I made some progress with Gustav today. Instead of arguing or fighting with him (arguing with someone who doesn't understand you is pointless, anyway) I just ignore him. For example, after we dropped off Pauline this morning, he wouldn't get back in the car because he didn't want me to open his door; mommy has to do everything. Solution: I opened the door and Esther and I just sat in our seats talking until Gustav realized we weren't going to pay him any attention and he got in the car. I didn't have any problems with him for the rest of the day, and Esther put him to bed with very little resistance. Hopefully it doesn't take him very long to figure out this is how it's going to work until he finally cooperates.

Esther and I went to Cologne today to register me for the language school. It's right next to a train stop, so I don't have to walk very far or worry about getting lost trying to get there, which is good. I had to take a short placement test to determine which course I should be in. I didn't do too great, but I'm 2 course levels higher than their last au pair was :) The problem is that it puts me in a course that only meets Wednesday and Friday, and I can't go on Fridays because Pauline is at home all day. The woman who gave me the test tried to tell Esther that she needs to hire a babysitter, which is just stupid. Why would you hire another babysitter and then give the au pair the day off? Anyway, they're going to put me in a course that's one level below where I should be, and then I'm going to skip the Wednesday/Friday class and go into the one that's a little harder. For now, I'm going to be learning German 9am-1pm every Tuesday and Thursday.

I also had my first cup of Starbucks coffee since I left San Diego :) Esther bought me a Heidelberg tumbler to take in the car so I can feel more at home, and also because their mugs don't fit in the cupholders :)

This weekend will be my first real free time, so I'm going to try to get a bunch of pictures to post for everyone.