It's a fact!

I want to start out this entry by thanking all of you that have thought of us and prayed for Eddie over the past week or so. His appointment today went as well as we could have hoped. His surgery/biopsy for next Tuesday has been canceled and we got the O.K. to travel next Saturday! After a week of antibiotics the mass is...gone! Hodgkin's lymphoma wouldn't react to antibiotics like that so I am relieved to say the least. I am also aware to the fact that it very well could have been something and that our prayers were answered. No matter what is was or how it left...main thing is, he is healed! God is good and I am rejoicing. Next (scheduled) appointment...July! :)

So let me try this again...

TAKE TWO!

This serves as an official SECOND notice (warning?) that The Fricks will be returning to America February 2-16. However, we will only be in Ohio the first 7 of those days. The remaining week will be spent lounging on the beaches of Fort Myers Beach, Florida! Clear your schedules, Pizzas!

This picture was taken a while back at a CVS...("They have CVS's in Germany?!?")...in Columbus. Admittedly, we did not end up buying this delightful merchandise but instead just asked a stranger to snap a quick pic.

While contemplating ways to keep this blog light and interesting I thought about bringing back my "Germany vs. America Facts." This idea was further solidified by my editor, Samantha Siman. A lot of these will be a repeat for some of you so bear with me until I get to the new ones. I'll try to post 10 facts per blog. Previously, I posted these facts in my Facebook picture albums under the pictures of my trips to Germany/Eddie's trip to America. I figured people were probably sick of reading "here is us at dinner"..."here is us at the movies"...so I decided to make it educational...sort of? Also, some of you may not be my "friend" on Facebook either. Here you will find answers to common questions we get from Americans and Germans alike, as well as random facts. Please take the word "facts" lightly as some of them may just be my opinion or personal observation. Do you have any questions you want answered about what it's like to live here? Comment below! Have you been to Germany and you think my "fact" is completely erroneous? Please, chime in! I would LOVE to hear what you think. Remember to include the number of the "fact" you are referring to. Enjoy!

1. I need to start this thing off by explaining something that really bugs me. I always get the question "Did you drive on the autobahn?!?" Listen (read?), and listen carefully. If you take nothing else from these facts, at least remember this one - The word "autobahn" itself means "highway."
   So did I drive on a highway, you ask? Yes, I did drive on the highway...just about everyday, in fact. It is believed that the autobahn is one famous road that has signs leading to it as if it is a famous German attraction. No. There are only parts or stretches of the autobahn (highway) that are limit less.(Note: I've driven 250 km/hr (~155mph) on THE autobahn.)
2. Believe it or not, Eddie has been asked this question on at least 3 occasions when visiting the US...so, to clear the air, everyone...the answer is: Yes, they have squirrels in Germany. Sleep soundly tonight knowing this info. (???)
3. Germans drive on the "right" side of the road too.
   
4. Germans are not that obsessed with David Hasselhoff. If you meet a German...don't mention that guy.
   
5. Eddie does not listen to Ramstein. You know, the song "Du...du hast...du hast mich."
   
6. Ed does not wear lederhosen...ooooor does he? ;)
   
7. Ed seriously knows two people whose names are: Anita Beer and Victor Reh. Let me know if I need to break that down for anyone.
   
8. "Bitte" in German can mean either "please" or "you're welcome." On my first visit to Germany, Eddie's mother set a plate of food down in front of me and said "bitte" (you're welcome). I felt horrible for not saying "thank you" quick enough! However, I later learned that they sometimes say "you're welcome" first. In the US, that would be considered sarcasm. Should that happen to you here, do not be alarmed...
   
9. It is frowned upon to ask for free water at restaurants. Good luck getting the popular glass of ice water and lemon. Typically, if you ask for water, you will get “mineralwasser.” You must specify "wasser ohne gas" or "water without gas"/still water. You can get still water in a bottle but it's weird to ask for it from the tap. Personally, I think mineral water tastes like dust and leaves me craving something else to drink to wash that nasty taste away...blah!
   
10. While we are on the topic of restaurants, there are a couple more areas I'd like to touch on. The service is different in that you are not always shown to your seat. Many times you just seat yourself...and possibly at the same table as others!

 (...to be continued.)

That's all for now. Thanks for reading! If you prayed, please say another one sending up thanks!

Auf Wiedersehen,

Frau Frick

"For nothing is impossible with God." - Luke 1:37