Cheryl on the Web

Signs I am integrating into German culture, that is.

1. Can tell you about the most ridiculous contestants on the German Idols (Deutschland Sucht den Superstar) TV-show from last week.
2. Didn’t break out in tears of culture-shock frustration on Sunday even though the stores were closed and we desperately needed light bulbs for our new lamp.
3. Know more about the status of the Hessen provincial elections than the US primaries.
4. Decided to watch Tim play Wii Chess but secretly missed watching my Monday-night CSI show in German.
5. Expect to get my new German drivers license this week, which will mean relinquishing my only piece of Dutch legal identity.
6. Can no longer touch type on a US keyboard because the keys aren’t in the same place as the German keyboard at the office.
7. Can get a Milchhörnchen (”milk horn” croissant) from the baker without having to re-pronounce the word at least three times.
8. Took a walk after lunch two workdays in a row without feeling guilty.
9. No longer start sweating at the sight of all my favorite software on my work computer being entirely in German.
10. Have bought and eaten 3 loaves of German bread in the last week, the authenticity of which was proven by the weight: 1000g (2.2lb) per loaf.

No, I’m not in a particularly morbid mood, I’m just 1 1/2 hours into my Friday night relaxation and watching a program on BBC titled “50 Things to Do Before You Die”. (more…)

1. The subscription will cost you more than the phone is worth
2. 80% of the features will not prove practical or useful
3. The remaining 20% of the features are not worth the price you paid
4. Really useful phones that provide TV or a keyboard don’t fit in your purse, let alone your pocket
5. Youthful flexibility and mobility is seriously hampered by 2-year phone subscriptions
6. As part of that promotion you’ll undoubtedly get this year, you’ll get a new phone from your employer for free
7. Everyone will be jealous of you until they all have newer phones, after which you’ll regret your purchase for the next 1 year and 11 months
8. I’ll bet you can’t name 5 things your new phone gives you that your old one couldn’t
9. A new phone is more expensive to replace than an old one
10. The time you take to learn how best to maneuver the menus is directly proportional to your age - do you really want to be confronted with that reality?