OK, so this first part will be a summary of my three day work week and then I'll talk about my party and then some fussball and my packing progress. OK? Good.

Work...I kept translating these small notebooks, which were companions to various display cases at the Home and Clock Museum in Schwenningen. I did not get to go to that museum. But I do know a hell of a lot about clocks. And I think I was pretty damn successful, though it was funny to look at the first section I did, in comparison to the last. I definitely improved. But I worked slow until Monday afternoon, when Frau Auer gave me the second notebook. I thought I'd try and get it all done by Wednesday, so as to not leave a project unfinished. Well, it turns out I was doing three times as much work as needed. So, I cut back to just the basics (what they wanted) and finished Tuesday mid-morning.

However, then Dr. Huette, who I believe is the male counterpart to Dr. Auer, wanted to go over the work I'd already done. We did this yesterday after the weekly meeting. His English is quite good, and some of the more difficult sentences (from my first day with this notebook) were corrected. German really does beat around the bush. But it was all fine and we finished going over the last part this morning, in about ten minutes. Apparently I was very helpful.

Today, I corrected all my mistakes in the first translation, and then amused myself otherwise. This mainly involved reading random (mostly historical articles on England) things on Wikipedia, looking at the words of the day on Dictionary.com, and making some origami cranes out of gold foil candy wrappers. I also went to the bank to make a deposit for the secretary.

Speaking of her, I've actually had a lot of peace this week. Apparently, when I have a window open in my room, and the door between our rooms is also open,the air drafts make her nerve pain worse. So, she kept the door shut between the rooms and talked to me much less. It was rather nice. But the whole, "the air's hurting my nerve pain" thing sounds funny. I could see a cold draft making arthritis worse, but I'm not sure how air affects the nerves.

So, today was nice. I bought some Chinese again for lunch. And insisted that I did not need soy sauce on my rice. Haven't read any Dostoevsky today, but that's all right. Then Frau Contenz gave me a present...its one of those bobble head dogs, for the car. One of the oddest things, for sure. And I'm not wholly sure how to pack it. I'll figure it out before the morning really comes. Then I had my tour.

The tour was really quite a waste of my and the student's time. They're all from St. Petersburg, Russia, but didn't really understand English. So, halfway through the tour, I switched to German (which was hard, because I've only practised in English) and then one of the girls translated my German into Russian. But before that, only about three of the twelve would actually listen to me. The rest would just wander around the room. I didn't really want to yell at them to get their attention, so I just ignored their behavior. I mean, they're college students, why should I have to yell or reprimand as if they were in elementary school? Everyone also wanted to sit down the entire time, then I'd have to get them to stand so they could see the damn museum objects. Oh, and did I mention that this was all after 5 pm? On my last day I have to stay two hours late. Thanks.

Frau Auer also came, along with Frau Brusis and her daughter (who I think I heard has autism, but I would guess its more of a higher level functioning). Frau Auer made me a little nervous at first, but then she ignored me for most of the time and entertained Frau Brusis' daughter, who'd brought a shoe box full of toy dragons that looked like they came from Happy Meals. Since Frau Auer had the keys to the different parts of the museum and ignored what was going on, whenever we relocated, I had to wait on her to catch up and let us in. And then Frau Brusis kept answering questions I asked to the students. I wanted to tell her to be quiet and let them have a chance to think and answer, the tour was for them.

But, I handed in my keys, and as a present from Dr. Auer I received a little booklet about the museum. I'll have to find some way to integrate it into a future lesson with my future students so this booklet has some worth. I'm sorry if I seem snobby, but its been a long week.

The Party
I did not have high expectations for this party. It was my "going away party" which was very nice of everyone to plan and carry out, but it was really rather unnecessary. No one asked what I'd like to eat (thus I didn't eat half of the food people brought) or if I'd like to invite anyone. I was just informed of what was going on along the way. The one question I was asked, was that I make adobo. Easy enough, but I really hate de-skinning chicken, and getting the bloody bits of marrow out of the bones they leave in there. Yuck. But it was better this time, thank you, Kikoman soy sauce.

Pretty much everyone arrived late and then Ecki had a problem starting the fire to cook the meat. Yes, I guess Germans actually can use a charcoal grill. I was impressed. Mostly because I got to try an ostrich steak. Tastes a little gamey and the texture is somehow very smooth and of course, tender. But, the other dishes included potato and cucumber salad, plates of "grilled" veggies from my second host mom (I would have eaten some, but I'm pretty sure she doused them in vinegar), bread, adobo and various meats. I satisfied myself with adobo, bread, a wurst and an ostrich steak (which was quite small). And then we had strawberries and ice cream for dessert. I passed on the ice cream, since its the brand that makes me sick.

The highlight of the party was watching the fussball game. I was totally rooting for Holland, and the only one in the room. I was happy with the results. Now that Germany's out of the final, my hopes are with the Dutch. Apparently the Germans don't like the Dutch, but from those I asked, they couldn't give me a reason. I can't think of any historical occurrence in which the Dutch royally screwed the Germans over, but oh well. Maybe the Germans are just jealous that the Dutch are so awesome. But, the city was quiet last night; I guess there aren't any Dutch in St. Georgen.

Today we went over to the neighbors to watch the boring and disappointing game. I did enjoy the cream puffs, though.