24.2.2012 von Elise.

I wasn’t really happy with my last job in an office, working for
the export department of a pharmaceutical wholesaler.
It’d sounded pretty exciting in the beginning, but it turned out kind of boring
and some rules and regulations in this company were a deal breaker too.
So, I decided to get a new job, since I’d missed working with people one-on-one anyway.

My job there was basically working 8 hours in front of a computer
and writing E-Mails with people around the world.
I guess the urge to go back in the pharmacy, where I can
actually interact with customers wasn’t a big surprise.

So, I went on a specific website, where I put an ad that I’m looking for a job.
I’d received a lot of calls and E-Mails and arranged a couple of job interviews.
What I really like about job interviews are the bargain
and how the potential employers try to sell themselves.

I always prepare some questions, but I’ve learned
it’s more important to listen carefully what they tell you.
One lady for example was so talkative, that I’d got informations
that aren’t helpful to get a good impression of her.
She told me that the staff is changing a lot and that she’d been
a former employee before she became the owner.
Actually, the whole staff wanted to leave when she bought the pharmacy.
My first idea was: “Girl, what’s wrong with you?”

And moments later there was a big elephant in the room.
She asked me: “Your not planning to get pregnant tomorrow, right?”
I said: “No, not tomorrow.”
She didn’t like the answer and said: “I know I’m not allowed to ask this question,
but I ask it anyway…” so she looked on my resume and said:
“since you are haven’t much time left to have kids, because of your age.”

Guess my first thought… DAMN BIAAAATCH.
But I said: “Yes, you’re not allowed to ask this question, so that’s why I’m not answering it.”
I’d tried not to smile, because her head turned deep red after my response.

You can imagine, that she is not my future boss.

No, I’ve found a very nice and modern pharmacy with very nice and happy co-worker.
I’m going to have longer work hours 3 days a week,
but there is a nice catch…I’m off 1.5 days/week.
Can’t wait to start my old/new assignment. Wish me luck guys.

Here are some nice winter impressions taken in our backyard.

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13.1.2012 von Elise.

Yes, we know it has been very quiet the last couple of weeks.
But our full time jobs and decorating the house takes all the time.
We’re still trying to adjust…it’s still rough sometimes, especially the Wednesdays drive us nuts,
since we haven’t had the time yet to find a Line Dance group.

Believe us it’s one of our top priorities.

Another thing is the hunt after US-TV Shows.
Honestly, the German TV program sucks most of the time.
It looks like the program hasn’t changed at all the last 4 years.
I remember people telling us, that US TV isn’t really “Einstein material”,
but seriously German TV doesn’t get a Nobel price either.

Here you find Casting shows after Casting shows, Court shows and
of course Reality TV Shows and Soaps.
But guess what, there are also Crime shows, Sitcoms and
Comedy shows you can think of from the US.
The problem is, we can’t watch it since it’s synchronized in German….yack. Can’t stand it.

Lucky us, some cable channels show for example “Two and Half Man”
or “Pawn Stars” in English with no subtitles.
Even “Ice Road Truckers” and “Drop Dead Diva” are options to watch in English.

Unfortunately, we can’t get the Food Network Channel…what really sucks.
We’ve found Chef Ann Burrell on one channel, but synchronized to German.   
One of our favorites in the US has been “Parenthood”, “Castle” and “Body of Proof”.
And we would love to see “Chopped”, “(Next) Iron Chef America”, “Next Food Network Star”
and for sure “Man vs. Food”.
I, personally, miss one of the greatest guys ever…Mr. Tim Gunn.
So, please German TV, do me a favor…MAKE IT WORK!!!!  

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26.12.2011 von NBK1971.

A year ago I realized I’m kinda addicted to PS3 and Computer games.

See: http://naturalbornkieler.info/2011/04/18/ps3-addiction/

A year later as of today I can tell I’m sober.

Yes, I had a relapse in the middle of the year.
I’ve found an old friend, a game I’ve missed if not lost for many years.
Sid Meyers Pirates ready for the iPad.
Good for me that I realized that this game had more magic in it when I was 15.
Now it is just boring and repetitive and I was able to delete it a couple of days later.

Do I miss my PS3? Not at all.

As mentioned in the article above I sleep better and I’m less aggressive.
I started writing for myself, working on smaller projects
which gives me more satisfaction as a killed pixel dude on TV.
Taking pictures, playing my guitar, reading good books, getting tattooed,
becoming a volunteer — things like that make me happy and satisfied.

Thought you might be interested; that or if I made it through.

Merry Christmas y’all.

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1.12.2011 von Elise.

Our first Thanksgiving in Germany and we wanted to have it
very special as it always has been in the US.

The plan was a nice Turkey, Cranberry sauce,
Mashed potatos and Collard Greens.

A couple of days before Thanksgiving,
we’d tried to find a grocery store or butcher
where we could buy a turkey.   
What should I say…we didn’t find one.

Back in the US we bought a nice big roasting pan,
perfect for a turkey. But we’d forgot one little thing…
the ovens here in Germany are half the size compared to the US ovens.
Damn, that means a turkey and our nice roasting pan don’t fit either.

So, we’d decided to make a whole chicken after a recipe
from chef Anne Burrell - Lemon Rosemary Chicken- and it was soooo yummy.
We had to skip the side dishes, because the whole preparation and cooking
process took a while.
It’s not a good idea to start cooking at 6pm when the chicken is still frozen.

So, we had a late and simple Thanksgiving dinner (@10pm).
But the most important thing was, to celebrate the American tradition
and have a delicious meal…
Next year we try to make a turkey, since a friend of us has given us a hint
where to get one in the Munich area. (but they are still alive, when you buy them.
Reminds me a little bit of South Park Thanksgiviing special.)

We hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving as well.

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1.11.2011 von Elise.

Our first Halloween in Germany and of course different to the US.
But what is the difference exactly?
The difference is - 0 - kids at our door.
No “Trick or Treat” or as we say in Germany: “Suesses oder Saures”

When we came home yesterday, we saw some kids in costumes and lanterns.
But nobody really opened the door and the kids seemed a little bit intimidated
to ask the neighbors for candy. I’d told NBK that Halloween in Germany sucks.
And we really felt sorry for the kids.

When NBK and I went shopping last saturday, we’d seen a big sign in a department store:
“Please visit our big Halloween market on Level 1.”
And I said: “Hi, cool let’s see the Halloween market.”

Yeah, what can I say…I’ve almost overlooked it, because it was so small.
A few costumes, mostly witches and devils and some really unrealistic spiders.
The worst costume was a butcher with fake blood (the blood was too bright) and
a fake axe in the chest, who really looked pathetic.
I said: “What the f*** is that? They should see Halloween Express in Greenville,SC.
That is great stuff for Halloween. Not this sh**. Even Walmart has a better variety of creepy goods.”

I’ve always loved to go to Halloween Express in Greenville,SC.
People can be very sick, when it comes to creepy stuff and
they have great ideas for costumes and decorations.
Even when I watch Shows on TV like “Home Impovement”,
the Halloween episodes are always my favorites.

So hopefully in the next years, Germany step it up a notch.

Movie “Wheelchair guy” at Halloween Express (~ 9.5MB)

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