Ch-ch-changes

I've been meaning to post this for a little while now, but alas... Here it is now:

It's interesting to go back to old familiar places after a long time because you're much more aware of everything there. You have a memory in your head of what the place is supposed to be like and when you return it's interesting to observe the ways that your memory has served you well as well as the ways that perhaps you've changed something in your mind or how things have actually changed. Being home over Christmas brought along some surprises, but also some confirmations that some things stay the same. Let me fill you in.

Changes:

1. The tram runs every 7-8 minutes now instead of the convenient and easy to remember 10 minute intervals. Now no one really seems to know when they run. "On every quarter hour and then once in between sometime" is confusing.
2. We go to the Christmas Eve service now instead of Christmas Morning and we sing in the choir instead of trying to hide in the back corner. What?!
3. No sparkler dance in the yard, but a "Let's go out and pick up all the sticks and leaves we can find on the ground" afternoon of 'fun'.
4. The cashiers at the grocery store don't annoyingly ask you for your rewards card anymore... Can we still joke about it, though? It was a good joke.

Sames:

1. The Alsatian hairdressers still gossip in French because they think you can't understand what they're saying. 
2. Seasonal breads such as Faschtewaehe, Graettiman, and Dreikoenigskuchen are still the best things in the world and always taste better from the store.
3. Coffee is still better on the home continent than here in the colonies.
4. I still don't have an American accent when I speak Deutsch, which was wonderful news to hear from a dear friend. I've always been worried that one day, after speaking mostly English all year, I'll get home and sound like a tourist in the homeland. Well, that day has not come yet.
5. We still sit at the kids' table for New Years and have more fun than the grownups.

They say change is a good thing. I suppose it's not too bad considering there are always also things that stay familiar and the same.

In other news: I just made oreos. I think I might prefer the store bought ones, but these are pretty good, too, and were more fun to make.