Once you go Mac...

I'm crossing over to the dark side ( cue dark, foreboding music). After over 12 years of loyalty to the PC,  I just put in an order for a new shiny MacBook Air !

Noooooooo ! Cry my old friends at Dell and Sony, et tu Eme?  Am I really so shallow, swayed by its shiny silver sheen and impossible lightness? Will I spend countless hours sipping coffee in cafes working on my blog, screenplay, app,  etc oblivious to the frowns and clock watching of small cafe owners everywhere ?  Where is my commitment to tradition?  To be dependable, sober and coporate lawyer-like? What will the other members of the New York Bar say? Will they refer to me as a "hipster" with thinly veiled loathing?  Must I now consume copious amounts of wheatgrass  and proclaim Lena Dunham as god?  I don't even know who I am anymore !!!

As you can see, I run slightly to the dramatic. Okay, dramatically to the dramatic.  The truth is really very simple. My trusty Sony Vaio died on me after years of good service. I spent countless hours researching the right pc to buy next. My needs were simple.  It had to be light because I travel a lot and many times with a toddler in tow. Perform with speed and efficiency.  That left tons of laptops with mind boggling specifications and sadly, I'm no techie. So, the deciding factor was that it had to be reliable and easy to troubleshoot or fix in any country.  Enter the MacBook Air.  That's all folks. 

The new "precious" comes in next week and I'll tell you how I like it after a test run. So guys, how did you pick your last computer? Do you have your eye on anything new? 

Tri-continental Childcare

This week all over Germany, parents of toddlers are visiting schools to try to find a space for the little people for the school year starting this September.  In my part of Germany, you only have until the end of January to find a place and register or it's curtains for the rest of the year ...even if the school still has places available ( I don't know why, rules are rules. Don't get me started, let's just say that it's a battle I fought and lost last year).

Anyway, my daughter turns three this November which means that she will have to leave her wonderful, nurturing day care for the big scary world of the Kita aka kindergarten starting in September. The application process is like dating, more accurately, it's the Bachelor. You show up on open house day with your child and prepare to dazzle the head teacher hoping for a place. Sometimes, parents will be invited for another interview (the rose ceremony) where you prove that you are worthy of a place in the hallowed halls of the kindergarten. Even more frustrating is that you can only apply to one school which is enforced by having you hand over your  Kita Card (like a baby identification card) when you apply so no hedging your bets here.  

Bubbling over with indignation , I call my good friend in Brooklyn and go on a 10 minute rant about the application process and early closing time (2 pm) of the German kindergarten. We both work full time so I was sure to find an understanding ear. She responds by saying "at least you had a year's maternity leave". Turns out that my 350 Euros is nothing to her 1800 USD monthly childcare bill. 

Oh, and my high school friend now working and living in Dubai? Three kids and two nannies. Must be nice. 

Out and About - Winter Accessories

This morning, I woke up to this.

I love snow.  It's weird because I never saw it until I was about 12 years old and it didn't really leave a great impression on me at that time. To be clear, I love looking at the snow, not rolling around in it, not throwing it...just looking at it.  Inspite of my love for snow, winter isnt really my favorite season (a ballad to autumn to be composed shortly). Besides, January in Germany is the worst ! The Christmas market is gone, the schmaltz kuchen stands are all packed up and it's just cold, wet, dark and dreary. January itself is a sucky month anywhere in the world. Filled with good intentions and new year resolutions that no one keeps. It seems that the "New Year" turns people into wide eyed optimists who inevitably become disillusioned by mid February .

Sidebar- Remind me to share a heartwarming story about winter, a lonely law student and an NYC Starbucks.


Anyhow, last night Germany decided to throw me a bone and I was rewarded with clean, fresh smelling snow. No mud, no slush, just the crisp, clear your head smell of winter. The snow inspired me to share my other great winter loves which are the accessories. Scarves, mittens, fluffy throws, pillows, candles and hot steaming beverages. Although its a bit late in the game, i'm still lusting after these two lovelies.

via Laura Olivia tumblr

Knit Throws via Garnet Hill

It's still January and I haven't broken any declared or undeclared resolutions...i'm off to treat my self to one of the above !