Friday I was at home with One during the day. He had slowly been developing a cough, which was particularly worse on Friday morning. We watched a movie, went to the park, went to the fish store, visited M and L so I could shower at their house, made some handicrafts, and just hung out. We did a decent amount of walking. At one point while we were walking, he requested that I hold his hand, just because. While we were getting him ready for his nap, he asked me when "our" parents would be home. When he says things like this I'm not sure if it's a slip, if he's confused, or if he thinks of me as an actual part of the family. He also asked me why I speak German with everyone else and English with him. When I told him it was because I'm still learning German and he's still learning English, he informed me that he already speaks English. What a goober. By the time HM got home with Two, my 30 weekly working hours had been fulfilled and I was free for the weekend. I took the train out to Ansbach to meet up with Eddie and a friend of his, Adam. Adam had a friend visiting, Torrie, who was there. The four of us got along splendidly. We spent the evening visiting some folks at their apartment, bar hopping, and generally causing trouble. We all crashed at Eddie's. No one was in a state to drive and I had to wait until morning for the next train. It was almost too much fun...Almost.
Saturday was Halloween! The four of us got up and went to breakfast in Ansbach. They dropped me off at the train station and I made my way back to Nürnberg. I didn't manage to get much done during the day. I napped while the kids napped. The neighbors came over for Halloween festivities once it was dark. HD stayed home with T and they handed out candy while HM, M, and the kids went trick or treating. HD and T thought of the brilliant idea to hand out shots of schnapps to the parents when they came by with the kids. They would also take a shot themselves when a parent accepted one. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all happen. I left later that evening to head to Ansbach again, and this time I drove the car. As I was leaving, One came over to the car and told me that I needed to get home earlier than the night before. He also told me that he thought I was really cool. It was an adorable send-off. In Ansbach I met up with Eddie, Adam, Torrie, and Adam's friend Aleks. We all went over to the same apartment as the night before and hung out with a bunch of Germans for a couple of hours. Most everyone was dressed up. Germans aren't as into Halloween as Americans, but it's getting more and more popular here. We headed out to the bars later and enjoyed a night out on the town. I don't think we got back until around 3am or so. Again, we all crashed at Eddie's.
Sunday was one of the busier Sunday's I've had here. I made it back to Nürnberg in the morning and spent several hours nursing my hangover. Eventually Adam called me and said that him, Torrie, and Eddie were heading into Nürnberg so Torrie could see the city before she left. I met up with them and we all spent some time walking around the city seeing the sights. I spent easily half, perhaps two-thirds, of the weekend with these people and we never stopped laughing.
I think I've finally broken the barrier with One. He seems to be cool with me being here, even happy to see me now and again. He still would rather HP do some things, but he's not as mean to me anymore. I have found myself missing the kids when it's been a long time since I've seen them, like this weekend when I was gone from the house for so long.
It's been a full two months since I got to Nürnberg. In some ways it still feels like I just got here. I would say that overall, things are getting better. I seem to be making friends, the kids are warming to me more and more, and I'm getting to know Nürnberg. I hope the next 10 months don't go by as quickly as the first two!
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