It had to Happen

We've been here four months almost to the day and I've had my first emotional breakdown. Not on the level of Britney Spears but definitely the teary-eyed, make-up smearing and nose running variety. It started somewhere between not understanding "Did you walk the dog" or "Did you brush your teeth before eating breakfast" in Polish. At that point I felt as though I would never - and I mean NEVER - understand Polish. How can a person who loves to talk in grocery store lines and start conversations with strangers in the street get along without knowing the language???? argh..... Today I'm over it. Guess I just had some toxins in my system that needed shedding. Sorry, kids...I'm no longer your emotional role model but I'm still dang cute!!

Just got back from walking to the grocery store to pick up "a few things". Somehow a "few things" in the expanse of the cart is much heavier and bulkier when inserted into plastic bags. A sampling of what I bought:

- Six pack of beer (we're having guests for dinner)
- A bottle of cherry liquor for a dessert I'm trying for the first time
- A jar of Nutella (I discovered how good it tastes on the Polish version of graham crackers)
- Lettuce, peppers, carrots and mushrooms
- Two jars of salad dressing
- A hand mixer (to make the dessert)
- Two loaves of bread (the long, thin hard-to-carry variety)
- A dog treat (because Oliver still stress pees by the door when I'm gone so I want him to overcome whatever it is that stresses him out - he seems to understand Polish so I've ruled that out)
- Three maps (Germany, Berlin and Prague - because we're going to Dresden this weekend - go figure. I'm just glad I couldn't find the dictionary I was looking for)
- Powered sugar
- Flowers (because I'm sure our three male guests will notice)
- A bottle of Pepsi Light to drink on the way home (yea, right...)

The walk is about 1 to 1-1/2 miles one way. My personal trainer sent me a new work-out I tried for the first time yesterday so the body was not exactly in the mood for the extra tonnage I had to carry but it was too late to turn back. I arrived back at the apartment only to discover the elevators were being worked on so I had to trudge up 80 steps. Needless to say there will not be a need for further strength training today!!! I do have to walk to the Post Office later today with the dog but that should be a breeze after this journey.

As noted earlier, we are going to Dresden Germany this weekend instead of Berlin. We thought we would need more time in Berlin because the city is more expansive than Dresden. I'm hopeful of finding some infamous Dresden porcelain to bring back. We will be staying in Old Town very close to some amazing sites. Oliver will be visiting the pet hotel. I made the reservations on-line in Polish so hopefully they won't be expecting a fish!!!

Have lasagna to make, dessert to bake, crotons to make and floors to scrub - all before 6:30 so better hustle.

P.S. If you ever hear me say, "those immigrants should learn the language, dang it" please slap me upside the head. I've been taking 2 to 3 lessons a week for six months and still struggle!!

Got to go....