Valerie's Adventures

Singing Again....Sort Of

Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Valerie 1

Although I am still not sure the direction of my life, I have been missing singing.  Two outlets I recently found are singing on the worship team at church and singing the national anthem for military ceremonies.  In the past few months there have been lots of retirement ceremonies, change of commands, promotion ceremonies, and other military events.  I have participated in a few of these so far, and people are starting to ask me more now that they know I am here.  <br />
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Everytime I sing the US national anthem, it is a little nerve-wracking simply because 1) it is a difficult melody and range to sing, and 2) everyone knows it!  I have sung the German national anthem once at one of these ceremonies and have found it to be much easier to sing.  I have been asked to sing the Dutch national anthem in a few months...so I guess I'll have to learn that one next!<br />
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Here are a couple pictures of me singing at a change of command ceremony that took place in one of the hangars last week.  I feel so privileged to have been asked to participate!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had an E-3 AWACS aircraft parked behind the podium.</td></tr>
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Singing Again....Sort Of

Although I am still not sure the direction of my life, I have been missing singing. Two outlets I recently found are singing on the worship...

Longest Run of My Life

Saturday, July 12, 2014 Valerie 1

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tackling a hill together</td></tr>
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<em>Just make it up this hill...this will be the last one...just make it to the top...just finish...</em><br />
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Apparently people will do crazy things for the person they care about, including running 19.8km through the forest and countryside of Heerlen, the Netherlands.  This was my first trail run.  And the longest distance I have ever run in my life.<br />
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Why would I put myself through such torture, you may ask.  His name is Steve and he thought it would be "fun"...but looking back now, it actually was fun.<br />
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The Corio Trail run was meant to be completed as a 2-person team, so Steve asked me several months ago to be his partner.  Our team name was "The Stampertjes" and we had matching shirts made for the two of us.  "Stampertje" is the Dutch name for "Thumper" from the movie <em>Bambi</em>, which happens to be Steve's favorite Disney character.  And as you all know, Thumper is a bunny and my last name Haas means "rabbit" in Dutch.  So it fits perfectly.  Together we are <strong>the stampertjes</strong>.<br />
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It was a grueling trek for me, especially the 10km in the middle of the run without a water station in sight.  Every hill seemed to get steeper and more difficult to climb.  By the last 5km, I could barely make it up the hills walking and Steve had to grab my hand to help pull me up.  My feet felt like dead weights.  I did not want to move another inch.  But I knew I had to finish.<br />
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So after 19.8km of running, lots of good conversation and laughter, and only 3 emotional breakdowns on my part along the way....we finally crossed the finish line with a time of <strong>2:49.04</strong>!<br />
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Our friends Charlie and Dottie also participated in the trail run with us, but unfortunately were only able to finish half the race due to a rolled ankle.  Here is a picture of the four of us at the start/finish line before the race:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and me with Charlie and Dottie</td></tr>
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I am so proud of myself for finishing that distance and pushing myself to the limits.  There is no way I could have done it without Steve's constant encouragement and support throughout the race.  He helped me mentally, emotionally, and physically accomplish something I never thought I could do.  But now that I finished an almost-1/2 marathon trail run....I have a feeling something else may be coming up that sounds "fun"!<br />
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Longest Run of My Life

tackling a hill together Just make it up this hill...this will be the last one...just make it to the top...just finish... Apparent...

Rainy Day in the Sand

Thursday, July 10, 2014 Valerie 1

It rained all day.  Two times it came down so hard that everyone had to go under the cover of the food tent just to stay dry.  The sand felt wet and hard.  A constant cool breeze was blowing with short gusts of wind periodically.  The sun was nowhere to be found.<br />
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Despite the weather, we played an all-day 4-person mixed volleyball tournament on the sand courts in Venlo, the Netherlands.  We were the most international team participating with two Germans, one Dutch guy, and one American.  Our teammates for the tournament, Dustin and Sarah, play together for a German club team just over the border from Venlo.  Dustin goes to school with Steve, so that's how we all got connected.  <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least it looked like we were at the beach, even though it was cold and rainy.</td></tr>
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The four of us had practiced together two times on indoor courts before the tournament.  But playing in the sand is completely different.  Thankfully, it worked to our advantage as the sand courts are smaller with shorter nets.  We were a little shaky in the first game, but finally found our rythym by the end of it.<br />
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We won every game up until the final match, which we lost to a family who plays together on a regular basis.  Overall we took <strong>2nd place</strong> out of 19 teams!<br />
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Our team name was "Ummer Zeek," a Dutch dialect phrase loosely translated to mean "always up to something."  And that we were.  If we weren't playing a volleyball game, we were practicing techniques, watching the other teams, running back and forth in and out of the rain, or playing games just for fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ummer Zeek...always up to no good</td></tr>
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Rainy Day in the Sand

It rained all day. Two times it came down so hard that everyone had to go under the cover of the food tent just to stay dry. The sand felt...

Memorial Day in Margraten

Monday, June 09, 2014 Valerie 1

Every Memorial Day in Reedley, my parents and I would always head down to the cemetery with what seemed like half the town to honor those who have given their lives for the United States of America.  The sun was usually blazing hot in my wool uniform, and I remember the relief of being able to wear a dress one year when I came home from college for Memorial Day.<br />
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But how many Americans can say they have attended a Memorial Day service outside our nation?  How many Americans have seen first-hand the fields where battles were fought and people gave their lives?  How many have been to graveyards of Europe where thousands and thousands of Americans found their final resting place?  And how many Americans have talked to people who actually lived through WWII and saw the war take place in their own backyard?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUlqS_dtXuOnPnx-Slb-pzwTfv5vfmMk6pZDkmn4Q0TJ57TPBRnfYLwo_Ee1nu5VgjmgthkRSgXRg25EREwyu1wHH0lOWK5ETRnQZtC5HA33imDA1R-dASFBlajF9_jQr7jX9ahXPY41u/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUlqS_dtXuOnPnx-Slb-pzwTfv5vfmMk6pZDkmn4Q0TJ57TPBRnfYLwo_Ee1nu5VgjmgthkRSgXRg25EREwyu1wHH0lOWK5ETRnQZtC5HA33imDA1R-dASFBlajF9_jQr7jX9ahXPY41u/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am astounded at the stories I have heard since living in this area on the border between Germany and the Netherlands.  Stories of smugglers and hoarders, people who still have boxes of coffee and soap in their basement in case another war occurs.  Complete professions who search out and safely dispose of undetonated bombs that lie on potential building sites.  And those who have a collection of shell cases and Nazi artifacts that they simply found walking around in the forest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xZpQP_XcynAFwaqIcrQAc9M09HJLwqreTpg3mieZhVSRsHfWqfJ95-H-N15QcYoNOxBoNeo6Hhtz3Zb_eJZVIfUY6acTRvwbA7AaHqL0erW5CXeyBOA0AnhwfFafUqXFSbBbIjgqsHHK/s1600/IMG_0398.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/AVvXsEi6xZpQP_XcynAFwaqIcrQAc9M09HJLwqreTpg3mieZhVSRsHfWqfJ95-H-N15QcYoNOxBoNeo6Hhtz3Zb_eJZVIfUY6acTRvwbA7AaHqL0erW5CXeyBOA0AnhwfFafUqXFSbBbIjgqsHHK/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" width="150" /></a>This past Memorial Day was a special one for me.  I was able to honor the men and women who gave their lives for freedom in the place where they died.  Surrounded by thousands of Dutch people (and yes, Americans too), the whole experience was surreal.  The sun still blazed down on us, but these Dutch people came to show respect and gratitude for what the Americans did to help them.  In their minds, the memory is still fresh. <br />
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The American cemetery in Margraten is unique one in that each grave has been adopted.  One Dutch family is in charge of each grave and has been since WWII.  So many people want to participate in the Adopt-a-Grave program that there is even a waiting list.  Over the years, the community has become so connected to the men and women buried there, that some are even in communication with the families of the deceased back in the US.  And every year in Margraten, the Netherlands, there is a ceremony in honor of Memorial Day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s2S7NdgrZAZVb2U9oGaJsR5wdlFI6VHnQ60Sn5klyZsiQpcx5dZjCw7Ley9byPkXLiIQLngfjH7vETdFmeOUdH24ThzazwUippOsA88uZ3-lOewHPnDM9b8n7S9TAVrEqKn1tWjubiFB/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s2S7NdgrZAZVb2U9oGaJsR5wdlFI6VHnQ60Sn5klyZsiQpcx5dZjCw7Ley9byPkXLiIQLngfjH7vETdFmeOUdH24ThzazwUippOsA88uZ3-lOewHPnDM9b8n7S9TAVrEqKn1tWjubiFB/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joint Forces Color Guard</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisnLAAtd0nKv_Ii5mX8ZHh4RUmw7FBJBjE4VCQf9s51CnkbwfzjudK8KupyI94IN4LAt0eSL9FHsJGGGMHwpfVlxybNYyEk3IA-i_CssQ6loPt5dVVICKWzIPRITFYchdtF9_sTiqLoAP/s1600/IMG_0410.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/AVvXsEhisnLAAtd0nKv_Ii5mX8ZHh4RUmw7FBJBjE4VCQf9s51CnkbwfzjudK8KupyI94IN4LAt0eSL9FHsJGGGMHwpfVlxybNYyEk3IA-i_CssQ6loPt5dVVICKWzIPRITFYchdtF9_sTiqLoAP/s1600/IMG_0410.jpg" width="150" /></a>Not only was the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Netherlands present, but also the King's Commissioner for the Province of Limburg (the area closest to me in the Netherlands) and all the high-ranking military officials stationed at the NATO base in Brunssum.  The key-note speaker was F.D.R.'s granddaughter Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.  Two military bands played from the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces and the United States Armed Forces, and there was also a Joint Color Guard from the various branches.  In addition, US military members from JFC Brunssum and NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen assisted with wreath-laying, so I knew many people involved in the ceremony.<br />
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Upon each grave throughout the cemetery was both a Dutch flag and an American flag.  Some graves also had the flag of their state and most had flowers on them.  A few of the graves even had a picture of the person who was buried there.<br />
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I cannot express how inspiring my Memorial Day experience was this year.  To see so many Dutch people show appreciation made me proud to be an American.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Flags of Wisconsin and California side-by-side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIpNvY54Kfc68r-0FtERKQK3gkoYUsyD1Mi6PN9C_pj_baSI8s8gVGPdE3UAt8grkma-mE8w9ZeBj-blDGP3qh3Z_qdFxbAoY6s4a7TGexEr8TKv4jwA_zv2hzaAON29rry7RNzDdj-11/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIpNvY54Kfc68r-0FtERKQK3gkoYUsyD1Mi6PN9C_pj_baSI8s8gVGPdE3UAt8grkma-mE8w9ZeBj-blDGP3qh3Z_qdFxbAoY6s4a7TGexEr8TKv4jwA_zv2hzaAON29rry7RNzDdj-11/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each grave had both the Dutch and American flags</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margraten, the Netherlands</td></tr>
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Memorial Day in Margraten

Every Memorial Day in Reedley, my parents and I would always head down to the cemetery with what seemed like half the town to honor those wh...

Mud Masters Obstacle Run

Sunday, May 18, 2014 Valerie 1

The adrenaline in the air was toxic.  The sun peeked out its head through the clouds just as our race started at 10:50.  We had no idea what we were in for.  We knew it would be challenging.  We knew it would be physically demanding.  But we knew we would all finish together.<br />
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Through 18km of running and 20+ obstacles along the way, we worked together as a team.  There is no way I could have physically or mentally made it through the Mud Masters run without my fellow teammates from our CrossFit gym.  We consisted of 4 females and 7 males for a total of 11 people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaKrdGQx78PvQh3e3f8qGeJzz2u9SJVlxk_fdGSQ3YonvP5aXHlGK9rgmf-yMUcZV4reWua9C865KkIYoyyvmXUoqlKbnnoa1ddTg-rqizn_toaOrQIInyGe967DMie-HfEjyUK5O4tKC/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaKrdGQx78PvQh3e3f8qGeJzz2u9SJVlxk_fdGSQ3YonvP5aXHlGK9rgmf-yMUcZV4reWua9C865KkIYoyyvmXUoqlKbnnoa1ddTg-rqizn_toaOrQIInyGe967DMie-HfEjyUK5O4tKC/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our CrossFit GK team about 12km into the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I never thought I could do something like this, which is why I wanted to challenge myself.  And now looking back, I can't believe I actually did it!<br />
<br />
The obstacles were spread out at various intervals along the 18km race, which took place on an old military base outside of Düsseldorf.  There were people from countries all over the world, and we all helped each other through the obstacles.  If you were giving your teammates a boost over the obstacle, someone else from another team would be behind you to give you a boost.<br />
<br />
I can't remember all of the obstacles we encountered, but here are some of them:<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/AVvXsEhsL_rkADMjNeNSfeNwJCjNW6j9yyx0-fsTJqfZGRe9BiPQL1rIoyoRlrW-SKfOUG2BccFyi3RtVYgfFx0ZROaDbjK47YWVkJTvhvcyNpYqJqBYCVUhRdoMgfeIIFR3hKXBeGcO61_8gnVa/s1600/IMG_2303.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/AVvXsEhsL_rkADMjNeNSfeNwJCjNW6j9yyx0-fsTJqfZGRe9BiPQL1rIoyoRlrW-SKfOUG2BccFyi3RtVYgfFx0ZROaDbjK47YWVkJTvhvcyNpYqJqBYCVUhRdoMgfeIIFR3hKXBeGcO61_8gnVa/s1600/IMG_2303.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve stuck with me through the whole race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-monkey bars over water<br />
-crawl through tunnel pipes<br />
-40lb sandbag carries<br />
-crawl through mud under barbed wire<br />
-jump from 2-story platform into ice cold water and swim to shore<br />
-swim under nets in muddy water<br />
-lots and lots and lots of hills!<br />
-climb up net over plank to other side of net and back down again<br />
-balance beams<br />
-run over piles of old tires<br />
-jump over bales of hay<br />
-climbing up and over any and everything you can imagine<br />
-scaling walls that I couldn't reach the top of even with a boost<br />
-run up a quarter pipe<br />
-run through field of hanging ropes with electric shocks <br />
<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/AVvXsEhqgHNWWNrD7RVlfF_8av0yZMDSMinYQ6MdLnYg62T2j5jT91_j7kn21DNVMkozVkT28050Wm_ZdAuhyphenhyphen0MypPk9LyeT8YLF5TPYMlCMybO3WKsDT6GUsgm_lGZ-cYZjumDbVyIXtkAuyAxq/s1600/10314533_694903673878665_5301339653586394384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgHNWWNrD7RVlfF_8av0yZMDSMinYQ6MdLnYg62T2j5jT91_j7kn21DNVMkozVkT28050Wm_ZdAuhyphenhyphen0MypPk9LyeT8YLF5TPYMlCMybO3WKsDT6GUsgm_lGZ-cYZjumDbVyIXtkAuyAxq/s1600/10314533_694903673878665_5301339653586394384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">monkey bars</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/AVvXsEghhTILN2gr8vknuKVubkq4DfDCZa9SWKiIgcmTK3euW2e_lpBwub5RGwnXHXqujOhADRe7KLl70tgUrn0d9_QisNyOBNe2WVeBg6t5jt4MDDlPuQha62y9y-5iXvMoEu6ICe25VaNYE6iq/s1600/10402659_695087347193631_4841424854638583905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhTILN2gr8vknuKVubkq4DfDCZa9SWKiIgcmTK3euW2e_lpBwub5RGwnXHXqujOhADRe7KLl70tgUrn0d9_QisNyOBNe2WVeBg6t5jt4MDDlPuQha62y9y-5iXvMoEu6ICe25VaNYE6iq/s1600/10402659_695087347193631_4841424854638583905_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18km is the most I've ever run</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/AVvXsEg8snxrGV7s5uDQ6ZV2TtwWaMtzqq5nRe3bVQVjmfvXJU6SrMEdsqsULUdxtU0RBY8razBka5wpaOjGZLyP0vT1Jhw3t3K2Od-81qo-2FOSZTxplfx24WGDNa6Uj6id21OH8N_ukupoDE0z/s1600/10365818_694956070540092_6136991845539605461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8snxrGV7s5uDQ6ZV2TtwWaMtzqq5nRe3bVQVjmfvXJU6SrMEdsqsULUdxtU0RBY8razBka5wpaOjGZLyP0vT1Jhw3t3K2Od-81qo-2FOSZTxplfx24WGDNa6Uj6id21OH8N_ukupoDE0z/s1600/10365818_694956070540092_6136991845539605461_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jumping over hay bales with Patricia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23_yqMCS6G8Vn7qFXFWpCn1qbeM5AAfj5TMqjZJ55atfPiFPeA8SRWAcqfNXmUpf-Q7XdV0hfsAzzBh5EbQpyvTCAbiC_dwSp8z4ydxqxV50GJwfEDiJfn1xh0_teaytnkzUA_XKBHd6U/s1600/10334406_694582533910779_5070948525699382098_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23_yqMCS6G8Vn7qFXFWpCn1qbeM5AAfj5TMqjZJ55atfPiFPeA8SRWAcqfNXmUpf-Q7XdV0hfsAzzBh5EbQpyvTCAbiC_dwSp8z4ydxqxV50GJwfEDiJfn1xh0_teaytnkzUA_XKBHd6U/s1600/10334406_694582533910779_5070948525699382098_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our team going through the electric-shocked rope field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is a short clip that gives you an idea of what the obstacles were like: <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694045760631123">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=694045760631123</a><br />
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<br />
At the finish line, there was a station to hose yourself off.  We had brought shampoo and soap to wash off, but the water was cold!  The mud was caked on my skin and in my hair, so I just had to suck it up and get clean.  Then I showered again (properly) once I got home.<br />
<br />
It was an exhilarating experience and an absolutely perfect day.  I had a blast and am proud of myself for being able to do something I never thought possible.<br />
<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/AVvXsEhu2kag5YSSCGca2KBvYj0iCx1NSFxMbwN7IShlEqI_5CGrzjWxEpXDdu_91BZOxRbeihTkHKDl_WPgl1xyO7cxkmIcdrZl0Pf3SQ0-WvfS5ee8ZCmFTfz-H1vPQ32yZ06Y-U08va0LAKEc/s1600/10313765_694378817264484_7967623187363754973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2kag5YSSCGca2KBvYj0iCx1NSFxMbwN7IShlEqI_5CGrzjWxEpXDdu_91BZOxRbeihTkHKDl_WPgl1xyO7cxkmIcdrZl0Pf3SQ0-WvfS5ee8ZCmFTfz-H1vPQ32yZ06Y-U08va0LAKEc/s1600/10313765_694378817264484_7967623187363754973_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finishing the race with Steve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bj7G6qoIojkLcMfpmUq89z2A0_ByFeKPH_uDEzMLvlIO6eiydyNCwtBRo6B7uY6pKgfQEGjGmhrWs4bFVkETYoPPGt3TeE8hBzuHHTqcEAdmRB__oQ_1ygP3Zsib0QN_SjXhxoppIs2t/s1600/10308103_694378927264473_4513853190222444164_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bj7G6qoIojkLcMfpmUq89z2A0_ByFeKPH_uDEzMLvlIO6eiydyNCwtBRo6B7uY6pKgfQEGjGmhrWs4bFVkETYoPPGt3TeE8hBzuHHTqcEAdmRB__oQ_1ygP3Zsib0QN_SjXhxoppIs2t/s1600/10308103_694378927264473_4513853190222444164_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our Crossfit GK team at the finish line</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />

Mud Masters Obstacle Run

The adrenaline in the air was toxic. The sun peeked out its head through the clouds just as our race started at 10:50. We had no idea what...

APU European Alumni Reunion

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Valerie 0

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I had heard 
about these events for years, anticipating the day when I could finally 
participate in one.  Whispers around the Alumni Office whenever a 
European alum was on campus.  Rumors of good food and laughter in exotic
 places.  I knew one day I would join this group of APU European Alumni 
and experience the fun for myself.  That day finally came.</div>
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My
 journey started off at Düsseldorf International Airport with a non-stop
 flight to Nice, France.  I met up with Mary, director of the 
International Student Center at APU, and Tilo, a German alum whom I had 
met once before at the Alumni House when I worked there.  Both were full
 of excitement for what was about to ensue.  Corinne, a French alum and 
our host for the weekend, picked us up at the airport in Nice and gave 
us a scenic driving tour all the way to Juan les Pins.  The beach town 
is only about a 40 minute drive from Nice.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEhoVjfmrSStDAwTq1ZajXUWiPM_s7bq-ES7aVQ1ltFdYd6Npkp9D3rHR3wXE36AdK-p9zxD9mo8eHVRgVCiEunU0vyNdNUt8vKAfCcJQADAAptasnHxo2JA49BGMv0zlWSegZGWH869w-F0/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVjfmrSStDAwTq1ZajXUWiPM_s7bq-ES7aVQ1ltFdYd6Npkp9D3rHR3wXE36AdK-p9zxD9mo8eHVRgVCiEunU0vyNdNUt8vKAfCcJQADAAptasnHxo2JA49BGMv0zlWSegZGWH869w-F0/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house in Juan les Pins</td></tr>
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Originally
 from the area, Corinne lives in Juan les Pins with her Irish husband 
and two sons.  So she was in charge of organizing this year's reunion 
and making all the arrangements.  She rented a 4-bedroom house for us to
 stay in, and most of our time was spent around the table.<br />
<br />
All of the European alumni were just that...European.  I was the only American living in Europe who joined them.  There is a large group of APU alums living in Europe from various class years and majors, but the ones who came to this particular reunion all studied business at APU in the 90s.  Even though I was the odd person out, they welcomed me into the group with open arms.  I enjoyed listening to their stories, asking questions about their time at APU, and giving them updates on what it is like there now (well, at least a more recent perspective...I cannot believe I have been out of college for 5 years already!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzakX9ItQ-P8ZIj4lWp8DK_gXSm5cVWgkN810GQ-25ePUKFyHX3B2rlT96ZAxAfrWCyx1yM05v7iMncvP5toT6nhzoLopRPwrfeByjd0F4ukVEFhYVRmguaL1zt01NyQEqsX7tiFVY4ekH/s1600/058.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/AVvXsEgzakX9ItQ-P8ZIj4lWp8DK_gXSm5cVWgkN810GQ-25ePUKFyHX3B2rlT96ZAxAfrWCyx1yM05v7iMncvP5toT6nhzoLopRPwrfeByjd0F4ukVEFhYVRmguaL1zt01NyQEqsX7tiFVY4ekH/s1600/058.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the hike</td></tr>
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They told story after story of crazy college adventures, and I realized why this reunion time is so important to them: Europeans don't have the same "college experience" we do as Americans.  They don't live together on campus or hang out with their professors or become part of a community.  And APU is really the best place to take part in community.  So the experiences these Europeans had at a small Christian university outside of LA means a lot to them.  They cherish those memories.  They want to remember those experiences.  So they come together every year to relive those days, and see Mary, the woman who recruited them in the first place and guided them through their time at APU.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivI4PbE0VWgJ08PodwCE7a3JMv4SD5jRH-fHdj-4CKk8VNg6tOoSxmDb6ba6eH2oEl66_lv1C8sQgVqYgcimFU8AoljDBGUpnbAPqoRK-euNOdry8xyBdmQXVxYRWL_3jqihqZjwI0vKV/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivI4PbE0VWgJ08PodwCE7a3JMv4SD5jRH-fHdj-4CKk8VNg6tOoSxmDb6ba6eH2oEl66_lv1C8sQgVqYgcimFU8AoljDBGUpnbAPqoRK-euNOdry8xyBdmQXVxYRWL_3jqihqZjwI0vKV/s1600/043.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Rick on the hike</td></tr>
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Besides eating and talking, we did also get to experience the warm sunshine of the French Riviera (and I have the sunburn to prove it!).  Corinne took us on a 2-hour hike along the rocky beaches of Juan le Pins with beautiful views of the water.  At the end we found a small beach to rest and enjoy the sun.  This was a great time to have conversations with people individually.  And I was so thankful to spend that time with my former boss and friend, Rick.  His calm demeanor, wisdom, friendship and advice is something I miss on a daily basis.  Rick listened to my life struggles and helped me find ways to move forward.  It was so good to catch up with him, and have a partner in crime over the weekend.  He was recently promoted to the rank of colonel as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves and I couldn't be more proud of him.  Now that I have been involved in the AF community for a year, I have an even greater understanding and appreciation for him.  Being able to talk with Rick in person was the highlight of my trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DBw5etDOEKyKCpw3xDY0LXtiV67BZLiZnt4zMdh38E1NrhnAV97SCuje3lSxl_N5tqrbhrUHZvqtnWGLQrReU_Za20xkGAY4sNH8LpjY9mQuA7629sII5C-IVm62KqJsgIsk6f3-NHyp/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DBw5etDOEKyKCpw3xDY0LXtiV67BZLiZnt4zMdh38E1NrhnAV97SCuje3lSxl_N5tqrbhrUHZvqtnWGLQrReU_Za20xkGAY4sNH8LpjY9mQuA7629sII5C-IVm62KqJsgIsk6f3-NHyp/s1600/038.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the hike</td></tr>
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<br />
On Sunday, I went with one of the French alums to a local parish for mass.  He was kind enough to translate for me (not every word, but just enough so I knew what was going on), and he even said the Lord's Prayer in English with me.  I enjoyed the music, which was one lady singing a cappella, but all the songs were light and sounded very....French!  And thanks to my diction classes, I could follow the words well enough to sing along.  Since I'm not Catholic, I went up for a blessing from the priest instead of taking the Eucharist.  It was quite refreshing to attend church on vacation, actually.  And I have now been to mass in 3 languages and in 3 countries.<br />
<br />
Finally on Sunday evening, it was time to come home.  I had a wonderful weekend, made some great new friends, and look forward to seeing them all again next year in Germany!  One of the German alums will be hosting the event next year within driving distance of where I live.  But if I need something before then, I know I can call up any one of these alums and ask for help.  That's the amazing part of being an APU alumna, I can move half-way across the world and still have a support system, a sense of safety and security that people are going to take care of me.  Why?  Just because we share the connection of Azusa Pacific University.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkIMrGuRDijUHJWuCogUhOMy826Tk6fjKGoYo9FocUXCVmlxGLEBbOojSRfrqRCCiLSyEMZG1jl-Vy5fLku6QQ_DViRNxV-X_IVr2G6y3-eUxEZVmsZTQCDimSy6i8CQGOU-pHEZ9yrRG/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkIMrGuRDijUHJWuCogUhOMy826Tk6fjKGoYo9FocUXCVmlxGLEBbOojSRfrqRCCiLSyEMZG1jl-Vy5fLku6QQ_DViRNxV-X_IVr2G6y3-eUxEZVmsZTQCDimSy6i8CQGOU-pHEZ9yrRG/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Tilo, Martina, Mary, Michael, Corinne, Georg, Jean, and Rick</td></tr>
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APU European Alumni Reunion

I had heard about these events for years, anticipating the day when I could finally participate in one. Whispers arou...

Volleyball Highlights

Tuesday, May 06, 2014 Valerie 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wDVa0Dm3k-n8ABlK9Hi4hh28itVNgD6gVyU8WJJUDGPgvisRWjsr5Z-EaLXPud8iSHFL_dY-XExulbj2qq5kouPtHHz_6lSj5aCA4MEmdGxDMX-2eUmgX9JvI6W_1q4J4-WaIpogjcXK/s1600/DSCN1730+-+Version+2.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/AVvXsEj8wDVa0Dm3k-n8ABlK9Hi4hh28itVNgD6gVyU8WJJUDGPgvisRWjsr5Z-EaLXPud8iSHFL_dY-XExulbj2qq5kouPtHHz_6lSj5aCA4MEmdGxDMX-2eUmgX9JvI6W_1q4J4-WaIpogjcXK/s1600/DSCN1730+-+Version+2.jpg" width="154" /></a>Here are some video clips from the recent volleyball tournament in Heerlen.  I played with three Dutch guys (Luc, Bas, and Steve), and an Estonian couple (Indrek and Triin).  I was the only American on our team :)<br />
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Volleyball Highlights

Here are some video clips from the recent volleyball tournament in Heerlen. I played with three Dutch guys (Luc, Bas, and Steve), and an E...