10 Things I've Learned about living in Germany

This fall, I will celebrate living in Germany for 9 consecutive years and 11 altogether. Of course, over this time, I've learned more than 10 things, but thought I'd share these with you.

1. Leberwurst doesn't taste as bad as I thought it always would. As long as there are some pickles with it.
2. It is possible to have complete darkness in the bedroom at 2 p.m. thanks to outside shades.
3. Home-made air conditioning is possible and works in a solidly built German home.
4. Swimming naked is really as great as everyone says it is. I really don't like swimming suits anymore.
5. You can learn German. It's a logical language.  Well, most of the time. Handschuh = hand shoe.
6. Even when you learn German, there will still be something you don't understand. Always.
7. And if you understand it, it doesn't mean that you can actually remember how to spell it. After 9 years, I almost always speak in German but write very often in English.
8. Just when you want to cross the street on red, the 'Sei ein Vorbild für Kinder' sign stops you in your moral tracks and you wait for green.
9. I may never be able to correctly pronounce ü and u. This, as my last name is Müller, a challenge, especially when spelling my name on the phone. Jamie also proves tricky. 'Wie der Koch, wie der Koch.' = Like the cook, like the cook.

What have you learned since living abroad?