fascinating country with great history, great food and super nice people. We totally lucked out with the weather. Normally it is pretty rainy and cold, but it was nice the entire time except for one day.




In Stirling: Robert the Bruce in the foreground and the William Wallace Monument in the background.



View from the Edinburgh Castle.



What is a trip to Scotland without a trip to the Whiskey distillery???? My little Whiskey fan even got to 'Bottle his own Bottle':





I have been getting involved with the Red Cross puppet theater. I help construct the stage and assist all the actors. I am reluctant to speak myself, given my American accent in German. As soon as my confidence gets better, I could be making my stage debut!! :) :)
Until next time,
Love from southwest Deuschland...

January wrap-up

HI.
January flew by! or was it just me?? I worked way too much, but now I don't have as many minus hours. I began the month with -19:07. As of Jan. 30, it was only -3:33. I worked way too much. (I have a 41 hour week; in 3 weeks I worked 139 hours...it should have been 123 hours.)

Now I am looking forward to just working normally. Work has slowed down...to say the least. Today 17 machines were stopped. That is not quite 50 % but enough that I was able to complete 3 Master Samples. Usually I can only help with the Master samples in late shift, when everything is slower. Master samples are taken after the first time the parts are made. I measured up to 5 dimensions on each part. I need to measure 6 different pieces--same dimension--to get a good average. I know-it doesn't sound so great, but I like it and it keeps me busy. :)

I did get to talk to Mrs. Petree. I was really happy to hear her voice. She and her family are doing really well. San Diego sounds so wonderful right now. I hope she gets more school under her belt. :)

Ok, take care and until next time!

(Almost) everything since Dec. 10

Hello all,

as promised, pictures of American Christmas tree and German Christmas tree:





We are doing good. I have been able to talk to quite a good number of the family. Everyone is doing well. K and R are awaiting the birth of a girl in about 5 weeks. H is also pregnant, but I don't know when she is due. I also heard from the Munros that they are also awaiting a stork. We ARE NOT awaiting the stork, just so you know.


Work is good. We are also in recession and our company will be closed every Friday in February. We will still be working in Quality, but production will not be running. Husband's work is also moving right along. Today he is in Zurich for meetings. I have late shift, so we will see each other tomorrow morning. Our apartment owner is coming with a carpenter to fix some problems.

I am so sick of the Germans asking me "How is President Obama doing?". I always answer: "I read the same news as you do. I don't live in the States, I live here. How should I know how it is going day in and day out?" The absolutely worst day was last Tuesday...'hey Amber, watching TV tonight?' 'Did you know that they are expecting 2 million people at Obama's inauguration?' I tried to explain that when EVERY president comes into office, there is a celebration. No one really listened. The Germans in my office are shocked that there are Americans that don't like Obama. I just laugh and ask if everyone in Germany likes Mrs. Merkel, the Chancellor. (There is never really an answer that comes...hehe).

I cut my hair last week and really like it. Much easier to do and not always in a pony-tail. :)

I hope you are well, too.
Until next time!!!