Dom Sweet Home

Happy New Year! I hope this finds all in good health and ready for 2008! I'll save my political comments other than to say it is interesting following the election in Europe. The time delay makes it tough to follow the New Hampshire results roll in but I suspect I can wait until morning!

Sorry for the lack of updates but since this is a blog about my misadventures in Poland I had little to write about since I was shivering back in Minnesota. Now that I have safely returned you can expect regular updates again. Thanks for coming back!!

It was interesting that there were more changes here in Wrocław in the three weeks I was gone than there was in Minnesota the 2+ months since we left. With all the problems I've encountered with grocery stores here in Poland I was looking forward to carefree grocery shopping at the neighborhood Cub. uhhhh....what's with remodeling? Heck, I could be just as lost in Poland!!! At least they had sweet potatoes!!!! Which brings me to today's rant....I was looking forward to a dinner of boiled potatoes with pork tonight. When Craig came home we loaded up the dog and headed to the grocery store only to find THERE WERE NO POTATOES!!! What gives??? If I had a better grasp of the language no doubt I would have talked to someone about this glaring ommission of produce. Needless to say we are stuck having chicken and vegetable cousous - very Polish, huh??

Having been back just two days I have already encountered two mullets, numerous un-neutered dogs, plenty of lit Christmas trees and a partridge in a pear tree. It was nice to see the Polish man singing Sinatra sounds outside the grocery store again - not sure how he really makes a living but he can sure belt out "New York, New York". I'm surprised he still has a voice since he is out rain or shine every day. I even saw him chain smoking yesterday. Not sure if it was to keep himself warm or he just needed the nicotine. Maybe Santa was good to him?

Now that I'm back after three weeks I've had a chance to figure out what I miss about home and vice versa...here goes.

What I miss about home:

1) Erica, Michael, mom, dad and many friends
2) A fenced in yard for Oliver
3) Sweet potatoes in gross
4) TV without sub-titles
5) TV in general
6) Sgt Pepper popcorn
7) Talking to strangers at the grocery store
8) Talking in English to anyone
9) Street names that are easy to remember
10) Newspapers and magazines I can actually hold (internet doesn't provide the tactile need)
11) Mail in the mailbox
12) My personal trainer (albeit not the fee)
13) Erica, Michael, mom, dad and many friends

What I missed about Poland:

1) Fresh produce (when they have potatoes)
2) The view from our deck
3) No rushing
4) No phone solicitation
5) Walking everywhere - it was easy to be lazy at home
6) No commercials (believe it or not shows aren't typically interrupted by commercials here)
7) Street performers
8) Nicer weather
9) Not working (I'm honest)
10) Maroon hair and pointy shoes (on everyone else)
11) Architecture
12) Travel opportunities
13) The culture in general
14) Making the most of the time I have with Craig

Ok....here is the last of my lists

1) I can't wait to have Oliver's poop schedule back to normal
2) Oliver's favorite security guard no longer works here
3) The new guard brought dog treats (word must travel fast here)
4) The new sheets and blanket from home ROCK.....!!!! I will no longer complain
5) After playing hookey from Polish lessons on Monday we promise to get back to it
6) Sling Box is the greatest invention since Skype (thanks Erica and Michael)

Enough of me...my potato-less meal needs attention!