Slow Starts, Laundry, and Conditioner (that is smaller than the matching shampoo)

Hello folks,

I am writing to you this evening from the comfort of my own cozy room *shuts window because it is currently 55 degrees outside!!*

Had a slow start this morning. I think I turned off my alarm in my sleep. So I got up at 8:40, and had planned to get the bus at 9:25, but didn't factor in my morning routine at ALL... so long story short I miss the bus at 10:25 and had to wait till 10:55, putting me at the Ordnungsamt at 11:00am. An hour before it closed. There were only people in there waiting for the person I needed to see, of course, and I waited an hour until the place closed and the line had barely moved, in which case the other people who worked there tried to take some of the work load. So I never got to see the person I needed to see, but I got my residence permit...50 euros later. I have to come back in March to renew it, because Jody at the University only gave us the confirmation until March, even though he also made one for the summer semester as well. He must have forgotten... but, because of this, I have to go back in March to renew and pay 30E more, whereas if he had NOT forgotten, I'd only have to pay that first 50E and not come back. Damn. I'll say it, DAMN. Ticks me off.

BUT, as I discussed with my Walk Club team members today, I did not save 13 of my 20 years to be a miser of the money... I saved to do something plum awesome. And this is it. I saved for all such mishaps, emergencies, splurges, living expenses, gifts to send home to Mom and Pop and Sissy, and maybe even Christmas decorations. Not to be stingy or complaining about where my money goes. Certainly one must be smart about it, but not to the point of being angry about something one cannot change!... For example, I can't change that Jody made that mistake, and Koblenz won't give me a break, I'm sure of it. Germans just aren't like that.


So after the Ordnungsamt I went to the "mall" which is called the Loehr Center. I caught the bus perfect timing, the next one was gonna come in like 30 minutes. That would've been lame. I went to Globus, the biggest store in town besides IKEA, and looked around. I found paper holder thing that I'd been looking for for about $1.50 and a super duper deal on Schwarzkopf shampoo and conditioner... instead of 1,45 at dm Markt and other places, it was only 77 cents each, 12c more than the dm store brand AND 100 ml more per bottle. What irks me about German shampoo and conditioner is that there is always at least 100ml less in the conditioner bottle than in the shampoo. WHY??! Ha ha... I just washed my hair twice with the new shampoo today for kicks, that way I don't run out of conditioner faster. I could just use less conditioner, I guess... lol

I went home and worked out, today's walks were the WATP Express 3 Mile Advanced Walk + 1 Mile Booster... it was awesome! I used the stretchie band + the water weights for an extra boost and some strength training. Then I made the BEST lunch ever. I don't know why I don't have this much luck making my own food at home in Florida, lol. I had stopped by the bakery on the way home and got a poppy seed roll... I spread low fat buttery spread stuff (ALDI!) and some garlic powder on one side, added some chicken, leftover tomato sauce, and low fat cheese (ALDI!) and microwaved it... it was the most delicious sandwich I have ever eaten!

After my (much needed) shower, I took my clothes to the laundry room upstairs... forgot the detergent, so I had to come back, lol. I changed the language on the machine just to be safe, lol. I followed the directions and started the laundry. The cycle lasts 58 minutes, soooo long. It was clean when I came back, needless to say, and it smells sooo nice now in my room, like clean laundry! I hung it on my new laundry rack. Love that thing! I only have to use it 5 times to make it worth my 5 euros spent = those 5 euros were saved NOT paying to use the dryer :-)

I organized all my papers with paper clips and put them in the new paper tray. Looks nice and neat in here now! Maybe I'll take some pictures...

Tomorrow I will ride my bike or walk someplace. It's my day off from rigorous exercise, but I just want to stay active. Tomorrow I am also set to go to the carnival with Sonja. She is in Venice until tomorrow morning, but then she'll get in touch to let me know when we're going. I'm excited!!

Anyway that's the news, thanks for tuning in.


Caitlin