Katie's BMT Updates

Dear Katie and Ian,

Wall-e is now on my must see list, if only to see Ian's name in the credits. Under which category to I look? I always enjoy Pixar's animated treats. As they say, growing up is not optional, growing old is. I have not exercised my old option--and have no plans to do so.

What fun to take Zach to the movie theater! His reaction was probably typical for his age group, especially since he is growing up with TV and DVD's. The magic of the sound and movement was different in my day, of course. My mother wrote in my baby book about my first movie experience. I cried; but once I got over the fright, I was transfixed by a Mickey Mouse cartoon. I am so glad that she wrote little stories about me and my brothers.

By the way, movies were a regular part of visits with Ray. Carl, Ray, and I were taken to the movies by Uncle Emil. Our early favorite actor was Francis, the Talking Mule. We LOVED the Francis movies. We also loved Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedies. It was a dark day when that team split. I should rent a Francis movies and see if I would still find it so hilarious--laughter is the best medicine. Maybe you should connect with Francis, too. I believe his sidekick was Donald O'Connor.

Congrats to Ian. Kisses to Zach. Love to you,

Eva

Katie:
I'm sitting here at work with tears in my eyes after reading your blog. What a wonderful gift that screening of Wall-E was for you all. Aaron, of course, insisted we see it when he was here in town. We went to a 9:30 pm showing in the city and were surrounded by geeky 20-somethings. It was a great film, but seeing it the way you did clearly made the experience. My first animated film was Cinderella. Zach is so much more sophisticated!

Loved the posting, loved the photos. Thinking of you, Katie.

Love,
Joan

Dear Katie,
What an amazing fieldtrip, and to have it be Zach's first movie in the theater, even. I hate that "cancer's gift" language, like anything associated with that word could be an f-ing gift, and especially when people get in your face with it, all new agey and talking about "self-healing." But I knew what you meant, and I cried, too. Here's an extra special moment made all the sweeter and more poignant by how precious it was. Oh, we both know how sensitive I am, guess it was my pinche gift. I love the picture of you and Zach in the darkened theater with you pointing at the screen, and how he'll always have that. shoot, I need a tissue.
love you,
Shona

Katie,
So how long do you have to be separated from the rest of us? I swung by your place today and left a note for J&C on my way home from the playground. It would be great to see you in the hood again.
Curtis

Hi Katie!

So happy to hear of your outing and of the shared fun with Ian and Zach. And you are rocking your pink wig! You sound really good. I am really thankful for having you in my life, and for the Internet and blogs, so we can keep in touch across the many miles.

Today is a Bavarian holiday, Ascension Day, I guess the day Mary went to heaven. Bavaria is a very religious region; instead of saying Guten Tag for a standard greeting, people here say Grüss Gott -- literally, "Greet God." Agnostic that I am, I feel a little weird echoing it back, but ah well.

Rob has the day off and it is rainy and chilly, so we are puttering around the apartment, napping, watching the Olympics online (German TV has a lot of equestrian coverage, sigh), and snacking constantly. We were hoping to take a trip somewhere on this long weekend, but all the good deals require advanced planning. Still, we may hop on the train to Salzburg tomorrow, just because it's so close. I'm still marveling at how easy it is to wander into the next country. Of course, I was also really impressed by how easy it was to wander into CT, NJ and PA from NYC, so maybe I just give the impact of borders too much credit.

I am still eating a lot of sausage and experimenting with simple meals. The other night, we did an east-west experiment, with soba noodles in a broth of miso soup, topped with slices of weisswurst, the white veal sausage that is Bavaria's pride. I'm resolving to continue going to dance class, to counter all this sausage consumption. I am a bit amused by the flamenco and belly dancing classes taught by these very blond, very German-looking instructors. I mean, maybe I'm asking for too much -- what's authentic about a Chinese-American learning how to belly dance in Munich anyway -- but it strains my suspension of disbelief.

Tonight, we will dine on homemade zucchini and pea soup, generously sprinkled with Turkish manti (teeny dumplings) and watch the episode of Project Runway that Rob downloaded. There must be constants no matter where you are! (Trivia: "Auf Wiedersehen" breaks down into the words "auf" - until, "wieder" - again, and "sehen" - to see, or we see. So, literally, until we see each other again, like the French "au revoir"! My German is still pathetic, but I'm learning bits.)

much love,
Charlene

Hi-ya Katie,

How awesome for you and Zach to be able to see Wall-E together! I went with Jan recently to see it and thought of you and Ian and enjoyed seeing his name roll down. I'm sure Zach loved being at a theratre for the first time with his mama!

I haven't been on your blog nearly enough as have been on an internet haitus, but love to read what you share with everyone. You're writing is such a gift-- THanks for sharing!!

I look forward to seeing you in a few days!

Much Love,
Dara

Dear Katie,
That was really neat to have your own private screening in a movie theater. I had never heard O the movie "WALL_E" intil your POST. I've looked it up on the internet and it looks really interesting as it was brought to us by the folks who brought us "FInding Nemo" I loved that movie.
How is the stoamch cramoing by the way? I hope that it has subsided for you.
We are getting a cool down-storms coming out of the west. This week we will dip down into the 70's and 80's which is such a plesant change.
We had difficulty getting the baot registered in OK becaseu there was no vin number on it. Son had bought it used and fixed it up and didn't realize it had no vin number. So he fixed it up and is getting tags for it tiday. Maybe I can g fishing soon. It is hard to do shore fishing becaseu of all the bugs-you would get completely eaten up. We have a raccon who keeps coming around at night to eat the dog food. so we have been pputting the food up at night to discourage him. so far he is still coming around. Maybe he has no social life!!! Our dogs are so laid back that they probably told him to help himself.
Back to work tonight-take care and love you much!!
Mom

Dear Katie,
Some good news-Don got the boat registered in OK and now we can go out boating and fishing and swimming. I am so excited. It has been almost 2 years since we have been able to use the boat. What a miracle!!!
Well, back to work.
Love,
Mom

Dear Katie,
I am at work and I was able to view some of the film WALL-E. It looks great-something like Short Circuit. I'd like to see it.
Well, got to go.
Love you,
Mom

Hey Katie,

I've been loving your blog... thanks for writing. Glad that you saw WALL-E (especially in your pink hair, as Zack and I both like it the best).

I had a similar moment reading the credits in Montana and seeing Ians name there. That was really cool, so I connected to this post.

Anyway, I've been wanting to let you know that I continue to think of you guys. Miss you around the 'hood!

-tim

Yo Katie!
Nice pink hair.
Its all futuristical and how appropriate while watching a movie about robots. I havent seen Wall-E yet, but I hear its really cool. Ian told me they based the main character on him. Is that true? I can't wait to see you soon. Loving you,
Jonny

I can't tell you how thrilled I was
to hear of your special viewing of WALLE at Pixar! Now I think even more of those guys over there.
Yea, for Hilary for helping with Zach. It is so special seeing a screening at Pixar. I always eagerly look forward to it.
We love looking for Ian's name on the films.
I still hope I can sometime be the one to help out in your journey to get well. Of course, you couldn't be in better hands than Marlene's and Ron's.
Best,
Joan Deamer