Seeing:
* text messages and Facebook statuses and tweets about the arrival of my new nephew, who joined the world on Wednesday evening in Seattle. Couldn’t be happier to be an auntie twice-over!
* the light.  To be more specific, a Philips Wake Up Light.  The idea is that about half an hour before your alarm goes off, the lamp turns itself on real low and gets progressively brighter, letting your body wake up “naturally” as opposed to jolting awake to the alarm.  Now that it’s that time of year in Hamburg where we have just over 15 hours of darkness (and will soon be making our way to over 16 hours), Philips has cruelly plastered the subways with advertising, knowing that people are feeling the deprivation.  Anyway, little wonder that we bought in to their advertising — but before we invest in the Wake Up Light, our neighbors have kindly let us try theirs out for a few days.  The jury is still out on this one, but I’ll keep you in the loop.

Hearing:
* my favorite music on my heavy and ancient (seriously, I’ve had it for seven years) iPod.  I love it still and really have no desire to get a new one, but since my lifestyle has changed a bit since NYC (no more long subway commutes), it tends to stay at home most of the time.  I’ve finally rigged it up to our Bose, so now I can actually listen to my music in the apartment.  So 2001, I know, but I’m pleased with myself.

Tasting:
* lots and lots of lemon tea to help boost my immune system, still.  Lemon with garlic and honey.  Lemon with ginger and honey.  Any other home remedies out there? ‘Cause I’m still trying to shake this thing.

Feeling:
* a smooth ride on my bike after getting it overhauled on Wednesday — the tires are pumped, the gears are fixed, the brakes are working, and my light works in the rain even!  Makes me think that I’ve been riding a piece of junk for half a year without even noticing.  Funny how that stuff sneaks up on you, huh?

Smelling:
* see Tasting, above.