tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78159189718068325272024-02-19T19:47:38.405-05:00The Foltice Family BlogBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-83686387245833549752013-08-23T06:05:00.000-04:002013-08-23T06:05:00.766-04:00The Pimmelman StoryBryan has been bugging me to write about the Pimmelman story on the blog for a while now, so here it is. This illustrates how it can sometimes be really difficult (and funny) raising a bi-lingual child when the child's grasp of the foreign language begins to surpass your own.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, Dylan came home from kindergarten saying a new word - Pimmelman. At first he just used it around the house, trying it out on different things like calling Oscar and Brady "Pimmelman," using it during his playtime by one Lego man saying "Pimmelman" to the other Lego man and whatnot. It's not unusual for him to come home from Kindergarten with new words - usually it's from whatever lesson they're doing or a book that he read, so I kind of assumed that Pimmelman was the name of a character in a book (<i>nilpferd</i>, for instance, is one such word he came home with that we weren't familiar with. It means hippopotamus). But Pimmelman was cropping up so much in his daily ramblings that we finally asked about it.<br />
<br />
He said with an impish grin that his friend Luciano taught him the word (Luciano is a friend from Kindergarten who seems to be the source of a lot of mischief) but he didn't know what it meant.<br />
<br />
We were starting to get suspicious that this wasn't a savory word, but sometimes he just says nonsense words that don't mean anything just to be funny. A few days later his friend Luis came over to play. Luis came armed with the Pimmelman word and as they were playing in Dylan's bedroom I could hear them shouting "<i>Du bis die Pimmelman!</i>" "<i>Nein, DU bis die Pimmelman!</i>" and thinking they were really funny. The boys were getting really riled up so I took them to the park to burn off some energy, and the whole way there they were pointing and laughing at people walking by saying stuff like "<i>Da ist die Pimmelman!</i>" (There is the Pimmelman!).<br />
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After a few hours at the park on our way home, we saw one of our neighbors unlocking his front door and Dylan and Luis stood at his fence chatting with him. They started off with the typical "I'm Dylan and this is Luis. We're four years old." And one of them asked him his name. He said "Christian" and Dylan pointed his finger at him and shouted "<i>Nein, du bis die Pimmelman!</i>" and he and Luis ran off laughing as hard as they could. We then came up to a young man sitting in his convertible with his girlfriend eating ice cream and Dylan walks right up to his window and shouts "<i>Hallo Pimmelman!</i>" I ushered both boys home a quickly as possible and scolded them for their rudeness. Later that night, I tried looking it up in Google translate, but to no avail. <br />
<br />
A couple of days later we were walking to Kindergarten and I was talking with another Mom when Dylan pointed at someone across the street and said "<i>Pimmelman!</i>" I told him to be quiet then I asked the other Mom if she knew what that word meant. She explained that it was kind of like calling someone a "dick" or more precisely, "dick man." It was at that moment I wished I could reverse time about one week and apologize to our fellow Hiltrup residents for my bi-lingual "pimmelkind."<br />
<br />
As a sequel to this story, we are now trying to get him to stop saying "<i>Du bis doof!</i>" which means "You are stupid." He knows he's not allowed to call someone or something stupid in English (he actually reprimands us if he hears us say the word stupid). But he's figured out a work-around for this problem and thinks we won't know what he's saying if he calls something stupid in German.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impish grin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-16236644855200222732013-08-21T08:57:00.000-04:002013-08-21T08:57:00.475-04:00A Good Old Fashioned German Tongue LashingA few posts ago, Bryan <a href="http://www.foltice.blogspot.de/2013/08/myth-buster-is-germany-dog-friendly-not.html" target="_blank">alluded to</a> my run-in back in Borken with the grouchy, old German couple who insisted that Oscar was destroying their bushes (Oscar wasn't, by the way, until after they yelled at me at which point I made sure to always walk him by their house to do his "business"). I handled that situation by rolling my eyes and telling them to get a life (spoken in English - altercations fluster me to the point where my bi-lingual skills disappear almost completely). But the larger question here is not necessarily why do the Germans dislike dogs and their owners, but why do they dislike just about everyone and are not ashamed to say it?<br />
<br />
What is up with all the stranger-on-stranger yelling in this country? <br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two typical German strangers on a street corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Bryan and I have a few terms for it; we're not sure which is better. Vote?<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>PDS - Instead of PDA - Public Displays of Affection - the German version is PDS - Public Displays of Shaming</li>
<li>GTL - Jersey Shore fans know this as the cast members' daily routine of Gym-Tan-Laundry, but here in Germany is is a "German Tongue Lashing"</li>
</ol>
<br />
I witness the PDS's on a weekly basis and am sometimes on the receiving end. Most often, people get really riled up when others don't follow the rules when using the cross-walks and bike lanes. This is a big issue with Germans, although I'm not sure why. Why does a complete stranger care if I started crossing the street towards the end of the green light and instead of being marooned in the median for 5 minutes I walk a little faster before the cars get their green light? This happened to me recently and a man behind me (who chose to wait in the median for the next green light) shouted at me "Ah ah ah - I see what you are doing." How do you respond to this? I wanted to shout, "Mind your own F-ing business!" but instead just rolled my eyes and moved on. He was, after all, stuck in the median (sucker!) and I was on the other side free to go about my day.<br />
<br />
If I am crossing the street and am close to the border of the bike lane (but not over it), is it really necessary to ding your bell at me incessantly and angrily shout at me to get out of your way as you zoom past? Some friends of ours recently got into an altercation about this and the angry bikers actually circled back for a second round of bickering after their initial pass-by.<br />
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Here's another example of PDS - someone stole the flower arrangement out of the planter in front of a restaurant by our house and for weeks afterwards there was a sign posted in the empty dirt that said "The flower arrangement was STOLEN!!!" When they finally replaced the flowers they updated the sign to this:<br />
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<br />
<br />
It says "<i>A second try! The complete first flower arrangement was stolen!</i>" They even put it in a plastic sleeve to protect it from the rain. Seeing this sign every day for about 6 weeks really bothered me. Why couldn't they just get over it? So I did what felt right - I stole the sign. I was secretly hoping they would put a new sign up that said "Our sign about our stolen flowers was stolen!" <br />
<br />
I have actually had a few worse individual encounters with people than the Borken Dog-Pee Police, one of which still gets my blood boiling. Here's the story:<br />
<br />
I was bringing Dylan to kindergarten one day and had Oscar with us for his morning walk. Near the kindergarten is a vacant, overgrown lot (a rarity here in Germany where nearly every swatch of land is immaculately gardened) and therefore has become the de-facto pooping ground for the local dogs. It looks kind of like this:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you let your dog poop here? Probably. Would you let your kid play here? Probably never.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On this particular day we stopped for a minute and Oscar stretched his leash the entire 6-meters (about 20-feet) into the center of this untamed, overgrown area and he had is "morning constitutional" and we went about our way. It seemed like a luxury to me to have him poop somewhere where I didn't have to pick it up. Unbeknownst to us, another kindergarten mom was hiding behind a tree watching this whole scandalous act and pounced on us when we departed sans poop-in-bag.<br />
<br />
She got right up in my face wagging her finger at me and screeching reprimands for what a horrible person I am for letting my dog poop in an area where - get this - <i>all of the children play</i>. (I've never seen a single child in this area because a parent would be crazy to let them run freely in there. I have, however, seen about two dozen various dogs taking a dump in there.) She noticed the poop bags that we have tied on to Oscar's leash and was actually commanding me to go back into this wooded area and pick up his poop. She wanted to stand there with her hands on her hips while I did a walk-of-shame into the waist-high bushes to scoop Oscar's poop. <br />
<br />
My German comprehension is good enough to understand everything that she was saying ("You should be ashamed of yourself. Go back there right now and pick it up. I see you have bags. It's disgusting that you let your dog poop where all of our kids play and run, etc."); however, I don't have a good enough command of the language to really reply and stand up for myself. So Dylan, Oscar and I stood there shocked while she shouted and shoved her finger in my face and told me what a bad person I am. I finally cut her off and said in German "I'm taking my son to kindergarten now, goodbye." It was the only thing I could come up with in German, when all that was running through my head was "Hey Lady - Go F#$% Yourself!" And we walked away leaving her simmering on the sidewalk. It was a rare instance where I did the right thing (walked away), but I soooooo wish I had done the wrong thing (cuss her out). <br />
<br />
Dylan asked me what her problem was and I told him that she was just having a bad day and to forget about it. He still talks about the mad lady who yelled at me about Oscar.<br />
<br />
Here's the deal, German people - have you ever thought about a different confrontation style? Had this woman approached me calmly after witnessing our dump-and-dash and mentioned that kids coming home from school might take a shortcut through these woods (as improbable as that is) and maybe I could have my dog defecate somewhere else, I would have received the remark probably with a bit of embarrassment at being confronted and would have told her I'd keep Oscar out of there from now on. No hard feelings, we move on. But instead, I'd basically do anything to know where she lives so I can save up a week's worth of his poop bags and dump them on her yard.<br />
<br />
This is the thing I don't get about all of these GTL's and PDS's - a gentler approach would do everyone a world of good. Maybe the general German public wouldn't walk around with sour looks on their faces and foreigners wouldn't feel <a href="http://www.foltice.blogspot.de/2013/08/myth-buster-is-germany-dog-friendly-not.html" target="_blank">"The Coldness"</a> if people were just a little nicer to each other in their daily interactions. Maybe if everyone didn't play Dog Police, or Cross-Walk Police, or Bike Police, or Kinderwagen Police, or Sidewalk Police and minded their own business, then people wouldn't immediately be on the defensive whenever someone tries to talk to them. <br />
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All of these GTL's have left me a bit jaded and frustrated (can you tell?), and I'm with Bryan - the next person to wag their finger in my face about basically anything is probably going to get 3 years of pent-up profanities. Let's just hope Dylan's not around to witness it.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-70341899743072277952013-08-19T14:54:00.000-04:002013-08-19T14:54:00.679-04:00Breaking the Ice With Germans - You're Only 3 Hellos Away
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you aren’t familiar
with the research I am doing here at the University of Münster, I am working on
my PhD in Behavioral Finance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
fortunate enough to conduct a number of experiments here for my dissertation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If it would fit my dissertation topic (it
doesn’t) I would do an experiment with a large group of people that I have tested myself with success (again, I am only a
sample of one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think that it takes 3
friendly hellos before the hello is authentically reciprocated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other people, both Germans and foreigners,
have told me how unfriendly the store clerks and restaurant staff are here in
Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will agree that it is not the
same ‘customer experience’ at these places compared to America, but it may not
have to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 Hellos are all you
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This is sounding like an
infomercial now.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three responses
to the 3 Hellos are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hello 1 = Strange
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hello 2 = Strange
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tentative hello back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hello 3 = Friendly
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reciprocated Hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEgRJDmpKmw-M63mh1ZqzvHm6JsfTjJ2cBMWfkDVqTJSEYfO2fgDucnp54G5C4MC5hMq-jF2y4GQG_k04jvGM00fd72OXgyUP-aiQEgFutdyaKFfKVhAX38qwHm6g8ldZFpiGYiIitObi84/s1600/grouchy+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJDmpKmw-M63mh1ZqzvHm6JsfTjJ2cBMWfkDVqTJSEYfO2fgDucnp54G5C4MC5hMq-jF2y4GQG_k04jvGM00fd72OXgyUP-aiQEgFutdyaKFfKVhAX38qwHm6g8ldZFpiGYiIitObi84/s1600/grouchy+woman.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes 3 friendly hellos for the store clerks to go from this ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPCpt3X6FkQ2U5BgDk79MVLpPJru-ksrscNP69VtfJxUqNfr9RLAFAiWNub3L0X2jEI6f7KR5sRuQUtxHgn_VpcVFG954_tS8E7u5KoWlAFXxFx5A3EoEapFh-_7rB1WhZq60fOj0DF8/s1600/friendly+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPCpt3X6FkQ2U5BgDk79MVLpPJru-ksrscNP69VtfJxUqNfr9RLAFAiWNub3L0X2jEI6f7KR5sRuQUtxHgn_VpcVFG954_tS8E7u5KoWlAFXxFx5A3EoEapFh-_7rB1WhZq60fOj0DF8/s320/friendly+lady.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have tried this at
virtually every store we shop at in Hiltrup and the success rate is
astounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get friendly hellos at
the grocery store from the people stocking the aisles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s normal in America, but I know that’s totally
not normal here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is our top list of
friendliest store/restaurant owners (in no particular order):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ti’ Amo Döner/Pizza
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nicest people own this
shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner always comes and talks
to us to see how we are doing and gives special drinks and candy to Dylan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ice Cream Shop –
Again, really nice owner and waitresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dylan has a crush on one of the new waitresses (Dana says that she is
indeed really cute, so I definitely need to check it out myself…for Dylan, of
course) and said upon seeing her, “I like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s very cute. Can I go pay for our ice cream now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tapas y Vino – This is
the Spanish restaurant right below our house, so this is always a great last
stop on our date nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner is
very nice and is Peruvian, so we get to speak Spanish with him while we are dining
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so motivated to get caught up with our
Spanish (that we learned in school) that we booked a month long trip to the
southern coast of Spain next spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will be able to test/maintain our Spanish afterwards at our downstairs
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I issue a question and
challenge to the other expats and Germans living here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we weird for having a friendly
relationship with restaurant/shop owners, or is this normal here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, the challenge would be to test the 3
Hello system (definitely an infomercial now) to see if you get the same
results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please let me know about your
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-59203580567895398322013-08-16T14:42:00.000-04:002013-08-16T14:42:00.093-04:00Myth Buster - Is Germany Dog-Friendly? Not Really.
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<br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In (a very delayed) response to why
Oscar isn’t more involved in our day to day activities, here is a brief look
into our experience of having a dog here in Germany (for reference, see comment on <a href="http://foltice.blogspot.de/2011/11/back-from-hiatus.html?showComment=1347800845869" target="_blank">this previous blog post</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could be wrong and I can only speak from
the voice of one person’s experience, but Hiltrup (and the NRW in general) doesn’t seem to be the
friendliest place on earth for dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
day on my Oscar walk, I get to see lots of old, miserable people who I swear
haven’t laughed since 1971.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I secretly
want to see if somehow I could make them laugh, just to see if their face would
break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother-in-law had an old man growl at her
on her last visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>He just literally
growled at me as I walked past."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
few visits here, she wasn’t surprised one bit and told us that she was used to "The Coldness." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Don't confuse this with our previous post about our nice neighbors who seem to be a minority of overly friendly, helpful people; whereas most other people here have an unreasonable and unjustified suspicion towards everyone and are quick to point out faults in strangers with sharp, gruff verbal confrontations on the street. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I hate walking our dog
because of "The Coldness."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Florida,
Oscar was king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in our
neighborhood knew him by name and only knew me as "Oscar’s Dad."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally here, there are really friendly
people who come up to me and want to know about Oscar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time, people avoid me even to the
point of crossing the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People veer away and sneer at me, and mothers grab their children as if I am walking a
wild tiger down the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The other
alternative to walking Oscar down the Main Street in Hiltrup is to take the
back streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This where these same old, grumpy people
walk home from their shopping and perch themselves at the windowsill to make
sure no one steps foot on their carefully crafted yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am almost convinced that they age, the love they had given to their family and children is replaced by the
love of their yard/garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One day in Borken,
Dana got yelled at so badly about Oscar peeing on some shrubs, pointing out one browning leaf out of literally thousands that was not a brilliant green, and that it
was Oscar’s fault </span>(presumably the only dog in the city!) even though they never actually witnessed his infraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these cases, we are never asked nicely to
do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always in the
harshest 0-to-100 in 2 seconds way imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could be wrong, but there seems to be a
lot of anger behind these requests. Little do they know but prior to the tongue-lashing we rarely walked Oscar by this house, but after the old couple reprimanded Dana, she actually went out of her way to walk Oscar by their house more often so he would pee on their bushes (and maybe once or twice "forgot" to pick up his poop by their walkway). It was imminently satisfying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I find it ironic that
the same yards that have signs of ‘No Dog Pooping Allowed’ are littered with cigarette
butts and other trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEg9FBM4j_xo8I7P9eUDQOlm6jxNgk4FAByXdNNz70zerZ1EPORl1X1OTJu7EnOt0caLj903jZ8kCR5yeyK93b3mhxzXxAPwmL-yWn7QugbN3knAZUz9RKQ2oy7EtkYXPmBVRbKJYg5e8UQ/s1600/poop+sign+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FBM4j_xo8I7P9eUDQOlm6jxNgk4FAByXdNNz70zerZ1EPORl1X1OTJu7EnOt0caLj903jZ8kCR5yeyK93b3mhxzXxAPwmL-yWn7QugbN3knAZUz9RKQ2oy7EtkYXPmBVRbKJYg5e8UQ/s400/poop+sign+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We respect the sign ... unless you yell at us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you couldn’t tell
yet, I am at my breaking point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
German level is ok enough and my anger of being talked to like that is high
enough where the next unlucky person to growl, yell, or otherwise play the role
of dog police is going to get 3 years of pent up frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The response is going to be in German and in
English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will likely be laced with
expletives and otherwise ungodly words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will be relentless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully,
Dylan won’t be around for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
We love living in Hiltrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dog-walking experiences are among the few negative experiences we can associate with living here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please, if you see me with Oscar in
Hiltrup, don’t be afraid of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
definitely don’t yell at us…you could be the unlucky victim.</span><!--EndFragment-->
Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-63439294839669890622013-08-12T14:12:00.000-04:002013-08-12T14:12:00.377-04:00Nette Nachbarn (Nice Neighbors) in Germany
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’ve been meaning to
write this post for a while now and was reminded about it after trying to
fixing my flat bike tire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main point
of this post is simply to say that we have awesome neighbors here in
Germany!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While living in Borken
for the first 18 months of our time in Germany, we really became close to our
neighbors and spent many evenings in the driveway talking and laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dylan would play with the other kids in our
building and we would have a couple of beers, which aided my German speaking
(my theory on this is that my German speaking ramps up with the first couple
beers, peaks around 2 or 3, and begins the gradual decent afterward. At this point it
still sounds good in my mind but does not to the person on the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s usually the signal to go home.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My neighbor buddy Gerd, who is a retired worker from a
large corporation, was always a. in a good mood and b. available to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gerd and his wife Julia were always looking
out for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, my bike would
always be fixed before I could get it to the shop because Gerd would see the
flat tire in our car port (bike port in our case) and fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called him an angel because somehow my bike
would be fixed overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
miracle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so impressed how friendly
our neighbors were and how they would go out of their way to help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the move to Münster was necessary for
our sanity (I still get motion sickness watching the SprinterBus that I would
take each day pass outside of the train station) we were so sad to leave Borken
because of our neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still really
miss our neighbors there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After speaking to
other “<i>Auslanders,</i>” I got the impression that our experience with neighbors was
not typical, which makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Germans
would naturally feel more comfortable living with other Germans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered how we would be received in
Hiltrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It didn’t take long to
get introduced to our neighbors in Hiltrup and guess what - they’re really nice, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody is friendly and nice to
each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the people go about
their business here, so unfortunately, I haven’t found a Hiltrup Gerd here (he
was one of a kind).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we have a
female version of him - Gabby - who is about the same age and is just as nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She, too, is always in a good mood and always
has time to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also leaves little
gifts downstairs in our ‘<i>kinderwagen</i>’ just to be nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In both Borken and
Hiltrup, someone remembers to put sweets and chocolates outside our door on St.
Nikolaus Tag (December 6<sup>th</sup>) for our kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, we always forget about this
tradition and are able to sneak the candy into a pair of shoes before the kids
figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the biggest
aids of making our transition to Germany successful has been through the
kindness of our neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s great
knowing that our neighbors are looking out for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEgy5FsV36bh_AEOKSGU3cBJjji5czLyxesHrXycNosyV69bL3sFG6euVzVcTxwDSB4R5qbjUowI7nTEabvJJUDN4xriEDMS_sGebYZooPcpH2jBrB_yWbtBDQg0LnYV9Vu2nHC-r-vFw-0/s1600/DSCN3256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5FsV36bh_AEOKSGU3cBJjji5czLyxesHrXycNosyV69bL3sFG6euVzVcTxwDSB4R5qbjUowI7nTEabvJJUDN4xriEDMS_sGebYZooPcpH2jBrB_yWbtBDQg0LnYV9Vu2nHC-r-vFw-0/s400/DSCN3256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerd (and Balu) - our good friend and bike angel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-31556771847400747652013-08-09T15:01:00.000-04:002013-08-09T15:01:48.441-04:00Beer, Bread, Bratwurst - The German Diet<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been nearly three years since moving to Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time is flying by so quickly and is only
increasing in speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you have
to look around and notice the differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently, I have noticed some of the differences between our family now and
when we were living in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is
a short list of some of these differences:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Bread:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eat bread
with everything now and make daily trips to the local bakery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <i>Mehrkornbrötchen</i> is our go-to bread, but Dylan prefers the <i>Rosininenbrötchen.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmpMhGJRxvAoSVcTqf6tEVhmONaarJ-oakinoL5oGdoZPBdOmbnwD8UKPTJbk3KcozBPrKVZGCuNNepLiTVUxLS2vnXIldfGgxpzWnm579rQZSooYCcVLKpfeJf1NpwciF0I_k-QIIyA/s1600/German+Bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmpMhGJRxvAoSVcTqf6tEVhmONaarJ-oakinoL5oGdoZPBdOmbnwD8UKPTJbk3KcozBPrKVZGCuNNepLiTVUxLS2vnXIldfGgxpzWnm579rQZSooYCcVLKpfeJf1NpwciF0I_k-QIIyA/s320/German+Bakery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bretzeln:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We actually
bake pretzels (<i>Bretzeln</i>) in our oven for our Sunday afternoon snack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we have 4 to 5 different types of
mustards in our refrigerator at any given time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJ4Jl9MAZPE0ZbOLd3kl7E5zBpFr9hVwZKkvAfrKCbM9BehFpfBlOLG4oUaNnBvSZDoauz2o_veNd_TlchLJInGwwgfZ0Y7T3XJrKix_rOKZbqqE8ujDQob-syTXX_EXv102CTdDmQQ/s1600/German+Pretzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJ4Jl9MAZPE0ZbOLd3kl7E5zBpFr9hVwZKkvAfrKCbM9BehFpfBlOLG4oUaNnBvSZDoauz2o_veNd_TlchLJInGwwgfZ0Y7T3XJrKix_rOKZbqqE8ujDQob-syTXX_EXv102CTdDmQQ/s320/German+Pretzel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bratwursts:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eat
this more often than I am willing to admit on our blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We originally ate these with real hot dogs buns,
but now use normal German <i>brötchen</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, we ate brats once a year and it was a really special occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSzg1-rFs3bE2EPtyO7HUFyO_OWOVyB0WhAhs8UUbbaVLfvifT1mTdd40qIRSRYSfMf_UAhmyBOmSNfTT2OqaphgLzQ1uWeWBzodS23hoVgexGFmYgv8yZ5EgHGAjtUTZ6Y8njZ1bi5c/s1600/German+Bratwurst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSzg1-rFs3bE2EPtyO7HUFyO_OWOVyB0WhAhs8UUbbaVLfvifT1mTdd40qIRSRYSfMf_UAhmyBOmSNfTT2OqaphgLzQ1uWeWBzodS23hoVgexGFmYgv8yZ5EgHGAjtUTZ6Y8njZ1bi5c/s320/German+Bratwurst.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Schnitzel</i>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
bratwursts are the go to meal at dinner, then <i>Schnitzel</i> is the second in
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, this is really easy to cook
here, so when Dana puts me in charge of dinner, I always rely on this meal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLYQEnaWJBpS2B_OsrudfuR_LIm8vhrZDDBaQl1tQkNAEyuCurY9LgiLN5iM2QIzG0sol75vSz3528yHb4MAfPdkNynz0G0uBZZSvPFe8eVwcWnPs_fbU3R4g-ZQFRSZ3I-jKbSH5lQU/s1600/German+Schnitzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLYQEnaWJBpS2B_OsrudfuR_LIm8vhrZDDBaQl1tQkNAEyuCurY9LgiLN5iM2QIzG0sol75vSz3528yHb4MAfPdkNynz0G0uBZZSvPFe8eVwcWnPs_fbU3R4g-ZQFRSZ3I-jKbSH5lQU/s320/German+Schnitzel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Döners</i>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t remember the last time I ate at McDonalds or Burger King, because every
time I want a quick meal on the go, it is always a <i>Döner</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same goes for Dana and the rest of the
family. If the Professor thing doesn’t work out after the PhD, then I will start
my own <i>Döner</i> franchise in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a multi-million dollar idea just waiting to get executed. </span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHNA-La3u8zKANV5t5XlokuGWe0Lr04-JEic35Px23fdjn89lAE5VbxtRmDu2JxCfbCWe9rLPTN5EQ1QvFU6ah4690C3FhsuonTRN27LnjzdsFbjFPDoby5JhYsU4owCZNWN-n-W0mfk/s1600/German+do%CC%88nder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHNA-La3u8zKANV5t5XlokuGWe0Lr04-JEic35Px23fdjn89lAE5VbxtRmDu2JxCfbCWe9rLPTN5EQ1QvFU6ah4690C3FhsuonTRN27LnjzdsFbjFPDoby5JhYsU4owCZNWN-n-W0mfk/s320/German+do%CC%88nder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beer: We don't actually drink beer <i>all</i> that much and have been limiting ourselves to a Saturday indulgence. That being said, Dylan really enjoys the "<i>kinder</i> <i>bier</i>" that they have here, which is like a malt-flavored soda that comes in a beer bottle and is marketed towards kids. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_sNs5tcRZYCiVPbYjwyZdmP7W1vP-ygh1WzBdZZaKLU9w5pCpzLswO9abhJKVZP-0zVEZI3BMB3Iw7azFjoLnFXxoskGC-PTiVx528o2JdCdeUQcu9mWgfQcg7N9QpIjMI470VnoHMU/s1600/German+Vita+Malz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_sNs5tcRZYCiVPbYjwyZdmP7W1vP-ygh1WzBdZZaKLU9w5pCpzLswO9abhJKVZP-0zVEZI3BMB3Iw7azFjoLnFXxoskGC-PTiVx528o2JdCdeUQcu9mWgfQcg7N9QpIjMI470VnoHMU/s320/German+Vita+Malz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-58340159851021005912013-06-25T03:04:00.000-04:002013-06-25T03:04:27.350-04:00“Previously at Home(land)” – The Latest Updates
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So the title of this post doesn’t fit very well, but it does
indicate that we have watched both seasons of Homeland since the last blog
post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, you must read the quote
in Saul Behrens voice for it to make any sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve been quite busy in the last couple of months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to catch you up on our comings and
goings I will try to get everyone caught up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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May 1-6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to
Florence Italy to give a presentation at the Florence workshop of Behavioral
and Experimental Economics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was my
first conference presentation (30 minutes) and my first conference outside of
Finance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned very quickly that the
dress code for an Economics conference was much more relaxed than Finance
conferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived in Florence all suited
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on the first day and somehow drifted into even more comfortable clothes (I am
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day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, I had a great time
learning and networking there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
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I had an extra afternoon/evening after the conference to do
some sight seeing, and a couple of new friends from Paderborn that I met at the
conference were gracious enough to let me tag along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some other highlights from this trip were:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drinking 2 euro Tuscany wine at a small wine bar/shop off
the beaten path and conversing with a Chinese girl who was literally a Masters
student in wine (and looked exactly like Charlyne Yi).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t believe her at first, but after a
few probing questions, it turned out that she really knew her stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that they must take 7 different
types of Chemistry courses in order to complete the program in order to work at
a vineyard after graduation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a
great sense of humor, referring to her extensive learning only to work at a
vineyard as ‘a great tragedy.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<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/AVvXsEizByNuFWGGe2vQ4LQ5nUqpuedePp88wijqKbmbY8OfTxvrdiga4zKXg9wjXNy5L403da67rjQwkWT7Ffk9GT3D0ZoUDjpTSfD1_FPX3Gb6ugHHEMz5ieYOzZpnnW4fpWkn3eyQSEWhi-c/s1600/charlyne-yi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizByNuFWGGe2vQ4LQ5nUqpuedePp88wijqKbmbY8OfTxvrdiga4zKXg9wjXNy5L403da67rjQwkWT7Ffk9GT3D0ZoUDjpTSfD1_FPX3Gb6ugHHEMz5ieYOzZpnnW4fpWkn3eyQSEWhi-c/s320/charlyne-yi.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlyn Yi's look alike really knows her wine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hearing a native Italian speaker properly saying my name
over the loud speaker at the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had no idea I had such a beautiful sounding name if said correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason my name was called was because I
was sitting at gate 83 when the entire was/had boarded at gate 83a.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a small, but crucial detail to miss at
5:30 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, I made the
flight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh yeah, the sight seeing was nice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NPob55qztZas2ElCelklZBtw5vjDsQoSc5bqPhXITLn0yO7OhaKP91-oFUY7X52x728XBgmacrQ6dXSMOOnj3u7CT5fiijoYZOtPV8J5RLD4YqCAJ6lAxxRPfTgOmIZmFz1KoffIVao/s1600/DSCN5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NPob55qztZas2ElCelklZBtw5vjDsQoSc5bqPhXITLn0yO7OhaKP91-oFUY7X52x728XBgmacrQ6dXSMOOnj3u7CT5fiijoYZOtPV8J5RLD4YqCAJ6lAxxRPfTgOmIZmFz1KoffIVao/s320/DSCN5716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY02QMmCokwpvTNIlmLPgckD_qKlhmUF-gpt6T5ImB69h85VlwxK3Z1YbI_y0iB3A8KGfiehvoOnHgj_uGUeBnIAn5YjD6k0fEBHrTE2RInr6sSb-bgA_TQZ0w2AfSNssS3Negxj4oO-M/s1600/DSCN5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY02QMmCokwpvTNIlmLPgckD_qKlhmUF-gpt6T5ImB69h85VlwxK3Z1YbI_y0iB3A8KGfiehvoOnHgj_uGUeBnIAn5YjD6k0fEBHrTE2RInr6sSb-bgA_TQZ0w2AfSNssS3Negxj4oO-M/s320/DSCN5724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seeing what looked to me a lot of long lost family members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize that I /my Dad/my grandpa
Foltice looked so Italian (we all look the same…Dana knows exactly what I will
look like at age 60 and 88. See photo below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I received so many questions for directions, confirming my idea that I
really blended in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SC6Vyxhyphenhyphen8uFCyKVrP7pXq97ow4gQhTkJbn63PR0O0ISHFqbZXwoTak7R345glzs0yosTPVhRNg73ePghPV-0Ao9UQa0hyphenhyphenKfe6nslhyphenhyphenRQpKVEgGjFnTHnFBgTEvxgQbe4cHA1JykEPno/s1600/DSCN1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SC6Vyxhyphenhyphen8uFCyKVrP7pXq97ow4gQhTkJbn63PR0O0ISHFqbZXwoTak7R345glzs0yosTPVhRNg73ePghPV-0Ao9UQa0hyphenhyphenKfe6nslhyphenhyphenRQpKVEgGjFnTHnFBgTEvxgQbe4cHA1JykEPno/s320/DSCN1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Dana, this is what you get to look at for the rest of your life. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The month of May had so many Holidays and long weekends, we
spent a lot of time around Hiltrup relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, the weather was so cold that it was tough to do much
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holidays are different
here, and I love the religious meaning of the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the list of German holidays for May
alone:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday May 1: May Day (Maifeiertag) – Not sure of the
history behind this holiday, though I know that a lot of people go “tanzen in
dem Mai” (Dancing into May).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
I am too old to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday May 9: Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day) – The
day Christ went to heaven 40 days after his resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday May 20: Pfingsten (Pentacost) – The fiftieth day after
Easter when the Church received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-6)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday May 30: Fronleichnem (Corpus Christi) – 10 days
after Pfingsten, celebrating communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYPgbFLie7Fn9CmEA0hN1F2wI34evreFwVEYkXWa-Pgq_lae-bRbAYmcwNZOJPhgcU2z1gbeFsD3zowfaAdtn2SWK9RbBdNqYiqzMxbO5wwVfZ7lmBgU1DrQ4R7UBvCbMTa9ze1qlN74/s1600/DSCN5800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYPgbFLie7Fn9CmEA0hN1F2wI34evreFwVEYkXWa-Pgq_lae-bRbAYmcwNZOJPhgcU2z1gbeFsD3zowfaAdtn2SWK9RbBdNqYiqzMxbO5wwVfZ7lmBgU1DrQ4R7UBvCbMTa9ze1qlN74/s320/DSCN5800.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Picnic in the park<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP24M42WBEdGe2E5vrZZaw031rUwbYJYiybk-taxL5b55y9vhSOfyfuJlT6esC8moFslBVJug19Qi6oEO6CkbltTtoImraHCvxnsk5IkupaRNAjMQu1ivIxJRWfyL1G4pqZ2e8KxXpYEw/s1600/DSCN5819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP24M42WBEdGe2E5vrZZaw031rUwbYJYiybk-taxL5b55y9vhSOfyfuJlT6esC8moFslBVJug19Qi6oEO6CkbltTtoImraHCvxnsk5IkupaRNAjMQu1ivIxJRWfyL1G4pqZ2e8KxXpYEw/s320/DSCN5819.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w9uzHCr_ye9ljSyTAAsCMuWx77bFQkFZiGlVzf6Ymh1b0RJPz8vfL8WHYRWQHqtld5hSUM5kVKvHXjD_Hk61PRBjKkcJPlCuiBT_BsOKGukPSCnxO5ho2veUjhosPSONRyH2QqRwVnY/s1600/DSCN5825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w9uzHCr_ye9ljSyTAAsCMuWx77bFQkFZiGlVzf6Ymh1b0RJPz8vfL8WHYRWQHqtld5hSUM5kVKvHXjD_Hk61PRBjKkcJPlCuiBT_BsOKGukPSCnxO5ho2veUjhosPSONRyH2QqRwVnY/s320/DSCN5825.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90UE-9c3oZeNSt4dXXWMxQels4CJuWCAivQ7W000h4gUk34PMpHdnhwZ-ivKkm0HaZ8ujGPy6c34h4lBuIdD60Ce7pkw5kOX6MG6LwQAOtYrmqWZUSXvtyL2ojUJBFCKt4AypBIuUJPQ/s1600/DSCN5786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90UE-9c3oZeNSt4dXXWMxQels4CJuWCAivQ7W000h4gUk34PMpHdnhwZ-ivKkm0HaZ8ujGPy6c34h4lBuIdD60Ce7pkw5kOX6MG6LwQAOtYrmqWZUSXvtyL2ojUJBFCKt4AypBIuUJPQ/s320/DSCN5786.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We love our balcony and spend a lot of evenings here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fathers Day in Germany is somewhere in May, but we
celebrated Mothers and Fathers day on the American dates, so I have a good
excuse to watch the US Open golf tournament all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, Dylan busted me on my Mother’s Day and my
Anniversary gift on two separate occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Mother’s Day, he and I went to the ‘Allstadt’ to get Dana
a gift, but got distracted and went to the Mukk toy store, which is like the
German version of FAO Schwartz, instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wanted to get her a ‘bow for her hair’, but unfortunately we ran out
of time (and good behavior) to go find one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning, I went out to ‘go workout’
but Dylan told Mommy as soon as I left that we had forgotten to get her a
present and that I was out buying her something last minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Side note: Dana recently found a broken hair clip in our
bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sneaky 4-year old had a
plan the whole time to replace it as a Mother’s Day gift. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Due to time restrictions, I had to take Dylan shopping down
the street to buy a watch for our Anniversary (11 years already).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my pleading for Dylan not to tell
Mommy about her gift he blurted out not 5 minutes after Dana came home,
“Mommy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got you a present!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should open it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a clock for your arm. We bought it at
the store down the street.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess
we’ll have to wait a while before Dylan is included in the gift giving process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last weekend of May was the annual Hiltruper
Frulingsfest (Spring fest), which blocks off our entire street for a full
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our location, we had one
of the three stages facing our apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The good news was that we could watch concerts from 12pm until 12am on
Saturday and Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad news is we
couldn’t escape the noise for two full days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boys slept just fine, so it wasn’t too much of a problem for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, that Saturday night was the
Champions League final, with my favorite team Dortmund playing Bayern
Munich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really excited for the
game the entire day and we made plans for Dylan to stay up late so we could
watch it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The game started at
8:45 pm, so it would be a special late night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully, Dylan will grow up to be a Dortmund fan as well and I didn’t
want him to miss the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years
from now, I was hoping we could remember this memorable day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30 minutes before kickoff, we walked down the
street to the public viewing in Hiltrup and upon seeing the crowd of people
Dylan instantly did not want to be there (are you noticing a trend of crowd
aversion from Dylan yet)? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEgkYIXbawztqOJjcty_9bcf_cga0XgpB07TNTmYybcXfOKH04byO7iLERDNcS_wQRHUSg1lBIZ3YwUkPuaq_YdTFtB43GjzJwoACB98eyZosT2uGhpuz0fq3TxM6vL7HUJ0er81OZXK9nc/s1600/DSCN5745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYIXbawztqOJjcty_9bcf_cga0XgpB07TNTmYybcXfOKH04byO7iLERDNcS_wQRHUSg1lBIZ3YwUkPuaq_YdTFtB43GjzJwoACB98eyZosT2uGhpuz0fq3TxM6vL7HUJ0er81OZXK9nc/s320/DSCN5745.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's the playoffs. You gotta let em know you're out there." - Our future face painter</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/AVvXsEhQTqOI1HCDLxtuiHyn71ghy8mc53kba6zjWwOS2_i_LtnVD_3Ellhn0TVicPQjoH8TtKQKaeAcos3amlczR4VJCV5Y1KoKu4vI3j-DDKlPBa-duTp1GIJxH05UtCb_YD5_Zg6JJEqi7PU/s1600/DSCN5749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTqOI1HCDLxtuiHyn71ghy8mc53kba6zjWwOS2_i_LtnVD_3Ellhn0TVicPQjoH8TtKQKaeAcos3amlczR4VJCV5Y1KoKu4vI3j-DDKlPBa-duTp1GIJxH05UtCb_YD5_Zg6JJEqi7PU/s320/DSCN5749.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiltruper Fruhlingsfest</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/AVvXsEhZLHdgi-0R99NX91nxkpyaSOvrwNj-aNmzpUclLDAlqTD_ioSi-sadhnKm5OzWAaetYEbBxKVvUshxGa0subCgkCZsGU-9suqjLn3tt4QZnmTkAkQ0x_VV8W5t7Set23Velc9Ov3P8v7M/s1600/DSCN5758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLHdgi-0R99NX91nxkpyaSOvrwNj-aNmzpUclLDAlqTD_ioSi-sadhnKm5OzWAaetYEbBxKVvUshxGa0subCgkCZsGU-9suqjLn3tt4QZnmTkAkQ0x_VV8W5t7Set23Velc9Ov3P8v7M/s320/DSCN5758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiltruper Fruhlingsfest from the balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead, we watched the game in the Tapas y Vino bar
directly below our apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
packed, but the owner let us sit at his family and friends table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is from Peru and Dana and I always try to
unearth our previously learned Spanish while speaking with him. I was really encouraged
this evening that I got my order right (spoken in Spanish) when the others at
the table were asking me if I was Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, we made through the first half until Dylan was toast and needed
to go to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched the second half online in the living room while
the concert outside played on (with nobody watching).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the final ten minutes of the game, the
concert actually stopped so the band members could watch the conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bayern scored in the 89<sup>th</sup> minute,
ripping my heart out in all too familiar fashion (a common theme, especially
for a Michigan State/Detroit sports fan).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t recall a time when I was so sad about an outcome of a soccer
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in my chair dejected for the
next hour while the band played in the cold rain in front of about 8 dancing
Bayern fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What made it really sad for
me was that this would very likely be Dortmund’s only chance at a Champions
League title while we are living in Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ate a full bag of cookies, which made be feel better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dylan turned four in the first week of June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to save the ‘pimmelman’ for Dana
to write about, but his German is passing our understanding, and it can be
quite embarrassing for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so
German that when we asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner, he
responded without hesitating, “Bratwursts, Pommes (French fries), and as much
ketchup as I want.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a funny
kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZNP3xosGG-Y7hGDIEbSTqXQP8yz5B89O8uCeHicsOWATHs4bg6nEg6Szpc3xQYTFZ3tiKF4Z8L93JL1_tOH7RRM1gdC67YRzoul3Pv1h5r1RGuCBmJylds8kAYprXc2Bw-qnkhoeauU/s1600/DSCN5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZNP3xosGG-Y7hGDIEbSTqXQP8yz5B89O8uCeHicsOWATHs4bg6nEg6Szpc3xQYTFZ3tiKF4Z8L93JL1_tOH7RRM1gdC67YRzoul3Pv1h5r1RGuCBmJylds8kAYprXc2Bw-qnkhoeauU/s320/DSCN5924.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Dylans Birthday<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_biJh-2FzrN0AGvPc4JbTyXZum8ye4xdd6hAPyvE-cTozf98YHmbVJcTLYkRrv7fmy-YobwnNubCDNRyL1OeNegs0Nfy8uLwXzNdc3VORKxIReSEt1i74y1dBwdAwKtj8xttTwn0wY4/s1600/DSCN5944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_biJh-2FzrN0AGvPc4JbTyXZum8ye4xdd6hAPyvE-cTozf98YHmbVJcTLYkRrv7fmy-YobwnNubCDNRyL1OeNegs0Nfy8uLwXzNdc3VORKxIReSEt1i74y1dBwdAwKtj8xttTwn0wY4/s320/DSCN5944.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The aftermath</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oma and Opa Mohr made it here yesterday and will be staying
with us for the next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a full
week of vacation and hopefully a little time to catch up on some blog
posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so much that I want to
write about, but so little time to type it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully that changes this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have a great week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-64702791569100177932013-05-08T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-08T06:00:07.872-04:00Where has Dana been?I have been so absent from posting to this blog, we should probably change the name to "The Bryan Foltice Blog" instead of "The Foltice Family Blog." I just checked and my last post was published on August 8, which means it's been a full 9 months since I've contributed anything but a few photo captions to this. Sorry, but it's <i>really</i> <i>busy</i> having two kids. <br />
<br />
My typical day is just a whirlwind of tasks and schedules and a whole bunch of things that have to be done by a specific time that leaves me with very small increments of downtime (like 15 minutes here, or 20 minutes there), which I usually spend zoning out to <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/dear_prudence.html" target="_blank">Dear Prudence columns</a>, scrolling through Facebook, or if Dylan's being particularly pesty that day, binge eating chocolate and cookies in the corner of the kitchen.<br />
<br />
So since Bryan has kept you up to date about what he's up to, here is a brief update about me and the boys.<br />
<br />
Dana - My blood clot leg issue is getting better. I'm no longer taking medication and in a few weeks I go back to the University Hospital for more tests to make sure everything is officially all better. <br />
<br />
Dylan - Dylan loves his Kindergarten and is basically kind of bummed on the weekends when Kindergarten is closed. He speaks pretty fluent German at school and can switch the languages on and off. He tells me things like "We say <i>entschuldigung</i> at school but we say <i>excuse me</i> at home." I'm embarrassed to say that he sometimes corrects me when I say something wrong in German and one time he actually asked me to use English because he couldn't understand what I was saying to him in German. He'll be 4 in June, by the way. That's one smart cookie.<br />
<br />
Brady - Brady is a huge, fat baby. He's sweet and snuggly and always happy, but he's a beast. He weighs 21 pounds (9.5 kilos) at 7 months old. I have super ripped back muscles from carrying him around all the time. We live on the 5th floor of our apartment building and there is no elevator, so I hike up and down an average of 20 flights of stairs every day usually either carrying a squirmy Brady or his weight-equivalent in groceries each trip. <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/AVvXsEiyP83svgGU4pPoU9vU4C7GSMMmatVdcrkFY0LiDjhO5hCgpnUv_kvIWm25guy4XH45ofxuIOHuOgRa4_2tlAdOblsQ6SI6iyBfGw66X-pbf9PKOmmKyAgsfGwffKZ7kM0dWCRIg_sRTsc/s1600/DSCN5603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP83svgGU4pPoU9vU4C7GSMMmatVdcrkFY0LiDjhO5hCgpnUv_kvIWm25guy4XH45ofxuIOHuOgRa4_2tlAdOblsQ6SI6iyBfGw66X-pbf9PKOmmKyAgsfGwffKZ7kM0dWCRIg_sRTsc/s400/DSCN5603.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what he's looking at, but this picture always makes me laugh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRFv7jl9E5bN8_TEyyDvJvv80k8IZkf6yVhmiwKcWJyLl1XtTuiLN4oWsD8rTPx6sWk-D1x1y81-Hq597zAuUI2SVkWhaLdHG85Ff2BLcP25y-5YRBGqwh-kPfeB7yRuc-QgLiS3SyGk/s1600/DSCN5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRFv7jl9E5bN8_TEyyDvJvv80k8IZkf6yVhmiwKcWJyLl1XtTuiLN4oWsD8rTPx6sWk-D1x1y81-Hq597zAuUI2SVkWhaLdHG85Ff2BLcP25y-5YRBGqwh-kPfeB7yRuc-QgLiS3SyGk/s400/DSCN5604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan after hunting eggs on Easter morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady loves his Daddy.</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/AVvXsEhabbZ_96DsTI4r_GEf2UTfCCxN08AlnD1jDUeExEjmDDKf_54WBN6SZI2t9XB5jCP2_STBkTTgYiqoCF0QYfrsaVzufDiCJA_S4nmxocv6U0xNFO06RVXxkTqLFvDzcvE3qq8raYREGzY/s1600/DSCN5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabbZ_96DsTI4r_GEf2UTfCCxN08AlnD1jDUeExEjmDDKf_54WBN6SZI2t9XB5jCP2_STBkTTgYiqoCF0QYfrsaVzufDiCJA_S4nmxocv6U0xNFO06RVXxkTqLFvDzcvE3qq8raYREGzY/s400/DSCN5617.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan goofing around, as usual.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoADN_fci0xL6BsRXuUjBTScjvpKGcSabTnADampPvTryWheiX3Jeohm_GKc7RNa2RO5OAx2nflZ4G6YDZxV9EN_jA9HMgQ7sS7pEBIeR5elNCfPTVnbCVsZCnvoDQmSrb7kEsK4mfrZU/s1600/DSCN5624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoADN_fci0xL6BsRXuUjBTScjvpKGcSabTnADampPvTryWheiX3Jeohm_GKc7RNa2RO5OAx2nflZ4G6YDZxV9EN_jA9HMgQ7sS7pEBIeR5elNCfPTVnbCVsZCnvoDQmSrb7kEsK4mfrZU/s400/DSCN5624.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady hates bibs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Oscar is still hanging around. He'll be 10 years old this fall. </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/AVvXsEhUOQWTGnY_cC9gFTsJmrU1I69f_1-WRlNQeGX97hEhSItTUvzmaYCBb9__Yxe0ZHhmJE2c35F4wnPsvQJrBbpMsekIReo6A4NR73UcEgOH5JYUJShaKyhcEl4ZZRLqwZJijipJtGC0PyQ/s1600/DSCN5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOQWTGnY_cC9gFTsJmrU1I69f_1-WRlNQeGX97hEhSItTUvzmaYCBb9__Yxe0ZHhmJE2c35F4wnPsvQJrBbpMsekIReo6A4NR73UcEgOH5JYUJShaKyhcEl4ZZRLqwZJijipJtGC0PyQ/s400/DSCN5656.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least one of our kids will wear a hat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-67976661533307362332013-05-05T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-05T06:00:07.144-04:00Waiting Rooms<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What’s the
deal with waiting rooms at Doctor’s offices? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this the only place where Germans are
friendly?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two questions are best
read using your Jerry Seinfeld voice, but have been a question that I have
posed to many Germans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t heard a
sufficient answer yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whenever
you go to the Doctor, you must address the group of people in the waiting room with a friendly <i>Guten Tag</i> or <i>Guten Morgen</i> each time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I
thought this was really strange, but waited to say anything until I had more
experience in Doctors waiting rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
many appointments with various Doctors in various cities, every time, people young and old address the others in the waiting room without fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more annoying is that when you are in
the waiting room, you are obligated to echo hello back with the other ten people in the
waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dirty looks will be given
to those who do not participate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is most
consistently weird thing I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s more is that these are the same people who won’t even look at you
passing by on the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you
are much more likely to get an F-you stare down (they don’t actually say it,
but you can read it in their eyes and on their face) than a friendly hello. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Doctor’s office is the last place I want
to be friendly and be obligated to greet each person, but somehow this is the
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The only
explanation I get from other Germans about this phenomenon is that there is a
sense of ‘we’re in this together’ in a waiting room so you should be friendly
with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that may be true,
the theory should hold for other venues where the situation is more dire, like
riding the bus or train together on the public transportation system (those who
ride each day with the Deutsche Bahn know what I mean.) Unfortunately, my experience with public transportation couldn’t be further from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, I took the same hour long bus trip from Borken to Münster with the same people for 18 months and
never once talked to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barely even
eye contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way I knew them
was by the nicknames I had developed in my head, such as the ‘Salty Russian’
and my least favorite bus driver, who I called ‘Clutch’ (named that way because
he would always stall the bus when under pressure in heavy traffic).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, dear
German readers, can someone explain this to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe there is an old tradition or something that I would be really
interested in hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any insight would
be very helpful. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-70018368665301447692013-05-02T09:16:00.000-04:002013-05-02T09:16:24.506-04:00Totally Normal Things That Make You Look Out of Place in Münster<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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There are three things I do/wear on my daily train commute that
consistently gets strange looks that are completely normal for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that part of the reason for the
dirty looks (it is the default German look, even if it is not intended) is that
I am in the vast minority compared to others around me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will rank these in order starting with what I feel is the
most ridiculous:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Wear sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the sun comes out
(it comes out for 4 days per year) I am virtually the only person wearing
sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning, I tested the
validity of this on my 15-minute walk from the train station to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the couple hundred people I saw (I
would estimate 300-400), only one other person was wearing sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it was me and a lady selling a bouquet of
flowers on the street wearing sunglasses on a cloudless morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are in other parts of Germany (Munich
and Berlin), I saw many other Germans wearing sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a regional NRW or Münster
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, by simply wearing
sunglasses, I get long stares from people like I am some Hollywood actor or the
town drunkard trying to disguise my bloodshot eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, I get strange looks all the way
to work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Drink coffee to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Occasionally, I bring a to go cup of coffee on the train for my morning
commute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get so many weird looks on
the train that I have to scan the train for the possibly there is a new sign
saying that no drinks are allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
I know, they are allowed, but I still get looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Germans tend to be so organized that I think
they view people who bring to go coffee must be behind schedule, so I must be a
very disorganized (and thus weak and feeble) person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wearing athletic gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve tried this on a rare occasion on my way to the gym in the morning
(my gym is right next to the train station) and people will literally go out of
their way to avoid sitting by you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
also noticed this on the weekend when I am walking the dog in the morning in my
warm-up pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, Germans dress
the same all the time, with very few exceptions:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dark colored jeans, solid dark colored jacket
(we are wearing jackets 360 days per year here, but I know there is a 99.2%
chance they are wearing a solid dark colored sweater underneath), and dress
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining five days bring out
the long board shorts with my favorite, socks under scandals. Nothing screams
‘I am German’ like socks and scandals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The old people around town take this dress up thing to a
whole different level and are immaculately dressed to do their grocery
shopping/errands around town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
generally very comfortable in my own skin, but I try my best to blend in with
the other Germans and dress appropriately, though I haven’t tried the long
board shorts and socks under scandals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When a friend of ours saw my black dress shoes with jeans, he told me
“You are dressed very German.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to agree
with him and I told him that this combination helps me blend in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to wearing a speedo to the Freibad (a secret/crazy
ambition of mine to do here before we leave Germany), I am also trying to build
up the courage to do all three of the aforementioned things at the same time,
though oddly enough, I am convinced that I would get many more strange looks
seeing my athletic pants and sunglasses than my white thighs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
no idea that I would more be self conscious about the latter than wearing a speedo in a public place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-13369666944305230992013-03-06T04:21:00.000-05:002013-03-08T02:01:35.841-05:00Hibernation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since returning to Münster in the end of December, we don’t have too much to report that is of any
interest. I completed the school
semester at the end of January and have mainly been in research mode since
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research mode basically means that
I have been locked in my office working on research projects for my
dissertation, only pausing to come out to eat, sleep and occasionally bathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have thought and written about the greek
letter ‘theta’ more than I ever thought would be possible, thanks to a project
I am working on that analyzes bias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you would have asked me 10 years ago what theta was, the most technical answer
I would have provided would be that it was the sorority at Florida State with
the highest ratio of good looking blondes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If college Bryan could see me today, he would have given me a wedgie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A couple of weekends
ago, we took a break from hibernation and enjoyed one of my favorite times of
the year: Karneval season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really
excited this year because: 1. Our apartment in Münster-Hiltrup is on the Karneval
parade route for our city and 2. Dylan is at the age where he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">should</i> be excited about the parades and
subsequent candy that is passed out to the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first part
actually played out like I thought it would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have some pictures of us on the day of our towns Karneval parade. I
dressed up as a lion. Dana was a beer mug. Dylan was, well, dressed as himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, he was not into the Karneval
season as much as his parents were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
even refused to dress up for his kindergartens Karneval party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we asked him if he would like to at
least color his hair for the festivities, he looked at us like we were the
dumbest/most uncool people in the world to even propose such an idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think kids gave that look to their
parents until they were at least 12 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anyway, Dylan enjoyed
the first half of the parade, but wanted Dana to take him upstairs before the
second half started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That left me
standing there by myself picking up candy for Dylan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEghib5CWIvGQ9_c1UtegwiAb7CV81szGEflNTJaFwueI1-ci0EghoD8aMiH6UELn1Weq4NSGrnSlKT_amebsmig-oNxRcjsP-QxgMqAjZOx6Vfwyg9333YmOH-IOGti3MwAfk4QkMnOvGc/s1600/DSCN5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghib5CWIvGQ9_c1UtegwiAb7CV81szGEflNTJaFwueI1-ci0EghoD8aMiH6UELn1Weq4NSGrnSlKT_amebsmig-oNxRcjsP-QxgMqAjZOx6Vfwyg9333YmOH-IOGti3MwAfk4QkMnOvGc/s400/DSCN5414.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the party started on our balcony!</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/AVvXsEjhr_JFD7STUQDCygiY8ZCrmaISPJhu4SgL0dcZMb9UISg7daRNazhViMDSwX392nslCGWkeXAMZvY4vrIU-GBhHSp1qGcdUFfJEWmHiYHeJYcY-NsC-Dos01W9kwLDfQZ6FliwW8gCxls/s1600/DSCN5413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr_JFD7STUQDCygiY8ZCrmaISPJhu4SgL0dcZMb9UISg7daRNazhViMDSwX392nslCGWkeXAMZvY4vrIU-GBhHSp1qGcdUFfJEWmHiYHeJYcY-NsC-Dos01W9kwLDfQZ6FliwW8gCxls/s400/DSCN5413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan, dressed as "himself"</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/AVvXsEiMgFTqO7BWJ9ysaUqH6pBUOZkWk3wOWC5ufxhhkZ47my9tl1m2eQGVmKillizkU7vr4SZid4O3csOKsRtDD0BH3fcgB2Tnbzsfu-9tu3AZvAwd76mMJJvg7DTQrpTRAAakw8YHJNkX95A/s1600/DSCN5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgFTqO7BWJ9ysaUqH6pBUOZkWk3wOWC5ufxhhkZ47my9tl1m2eQGVmKillizkU7vr4SZid4O3csOKsRtDD0BH3fcgB2Tnbzsfu-9tu3AZvAwd76mMJJvg7DTQrpTRAAakw8YHJNkX95A/s400/DSCN5410.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Brady got in the spirit!</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/AVvXsEj1h5GMlyTyvFPjmKzJkb03wCVLDY2quh3EsNHXbFYQj5mvPx53Vf6TPQx5soFZdpfF42WClYmuBJ-Bx-56ViUMMUM8H-LFxbU3fm1-eoazZCuRKsTN206cKTyWlT4QDixr-Q9TAe11fVc/s1600/DSCN5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h5GMlyTyvFPjmKzJkb03wCVLDY2quh3EsNHXbFYQj5mvPx53Vf6TPQx5soFZdpfF42WClYmuBJ-Bx-56ViUMMUM8H-LFxbU3fm1-eoazZCuRKsTN206cKTyWlT4QDixr-Q9TAe11fVc/s400/DSCN5435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best view of the parade: our balcony.</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/AVvXsEgB3faVlvRS0mOHtB-RfyHXKCpetIIGF9R0O-ScCNuAsR01PAGLXmMH5zYSrJ_-o0Kuq49rdSAOHuBH03pwnpRAKGnbFKFFrrczx-lKqLIf1jYof-fpGYn9pHz-tVpVswa0mXIgmHDJQ80/s1600/DSCN5444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3faVlvRS0mOHtB-RfyHXKCpetIIGF9R0O-ScCNuAsR01PAGLXmMH5zYSrJ_-o0Kuq49rdSAOHuBH03pwnpRAKGnbFKFFrrczx-lKqLIf1jYof-fpGYn9pHz-tVpVswa0mXIgmHDJQ80/s400/DSCN5444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to go inside now.</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/AVvXsEh9OASJllm-0vfzjyKgBXNkP4VbzpJkbo0EhLEQJ4-EMu-x4GSS-Kv4TfVuirF3BrQtrGfkVFSU2DFGlNX8inknk8RL9uTHuUx2Q6PFgH-PJpGeuib9oFrch86qOWO2CIGkjQYXnwhmXjQ/s1600/DSCN5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OASJllm-0vfzjyKgBXNkP4VbzpJkbo0EhLEQJ4-EMu-x4GSS-Kv4TfVuirF3BrQtrGfkVFSU2DFGlNX8inknk8RL9uTHuUx2Q6PFgH-PJpGeuib9oFrch86qOWO2CIGkjQYXnwhmXjQ/s400/DSCN5445.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This contraption is not really comfortable for either of us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Undeterred by Dylan’s
antics, I thought he would like it better if we went to the big children’s
parade in Cologne on the Sunday before Rosenmontag. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe if he saw a bigger parade with more
people, he would come around on the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>‘Only’ 250,000 people attend the Sunday parade in Cologne, compared to
the 1,500,000 that watch the parade on Monday, so as a responsible parent it
seemed smart to go on this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana
called me ‘Clark Griswald’ due to my blind optimism that this was a good idea.
She elected to stay home with Brady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Again, I wore my lion costume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, Dylan dressed up as
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dylan really enjoyed
the train ride there, even as the train became packed with passengers to the
point where we couldn’t leave our seat even if we wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, Dylan was instantly thrown
into a bad mood once he learned that we had travelled on a train for two hours
for another parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was immediately evident
that he didn’t want to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
Clark Griswald himself understands, “Daddy, I want to go home now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made him stick around for about an hour to
watch the parade while he pouted the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had printed out a parade route map so we
could walk to the new extended parade route that I assumed would have less
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That actually worked out really
well. Dylan didn’t have too much competition for a lot of candy if he really
wanted to make a haul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After our train ride home, Dylan was so excited
to tell Dana about our adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
highlight of the trip as told by him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peeing in a corner under the bridge outside the train station because
the bathroom lines were too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go
figure.</span><!--EndFragment-->
<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/AVvXsEgVwRKs9vDNll4Ki9mDdyRcl72-R0f_-ObQtTI9q3d1FwqMk3kmKlY6ls-vt8XGbb0ypC_5awAN15L0RKYWlqnQBmzIgrtPJbL7wiba0bB7HLykfXnZr8Qvc8XZQxIRJltG-Mx3lNpppLA/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwRKs9vDNll4Ki9mDdyRcl72-R0f_-ObQtTI9q3d1FwqMk3kmKlY6ls-vt8XGbb0ypC_5awAN15L0RKYWlqnQBmzIgrtPJbL7wiba0bB7HLykfXnZr8Qvc8XZQxIRJltG-Mx3lNpppLA/s400/DSCN5503.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan sleeping on the way home from the Köln Karneval parade. It's exhausting being a poor sport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-64499860433750183802013-01-13T07:29:00.001-05:002013-01-13T07:29:44.460-05:00These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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One of my favorite things to do over Christmas vacation was
play golf on the golf course that is directly behind Oma and Papa’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their house backs up to a 500-yard par 5 hole
on a private golf course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the fact
that it costs about $100 to play 18 holes on this golf course, I figured I
could get arrested and post bail for roughly the same amount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past three years, I have played more
than enough holes to get my money’s worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year we bought Dylan some starter golf clubs for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a short video of us on the links:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking of videos, Brady had been watching his 9-month-old cousin start to walk and crawl around all week while on Christmas break. Here is a short video of his response to all of the action (with the help of his Oma). </div>
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This past week, we’ve had a really hard time adjusting to the jet lag since coming back to Germany. Nevertheless, we had plenty of fun around the house. Here is a funny picture of Dylan’s train set (Mommy helped configure this). It ended up looking like something that was not intended. Yes, we are that immature to think this was hilarious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, here is a video of Dylan playing guitar to our favorite song of the week by our friends AG Silver (seriously, I grew up with three of the band members). Number two is Gangnam Style by Psy and Number Three on the Foltice Family song charts is ‘Take it All’ by Hillsong United (previously at number one for most of 2012). Although in Dylan's version of 'Take It All' he sings "Take, take, take it <i>off,</i> Jesus!" Here is a one minute video of Dylan “Jamming” to AG Silvers new video –When the Sun Goes Down. </div>
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<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-25132485988333372782013-01-02T13:15:00.001-05:002013-01-02T13:15:58.981-05:00Happy (Belated) New Year from the Foltice Family
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been quite a 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Despite a <a href="http://www.foltice.blogspot.de/2012/05/it-can-only-get-better.html" target="_blank">frustrating move to Münster</a> in May and<a href="http://www.foltice.blogspot.de/2012/09/catch-up-post-what-you-missed-in-last.html" target="_blank"> a difficult pregnancy</a>
for Dana, we were blessed with a great year, including the addition of our new
linebacker, Brady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent Christmas in Maryland, and have somehow lived to
tell about our travels to and from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
blood pressure rises even at the thought of traveling with our two kids, but
they were great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent about 10 days
in America, enough time for everyone to get on a good sleep schedule right
before leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, it was great spending time with family and
eating so much that we hated ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*This was stolen from a Louis CK comedy bit, but was still useful when I
said, ‘I was full 10 minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I
have eaten so much that I hate myself.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It didn’t help that they had an accessible scale to weigh myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I torture myself like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no basketball this season, it is a
slippery slope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, after living in Germany for over two years and
feeling pretty comfortable with day-to-day life in Europe, it was actually a
culture shock to visit America! I hope to expound on this in a later post, but
it was really strange feeling that both Dana and I felt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We made in back to Germany Sunday afternoon (Dec. 30<sup>th</sup>)
after an overnight flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On New Year’s
Eve, Dana and I actually stayed awake past midnight (the first time in a few years.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our jet lag actually helped us witness the
best fireworks display we have ever seen from our balcony. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am back to work as of today (Wednesday) and Dylan goes
back to kindergarten next Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
really excited about what 2013 has in store for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope you have a great New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Making a resolution to write more blog posts in the New
Year,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bryan (and Dana)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjoeXUFv9tULIYmR-1gonRzEBPbqXCOmgCWO_C992UgqJ1tWL4M86pNDw8DMH-IqnnJSKOg_wba9jL-G_dN8zkmxSl0tnvSaJpfA1V6sGwT9f_BqaBvI52n_KDFoZdRTU_84x9iHCyhMBM/s1600/IMG_2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeXUFv9tULIYmR-1gonRzEBPbqXCOmgCWO_C992UgqJ1tWL4M86pNDw8DMH-IqnnJSKOg_wba9jL-G_dN8zkmxSl0tnvSaJpfA1V6sGwT9f_BqaBvI52n_KDFoZdRTU_84x9iHCyhMBM/s400/IMG_2183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan and Papa - "Two Peas in a Pod"</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/AVvXsEjPKeKlc-T7Goj4p4elPiHlGmBypjTA_T0W_q1oqDrET6rvQm3RAn9va_F1Cnd7SePj8eejueaGq_PiFbDmaeIMwuPdt94nGvTazmu24V6pxbasP4kMjzvLhyphenhyphenn2xTVEMf3JR2M935K4BQc/s1600/IMG_2188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKeKlc-T7Goj4p4elPiHlGmBypjTA_T0W_q1oqDrET6rvQm3RAn9va_F1Cnd7SePj8eejueaGq_PiFbDmaeIMwuPdt94nGvTazmu24V6pxbasP4kMjzvLhyphenhyphenn2xTVEMf3JR2M935K4BQc/s400/IMG_2188.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the electric train sets at Homestead Gardens with Oma</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/AVvXsEigOKcbmyty-FiBJikYVi_ZuU3QOlq0hlus3V8KYyzidmsC8WdbKV0LELbi0PK93cAlwZ6ezRIE9HxpUGTNUX4AVgVpIdwZ-uJ57-Db4aRpau4vl26culHZ62T7HEFRaWtofJ-GuyXwaok/s1600/IMG_2200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOKcbmyty-FiBJikYVi_ZuU3QOlq0hlus3V8KYyzidmsC8WdbKV0LELbi0PK93cAlwZ6ezRIE9HxpUGTNUX4AVgVpIdwZ-uJ57-Db4aRpau4vl26culHZ62T7HEFRaWtofJ-GuyXwaok/s400/IMG_2200.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady and Papa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm39XJygai5njSZqq6gX7fZWDBNtANIYe9v105n0157DfG9IF3KKrk-hwPxwt0i_IrVKjc0Gb1EBscDpQTAbtE8wLLQOGyewz8nzsiSktEW6wVi7psp1F-lWtf83hro3EjpsbkLugfq2Y/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm39XJygai5njSZqq6gX7fZWDBNtANIYe9v105n0157DfG9IF3KKrk-hwPxwt0i_IrVKjc0Gb1EBscDpQTAbtE8wLLQOGyewz8nzsiSktEW6wVi7psp1F-lWtf83hro3EjpsbkLugfq2Y/s400/IMG_2205.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady and his cousin, who is 6 months older but the same size as him. </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVPFzHzwU9nIDxpuih0pO7vauQhVjUyqLUaPh1phoDQAkcIgHaJ1c0_WOwjntFRnon_8N-JP8PkkXHRCSRnCXluxKBpva2htpHMGYgRpFjQ4oHgBCley6zHq5dGgRGDA9px5-UHJBv-Q/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVPFzHzwU9nIDxpuih0pO7vauQhVjUyqLUaPh1phoDQAkcIgHaJ1c0_WOwjntFRnon_8N-JP8PkkXHRCSRnCXluxKBpva2htpHMGYgRpFjQ4oHgBCley6zHq5dGgRGDA9px5-UHJBv-Q/s400/IMG_2215.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Robyn and the babies!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyHYh8mYK_w-IciDRSIIjg4TKng2p3wSKcDc1Kek136N-sAvLw-85Ubu_ibxrqPzyYYKDlOD5esCijupgAY85lYE2I3_Cm9W3moLyZzPverTAlXa4X8l_fHbcaYs7xICCt4AmzYPdZig/s1600/IMG_2228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyHYh8mYK_w-IciDRSIIjg4TKng2p3wSKcDc1Kek136N-sAvLw-85Ubu_ibxrqPzyYYKDlOD5esCijupgAY85lYE2I3_Cm9W3moLyZzPverTAlXa4X8l_fHbcaYs7xICCt4AmzYPdZig/s400/IMG_2228.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oma is the "Baby Whisperer"</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/AVvXsEhx0oWdl66GlOXK79eTnTOCG9BP9GUiXZ6yZheqBDlrsp99acvUsUNazvRFu8GdC0IfO4qHdYdqYwUW1ZhdldRpQvjD8rR1LBOHx1norQ73a55FZVY6AHCtxeVs3ZMqHSPyu8xYjp6Kxvg/s1600/IMG_2231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0oWdl66GlOXK79eTnTOCG9BP9GUiXZ6yZheqBDlrsp99acvUsUNazvRFu8GdC0IfO4qHdYdqYwUW1ZhdldRpQvjD8rR1LBOHx1norQ73a55FZVY6AHCtxeVs3ZMqHSPyu8xYjp6Kxvg/s400/IMG_2231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtime!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7eVE5mNIcmjdopweWO8NZs12r60jf97yGGxoIdENRQnod6wRwm2xq9Uebit9G2heiqni1zTRXLRNLP-ZfVL__pEtABH1fOjzs4bek6EkLa9VADNnz4DdRcT32n48sHvS9JZlmmfP88/s1600/IMG_2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7eVE5mNIcmjdopweWO8NZs12r60jf97yGGxoIdENRQnod6wRwm2xq9Uebit9G2heiqni1zTRXLRNLP-ZfVL__pEtABH1fOjzs4bek6EkLa9VADNnz4DdRcT32n48sHvS9JZlmmfP88/s400/IMG_2262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers! Christmas morning mimosas!</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/AVvXsEgkNqqSB8r8MLX-uha0uTOICwefpk5BfutBQf8irUhcs3t0x7eyn-OJQOKRmGG0RGehoU0pvmNweqLKtTvrOSkt8aXbfvTLaH8495WQOO6MWh1KzS0ifg30BSh2kWVJRJVEqe0YC68CsZw/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNqqSB8r8MLX-uha0uTOICwefpk5BfutBQf8irUhcs3t0x7eyn-OJQOKRmGG0RGehoU0pvmNweqLKtTvrOSkt8aXbfvTLaH8495WQOO6MWh1KzS0ifg30BSh2kWVJRJVEqe0YC68CsZw/s400/IMG_2286.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan's "big ticket" item this year were some big boy golf clubs. Note - he's 3.5, but these clubs are sized for a 6-7 year old. Yeah, he's huge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWTrUX2r4dxLK8HEUP2RedR4TI51D9XWg0TpdoDR3HUR3U32fes7XRb3SLkrMdFwVzSzTAHa7xCpQgZXH0mroIONjw3MM9oc0x0vHc_cAiucJ2qC1C-qWYT0pWx2iqt_5wiZfk6EFbVk/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWTrUX2r4dxLK8HEUP2RedR4TI51D9XWg0TpdoDR3HUR3U32fes7XRb3SLkrMdFwVzSzTAHa7xCpQgZXH0mroIONjw3MM9oc0x0vHc_cAiucJ2qC1C-qWYT0pWx2iqt_5wiZfk6EFbVk/s400/IMG_2301.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Blue Eyes</td></tr>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t believe it has been two years since we have moved to
Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been through a lot and
have had so many experiences, both good and bad, during our time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to give you an update on how our
German language skills are progressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The actual answer actually depends on what your reference point is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your reference point is my German a year
ago or two years ago, than you would say my German is much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If, however, you expect to have a
conversation with me in smooth German, you would think I have some sort of
mental disability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was evident
with my new colleague, Henning, who joined our group as a new PhD student back
in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was explaining a story or
situation to our other colleagues one day and he couldn’t believe how sloppy my
German was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was expecting something
more, like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fluent </i>German speaker (I
am still not even close to that.) However, my other colleagues, who have known
me since I got off the plane two years ago, were impressed how good my German
was becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, I am disappointed that my German is not as
strong as it should be after two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the other hand, I am content knowing that trying to become a fluent
German speaker is like a climbing Mt. Everest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many try, very few succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
really important part of speaking German to me is not being able to write an
eloquent email or speak in perfect dialect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is rather to carry on a nice conversation with our neighbors when we
see them, or make small talk with a nice old lady at the grocery store (grocery
store lines here are typically really long and people stand very close to you often infringing on your personal space, so this is an important part of day
to day life). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can carry on with my
hair stylist and chat with the friendly person on the train (though, I can tell
you this is a rare occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a train,
I am most likely to using my German to yell at someone or make a nasty remark
at the unfriendly German commuters.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, communication gaps still exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, as I was getting my haircut, the
hair stylist asked me if I had just washed my hair in or with
‘Spül-something.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking that she was
saying ‘Spülbecken’, or ‘sink’ in English I said, ‘No, I took a shower.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at me with a puzzled look on her
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about it for about 10
seconds and thought,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Spülung means
conditioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would make more sense
because she was feeling my hair.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
minute after her original question, I finally answered correctly, ‘Yes, I used
conditioner.’*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Footnote:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought
a recent Men’s Health magazine that had Liam Hemingsworth (from the Hunger
Games) on the cover because I wanted his haircut and the picture could describe
it much better than I could in German or in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mentioned to the hair stylist that I was
actually going to be on the cover of that magazine next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believed me…until I told her I was
kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure it was a ploy
to make me a return customer (it worked), but I felt pretty good about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a Friday, and my Friday German is much worse than my
Monday German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People at work already
are aware of this phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know
that come in ready to talk German at the beginning of the week, and some time
after Wednesday, I slip back in to default English mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that point, my brain doesn’t want to think
more than it has to and we get by in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t taken an official German course yet, but I now
have a speaking partner that I meet with every Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opting for the ‘experiential’ learning
option, I am constantly learning from mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are a couple of reasons why I am choosing not to take a course and
learn organically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Because I am not learning from a textbook, my
German comes out more naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t say more accurately, but I am not translating English to German in my
head and then speaking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I talk
to people who have learned German strictly form a class, the conversation
sounds very forced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be more
accurate, but it seems much more choppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That means when I am on (having a good speaking and understanding day)
it sounds really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when it’s
bad, it’s really bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->German classes are very theoretical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be bored out of my mind learning that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please give me some practical
applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just my personal
preference on how I like to learn. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have
</i>to really be fluent, so there is not a ton of urgency to become the best
German speaker I can possibly be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s this thing called a Dissertation that needs to remain the
priority over German learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One disadvantage of not taking an official course is that I
can’t quantify my progress from experiential learning (i.e. take a quiz and
receive a result to see how well I am learning.) Therefore, I have made my own
unofficial progress checker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
framework is really quite simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
are the three levels of feedback to test your German speaking/conversation
skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
After talking with someone for a few minutes, the German will ask you where you
are from or you can hear over people speaking about you in a public place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are three (possibly four) classes of
feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
0. You are flat out an American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Definition: This means you don’t know any German and don’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current Status: I graduated from this after about six months
in Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. They think you are either from England or Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition: You are clearly not a German, but you are
attempting to speak German, but are clearly at the beginners level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are saying the words and are able to get
by, but you are clearly not a native speaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People, in general, are happy that you are learning the language, but
language gaps often persist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current Status:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been stuck in this class for most of our time here and am trying to
consistently make it (and remain) in the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. They think you are Dutch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition: You are still not German, but you can speak the
language well, but it is still not your mother tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People from the Netherlands are incredible
with their English and German speaking abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike Germany, it’s not just the well-educated
or young people in large cities who can speak English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty much everyone in the Netherlands,
young and old, rich or poor can speak really good (confidently) English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, many German’s know the
language really well, but aren’t nearly as confident speaking German as the
Dutch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current Status:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have recently overheard some people on a couple of occasions referring to me as
the ‘Hollander’ in their conversation after overhearing me speaking
German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I’m concerned, that’s
a huge compliment and a big step forward in my German speaking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. They think you are from Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition: Pretty much self-explanatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the ‘Mt. Everest’ step that I
probably won’t ever hear (maybe Dylan will hear it before we leave) and I don’t
have an answer for that right now if someone asked me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, I have a lot of time before I
will have a snowballs chance to answer that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current Status:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Only in my</span> dreams.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, I will continue in the next months to
solidify my transition from Australian to Dutch on my official German feedback
scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will update you again as I
continue to learn from my experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-5704959654370423542012-10-04T12:26:00.001-04:002012-10-04T12:26:21.726-04:00Playing Man to Man- The First Week (and a half) With Two Kids
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Dana’s Mom leaving this past Monday after staying here
for nearly one month, we were back to holding the house down on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sum things up the day she left
I used my best Billy Packer impression (college basketball announcer), “The Foltice’s
start the week in a MAN TO MAN.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already
feeling the effects of sleep deprived, Dana didn’t think it was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had grown accustomed to having everything cleaned,
washed, and cooked for the last few weeks that it was tough adding those tasks back to
the schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked this week, so it
was especially tough for Dana to step into her Mom’s and my accompanying
role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d5ZdQ7QnFeVD8GPmKiIzh6aMyIjz8ym1bnwMEYEsNaooG1oaKVcGWvjwA4Jl_2RLYUxXRxhoV-HpCNyaPaBvSlVjLsEOZyXGIT6COpguyKzpnAfqqSzt-vsfeH39bACl1t1rsbaZOFE/s1600/DSCN5121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d5ZdQ7QnFeVD8GPmKiIzh6aMyIjz8ym1bnwMEYEsNaooG1oaKVcGWvjwA4Jl_2RLYUxXRxhoV-HpCNyaPaBvSlVjLsEOZyXGIT6COpguyKzpnAfqqSzt-vsfeH39bACl1t1rsbaZOFE/s320/DSCN5121.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
In Germany, paternity leave works quite differently than in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, the Dad typically gets one to two
weeks paid time off after their child is born, in addition to their normal
vacation time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Germany, a new father
can take a minimum of two months (not a typo), up to 12 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most German men settle on three months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downside is that they get paid 67% of
their normal wage, but from what I understand, it is tax free up to 1800 euros
per month (a fairly livable wage for most German’s).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to take less than two months off
(my sweet spot would be 1 month…long enough to help with the baby and stay
refreshed, but not so long that Dana kicks me out of the house.) you can only
use vacation days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t feel too bad
for us German employees that don't take Paternity leave, I receive 29 vacation days, plus holidays, so I have
some extras to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nevertheless, I changed my mind from taking three months off
back to not taking any time off about 20 times…almost as many times as Dana’s
birth plan changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like Fred
Flintstone with the Great Gazoo coaching me, ‘Hey dum, dum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you take the three months off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may never get the chance to take this much
time off again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, you
will get really bored and you will still have to do most of the same work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tah, tah.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, my final decision was to keep working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My other part time job for the last couple of weeks has been
filling out paperwork, something that is a huge part of German living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that it was taking me so long
because the forms are in German, but even when I have a native German speaker
helping me, it took us almost four hours just to complete some of the
forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are, though, becoming quite
proficient at organizing the mountains of paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was evident when we went to Dusseldorf
and took care of Brady’s passport and birth registration at the US
Consulate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had everything we needed
and zipped through the entire process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, we
could overhear the other American’s complaining that they couldn’t complete
their paperwork because they hadn’t brought all of the required documents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening to their complaining made us feel
happy that we were living in Germany and we don’t have to overhear (often)
other English people whining about stupid things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Dana that these people must not have
tried to get an Authentalstitel (Work Visa) yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That will really give them something to complain
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlDPcAxNNJoimEPtRf10qXR7T7JeoNM7vf8KRHpgAJHxwBtxFEbflteb9QGuykpNDWRQ0iMc6Xl4HQklkLMEuAIKMXknthUEnuMPgHWO7dlYoDZfhTibhK3jf8vjNScc77AQSPQ9EpaE/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlDPcAxNNJoimEPtRf10qXR7T7JeoNM7vf8KRHpgAJHxwBtxFEbflteb9QGuykpNDWRQ0iMc6Xl4HQklkLMEuAIKMXknthUEnuMPgHWO7dlYoDZfhTibhK3jf8vjNScc77AQSPQ9EpaE/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just like playing man to man defense in basketball, communication
is a very important component to being successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our case, I forgot about this when we had
Dylan, but our conversation topics become so strange when you have a newborn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top three conversation topics include:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The color of Brady’s poop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The amount of Brady’s poop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The texture of Brady’s poop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it hard or soft?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It isn’t until we have covered all three topics until we ask
about each others day, how Dylan’s day at kindergarten was, or what we should
do for dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our man to man was in top form Thursday night, when Dylan came
down with croup yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is old
hat by now, but it is always stressful and it always comes about an hour after
we fall asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took over Dylan duty,
trying to get him calmed down and breathing normal again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana took over Brady duty, trying to keep
the boys as separated as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed
with Dylan until morning and Dana stayed with Brady in an opposite room (I
think I got the better deal of the two as I was able to sleep more than
her.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have friends coming to visit us (last Friday) for the weekend and
we have tried to limit their expectations down to pretty much zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, they stay friends with us after
this weekend is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our friends
Amy and Rob have come and gone this past weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We’ve been really busy, so my editor, Dana,
hadn’t gotten around to making me sound somewhat coherent this week. I will post it anyway.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my humble opinion, I would say their stay was a
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Of course, </span>my definition of success is
that we are still friends…not sure if they actually had a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set extremely low expectations before they
came and they seemed to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also
helped that they have a (almost) 3 year old boy themselves, so they were okay
with Dylan’s constant burping and farting (and subsequent laughing) all day
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEh-gjHctKzT-dejdvLHZp7SfmMFH9wXoE3Np3eF81EmjfC4cknqBxuBrZZtHdPmJFT5YKRe1WmwQS4_rG_pi4nidr7q8Iwg15daM2wyYJECuv37szUUS8osDk-V4x7aukjM33e2jzahsbs/s1600/munster+basketball+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gjHctKzT-dejdvLHZp7SfmMFH9wXoE3Np3eF81EmjfC4cknqBxuBrZZtHdPmJFT5YKRe1WmwQS4_rG_pi4nidr7q8Iwg15daM2wyYJECuv37szUUS8osDk-V4x7aukjM33e2jzahsbs/s320/munster+basketball+game.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UBC Münster Basketball game in the evening</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/AVvXsEieFnJRwtqofEnEvZikroEECfhlgGsEOEUhAvu_eRKd-vvjyxdKMH-Mwts7idttOReOvUnDDsvgaSqktr5pkxTBEoVitUwVTMS9_Bt62se3QCTj-EoEvv376Mu71DnbwoFnL9a1mgfHxq8/s1600/munster+soccer+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFnJRwtqofEnEvZikroEECfhlgGsEOEUhAvu_eRKd-vvjyxdKMH-Mwts7idttOReOvUnDDsvgaSqktr5pkxTBEoVitUwVTMS9_Bt62se3QCTj-EoEvv376Mu71DnbwoFnL9a1mgfHxq8/s320/munster+soccer+game.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preussen Münster (3rd League) Soccer Game during the day</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/AVvXsEinTk9B5qdFUR3DCyYPdqJFQunVr29u99B2HwfuBUjlXkJUHxurdxQIZx66qabKVsgEzYiSAlhjQYcnQvf-oUaS0qJnTLSxNd09XHaGtS0_XqMZG0dMUBZdtqLos2hZ3B0MB6liBFyjWj8/s1600/munster+soccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTk9B5qdFUR3DCyYPdqJFQunVr29u99B2HwfuBUjlXkJUHxurdxQIZx66qabKVsgEzYiSAlhjQYcnQvf-oUaS0qJnTLSxNd09XHaGtS0_XqMZG0dMUBZdtqLos2hZ3B0MB6liBFyjWj8/s320/munster+soccer.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer Game</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/AVvXsEi0CnmUtT8wRcwLs7WNAAInGww7ZkRqs3kGrXdZYZb63dGd_ZMB4i2b3KEBYmD0xWbgcpY75s6_-laEqjkzDYMxdBLJijYbpmlLRVvpV7GPpqaxznlrwJHKGQAlzZbmnNyKyV4hdPYitgs/s1600/rob+and+amy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CnmUtT8wRcwLs7WNAAInGww7ZkRqs3kGrXdZYZb63dGd_ZMB4i2b3KEBYmD0xWbgcpY75s6_-laEqjkzDYMxdBLJijYbpmlLRVvpV7GPpqaxznlrwJHKGQAlzZbmnNyKyV4hdPYitgs/s320/rob+and+amy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-11148238026225018992012-09-19T12:14:00.000-04:002012-09-19T12:14:03.159-04:00Catch Up Post - What You Missed in the Last Six Weeks<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last
six weeks have been a blur for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
sorry we didn’t take the time to post updates, but I remain fairly unapologetic
because at the time, we really didn’t have much spare time to send blog
posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I have a few minutes,
here is a quick update from our last six weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, August
6<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started a
two week, between semesters, vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was going to be our last vacation as a family with only one child, as
Dana was about 8 months pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
practical and financial purposes, it was a stay-cation, meaning we were going
to stay in Hiltrup for the duration of the vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the vacation time approached, I wrote out a
list of stay-cation ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ that I planned on blogging about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ‘Do’s’ included, ‘workout each day, go to
the driving range 3 times per week, extend my daily Bible reading/devotional
time’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Don’ts included things like, ‘Sleep
too long’ (a vacation problem of mine) or ‘Don’t check the stock market.’ I
barely check my Hotmail or Facebook accounts, but I check the stock market incessantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like heroin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t know what the market is doing each
day, I can’t stop thinking about it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
digress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday August 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
started exactly as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take Dylan
to Kindergarten in the morning, workout for an hour immediately afterward, hit
a bucket of golf balls and work on my horrendous putting at the driving range,
get washed and pick Dylan up…all before lunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t have scripted it much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Vacation was off to a great start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday,
August 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana is now
having a lot of pain in her leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Undeterred
by her desire to spend a girl’s night out with her new English speaking friends
in Münster and watch a screening of Footloose, she goes out for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a
great time out with her friends, she can hardly walk up the stairs afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a sign of things to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday
and Thursday, August 8-9<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana is out
of order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can’t move and remains in
bed for the next two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nurse Bryan
handles the household chores, child care, and cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things were not on the ‘Do’ list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday,
August 10<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We asked
the Doctor at Dana’s weekly appointment about the debilitating pain in her
leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dr. said that this was normal
pregnancy pain and that the baby had shifted downward and was probably sitting
on a nerve, thus giving Dana a lot of discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
advised Dana to stay in the house and not have too much movement, if
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday to
Thursday, August 11-17<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each day,
Dana is in more and more pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
in so much pain it brought her to tears just to go to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like idiots, we wait to see the Dr. until her
set appointment on Friday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile,
I have cycled through my repertoire of cooked meals and dinner ideas and we are
back to the top of the order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana was
able to help me expand my cooking portfolio by instructing me from the
bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder to myself if she is
doing this on purpose just so I can learn how to steam broccoli or make sloppy
joes for the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say,
this was not a fun week for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Insisting that I stick to my ‘Do’ list, I try to sneak out for an hour
every other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of working out
or playing golf, I am so tired from my new job (respect to all of the house
frau’s) that I choose to go outside take a nap instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday,
August 18<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will skip
over the excruciating details of trying to get Dana down the stairs and into a
taxi to get her to the Dr. in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s just say it is something that Dana and I would like to both
forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we get to the Drs. office,
it was quite evident that we needed some extra care (it was probably either the
crying or me carrying her that tipped them off), so they told us to get to the Hospital
as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We borrowed a wheelchair
and I pushed her up the street to the Hiltrup Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left Dana
at the hospital after checking her in, packed her luggage back at the house,
and picked Dylan up from Kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again,
these were not on my ‘Do’ list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had
essentially been on my own for Dylan for the last week and a half, but having
Dana in the bedroom was really helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I now found myself totally on my own without a cooking coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worst of all, walking the dog a couple times
a day proved to be a really long and arduous process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday to
Saturday, August 20-25<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana
remains in the hospital all week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
now been determined that she has a blood clot in her leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a rough first trimester of pregnancy
from January to March, having Shingles in May and June, she now has a blood
clot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been lovingly calling this
‘The Year of Dana.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The risks of a blood
clot during delivery are potentially extremely dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are really scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
bright side, this did increase my Bible reading and devotional time for both of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am officially
back from ‘vacation’ this week and I am more stressed than when I left two
weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entire week was a
complete blur as each day I would take Dylan to Kindergarten in the morning, go
to work until noon, pick Dylan up, visit Dana in the Hospital, get Dylan to
take a nap, dinner, shopping, cleaning, blah blah blah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah, the dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still needed to be walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was exhausting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would try to do some extra work while Dylan
was napping in the afternoon, but some days I would fall asleep during the
process of trying to get Dylan asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday,
August 26<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help is on
the way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana’s parents come for a
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This had been planned all year,
and it couldn’t have been better timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dylan and I picked them up at the airport in Düsseldorf around
noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it to the Hospital around
5 pm and were able to celebrate Dana’s 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> birthday in the
cafeteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had literally bought her
gifts at the last minute (12:55 pm. earrings purchased, and 12:59 pm frame
purchased for her Münster poster).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
stores closed at 1:00 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The party
goes on without a hitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana is feeling
better and is starting to move around a lot more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Heparin shots for her blood clot seem to
be helping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoYwgE-CfdqW0l7qZuW0Ri4e79qLJv9pxQjaSniS6MdXFBMp9r1ke36ncZPbbkp5-zQL3vCjrsqKyqso6PsurD1T1R-QzmyBORYYaU4SsjmSqFEZyUmBCHI6DzRSiQa4Zx05Gbdc9_pA/s1600/DSCN5069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoYwgE-CfdqW0l7qZuW0Ri4e79qLJv9pxQjaSniS6MdXFBMp9r1ke36ncZPbbkp5-zQL3vCjrsqKyqso6PsurD1T1R-QzmyBORYYaU4SsjmSqFEZyUmBCHI6DzRSiQa4Zx05Gbdc9_pA/s400/DSCN5069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday,
August 27</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 10
days in the Hospital, Dana is allowed to come back home for a week until her
scheduled C-section on September 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday,
August 30<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Drs. at the hospital call and let us know
that they mis-counted the days of her pregnancy and that the C-Section will be
on September 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked
if the September 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> date would be ok because…you know, September
11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were asked this
repeatedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured it would be a
good day to be born because there is a chance it would become an American
holiday, so having no school or work every Birthday would be nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, moving the C-Section back a week
would put Dana past 38 weeks, which is much better than 37<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>weeks
from a brain development standpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday,
August 31<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>st</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana’s
parents have been extremely helpful all week long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Mom immediately stormed into action and
soon had our place in tip top shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dana’s Dad walked Oscar for me and helped me with some long neglected
house projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a really nice
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I rented a wheelchair
to push Dana around when we went out and about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not a robust as Dylan’s kinderwagen and I nearly tossed Dana out
of her chair at the first two bumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still haven’t heard the end of those mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We tried to
the best of our limited abilities to show them a good time around Münster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<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/AVvXsEjzouOdduLxBoWc-B5_aYMqGQ8wCZ00tD41aVGTsE8Ccar8EnHczDzFtQ8hNJpr7kv_Gs6FG60g8ELYNkwR5-EudvxQzGBqwaKtIqe18yvECz0M02r8wlkxjc2zwR4BOIsmuzcupSo6sLk/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzouOdduLxBoWc-B5_aYMqGQ8wCZ00tD41aVGTsE8Ccar8EnHczDzFtQ8hNJpr7kv_Gs6FG60g8ELYNkwR5-EudvxQzGBqwaKtIqe18yvECz0M02r8wlkxjc2zwR4BOIsmuzcupSo6sLk/s400/IMG_2032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opa and Dylan</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/AVvXsEiwvki0TgvKQ6rF1_uxBzzavCbAbmD5xE8uIAQY0CnAL6E7g8Y_hrYOTE73tAHN5yZSdmLI56vPktoVY8MZXxGDw1uzHHdCXcf0RFL8JrWbTGfmHHvZ9SCyKL-9TZ-RFdcukleYhe1t_bw/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvki0TgvKQ6rF1_uxBzzavCbAbmD5xE8uIAQY0CnAL6E7g8Y_hrYOTE73tAHN5yZSdmLI56vPktoVY8MZXxGDw1uzHHdCXcf0RFL8JrWbTGfmHHvZ9SCyKL-9TZ-RFdcukleYhe1t_bw/s400/IMG_2055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th Century sidewalks + wheelchair with wife in it = fight</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/AVvXsEjU3pZnDTGM10d1_895zYsAvJz0AUlEIwRn7T-p8WCTPiZcHjEpZzYQoXIZH5lGEsDbiJvKPWCbV5OeZIRmmW7UYlQJ7m1B9xPH7vgZYLIGZ6uBHXsLWdkgHohU1vgGI9_tqLWWIVfMVmI/s1600/DSCN5082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3pZnDTGM10d1_895zYsAvJz0AUlEIwRn7T-p8WCTPiZcHjEpZzYQoXIZH5lGEsDbiJvKPWCbV5OeZIRmmW7UYlQJ7m1B9xPH7vgZYLIGZ6uBHXsLWdkgHohU1vgGI9_tqLWWIVfMVmI/s400/DSCN5082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinkus Brauerei in Münster</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/AVvXsEiYMNvSYh_U6G78tDnfMHRtHnV5FSS1W0GWxLpM5L6EdbfRzJxiaH0YQi4KSwiv14zpG6HZPSAu_8Xd6sZ6uB47JDA2Lt3_qZeJx8skfbgGc5WENqlLgeM30VnaihouVg-Kwl0f7N-M-r0/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMNvSYh_U6G78tDnfMHRtHnV5FSS1W0GWxLpM5L6EdbfRzJxiaH0YQi4KSwiv14zpG6HZPSAu_8Xd6sZ6uB47JDA2Lt3_qZeJx8skfbgGc5WENqlLgeM30VnaihouVg-Kwl0f7N-M-r0/s400/IMG_2073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oma holding the fort down with Dylan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday,
September 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went with
Dana’s Dad back to Düsseldorf in the afternoon to get him checked into his
Hotel and show him around the city (i.e. check out a couple of Breweries.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had an early flight the next day back
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana’s Mom extended her stay until
the end of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With everything that
was going on, she couldn’t stand to leave us as we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so happy she decided to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday to
Sunday, September 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup>– 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I go back
to work for the remainder of the week and things are almost like normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was to be short lived because by the end
of the week, the C-section date was upon us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday,
September 10<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We admitted
Dana back into the Hiltrup Hospital on Monday morning and talked to the Doctors
about her procedure the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
a little nerve wrecking, but mostly exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The nurses were so happy to see Dana again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many hospitals have nurses that give you
hugs when you come back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJaOVvf7xLsWeNi6jgVy5j9EdZzgVg3X2C2k1mzVEkBR7gQldVvFlskF6ze5OYXU0KXrPGm7IkKZxpN7np98ATCd-Yl_y4sL0rEw7cvnAUooXOWeprUshzjltbpP9ib490W8kZlERTw/s1600/DSCN5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJaOVvf7xLsWeNi6jgVy5j9EdZzgVg3X2C2k1mzVEkBR7gQldVvFlskF6ze5OYXU0KXrPGm7IkKZxpN7np98ATCd-Yl_y4sL0rEw7cvnAUooXOWeprUshzjltbpP9ib490W8kZlERTw/s400/DSCN5086.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On her way to the Hospital...the only pregnancy photo on record</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I get the
call in my office in the afternoon from Dana…there has been a change of
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood clot had become bigger
and they were moving Dana to the University Clinic downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reluctantly agreed that she should go to
the Hospital where they have more specialists, but we were sad that the
friendly nurses and Doctors were no longer going to help us through the
delivery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday
evening, I get a call from Dana, who is really upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently, there had been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another</i> change in plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood clot, which started at her groin,
was now so big it was almost down to her knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More stress, more uncertainly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The doctors there now coming up with another birth plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they would do a natural birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they would wait until her water broke,
whenever that happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, maybe we
still do a C-section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What started as
such a pleasant day had ended in disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the birth rooms at the University hospital was filled to capacity,
she was put in the overflow room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
friendly as the nurses were in Hiltrup, the nurses were cold and well, really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">un</i>helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot had changed in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday,
September 11<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A lot of
waiting today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of plan changes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we have the baby today, maybe
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the waiting for potentially
two weeks option was off the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The good
news is that Dana’s blood clot was being treated more effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had not been taking enough medicine
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, whether she liked
them or not, she was in much more capable hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday,
September 12<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was
finally room on the schedule to deliver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was going to be natural and it was going to be induced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a 6 hour time frame where they could take
Dana off of the Heparin and bring her blood back to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Also because of the Heparin, Dana was unable to take any pain killers or have an epidural.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The inducing
started around noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing really
happened, as they just gave her a small dose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had quite an enjoyable afternoon, drinking coffee and talking in the
cafeteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also nice to just be
there and spend time alone with my wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We even asked ourselves, ‘Does this count as a date?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To sum up
my mental state at the time, I asked Dana this question as I was finishing the
last few boxes of a crossword puzzle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bryan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey Dear, can you please help me with
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three letters for a popular deli
sandwich, hyphenated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so far, B (blank)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Looking up from her book)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you serious?</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bryan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s two consonants, so I has to be a vowel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BAT? BET? BIT? BOT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT?</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BLT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s BLT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you not know
that?</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bryan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That fits!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s pretend that I
never asked that question.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The action
really started at 4pm when Dana took a second dose of whatever the inducement
pill was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were advised by the ‘Hebamme’
(a nurse trained in delivery) to walk around for an hour and come back with an update.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Hebamme was awesome, but she didn’t
speak a lot of English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the delivery
wore on, Dana ceased to understand any German whatsoever and it was up to me to
be the translator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, that was my role
in addition to sacrificing my hand (and its normal circulation) to be mutilated
for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next
four hours are graphic and personal, so I will ‘yada, yada’ up until 8:45pm….
Brady Robert Foltice officially arrives via natural birth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 3.555 grams /7 lbs. 14 ozs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and 51 cm long (20 inches).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He missed the 3.900 grams over/under set in
Vegas, but that was probably a good thing for Dana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood clot stayed in place, thank you
Lord, and Dana resumed her blood clot medicine a few hours after her
delivery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEiVbVgXA_EBfc2XCPGuHd-TvR_wJTqeo57Q_HdvWfCtjC_RdVN-qrB6Yu_FKWUJxB_atPeMs1ZnNz_G26yLaSfNlUGLki7GTKWTumOzHrlnV0grZMeYNq7M7G_bpO1GC7FZb9hllFnIRnA/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbVgXA_EBfc2XCPGuHd-TvR_wJTqeo57Q_HdvWfCtjC_RdVN-qrB6Yu_FKWUJxB_atPeMs1ZnNz_G26yLaSfNlUGLki7GTKWTumOzHrlnV0grZMeYNq7M7G_bpO1GC7FZb9hllFnIRnA/s400/IMG_2084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family photo (kind of)</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/AVvXsEifZ-dFgOZM7E8mjWp4Z_QJYOvVGDhbvfDryPq9BU0yYj1Q1Ea9kpbZERje5k5jzAYGLzWxPBj3QOQVfa27TT0BCpzu-U5yDz6vXra8-ZeZbD4xkd9TQrJrXZoH0-VKV8eAeVuoSra0jgk/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ-dFgOZM7E8mjWp4Z_QJYOvVGDhbvfDryPq9BU0yYj1Q1Ea9kpbZERje5k5jzAYGLzWxPBj3QOQVfa27TT0BCpzu-U5yDz6vXra8-ZeZbD4xkd9TQrJrXZoH0-VKV8eAeVuoSra0jgk/s400/IMG_2081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan and Brady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_epZ-5blWgECmatPxAyjxgD6IOECm18MWsyTmGxhU54XhCA6hw5o_ngclQ_jehpYT0UKBEfHkqjPiDph2CAzB-ReU84CkwEUHlJaruWesyWXVdL-JR5Bl8Bh0Xt7CMBN55u4G4dlCZ4k/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_epZ-5blWgECmatPxAyjxgD6IOECm18MWsyTmGxhU54XhCA6hw5o_ngclQ_jehpYT0UKBEfHkqjPiDph2CAzB-ReU84CkwEUHlJaruWesyWXVdL-JR5Bl8Bh0Xt7CMBN55u4G4dlCZ4k/s400/IMG_2082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday,
September 14<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I received
the call from Dana while I was at work to come pick her up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was being released from the
Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is quickly recovering from
her delivery and both she and Brady are doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oma is staying around until September 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
and things are started to get back to normal, albeit with a new baby in the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This pretty
much catches you all up with the latest happenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I intend on doing better with the frequency
of blog posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-7350081279182924122012-08-08T06:38:00.002-04:002012-08-08T06:38:44.663-04:00Having a Baby in GermanyAt the time of writing this, I'm 33 weeks pregnant with Baby #2. This time around is obviously different for several reasons: Primarily we're having this baby in Germany and secondarily we're not bombarding you with obnoxious weekly photos of my ever-growing belly bump making perhaps the most narcissistic and boring blog posts ever. (Who's idea was that last time, anyway? Surely not mine!) FYI - with Dylan we diligently took a baby bump photo each week. With this baby we have taken exactly 0 baby bump photos. When he's older maybe I can pass off a few of Dylan's as his and he won't know the difference.<br />
<br />
But I've been asked by several people to write about the differences between prenatal care in the two countries, so I'll do my best although I have a pretty severe case of "baby brain" and have been pretty foggy-headed since around month #4 so keep that in mind.<br />
<br />
At first I wasn't really impressed with the <i>Frauenarzt</i> (OBGYN) because the one I went to in Borken refused to speak to me in English. Now, I know that being in a foreign country means speaking a foreign language and I don't ever presume that someone must to speak to me in English ... BUT when you're at the doctor who's about to do a really personal physical exam and you politely ask him in German if he speaks English and he replies (in perfect English, no less!) "Yes, but we're in Germany, so we speak German here," you're going to think this guy is a total jerk, right? I mean, I'm there for a medical exam not a language lesson, so my thought was if he can make it any less awkward for me while I disrobe and lay on an exam table for him, then he should probably help me out and speak in English. The other reason I didn't really like this guy is that for every question I had about how my reproductive system was functioning, he chalked it up to "Stress." I began to feel that it was a cop-out answer for him not wanting to explain things to me in either language. But, once I got pregnant and he started earning a lot more money from my insurance company, he got much friendlier and lo-and-behold the English came forth much easier for him. About mid-way through the pregnancy we moved and I switched doctors. I really like my new <i>Frauenarzt</i> and she has no problem speaking to me in fluent English, thank goodness. <br />
<br />
There have been two big differences that I've noticed with the prenatal care. First, at every monthly (and now bi-weekly) doctor's appointment, they do an ultrasound. It's really awesome to get to see the baby's growth each month and even though they don't always print out a picture (that costs extra, I think), it's very reassuring to wrap up the appointment with a private screening of what the little squirmer is doing in there.<br />
<br />
The second big difference is that I always felt like in America the nurses really put the fear of God in you about potential yet extremely rare birth defects and complications and put a lot of pressure on you to do a bunch of extra expensive tests. The nurses here definitely brought up all of the tests as an option, but I just didn't feel like the pressure to have the tests was the same. And they certainly didn't use scare tactics that the US nurses did who would go on a big lecture about a rare birth defect and make me terribly afraid then slip in at the end "Now, this test isn't covered by your insurance and costs $400. Should we go ahead and do it?"<br />
<br />
I've also had to hire a <i>Hebamme</i> or "Midwife" for assistance after the baby is born. This <i>Hebamme</i> will come to the house several times after the baby is born and help me out with any questions about feeding, weight gain, sleeping and other post-baby issues. I meet with the <i>Hebamme</i> for the first time next week to go over all the details. I, thankfully, was recommended one here in Münster who speaks fluent English.<br />
<br />
I also happened to take a tour of the hospital closest to our house where I plan to have the baby (unless he comes more than 4 weeks early, in which case I'll need to go to the larger University Hospital a little further away) and although I probably only understood about 15% of the hour-long presentation by the head doctor, I at least know which floor of the hospital to go to when the day arrives. I also learned that most of the on-staff <i>Hebammes</i> and <i>Krankenschwesters</i> (midwives and nurses) speak some English, so that comes as quite a relief also.<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/AVvXsEjuAXVI8wgpb3W_x95QKeSQ7EOrIwDrHMbTIyLOY3m-zXPFNy1jG2ON-f49AHV7HIi4rFnp0DwKe0UKMUYlR80vPaPIlpfo4eU-4KEFnHLgrqLQMJNptdLyXD9tA_bNHpHGOwpvzfJlIek-/s1600/DSCN5044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAXVI8wgpb3W_x95QKeSQ7EOrIwDrHMbTIyLOY3m-zXPFNy1jG2ON-f49AHV7HIi4rFnp0DwKe0UKMUYlR80vPaPIlpfo4eU-4KEFnHLgrqLQMJNptdLyXD9tA_bNHpHGOwpvzfJlIek-/s400/DSCN5044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a "baby bump" photo. Dylan and I were waiting for the bus to go to Kindergarten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-64736873619917547772012-07-27T14:02:00.000-04:002012-07-27T14:02:17.038-04:00Markets Are Everywhere in Münster!One of the best things about living in Germany are the open weekly markets in each town where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, candy, flowers, spices, jams and much more. One of the great aspects of these markets is that most of the goods come from local and nearby farms, so everything is super fresh and tasty, even though it's slightly more expensive than buying food in the store. The difference of freshness and flavor is worth the premium. <br />
<br />
It took us a while to figure out when Hiltrup's weekly markets were. In Borken, there were markets on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but they were super small (in the winter, sometimes only 1 or 2 booths were open). Hiltrup only has Friday markets, but they're packed with tons of vendors and you can easily get everything you need and much more in this one place. Last Friday I bought about 6 pounds (2.5 kilos) of fresh fruit - all of which was consumed by Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Here's a photo of what I usually come home with:<br />
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Münster's main market is on Saturday's at the Dom Platz - a large open area in front of one the huge cathedrals in town. This is really a "big event" compared to the smaller weekly markets and it seems like the entire city population makes it was to the market on Saturdays. It stays open until around 3, but about an hour before closing the vendors start dropping their prices. Last weekend we heard multiple vendors shouting things like "Peppers - 50 cents!" and "Two bundles of flowers - 5 Euros!" and really competing with each other for the lowest prices to get rid of their merchandise.<br />
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Münster's main Saturday market is also a great place to get lunch and hang out. Bryan always goes for the fried fish since he knows I'll never make fish at home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrtXlsPWchX0sdNx8EOxjkGwzx5Z5zcpG-cy6YN63WuzY1_YOlDo_edRY46Rk6iYF7rdIG-jX_4lLFEuXp_kY6nQsMuN_DxrKdvLRULecMPkxXzJ3JLiuq1mh0kUmO1amVPDXOgR5g7cS/s1600/DSCN5002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrtXlsPWchX0sdNx8EOxjkGwzx5Z5zcpG-cy6YN63WuzY1_YOlDo_edRY46Rk6iYF7rdIG-jX_4lLFEuXp_kY6nQsMuN_DxrKdvLRULecMPkxXzJ3JLiuq1mh0kUmO1amVPDXOgR5g7cS/s400/DSCN5002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan is about 4-5 people back in line waiting for his fish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgqvzsGMftvdJJmOL_a5GyeLhNtiDeMGk0YuacH5dyfV3dWIA3Nw5H4AQ_RnNErP3Zi-cAFWs3DrnF6J0u9kdFn6A2zoUGct3k82iW6WxLsuSczrNNTuZ6ESFHGIPMAX5sVZIdpz6WGPF/s1600/DSCN5003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgqvzsGMftvdJJmOL_a5GyeLhNtiDeMGk0YuacH5dyfV3dWIA3Nw5H4AQ_RnNErP3Zi-cAFWs3DrnF6J0u9kdFn6A2zoUGct3k82iW6WxLsuSczrNNTuZ6ESFHGIPMAX5sVZIdpz6WGPF/s400/DSCN5003.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken as the market was closing down. Earlier in the day, it was a sea of people shoulder to shoulder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfKIlrLquHeAFf_Q9mZ6wP_BPR55vWq9BRMwS8J1vp3JAeIB89_CND8SA8nJq4TCJCf0V1MWusum_oN5IUbBsSfkvlQ3qpOR38MDXAM8N3j0vDDYBVWnTkkhXBgdvRQ7DEvD4uSPia1E8/s1600/DSCN5005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfKIlrLquHeAFf_Q9mZ6wP_BPR55vWq9BRMwS8J1vp3JAeIB89_CND8SA8nJq4TCJCf0V1MWusum_oN5IUbBsSfkvlQ3qpOR38MDXAM8N3j0vDDYBVWnTkkhXBgdvRQ7DEvD4uSPia1E8/s400/DSCN5005.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuts and spices</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Jelly, Jam, Honey and Mustard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_YzhQf_JYbcpPizOJEmrOdKRE0rT88qUmDywxRlS5KI7oPO8aGISfXtPeV_4s6kUDx_EaJ0N_FxiDgmxz5-9z1_eu2OEUDHYSuKEp2xV_DQmPP_NyRYMcTzSStwgZfpHo6iFJ8i0GMea/s1600/DSCN5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_YzhQf_JYbcpPizOJEmrOdKRE0rT88qUmDywxRlS5KI7oPO8aGISfXtPeV_4s6kUDx_EaJ0N_FxiDgmxz5-9z1_eu2OEUDHYSuKEp2xV_DQmPP_NyRYMcTzSStwgZfpHo6iFJ8i0GMea/s400/DSCN5007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locally grown fruits and vegetables</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOgay0oLgLGIy-Ulqh7TE7naBmrkGkCZtRXFDaGaeqXaAZ75nnZmvRNTr9dww6kqcrEhM4jrUH7Y236YbH2s8VolNRWpx4ckeg0uYi0IclFxtK4IMMQSZ7vxCzHnURHCw407cp1gMg0Y8/s1600/DSCN5008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOgay0oLgLGIy-Ulqh7TE7naBmrkGkCZtRXFDaGaeqXaAZ75nnZmvRNTr9dww6kqcrEhM4jrUH7Y236YbH2s8VolNRWpx4ckeg0uYi0IclFxtK4IMMQSZ7vxCzHnURHCw407cp1gMg0Y8/s400/DSCN5008.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reasonably prices flowers, plants and herbs</td></tr>
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We've also discovered that during the spring/summer months in Münster, they have several "Flohmarkts"which translates directly to "Flea Market" in English, and is excellent antique and bargain hunting. Most towns have periodic Flohmarkts and Trödelmarkts (junk markets), but Münster's is particularly large and contains an impressive variety of goods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLlFXVlMdNk8aZB8ebMCWOW3FG2vd5eXHFWwxNJ1D7cata2857zpvWOGrsbVu8h7QKhagr-tQWL3NhztTiNROdiYAtgwguzNe_T49SOg_HDh71dlOJ-zJQmlM3ETZWomXKiMaiAbVEsIX/s1600/DSCN4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLlFXVlMdNk8aZB8ebMCWOW3FG2vd5eXHFWwxNJ1D7cata2857zpvWOGrsbVu8h7QKhagr-tQWL3NhztTiNROdiYAtgwguzNe_T49SOg_HDh71dlOJ-zJQmlM3ETZWomXKiMaiAbVEsIX/s400/DSCN4989.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random chairs, windows and odd furniture pieces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrlfv-ks-nT8qaL1ndaGq3Kn7kideGMT19V9tRVdxMnQcR15scPp8nxhU73_LMVwfM3KAWkdq5ZLPP_ynT1RNLDLrNf2nxUIR0IjnOhN7FTe7nIXY-g3tC3D9cT185QVqmgcj0m5JNlE/s1600/DSCN4990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrlfv-ks-nT8qaL1ndaGq3Kn7kideGMT19V9tRVdxMnQcR15scPp8nxhU73_LMVwfM3KAWkdq5ZLPP_ynT1RNLDLrNf2nxUIR0IjnOhN7FTe7nIXY-g3tC3D9cT185QVqmgcj0m5JNlE/s400/DSCN4990.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden and patio furniture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMBFel0r1iPgUmqzV6wi_A3oieGNZaFh8_hhnzWiGy2LDK7t-17YPOXMnmvWAjXSvvY84-53NPgEFBR4q-7-pFIVIlIE4sgiVZzvMj4IFMp5tDC5gfTTQtNs65WEv_msxwbdelOrg3D5Z/s1600/DSCN4991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMBFel0r1iPgUmqzV6wi_A3oieGNZaFh8_hhnzWiGy2LDK7t-17YPOXMnmvWAjXSvvY84-53NPgEFBR4q-7-pFIVIlIE4sgiVZzvMj4IFMp5tDC5gfTTQtNs65WEv_msxwbdelOrg3D5Z/s400/DSCN4991.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro chairs, cool green trunk or gross ancient pram?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm900IeVmLfQ-xTLDoHIrY0St_aSxaaYMEn99Q6H8NvrN2ywxVIflXQ4xAdeFLWRbt6m2GuzZna9uTlDnyeFlSmBlwVtHAk2Om73HXx88Vu0MpjcXo0Ueg5MIR8Evhz-cdVZAPFq6P4g6/s1600/DSCN4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm900IeVmLfQ-xTLDoHIrY0St_aSxaaYMEn99Q6H8NvrN2ywxVIflXQ4xAdeFLWRbt6m2GuzZna9uTlDnyeFlSmBlwVtHAk2Om73HXx88Vu0MpjcXo0Ueg5MIR8Evhz-cdVZAPFq6P4g6/s400/DSCN4994.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite is the random box of creepy doll arms and legs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtxXhmsw4_ENLIyxJoPt-1_M6cD2mMSfJcUkcFXgaJJHk-7WPARs7v6ky7USCwzurzYV9N9CAZsjLVD4LAR0SfnsmeAQ0zSzyEvHkriGgX1Ga2gBLmaboNOAR-yzoSwHV9F-SoRU2mzci/s1600/DSCN4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtxXhmsw4_ENLIyxJoPt-1_M6cD2mMSfJcUkcFXgaJJHk-7WPARs7v6ky7USCwzurzYV9N9CAZsjLVD4LAR0SfnsmeAQ0zSzyEvHkriGgX1Ga2gBLmaboNOAR-yzoSwHV9F-SoRU2mzci/s400/DSCN4995.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhist / Hindu statues and goods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7TSL8w90r_9E_u8GANCxBkbleDX6eYxlOeTse_kXEnO6zBIUZriwk3WzMdRMbR1ofWmSQxpwefAVjFl1GGp9zVokg8zOR7dHzItN0X7TeEuBobh_pZwl7SmK3pOKFFStiNz1XAGWN4TD/s1600/DSCN4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7TSL8w90r_9E_u8GANCxBkbleDX6eYxlOeTse_kXEnO6zBIUZriwk3WzMdRMbR1ofWmSQxpwefAVjFl1GGp9zVokg8zOR7dHzItN0X7TeEuBobh_pZwl7SmK3pOKFFStiNz1XAGWN4TD/s400/DSCN4996.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge collection of mini-antlers on the bench</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaplHHqjVsm8oo3F5saywWzRnXwUBEkU2T-v92a0k2Ud5t1hgcffgEoCjjRj8zOD09SIG4Aq4cSJXr-3wrMmaEMY7QQ2jShEq8CgQnZ9Zt5aZdwVirnDOGUMlbFXs-QFFRV9yO6hv3DsEW/s1600/DSCN4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaplHHqjVsm8oo3F5saywWzRnXwUBEkU2T-v92a0k2Ud5t1hgcffgEoCjjRj8zOD09SIG4Aq4cSJXr-3wrMmaEMY7QQ2jShEq8CgQnZ9Zt5aZdwVirnDOGUMlbFXs-QFFRV9yO6hv3DsEW/s400/DSCN4997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flohmarkt is set up in front the Schloss (castle), so it's quite picturesque.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-57859539347270998452012-07-18T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-27T13:01:09.067-04:00Busy Weekend on the BalconyWe never realized when we moved to this apartment in Münster how valuable our balcony would be. We had a balcony in Borken, but it was off Dylan's room and we kept the door blocked most of the time to prohibit him from going out there alone. But here, our balcony is off our dining room / kitchen so Bryan and I are finding ourselves out there quite a bit, especially after Dylan goes to bed. We have a great view of Hiltrup's church and we get gorgeous sunsets, which this time of year is around 10:30 at night.<br />
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Because of our proximity on Hiltrup's main retail thoroughfare - Marktallee - we also find ourselves on the city's main parade route, so we see quite a bit of activity from the balcony. On Friday night, Hiltrup had its annual Bike Race "Rund um die Marktallee" which consisted of smaller races for young kids (Yes, Dylan will be entering next year in the 3-5 year old age bracket - their race is only 100 meters long) and "seniors" (which insultingly is for people 35 years and older - since when is a 35 year old a senior?), and the main event for "elite cyclists" - 88 laps around our 1kilometer block. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL6VmUYDymfjolhsDkN34InxdhdwvGQVTpaJEJfrHH7a1ejHmGzLi3sX9aPdsuzaDYQlFzAZ4IgDQujVBzSDkP5XtBkl7Hb4AXtJX6krnnuEUBQI2Hasxx-ebYjq3KMiUT4mCphUmWfcX/s1600/kinder+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL6VmUYDymfjolhsDkN34InxdhdwvGQVTpaJEJfrHH7a1ejHmGzLi3sX9aPdsuzaDYQlFzAZ4IgDQujVBzSDkP5XtBkl7Hb4AXtJX6krnnuEUBQI2Hasxx-ebYjq3KMiUT4mCphUmWfcX/s400/kinder+race.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan will dominate this age bracket next year. (photo from Christiane Schräder, MünsterscheZeitung.de)</td></tr>
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The premise of the elite race - 88 laps around something roughly the same size as a gym track - seemed kind of odd to us, but they've been doing it now for 24 years so I guess it's a mainstay in town. We had a blast cheering on the races from our 5th floor balcony, and of course, Bryan got to heckle the one or two racers who inevitably blew a huge lead in the seniors race and came in nearly dead last. He reveled in his bellowing from our balcony in a southern accent, "You gonna get got." It took every ounce of his self control to not say anything as this biker packed his car after the race right in front of us. This is my husband. <br />
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The elite race unfortunately didn't make it through all 88 laps due to a huge thunder and lightning storm that came through right around lap #60. We were pretty astonished at how quickly the entire town scrammed once the rain came, and we have no clue who won the race. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU_iVl5PAV_qoOx7DzKDVoQzYQXHqQPQdZ5j_nOdzVmiW_zz3T6606_QuwKE0b1s7P6L7w-NJqsknm2FcYBwPbDPZDclxnfo0qohtzospyx7UMfORUWiOtxSlD9cCvBTEI1Lxkr0y2irs/s1600/elite+racers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU_iVl5PAV_qoOx7DzKDVoQzYQXHqQPQdZ5j_nOdzVmiW_zz3T6606_QuwKE0b1s7P6L7w-NJqsknm2FcYBwPbDPZDclxnfo0qohtzospyx7UMfORUWiOtxSlD9cCvBTEI1Lxkr0y2irs/s400/elite+racers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite racers at the starting line (photo from Christiane Schräder, MünsterscheZeitung.de)</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/AVvXsEiTWJgcR7jPuB6HfF_2VkN2SIWiSyaBxfnBr0CdhqnQrPQ7o_gxHl1A2E1H89mmQ7eAo6_4DAnaRjGXPCHHnW4MGh8m42iDzGUJqAhs_HzEOagmLR-lwEnqZDYTRZ9NnjG0IN6lx7J8kwvK/s1600/DSCN4974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWJgcR7jPuB6HfF_2VkN2SIWiSyaBxfnBr0CdhqnQrPQ7o_gxHl1A2E1H89mmQ7eAo6_4DAnaRjGXPCHHnW4MGh8m42iDzGUJqAhs_HzEOagmLR-lwEnqZDYTRZ9NnjG0IN6lx7J8kwvK/s400/DSCN4974.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite Racers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Also this weekend was Hiltrup's Schützenfest - an annual summer festival that pretty much every town in Germany celebrates with varying pomp and circumstance. Hiltrup's Schützenfest seems like a hyper-local activity that doesn't have much social impact on us <i>Auslanders</i> (foreigners), BUT on Sunday afternoon their parade went right past our balcony, which was entertaining.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u4EJKxa_IHxYTiDvo1Z8gMaQb74fCcZLJcCCag4SyA-rgmFPaMfmnpdYOZygVNgBnYocnPEUoop0jGZ0R7xJDQSAiKnv6gpGQBUjG_emseb_rz0jjD9DSbe79Ow1PQ0dKgo2ZkjDMHYS/s1600/DSCN4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u4EJKxa_IHxYTiDvo1Z8gMaQb74fCcZLJcCCag4SyA-rgmFPaMfmnpdYOZygVNgBnYocnPEUoop0jGZ0R7xJDQSAiKnv6gpGQBUjG_emseb_rz0jjD9DSbe79Ow1PQ0dKgo2ZkjDMHYS/s400/DSCN4979.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses are always exciting for a 3 year old to see.</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/AVvXsEglLfihON_c4Stu78HEPKzXoBwIqAGaKg7vNtLHVp4NxSkGfWNJPh5FG2jiUBE3sguWrzvTjA9xmzc4SIOpPTRlBc2eviQWSkIjcaQJr3dbMNQJwxYnMGoVdQNUVa46tAa5ksda1GI187wv/s1600/DSCN4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLfihON_c4Stu78HEPKzXoBwIqAGaKg7vNtLHVp4NxSkGfWNJPh5FG2jiUBE3sguWrzvTjA9xmzc4SIOpPTRlBc2eviQWSkIjcaQJr3dbMNQJwxYnMGoVdQNUVa46tAa5ksda1GI187wv/s400/DSCN4980.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After this weekend, Dylan is expecting bike races and parades to go by every day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We've also discovered that we're on Hiltrup's Karenval Parade Route, which is super exciting because we really loooove Karenval season. We'll see if anyone has a good enough throwing-arm to toss candy and beads all the way up to our balcony.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-53263766708291128622012-07-16T06:44:00.000-04:002012-07-16T06:44:44.779-04:00History is All Around (Including Under) Us<br />
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We are reminded each day living in
Münster about the history of the city.
Whether we think of of Charlemagene’s missionary named Frisian Liudger,
who founded the city in 793 while we wait for the bus at Ludgeriplatz or when we're reminded of the last remaining
Anabaptists in 1535 who were slaughtered with their corpses hanging in cages in
the tower of St. Lamperti’s steeple, we see history all around us. Last Saturday, as Dylan and I were trying to
make our way to my office, we learned that history is also under us. </div>
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<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEgf4uTMvgoUUJLipPlUOHHfoFyOG4Hm-Mx4oaF50lAGfLfEUafIyMjjfge3yDKlqQ0huH4esN0Qdm6sNMkclU2C5zye_m7aFoOUXapuE5V3E5RjRlkaIxyXD_zyCBV-6iePOlDrPRy_O_w/s1600/ludgeriplatz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4uTMvgoUUJLipPlUOHHfoFyOG4Hm-Mx4oaF50lAGfLfEUafIyMjjfge3yDKlqQ0huH4esN0Qdm6sNMkclU2C5zye_m7aFoOUXapuE5V3E5RjRlkaIxyXD_zyCBV-6iePOlDrPRy_O_w/s400/ludgeriplatz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludgeriplatz ring - scariest place to ride your bike through in the whole city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>It started on Saturday
morning, as Dylan and I headed for the train station to go to my office. At our train station, there were hundreds of what
seemed to be stranded travelers making their way in and out of our small train
station. To put things in perspective,
we usually see 10-20 other people on the platform with us. This particular morning, the trains headed to
the main train station were cancelled for at least the next hour and this weird party
train with nearly a thousand people dressed in 70’s clothes supposedly headed
for Hamburg were stranded on our platform.
Dylan asked if we could go on the party train. After a few long seconds of deliberation, I
said, “No, son. Not today at
least.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjZBf27IALb-m0pk20kNYedpNAqXAJxrhv9Yfw68W1SHh1ITRhkbYUN8Z5e2BPQlr7GgC8NBuZSJUFP_QhyhO4lqIcVHGC25Othz5MFbgZNLiqYEpBXWrDgq5t7WyQSQtQSACmM2bnrL3c/s1600/hiltrup+bahnhof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBf27IALb-m0pk20kNYedpNAqXAJxrhv9Yfw68W1SHh1ITRhkbYUN8Z5e2BPQlr7GgC8NBuZSJUFP_QhyhO4lqIcVHGC25Othz5MFbgZNLiqYEpBXWrDgq5t7WyQSQtQSACmM2bnrL3c/s400/hiltrup+bahnhof.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiltrup-Münster Bahnhof - not suited for thousands of stranded passengers.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
We waited an hour for the next
trains to come, but once the time came, those too were cancelled. At this point, we were approaching pandemonium
on the Hiltrup train station platform. I
have never seen so much confusion in one place.
The buses were running, but they were packed with stranded travellers
trying to get to downtown Münster. We
decided to head back home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
I explained to Dana when we got
home early what happened and she did the logical thing…she Googled what was
going on. Within seconds she said, “
There was a bomb earlier this morning and the whole main train station in
Münster is closed.” That explained it,
but what kind of bomb scare was it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
Come to find out, a thousand pound
bomb from World War II was discovered during construction under the platform
that I arrive on every day. They had to evacuate the entire train station and the nearby surrounding area. Because it was a rare bomb with a highly sensitive detonator, it took the bomb squad nearly all day to diffuse it. The Münster train station has been under construction for as long as we can remember (a much needed upgrade adding escalators and elevators to reach the platforms), it seems pretty miraculous that the whole place hadn't blown up with this massive bomb just sitting there for presumably 70 years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 283.5pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7EseqsEocFAnalHHDOWfbmZujMhgG7WcHZM9hC3wkFQQB_L7o1BGwWOgnke3koYUhEJbilcYkNy5AzAMzj2oXiMRvOZVx5HHJeNRCxyNdSOyzzVgHeJG6wQDONbZniMIHZ1QZGiJxg/s1600/bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7EseqsEocFAnalHHDOWfbmZujMhgG7WcHZM9hC3wkFQQB_L7o1BGwWOgnke3koYUhEJbilcYkNy5AzAMzj2oXiMRvOZVx5HHJeNRCxyNdSOyzzVgHeJG6wQDONbZniMIHZ1QZGiJxg/s400/bomb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of the bomb found under Münster's train platform (from www.wn.de)</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-75313290494426870452012-07-09T00:00:00.000-04:002012-07-09T00:00:08.934-04:00Summer Seminar Year #2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last month marked my (Bryan’s) second Summer Seminar
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may remember <a href="http://www.foltice.blogspot.de/2011/06/achensee-austria-trip.html" target="_blank">the post from last year</a> when we went to Austria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
year, we spent a week in Makkum, Netherlands in a bungalow on the North
Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about 15 of us (me, 9
students, 4 colleagues and Professor Langer) on the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My colleagues and I shared one of the three
bungalows, while the students shared the other two bungalows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the other bungalows were occupied with
other families and really old people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This prompted two security guards to visit us before we even set up the
grill to ‘make sure we weren’t going to make any problems this week.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<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/AVvXsEhF5AFKhg7gWqmwiAiVmnc52ZpENTnE182_Iza4iOl8fgPkPOc8qd1h9aRN2ws3QIZbYM7Da-1xFA1kvlhkmsBCUu1IUCHIXO6yEsrqOXXjBdPOiNohlmwfW9RDa2yyoogBRlxFbd3HSAM/s1600/makkum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5AFKhg7gWqmwiAiVmnc52ZpENTnE182_Iza4iOl8fgPkPOc8qd1h9aRN2ws3QIZbYM7Da-1xFA1kvlhkmsBCUu1IUCHIXO6yEsrqOXXjBdPOiNohlmwfW9RDa2yyoogBRlxFbd3HSAM/s400/makkum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makkum, Netherlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These Summer Seminar weeks are good German practice, as
pretty much all of the conversations are German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I was speaking one on one with somebody,
there was still a pretty good chance we were speaking German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was encouraged that I could actually
understand a good portion of the presentations this time around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst part about catching most, but not
all of a conversation is that you can’t add any comments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You basically sit there and try to focus on
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time a thought
comes and you formulate the thought in German, the topic has moved on and you
start the process all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
typically not the ‘quiet guy’ in the group, but I usually don’t say much in a
German conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The North Sea in June was not exactly Siesta Key, Florida,
but the weather ended up relatively nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Relatively means it was 60 degrees F (15 C) and sunny, which meant we
were able to get a tan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea 18
months ago, living in hot and sticky Florida, that I would be able to sit in
the sun in 60 degree weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood
has thickened. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhDHLY_v6S996BI5rPzRQ-yzW0-Sbd8NoWKqrVaqzEY0YsWIe5_rJZj119dei8g_DRW3gOGR_zLNX58BkJQ_nCOGSLZE6SpQKvj-BkiAD298GQ6WRP4zBbc46bGbz9MwgtmNNZpys-wmEw/s1600/north+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHLY_v6S996BI5rPzRQ-yzW0-Sbd8NoWKqrVaqzEY0YsWIe5_rJZj119dei8g_DRW3gOGR_zLNX58BkJQ_nCOGSLZE6SpQKvj-BkiAD298GQ6WRP4zBbc46bGbz9MwgtmNNZpys-wmEw/s400/north+sea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold North Sea in June vs....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEhMqQhuHXDtfPkUVq3BrWJUtcpE9wMrWOtn_26-uYgRpA2Vu3KkhE4eC7xxD23fLRWjAXvJhsJnZiJX0sAKWGw3_en121NB5mvPlFmeSPFlWnefqo5OzwIKcI2k1O01HStaYRH9ayGPHss/s1600/siesta+key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqQhuHXDtfPkUVq3BrWJUtcpE9wMrWOtn_26-uYgRpA2Vu3KkhE4eC7xxD23fLRWjAXvJhsJnZiJX0sAKWGw3_en121NB5mvPlFmeSPFlWnefqo5OzwIKcI2k1O01HStaYRH9ayGPHss/s400/siesta+key.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siesta Key?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of German speaking, it is not as far along as I
would like. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, Dana’s German has
gotten much better and she is really good at understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has gotten a lot of telephone speaking
practice from speaking with Dylan’s Kindergarten and making various Doctors
appointments for her and Dylan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully,
we will have time this fall to get enrolled in a course that could take our
German skills up a notch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-67939615810085675272012-07-05T04:12:00.000-04:002012-07-07T08:26:46.468-04:00Settled In<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As bleak as our recent blog posts have been, the last couple
of weeks have been really nice. We feel
much more settled (hot water and a kitchen help) in our new place and have seen
that the people here in Münster are actually really nice, if a little unapproachable. Maybe it was because of our high stress
level, but I actually thought that it was illegal to smile in Münster because I
never saw anyone smile. I imagined that
if a police officer caught me giving a stranger a polite nod and smile, I would
get a 20 euro ticket. Maybe there is a
‘mind your own business’ law or something.
Anyway, over the last couple of weeks, it doesn’t appear that way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past weekend, we went on Saturday to the community pool
(freibad.) Community pools here in
Germany are much more than that. This
freibad has 5 different swimming pools including a kiddie pool where we hung
out (it’s the only place where it is acceptable for a 7 month pregnant Dana to rock a
bikini and not get strange looks, although she did get a few disapproving glances from older German women), a large water slide, and a playground. There is a minimal entrance fee and it is
only a 10 minute (15 with Dana) bike ride there. </div>
<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/AVvXsEjEI1D74jNgXICiNK4VzWBeBASt0buNDV89zVVP83Y65EOdlmh8XSrzL2KbnFRsskBAdNmtTBhM1SeOX2K6yZh7VWpTFiBz4xaxtONL4YwAO1QZYNkW6pCDVlvjRclofSeBQM-TOib8Feo/s1600/DSCN4935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI1D74jNgXICiNK4VzWBeBASt0buNDV89zVVP83Y65EOdlmh8XSrzL2KbnFRsskBAdNmtTBhM1SeOX2K6yZh7VWpTFiBz4xaxtONL4YwAO1QZYNkW6pCDVlvjRclofSeBQM-TOib8Feo/s400/DSCN4935.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun in the pool.</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/AVvXsEgsVBOT7c_hWBVTpaJYJMhQcneQpGgbbWl3rC9AZg6BJ4HI0-mv06WtdxgFRk_35qYHHDX9f_m3n3tm41kmaIDdmGdDYZkDhDUpDGxY1nYZxfZfriunOzw7TR4OKI36sriRcK63xOmA6hk/s1600/DSCN4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVBOT7c_hWBVTpaJYJMhQcneQpGgbbWl3rC9AZg6BJ4HI0-mv06WtdxgFRk_35qYHHDX9f_m3n3tm41kmaIDdmGdDYZkDhDUpDGxY1nYZxfZfriunOzw7TR4OKI36sriRcK63xOmA6hk/s400/DSCN4943.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the kiddie pool</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/AVvXsEiXSbMUBQOPVVxxmNk4yNoh0nxc_1vKwBMu14gpI2D6p4F2lvW3CZTLY6vJZsz5bfuI_rg-rctFNq-p_fDFMQXTClBjArsrJpBGxN4f1lMDEHQlkxRVBDMsaX93EMobfmfKNl26JlLDxT4/s1600/DSCN4947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSbMUBQOPVVxxmNk4yNoh0nxc_1vKwBMu14gpI2D6p4F2lvW3CZTLY6vJZsz5bfuI_rg-rctFNq-p_fDFMQXTClBjArsrJpBGxN4f1lMDEHQlkxRVBDMsaX93EMobfmfKNl26JlLDxT4/s400/DSCN4947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, he's wearing a speedo. </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/AVvXsEi2BC592zzepYJ3gAJ5wQtFdCXNA8I0VXCQuO1V_nnrCoEvuPSHhWXhP4XDQEIt4drC7yy0_XZyIA_EtkMy-KSHR-pLjLaMCIblixXFtYIi_NUySK7uDJUAJ-pACkednqSF6GSxoG_kx88/s1600/DSCN4949+-+Version+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BC592zzepYJ3gAJ5wQtFdCXNA8I0VXCQuO1V_nnrCoEvuPSHhWXhP4XDQEIt4drC7yy0_XZyIA_EtkMy-KSHR-pLjLaMCIblixXFtYIi_NUySK7uDJUAJ-pACkednqSF6GSxoG_kx88/s400/DSCN4949+-+Version+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely you can see a big smile on his face coming down the slide. </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/AVvXsEjx9toBDY08vCk4fcfmAmcOCa6QpdwBid-FTIw9NAHBvKTEQYMtxTxPm8dALLel9nM5fLt5WH5-Ssc6aYQQ0N1Dy694uN8iBZvcyIXi4Pj9MwAfEIvcPD7XAV7-FROrP3zXSQ20HSgsm-w/s1600/DSCN4950+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9toBDY08vCk4fcfmAmcOCa6QpdwBid-FTIw9NAHBvKTEQYMtxTxPm8dALLel9nM5fLt5WH5-Ssc6aYQQ0N1Dy694uN8iBZvcyIXi4Pj9MwAfEIvcPD7XAV7-FROrP3zXSQ20HSgsm-w/s400/DSCN4950+-+Version+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of laughs for the big splash at the bottom. </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/AVvXsEhLuiTQzFmkTu1AVRALRxI8aIecPRizPD9BVdE_VbqyuBIhu98JsvFSroGL1rVeMQY3zvmoMk5FUHdz0zXCB4pvIiePQOI8XLh3aBk6AiA7zVDt_BimaiBxeIlKAvyRFgQTnWS2cgSsAew/s1600/DSCN4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuiTQzFmkTu1AVRALRxI8aIecPRizPD9BVdE_VbqyuBIhu98JsvFSroGL1rVeMQY3zvmoMk5FUHdz0zXCB4pvIiePQOI8XLh3aBk6AiA7zVDt_BimaiBxeIlKAvyRFgQTnWS2cgSsAew/s400/DSCN4952.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan was definitely the only 3 year old (or person with Swimmies on) to be brave enough to go down this massive water slide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sunday, Dylan and I went to the local golf course to
practice on the driving range. We have
been there pretty much even weekend since moving here and we haven’t been
banned yet. We normally hit a bucket of
balls on the driving range and practice on the putting green. Dylan loves to practice and is becoming
better and better with his little clubs.
I somehow got my 8 iron, pitching wedge, and putter in my luggage when
we came home from Christmas, so I get to work on my short game. It takes us 10 minutes to get there by bike
and it is usually the highlight of the weekend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to playing golf, Dylan’s favorite thing to do
with ‘Daddy’ is to go to my office on the weekend. He loves taking the train into the city and
taking the elevator to my office. He is
normally occupied for 2-3 hours watching videos, which is wonderful for me
because I get to put in some extra work and nice for Dana because she gets some
time alone. Two weekends ago, I bought
Dylan some ice cream on our way to my office.
Dylan insisted on getting the flavor that was called ‘Mozart’, which looked
like chocolate. I ordered the ice cream
cone and the ice cream scooper (the person working there) said something about
if this was for a child (kind). He was
holding a cone in his hand, so I thought he was asking me if it I wanted a kids
cone. I said no, a normal cone would be
okay. He shrugged his shoulders and gave
me the cone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward 10 minutes later and Dylan is really enjoying
his ice cream cone. This is usually the
time he asks me help him clean up the drips. He handed me the cone and I proceeded on
cleaning up his mess. After two licks,
this ice cream tasted different than most.
In fact, this tasted like liquor!
I had bought my three year old ice cream that had alcohol in it. Suddenly, I realized what the ice cream store
worker was trying to tell me. Oops. Reason #792 I feel unfit to be a Dad. <o:p></o:p></div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-6697432701425407792012-07-01T15:46:00.000-04:002012-07-01T15:46:23.214-04:00Now We're Cookin'!Our kitchen was finally delivered and installed last week, a full<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 weeks after buying the kitchen. Over the last two
months, we have a totally new Top 5 Worst Customer Service Experiences list, as
our top 5 Worst Experiences have been completely replaced by new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The kitchen debacle was by far our worst customer service
experience ever (even worse than trying to cancel our AT&T plans when we moved here), even though our service expectations were very low from the
beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store that we bought our
kitchen from, <a href="http://www.poco.de/">Poco</a>, uses Daniela Katzenberger
as their spokesperson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be the
American equivalent of Kendra Wilkinson from the Girls Next Door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So ... not the highest end product.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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On May 8, we bought one of the store's floor models in order to save some money and get our kitchen sooner than if we have purchased a non-floor model. This way they assured us that by the end of the month at the latest our kitchen would be ready to be delivered, which was perfect since we were moving at the end of the month. We needed to order a new countertop, however, because the sink was on the wrong side for where our water pipes were, but the salesperson told us it take "a week or two" to order and
we could have our kitchen delivered soon afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After two weeks, we followed up and learned
that the "factory was busy" and it would take "a couple more weeks" before it
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, we would have
cancelled our order and found another kitchen somewhere else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we stayed with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Trying to be proactive, we tried to get our delivery and
installation appointment set before the countertop arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for some reason, we could not set up a
delivery appointment until the countertop arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the countertop arrived on June 6<sup>th</sup>,
the soonest installation appointment was … June 19<sup>th</sup>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dana took that call and I promptly moved
Dylan into the bedroom until that call was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We proceeded with this horrendous service and our kitchen
was installed on Tuesday, the 19<sup>th, </sup>6 weeks and 1 day after buying
our kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the kitchen was
delivered, we were really surprised that the countertop wasn’t even cut!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our installer had to cut it on our
balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hindsight, we should have
cancelled the countertop order and had it purchased at a different store (same
day service).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, we have our
kitchen installed and vow to never shop again at Poco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Out of spite, we bought the rest of our furniture on
amazon.de.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we don’t have a car
here in Münster, we would need to have the furniture delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly enough, we made a huge
furniture order on Wednesday night and most of it arrived Friday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is hope for timely service in Germany.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we tell this story, the response is totally different
depending on whom we tell it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Germans don’t even blink and tell us that "this is
completely normal here."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not
surprised or compassionate to our predicament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our American friends and family, are totally
appalled and can’t believe how someone could stay in business with this level
of service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(They still can’t believe
that we would need to buy a new kitchen for a new apartment, but we have
already blogged about how weird that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Speaking of which, can anyone tell me another country in the world where
you have to buy your own kitchen for an apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be interested to know where else not
to move.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08857364399375694629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-39518440212631171312012-06-12T03:53:00.000-04:002012-06-12T03:53:56.542-04:00Big D is 3! ... and other newsBig D turned 3 last week and we celebrated by taking him to the local zoo, which was tons of fun. His best buddy from Borken along with his parents joined us and Dylan had so much fun that every day since then he has asked if we can go back.<br />
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Dylan and his friend spent the whole day running around, pulling a wagon together through the entire zoo and being super silly. I think pulling the wagon was a bigger attraction for them than the animals, but regardless, by 4 pm they were tuckered out.<br />
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After getting pizza (Dylan's favorite) for dinner, we came home and opened presents. Bryan says I went "overboard" on the presents, but it was just so much fun shopping for him that I couldn't help myself. Yesterday Dylan asked me if I would re-wrap all of his birthday presents so he could go through the fun of unwrapping them all over again. It was a good birthday.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDe7ur9IXCleUKyo6WmbqK8E-m2lglYMXMynhgx6IK0gcZ-JQTX1Tym8-OVzSK7VEIEzxbkoScxVgEwkjqNGZyRf7djOZJI8GXMOARgcgIx8tA9MDhpwDwdnpyXPf7-cauF9-ag2t8hD-/s1600/DSCN4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDe7ur9IXCleUKyo6WmbqK8E-m2lglYMXMynhgx6IK0gcZ-JQTX1Tym8-OVzSK7VEIEzxbkoScxVgEwkjqNGZyRf7djOZJI8GXMOARgcgIx8tA9MDhpwDwdnpyXPf7-cauF9-ag2t8hD-/s400/DSCN4847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is as close as he would get to the donkeys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQFrCoE6xIJuVOv90YGGAkclxqi_mFopwN9QUmtqYj3IaGORZai5E0bFAPdMrXkafss9fqp1AcEEnOhK0QLR8vCGIGdqvAA54ndTUhvsfx_QkgAqL50S4vcH6isi4ZN-sHiNijBoVk2hE/s1600/DSCN4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQFrCoE6xIJuVOv90YGGAkclxqi_mFopwN9QUmtqYj3IaGORZai5E0bFAPdMrXkafss9fqp1AcEEnOhK0QLR8vCGIGdqvAA54ndTUhvsfx_QkgAqL50S4vcH6isi4ZN-sHiNijBoVk2hE/s400/DSCN4850.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the elephants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpcXEKX3Bme2MG4ZDQ6eg7VC_7YyZ74xsSM_svEqWDSzn34jIAIv3s6baJnVX6sw5oOr0t_cH31EuY9Da6KJmZSEoV9L49RuZmGaXBbOWDCFuIcYkatG90R2LSr2O1uL5gmiPOnTSWBAV/s1600/DSCN4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpcXEKX3Bme2MG4ZDQ6eg7VC_7YyZ74xsSM_svEqWDSzn34jIAIv3s6baJnVX6sw5oOr0t_cH31EuY9Da6KJmZSEoV9L49RuZmGaXBbOWDCFuIcYkatG90R2LSr2O1uL5gmiPOnTSWBAV/s400/DSCN4851.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These boys shared wagon-pulling duty all day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yFAJXee3K-_0zY4cT8f5fr1HmSnHyuqzwDCaN9FnwsVDH-KVOd_nBpPzB4vZsrHGaP9s9cCIwcGuiUX25BRHhxvPmj215-2OcZ7VeOASxDWkQ_NDnpN7OxGauRhz6nAEouTin8Xp6N0K/s1600/DSCN4854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yFAJXee3K-_0zY4cT8f5fr1HmSnHyuqzwDCaN9FnwsVDH-KVOd_nBpPzB4vZsrHGaP9s9cCIwcGuiUX25BRHhxvPmj215-2OcZ7VeOASxDWkQ_NDnpN7OxGauRhz6nAEouTin8Xp6N0K/s400/DSCN4854.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big gorillas were in there. I had to keep telling the boys to stop sticking their heads through the fence.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zgdUzXGuG1HWXJyvT9EIdHAWYjRtagZ4DpmZM8Cd0MubKJ3v6Z-aPHbW1PKXfAVY6JLwpwqZl8L3_ZBZVFxPY0leaeyDsfVBKvp9Z_cbX5xPnUR1cKR2jeLrUV_rpSzhqC6gbYm6OJRw/s1600/DSCN4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zgdUzXGuG1HWXJyvT9EIdHAWYjRtagZ4DpmZM8Cd0MubKJ3v6Z-aPHbW1PKXfAVY6JLwpwqZl8L3_ZBZVFxPY0leaeyDsfVBKvp9Z_cbX5xPnUR1cKR2jeLrUV_rpSzhqC6gbYm6OJRw/s400/DSCN4857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome presents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETegLx3FbLGh6HNNLu0pZVDH38slTTHJedYf6Dd0fQmgZ8QU-MWJ5vMQL_FQBQfzUoVgcHEzQm26-3YgwEBRf8MNJUgFPAAUlnUD_OdP2FFQIHDiHR-_wY4qBT-we9K1fORRpbBPJUPoV/s1600/DSCN4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETegLx3FbLGh6HNNLu0pZVDH38slTTHJedYf6Dd0fQmgZ8QU-MWJ5vMQL_FQBQfzUoVgcHEzQm26-3YgwEBRf8MNJUgFPAAUlnUD_OdP2FFQIHDiHR-_wY4qBT-we9K1fORRpbBPJUPoV/s400/DSCN4865.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were waiting for the seal feeding to begin and the boys got really silly. They put on a little "pre-show" of their own.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw5WN7O-Uvj0UuW0UjV28XA1Fil1yPxu7ITZ40pbVJh_ser_NtDqS8EGEl0EZgLgL5BMybsBZ7gpw28d1e06lUzyCnGYuEzl0hu89uhyphenhyphenUeWy-0Th-m6sQ43gd20W0O-7GnLJnN17MW7Nz/s1600/DSCN4871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw5WN7O-Uvj0UuW0UjV28XA1Fil1yPxu7ITZ40pbVJh_ser_NtDqS8EGEl0EZgLgL5BMybsBZ7gpw28d1e06lUzyCnGYuEzl0hu89uhyphenhyphenUeWy-0Th-m6sQ43gd20W0O-7GnLJnN17MW7Nz/s400/DSCN4871.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's trying to show us on his fingers how old he is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdgjSmqFXm840u8AZK6_3KM9xXRZDYXxwuLexIGipPNhkKcewkX1krR0t8-n7sWAq1odsemLPytsQrVTTW35-y97WPYKw_EG9p9LR5Ms5q2l_b7rs2-4HafXtQJKfRdO953Ojl8ln3hjs/s1600/DSCN4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdgjSmqFXm840u8AZK6_3KM9xXRZDYXxwuLexIGipPNhkKcewkX1krR0t8-n7sWAq1odsemLPytsQrVTTW35-y97WPYKw_EG9p9LR5Ms5q2l_b7rs2-4HafXtQJKfRdO953Ojl8ln3hjs/s400/DSCN4877.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We now have jam sessions every day. Dylan calls it "playing musics." </td></tr>
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<br />
In other news, the shingles are slowly healing but still quite painful. Since I'm pregnant I'm trying to avoid any pain medication and it's been several days since I've had to take any. My skin is super sore and now very itchy, but it's definitely getting better despite being massively uncomfortable. <br />
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In apartment news, we're STILL waiting for our kitchen to be installed. We ordered this kitchen on May 8 and right now the installation date is June 19. It's really frustrating going so long without a kitchen. We have a microwave (thank goodness!) a toaster and a coffee pot, so we're pretty much eating a lot of PB&Js, canned soup and going out for pizza. Dylan is getting bored with the food regime and keeps wondering why we don't have any milk or cereal. I'm on a mission to get some kind of discount / rebate for the delay. German customer service is not as flexible or apologetic as America customer service and most people here just grit their teeth and deal with these delays, which aren't unusual. The customer service / sales people like to pass-the-buck on responsibility and, of course, our sales person has been on a 2 week vacation, so her replacement has been unfriendly and unhelpful in speeding things along. The basic answer for "What's taking so long?" is "I don't know, but that's the way it is. There's nothing I can do about it." This response just wouldn't fly in America. Actually, in America, no one would EVER stand for renting an apartment or buying a house that doesn't come with a kitchen because it's the stupidest system in the entire world, so no one would be in this ridiculous situation. Dylan moved his toy kitchen into our kitchen a few days ago and said "Look Mommy, now your kitchen has an oven and a sink." It made me laugh, but it's also kind of sad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0mGbKvTAsNRclU4rfNve7avyTeEpBZNdnDuMhrltNGEib8q5agvI7NfIrxRaGVZmvMtZw5U0TewfAH3gUxGln5JpTu2KFoJhCgaRTkApcsv9ZBc3jlQOj7ytRQ8NykqqH2ImiRQdWk1w/s1600/DSCN4844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0mGbKvTAsNRclU4rfNve7avyTeEpBZNdnDuMhrltNGEib8q5agvI7NfIrxRaGVZmvMtZw5U0TewfAH3gUxGln5JpTu2KFoJhCgaRTkApcsv9ZBc3jlQOj7ytRQ8NykqqH2ImiRQdWk1w/s400/DSCN4844.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what our kitchen looks like right now.</td></tr>
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<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7815918971806832527.post-39007265972717789242012-06-07T10:40:00.000-04:002012-06-07T10:40:13.786-04:00Munich FlashbackI realized that Bryan didn't post a ton of photos from our trip to Munich a few weeks ago, so here are a few more in case you were wondering what else we did while we were there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zQQ1i1quwDaNqaLrNHuzblN0b-vAFJuBvz9iyj9gV6IG62GvTCA3bXkGhhWwCY3rcIj7TgInoFNCD5jsa-7cvJYuG8PwT70lEmH8CIlHBVAQNxlH93KQtwbUCWvilct39SRjj2PNoiF2/s1600/DSCN4733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zQQ1i1quwDaNqaLrNHuzblN0b-vAFJuBvz9iyj9gV6IG62GvTCA3bXkGhhWwCY3rcIj7TgInoFNCD5jsa-7cvJYuG8PwT70lEmH8CIlHBVAQNxlH93KQtwbUCWvilct39SRjj2PNoiF2/s400/DSCN4733.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sought refuge from our grouchy son in the English Garden, one of the few places he was content to hang out in (probably because we bought him massive pretzels)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ_UIrqQnFTGcd6Uj-IvGTpT4u65UZNV3w6OqlQEc2xpuBUytAqABmm4C9k0ec-mt9ZSr4LFUiaGRLEAndftXhvPRU_EGNbm-y0gbZacKNr2t4J5d-Y0B0fq1n1zSHoakInqFPAFLJmOJ/s1600/DSCN4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ_UIrqQnFTGcd6Uj-IvGTpT4u65UZNV3w6OqlQEc2xpuBUytAqABmm4C9k0ec-mt9ZSr4LFUiaGRLEAndftXhvPRU_EGNbm-y0gbZacKNr2t4J5d-Y0B0fq1n1zSHoakInqFPAFLJmOJ/s400/DSCN4737.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is at the start of a walking tour that we did, but only I completed. Bryan and Dylan pealed off after about 20 minutes because Dylan was being disruptive. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wBsWj6KAMYxUmgxO3p8yrYSihJ7het7RKV6GV1aQaF4UcLp2pl8u52DTSa8nzjdArtnE_67Xpha7Khjy7WnnTSrwEm91b7x70enpWgNCMS3D1ZmpR_q6rAkwIEuSedzPq2unB-KkTHxH/s1600/DSCN4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wBsWj6KAMYxUmgxO3p8yrYSihJ7het7RKV6GV1aQaF4UcLp2pl8u52DTSa8nzjdArtnE_67Xpha7Khjy7WnnTSrwEm91b7x70enpWgNCMS3D1ZmpR_q6rAkwIEuSedzPq2unB-KkTHxH/s400/DSCN4752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought The Champions League Festival would be fun for D, but the whole time we were there he refused to get out of his stroller and kept saying "It's time to go." </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tZ9adoI6nA9RWuR_gOhi1jM0Jx1p7OvPvsoafVYYzlwoC4-bfw7sknUDTBBT5dgXoip8xrTi2ZLJqjfx8A50btEb_08AHmEaboWM6mkyYQz89ZxIBjqZO6o6CcbMmJdqiQ7BHYDEvpuC/s1600/DSCN4767+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tZ9adoI6nA9RWuR_gOhi1jM0Jx1p7OvPvsoafVYYzlwoC4-bfw7sknUDTBBT5dgXoip8xrTi2ZLJqjfx8A50btEb_08AHmEaboWM6mkyYQz89ZxIBjqZO6o6CcbMmJdqiQ7BHYDEvpuC/s400/DSCN4767+-+Version+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things turned around by Thursday when Dylan was in a better mood. He was pretty excited to climb around the lions at Odeonsplatz. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzRBaJ2-xBRDPddQi7Zdj-ksDS1gHyleJIDlqB95mDN9cknXhVhxqwto0MxobiyjuMmqptkrNmlB5vMtEC8Olu2uJYTh__A6JxXJMWrRGJn-UsYR3lWP9Ihx-4bWppIScmUEDCy0s2Wow/s1600/DSCN4771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzRBaJ2-xBRDPddQi7Zdj-ksDS1gHyleJIDlqB95mDN9cknXhVhxqwto0MxobiyjuMmqptkrNmlB5vMtEC8Olu2uJYTh__A6JxXJMWrRGJn-UsYR3lWP9Ihx-4bWppIScmUEDCy0s2Wow/s400/DSCN4771.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really cool watching the surfers in the Icar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOO6gWe_bPiEGbG1limUmEbA_H3HbfpLRUQCcmSINyteKRejmz3JWShBVOnPCak9lNz3Ym3YXLEEmSBsYlGtGBqmdCmYknQwINHEJW-LNzPD36qwcuwKABXoDh1uhb_WKUID9G8tDd_0D/s1600/DSCN4791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOO6gWe_bPiEGbG1limUmEbA_H3HbfpLRUQCcmSINyteKRejmz3JWShBVOnPCak9lNz3Ym3YXLEEmSBsYlGtGBqmdCmYknQwINHEJW-LNzPD36qwcuwKABXoDh1uhb_WKUID9G8tDd_0D/s400/DSCN4791.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan insisted on sliding down this hill with Bryan a few times. It took Bryan a while to get up after this last trip down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83FL5S2LenFYBWZx3nsCnpD7PlWFQ6-gYOQ8YOPhBsMvhpjqtwCJBvL1qhaLmIkbvq9-KwQZBswXoYcr5VaF6Czd0xkFDw9vymK7IHFvZSomGT6m8juTT0dBQmuEdIhZ_tf8Sh20EFn2x/s1600/DSCN4797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83FL5S2LenFYBWZx3nsCnpD7PlWFQ6-gYOQ8YOPhBsMvhpjqtwCJBvL1qhaLmIkbvq9-KwQZBswXoYcr5VaF6Czd0xkFDw9vymK7IHFvZSomGT6m8juTT0dBQmuEdIhZ_tf8Sh20EFn2x/s400/DSCN4797.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family photo in the English Garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7fROtsCGlHNcFyyueqBO-VETZaXAE02znv0PlQkmO0tg4qa_k2FAGj7ADNCvGEXfGoh0PC4w7ZXMC0OJs1k-3F7mzHWPjnZXqeYV-dv_idhLtS8BcLYeo2VlCqBNHaR_g9v0PpJyIcXI/s1600/DSCN4798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7fROtsCGlHNcFyyueqBO-VETZaXAE02znv0PlQkmO0tg4qa_k2FAGj7ADNCvGEXfGoh0PC4w7ZXMC0OJs1k-3F7mzHWPjnZXqeYV-dv_idhLtS8BcLYeo2VlCqBNHaR_g9v0PpJyIcXI/s400/DSCN4798.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met up with our friends Thomas and Ginny for an afternoon. So good to reconnect with our old Jacksonville neighbors!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2yIGk-gh-eiXd3IHijJCC4I90-p5pTaG6hNbfEC6kImvZjpK8dTuu0HvhkibVIoj83EINoro2WbJJmXPCCTqd8SAWqpWCGYooZW9ve224dJ2tpfR8QkqBl7DLLRHF8r1AVA2NLmOUunZ/s1600/DSCN4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2yIGk-gh-eiXd3IHijJCC4I90-p5pTaG6hNbfEC6kImvZjpK8dTuu0HvhkibVIoj83EINoro2WbJJmXPCCTqd8SAWqpWCGYooZW9ve224dJ2tpfR8QkqBl7DLLRHF8r1AVA2NLmOUunZ/s400/DSCN4822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the highlight of the trip for Dylan was getting to watch Cars2 on repeat on the train rides to and from Munich. Every time he sees an ICE train he says "I get to watch movies on that train."</td></tr>
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<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469242626424806101noreply@blogger.com1