Last week Martin and I went on the coolest date.  We put on some of our nicest clothes and got on the bus.  I know, “bus” doesn’t exactly scream amazing date.  That’s why we got on the double decker and sat behind these gentlemen, who were also sporting some of their nicest clothes.

I have to tell you that it’s a very interesting experience to get off a bus along with several dozen other well dressed people.

We were all going to the symphony.  Martin and I are crazy about live music and orchestras.  It completely changes your perspective on classic music.  Suddenly those Bugs Bunny cartoons you grew up with take on a whole new meaning.  The classical music feels like it’s a part of you like nothing ever has.

In Berlin, we’re constantly being introduced to the composer who just happens to be in the audience.  Or the composer is one of the musicians in the group.  And tickets are NOT that expensive.  We’re talking 15 bucks for some seats.

Last week we saw something a bit different.  Instead of a full-fledged orchestra, it was four drummers – four drummers who could move their hands faster than hummingbirds kissing the flowers.  I never knew I could love listening to four drummers so much.

Then again, before we went to our first concert, Martin and I didn’t really think we’d like classical music either.

Now what I really want to know is whether this guy dusts his own house.  Just look at those brooms flying over the drums.  Those two blurs beneath his hands – gosh, just think of how fast he could clean house!

Have you ever seen a professional orchestra or musical performance?  I promise it’s worth every penny just to experience in the big city.

There were no monsters when I peeked under the bed on Monday evening.  But man oh man, those dust bunnies were surely planning an attack at any moment.  Who let them down there in the first place?  Decluttering under our beds was certainly not on the schedule for The Decluttering Project.  So what’s going on?

I’m hoping onto the computer super late today to ask you to take a peek.  What kind of clutter is hiding under your bed?

Under our beds is easily a catch-all place for odds and ends, and no one ever says, “Boy!  I can’t wait to sort my stuff and organize under the bed.  Wheeee!”

So it’s not going to be very fun today, folks.  Grab a dust mask.  We’re going in.

You may just need to vacuum.  There might be clutter.

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Many of you may recall how I read A Christmas Carol for the first time ever in December.  After seeing dozens of television renditions, I don’t know how it never occurred to me.  Katie, you might want to actually read the book.

So I did.  Oh my gosh – I couldn’t believe how much better the story was.  I felt compassion for Scrooge and saw him for so much more.  I can’t wait to read it again next winter.  (So here’s a little nudge to put it on your “to read” list if you’re up for a suggestion.)

Well I’m at it again.  I’ve grown up with Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel… the list just goes on and on.  You too, right?  We’ve seen movies and cartoons, read little books, done children’s theater, and truly found ourselves emerged in so many tales.

So just like with A Christmas Carol, I started thinking, “Why not read the original?”

Of course, this will be no easy task.  All of these tales were popularized by the famous Brothers Grimm.  But they didn’t speak English.  Brothers Grimm spoke German.  Hmmmm.  German.  (That’s me hesitating slightly at this next reading project!)

I took the plunge.  This book came home with me for 20 euros.  My teacher actually suggested it.  She told me that since I already knew these tales in English, it would be so much easier to understand the concept.  So true!  So here I go…

Why yes – I do believe my brow is furrowed.

It’s sort of like studying for a college entrance exam.  There are more words that I do NOT understand than words that I get.  The only difference is that Brothers Grimm has a lot of colored illustrations and no one will hush me for sounding everything out loud.

Have you ever read a book in your second language?  Or what was your first attempt?  I’ve heard a lot of people try Harry Potter.  Or maybe you have a favorite tale from Brothers Grimm.  The Frog Prince?  Hansel and Gretel?  Rumpelstiltskin is nudging me right now.  You?