A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE GERMANS

Here are the headlines in Germany for today:

• World War II bomb found near major Hamburg bridgefrom The Local - Germany's news in English

• A 250-kilogramme World War II-era bomb was discovered at a recycling centre close to an important cable-stayed bridge in Hamburg on Friday, forcing authorities to evacuate the area for recovery efforts.

 

• Germany's two biggest commercial broadcasters, ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL, are establishing a free internet service that allows viewers to legally stream television shows, news and movies, media reported Friday.

• Following the pledge by 40 American billionaires to give away at least half their wealth to humanitarian causes, centre-left politicians suggested Friday that Germany's super-rich might consider doing the same.

• Bavaria's 'Porno Island' set for a clean-upfrom The Local - Germany's news in English

• Sex thrill-seekers have been descending on a lake area near the Bavarian town of Senden in such numbers that locals have dubbed the recreational spot "Porno Island" - forcing embarrassed authorities to take action.

• Afghan politician calls German air strike payouts 'laughable'from The Local - Germany's news in English

• Cologne woman hits plush pay dirt with tours for teddy bearsfrom The Local - Germany's news in English

• Even stuffed animals need a holiday every now and then, according to a Cologne woman who runs a travel agency catering exclusively to teddy bears and other plush toy friends.

ELI AND THE CITY

The back of our property sits along the Nymphenburg Canal.  Eli found this small patch of sunlight yesterday morning and politely posed for me so I could take his photo.  From here we walked to the train station, but not before we admired the work of the city builders at the park next to the station.

Here is another view.

Eli wanted to go in to play, but it is still gated off and under construction.  It will be a great play space when it is finally finished.

We caught the first train into the city with Eli being the navigational director.  We'll see if we get to where we're going. He looks confident, doesn't he?

Making sure he has the right directions

We're off to the Marieinplatz!

First a trip to Hauptbahnhof (the train station) to renew our car rental for our trip to Italy this weekend.

Munich's train station is one of Europe's main passenger train hubs and we enjoy watching the trains pull in and pull out while waiting to speak to the auto rental agent,

With his new plush sheep that he named "Pretzel" he is waiting to take his first underground train into the city center.

At exactly 12 noon, we are treated to the chimes of the Glockenspiel and have a front row view of the ancient timing mechanism.

The figures rotate above and below  On top there are knights on horses with lances.  At the end, a knight in a joust is fatally stabbed.  The crowd in the Marineplatz below of about 150 people each summer day, begin to cheer.


From there, Eli is excited to visit the Apple store.  I have just bought a new Apple Mac X and Eli is fascinated with the iphone 4 and the ipads.  

After watching him for over 45 mins. I told him I was going next door to the outside cafe for a coffee and he could look to his hearts content.  Eli really loves this place.  It's his second trip there, but I also told him it was his last.  He can look at Apple products in the U.S.  He's here to experience Germany after all!  An hour and 45 mins. later he comes out to check with me.  

Here is a shot of Eli I took outside of the store while having coffee.  I even had time to have a bowl of soup for lunch.  Eli wasn't interested in taking time out from his play for lunch.  However, on the way back home he asked for one of those enormous pretzels that they sell.  Not the most healthy choice, but I allowed it this one time.  He seems to like Munich--or at the very least, the Apple Store here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY!

     Yesterday, thirty-eight years ago, I gave birth to my first child, Eric, pictured above with his daughter.  I can't believe I'm a mother of a child that age and I don't know where the time has gone.  It seems just like yesterday I was watching him play wiffle ball in the yard with his younger brother and their friends.  What is so weird is that while the two boys were growing up, it seemed like time stood still and I honestly believed I would be raising young children forever.  I wondered when the baths, meals, laundry, homework, and disciplining them would ever end.  I recall commiserating with my friends about motherhood and how difficult it was, especially a mother who worked full-time.  There didn't seem to be enough hours in a day.  The responsibilities were endless and all I really wanted in life was to go into the bathroom and have a long bubble bath without one interruption.  It would have been unthinkable to have one without one of the boys laying in the hallway and using their feet to bang on the bathroom door to get me to come out and attend to them. 

     While I was in the midst of motherhood, my then mother-in-law used to tell me that I should cherish this time because it would fly by like a minute.  I thought she'd lost her marbles.  It was hard work being a mother.  With no time to myself, I couldn't wait for the time to come when the boys were grown up enough to care for themselves.  Little did I know that her words would come back to haunt me many times.

     I love my sons very much.  As every mother, there is no way to distinguish my love for them, it is equal in every way.  But, as it is Eric's birthday, I will comment on his qualities.  I am his mother, so I know I am biased, but suffice it to say that he has pleased me from the day he was born.  No mother could hand pick a son who is as kind, dedicated, loving, or faithful.  He is now a father/grandfather himself and I know he wishes the same for his children/grandchild as I do.  May they be happy in life, happy in love, and happy in following God.  I am blessed to call Eric my son.  He was never mine to begin with, just mine to care for--he belongs to my heavenly father.  Thank you, Lord.

Today, is my 11th wedding anniversary!  Pictured here, on the left, next to my sons, is my wonderful husband.  If you want to know what a spectacular guy h I married, I dedicated a whole blog entry to him.  Go here  http://expatsagain.blogspot.com/2010/06/birthday-wishes-for-him.html and hear his praises.  He is the love of my life, my best friend, my protector, my inspiration, my steadfastness and my guide.  He is a wonderful father to all of our children and mine, in particular love him as their own.  He has always been there for them and for me.  Honey, I love you!