India's first trip to Germany

Two weekends ago, India took her first trip to Germany. Rach, Elena, Jak and I decided to go with her.
It was wonderful to finally take her and show her off to the people that have been such a part of our lives for so long.
I think that, unfortunately, when people move away from a special place in their lives, they eventually lose most or all contact to the people that made that time in their lives so special. I left Herzo in 2003, when I moved to Portland. Over six years later, I am still lucky enough to have a core group of friends, ones that are friends of both Rach and I.
Four of the families that we spent time with this trip were at Rach and my wedding. They all made that commitment to us, and it is not coincidental that they are still such a part of our lives today. Interestingly, Peter, Martina and Jerry have actually become better friends of ours since I left Germany. They came over to England at the end the summer and we have a really good evening together. They returned the favour and Martina cooked a fabulous "Frankish" meal that even the pickiest of eaters, aka Jak enjoyed!
We also squeezed in a visit to the Christmas market in Nuremberg and got Lebkuchen for Mom back in Houston.
Tom, what can I say, you are a fabulous father and your house is about as warm as life gets, in spite of you being the ultimate cynic.
Thomas, breakfast at your place is starting to be a habit. Anne is gorgeous and Kaspar is going to be multilingual genius!
Happy Holidays to all, I am off to the airport to pick up Sebi, he is spending Xmas with us.

India and Dixieland Jazz dancing in Prague

Rach, India and I spent a few days in Prague and got lucky with the weather. Not so lucky with our camera getting stolen.
Highlight of the trip was this video of India enjoying the Dixieland Jazz in the Main Square.

Don't even ask about having your wife taken to an emergency room in Prague at 4 in the morning. Rach had an allergic reaction to something she ate and spent a couple of hours in the emergency room in Prague.
Upon our return to the UK yesterday, she had a further allergic reaction and we spent from 4 am until 9 am in the emergency room here in Oxford!

What a week!

India turns 2, part 2

Two more videos now up.

The first one if from her birthday party, with singing and more opening of presents. The last one is my favourite, bedtime stories. India loves her bedtime stories and after listening to them a few times, she learns the story and can read it herself. Not sure that she knows what "parsley" is, but she can read it in Peter Rabbit.

India turns 2!

Today is October 3, 2009, India's 2nd birthday.

Amazing that it has already been two years. Here is a video of her opening some presents and here she is waking up a bit grumpily on her big day.

Next videos are of her party. Those will follow tomorrow.

For the first time, she truly has grasped the concept of birthdays and presents and cards. For her last present at the end of the day, a friend came over and handed India a card and a present. She opened the card and said "Happy Birthday India" as though she was reading the card. What a fabulous moment.

Pictures will follow, for now only videos.

Tom Kennedy's Dream has come TRUE!

Back in my adidas days, my American colleague Tom Kennedy hated two things: trips to France and French people coming to Germany for meetings. It was nothing against the French, it was all about the kissing. He hated (and I am sure still does today) the greetings that involved people placing their hands on him and their lips on his face. Lets say he was known to get out of a planned trip to France if certain colleagues were scheduled to be a part of the meeting.

Why do I bring this all up now?

Tom, there is great news, KISSING HAS BEEN BANNED IN FRANCE! . Looks like now you only have to worry about visitors from France who might be missing it when they make their way to Herzo!

Layers - like an Onion

Will not mention names on this one, but got an email from a friend from my adidas days that he is moving to the UK. Basically, it was like this, "Hey Alex, moving to the UK later this year. Hope we can hook up." WHAT???? I have known him for over 10 years and that is the message I get.
So, I sent one back saying, "No, there is more here. Come on, spit it out!"

Finally, the layers of the onion began to peel. Ex-girlfriend from this side of the pond. Last saw each other ten years ago. He met the wrong person shortly thereafter and got married. Now divorced. Found ex-girlfriend (lets guess Facebook?, telephone?, etc?).
She comes out for a visit (I am sure she was "just in the neighborhood") and there were "no expectations" "just old friends catching up for a drink." Also sure that neither one of them was nervous at all!
Well, completely to the surprise of both of them (imagine the shock!), they fell in love all over again!
Sorry, but that is as much of the story as I am allowed to tell. Trust me, there is lots more. I have yet to peel the whole onion myself, but have peeled enough to be crying. I have only given you the first layer here!
Safe to say, I will "bump into him" when he moves over. I may "drop into the conversation" a question about his girlfriend.
Or I might just pick up the phone and force the whole story out of him right now!
He is a really good guy who deserves true love.
Just when you think life is simple......

A 42 year old tries to camp

Yes, I am going to attempt to go camping with the family this weekend. I have never been camping, at least not as long as my memory serves me at this point. Rach has a bit more experience than I do. Jak is hopefully going to be our saviour, as he has lots of experience and is our expert.
When we first booked it, way back when, camping at the end of August right on the beach for 2-3 nights seemed like a good way to test it and see if we would enjoy it. Now that we have been through the hassle of buying everything, attempting to put it together, realised that it will be a miracle if it all fits in the car with the five of us, AND been forced to accept that the weather conditions are going to be in the 50's fahrenheit and raining, reality is starting to set in!
We are going with three other families in the village, who (of course) all have extensive camping experience.
We can all guess how this story will end. I will be so kind as to let you know. Back on Sunday.

The Missing Bike Blog

About three weeks ago, I started a new blog about my experience with DHL, here is that blog. Amazingly, it already has over 300 hits so far. I might have helped that out by sending it to DHL offices in several countries.

Anyway, have a read, great story!

Jak and bicycle saga

Here is the link to a blog I have started to release my anger with DHL.

Jak's birthday is Wednesday and we had a bike coming.

Looks like DHL is doing all they can to ruin his birthday.

4th of July, British Style

This year the 4th of July was a truly interesting one.
After a day of shopping, I set the video camera on the table and let it run while India sat in her high chair. The next couple of minutes turned out to be some of the best ever! Here is India asking for her Aunt Gaby and her Omi. Here she shows off her spelling and counting skills and finally here she lets you know her true priorities, her Mom and Cheese!
Rach and I had that truly rarest of rare treats, a night out without kids. Some friends in the village invited us around. They even decorated the table with American flags! The weather was great, the food fantastic and the company was brilliant. And to top it off, we walked there, so no worries about who was driving!
Weather has been great for the past week, so that makes us very nervous. We always expect the worst from weather in the UK!
Next 17 days will be hectic. Rach's birthday is the 16th, last day of school is the 17th, Jak's birthday is the 22nd and then we fly out on the 23rd!

A heat wave in the UK and a new family movie

We are enjoying a rare sustained heat wave in the UK, which means more than one day of sunshine and heat. I guess it is time to get that Air Con fixed!
Here is a link to a new family movie. Rach and kids are having a water hose fight at Rach's parent's house.
We are just 3 weeks away from a well deserved family trip!
Tom Kennedy finally makes it to the UK on July 10th. Seeing him in London for a meal and a drink.
Otherwise, lots to do, as Gaby and Luis arrive in the UK the day after we get back from Santorini.
India is growing so fast, singing complete four line songs, on the path to being potty trained and moving about at lightning speed.
Jak has The Twelfth Night as his school play. He has already learned all his lines. Amazing that a year 5 child can learn Shakespeare! It is this Friday. Video to follow, of course!
Finally found Catch 22 on audiobook and am listening to it now. I think every other American person read it in school. Not sure what happened, but I never did!

New India Video

Have just posted a video of India with Rach and grandma and grandad building a tower at home.
Amazing that she can already do this at 20 months, but the funny bit near the end is something you can't script!

Children's Views on Love and Marriage (I couldn't resist posting this!)

Rach sent me this today, it is fabulous. We all had a good laugh in the office.

The humour lies in the truth!

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (Written by kids)

(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
- Alan, age 10

(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10

(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

(1) Both don't want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

(1) I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
(1) When they're rich. (wise child)
- Pam, age 7

(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7

(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

(1) It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

(1) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favourite is........


HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

(1) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
- Ricky, age 10

I'm back

It has been almost two months since i last posted. I have never posted so frequently as I did during the time that Carmine was sick and then passed away. Posting so often during that time makes posting over "day to day" type stuff quite meaningless. Or so I thought. Then I realised that my family is part of that "day to day" stuff. In the last two months lots has happened with us, so here goes.
FOOTBALL
I went back to Germany in late April and spent some time in Herzo and at an American Football tournament in near Frankfurt. Saw Tom Kennedy, Schaiky, Peter, Martin and Frank. Then spent the night at Joe's, saw Rita and Joe, Bobby, Nicole and their kids. It was a quick but good trip. Sebastian had to work over the weekend, so he couldn't come to the tournament.
OUR KIDS
India is now 20 months old, here is a new video, very short, that I shot and edited today. I would tell you how she has changed over the last two months, but each day deserves a paragraph of its own. Every day, she sings a new song, brings out a new sentence, and the list goes on.
I will be filming all three of the kids in the next week. Jak is about to take a really important keyboard test that could see him being rewarded for his talent. He has already been singled out at school for his academic and musical talent to be fast tracked.
Elena went home to see her mother over the last school break at the end of May. She is doing better both at home and at school.
Sebastian went into the hospital this morning with kidney stones. He was there for for about 5 hours before being sent home. They are hoping he will pass them. Anyone who has been through the process knows that is a double edged sword as both optinos are painful!
RACH
Rach and I spent a few childless days at the end of May and it reminded us how much we need that time. Only 17 more years to wait until we are on our own again!
MOM IN HOUSTON
I went back to Houston for just over a week as Mom had another foot surgery. I got the easy part, after Mike, Susan and Katrina had her just after the surgery. By the time I got there, she was quite mobile and on the road to recovery. Yesterday, she finally got the cast off and now has a walking boot on the foot. It was a reconstructive surgery, so they have to teach her foot how to walk again, as all of the muscles and tendons are in places they don't belong. It will be a long, difficult road to recovery. I think it will be a lot longer than she thinks before she walks again. I know how difficult that is going to be on Mom, particularly as she lives alone in an apartment on the second floor without an elevator!
THE FUTURE
Now looking ahead, Gaby and Luis are coming back to see us early to mid August! Gaby and Luis arrive in the UK a day after our family gets back from Santorini from our summer holiday. Two weeks of blazing sun and black beaches. Rach's parents are having their 70th birthday party two days after we get back and it looks like there will be a few surprise visitors!
On a final note, Rach and I thought about going away one of the next two weekends and one of the places we looked was Rome. Went to www.lastminute.com and looked for a flight and hotel. The hotel they offered was Trilussa, the name of Carmine's restaurant in Bonn. I had never heard that name before then and this is the only other connection to the name I have ever seen. You never stop thinking about the people who pass on, you just alternate between sadness they are gone and quick smiles when the good old days enter your mind.

Houston (wrote this post over a month ago!)

I am in Houston right now, as my mother has had her third foot surgery in just over a year. I am here for just over a week.
My brother had her at his house for over two weeks (during which time she had an ice pump hooked up to her foot that had to be changed every three hours!).
The trip to my brother, his wife and daughter's house has definitely been the silver lining of mom's illness. She will cherish those two weeks forever. And Katrina, everyone that ever steps into mom's house has now seen every picture of you that she has!
I have made some interesting obversations on this trip.

1) Mother's Day was last Sunday. On that morning, I went into Walgreens (Kennedy, it is a pharmacy like Henkel, so that your German self will have a frame of reference) to get some lightbulbs. As I walked past the greeting cards row at 10 am, there were 12 men searching frantically through the Mother's Day cards.

2) Watched the 2nd half of the Rockets game at a pub next door to my mothers house. During the first timeout, the couple in their 60's next to me both pulled out their blackberries and began texting or emailing. Not a sound to each other, but frantically typing. They finished typing just as the timeout was over and the game resumed.

3) Best part of the trip was when Rach sent me 18 pictures of the family over the weekend. Great to be 5,000 miles away and see what your family is up to over the weekend before the weekend is even over! Here are a couple of those pictures.











Worst part of the trip has been seeing my sisters husband, now in his late fifties. His 17 year old son is in prison, his own health has detoriorated to the point that he cannot walk any more, and late last December, his house was robbed. He was in it, along with his twin 13-year-old boys. They all had guns placed at the back of their head while all of their valuables were stolen.