Went to the National Gallery today. Paintings and sculptures- same old same old. Later we went to the Christmas Market near Alexanderplatx. Drank glühwein, ate mushrooms and garlic, Krakauwurst, and a chocolate covered apple! Tomorrow we go to Lübeck. Supposedly Lübeck is the place to go for Christmas atmosphere. Or so says Michael, Heiko’s brother.

Monday we went to a Christo and Jean-Claude exhibit and saw tons of packages. Then we went to the IMAX theatre and saw a 3D movie about Siegfrid and Roy!!! Yesterday, we visited our friend Andrea, her dog Lea, and her new Wohnung Apartment. For dinner we went and had Indian food. Today we may go to a Museum. The weather makes things difficult, it is so cold and rainy. I am eating tons of Nutella and bread… I am happy.

I am in Germany! Sitting next to Heiko, using his computer! Last night we went and had Thai food! It was yummy. We haven’t done anything yet today. Well, Heiko made lunch- Gyros. They are different than what we consider Gyros at home- no pita, tomato, or lettuce! it was good nonetheless. I hate typing on a German keyboard because certain letters and punctuation marks are on different spots which is terriblz confusing –i.e. the Y and Z are switched as zou can see!
Heiko says: But I guess, Donna, you are exhibitonist. You told everybody about private things.

It is almost time that I leave for the airport. I am very excited to see Heiko and Germany again! My digital camera will be by my side and I will try to upload some pictures as well as a few blogs. We shall see! Auf Wiedersehen!

I’m back from Chicago. It is so good to be home. The only thing I did with my free time in Chicago was drink with my colleague, Luke. We drank in the bar located on the first floor of the office building on Tuesday after work. Then last night we took a cab to Midway airport and it was there that I embarrassed myself beyond measure! We went to one of the many airport bars and ordered a beer. It was a nice way to pass the time waiting for our individual flights. As most women do, I sat in the chair with my legs crossed. After our first round of drinks were finished I said I would go and buy the second round. I stood up and the leg that I had crossed over the other leg while sitting- CRUMBLED! I just sank to the ground!!! You should have seen Luke’s face….You should have seen the look on the neighbors’ faces! It was a mixture of disgust, pity, and amusement. I got up and said: “My leg gave out, I think it was asleep and numb and it just gave out!” Luke, as any gentleman would, said: I can get the beer!
“No no no, I am not drunk, I am perfectly fine, my leg just gave out, let me do it, I must prove that I am ok!” With that I limped over to the bar and bought two Heineken. That 30 feet to the bar and back was the longest walk ever- I felt everyone’s eyes on me. Despite all, I made it back to the table without falling.
Now I can’t stop thinking about it and feeling so embarrassed! Falling over in front of a colleague! How perfectly unacceptable! Please know that I have never done anything like that before- my center of gravity NEVER exceeds my base! Well, that is until last night.

I’m in Chicago. My room overlooks beautiful Rock N Roll MacDonald’s! The first day of the Project Management course went well. Yesterday I spent with my cousin Sharon and her family. It was great fun- it’s always nice to spend time with family.
Is Chicago safe? I really have no clue. I remember when I was here back in the summer of 1998 everything closed at 6pm. I wonder if I could catch a cab and actually do some shopping? Maybe stores are opened longer during the Christmas Season? Today I just ordered room service, talked with my friend Audgie (who was just involved in a car crash but who by the luck of God escaped any bodily injury), and watched Boston Public and Ally McBeal.

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town
Chicago, Chicago, I will show you around – I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you’ll lose the blues in Chicago
Chicago, the town that Billy Sunday couldn’t shut down

Speaking of cousins earlier, I wish to add that I am happy to be associated with David Shanosky. 🙂 He is my very favorite cousin! I also think that it is time that he appear on the Donnacam again. So David, the door is open and the cam is on!

Real Video: Euro Spot – Wirtschaft – SPIEGEL ONLINE <--click if you have a broadband connection. I love Krauts!

Mom and I went shopping last night and today. I got everything I need for my trip to Germany. I even got a pair of flats. Heiko is about an inch taller than me, but when I wear shoes, I tower over him. That is the way I feel, at least. So I figure if I wear flats we can continue to enforce the social code that men must be taller. Is it a social code or just a quirk of my own personality? Jackie O towered over Ari. Cher towered over Sonny. Mrs Cunningham was taller than Howard. Why does it feel so wrong to me? I love being tall. I just wish Heiko was taller. I wish men on a whole were taller. At any rate, I have a new pair of flats and all will be fine.
I am going to Chicago tomorrow. My company is providing a 3-day Project Management course. I am going a day early so I can spend time with my other favorite cousin (Sharon) and her family– [You see Mark, you are all my favorite cousins!] — it should be fun.

I have re-designed the website! How do you like it? Please let me know…btw I love flattery!
So I got back from Las Vegas Sunday evening. I must admit that I did something quite horrid at the airport and I am finding myself riddled with guilt. The line in the airport stretched over a mile and I am not exaggerating. I was with my colleague, Frank. As we walked to the end of the line, I noticed that a group of guys had not moved forward and let a large gap form in the line. I smiled at Frank and we took advantage of the situation- the guys noticed we had jumped the line and they groused a bit but like most people, they shied away from confrontation. I knew what we did was wrong, but I did it anyway. The longer I stood in the line, the sicker and guiltier I felt. I guess I could have given up the space and moved to the back of the line, but I didn’t. **Bad Karma** In fact it came back to me almost immediately because in the plane I was seated in the middle seat…and next to a very bitchy blond woman. When the plane landed I let out a sigh of relief. But the bad karma wasn’t through! My father had my flight time wrong and so no one came to pick me up…. I had to wait an hour for my sister to get me. Finally at home, my dog got sick and we had to take her to the pet emergency center. Little Lily is fine now, but it was a horrible scare. ( She had a belly ache, the runs, and she was limping ) At any rate, I hope I have paid for my bad ways and my bad luck is finished. We will see.

The Dream King :: Starring Trent Carlini
I am in VEGAS! Last night I saw Trent “The Dream King” Carlini! His performance was truly electrifying. I was absolutely giddy sitting there watching him. The resemblence is incredible!
My company didn’t choose a hotel on the strip so to get to the show I took a taxi cab with a bunch of collegues. I was certain they would join me at the Holiday Inn Boardwalk Casino to see Trent’s Elvis performance. They got out of the cab with me and followed me into the casino, but as soon as I got to the ticket booth they were gone. I didn’t mind going to the show alone, in fact it worked out great because I was able to sit very close to the stage. If you read my previous entry, you would know that the last time I saw the show, Trent’s pants split in the middle of the performance. I just want to report that the Black Leather Outfit he wore is still in operation since the crotch seam has been darned with a grayish burgendy thread. Just kidding, the theatre was too dark to notice. 🙂 Anyway, I won 30.00 at the roulette table this afternoon. Yesterday I lost 100.00 at Keno. I am nowhere near break-even. Oh, I forgot to mention that Trent gave me his purple scarf!!!! He is a wee man. When I stood up to receive the scarf, I could look him right in the eye. He was standing on a 2 foot stage.