When you need a camera

you forget it. Bother.

I went to the hairdresser's with Louisa today (total hero - it was her idea - girls always like to play with their appearance to cheer themselves up so it seems!) That is a big deal for many reasons, but the two big reasons are:
1. because I don't get my hair cut in a professional salon at home: a friend of the family who used to be a hairdresser does it for me for cheap, and really well too.
2. because it was a German hair salon. Obviously.

But even though it's obvious, it's one thing going to a market and asking for a pound of tomatoes and a few courgettes (which I also did today, if we really want to be mundane) and it's another thing placing your hair in the hands of someone you're not quite sure has understood what you've asked for.

However the cut, wash and dye cost €39. Crazily cheap. Couldn't believe it. It was in the east, so perhaps that's something to do with it, but still.

But still, bother, I left my camera at home, so the proof is only in the results, not in the process. And I am by no means taking a picture of myself just to prove it. The pictures will out soon enough.

I must say, I felt awfully daring in the seat. I asked for a complete all-over dye (chocolate brown) and a layered cut. As she was hacking away, I defs moderated my request a bit, but still. And now that it's dry it actually looks quite good, if I may say so. I feel like I have got somewhere now. If you can ask successfully for your hair to be done precisely how you want it in a foreign language, the world is your oyster.

Sadly not, though, as I still encountered the same old frustrations at my Bible group this evening. It seemed to be a bit better, but I realised as I was speaking that that was only because they're used to me and the way I fumble my way around with their language by now.

The other funny thing that happened today was that I had to lead a class discussion on the most boring short story ever written with the 12. class (17-18 year-olds) with Herr Michael today. I basically freestyled it, as the brief was to navigate the discussion around the topic "Individual and Society" which they are dealing with at the moment (snore) ... but it reminded me of bluffing in tutes and it was also a great chance to get some banter going with the class.

I asked Herr Michael how I did at the end of the lesson.

He put his hand on my arm and simply said

"Emily. You really were most pleasing."