Trip to Germany. – 2016 12 06 I will be in Germany again in middle January for business trip. Giving the situation of last visit, I am a bit concerned about the language issue, but actually I look forward to it much more. I was fluent in English in work aspect, but I knew nothing about German. When we travelled in Germany, I felt as if I was on the Mars. I couldn’t read the menu in restaurant; sometimes it was hard to understand the hotel reception staff even though they were friendly. However, the inhabitants on the “Mars” were really nice. A boy helped me to order my food, an old man showed me the way to restaurant, a guy helped to translate my words to hotel staff, even though he was rushing to watch the football match; a stroller led me to the bank while I didn’t know where to deal with the bill for parking the car in wrong place; more people helped when I could not read the instruction in the gas station. I got help easily each day, it was quite amazing.

Regarding German names. Let’s say there is a German called “Markus H”, H represents the family name. Someone told me, when talking with Markus H, I shouldn’t call him Markus directly as it is not polite. I should call him H, even though I am familiar with him. I really doubt about this. From what I have known, western people put given name first, family name last. And we can easily distinguish the give name. If there is someone unfamiliar, I could say Mr/Ms + Family name, but never would I call the family name directly. Is it really different for German names??

Thoughts on <But you didn’t>. – 2016 10 14 <But you didn’t> is a poem written by an American lady. Her husband went to the battlefield in Vietnam, when their daughter was 4 years old. However, he never returned. When reading the poem, one can feel the sweetness of their life. Love existed in each moment. I love romantic stories, movies and poems. They reminded me how precious true love is. Below is the poem: Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and dented it? I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't. And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and you said it would rain, and it did? I thought you'd say, "I told you so." But you didn't. Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous, and you were? I thought you'd leave, but you didn't. Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug? I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't. And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans? I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't. Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do. But you put up with me, and loved me, and protected me. There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you when you returned from Vietnam. But you didn't.