As homesickness sets in...

I'm beginning to be ready to go home. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE it here, but I'm ready to hear and read English again. German rules the world around me and I can't understand it at all. It's exhausting. I'm just about ready to be back at home with my mommy eating Mexican food and watching mindless American television. Plus I miss all my friends and of course my dear sweet babies. I still have some awesome things to see (Dachau, Neuswanstein, etc.) but I must admit - I'm rather glad the trip is drawing to an end. It's been a good trip; it's been a long trip; and it's almost over.....I will definitely miss the shopping! Haha seriously though, the shopping here is AMAZING! I will be sad to have it come to and end. Oh well...I think the trade off is equal. Anyway, I miss everyone and I can't wait to see you all again!

Some random European things...

So I'm sure I'll have to update this blog as the trip goes on but here are a few things that are just random about Europe!

1) I watched the A-team this morning - yes the A-team complete with Mr. T and everything - and what entertains me the most is the simple fact that the Germans don't seem to notice that the words don't line up with the mouth AT ALL!! I felt like I was watching a bad Chinese Godzilla movie. You know, where the words go and then the mouth moves. Haha, it wasn't quite that bad but it was enough for me to notice it. I mentioned it to my cousin and she said "It doesn't? Hmm. I never noticed." Haha

2) The lightswitches are completely retarded. First of all, it's apparently building code for the dumb things to be outside the room. Who puts the lightswitch to the bathroom outside? What is the point of that? Do you know how many times I've stumbled around in the dark attempting to find the light before remembering it's outside the room? Too many to count. Secondly, they are backwards. In Europe the lightswitch goes up to turn off the light and down to turn it on. Don't ask me why, it's just the way it is. Finally, the lightswitches are all abnormally low. Like waist high! This also makes it fun when I'm fumbling around for the switch. Good gravy!

3) The doorknobs are ridiculously high! They're like where the lightswitches are supposed to be. I run into them alot. Plus, most of the doorknobs don't turn. You have to put a key in and turn it to undo the latch. It's the craziest/dumbest thing ever! I am quite inefficient at it. It takes a good 5 minutes to figure it out. Let's pray there's not a fire!

4) For the first time in my entire life I offended someone by saying "yes ma'am." Apparently it is supremely formal and implies to people that you don't consider them close to you. Ergo, I offended Elfi (my Aunt Patricia's mother) by saying "yes ma'am" when asked if I wanted some water. She mocked me for a bit and when I asked Uncle Shaun "why" later, he explained the reason. So in Europe it's apparently polite to be rude! I feel like I live in opposite land, what with the lightswitches and everything. Goodness. So now I say "yes m.....mmmmmmmm these pancakes are delicious1" alot. Haha.

So those are just some random dumb things about Europe that you wouldn't really learn unless you were here. I'm sure there will be more before it's all said and done. Enjoy!

Finally an update!

Okay, so I have finally have a good Internet connection and time to update my blog. I am in Germany now after spending 3 glorious weeks in Ametlla, a little town an hour and half south of Barcelona! The villa was absolutely amazing. Pictures really do not do it justice. Time at the villa generally consisted of swimming in the pool, going to Afrika (yes I spelled that way on purpose - it's the German way), and just relaxing in the sun. Afrika is what we call a little island beach area. It's a good hike to and from it but completely worth it. I am a nice golden brown all over. Hopefully it will last until I return home. If not, oh well I suppose. We also went to Tarragona and looked at the Roman leftovers. It was pretty cool. The best part of Ametlla though was going to the Castle of Miravet. It had a beautiful view and I came to the conclusion that I wanted a castle. Haha. I better get writing if I think I'm ever gonna have one.

Mom and I spent 4 days in Barcelona before she returned home. It was super fun! We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe and took a tour around the city, by day and by night. They had these amazing dancing fountains there called "the Magic Fountains." There were comparable to the Bellagio Fountains. I was seriously mesmerized by them. They weren't cooler than the Bellagio, just different. I think the Fountains were my favorite part of Barcelona. The whole experience though was amazing. I found myself attempting to memorize every detail of every moment. It was so fantastic and if I had only gotten to do that I would have been extremely grateful.

However, I get to go to Germany as well. I'm here now and we went shopping today. It was fun, difficult but fun. My cousin, Sabrina, is a wonderful guide and interpreter. I had a good time pretending to understand what salesclerks were saying. Haha. We're headed to Salzburg tomorrow for the day. I'm hoping it will be an interesting experience. The German countryside is beautiful. I love it! It rained all day and was actually rather cold. I wasn't expecting cold but managed fairly well. It's supposed to be pretty summer weather for the next couple of days.

I miss all of you very, very, VERY much! I'll try and post some pictures on my facebook. I'll also attempt to update my blog more often and add some more details about stuff. I know this post is rather vague but there's just too much to post right now. Love to everyone!!!!!!!

And so it begins....

So in a little less than 2 hours I'm leaving for Houston where on Sunday afternoon I will board the plane to begin my excursion in Europe!! I can't decide if I'm nervous or excited, but my stomach is fluttering like butterflies on the first day of spring. I'll miss all my family, friends and babies! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAY! Sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you. :( I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of summer. I love you all!!!!!!!

Deep breath.............then take the plunge!