I’ve been remiss in my blogging duties but you’ll forgive me as I just moved into my new flat and I still don’t have Internet service at home. There have been a few rough patches since I moved in but my shipment from the U.S. is supposed to arrive some time this week and I’m looking forward to unpacking and settling in. Despite the fact that the flat is partially furnished, I still foresee many an IKEA trip in my near future. These are the times when you long for a friend with a car or large truck. Mental note: make friends with someone who owns a vehicle. I’m looking forward to having my first guests!

My neighborhood is pretty cool with lots of bars and shops. I haven’t had the chance to fully explore but I will soon. It takes me about 15 minutes to walk to work. WALK TO WORK!!!! Amazing. When I get a bike, I’ll be able to shave that in half, assuming I don’t crash several times on the way each day.

Friday night I had dinner with a group of my American friends at a really great restaurant called Klassz. After two bottles of wine, and some experimentation with the water jug, we decided to form a band called The Sweet Exactlys (don’t steal the name b/c it is awesome). I’m on vocals and jug; Anne is on washboard; Theo plays the triangle and spoons; Stephen chose the mouth harp. Good times! We’re no Emmett Otter’s Jugband, but we try.

On Sunday evening my friend Anne (a fellow Buckeye!) made me a yummy dinner and we watched some American TV. She is fostering the cutest dog named Carrot. Speaking of dogs, a co-worker recently told me that some local Budapest politicians have actually run on anti-dog shit platforms. Seriously, watch where you step when you come visit me.

Tonight I ventured to the Mammut (“Mammoth” and it lives up to its name, complete with McDonald’s and T.G.I. Fridays) to get a fan so I can try to block out my rude-ass neighbor who feels he needs to listen to his TV at full blast night and day. I foresee some awesome and pointless arguments in our future during which each of us are screaming in our native languages to no avail. I will, of course, end the argument with “Don’t make me call the embassy!” America, fuck yeah!!!

We have the Monday after Easter off so I decided to go back to Munich for another visit. This time I’ll be flying but I’ll probably sing some Sound of Music on the way anyway. Speaking of (this will only appeal to true SOM nerds), after seeing a sign the other day that reminded me of the movie, I was mentally naming the seven von Trapp kids but I couldn’t remember one of the two boys. Turns out it was Kurt – the very same one Maria forgets during the scene when she’s praying aloud for each of them. Maria and I are kindred spirits. On that pathetic note…

C