Road Trip with the 'Rents

A couple weeks ago, my parents and I took a road trip down to Arizona for the weekend.  When's the last time you were secluded in a car with your parents for 10 hours?  I couldn't remember either.  But part of the fun being a grown-up is sitting in the driver's seat while your parents ask you every hour, "Are we there yet?"  I guess it's just payback...<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITSQoO-N9LxRkhZsA7rZTJKthpzyPWuA14eLTdvlF-A4xGe2gN10DYSUzQVyNo7wYDe8fikhr17DDHJdAfOP7ZCosnixVw9jCNqxS_xPbEFY5t7h5MIBEJypMCFhZAsSKDIrlq8n4cH1D/s1600/P1050546.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/AVvXsEgITSQoO-N9LxRkhZsA7rZTJKthpzyPWuA14eLTdvlF-A4xGe2gN10DYSUzQVyNo7wYDe8fikhr17DDHJdAfOP7ZCosnixVw9jCNqxS_xPbEFY5t7h5MIBEJypMCFhZAsSKDIrlq8n4cH1D/s320/P1050546.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at Taliesin West</td></tr> </tbody></table> Some of my dad's friends from Wisconsin spend their winters in a town outside of Phoenix called Apache Junction.  So we headed down to visit with them for the weekend and do a little sight-seeing.  Yes, I was the odd person out...but after 25 years, I think I'm used to it by now!<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> Our first stop was Taliesin West, the former winter residence of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his students.  They would spend the summers in Wisconsin (where it wasn't so hot) and winters in Arizona (where it wasn't so cold).  I found the 1.5 hour tour to be absolutely fascinating as we walked through all the buildings, learning about Frank Lloyd Wright's eccentric views and lifestyle, his architectural brilliance, and his teaching style.  Each student of his at Taliesin West was given a small stipend and was responsible for building their own lodging out in the desert wilderness of the property.  The theory was that you learn something by actually doing and experiencing it.  And if you can't build something you would live in yourself, how can you build something you expect other people to live in?  The students had a rigorous schedule and once a week they were required to dress in their evening finest to give a musical performance for the group.  If a student did not know how to play an instrument when they arrived, they had to learn while they were there.  Located on the outskirts of Scottsdale, today Taliesin West still offers a unique degree/apprenticeship program for young architects and they still live on the property.  Some of the master architects teaching the next generation were students of Frank Lloyd Wright himself.<br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH_PvFHVS_qisIJiV-KZE6VLMvpxqfUrjLYFqLJhBjq8P_KFODSuDngaa4nPhYfmCNpRalkY2nJHdlnaK1mYVyvtbXkWRvNts-12MbMffdcojFQ2VFMStKXGF8dsn92y_KVrImY43pos9/s1600/P1050581.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/AVvXsEgoH_PvFHVS_qisIJiV-KZE6VLMvpxqfUrjLYFqLJhBjq8P_KFODSuDngaa4nPhYfmCNpRalkY2nJHdlnaK1mYVyvtbXkWRvNts-12MbMffdcojFQ2VFMStKXGF8dsn92y_KVrImY43pos9/s200/P1050581.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Spring"</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> Next we headed to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.  Now, I am not a fan of desert landscape, nor do I like cacti.  But I have to admit that the garden was a beautiful display of God's creation.  Plus, the sun was shining and the sky was clear blue.  Ironically, there was a display at the garden that day by an artist with the last name Haas.  He took nature-inspired objects to create four large faces, each one representing a different season.  I liked the one called "Spring" best.  But my favorite part of the garden was all the cottontail bunny rabbits hopping around.  They were so cute!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEj8DTrt6aVEquJfTDg1fypT8NgOTUSSJBJJBxNbXZTJzWDkA33gXm-T8zU1hz-8-XBeHRE9ym64sLhR5qTYMx88yA2VFTGD8ShYmHYpxmAY7GGHOulVDVuw-jT6-18ycgkx0i_s5U9dRVPC/s1600/P1050571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DTrt6aVEquJfTDg1fypT8NgOTUSSJBJJBxNbXZTJzWDkA33gXm-T8zU1hz-8-XBeHRE9ym64sLhR5qTYMx88yA2VFTGD8ShYmHYpxmAY7GGHOulVDVuw-jT6-18ycgkx0i_s5U9dRVPC/s320/P1050571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with parents and friends at Desert Botanical Gardens</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> We ended our day at a place called Organ Stop Pizza Parlor.  It is literally a pizza joint with a giant pipe organ.  The organist takes requests and plays several sets throughout the night.  On the one hand, it was neat to watch the pipes and hear the fun songs.  But personally I am a fan of more complex, classical organ music.  Call me a snob if you want, I just know what I like.  But overall it was a fun experience and I'm glad we went.<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEhBQP3VLpebs-4EVrxwIhsqj8IZczhl_GVDCSd4rvGpzuZoKJF2LG5XvSedLm81VHOkzHX2_MPJ1bRuToZjgcvlmRa-NuiWpQbab263VxAjF6VWaLBIgEE3TjmweXWSSCKATyyj9I6etgpW/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQP3VLpebs-4EVrxwIhsqj8IZczhl_GVDCSd4rvGpzuZoKJF2LG5XvSedLm81VHOkzHX2_MPJ1bRuToZjgcvlmRa-NuiWpQbab263VxAjF6VWaLBIgEE3TjmweXWSSCKATyyj9I6etgpW/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, he is literally a one-man-band with a pipe organ at a pizza place</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> The next day we went to church and took some scenic drives afterwards.  We ended up in a town in the middle of nowhere called Tortilla Flat.  Apparently some people were stranded there once back in the day and they only had enough resources to make tortillas.  And since it's an area of flatland in a basin, they named the place "Tortilla Flat."  Today it's just a restaurant, a few stores, and a population of 6 people.  I'm not sure where they live, because I didn't see any houses.  Tortilla Flat is basically a tourist destination, and a good pit-stop for motorcyclists.  But good luck trying to get your cell phone to work there!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEiKn-ztS1tDlm1lHsqilQ2Osqrz6DGvEDmsI-tcfxREYf0srGtq5ly6wp2gyrf1T7bRnXF92mlpjzx6gXXUZxI6MjRyeW7JFa3odzoaE9y761Akk0c4ce0QPV8cfbn1wk8AhiDMlKeue_ev/s1600/P1060604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn-ztS1tDlm1lHsqilQ2Osqrz6DGvEDmsI-tcfxREYf0srGtq5ly6wp2gyrf1T7bRnXF92mlpjzx6gXXUZxI6MjRyeW7JFa3odzoaE9y761Akk0c4ce0QPV8cfbn1wk8AhiDMlKeue_ev/s320/P1060604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the saloon door at Tortilla Flat</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> After our weekend of exploration in the Phoenix area, we drove up to Laughlin, Nevada.  Named for the guy who purchased the land and built Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort & Casino, the town is basically one street of huge casinos along the Colorado river.  In fact, our hotel room overlooked the river and it was a beautiful view.  My parents just wanted to check the place out, since they had heard about it before (and you wonder where I get my sense of adventure?).  The "highlight" of my day was being the only person under 50 years old at the breakfast buffet.  But if you're looking for a nice, quiet, inexpensive place to play the slots on your way to/from Arizona, Laughlin is perfect.<br /> <br /> I've been to Arizona several times in my lifetime and I thought I wouldn't want to go again.  But I enjoyed this trip with my parents and the time we had together.  I got to see a lot of things I had never seen before, and I am always up for trying something new!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEgmCeX4QeShWTxXws6fLyaW8ThanYT0vsBKsLeDI6vKETiFh_NCGuZWINWJMXT09rS979zGkCbfa0gP3RPGvBOjVHQw3W99wNbiJty9wLLMhMB6pRl5GThkhkm21UmqeZDjl2AbGp6w-Cu4/s1600/P1060638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCeX4QeShWTxXws6fLyaW8ThanYT0vsBKsLeDI6vKETiFh_NCGuZWINWJMXT09rS979zGkCbfa0gP3RPGvBOjVHQw3W99wNbiJty9wLLMhMB6pRl5GThkhkm21UmqeZDjl2AbGp6w-Cu4/s320/P1060638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Hiking with my Mama...seriously, where are those sunglasses?!</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

Road Trip with the 'Rents

A couple weeks ago, my parents and I took a road trip down to Arizona for the weekend.  When's the last time you were secluded in a car ...

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New Year Commitment

I can honestly say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the beginning of 2012....attending the Rose Bowl, making new friends, quitting my job, getting my heart broken for the first time, losing my Aunt Mary Jane, having the adventure of a lifetime....none of these things were expected.  And although 2012 was a difficult year for me emotionally, God has still been faithful.  Looking back on the past 12 months, I would say that God has pushed, pulled, poked, and prodded me along this difficult path in hopes that I would finally trust Him.  Obviously, I am a stubborn person!  Somehow everything I had hoped and planned for in 2012 got twisted around and ended up being completely different than anticipated.  But in spite of it all, I was still blessed this year with visiting many amazing family and friends, having an abundance of new adventures, and taking a step closer to my German language goal.<br /> <br /> I had planned on being in a completely different place in life at the start of 2013, but yet here I am.  On January 1, 2012, I was so excited about the new year and all the plans I had made.  But today, on January 1, 2013, I am actually scared of what is in store for me this year.  Will I find a job?  Will I make it into a school?  Will I get my heart broken again?  Will I lose someone else close to me?  I really don't want a repeat of 2012.  Now that the year is over, I want to leave it in the past.<br /> <br /> That's why I am at least thankful for the opportunity to start over.  It's nice to hit the reset button each year on January 1st.  Even though we don't know what's up ahead, at least we know it won't be the same as what we left behind.  Everyone deserves a new start, and a new year provides that for us.  It's a chance to refocus on our lives, reorganize our affairs, and reaffirm our commitment to God, family, and mankind.<br /> <br /> For myself personally, I am going to trust in God despite my trepidation of things to come and continue following my dreams no matter how many naysayers stand in my way.

New Year Commitment

I can honestly say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the beginning of 2012....attending the Rose Bowl, making new friends...

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The Pros and Cons of German Life

<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b><u>Pros</u></b></div> - German toilets have a big flush and a little flush<br /> - you can take your dog into stores and restaurants (some may see this as a con, but I think it's a pro!)<br /> - 500g (17oz) of organic yogurt costs 89¢<br /> - it's okay, just park on the sidewalk! <br /> - Christmas markets...need I say more?  <br /> <br /> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Cons</u></b></span></div> - no toilet seat covers <br /> - if you sit outside at a café, you WILL breathe second-hand cigarette smoke<br /> - closets aren't built into a room, you have to buy a wardrobe <br /> - Germans eat fast...I'm always the last one done, even when I scarf my food<br /> - dishwashers and washing machines take 2.5 hours for one cycle <br /> - it doesn't matter which direction you walk or which way the wind is blowing, somehow the snow will always be in your face <br /> <br /> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <u><b>Interesting Observations</b></u></div> - there are large pieces of land divided into little garden areas on the outskirts of cities for people who don't have a yard at their apartment/townhouse<br /> - for some reason, Germans are fascinated by squirrels<br /> - the clouds move faster here...seriously<br /> - most cars have hatchbacks instead of real trunks<br /> - everyone takes their shoes off upon entering a house <br /> <br /> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b><u>What I Miss About Home</u></b></div> - Trader Joe's and Target<br /> - carpeted houses <br /> - being able to explain myself completely<br /> <br /> <br /> When you first arrive in Germany, it's easy to notice all the little differences.  But so what if the toilet paper is a different size, you have to buy a new plug for your laptop charger, and the grocery store is closed on Sunday?  I've learned that all in all, the Germans are not so different from Americans.  Sure, most Germans would disagree with my views on politics, health, religion, and the War on Terrorism, but they are regular people just like everyone else.  Some people are happy in life and laugh a lot, smile at you on the train, or greet you when you walk into a store.  Others hate what they do and scowl as you walk past them on the street.  Germans have good days and bad days, they have various hobbies and interests, they have differing views on the way the world should work, and they sometimes complain about the rising cost of gas and electricity.<br /> <br /> We like to generalize and throw people into specific categories.  We lump groups together and say, "Oh, you're one of <i>them</i>."  Germans do the same thing.  They have pre-conceived notions about Americans and what life is like for us.  It seems that they are fascinated by American culture, but at the same time resent it's influence on their own.  And Americans have their opinions about Germans too.  I find myself saying, "the Germans think that" or "the Germans do it this way."  But people are people.  Everyone has their own personality, their own worldview.  At the end of the day, Germans are just regular people, trying to make the most out of life like everyone else.<br /> <br /> I have really enjoyed the past 2.5 months here in Germany.  For various reasons, I have always been enthralled with the country, and that has only increased as I've spent more time here.  I can't say exactly why, but I like it here.  Of course there are days when I feel like a complete loser because I don't understand what people are saying.  But then there come other days when I feel like I'm finally starting to understand the language.  It's a learning process and the bottom line is that I need to come back to Germany as soon as I can in January.  So as I leave to head home for Christmas, I say to Deutschland, "Bis bald und auf Wiedersehen!"

The Pros and Cons of German Life

Pros - German toilets have a big flush and a little flush - you can take your dog into stores and restaurants (some may see this as a con...

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Final Weeked in Germany

This past weekend was bittersweet.  Yes, I am excited about coming home for Christmas and seeing my parents!  But I'm also really sad to leave Germany.  I think it's because I'm not exactly sure <i>when</i> I'm coming back yet.  I'm sad to leave my family here, and I'm sad to leave to snow.  But more than that, I think I'm sad that this season of my life is over.  Since June I have basically been a wandering nomad, traveling from place to place, living out of a suitcase.  Not having a place of my own or a steady source of income has been difficult, but at the same time, it's been an incredible adventure!  Knowing that I'll have to return to "the real world" is kind of a bummer...<br /> <br /> That being said, I enjoyed my final two Weihnachtsmärkte over the weekend.  The first one being in Hof, of course!  Hof is a small city, but they have the "Hofer Weihnachtswelt" open daily in the Altstadt.  Although I didn't make any purchases at this one, I still found it to be beautiful.  I have really started to feel like Hof is "home" for me, and living with my cousin has been such a blessing.  I like Hof mostly because it is large enough to have everything you need, but not so large that you get lost on the streets.<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEgdgQ5oL0It8Rhqu-QVzwsQbCBx8tZNPt7q3vFmoKGbquH_mXvOZRlod_5VDQ5CltVWE1ipl1H3-zy-0QgD0cm1fBMiyLBQNujfqE4LpertFEe0JMEavO-U3H1Sp9o_Lj02BS1utt_JzFKL/s1600/PC060506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgQ5oL0It8Rhqu-QVzwsQbCBx8tZNPt7q3vFmoKGbquH_mXvOZRlod_5VDQ5CltVWE1ipl1H3-zy-0QgD0cm1fBMiyLBQNujfqE4LpertFEe0JMEavO-U3H1Sp9o_Lj02BS1utt_JzFKL/s320/PC060506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hofer Weihnachtswelt</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <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/AVvXsEjImBrwSjAs-IgGKM2Y14aiw5Xjj0xeITZUOYRwFP8A8SWSewakyDsjeGi00qaIngxvpt9-b_HcrRLjPtUSqmdZOiYv3hyphenhyphenrlZ43Udyj8GFV8XpUTvr-Pg8G2X5HKJNmXBJKkzECoSSDEGSg/s1600/PC060510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImBrwSjAs-IgGKM2Y14aiw5Xjj0xeITZUOYRwFP8A8SWSewakyDsjeGi00qaIngxvpt9-b_HcrRLjPtUSqmdZOiYv3hyphenhyphenrlZ43Udyj8GFV8XpUTvr-Pg8G2X5HKJNmXBJKkzECoSSDEGSg/s320/PC060510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the Hofer Altstadt</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> On Saturday, Jeanette and Helmut took me to Plauen, which is about a 30 min. drive away from Hof in the state of Sachsen (Hof is in Bayern).  Although the Weihnachtsmarkt in Plauen is open everyday in December, they have a special weekend once a year with a more traditional market.  Throughout a series of old buildings in Plauen, people set up booths to sell homemade items.  The rooms go on and on with everything from paintings to liqueur, hand-carved woodwork to hand-stitched beanies.  Some rooms are connected to each other and some are not.  Some are downstairs and some are upstairs.  It is kind of hard to explain without seeing it in person, and to be honest, I didn't understand it myself until we were actually there.  But because these are private sellers, not businesses, it is a special weekend to go. <br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEhjLqm5L72kVLxMHuXJo7EuB9P8sDA9Gm0-HNJAbaiWEoEuO1Xm1IER7L3eqpgc6wEcEs-0B8fIzSO00bHVBdsQ_BURoumuecb47ph9feiuyYWy-gedOwXByARTBgpdI3dSRm2Y0lRElBWA/s1600/PC080511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLqm5L72kVLxMHuXJo7EuB9P8sDA9Gm0-HNJAbaiWEoEuO1Xm1IER7L3eqpgc6wEcEs-0B8fIzSO00bHVBdsQ_BURoumuecb47ph9feiuyYWy-gedOwXByARTBgpdI3dSRm2Y0lRElBWA/s320/PC080511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of people were packed into all the rooms!</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/AVvXsEjRTMitsEsgok-uI75ZDPG220nBSHgojA5UsSFTsGl0QYAvkbYYztj-5clp-WQ5m000y63bjWR4cD7be90e43Yvmqb_5gHdwJFL5ozZD7QIn4QVUm1unR9EyphEDf35CE0yaxk6qZIk1IDI/s1600/PC080518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTMitsEsgok-uI75ZDPG220nBSHgojA5UsSFTsGl0QYAvkbYYztj-5clp-WQ5m000y63bjWR4cD7be90e43Yvmqb_5gHdwJFL5ozZD7QIn4QVUm1unR9EyphEDf35CE0yaxk6qZIk1IDI/s320/PC080518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Hall and plaza in Plauen</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> The only problem we had on Saturday was that it was SO cold!  I had on my leggings underneath my jeans, thick socks, snow boots, long-sleeve shirt, jacket, then a thick jacket, scarf, beanie, then my hood, and thick gloves....but by the end of the day all three of us couldn't feel our toes.  Once again, I ate too many sweets, but it was my last weekend in Germany, so I had to enjoy it!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEhSWZWnvqwZzf3jgU2IioqTGSngFyou6CVmgcXknziKOH6h9fGokcD_PSEVrfgJX6FFmHSpIRzSjR3fi33XPHFWn4-c1RQSWCcgRbxnKMrPZju4CzLJz0Pso_7G1bW_uRPF8pj_DlL68bc1/s1600/PC080521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWZWnvqwZzf3jgU2IioqTGSngFyou6CVmgcXknziKOH6h9fGokcD_PSEVrfgJX6FFmHSpIRzSjR3fi33XPHFWn4-c1RQSWCcgRbxnKMrPZju4CzLJz0Pso_7G1bW_uRPF8pj_DlL68bc1/s320/PC080521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking an Eierpunsch with Jeanette...I thought it would be like spiked eggnog, but I was wrong</td></tr> </tbody></table>

Final Weeked in Germany

This past weekend was bittersweet.  Yes, I am excited about coming home for Christmas and seeing my parents!  But I'm also really sad to...

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Deutsche Sprache, Schwere Sprache

The Germans have a saying about their own language: "deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache."  It literally means "German language, difficult language."  Even the Germans know that their language is not the easiest, and I'm sure that most of them would jump at the chance to only have one article like in English.  When we refer to something, we simple say "the"...THE city, THE people, THE house, THE food.  But in German, it could be "der," "die," "das," "den," "dem," or "des."  And it all depends on if THE noun is nominative, accusative, dative, or genitive.  In other words, is it the subject, indirect object, direct object, or possession?  (Unfortunately, Germans don't really know these grammar references, and simply know what sounds correct or incorrect, just like us in English....when's the last time you diagrammed a sentence?)  For example:<br /> <br /> <i><u>Der</u> Hund schläft noch</i><i></i>.<br /> The dog is still sleeping.<br /> <br /> <i>Er will <u>den</u> Hund haben.</i><br /> He wants to have the dog.<i> </i><br /> <br /> <i>Ich sitze neben <u>dem</u> Hund.</i><br /> I'm sitting next to the dog.<br /> <br /> After 2.5 months in Germany, I still can't get it right.  But I'm developing a better "sense" for whether I am using the correct article or not.  Most of the time, I know that I'm saying something wrong, but I'm not sure how to fix it.  Thankfully, many Germans repeat what I say in the <b>correct</b> way, and that's how I'm learning.<br /> <br /> I can honestly say that my German is <i>viel besser</i> than when I first arrived.  If you hear a certain word enough times, a light bulb finally goes off in your head as to what it means.  Or you don't know how to say a certain phrase until you hear someone else say it in the proper context.  One thing I've struggled with over and over again is saying, "as old as I am" or "the same age as me."  Time and time again I've said, "<i>wie alt als ich</i>" instead of "<i>so alt wie ich</i>."  A slight difference, but Germans look at you like you're stupid when you say the first one.<br /> <br /> But on the other hand, some words are easy to understand and remember, because of their similarity to English words: <i>akzeptieren, praktisch, reguliert, populär, </i>etc.  And although the grammar makes no sense to me whatsoever, vocabulary is very logical.  For example:<br /> <br /> <i>Arzt</i> = doctor<br /> <i>Tierarzt</i> = veterinarian (literally "animal doctor")<br /> <i>Zahnarzt </i>= dentist (literally "tooth doctor")<br /> <i>Frauenarzt </i>= gynaecologist (literally "women doctor")<br /> <br /> I am by no means fluent.  In fact, I have a loooooong way to go.  But I can say that I have achieved my first goal!  When I came to Germany, I wanted to reach the point that it would be easier for a German to speak to me in German rather than English.  Although I might not be able to explain myself fully or come up with witty answers for people, at least they know that I can understand what is being said.  It's a little more difficult with groups when multiple people are talking <i>schnell</i>.  But I am still able to add my two cents or respond to a question.  And best of all, I don't have to be afraid to walk down the street, sit next to someone on the train, or ask someone a question at the grocery store.  For me, this is a great accomplishment!  There is still a lot for me to learn, but I think I have a good start on tackling this <i>schwere Sprache</i>!

Deutsche Sprache, Schwere Sprache

The Germans have a saying about their own language: "deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache."  It literally means "German language...

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Erzgebirge at Christmas

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOESLu9zS3QNWbGHhMROfeQ7Vg14bKcpaLDqmoEOIhCN145hz-OJbmOnEya3lcsJZV9QzHRP1kA2p6Wj7Rj_sFD-pi2rinHwIuH_lzQ0qoxTAV317ZLvkpiCuWLgItJ1l4afMkGw2s29GT/s1600/PC030442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOESLu9zS3QNWbGHhMROfeQ7Vg14bKcpaLDqmoEOIhCN145hz-OJbmOnEya3lcsJZV9QzHRP1kA2p6Wj7Rj_sFD-pi2rinHwIuH_lzQ0qoxTAV317ZLvkpiCuWLgItJ1l4afMkGw2s29GT/s200/PC030442.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove past New America!</td></tr> </tbody></table> On Monday, I set out on an adventure with Helmut's brother-in-law, who is also named Helmut.  Although of German descent, Helmut Schmelz (<u>not</u> Helmut Haas) was born and raised in the Czech Republic before moving to Germany as a teenager.  We drove to his hometown called <i>Nové Zvolaní</i>, which just on the other side of the border to Sachsen, so it only took us an hour and a half to get there.<br /> <br /> After parking the car, Helmut took me on a <i>Winterwandern</i> on a hill through the snow (knee-deep!). He led the way and I followed his footsteps exactly.  It was quite the workout, because I was sweating profusely by the time we got to the top of the hill!  He had brought along sandwiches, apples, and hot tea for us to eat while we enjoyed the breathtaking view.  Once I cooled off, it was time to come back down.  The snow in the forest was so beautiful and freshly laid--nothing had disturbed it.  And we could not have picked a more perfect day with the sun illuminating God's creation.<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEifW1DZHK6nsNpOk7pZKDztnE0Fz3k_5s06aDfbMXU5_u3EsGOPVewVh5MsIqE_HpoD7EyC9VxZ5Q7n11wLQEw8a6WfnMVanZjRt6fAPZKDRqveUG4Pte3H9LmKE3EDQqkvAA5fhXSXn2Bo/s1600/PC030457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW1DZHK6nsNpOk7pZKDztnE0Fz3k_5s06aDfbMXU5_u3EsGOPVewVh5MsIqE_HpoD7EyC9VxZ5Q7n11wLQEw8a6WfnMVanZjRt6fAPZKDRqveUG4Pte3H9LmKE3EDQqkvAA5fhXSXn2Bo/s320/PC030457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Hike</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/AVvXsEiG5oqko_X2g1AHH-khkVNQV7jYD9ptJqFXGI6vhrS6sS92lR0KCwIbHy1ynCprJvytUwNtjWsWH-ekwRf5tY074ITvPXDB8WjzMAwSH4gAZ8BXtj92S2EdNLj5_SbXA5D353WYeu1FD-T8/s1600/PC030455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5oqko_X2g1AHH-khkVNQV7jYD9ptJqFXGI6vhrS6sS92lR0KCwIbHy1ynCprJvytUwNtjWsWH-ekwRf5tY074ITvPXDB8WjzMAwSH4gAZ8BXtj92S2EdNLj5_SbXA5D353WYeu1FD-T8/s320/PC030455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the top!</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/AVvXsEgxkkwkU_RpGrCiWPDDs2KZy9NzXq0OMnEkb_70I2p5p2oYxrxH9sxniUL5Nml1TZt-f95K4y0hCkDcav4xeu2pmQrlqkUr41VhPAkHSd2wF7eMwzq1644oNkkA7P4jl2J7r6pYL5o-aySR/s1600/PC030456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkkwkU_RpGrCiWPDDs2KZy9NzXq0OMnEkb_70I2p5p2oYxrxH9sxniUL5Nml1TZt-f95K4y0hCkDcav4xeu2pmQrlqkUr41VhPAkHSd2wF7eMwzq1644oNkkA7P4jl2J7r6pYL5o-aySR/s320/PC030456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoops, didn't mean to fall off that rock!</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/AVvXsEhLcRindo_UauZ14HAzKLwcdI6c7rMFeRuQXHhyphenhyphenrMYrua9c1mGOMOuU2hvqmamf-GidObHV766BCteMfZ-FCQIv_SsExSLoUuBTAWLi7TXNeezP2EbK_UcNzMeR_ePSsUFUbXajiFZIUpHB/s1600/PC030453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcRindo_UauZ14HAzKLwcdI6c7rMFeRuQXHhyphenhyphenrMYrua9c1mGOMOuU2hvqmamf-GidObHV766BCteMfZ-FCQIv_SsExSLoUuBTAWLi7TXNeezP2EbK_UcNzMeR_ePSsUFUbXajiFZIUpHB/s320/PC030453.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of our path heading down the hill...</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> After our hike, we drove back over to Germany in the region known as <i>Erzgebirge</i>.  This grouping of hills makes a natural border between Germany and the Czech Republic.  <i>Erz</i> means "ore" and <i>Gebirge</i> means "mountain range."  According to Helmut, the region is full of natural minerals like silver, tin, and even uranium.  In fact, when the Soviet Union took over the area after WWII, they used the uranium from the Erzgebirge for its atomic bomb project.  Throughout history, there has been an ebb and flow in mining.  In the periods when mining jobs were unavailable, the people of the Erzgebirge region had to take up other skills, and thus turned to woodworking.<br /> <br /> If you have ever seen a wooden half-circle with candles that the Germans place in their windows at Christmastime, it comes from this region.  Technically it is called a <i>Schwibbogen</i>, and they are all over Germany now during the advent season.  The traditional design features two <i>Bergmänner</i> (miners), one woodcarver, and one lacemaker.  But today, you can find all sorts of motifs, as well as interchangeable scenes.  But let me tell you, those things are expensive!  Almost all of the modern-day Schwibbögen have electric lights instead of candles, and the normal size will put you out about €100.  But every store in every town in the Erzgebirge region has these Schwibbögen for sale, along with other wooden decorations.<br /> <br /> Once it started getting dark, we drove to the town of Annaberg, which has a beautiful <i>Weihnachtsmarkt</i>.  I liked it better than Würzburg or Nürnberg, because it was smaller and felt less commercialized.  Once again, the stands at this Christmas market were selling completely different items than the ones I've already been to.  Most of them had wood or metal decorations, of course, because of the region.  But my favorite part was trying something new to drink.  Since being in Germany, I've already had my fair share of <i>Glühwein</i>, a warm, mulled wine with cinnamon and spices.  But in Annaberg, I had my first <i>Glühbier</i>!  Even Helmut had never heard of Glühbier before!  It was literally a warm, sweet, magenta-colored beer, and it tasted so good!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEiusrhjqJZeqM982wWBSh5EK5VjOrf0m7N_bxcVFpa9tiXPAUKhTT6_srw58aw2NyGAXLQ7N36cNnKxBEYyTsJydUUqZs-zRAimDWY4gyeYuK76kcN2OSiVSHPuahIdV_xsfmrcL2Ipzds3/s1600/PC030467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusrhjqJZeqM982wWBSh5EK5VjOrf0m7N_bxcVFpa9tiXPAUKhTT6_srw58aw2NyGAXLQ7N36cNnKxBEYyTsJydUUqZs-zRAimDWY4gyeYuK76kcN2OSiVSHPuahIdV_xsfmrcL2Ipzds3/s320/PC030467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weihnachtsmarkt in Annaberg</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/AVvXsEiAootlIInYrYvGsywTWR1VZafXp5Wji26nX0j2aSutEfYEUBS2l4yr9xyBMCP2IIQdYZSq6VFK3R3deNnZ5k-D3PJNQA2sD_Q4yP19_tBnyMxCnPzl86llIIxe4Fx7cwg6aDwUT-v1nS7k/s1600/PC030493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAootlIInYrYvGsywTWR1VZafXp5Wji26nX0j2aSutEfYEUBS2l4yr9xyBMCP2IIQdYZSq6VFK3R3deNnZ5k-D3PJNQA2sD_Q4yP19_tBnyMxCnPzl86llIIxe4Fx7cwg6aDwUT-v1nS7k/s320/PC030493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking my Glühbier!</td></tr> </tbody></table> We got in the car at 6pm to head home after a long day (we started at 8:15am).  But unfortunately, we got lost along the way in some small towns.  When we finally made it to the Autobahn, the oil was empty and we had to pull off at a gas station to fill it.  It took us twice as long to get home, but after 3 hours, we finally made it!  But all-in-all, it was a beautiful, interesting, educational, adventurous day!<br /> <br /> <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/AVvXsEizI7RXIf70I7JwyXiu-rstCQk15EduDfMq0RsKK6h788LEUcz16MmB5DZxofYJEBVE9CEwUnHrlKfxee4_JdXA4Y5FNJjQ1yrpB_JC8MxJmGSlXKGlsdWctCrbih4zwFOWczk5bh08fEFG/s1600/250px-Schwibbogen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI7RXIf70I7JwyXiu-rstCQk15EduDfMq0RsKK6h788LEUcz16MmB5DZxofYJEBVE9CEwUnHrlKfxee4_JdXA4Y5FNJjQ1yrpB_JC8MxJmGSlXKGlsdWctCrbih4zwFOWczk5bh08fEFG/s1600/250px-Schwibbogen.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After all that, I didn't even get a picture of a traditional Schwibbogen...had to steal this one off the internet!</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br />

Erzgebirge at Christmas

We drove past New America! On Monday, I set out on an adventure with Helmut's brother-in-law, who is also named Helmut.  Although of...

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Let it Snow!

Today's post is a short video from my walk in the snow:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="b-hbp-video b-uploaded" frameborder="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER-video-366c41cc5686e8ba-4166" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwMWxE7f1dSB7L0y1q1Am48tG32wqCgWfEHDnsH6TfN-tpEAnQrq5Utqlkz21-UCZB97z89Z2tJwBfAMF8Nt4nBh2D7WmDhpQxAQKqkGP4yr8T0-TGQHUqqh3LzD1XCGCH5SHQ&origin=valbunny.blogspot.com" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div> <br />

Let it Snow!

Today's post is a short video from my walk in the snow:

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