All Right All Ready

I'm sure taking some heat for not blogging for a couple of days...so here goes!!!

Craig has been exceptionally busy this week with a vendor in from the U.K. He even missed a work out for the first time in forever!

Yesterday I went to a meeting of a group called the International Friends of Wroclaw. It is about 127 families strong and provides a network for ex-pats living in Wroclaw. You can find out more about then by Goggling them. Every Wednesday they have a meet and greet for members. I've now met many other woman - from all over the world - who are living in Wroclaw. During the meeting I was basically shamed into gathering the courage to ride a tram. One lady actually gave me a ticket so I can bring it with me to the kiosk and only have to ask for how many I want!! To make it potentially more interesting papier is paper and paperios is cigarettes and since the only items you can purchase at the kiosks are tickets, magazines (both made of paper) or cigarettes I woud hate to think I just bought 40 packs of cigarettes!! Frankly, there is so much within walking distance I haven't had a big need to venture on the tram; however, I don't want to be only 1 of 2 people in Wroclaw who haven't riden the dang thing (Craig is the other)! I plan on riding random trams Friday, jotting down the route number and places I may want to get to on each route. When the tram reaches the end of the line I will get off and wait for the return trip! Today I began my preparation by checking route numbers at each tram stop between our apartment and the Square. I wouldn't call myself cocky yet, but I think I may actually be able to get on and off the tram. I'll have to take special note how people indicate they want to get off. I will also be sure I'm not the first person boarding so I can watch how they work the ticket machine!

Now, back to the International Friends of Wroclaw...as you might guess I've already volunteered for several events. They are holding a Thanksgiving gathering where they've asked American members to bring something from a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to pass. Since I've yet to see canned pumpkin or Pet Ritz ready made pie crusts I opted to make sweet potatoe casserole. Now I hope I can get my hands on the recipe!!! I've already got Erica hunting it down for me! After the first of the year I hope to hold a card-making class for other members. If there is enough interest I will purchase all the materials I need during our trip home at Christmas. I still haven't gotten the mess of stamps organized but they are now spread out on the office floor in categories!!! Baby steps....but steps in the right direction anyway!!

Craig and I start our joint Polish lessons next week. Ought to be interesting since our styles are a bit different!! Any bets on how soon we start individual lessons again?????

Oliver has discovered the pure joy of chasing pigeons on the Square. Definitely wears him out. He has been great. I think he has finally figured out this is home and that I'm not leaving him. Whew....

Funny how we miss local news, regular TV programming and various other events that bring structure to a day. It's great having TV as a diversion but that is about all it is. We've watched several old Woody Allen movies but Craig still hasn't suffered through the "Bewitched" movie, "You, Me and Dupree", "Confessions of an American Bride" and a "Lassie" rerun. I have found some reasonable facisimiles to "The Learning Channel" but they'll never replace home programming! I'm finding it much more relaxing to listen to CDs. I just have to figure out that bedtime is at 22:30 and not after the 10:00 news!!!

For those of you asking...Wroclaw is seven hours ahead of Minnesota time. So when I get up in the morning to check my e-mails I am typically disappointed since you are all still snuggled up in bed. In fact, Wednesday morning when I wanted to see who got booted from "Dancing with the Stars" the site wasn't updated because it was still being viewed in Hawaii!!!

CORRECTION: I was told you get your zloty back when you return the shopping cart at Auchan!!! I guess that makes me feel a little better! FYI: Craig set off the car alarm again at the grocery store last night. He was much more adept at turning it off this time!

I will update with my tram adventures - I guarantee something exciting - you all know me!