Stau

So, the German language is not typically known for shortening a word or saying or sentence. But, there is one German word which I think should be universally adopted.

That word is Stau.

Picture this, your sitting on a freeway full of backed-up cars. No one is moving. Now, when you think to yourself about the situation, in English, well at least in American English, the phrase that comes to mind is "traffic jam". Does "traffic jam" really convey the emotion of the situation? I mean, to me, it sounds so light, effervescent almost sweet. And when your in a "traffic jam", sometimes it's one of those where you just want to shake a fist (at no one in particular) and let it all out in one, strong word. Sometimes, you're just dejected, and saying something like "traffic jam" just seems too happy. Sometimes, you're okay with the traffic, but it's just a matter of wanting to be efficient when calling someone to say you are late. So, here's the solution:

We should all start using Stau!!

Now if you're wondering how to pronounce this little golden nugget of a word, then let me help. Shh-t-ow (that's "ow" as in "owl"). Say it out-loud, just once, and you will see what I mean.

It now has a permanent fix in my brain, and even when speaking English, I just say Stau, and it conveys just what I want quite efficiently!

Big Thanks to a Little Sister!!

We have not written much in the past week because Jana's mom, Kay, has been in town.  We have taken her to see as much as we could in the few days she is here, so days have been packed a bit!

One joy we had that she brought with her was some presents from Jana's sister, Sheena.  Talk about going above and beyond!  She went shopping for Jana at a few clothing stores, one of which was a maternity store.  We do not have pictures of the event, but she even put on a "belly" at the maternity store, so she could try on the clothes for Jana!  (Steve, I want pictures!!!)

We have been fortunate and blessed by our families, as they have helped us by sending some maternity clothes across the Atlantic.  Jana was preparing to go clothing shopping with her mom though, since she was running low on things that would fit over the growing belly.  In comes Sheena!  Sheena went above and beyond and bought Jana what can only be described as a wardrobe of clothes, some specifically maternity, some that will be worn after!

She individually packed each item, wrote notes and "clues" on each one!  The time and effort alone brought tears to all of our eyes.  For Jana, that was a couple of Christmases and birthdays rolled into one!

Thank you Sheena and Steve!!

Craving #3

Melon. Honey Melon. Watermelon. Cantaloupe. I start eating them, but I can't stop!!

Laugh Out Loud - Mein Baum

So I’m in my ballet class and struggling a bit with maintaining the right posture. My instructor pats my tummy and says to keep trying but to be careful. I laughingly try to say that I can’t use my stomach muscles so well...unfortunately, this is what came out of my mouth: “Ich kann nicht so gut machen mit mein baum”. She chuckled a little, which seems to be normal for me. Now I know that sentence wasn’t grammatically correct, but it’s hard to dance and speak in another language. I move along laughing at my poor German, when it hits me. “Baum” isn’t the word for stomach, “Bauch” is!!! So basically, what I said to her was: I can not use my tree so well.

June 2008

Work . . . and play

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Continue reading "June 2008"

Sunday Fest

Jana and I were able to enjoy a Fest in Kandern Sunday afternoon.  Like all fests in Kandern, it was on Hauptstrasse, just outside our building.  This fest is for the shops in town.  This is a sight for anyone that has been in Germany over a few Sundays... the shops are open!! 

We walked around, taking in the crowds of "fest goers."  Of course, we had to eat Fest Food for lunch.  Our wurst were from a stand setup by the local butcher we use.  They were fantastic!

Fests are always fun.  When people visit, we hope and pray there will be a fest in Kandern or somewhere close.  It never happens that way.  This one was sandwiched between my brothers family and Jana's mom (arriving Wednesday!). 

Our highlight for this fest was a band that was walking around with a big speaker/amp and their instruments.  When we first heard them playing in front of our building, we just thought "great sounding group!"  That was until the main trumpet player started singing.  We turned very suddenly turned our heads, expecting to see Louis Armstrong standing just behind us.  My second thought, after not seeing Louis Armstrong, was that they were playing a CD.  Sure enough, it was one of the band!  They were awesome!

Of course they have a website... http://dixie-surprise.ch/

ASP .Net and other stuff

Updates on Jana are after the technical stuff.  Or maybe in the middle! Read everything!!!!

Once again, I find myself learning another language.  This time, it is a programming language.  This will be the second this year, for programming.  I am working on a programming project that is the more a "proof of concept" at the moment.  Since I need to get something done quickly, I turned to an old friend, of sorts.  I have decent experience with Microsoft programming languages, so this is the shortest step.

Why write that here?  Where else am I going to put it?

I am returning to another good friend, and that is Database design.  Since I am designing, writing, and implementing this phase of the project, that means that I get to do just about everything.  Now, in the case of database design, I am not that sad.  I enjoy databases.  This part if fun.  I just need to find someone to write the program that gets the data.  Volunteers?

Ok, so I left the part about Jana for the end.  Cruel, yes, but I know what you really want to know!

Jana is doing very well!  The belly is expanding and she is getting her energy back.  That is about it.  I will get her to write about "Art Basel" from last weekend.  We have some pics of us at that.  Of course, Jana looks radiant!

Celebrating Tuesday

It is said that Tuesday is the most productive day of the week.  Yeah!  Happy Tuesday!  Now, Get Back to Work!!!