New England Mattress Professionals

the mattress professionals reloaded
Originally uploaded by *tobi*

This is attended to my co-worker René. The day before yesterday we spend some time at Panera Bread having dinner (he would say, that I get a free sandwich now every evening, just by mentioning this name *g*). On the other side of the parking area is a Sleepy’s located. Besides the funny thing, that obviously most of the local facilities have some problems with lighting at least one letter of their name – I don’t want to mention any other brands here – Sleepy’s calls itself nothing less than “The Mattress Professionals”. Maybe I try to test sleep one of them one day. What a shame, that the opening hours are not extended to 24 hours like the super market.

Whom it interests…

…it’s been a while ago since my last post. I’m currently sitting in my apartment and clearing some things up (usually not while sitting *g*). You can say, I’m preparing for my upcoming visit tomorrow. Janine and her sister Jessy will arrive in the later afternoon on Friday and so I have to do some things. “Donnie Brasco” is running on TNT, good movie to learn some slang. An hour ago I was shopping in the local Stop-and-Shop. It’s open 24 hours a day. Would be a paradise for some folks in Germany and I really have to say that I ease into late night shopping. But not for real since the half my second stay is nearly gone. Wow, time is running. Actually I wanted to do so many things before I return, beside the things I really have to do before leaving. But before this I will enjoy the next 10 days off with the girls. I’ve got a few quite good travel tips from friends and co-workers. Let’s see what this is gonna be. The laundry is waiting for me to pick-up my clothes. I wanna know if I can ever fill the whole washer or dryer with my stuff, both are really hugh.

Dad the messenger, candles and sushi dinner

Originally uploaded by *tobi*

At first: thank you very much for all your wishes and birthday greetings! I recieved many mails and hope that I haven’t forgot anyone of you to thank for his or her greetings. If so, I probably remember and catch it up. It’s a little weired to have birthday and nearly nobody is with you. Furtunately my dad visits me these days. He arrived in the evening on the 21st and played messenger. Part of that were these two little candles you see right here. Thank you mom, to keep this tradition despite the great wide ocean between us! And honey, thanks again for your lovely words. I feel the same for you! *kisses*

TOP 5: How do you know that you are already more than 3 months in New England?

Rank 5: In the evening – right after work – you automatically say: “I will go home now!” (Happens nearly every working day.)

Rank 4: The guy at the front desk says: “You don’t have to tell me your room number! I still know your name and your room number.” (Happened last week when I brought my postcards to the front desk.)

Rank 3: You are spoiled with the never-ending opening hours of the malls, outlet stores and super markets. (Happened last week during my late night shopping.)

Rank 2: You suddenly hear a “Hey Tobi, how are you?” when you enter the local Starbucks. You get your Starbucks coffee for free and your name is written on the coffee cup. (Happened last Sunday.)

Rank 1: You miss your girlfriend, your family, your friends and your cat so much. (Every single day.)

Barbecue at the pool

barbecue and chatting – Uploaded by *tobi*

Suzie invited us all having American barbecue on Sunday late afternoon at the pool. Half an hour before we entered the liquor store for a few beers and wine. Yes, alcoholics are only sold in special stores in Massachusettes and not under the age of 21. Furthermore we were actually not allowed to drink your beer in the pool area: only the government and perhaps the pool boy knows why. But in a plastic cup beer and wine almost looks like a soft drink :)

Back in Boston…

the 6th simpson — Originally uploaded by *tobi*

…and the first thing I did was posing for this photo in a cinema while Danny toke the shot. Actually the whole scenery was a promotion for the new Simpsons movie coming in July this year and it was not allowed to take any photos. My first try taking a photo of the Simpsons family was disrupted by the personnel, advising me not to take any photos. The second time we only wanted to take photos of ourselves within the cinema, but again an employee did’t let us take any pictures. After the movie (it was Pirates of the Caribbean 3 btw) – we finally made it!

The last evening

Now it’s only a couple of hours before I leave New England after three months for nearly two weeks. I’m really looking forward to see my family, friends, my cat Maya and my girlfriend Janine! The first days were so long, but the the last weeks passed by that fast. Together with Michael I had my last American dinner this evening. I ‘m looking forward to finally eat some real good bread and other food, I didn’t got here. At 8:50 pm Thursday I’ll take off in Boston to go to New York, from there it’s almost 7 hours to London and another one and a half hours to finally arrive 3:35 pm in Berlin. Guys, I’m comin’ ;)

Saturday soccer

leo and vivien Originally uploaded by *tobi*.

Today I spent the late morning and noon with Niels, Suzie, Leo and Vivien at the weekly Saturday kids soccer on the school’s field. Folks, I never saw so many cars on a school parking area on a Saturday. Incredible! But I have to say, that this is the most positive thing I noticed within the last 3 months: Saturday is definitely family day in New England. Today about 12 teams were playing four on four.

Watching Tobey

Originally uploaded by *tobi*.

On Thursday night some colleagues, Niels and his family and I were in the IMAX for the new Spiderman 3 movie feat. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Yes, the movie was ok but the theater was great. With the world’s biggest screens – as in the IMAX ad – and with this huge soundsystem the movie experience is getting much better. One reason more, why I need not to watch Spiderman 3 on DVD ;) The lady on the right side of the picture is Vivien, the daughter of Niels and Suzie.

Retrospect: The last days

As I promised, I want to sum up the last days a bit to give you an overview about the things I made and the places I went. After the hottest day on Monday last but one week the weather still goes up and down. But the positive thing is, that within only two or three days many trees are flowered. And finally also some of them are painted in the long awaited green. On saturday last weekend I toke some hours to walk through Woburn. I visited the public library and made some photos of the area. A few hours ago, in the morning I was shopping in the Chrismas Tree Shop. Sound’s funny and I really don’t know, why it has that name, but it was crowed like the in chrismas time. In the early evening I was at the Walden Pond, small lake in the near of Concord, where once the American author Henry David Thoreau spent two years of his life. And this week, well… the car kept me busy. It’s really a long story and – yes Chris, it’s worth an own post in my blog – but let’s say I had some bad luck and that’s an understatement ;)