Long Haul Flights (and Happy Thanksgiving)

I just got back from a lovely visit to my family in the western USA. Great trip. The only downside is the 22-odd hours I have to spend in airplanes/airports to travel from Hamburg to Las Vegas. We all know the drill - having to get to the airport 3 hours early, going through a dozen security checks (why I still wear shoes that are hard to remove is beyond me...), fighting over overhead bin space. But the absolute worst is being crammed into economy class seats for hours and hours. I know all sorts of "airplane pilates" exercises that really do help. But the problem is that they all look ridiculous. Pride versus comfort. Pride always seems to win (same concept for wearing 3-inch spike heels). And then there are the bathrooms. Usually 4 of them for, what, 200+ passengers? Let's just say that after 9 hours, those places are hazardous waste areas.

The reason I'm still dwelling on these long flights is that I'm off AGAIN to the US - California this time - for a business trip. Found out very suddenly, and am quite happy to attend the conference. But, like most companys do these days, I got booked economy. At least the heads of my company also fly economy, but that's little comfort during the 12 hour stretch from Frankfurt to San Francisco. BUT, I have about 40,000 frequent flyer miles, so I applied for an upgrade to business class. I'm "waitlisted". Which means that I probably won't get it, but I might! Just might! Oh, the joy of being able to stretch out a little bit, and to use the "forbidden" business class bathrooms!!!

German news: Angie is Frau Chancellor!!!! This makes me very happy.

Happy Thanksgiving, all! It's the holiday that I miss most over here. Meeting with family, eating turkey, watching 2 football games...and then getting a good nights sleep to prepare onesself for Black Friday, the first official day of the holiday shopping season. If you've never lined up at Best Buy at 5:00 in the morning, you haven't lived. Sigh...and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is starting as I write this!

Long-Term Resident of Germany

I did it!I was able to get my Nierderlassungserlaubnis last Tuesday. That's basically my permanent residence status. I'm actually eligible for citizenship, but it seems to legal ramifications of proving that my German father was really my father (sigh) are too complicated for me at the moment. So I've gone this route. What do I get out of this? Well, I can't be kicked out of Germany, unless I commit a major felony. Also, I can now work anywhere in Germany without having to get a separate work permit. And, thanks to some new EU regulations, I can work anywhere in the EU (except, sadly, the UK, Ireland and Denmark).

Going to the Auslaenderamt was actually relatively painless. The only down note was the receptionist. My appointment was at 8:00 sharp, and the office don't open til 8:00 - but I thought I could go to the waiting room. No. Evidently, all of us undesirables are kept waiting in the drafty and cold lobby until exactly 8:00. The receptionist took an untoward amount of glee at barking "Nein! Acht Uhr! Acht Uhr!" to all of us hopefuls. When, oh when, will these people learn to say "please"? Luckily, the clerk processing my request was quite nice. And I bonded with a lady from Ghana who was having trouble filling out her paperwork (I'm an old pro). The only other surprise was the 85€ fee for the permit, but now I think back on it, that's not bad.

Why should it be so important for me to stay in Germany? I'm trying to figure that one out myself. Will keep you posted.

I fly back to America on Saturday, for two weeks. Am looking forward to seeing my old friends and spending time with my family and visiting the sister church to the one I go to here in Hamburg. Oh, and seeing Harry Potter IV, since it comes out while I'm in the states!