The German Invasion

I know, I know…it's been a while since I posted. It's ok…I haven't become Kim…yet. I simply just haven't had much to talk about. Work hasn't been exciting. Irene turned out to be a dud. Face it, I'm boring. Well I'm not boring, but my life is at the moment.

That is all set to change this weekend. The Hubby and I are preparing for The German Invasion! I know, that sounds dramatic…in reality, his host mother from his exchange student days is making her first ever visit to America. That's pretty exciting…and a bit unsettling for me.

I have no desire to travel outside of this country for a number of reasons. First being the travel time. Heck, I don't even like traveling inside this country if it's going to take more than 4 hours. No place is worth getting to if it takes longer than that. Second, there is the money. I can barely keep track of American money what with every state having different taxes and prices. The big one is the language barrier. Call me self centered (and many do), but I have no desire to learn any language other than that used by the country of my birth. I also firmly believe that those traveling to America should not do so unless they have a decent grasp of the language. I feel like that is akin to showing up to a party at someones house for the first time without a Hostess Gift. In this case, the gift would be English. Someday, according to Star Trek,  English will be the universal language. When that is the case I will travel anywhere. Because by then travel will be at warp speed or via teleportation.

So, for a few days on either end of her trip (I have a business trip in the middle of it) there will be 2 people in our house speaking German fluently, and I ain't one of them. I am unsettled by this for a number of reasons, all of which I have already discussed with The Hubby. I am sure The Hubby will function as a wonderful translator for me. But I'm also sure it's difficult to converse and also at the same time translate. I mean, that's why the people at the United Nations have those little speakers in their ears telling them what everyone is saying! So I fear that I will be left out of a lot of the conversation and then, at the ultimate, kind of become a 3rd wheel. I've never really functioned well in that capacity. I've always been the "First Wheel" sort of guy.

The other thing is, that this being her first trip to America, I want it to be special for her. I want the house to be clean, I want there to be great little touches like fresh flowers, warm scones and personal toiletries. The Hubby keeps telling me, "Sweetie, she's not staying at a guest house!". But, since it is her vacation, I really want her to feel just that. I'm not turning the church into a 5 star resort, but I want her to have more than just the experience of a sleep-over at a friends house. Is that so wrong?

Perhaps I am putting too much pressure on myself. I suppose it wouldn't be the first time. I tend to for every party I throw. But this feels a little different, it's a party of one. One whom it is very important to me that she has a good trip, that she enjoys her stay in the states, and yes…I would be remiss if I left out the fact that I really want this woman to like me. The real question is…will all that is Jim translate into German?