Ich habe meine Tochter gefunden! (I have found my daughter)
I’ve transitioned into the commuter’s world of bikes and trains. The train I take from Lohhof to Freising is about a 20min ride, and in the early morning it is full of school children. (Are you feeling any of my pain yet?) Well last week between Nuefarn and Eching, a group of young girls squeezed into seats next to me. Not long after the girls sat down, the train police (Rotmützen ) tapped me on the shoulder and asked for my ticket. After showing my ticket, two of the three girls also showed their school pass. When the last girl was asked to show her ticket, she pointed to me and told the Rotmützen, “Er ist mein Vater.” (He is my father.) Looking a bit frustrated, the Rotmützen looked at me to confirm, because with my ticket one child can ride for free. I, of course, agreed that I was the father and received a huge smile from my new daughter. After the Rotmützen left, I asked my daughter, “Bist du Americanerin?” I then got a very confused shake of the head to indicate ‘no’. So I said in English, “Well your father is American.” That brought a laugh to the girls and they even said “Good-bye” when they left the train for school. I also smiled, but I was smiling because I was glad to only be the father of sons.
Help, I need defrosting!
16 months ago, when we arrived in Munich, we could hardly wait for snow. And when the first big snow fell, we rushed outside with camera’s to capture the moment forever. Today, ‘forever’ can describe what our second winter in Germany feels like. It’s Bill Murray’s life in “Ground Hog Day” where every day is the same, COLD. And it has been the same for the last 100 days with the min temp exceeding 0 degrees C only 10 times. It’s just Cold, Cold, and Cold. I think Spring is broken in Germany and I am beginning to worry that it might take a pagan dance or a sacrifice to warm my permafrost. Deidre pulled out her sandal’s just yesterday, wearing them and thinking positive thoughts of warm days could bring in the warm weather. It’s March 16th, and the long range weather forecast calls for snow this weekend. Whoever it was that mixed the blue with black garbage, just apologize to Mother Nature and ask for our Spring back.
What happened at Joe's soccer game as told by the opposing team!
This is 1860's version of what happened. Here is my "understanding" of what is being said
The team coached by Thomas Hahn had a home game against SV lohhof that resulted in a 1:1 tie. This was the first game of the second round and we can again discuss that the field was too big for these young boys. During play there were many technical failures that kept the boys out of rhythm and control. Dominik Weiss scored first for the lions, but the good guest from SV Lohhof scored before halftime from a far shot. Just after the break the referee dismissed a clear penalty, so then we stayed with an undeserved tie.
We, of course, think it was an underserved tie for Joe's team too!
In Deustsch, this sign says "This goal sponsored by Allianz". This is the part of the complex for TSV 1860.
Before the game, the two teams line up and enter the field with the referee.
Towards the end of the game Joe was moved to defense to man on man on TSV 1860's strongest player. . .Joe shut him down!
This goal sponsored by Dallas Texans!
Good header!
Sam was disappointed when he got home from school to find out that his soccer training had been cancelled due to snow! So he and Joe went into the backyard and played their version of snow soccer.
Robin and our neighbor Dirik work on shoveling the snow off the driveway and walkway. Once the snow falls of the roof, we'll have even larger piles of snow!
Too much snow for these Texans on the Autobahn!
We have been having lessons in patience since Saturday. This weekend saw Munich's heaviest snowfall of the winter. In fact, it was the heaviest snow fall for a number of years. In some places up to 3 feet fell during one 12 hour period. Parked cars were completely buried. Now finding places to put the snow is becoming a problem. Good Germans are required to shovel the snow from their driveways and sidewalks. The cities shovel the snow off highways and main streets. The snow is now in piles everywhere making it difficult to navigate the smaller streets. Patience is a required character trait as you take turns with other cars trying to pass down the street. Only 25 days until Joe and I return to Dallas for warm weather, sunshine and NO SNOW!
The view from our second level balcony. . .
Our neighborhood buried in snow!
This is our backyard!!! Joe was burying himself (briefly) in the snow and Gracie had to be on top of him as the snow was too deep for her!
Our housing complex. . .
Joe sends in a corner kick. . he said it was so cold that the ball felt frozen and hard!
Joe takes off on a cold day down the field during a friendly match.
The ultimate soccer mom!
Sam plays in a friendly match in the snow. .. h complained that his feet hurt because they were so cold.
