What to get, what to get?

I tell you, I have a new respect for all people who live in a different country! Everything is harder when you don't speak much of the language (and all u "ur in the USA, speak English" people out there take note), haven't grown up here, and are generally unsure of even the simplest systems.

No matter how motivated you are, it's impossible to start speaking a language in a matter of months, especially when you still have your life responsibilities to continue to do! I'm fairly language able, since I learned French (reading & writing it mostly) in grammar school, I "get" that language is arbitrary. Basically it's a tree cause someone said it was, same reason it's an arbor in other places. I know you are suppose to not translate things back into your own language but to just embrace them for what they are. (I embrace that there is a stau somewhere according to the radio, but I really need to know if it's near me or not...please say an area that I can "embrace"!!!! I don't have time to get stuck in a traffic accident, where is it? Say it again, more slowly please? Where is that? Where is that? Oh, that's right it's right up.....here :( ). But no matter how much you are immersed into a language, you can't skip the 2 year old level. Which is exactly where I'm at right now, and I even get the same kind of "oh isn't that precious" looks and comments!! That's why I am extremely quiet in public, I don't want to draw attention to myself with a neon flashing sign that says "AMERICAN". This is much harder than it looks, since I love to talk to myself (I'm the best listener i know after all!) I also find trying to communicate so hard to concentrate on, I would rather stay silent! So next time some one's walking around speaking a different language, cut them some slack!! It's exhausting being so quiet in public! And even more exhausting trying to follow a conversation!

Then we have all the systems that you generally just "know" by the time your an adult (in your home country). Like taking the bus. I know that in America, you wait at the bus stop, the bus may or may not come around the time it says, throw some change in the glass jar (no change given), and when you see the area you want to stop in ring the bell, stops are so close together you won't go too far past your intended destination. Well here, who knows?!? I was able to figure out what time I thought the bus might come by based on the schedule hanging there. But since the time said 15:07, did that mean 3:05-3:10? How much was it going to cost? Would I have exact change or would I have to pay more and write it off as a learning experience? How would I know how to stop? When do I press the button? As soon as we get into our village? The bus stop by our house is on the other side of the street, would they stop? Even everyday events are laced with a certain amount of stress. Don't get me started on driving! No wonder all those immigrants where I'm from walk!!!!

So now I finally get to what the post was suppose to be all about to begin with! It's Corn Niblet's Birthday party soon, and I have been trying to find presents. My children don't watch TV, or live in this century evidently, so they have absolutely NO idea what they want for their birthdays, Christmas, any gift getting event! I was able to suggest roller skates, since her older sister has a pair. But now....I'm screwed!

I was at the BX, so I took a look where skates might be..."oh look, 4 pairs of the same boy's skate in adjustable size 6-10" well that won't do.

So then I went out on the economy to the nearest sports store..."yes we have only 4 in row (hear as inline skates), yes we have her size and they cost 99,95 Euro" (hear that as like $150ish!!!), thanks, but no thanks! The J man would KILL me!

Then I tried ebay...they wouldn't let me buy any, but I couldn't understand why (not being able to read German and all, I did get please, no, or can't or some negative word like that). I was just about ready to spend my day off work going from 1 village to the next looking for skates, when an ebay seller answered my size question about his skates, and low and behold I was able to purchase them! He must have hit some magic i will sell to her button! (Now I'm wondering if they are actually gonna get sent to my German address, or if the new tenants back in the US are gonna get some new skates!?)

You just take for granted that you know where to go to buy the things you want! That's an important part of life I tell you!

Now, if I can just get the dollar to go up so my euro purchases don't put us in the poor house!!!! Buy those stocks and bonds people.....I got a family to feed and clothe!!!!