Valerie's Adventures

Happy May!

Sunday, May 04, 2014 Valerie 0

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tYMl5pVYiWI71_985PXLnya04gmAqKD-VZveK6OcIw6CE4Vg_D2AlJbdMEpe7GgkpQVRNLEUICKea2QLHEMaQS3aKmDdpKi_jAlLf0eR-FeY9PJJ3j9LtA6m3BOkRIRrmKqUC5106kkN/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tYMl5pVYiWI71_985PXLnya04gmAqKD-VZveK6OcIw6CE4Vg_D2AlJbdMEpe7GgkpQVRNLEUICKea2QLHEMaQS3aKmDdpKi_jAlLf0eR-FeY9PJJ3j9LtA6m3BOkRIRrmKqUC5106kkN/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyn-fL7-7BWj-Gbk0dTmXh9Twv5gKMmmqcKc5ZM3a2biRmi64OBuDCy_7xZ-8Xu3ZBh6cwnQObRtiQm68ohDvJp6vyB5lbtvASCfm6ucG0rdzte3JRlIUyr91-zXN-ynYTFwzmg9zob__/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyn-fL7-7BWj-Gbk0dTmXh9Twv5gKMmmqcKc5ZM3a2biRmi64OBuDCy_7xZ-8Xu3ZBh6cwnQObRtiQm68ohDvJp6vyB5lbtvASCfm6ucG0rdzte3JRlIUyr91-zXN-ynYTFwzmg9zob__/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" width="149" /></a>The month of May has once again arrived, and with it....May Day.  Or as the Germans say, "erster Mai."  The tradition here in Germany is to raise the <i>Maibaum</i> the night before May 1st and have a party with bands and beer to celebrate, of course.  This year the first of May fell on a Thursday, which meant we all had the day off of work (to recover from the night before...or in my case, just to sleep in on a weekday).  Each little village in Germany has a Maypole and it is fun to see the various designs as I drive through the towns in this area.  Some are bigger or higher than others, but all of them are raised up on a pole and have colorful ribbons.  It is a fun celebration to announce that spring has officially arrived (although we hardly had any winter here and no snow at all...so we're kind of cheating).  Here are some pictures of the Maibaum in my village of Langbroich, which is located about 100m from my house.<br />
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Happy May!

The month of May has once again arrived, and with it....May Day. Or as the Germans say, "erster Mai." The tradition here in Germ...

Color Run on Base

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Valerie 1

Last Friday was a 5k Color Run on base to support the Air Force Sergeants Association.  Since I had one 5k under my belt already, naturally I signed up for this one too!  Thankfully my running partner was there to help me again.<br />
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For those of you unfamiliar with color runs, they basically get you wet before the race starts (in our case, the fire department came and hosed us down) and then throw powdered paint at you while you run.<br />
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We had about 200 people from the base show up to run including kids.  The energy level was high and we had so much fun!  It was the first time I had run the 5k trail on base, which went around part of the base perimeter in a forest area.<br />
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My good friend Chris ran with Steve and me, so the three of us kept a moderate pace...just difficult enough to push me, but easy enough to somewhat hold a conversation.  Here we are together as a team crossing the finish line (and the final paint-throwers!):<br />
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Not everyone stayed for the group photo, but there was still a lot of color!  Can you spot us in the crowd?<br />
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I will definitely be doing one of these color runs again!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>BEFORE                                    AFTER</b></span></td></tr>
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Color Run on Base

Last Friday was a 5k Color Run on base to support the Air Force Sergeants Association. Since I had one 5k under my belt already, naturally ...

First 5k Run

Sunday, April 13, 2014 Valerie 2

So because I am preparing for an 18k Mud Masters obstacle run next month and I am dating someone who apparently likes to run, a 5k city run was bound to happen...<br />
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Steve has been helping me train and is pretty much the sole source of my motivation for running.  Because let's face it...I hate running.  But running with him is actually fun.  Although he could run at a much faster pace for a longer time and leave me in the dust, he doesn't.  He lets me set the pace, but still pushes me just enough to improve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Steve in Venlo</td></tr>
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Two weeks ago, I officially completed my first 5k run EVER!  It was in the city of Venlo, the Netherlands, about a 40-minute drive from where I live.  Besides the 5k, they also had a 10k and a half-marathon.  There were almost 13,000 runners total between the three races and many thousand more volunteers, supporters, and cheerleaders.  Random strangers were lined up on the street cheering for us the whole way.  There were even small bands playing on the sidewalks.<br />
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One thing I did not anticipate was all the extra energy needed to pass people.  When I practiced running, I always stayed at a steady pace throughout the run.  But having to slow down and speed up again over a long period of time is exhausting.  By 3.5km I was so tired!  I had to slow my pace down a little, but Steve stuck with me.  By the time we hit the 4km mark, he started encouraging me.  And once we were within 250 meters, I kicked it into high gear.  First there were thousands of people cheering for me to keep going,  second Steve was telling me it was almost over, and third I wanted to finish strong.  After crossing the finish line, I was completely exhausted and could 
barely even walk straight.  But I made my goal of under 30 minutes and 
finished with a time of 29:04!<br />
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First 5k Run

So because I am preparing for an 18k Mud Masters obstacle run next month and I am dating someone who apparently likes to run, a 5k city run ...

Italian Cooking Class in Dutch

Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Valerie 3

So the title of this post may be slightly misleading....the Dutch lady who taught our cooking class actually did speak some English.  And she tried to translate the recipes for us as best she could.  The class took place at her cooking shop in the town of Beek, which is close to Maastricht in the Netherlands (about a 40-minute drive from my house).  She is also a chef at a high-end restaurant in Maastricht.<br />
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The food was delicious, but it was the whole experience that made it worthwhile.  I will probably never make these recipes again, but I enjoyed the afternoon with friends and of course....eating the food!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to cook!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not quite sure what to do with this piece of meat...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooking the meat (I think it comes from a pig)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">veggies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">put it all together for the main course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chef showing us how to roll out the pasta dough</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making ravioli</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to boil the pasta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken ravioli with zucchini and parmesan cheese</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTDyhVQ5hlZpir02nhVMUMxFhLYwl4x3l_cvGrisamP6Z3UEh63D0H1gTl_SWDQGdyWBVJRjzQY5Qup3irIwKEkp8sP307uhyNxe1M3yIor5OsM1JpKwBL2tgp0DB1ZZdD2gAIbEvtI7p/s1600/DSCN1484.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/AVvXsEjfTDyhVQ5hlZpir02nhVMUMxFhLYwl4x3l_cvGrisamP6Z3UEh63D0H1gTl_SWDQGdyWBVJRjzQY5Qup3irIwKEkp8sP307uhyNxe1M3yIor5OsM1JpKwBL2tgp0DB1ZZdD2gAIbEvtI7p/s1600/DSCN1484.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">preparing the plates for everyone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjA9AaqD_VaZpZ5BloFxcwffxRuPH9Nkb1OpPl85AYRViVE2kmvsuhtvqYuMncRxhC9wLKVg6wgN_Oj8mTdLE023HlnAqwHPOWq4CuXc8m6rHLGjzih4ya57VZhWY9-u2e7RRCvpTpARc/s1600/DSCN1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjA9AaqD_VaZpZ5BloFxcwffxRuPH9Nkb1OpPl85AYRViVE2kmvsuhtvqYuMncRxhC9wLKVg6wgN_Oj8mTdLE023HlnAqwHPOWq4CuXc8m6rHLGjzih4ya57VZhWY9-u2e7RRCvpTpARc/s1600/DSCN1482.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almond roasted sweet cheese with candied apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEiEDf3JRpE9FqxRrc-So2mNd4R87UBN9zi7MmCBWvQOH_B8WY3nor05Ky4-WdOvqIashixSnnvVDYtGFnaUGIqm8Boi-XTy-hXUGVfdDy5ubcQ4sLMk1lKGZ8dEI9L90J4yxpHy5CWzaa_j/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDf3JRpE9FqxRrc-So2mNd4R87UBN9zi7MmCBWvQOH_B8WY3nor05Ky4-WdOvqIashixSnnvVDYtGFnaUGIqm8Boi-XTy-hXUGVfdDy5ubcQ4sLMk1lKGZ8dEI9L90J4yxpHy5CWzaa_j/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing deliciousness of whipped creme and sugar with cheeries</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/AVvXsEhWCBgN-55Om951Uq9wRvo843wOwx49jBypPlhDeHFjkmZH_aU6mbvEpLqlxn3_hpqX-_0nKKy1Lfiu4jI2JWz9NWSv-ByaX9r-EPnBkUg2Fed3k05KAzcp3hJNVHe8m-yTXoP3IuaLaVbZ/s1600/DSCN1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCBgN-55Om951Uq9wRvo843wOwx49jBypPlhDeHFjkmZH_aU6mbvEpLqlxn3_hpqX-_0nKKy1Lfiu4jI2JWz9NWSv-ByaX9r-EPnBkUg2Fed3k05KAzcp3hJNVHe8m-yTXoP3IuaLaVbZ/s1600/DSCN1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part was eating what we cooked together!</td></tr>
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Time really does fly, because this cooking class took place almost 2 months ago already!  It is not something I would do on a frequent basis, but this group of people wants to attend another one of her cooking classes again.  If it works out, I will probably go.<br />
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Italian Cooking Class in Dutch

So the title of this post may be slightly misleading....the Dutch lady who taught our cooking class actually did speak some English. And sh...

Max at 8 months

Thursday, March 20, 2014 Valerie 1

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj-gRDSfGjx7h2-5bjPbjaWWK9k9b_ZzGsT-Vx2XdNxz9ANsy7J0GW6JKTYfp_FvAo39ij-frq_x-7koUEAGn54k3l9WcBUR_dPmp13k9QmSn-LCs07-FvP__3Jeh8AAPzARaqAmKwwls/s1600/IMG_2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj-gRDSfGjx7h2-5bjPbjaWWK9k9b_ZzGsT-Vx2XdNxz9ANsy7J0GW6JKTYfp_FvAo39ij-frq_x-7koUEAGn54k3l9WcBUR_dPmp13k9QmSn-LCs07-FvP__3Jeh8AAPzARaqAmKwwls/s1600/IMG_2022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I have seen Max on and off for the past 6 months, and hardly at all over the holidays.  But last week I got to have him with me for 3 whole days!  And boy is he a handful now!  He is still as sweet as ever, but Max has so much energy and likes to push the limits to see what he can get away with.<br />
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The first thing he did when he got to my apartment was pee on my pillow to mark his territory (when I wasn't looking, of course).  And then he ate up my bathmat while I was in the shower.  Oh well!<br />
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I took him for a run everyday to get some of that energy out, and one day I completely exhausted him.  I had heard that a dog uses up more energy running on the leash, because they have to trot at your pace and stick with you.  When they are off the leash, they can sprint and stop and take breaks.  So I kept Max on the leash for about 40 minutes and he was lagging behind me with his adorable tongue sticking out.  Then I let him off the leash and he raced around, always staying within a few meters of me.  We were running/walking in the park for over 2 hours.  Needless to say, he slept well that night!<br />
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He is still a snuggler, and I still love him.  He turned 8 months last week, and he is now full-grown.  I am totally wrapped around his little paw.<br />
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Max at 8 months

I have seen Max on and off for the past 6 months, and hardly at all over the holidays. But last week I got to have him with me for 3 whol...

Back to Volleyball

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Valerie 1

I have been playing a lot of volleyball lately.  Since last summer I have been playing pick-up games every Tuesday at the NATO gym on base.  In August I played my first beach volleyball tournament for Sports Day on base and my team won the whole tournament!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSuBU3Z0Lc7UL2vsqn1hhhIJ4xjdo8Cv73YVYFLVtQdzZ-LL2aF58gSV1u2I2v7kQK3RaL243doTqLHTK1Vz0ctwFA5NGzj0v5zjZjGTkHlQhN-8nSR1vPpPdx5x1iASe45VxmMcAzni6/s1600/IMG_1980.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/AVvXsEiQSuBU3Z0Lc7UL2vsqn1hhhIJ4xjdo8Cv73YVYFLVtQdzZ-LL2aF58gSV1u2I2v7kQK3RaL243doTqLHTK1Vz0ctwFA5NGzj0v5zjZjGTkHlQhN-8nSR1vPpPdx5x1iASe45VxmMcAzni6/s1600/IMG_1980.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still working on my approach and swing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A couple of Dutch guys I play with also play for a volleyball team out of Landgraaf, which is a town just over the border in the Netherlands.  In January their team played a day tournament in which they needed a female on their team.  Hence, they asked me to join them.  It was only a couple days after I got back to Germany, so I wasn't completely over the jet-lag yet.  But I still joined them and had a great time.  All the guys were Dutch and I played well with them, so they invited me to come play with them on a regular basis.  So for the past 2.5 months I have been also playing volleyball with the Landgraaf team on Thursday nights.  I am the only female.  And I like it that way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4ZISYHgX3SdvA8QaGa7PxU6jvQcVyzlXWocp24p9Cr0SlneGFaViPb5cJ_0JBdAWxZUCh1r50HytOtQVQ_q0XLwqhBLGopoC51arb6VykhDH9L6TlLMjal9t2o90mIPtNpcOskb_e74P/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4ZISYHgX3SdvA8QaGa7PxU6jvQcVyzlXWocp24p9Cr0SlneGFaViPb5cJ_0JBdAWxZUCh1r50HytOtQVQ_q0XLwqhBLGopoC51arb6VykhDH9L6TlLMjal9t2o90mIPtNpcOskb_e74P/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing much better in the back row now</td></tr>
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There are also volleyball teams on all the American bases in Germany, so I played in a tournament in January with the team from Spangdahlem Airbase.  The tournament was at Ramstein Airbase and it was an all-female team.  It was so easy to play on the girls' net!<br />
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In a few weeks I will play an indoor volleyball tournament with the Landgraaf team, in May I will play an outdoor tournament with them, and in June I will play another outdoor tournament on base.<br />
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My volleyball skills have improved greatly, and I wish my high school coaches could see me play now!  I am also in the best physical shape of my life due to Crossfit, so I believe that has helped my volleyball game in many ways.

Back to Volleyball

I have been playing a lot of volleyball lately. Since last summer I have been playing pick-up games every Tuesday at the NATO gym on base. ...

New Blog Layout!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Valerie 0

Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
I do sincerely apologize for my long absence from blog posts....once again.  I really have been SO busy that I have not had the time or energy to stay up-to-date on my blog.  However, as you can see I have a new blog layout, thanks to a friend of mine who is great with computers and graphic design stuff.<br />
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I am so excited to have a new look and something a little different.  There are still a couple kinks to work out, but so far I am liking it.  THANK YOU, MICHAEL!<br />
<br />
<br />
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New Blog Layout!

Dear Friends, I do sincerely apologize for my long absence from blog posts....once again. I really have been SO busy that I have not had ...