The Altmann Family Post

Birgit's B-Day

2008-11-09T18:41:00.003+01:00

1 - 4 - 7... yes, there were 147 candles on Birgit's cake: Yesterday we celebrated her's, her twin brother's, and her dad's birthdays. Ahh, the Austrians do know how to bake cakes.

First Snow

2008-11-01T19:58:00.002+01:00

Why not two posts at once??? Earlier this week (Wednesday to be exact), the first snow fell, and fell, and even stuck to the ground! First one child in the kindergarten circle saw it, then letting out a scream, ran to the window followed by the rest (story courtesy of Reuben's teacher). There was even an inch or two on the ground the next morning!

Halloween...in Switzerland???

2008-11-01T19:50:00.003+01:00

Well, it's not quite the same as door to door in Princeton, or anywhere else in the States, for that matter, but Halloween is catching on, even in tradition-stepped Switz. Most of the costumes are more disgusting, but no houses are decorated with jack-o-lanterns or cobwebs. We went trick or treating (you say "Suesses oder saures" - sweet or sour) in our apartment complex, and were surprised at how many other kids were out. You still get good old fashion baked goods, like when I was a kid (and of course aren't "allowed" anymore). Without further hesitation, here are Reuben the Chocolate Monster and Eli the Alien(along with Eli's friend Milena the Lioness)

Our new family member

2008-08-31T19:48:00.005+02:00

Today we finally took the plunge. After months of promises to Eli and Reu (while still in Princeton), and then months of looking in Switz., we finally found a little puppy for us: we're happy to present "Dina," our little Bijon Havanese.

Now let me tell you, getting a dog in Switzerland is not as easy as going down to your nearest pound and bringing one home. We started (this was back in July) by calling a few pounds... we have some dog loving neighbors who helped us figure out where to start... but, first off, the idea of a "hypo-allergenic dog" (which was important for us because our brother in law is allergic) is not quite as well known here. Secondly, the ones we did find, which were mostly terriers, the pound wouldn't let us have BECAUSE WE HAVE KIDS! AH, the dog-lovin' Swiss :).

But, we found a breeder... all the way in FRANCE, who would be so kind as to let us drive over, pay him a bunch of money, and drive away with our new treasure! Finally:

Eli's 7!

2008-08-18T20:28:00.003+02:00

Here's a few pics from Eli's party. The Austrian family came to visit for goodies, dinner, sleep over, and other random Americana (like a pinata...not many of those around here).

1st day of school

2008-08-18T20:14:00.004+02:00

The 4 of us sprinted out of the house at about 7:55 this morning, plenty early, but Eli had been ready since about 7:30, and her parents (well, at least her dad) was a bundle of nervous energy. We walked the 10-15 min to their schools, which are right next to each other, and the girls left us at the front door of Reu's kindergarten...A few moments later Reu and I found out that we were early... about 4 HOURS EARLY... the first year kindergartners weren't supposed to come until the afternoon. So, we went and got a little treat (8:30 is a little early for ice cream, but not on a day like today!), and went home to hang out.

Birgit stayed with Eli until about 10:30, and I for one could hardly wait for the report. We were already positive though, since Eli met one of her classmates at church yesterday, and was excited to inform us that she had a friend that she'll see everyday but Saturday.

And the news was good. Both Birgit and Eli brought home smiles. And, Eli and Reuben wanted to walk home by themselves, so they sent Mom on ahead to have their own little way together (they'll do this regularly soon we hope...Birgit walked a total of 80 minutes to and from school with them today!).

Reuben ran through the door after his afternoon at school all proud to show off the little orange band that kindergartners wear so that cars will see them, and we played ball on the playground with a boy who is in his class this evening.

1 day down, so far so good. Maybe it will all work out???

Otherwise, we're just grateful for the past month. While we were ready for them to start school, for us all to "start life" a little more here, we have had a wonderful time together. If moving is always like this, maybe we should do it more often! (no, I'm not that serious) We've played games, our kids have learned how to play cards and chess (yes, their father is an academic, what do you expect). We've played tennis, gone swimming, hiking, bike riding, spent time with cousins.

Finally, The apt.

2008-07-22T16:02:00.003+02:00

Left is Eli's, Below is Reuben's

Below left is upstairs (P & B's room), Below Rt is the living/dining room

We're feeling happy and homey in our place right now. The highlight the past two days has been running (kids riding bikes) out into the hills and fields which start right across the street from us. We even got to feed some legenday Swiss cows (you know, the ones w/ bells around their necks) with our hands!

This last picture is for those of you wondering how we ever got our stuff up to the 4th floor without 15 neighbors helping. It's not a ladder, but a telescopic lift which has a platform on the top...even the couch went up this way!

The new job

2008-07-15T14:33:00.002+02:00

I went into work on Friday to meet with my boss (Konrad Schmid) in order to try and get some sense of what this all is "really going to be like." Given that it's been in the works for the past, oh three years, it seems near miraculous that it has actually come to pass.

And, in spite of my worst fears, I really do have a job, my boss continues to seem laid back and inviting, and I really can continue to work on my dissertation most of the time.

OK, the really cool thing though, is that the University of Zurich theology department is in the back of an ur-ancient church called the Grossmunster (I guess it was a monestary before the Reformation). When I walk inside, I get this silly glimmer in my eye trying to keep myself a little under control. (Here's the review from tripadvisor.com): "This 12th-century cathedral has both historical and architectural significance: Ulrich Zwingli led an important sect of the Reformation from here in the early 1500s, and the cathedral's twin towers serve as perhaps the most recognizable landmarks in modern Zürich."

Watch out, Switzerland!

2008-07-10T11:44:00.000+02:00

We had a great time in Reno/Tahoe/Northern Cal before heading over to Europe! Birgit's highlight: Finally seeing a bear at Tahoe, and even getting pictures. Eli's - a safari in California. Reuben's - love that sand. Peter's - playing his worst tennis in years.

So, after the usual 3-4 weeks living out of suitcases each summer, we made the final hour trip to our new home here in Dielsdorf (by Zurich), Switz. We've been slowing climbing ourselves into shape up the 4 flights of stairs to our apt, but so far things have gone better than we expected. Our container arrived much earlier than we expected (Mon, June 30), and we could have even had it earlier!

Eli and Reu have found a few neighborhood children to hang out with around the playground while Birgit and I madly unpack boxes, install lights, hang pictures... the normal routine. Some things have taken more time than we thought... it took over a week to get a phone (you need an electrician to come and hook it up, even if the line is already installed in the house/apt - who would have known???).

More later (esp. pics of our new home)...

The Adventure Begins ...

2008-06-05T21:40:00.001+02:00

This post is being made by a ghost writer ... Peter, Birgit, Eli, and Reuben have just left Princeton to fly to Reno for a few weeks before making their way to their final destination - Zurich, Switzerland! So stay tuned. More posts from people actually in the Altmann family are soon to come.