Wednesday 9 July, 2010

Well, yesterday at work was a little more interesting, but I also received all the news of how much more interesting it will be in the near future.
Frau Auer actually talked to me, and we even worked together a bit yesterday. Mainly we went through the museum looking for plants. It turns out the tour covers all plants and flowers we can find in the museum, not just roses, tulips and carnations. Most of what we found were on old tapestries. I think she was impressed that I knew so many flower names, in German and English. I was a little impressed, too. But that took an hour. Then she said that she'd write the text soon and then I could translate it. Then she also said I could come on a tour on Thursday that would include Matthias. On Friday the Museum's having an educational program for local teachers and I get to go to that, too. It lasts all day, so I'm excited. On Monday I get to go help clean the warehouse, or rearrange it.
I also have two tours booked for my English translation of Frau Auer's tour on Mythological Creatures. One is a university group, with Frau Brusis (the lady who did my orientation) and another is with a fifth grade group. Apparently neither group's English is very good, so I have been advised to dumb it down. I think I can do that. And I"m to create a crossword puzzle of vocab words for the fifth graders. I can do that, too.
Originally, Frau Brusis wanted to bring her group on July 9. I emailed Frau Auer saying that that date wouldn't work out too well, since I leave on the 8. She replied that Frau Brusis had told her I was here until the 16. Then the date was moved to July 4 at 4pm. I asked if it could be moved, because my host families wanted to celebrate the Fourth of July with me. So, the date finally got moved to the last possible day, July 7, at 5pm. I'll pack sometime that day.
After finding all the flowers we could in the museum, I researched the new ones meanings and whatnot. Then it was time for my luncheon walk.
On this walk I discovered several things. One, a restaurant with the name of "Ott" which is hilarious because that's one of my co-worker's last names. I took several pictures. Right next door to it was also a cool shop that sold lots of Asian art, namely Chinese and Indian. Most of the artwork was far too big to bring back, though.
The secretary, Frau Haas, talked to me as well for almost an hour. That woman does not know when to shut up. She's very nice, but I'm not sure if I needed to know all about her having breast cancer twice, and being sick in Freiburg for two years, or what's in her wardrobe, or her opinion on how much jewelry one should wear. And it's a one sided conversation, because she talks so fast, I can't even begin to utter my own opinion. I think I'm at the point where I can not listen, but still smile, nod and murmur, "mmhhh" at the right moments. I suppose it would be less annoying if I could also talk.
The Wednesday train was on time, surprisingly. The walk home was fine, though it was certainly nice to get out of my shoes once I was home. Then we ate dinner on the patio. Frau Brause asked if I knew how to cook corn on the cob, and I said she could either boil it or grill it. She boiled it, but I was too full from all the other food to eat any last night.