Nov 29, 2011

Movember


It's that time of year once again, when bullet-point summaries become necessities. Here's everything you might or might not want to know about the goings-on here in November:

  • They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in The Netherlands, but don't worry, they have their own calorie-dense, racially-charged festivities going on right now, so we're good. Sinter Klaas has arrived, and if you follow the link, you'll find out why this Thanksgiving I was especially thankful for David Sedaris. But really, who isn't? 
 
Putting their boots in front of the radiator. Hey kids, try not to think about getting
 stuffed in a sack and taken to Spain. I'm sure you've been good this year, right?  
  • My husband has been participating in Movember, bless his mustachioed heart. Only 2 more days until we can go out with him in public again. We tolerate it because it's for a good cause. Just let me know what disease or issue needs awareness-raising by me not shaving my legs for a month, and I'll be sure to sign up. Oh right, it's called winter. 
 
  • I really miss eavesdropping. I did not anticipate this. What's more, it's not fair; most people here speak English, and can therefore eavesdrop on us all they like while we're in public. For example, passersby would have had the pleasure of overhearing this conversation I had with Mia while walking to the bus stop recently: "Mom, has anybody ever eaten a chicken penis?" (Short pause while I try to recall everything I've ever learned about poultry genitalia, which is exactly nothing.) "Um, I honestly have no idea, but my guess is that somewhere in the world, on some reality show, somebody has, yes." "Eeeewwww, I would rather die than eat a chicken penis!" "Well, you might want to avoid chicken McNuggets then." Eavesdropping, don't take it for granted.
  • I love the radiator/towel warmer in our bathroom. It's officially made my list of things I know I don't really actually need, but I tell myself I really actually need. 
  • On November 11th, 2011 at 11:11 AM, I was here: 

 
Hamburg, Germany. It was cool. 
  • I've made some friends. We greet each other with the customary 3 kisses on the cheek, and I try to act like it's totally normal. Hello! Oh, going in for a hug- wait, no, kiss on the cheek, OK- oh, once more, no two more- are we done? I think we're done now- Awkward. 
  • This was my birthday present. I've only ran into a couple of things so far. 
 
It's the mini-van of bikes.
  •  Do you remember my piano? Well, here's the before:
 

And here's the after:
 

The lighting doesn't make it quite as dramatic as it could be, but it is now distressed Canary Yellow. Thanks to my talented friend Andrea! (And if you are in my family, you might be shocked interested to know that it has been tuned.) 

  • Was the word mustachioed your favorite part of this post? Mine too. 







3 comments:

Gabriela Hull said...

Love it! Does your bike come with seatbelts?

John said...

Did you fix the chipped keys on the piano? The ones I smashed with a hammer when I was Nate's age?

Kirstin said...

Oh, Donna, I love your blog!