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3/25/2004 9:15:00 PM
San Diego, CA
Harbor Island - At the marina

Enjoying San Diego....

Shortly after you received the last mail we left with our new Volvo for our trip up to Santa Cruz, to get Robert's old car and to take advantage of the free time on his hands, since he did not have a job then

Hallo to you all,

Better later than never, here some news from us, not that it is easy to "top" the last report... Nothing much happened the last few weeks - just the way I like it!

Shortly after you received the last mail we left with our new Volvo for our trip up to Santa Cruz, to get Robert's old car and to take advantage of the free time on his hands, since he did not have a job then. It seems like ages ago....

Originally we had planned to stay only one week but it ended up to be two. Robert had scheduled a job interview, which got cancelled after all, but we still enjoyed staying longer. Just as it is with our visits back to Austria, we now have to face the same thing going back to the Bay Area: Not having enough time to see everybody. We spent the two weekends with Hemma and Christoph in Palo Alto and during the week we stayed with Maura and Bob in Boulder Creek,  seeing some friends during the day. We also managed to spend a sailing day with Robert's colleague Dave and his wife Melanie (who had bought a boat inspired by us, live on it as well and are expecting their first child in a few weeks - wow!). And we got to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge after all (see picture), what a feeling - THANKS!

Broesel was totally happy to see us and did not leave the kids sights, neither did they! (see picture) Sebastian and Benjamin were able to spend a day at their two schools, see their friends and teachers - perfectly timed on Valentines Day! Looking at Sebastian's class mate and having a short assessment talk with his teacher I was glad to see that he is still very well within the standard of a first grader. I was a bit worried with all our travels and plan changes, school got to be a bit short and I was hoping he would not have too much to catch up to.

On our way back we stayed a weekend with Barbie and Jimmy and then finally a few consecutive weeks on the boat. I have to admit that after all these months of constant changes (departure from Santa Cruz, arrival in San Diego, pre- and Christmas time, trip to Europe, plan changes, visit to the Bay Area) I was a bit tired and looking forward to being on one spot for a while. Sleeping in one bed for more than 7 nights, eating at the same table and being just "us". Usually I really enjoy and crave being different places, seeing and meeting people, talk, etc. but after all these weeks I was drained. Robert on the other hand who normally likes to be at home, doesn't enjoy being too many places at once, had no problem with it this time and could have gone on....

He had to start working for a friend soon after and has been pretty busy the last 3 weeks, quite a contrast program for him! The three of us have establishes somewhat of a daily routine and after my "extreme school days" in the beginning (too much program for Sebastian and I) I changed my approach a bit, concentrate on one or two items a day and now we are doing great. I see a lot of progress and success with him and it feels good for both of us. Benjamin has decided after our trip to Boulder Creek that he wants to do school as well. He is really interested at letters and numbers, working nicely on his little Pre-school/Kindergarten books, playing some phonic games with us and being very happy with it. Sebastian's reading has come a long way and he claims that this is what he likes best at school, much to my surprise since he often gets frustrated if it takes him a bit to figure out the words or getting them wrong (the perfectionist in him!).

I also take advantage of all the wonderful things to do in San Diego, many museums, parks, beaches and attractions, which we can go and see with our flexible days - another way of learning and teaching. They both also go and play soccer once a week at the YMCA, which is a wonderful addition to our schedule, and place to meet some friends.

In-between we try to do some sailing, which has been hard with Robert's schedule since he also had to work on the weekends. We also like to visit Barbie and Jimmy and with all this the time just seems to fly by, being worried we won't be able to do and see it all until October. Benjamin is already talking about his birthday and even though it is only in August, I know it will be here in no time.

So let us know what has happened in your "fast moving" lives - a few have mailed back but there is many we would love to hear from. By the way if you want to get in touch with me again over the phone please use my new number 619 808 3622 (Robert's number will still be 408 505 2474)

We hope that spring is coming to you (and us - it is pretty ugly here at the moment) soon and cheer us all up. Until next time - big hugs and kisses

Yours the 4 Schmids

PS When you reply to this message please be so kind to erase it as well as the pictures since it takes forever to download it - but don't let that keep you from mailing..!

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