Valerie's Adventures

Settling In

Monday, August 26, 2013 Valerie 3

Once again, God has provided for me in even greater ways than I could have imagined!  About a month ago I started looking for someplace to live.  The wonderful Christian couple I have been staying with all summer are going to have their baby in a couple weeks, so I needed to vacate the nursery before the baby arrives.  But finding an apartment around here has proven more difficult than I thought.  I couldn't use the German website I had used to find places in Würzburg, because Geilenkirchen is out in the country and there really aren't any students here who need roommates.  Plus, I kind of wanted my own space.<br />
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I started at the American Housing Office on base.  All they had were houses, because all the Americans stationed out here get a housing allowance and want to live in a house.  It makes sense.  The only apartment they had for rent was out of my price range.<br />
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Then Jonathan's neighbor had a co-worker who had been living in a fully-furnished apartment and was leaving.  So Jonathan and I went over to look at the place and met with the German landlady.  She is a really sweet old lady who lives alone, and the apartment is above her house with a separate entrance.  She talked to me in German for a long time and really wanted me to move in.  Other than having old-lady furniture (you know what I mean) and no fridge, it was a great place with lots of space.  It didn't have as much light as I would like and the floor plan was a little strange, but it would have worked.  Everything except internet was included in the monthly price, but the rent was slightly out of my price range and there was a hefty deposit.<br />
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So, I went to the Billeting Office on base where they have a housing list for all the other nations.  I called everyplace on there that was in my price range, but most had already been rented out.<br />
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Then a co-worker told me about a long-term stay hotel-like place that people usually use when they are moving to or leaving this base.  I looked up their website and saw that the nightly rate was <u>really</u> expensive!  But I contacted them anyway.  They got back to me right away and we set up a meeting a couple days later.  As it turns out, they are a Christian couple and I had actually met them at an event at the beginning of the summer!  Jonathan and I came over and they showed us the apartment and talked through all the details.  The price they offered was still slightly out of my price range and I thought it was not going to work.  So I mustered up the courage to ask if they would consider lowering the price just a little in exchange for me doing some work around the place.  Not only did they lower the price to the exact amount I had in mind, but they said they will actually take rent OFF for the days that they are on vacation and need me to watch the place for them!<br />
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Apparently they have been looking for a long-term renter for a while.  Most people stay here 30-60 days, but I will be staying here at least 6 months, and probably longer.  It will give them peace of mind to know that someone is here watching their dogs, taking out the trash, and checking guests in/out if need be.  I was so excited to move in this past weekend, and they are so excited to have me here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fLMx5hx8WeBCahEoJ8o7sFtYbd9qqVl9s6ob_CnupVX067yjQstx9VIxwyjjZwJN7Li0AknznzCBYQLUbIJA06A1Nz5J3DEv1vZ7_IZGB3LZx67YGci-fID7MBwG_3UerqVj9KLqD8eE/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fLMx5hx8WeBCahEoJ8o7sFtYbd9qqVl9s6ob_CnupVX067yjQstx9VIxwyjjZwJN7Li0AknznzCBYQLUbIJA06A1Nz5J3DEv1vZ7_IZGB3LZx67YGci-fID7MBwG_3UerqVj9KLqD8eE/s320/IMG_1567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front of house view from street</td></tr>
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The house is located in a small town about 8 minutes from Jonathan's house, and about 15 minutes from the base.  The first floor consists of an entry, common area/living room/bar, a large kitchen for events, laundry facility, and my apartment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh3f82iOfOwsu8auJvhBbvoDeKeN3o9WaNs90cb7Ac9AYYiTetvRdpfc1c_4STbDalxSaI6f4PrKdK3uWRq0eOvuMKbN2fD3hL9lTZtU2F31EZhyW2IGmfl8jcqRMpsqOF52yOD70FtQl/s1600/IMG_1575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh3f82iOfOwsu8auJvhBbvoDeKeN3o9WaNs90cb7Ac9AYYiTetvRdpfc1c_4STbDalxSaI6f4PrKdK3uWRq0eOvuMKbN2fD3hL9lTZtU2F31EZhyW2IGmfl8jcqRMpsqOF52yOD70FtQl/s320/IMG_1575.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from front door looking at entry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnuN4r_7ui9K3L3LPj4UouAOadOFbVhqHouHh-q2MG7A54-SqZofvy1cmEpYjvHRtOzDM_HtScJmop73H5XWam6wJJmF-WSgU_OMYE5MTs-4F_g2aMGNtSiBDMTIxIhSEDj9A1hpUbl1j/s1600/IMG_1574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnuN4r_7ui9K3L3LPj4UouAOadOFbVhqHouHh-q2MG7A54-SqZofvy1cmEpYjvHRtOzDM_HtScJmop73H5XWam6wJJmF-WSgU_OMYE5MTs-4F_g2aMGNtSiBDMTIxIhSEDj9A1hpUbl1j/s320/IMG_1574.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">common area with tables for guests</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBu-KBswj7zXOWm3ac0xHPzwIx96u1bmB17x4tq5dJfjBS2oB9eTbSdeRRa0yOm7MumnLIh_k3BoJ55C-47Nziu6mpy0Ez1A7ADikQvbXRwfQIion3mYPxJ-Q_saq69mzXUscXsZzvhx/s1600/IMG_1573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBu-KBswj7zXOWm3ac0xHPzwIx96u1bmB17x4tq5dJfjBS2oB9eTbSdeRRa0yOm7MumnLIh_k3BoJ55C-47Nziu6mpy0Ez1A7ADikQvbXRwfQIion3mYPxJ-Q_saq69mzXUscXsZzvhx/s320/IMG_1573.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bar area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKIw1GqWT_DIwETwV6Kllpvdq6re3rhvSI0KP98AQT3pm7g_RerhyphenhyphenwOoEYW1pHCLNtRj89bpUMfGZAKPltxE7S2uX_pATkBxYFpN0CdybqavWHwgCEK44Ygw6i3AJdrRx2A315o43nz8s/s1600/IMG_1576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKIw1GqWT_DIwETwV6Kllpvdq6re3rhvSI0KP98AQT3pm7g_RerhyphenhyphenwOoEYW1pHCLNtRj89bpUMfGZAKPltxE7S2uX_pATkBxYFpN0CdybqavWHwgCEK44Ygw6i3AJdrRx2A315o43nz8s/s320/IMG_1576.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living room with English television stations</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhMsZubJ3vYVNeeIaS4rE8SkNSDAE23uYyWjsar6h4e3g8u_YCLRk8n6QFbijZKendcvtPrp__pohBYYC_zoIE-_PfFcjXzP_-ZNFo8GBiuG3X4emDBtnYZsRhuALJLXpRAJEAMuyTfQ7/s1600/IMG_1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhMsZubJ3vYVNeeIaS4rE8SkNSDAE23uYyWjsar6h4e3g8u_YCLRk8n6QFbijZKendcvtPrp__pohBYYC_zoIE-_PfFcjXzP_-ZNFo8GBiuG3X4emDBtnYZsRhuALJLXpRAJEAMuyTfQ7/s320/IMG_1577.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">laundry area...very important!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDAmtJ1_m6DltYc1X3ZNWA8pSqrVxG4zmywsQ8-bP0Plz2DPMjyGauaeOnQVu5zoj2-uJIA5_yndNWgRjFBh0lMwXuiouETCr3spjxMBU5gpk0BbwQkfn2wP7cDrVvs6iSh7nYIa0x9T4/s1600/IMG_1572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDAmtJ1_m6DltYc1X3ZNWA8pSqrVxG4zmywsQ8-bP0Plz2DPMjyGauaeOnQVu5zoj2-uJIA5_yndNWgRjFBh0lMwXuiouETCr3spjxMBU5gpk0BbwQkfn2wP7cDrVvs6iSh7nYIa0x9T4/s320/IMG_1572.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small nook in front of stairs and my front door</td></tr>
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The second floor contains the other 3 apartments, all of which are fully-furnished.  Right now 2 of the apartments are occupied with 2 young couples, both of whom are pregnant and have dogs (not that it matters...I'm just giving details).  The third floor is where the owners live.<br />
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Everyone here is really nice.  And they all have to walk by my door when they enter or leave, so there is plenty of activity.  To be honest, it is a little lonely after living with roommates, but I think it will be the perfect arrangement for me.  I have my own separate space, not too big, but there are people around and things going on.  The Lord just keeps showing me His intention to not only take care of me, but provide for me in abundant ways!  I am excited to start this new chapter in my life!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-6_8Skx4GIgxdmIJTrY7C6FYe3jdIrCfFfTTtuJu5cuqIaphP0KrCZdXAJjVbWwjSnCivTSISXJ-EANzoVJ-_-6Hk9ULwwJ5YXeuWoPFTly8zxtzkSJPwSjFz8GTMJQpsfzZo7273EdV/s1600/IMG_1558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-6_8Skx4GIgxdmIJTrY7C6FYe3jdIrCfFfTTtuJu5cuqIaphP0KrCZdXAJjVbWwjSnCivTSISXJ-EANzoVJ-_-6Hk9ULwwJ5YXeuWoPFTly8zxtzkSJPwSjFz8GTMJQpsfzZo7273EdV/s320/IMG_1558.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of bedroom/living room from front door</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKS9iHQqldUmszYyL-6gF0IqFTiudJpUr_VhZel6WMNmX83mmQV6LFaM25GRo7BOLXYvPVqfkZQPu2ZsS_RLWGTbLMk9Cv7DtjTJPs-dmHvVkU3QBNowSNTxqWnTtFV-Z3nPeemuqM5kM/s1600/IMG_1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKS9iHQqldUmszYyL-6gF0IqFTiudJpUr_VhZel6WMNmX83mmQV6LFaM25GRo7BOLXYvPVqfkZQPu2ZsS_RLWGTbLMk9Cv7DtjTJPs-dmHvVkU3QBNowSNTxqWnTtFV-Z3nPeemuqM5kM/s320/IMG_1560.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other side of bedroom/living room with large wardrobe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSAQNPHcmK5yPM3Sq87cBnWGvWRld2ISwu5QtRzuzrd8lV_HXN1xXExfF6pCpCoFjrwUBRFlc2s_3QYTCUBCUr6JPJWFyYPNjW9DJQvE5qu6jgB4saJuN4dTQkVpJlgA4uAyCrcfFb1Ws/s1600/IMG_1559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSAQNPHcmK5yPM3Sq87cBnWGvWRld2ISwu5QtRzuzrd8lV_HXN1xXExfF6pCpCoFjrwUBRFlc2s_3QYTCUBCUr6JPJWFyYPNjW9DJQvE5qu6jgB4saJuN4dTQkVpJlgA4uAyCrcfFb1Ws/s320/IMG_1559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bedroom/living room door leading to kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrFMF-sIfPK6DoHxKnNdUBwqwdNmSKQUo_RhOrn2tezdh-0d0y67H4GV59d6OwpUy25-9xyYIe5s-bAt-z1GSdNaHvC-z-3ICZvZjNrMsG7FeHGdJAnXwTqP7hfVzWH0YLiImCrstxFAa/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrFMF-sIfPK6DoHxKnNdUBwqwdNmSKQUo_RhOrn2tezdh-0d0y67H4GV59d6OwpUy25-9xyYIe5s-bAt-z1GSdNaHvC-z-3ICZvZjNrMsG7FeHGdJAnXwTqP7hfVzWH0YLiImCrstxFAa/s320/IMG_1561.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">door leading to kitchen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuc_edh1K9Ao7mxDvTq_svgyAZKiIhtP38Pqx81kWM5_p7EthmoU-o7OY37Z6rt8ML9XLyblplVDRaDTGq_g2856gvaxgi9ZDSH2HHdTWKegZWKV9lkhXYt71NiTnmSEzKXNraZ2d8-zh0/s1600/IMG_1562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuc_edh1K9Ao7mxDvTq_svgyAZKiIhtP38Pqx81kWM5_p7EthmoU-o7OY37Z6rt8ML9XLyblplVDRaDTGq_g2856gvaxgi9ZDSH2HHdTWKegZWKV9lkhXYt71NiTnmSEzKXNraZ2d8-zh0/s320/IMG_1562.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kitchen with stove, microwave, and fridge (I bought a used toaster oven)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9IOLTrMXWOJaGDEyMXlJ5ENw_SGj9OqZD1QHvHbnZIVp4FH9cdyFwTUQ3Jhrv-HhVU33FB25NbzJOG_Bxq63a7rIJgZjLQyfkdyYIKOP1qiKiwiza07nqter01glJ3bMeAmjMuqpAKY_/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9IOLTrMXWOJaGDEyMXlJ5ENw_SGj9OqZD1QHvHbnZIVp4FH9cdyFwTUQ3Jhrv-HhVU33FB25NbzJOG_Bxq63a7rIJgZjLQyfkdyYIKOP1qiKiwiza07nqter01glJ3bMeAmjMuqpAKY_/s320/IMG_1563.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very small table with chairs in kitchen, back door leads to inner courtyard</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dmXPdCMGJFgn2o2zFBO_A4vG5Ynv5U4vlqVO4DYDdLm-b5PL7dx8wBaQOEdgpNELDT6ko0nSokIMP8VfusBxphZCXz5gK_P7uPEoBaja99aUyMZ-4QkZ6NCZTWAdmAqonXj0IA5nHtBP/s1600/IMG_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dmXPdCMGJFgn2o2zFBO_A4vG5Ynv5U4vlqVO4DYDdLm-b5PL7dx8wBaQOEdgpNELDT6ko0nSokIMP8VfusBxphZCXz5gK_P7uPEoBaja99aUyMZ-4QkZ6NCZTWAdmAqonXj0IA5nHtBP/s320/IMG_1564.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1oJ7vbr3Ogr5y5i4_bsoQLBXX-5SmqvSdEM3a883O28jCkwVyf_Hm7BKzMTL0WV7NyPd_GZVrd040cCyFl4CZgv-Et1mt062rp9yGL5jrXF3oo3i8puPn4XzkYZD2yj6N-Vb_KHySgKg/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1oJ7vbr3Ogr5y5i4_bsoQLBXX-5SmqvSdEM3a883O28jCkwVyf_Hm7BKzMTL0WV7NyPd_GZVrd040cCyFl4CZgv-Et1mt062rp9yGL5jrXF3oo3i8puPn4XzkYZD2yj6N-Vb_KHySgKg/s320/IMG_1565.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shower</td></tr>
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I am still trying to get things organized, so please overlook all my messes!  Also, sorry about the quality of photos...I took them on my phone.  But you get the gist of my new place. <br />
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Settling In

Once again, God has provided for me in even greater ways than I could have imagined! About a month ago I started looking for someplace to l...

Picking Blueberries!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 Valerie 1

I didn't have to work on Monday and have been wanting to go pick blueberries for several weeks now.  After getting lost a couple times (because I accidentally put the wrong address into the GPS app on my phone...), I finally found the big flag with a picture of blueberries that read "<i>blauwe bessen</i>," which means "blueberries" in Dutch.  They gave me 2 buckets and directed me where to park my car.  Everything was very organized and everyone there was only picking down one row.  I was assigned to a specific blueberry bush and told to pick from the outside moving in towards the middle, picking all the ripe ones completely off the bush.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS15vzvq4ELEqqPXa742AOJncTUue_vn7LVACNsAzizTLHXA5o21IHfrMWvVQwpK8Y8CoTxwBgEoXYP4MQlm1U9KQvApIK9MsC0sbMOZ0rMJm9xfg-yiVLHC6ZFfEbWIGQcFxuvRpOeko/s1600/IMG_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS15vzvq4ELEqqPXa742AOJncTUue_vn7LVACNsAzizTLHXA5o21IHfrMWvVQwpK8Y8CoTxwBgEoXYP4MQlm1U9KQvApIK9MsC0sbMOZ0rMJm9xfg-yiVLHC6ZFfEbWIGQcFxuvRpOeko/s320/IMG_1530.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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One of the Dutch ladies supervising and helping the blueberry pickers like me was impressed with how well I picked.  I was very thorough and literally picked every single ripe blueberry off my bush.  I was also careful to keep each blueberry in tact and I did not have a single branch or leaf in my bucket.  I think she liked me.<br />
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After finishing the first blueberry bush, I was assigned another bush to pick.  But there were way too many blueberries on that one for me to pick by myself.  Once my 2nd bucket was full, I decided to quit for the day.<br />
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In total, I spent 2.5 hours picking 6kg (about 13lbs!).  Keep in mind that 500g of fresh blueberries at the grocery store costs almost 4 Euros.  But I paid just 14 Euros for my 6 kilograms!<br />
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When I came home, I filled 4 freezer bags with blueberries, gave one to the people I am staying with, put one in the fridge for myself, and put 2 in the freezer to have for wintertime.  The blueberry field is only open until the end of this month, so I may try to go pick a little more before they close.  I can use them in pancakes, muffins, scones, yogurt, smoothies, and most importantly...my annual Christmas stuffed blueberry french toast.<br />
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 I LOVE blueberries!</div>
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Picking Blueberries!

I didn't have to work on Monday and have been wanting to go pick blueberries for several weeks now. After getting lost a couple times (...

Audition in Düsseldorf

Monday, June 17, 2013 Valerie 0

I just got back from my one and only audition at the Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf today, and the best word I could use to describe it is...<i>interesting</i>.<br />
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My audition time was 1:00pm, so I took an early train to give myself plenty of time and arrived at the school by 11:00am.  I found the check-in table, which was rather disorganized and difficult to figure out who was running things.  They asked to see my invitation to audition and then wrote down my name on the list for 12:10pm, almost a full hour before my originally scheduled audition time!  I asked if there was a room to practice in and they said to come back 20 minutes before my audition time (i.e. 11:50am) and I could practice in one of the rooms.  I asked if I would get to practice with the accompanist and they said "no."<br />
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<i>Okaaaayyyyy</i>.....I thought.  So I headed outside to do some stretches, breathing exercises, and humming warm-ups.  I went back to the audition table 10 minutes early (i.e. 11:40am instead of 11:50am) and asked to use the practice room.  I barely had 10 minutes to warm-up before someone came in and said they were ready for me.  So instead of my audition happening at 1:00pm, I was headed into the audition room at 11:50am, more than an hour earlier than I had anticipated!<br />
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The room was stuffy with all the windows closed and about a dozen teachers packed in to listen to me.  I have no idea if they were friendly or not, because the only one who spoke to me was a British professor (in English).  They didn't ask any questions about where I was from, what my experience was, why I wanted to study there, etc.  They just wanted to know what my first song was and then had me sing.<br />
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To be honest, it wasn't my best performance.  But it wasn't my worst either.  My knees weren't shaking and I wasn't even nervous.  Everything had happened so fast that I didn't have time to be nervous!  But I was sweating a lot in that stuffy room and hadn't gotten a proper warm-up. <br />
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I definitely had some nice passages in my aria and a few notes that I thought showed my potential, but the teachers were really distracting me.  They kept leaning over to each other, whispering, and making gestures.  Nonetheless, I pushed on and finished the aria well with a strong high note. <br />
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I was really disappointed that they didn't ask me to sing any of the other pieces I brought.  This program is unique in that you have to choose 2 tracks, I chose the opera track and the oratorio/lieder track.  So my audition was supposed to consist of 2 arias, one oratorio aria, and 2 art songs.  I chose those specific songs, because I thought each one showed a different side of my voice.  But they didn't get to hear all of them.<br />
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I don't think I made it into the school this time, but I won't find out for sure until next month sometime.  Jonathan has been really encouraging throughout this whole process and says I shouldn't give up until I know for sure.  Maybe they heard everything they needed to hear in that one song, maybe they were in a hurry because I was the last audition before their lunch break...who knows! <br />
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Whether I made it into the school or not, I still have hope because of the following:<br />
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-I had a great lesson with a professor there last week and I plan on taking private lessons with her when she returns from her summer vacation.  If I don't make it in, I can study privately with her for a few months, and then re-audition in December.<br />
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-In the meantime, I will continue practicing on my own and start looking for other opportunities to perform here in Germany. <br />
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-I'm still only 25 years old and have many years to go before my voice matures. <br />
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-And I am holding on to the promise God gave me a couple months ago in Würzburg with the vision about the stage curtains opening for me.  I know that God has strategically placed me here, so I'll just keep following His guidance, wherever that may lead!<br />
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Audition in Düsseldorf

I just got back from my one and only audition at the Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf today, and the best word I could use to describe it is......

New Apartment in Würzburg

Monday, April 22, 2013 Valerie 0

For the last 3 weeks, I have been subletting a one-bedroom apartment in Würzburg while the owner was on vacation.  It has been really lonely and definitely a trial of my spiritual and emotional health.  But God provided something for me to do almost everyday as well as extended weekends away from Würzburg up where Jonathan lives (more on that later).  Thank goodness I survived the last 3 weeks and have officially moved into a new apartment just up the street from the old place.<br />
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It is a renovated apartment in an older building, but has a lot of light, and most importantly...two roommates!  Amelie is a Christian and I met her through the Campus group here in Würzburg.  She is 23 and still studying for her Bachelor's degree with a double-major in English and Sports.  My other roommate is Patrick, who went to high school with Amelie and is the same age.  Patrick is in his first semester of a Master's program in Chemistry.  Although Germans don't have a personal bubble like Americans, they are really particular about sharing rooms.  It just doesn't happen here.  Each person has their own separate room.  Which works for me!<br />
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The roommate whose room I am renting for 5 weeks has a break from school this semester, so she is going to do some traveling.  She has everything I need here, including a bed and desk.  She was also nice enough to clean off her shelves so that I have someplace to put my clothes!  So although I'm still living out of a suitcase without a permanent residence, at least I can see most of my stuff instead of having to dig around for it.<br />
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It is amazing to me how much better I feel after being here for only 2 days.  Just having someone in the room next to me, making small talk in the kitchen while cooking, or knowing that someone will be coming home in a few hours makes all the difference in the world to me.  I know, I know....you all could have told me that I am the kind of person who needs a roommate.  And I knew that too.  But maybe God wanted to use the past 3 weeks of loneliness to show me how He specifically made me to be a people-person.  Yes, I need my alone time just like everyone else.  But now I can really see how being around people is essentially my purpose in life!<br />
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Anyway, here are some pictures from the new apartment.  I am for sure staying until the end of May, but depending on how things go with my job situation, I may stay a little longer.  We'll see!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4S7rYgghEq4YLPtVnKJMQhKG97umWO3UtWiCfYNSteeX3_ltw_mliFimH8Xu6jJPY6FnhkMwVPcj-cjFPJv6bHweH3Ek4pBjBojGd4kQNV5UL68xcQOt6ca-1fzaX8_nMDoidf39sSa/s1600/IMG_1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4S7rYgghEq4YLPtVnKJMQhKG97umWO3UtWiCfYNSteeX3_ltw_mliFimH8Xu6jJPY6FnhkMwVPcj-cjFPJv6bHweH3Ek4pBjBojGd4kQNV5UL68xcQOt6ca-1fzaX8_nMDoidf39sSa/s320/IMG_1233.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kitchen w/ table, stove, oven, fridge, microwave, etc.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYe6Wvfh7SS2FxlT8-W_M037wZomQeikU9NnvwUEz1fyQ32AEQvhYjxhNf6Dtp-cWFlP3bMxk4R9ThwniRPsW2YbVZGYMOwRWVXVLTofIn-2laFzc_DvzP3wn55OeuyCgb_7jHlcw3rjm/s1600/IMG_1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYe6Wvfh7SS2FxlT8-W_M037wZomQeikU9NnvwUEz1fyQ32AEQvhYjxhNf6Dtp-cWFlP3bMxk4R9ThwniRPsW2YbVZGYMOwRWVXVLTofIn-2laFzc_DvzP3wn55OeuyCgb_7jHlcw3rjm/s320/IMG_1230.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathroom w/ washing machine</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ihzt4O83hKYQfD4Ui7FjZLbmHwdaGBsq02nAQzWeOaBgAhUPWTAThpTafLW_ctV4arQSOOa9qhy0XU-eD4LURXL1dvD1jvGJ9Xmrt-3hzvDXow_IT1D_X82ctUQZmGsIh-0qwlg55Mk7/s1600/IMG_1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ihzt4O83hKYQfD4Ui7FjZLbmHwdaGBsq02nAQzWeOaBgAhUPWTAThpTafLW_ctV4arQSOOa9qhy0XU-eD4LURXL1dvD1jvGJ9Xmrt-3hzvDXow_IT1D_X82ctUQZmGsIh-0qwlg55Mk7/s320/IMG_1234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bedroom - it's bigger than it looks!  (you can't see the wardrobe, bookshelf, or drum set)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDz3Q1IWBPoIDLUS_jfssgUpU-iz7Dkv08fS7zwhA2tVWu_D_uiv1h54T2BH2FjvU1n63Z7JWzT2C1RUyWAkplolATizTLTEsJlB3rfN6EtaEBmIw6NHXknk866L-h7lIIIWGqdfux7_o/s1600/IMG_1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDz3Q1IWBPoIDLUS_jfssgUpU-iz7Dkv08fS7zwhA2tVWu_D_uiv1h54T2BH2FjvU1n63Z7JWzT2C1RUyWAkplolATizTLTEsJlB3rfN6EtaEBmIw6NHXknk866L-h7lIIIWGqdfux7_o/s320/IMG_1229.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">place for my clothes...yay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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New Apartment in Würzburg

For the last 3 weeks, I have been subletting a one-bedroom apartment in Würzburg while the owner was on vacation. It has been really lonely...

Hope Amidst Uncertainty

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Valerie 3

Last night I went to the Campus Crusade for Christ meeting here in Würzburg.  I had visited their group once last fall and decided to check it out again.  Honestly, I didn't feel that comfortable because they are all students and all younger than me.  Most of you know I feel more comfortable spending time with people older than me.  But last night was fine, it was a night of singing worship songs in English and German.  They moved into a time of prayer with music playing in the background, and honestly I was a little bored.  I wanted to go back to my apartment and call my mom for the day. <br />
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Just as I was getting ready to leave, the girl sitting next to me started talking to me.  She said that she had seen a vision from the Lord and she thought it was for me.  She told me that she saw a closed curtain and someone standing on a stage in darkness.  The curtain was opened and there was light.  Next she saw a bed with a blanket on it, and someone pulled the blanket off to reveal sunshine on the bed and a blooming rose.  She had no idea what it meant and I immediately began to cry.  This girl had never met me before and didn't even know my name.  I explained to her that I was an American trying to study opera here in Germany.  She told me that God has a plan for me and a reason for me to be in Germany and that He wants to show me His way for my life.  She prayed for me and as soon as she was done, another girl came and sat on the other side of me.<br />
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The second girl once again said that the Lord had laid me on her heart and she sensed instability in my life.  Almost like struggling to walk on roller skates.  She said that God sees my struggle and wants to help straighten me out.  She said that He will bring stability into my life soon and make His path for me clear.  Then she prayed for me and told me to trust God, because He will bring clarity soon.<br />
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After talking to my mom and my good friend Alex, I truly believe God spoke directly to me last night.  Over the past few months, I have had absolute uncertainty in my life in regards to three specific areas: singing, relationship, and job.  And last night through these two girls, I received three specific visions from the Lord.  I believe the stage represents singing, the bed with the rose represents a relationship, and the struggle in walking represents a job.  God has given me hope through these visions and I cannot wait to see how He will direct my paths in the days to come!

Hope Amidst Uncertainty

Last night I went to the Campus Crusade for Christ meeting here in Würzburg. I had visited their group once last fall and decided to check ...

Apartment in Würzburg

Friday, April 05, 2013 Valerie 2

So I've been subletting a one-bedroom apartment here in Würzburg this week.  The guy who rents it is on vacation for 3 weeks and I guess wanted to have someone else pay rent while he's gone.  Aside from being super dirty when I first got here (mostly the kitchen and bathroom), the apartment itself is great.  Plenty of space for one person, complete with bed, desk, TV, shower, toilet, sink, washing machine, oven, stove, fridge, small eating table, etc.  The location is right around the corner from a tram stop, so I have easy access to the city.  And it's only a 10-minute walk from the music school, where I've been going to practice everyday.  You have to reserve the practice rooms, so I just find an open one, and if someone kicks me out, I go find another one.  So far I haven't had any trouble, but it's always a little scary when someone comes into the middle of your practice session.<br />
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Anyway, back to the apartment...I went out and bought some stuff at Ikea to make it feel a little more homey for me.  Purple bedspread, purple towels, some kitchen utensils, and a potted pink flower.  But it's still pretty lonely here.  There's nothing on the walls and I really don't have anyone to interact with all day.  I'm learning that I just have to get OUT of the apartment to lift my spirits.  Even just walking to the school or going to the grocery store helps, because at least I am around people.  I think God is trying to teach me a lot during this time, a) that I need to rely on Him to be the source of my fulfillment in life, and b) He made me to be a people person and I should never try living alone again.  I've only been by myself for a week and it has been awful!<br />
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Thankfully, I was able to meet up with a girl from the Campus Crusade for Christ group here in Würzburg last night.  Her roommate is going on a trip in a couple of weeks, so I'll be able to rent her room for a month!  The apartment is just up the street a little ways from where I'm at right now, but it's in a little nicer neighborhood, the apartment is newer, the rent is cheaper, and best of all....I'll have people to live with!  Now if I could just figure out what to do with myself for the next 2 weeks until then...<br />
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Here are some pictures of where I'm living right now.  Like I said, the apartment itself is fine and has a beautiful view of a church, but it's just lonely:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbczkd4q3_qj4Zm-3aGABPd0t38cC3_chTmiTwBUzxWtrTuAmHMcIZA5jkNFrckVjjDwP2qWKHElvN3lzDy8SrghJy0IcXCH8rk_tuBGgg_Cz9sP3waFmkfOoyfV1OEcJq6nzyE6bcKYL/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbczkd4q3_qj4Zm-3aGABPd0t38cC3_chTmiTwBUzxWtrTuAmHMcIZA5jkNFrckVjjDwP2qWKHElvN3lzDy8SrghJy0IcXCH8rk_tuBGgg_Cz9sP3waFmkfOoyfV1OEcJq6nzyE6bcKYL/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">comfortable bed with my purple bedspread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhposwM8gW4XGuGzL_hsBcqXtvhRFfmLRfjXrgLdlwLGudyZjAZvN7uKLpTMnsme37qfgm-jEMBdMLYp6hoVmbkYNgtets7x2vdTx6zg0RzreJUoaCWJ9GRbKvLFJyQKiI8tWMW6iHGqiqg/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhposwM8gW4XGuGzL_hsBcqXtvhRFfmLRfjXrgLdlwLGudyZjAZvN7uKLpTMnsme37qfgm-jEMBdMLYp6hoVmbkYNgtets7x2vdTx6zg0RzreJUoaCWJ9GRbKvLFJyQKiI8tWMW6iHGqiqg/s320/IMG_1209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other side of the bedroom/livingroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W_wjyPGTVvOe9zlTaMVj5g_5bsSWeId_s8WMINhiBDW6dlfzqBeANtGxnLgmTv0_jkka3PuGa5166hyV1N3u2-2rl5N9CAbNsIB5wCIbkIp6yXDeE9Ub2LedxuDhGBoAFHMRhP0a75Br/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W_wjyPGTVvOe9zlTaMVj5g_5bsSWeId_s8WMINhiBDW6dlfzqBeANtGxnLgmTv0_jkka3PuGa5166hyV1N3u2-2rl5N9CAbNsIB5wCIbkIp6yXDeE9Ub2LedxuDhGBoAFHMRhP0a75Br/s320/IMG_1210.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathroom (shower behind door)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir29qoQ5iQcT_-jnJ1a_eLp3gQ1bm6CcA8kiA99G4yC5-stWBsEHHOjAmmPhYcGOWpAu_CRjgYZLRXFrlHvJCOcHV0XNTQ1b9ABNcQBAvOTkrhOZm6ptF-tkH7xjuom8CVXkQSuq-m3Lw/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir29qoQ5iQcT_-jnJ1a_eLp3gQ1bm6CcA8kiA99G4yC5-stWBsEHHOjAmmPhYcGOWpAu_CRjgYZLRXFrlHvJCOcHV0XNTQ1b9ABNcQBAvOTkrhOZm6ptF-tkH7xjuom8CVXkQSuq-m3Lw/s320/IMG_1211.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small kitchen, but has all the essentials</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxSnOgcwQVBQVz2AjfPihBSYMEzU0vxl5yqUcvkwbn9IBFzo2BgeJuBBF6qsKh1YDa5KXgouKeBk4WdkE3OU-rWpoJHCJqYDQXNh8Uy5RPWihl6y-gY1Ude4Rlr00ofvWOn7alHX41ubD/s1600/IMG_1201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxSnOgcwQVBQVz2AjfPihBSYMEzU0vxl5yqUcvkwbn9IBFzo2BgeJuBBF6qsKh1YDa5KXgouKeBk4WdkE3OU-rWpoJHCJqYDQXNh8Uy5RPWihl6y-gY1Ude4Rlr00ofvWOn7alHX41ubD/s320/IMG_1201.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the window</td></tr>
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Apartment in Würzburg

So I've been subletting a one-bedroom apartment here in Würzburg this week. The guy who rents it is on vacation for 3 weeks and I guess...

Easter 2013

Wednesday, April 03, 2013 Valerie 1

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8_2ry1YlRJMZioeYTQyj22oR_Xp4aII0-Yb7BCL0tKd9pMulqrXMJHpoDrH3RLZ9M4eijLTpxTbPiB58oXIqugAM58jZYc4nAuzfRgNL08VBUpHfeG-ZKCzv_L41hQNUcDEpSntLKOd-/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8_2ry1YlRJMZioeYTQyj22oR_Xp4aII0-Yb7BCL0tKd9pMulqrXMJHpoDrH3RLZ9M4eijLTpxTbPiB58oXIqugAM58jZYc4nAuzfRgNL08VBUpHfeG-ZKCzv_L41hQNUcDEpSntLKOd-/s200/IMG_1198.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">table set for coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bBfmaUHOeqHWGl9CVS55WnsPIKT6YXwdPYmAe4aC0whKLptdWc75gftGic4F2kfEZCeH44UiKdvzg-BCUidoHtldMdWKj86klMd2HRZz045GA8kVlAPcMobfMTxchoY4XvC499Gb1diV/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bBfmaUHOeqHWGl9CVS55WnsPIKT6YXwdPYmAe4aC0whKLptdWc75gftGic4F2kfEZCeH44UiKdvzg-BCUidoHtldMdWKj86klMd2HRZz045GA8kVlAPcMobfMTxchoY4XvC499Gb1diV/s200/IMG_1197.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter bunny came to Germany</td></tr>
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This Easter was only the 2nd time I've been away from my parents to celebrate the holiday.  But I was able to spend the weekend with my cousin Jeanette and her family, and it was so much fun!  Well, technically Sunday morning wasn't very fun, because I got sick in the middle of church and had to leave after the sermon.  Thankfully, Jeanette was able to take me home and give me some aspirin to help.  Usually I don't take aspirin ever...but desperate times call for desperate measures.  By the afternoon I was feeling much better.  Jeanette had a whole house full of people come over for coffee and cake in the afternoon: her mother, friend, brother, sister-in-law, plus all of us who were already there, so we totaled 9 together.  She baked two delicious cakes, one apricot and one cheesecake.  I enjoyed several hours of conversation with all of them, which consisted of me mostly listening and trying to understand what was going on.  I think I caught most of it, and I definitely learned some new words!  It was really sad to have to leave Jeanette's house.  It seemed like the weekend went by way too fast.  I spent so much time there in the fall, that a couple of days seemed like nothing.  I hope that I'll get a chance to visit them again soon.<br />
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But right now everything seems up in the air.  I feel like I have no direction.  Yes, I've applied for a couple of graduate schools and I'm going to have some voice lessons with the teacher in Würzburg.  But I feel very ungrounded and I'm not sure how to proceed.  Although I have friends all over Germany, I don't have an established group of friends or someone to hang out with on a regular basis.  I don't have a church, and I don't even know what city I will end up living in long-term.  Right now I'm just a lonely wandering nomad, and this is not the lifestyle for me.  To be honest, I just want to go back home to my parents house.  But I have to force myself to stay here and find out what's going to happen.  That's the hard part...not knowing.  I have to find out what will happen before I go home.  Remember when I first came to Germany last fall and I was working on the farm?  I was so lonely and I called my mom everyday and cried.  That's where I'm at right now again.  I thought things would be different this time, but here I am again in the pit of despair.<br />
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Easter 2013

table set for coffee Easter bunny came to Germany This Easter was only the 2nd time I've been away from my parents to celebrate ...