Aunt Erwin

It sounds a little funny, but it's true.

As of 5:12 a.m. this morning, I've become an Aunt once again! Welcome to the world Connor Thomas! (The stats: 8 lbs 2 oz, 20.5 in, 10 fingers, 10 toes)

Maybe when you're a little older I'll tell you why your Aunt is named Erwin and your Uncle is named Flo. Ha!

Lookie there!

...an Erwin!


My American friend Erin (who lives in Munich and is technically like me an "Erwin"), was recently featured in this picture in the "Picture" (Germany's loveable tabloid). She had just attended Stoiber's (loveable Bavarian politician) son's wedding last weekend.

I have no idea who the other people in the picture are...

"Make like a tree and get outta here"

Thanks to my informant Fabian for providing the tip that someone on the 4th floor is poking fun at the name Erwin. (That was supposed to be my job!)

An exotic, leafy palm named Erwin. Okay, I can see the irony there.

But maybe Fabian our new doctor of philosophy can riddle me this: Why?

These are a few of my favorite things!

Just brought back the following favorite things from the States in no particular order. I unfortunately couldn't get the "whiskers on kittens" past customs...

Sound of Music - 40th anniversary DVD
Canadian Maple Syrup
Jalapeños in a can
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Kraft Mac'n'Cheese
Libby's Pumpkin in a Can
Pure Vanilla Extract
Taco Seasoning
Tabasco Sauce
Marshmallows
Instant Oatmeal Maple & Brown Sugar

This reminds me: Only one more packet of oatmeal left! I've been making it at the office and have had to do a lot of aufklaerungsarbeit (awareness training) with my colleagues. Besides the ever-popular "what is THAT?", some reactions have included....

"Does it smell like curry in here?" (matthias p AND matthias v on seperate occasions)
"Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar, that's a weird combination." (bernhard)
"Who's having beef bouillon?" (andreas)

Are you sure your name is Erwin?

I did a doubletake yesterday while watching Austria v. Germany in the Euro 2008 Football Championship, and it definitely wasn't because the Germans played so well.

Meet Erwin Hoffer, member of the Austrian national soccer team!

Wtf? This guy's name is Erwin? Well then I believe in miracles...

Maybe now I should take back all those awful things I said about mustaches and Dresden accents. Erwin Hoffer has shattered the Erwin mold!

After a quick background check, I found out that he actually goes by his nickname "Jimmy". Heck, I would too.

My name is Erwin-le

Here's a shout-out to Uncle Mike who just sent me a link to his genealogy website. I had always known that my mother's father's family came from Germany, but no one could ever narrow it down further than "southern" Germany. Thanks to the website I know now that they came from Münklingen, a small town in Schwabenländle!

The look on Flo's face told me I should probably not be too excited about this. Swabians are after all the laughingstock of the nation, known among other things for their stinginess. No one wants to be a Schwab. Not even my co-worker, who technically is from Schwaben and likes bargins (günstig!), wants to be called a Schwab.

Considering this, Flo's reaction was understandable. "You're a Prussian AND a Schwab!?" For a Bavarian possibly the worst combination ever. Poor guy. He was just getting used to Prussia and now this...

Happy Name Day!

It's Thursday, May 29th and you know what that means....

It's Erwin's name day!

I decided that in honor of my name day, I would do something incredibly German.

I'm not talking about standing 1cm from the next person in line at the supermarket. I'm talking about riding my bike to work! Picture me, Er(w)in, on a man's mountain bike in a skirt and heels. It's an akward picture, I admit, unless you are one of the many German men who tried to look up that skirt. It was a great ride straight through the English Garden. I even crossed the path of a nicely dressed couple holding hands, the woman carrying a bouquet. I asked myself, who walks around like that at 8:55 a.m. Thursday morning? Answer: People who get married at 8:42 a.m.

Announcing my name day to my co-workers resulted in quite a few questions ("But, when is your REAL name day?"), some strange looks (Wolfgang) and a few congratulatory remarks (Eva and that Eisbach waiter). Erwin's day was celebrated in style with my colleague Antonia, my own private princess, over a rhubarb spritzer. I know what you are thinking....Rhubarb juice? Yes, it does exist, but apparently it is bad for your gums (Wolfgang).

I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my name day watching Germany's Next Top Model. Now, I just have to find my way back home on the bike!