tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34545807013625842222024-02-19T05:46:04.371+01:00Have Lipstick and Laptop Will TravelWhat else does a woman need? Keep it simple: be beautiful (inside & out), be connected, be adventurous.~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-42210561194881900922013-01-14T22:25:00.000+01:002013-01-14T22:25:02.069+01:00Sorry Excuses and a Hall Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I started this blog less than a year ago, I had too much time on my hands. </div>
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I was a fairly new expat struggling with the adjustment process. For the first time in my adult life, I didn't have a job or volunteer commitments keeping me over-occupied while the kids were at school. So I began writing. </div>
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In all honestly, I had been wanting to blog for many years, but never found the time. Countless posts were constructed in my head but never found their way through my keyboard. Once I had the time, I was happy for the outlet.</div>
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Now, less than a year later, it's no surprise I've found myself involved in numerous projects, teaching part time, starting a new business with a partner, and socially engaged. The blog has been relegated to the back burner. And frankly, that doesn't sit well with me. I enjoyed blogging. Not finding time for it seems a sorry excuse. Shouldn't we always find time for the things we really love?</div>
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We should. So, here's my hall pass (I hope you'll accept).... </div>
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A good friend and fellow blogger, <a href="http://kettwigefrau.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">KettwigeFrau</a>, turned me onto Blipfoto. I'd been stalking her beautiful photo journal for some time, thinking it was a great way to keep a simple, daily record of life and thought. As the new year rolled around, I decided to try it out for myself. I'm only two weeks in, and make no promises yet that I'll keep it going every single day (I'm quite sure, in fact, that there will be periods I abstain whilst traveling and disconnecting from the electronic world....). But by and large, I find the simple concept of uploading just one photo with a few musings fits my busy lifestyle, need for artistic expression, and desire to maintain some form of personal journal.</div>
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I'm not closing this stream yet. I still plan to check in here with longer rants, recipes, books, music, other inspiration, etc. But I offer fair notice that it will be with less frequency. </div>
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For regular updates on the life and times of the "Have Lipstick and Laptop Will Travel" woman with a global attitude, visit me at Blipfoto: <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/GlobalAttitude" target="_blank">GlobalAttitude</a>. </div>
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Auf Wiedersehen, Until We Meet Again....</div>
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Liebe Grüße,</div>
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Karen</div>
~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-16376965173647186532012-12-27T15:25:00.000+01:002012-12-31T16:21:35.485+01:00Christmas 2012'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The treasured, precious, post-holiday peace - what bliss!<br />
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We've now survived our second Christmas in Germany. In many ways this was better than last Christmas, as we're more settled and have worked out some routines. In other ways, things fell through the cracks, as our lives are busy, with everyone more involved in school, work, and social circles. The first weekend of Advent I embarked on a wonderful weekend in London with my girlfriends. While I had a fantastic time (and you can read about on <a href="http://kettwigefrau.blogspot.de/2012/12/only-girls-allowed-part-i.html" target="_blank">KettwigeFrau</a> and <a href="http://emmasexpatadventures.blogspot.de/2012/12/five-go-madder-in-london.html" target="_blank">Emma's Expat Adventures</a>) it got me a bit behind schedule in launching into the Christmas season. The second weekend of Advent was my youngest son's 10th birthday, so not much Christmas prep happened then, either. It was the third weekend before I had some cookies baked, the house decorated, and the tree selected (once again with our lovely friends Rebecca and Sam and their three darling children). It was still several more days before we actually had the tree erected and decorated. That happened just in time for our annual <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2569931" target="_blank">Feuerzangenbowle party</a>, the last weekend of Advent.<br />
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The in-laws visited for the holiday we sort of merged German and American celebrations by opening family gifts after our Christmas Eve <a href="http://www.raclettecorner.com/" target="_blank">raclette</a> and then the Santa gifts on Christmas morning.<br />
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Christmas Day we took all the family out to the <a href="http://flicflac.de/" target="_blank">Flic Flac Circus</a> in Dortmund. It was a fun afternoon outing, with a great performance, despite the scary fall of one of the performers. I do hope he's OK. So now three of the kids have returned to Hamburg with the in-laws and we'll catch up with them there on New Year's Day.<br />
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I regret not getting out any Christmas cards this season - for the first time in over 20 years. I bought the cards and the stamps and even drafted a Christmas letter for distant friends and relatives, but the evening I sat down by the fire with a glass of wine, prepared to write them, I saw the news of Sandy Hook and dissolved into tears over the senseless violent deaths of so many people not far from my home town, and was too grief-struck to send cheerful Christmas greetings. Instead I was glued to the news for several days, as were millions of others, I'm sure. I suppose I should try to send some out this week, but I fear that just isn't going to happen. I do promise to be back on the bandwagon next year (the first of my New Year's resolutions!) and will send out holiday greetings at the very least to those who kept me on their Christmas list!<br />
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I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas holiday and wish you a New Year with good health and deep happiness!<br />
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Below is a little recipe I'll share in lieu of sending Christmas cards :)<br />
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<b>Smoked Salmon Christmas Canapés</b><br />
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This year I experimented with some new party recipes and came up with cute <b>Christmas Canapés</b> that were fairly popular. The recipe is super simple:<br />
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<li>Start with prepared miniature tart shells (I found a pack of 24 at the grocery store)</li>
<li>Add to each a spoonful of softened cream cheese.<br />I started with about 1 cup of Philadelphia-brand sweet chili cream cheese into which I blended a tablespoon of prepared horseradish. (Chose your favorite flavor of cream cheese and zest it up any way you like - the onion & chive cheese would be good, too).</li>
<li>Fold a small sliver of smoked wild salmon over the layer of cheese.</li>
<li>Add a dollop of guacamole on one half of each tart.<br />I made a small batch of homemade guacamole - using half a large avocado, some lime juice (lemon would be fine too), fresh pressed garlic, and some salt & pepper.</li>
<li>Press a small slice cherry tomato next to the guac, round side up. I cut the tomatoes into sixths.</li>
<li>Cut slivers of chive and insert then into the guac for added dimension and a darker pop of green color.</li>
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The result are lovely bite-sized green & red morsels that take about 30 minutes to prepare and can be chilled until you are ready to serve. I lined a platter with a bright red napkin for a pretty display. </div>
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If you have suggestions for other twists to this basic recipe, please share! </div>
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~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-27007637133857657642012-11-27T23:07:00.000+01:002012-11-27T23:12:13.669+01:00Cherishing Traditions: American Thanksgiving in Germany<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyNvirvLpFRJlyuK5cmLzwv4jLS7JDeJHmJCCyiwdYiZfNfqL9ffoGCuSSNfz-weT0wLiL-y7yvEGSa2ee955mLdIeDFkl2zrCC_tzIABjSOlVER4SGdBpZHtJDMWnwnJdY707kDa9zFB/s1600/BreakfastPie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyNvirvLpFRJlyuK5cmLzwv4jLS7JDeJHmJCCyiwdYiZfNfqL9ffoGCuSSNfz-weT0wLiL-y7yvEGSa2ee955mLdIeDFkl2zrCC_tzIABjSOlVER4SGdBpZHtJDMWnwnJdY707kDa9zFB/s320/BreakfastPie.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.<br />
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Unlike Christmas, which is mired in commercialism and bears the "burden" of thoughtful gift giving, lavish decorating, and endless obligatory festivities (kids' school parties, your office party, your spouse's office party, the neighborhood cookie exchange, plus the parties with friends that you actually want to attend...), Thanksgiving is so SIMPLE.<br />
Yet so special.<br />
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Thanksgiving is our closest loved ones gathering around a delicious meal to give thanks for abundant blessings. It is a time when we relish good food and celebrate life, family, and friendship. That's it. No gifts. Not too much decorating. Not much to stress over. Just a time to reflect and be thankful.<br />
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There are many who criticize Thanksgiving. Some say the whole "Thanksgiving story" of a feast celebrated by European settlers together with the Native Americans they nearly obliterated is a myth; a fantasy to appease our guilty WASP conscience. The nay-sayers dismiss it as an outdated custom from a time that should not be celebrated for the brutality that came with colonization. Others bemoan the gluttony; too much food prepared and served to an overweight society. There are those who fret over the hormone-injected, caged turkeys raised on industrial farms and cruelly slaughtered. OK, I get it, there is always something to find fault with. To each his own.<br />
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For me, Thanksgiving is a beloved tradition of humble gratitude and grateful celebration. It's heartfelt and more true than anything else I celebrate all year long. It's a time to say "thank you" even when life sucks; a time to put my pain and struggle in perspective, and acknowledge that whatever else we may suffer, my family is not hungry or homeless (anymore). We are are not living in a war zone. No matter how much we may have sacrificed since moving abroad, we are not impoverished or even terribly deprived. We have a beautiful home, have made wonderful friends, and we have our health and each other. That's quite a bit to be thankful for!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_zy15mxJyoLZ17mUss6l_IewUdHatiprdEdLus-d93ICrn0M_P4o03g5KYXOv-lzoKk0WMNLrhDJ-S6mO7mQ964qODY-nDOj8ZoSGNMbBJAI-8o-6RKSPnhhJ5EQrnKqYANAtwop_Xbc/s1600/IMG_3990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_zy15mxJyoLZ17mUss6l_IewUdHatiprdEdLus-d93ICrn0M_P4o03g5KYXOv-lzoKk0WMNLrhDJ-S6mO7mQ964qODY-nDOj8ZoSGNMbBJAI-8o-6RKSPnhhJ5EQrnKqYANAtwop_Xbc/s320/IMG_3990.JPG" width="320" /></a>So once again this year, I made every effort to recreate the family traditions that have marked all the Thanksgivings of my life. The actual Thursday holiday was a normal school/work day here in Germany, so we postponed the feast until the following Saturday. But at the beginning of the week I set the dining table with my antique Gurley candle figures of Pilgrims and Native Americans that were part of a tradition passed on from my Mom who also had a collection of these candles for her holiday table. And I began to test out recipes and plan the menu for the celebration we would share with some of our exchange daughters and close friends.<br />
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It was our second holiday in Germany, and I'd learned a few lessons since hosting the feast last year. So this year's "adventures of American cooking in Germany" went off much easier and more relaxed. I knew what ingredients I could easily find, which ones I would need to hunt for, and which I would have to simply do without and substitute. I was able to order a fresh turkey from a wonderful local farm - thank you <a href="http://hofladen.dws-server.de/?page_id=9" target="_blank">Buchholz</a>!<br />
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I found fresh cranberries in a couple local markets, as well as sweet potatoes and sugar pumpkins. I discovered that the ground pork known locally as "Mett nach Thüringer art" made a fantastic substitute for the spicy sausage I used in my grandmother's stuffing recipe.<br />
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To my delight, I even found an adequate replacement for Pillsbury Ready-made pie crusts (Süßer Mürbteig)! Typically I bake at least 4-5 pies with fillings made from scratch, but I despise the tedious process of homemade pastry that never tastes as good as I'd like. So I was very happy to find that the Süßer Mürbteig worked well for the apple pies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQIu5Ela9kUKnpBTZziqbNxkaHTkFVpm-itjblQJiMT68wityfQ6qTyTEUQdi1y30sB_O-cuf9ihZb6ZLFIvRZL48rWeagjKnixNOkLdsFr2R8bMwCywczCMUBwwTFvnJmVr79g3Sx-aw/s1600/ApplePieYum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQIu5Ela9kUKnpBTZziqbNxkaHTkFVpm-itjblQJiMT68wityfQ6qTyTEUQdi1y30sB_O-cuf9ihZb6ZLFIvRZL48rWeagjKnixNOkLdsFr2R8bMwCywczCMUBwwTFvnJmVr79g3Sx-aw/s320/ApplePieYum.jpg" width="320" /></a>For the pumpkin pies, I got creative and made the "crust" from toasted walnuts, Leibniz cracker crumbs, butter, and brown sugar. The nutty crust, quickly concocted in my food processor and baked for about 15 minutes prior to filling, was a beautiful complement to the earthy flavors of a spiced pumpkin pie!<br />
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The food all came together very nicely, with much of it prepared ahead of time, so that on Saturday I had time to relax before our friends arrived for dinner. In my quiet time, I reflected, again, on how far we've come in the last year and how blessed we are.<br />
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This is the spirit of Thanksgiving, so unique from other holidays, which I dearly cherish.<br />
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<b>Spiced Cranberry Sauce</b><br />
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The homemade cranberry sauce was a first for me and I was very pleased with the flavors and textures. The recipe was simple and I'll share it here for you (measures are estimates)....<br />
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</a>500g. fresh cranberries (about 3 cups?)</div>
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1 cup of light brown/raw sugar </div>
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1/2 cup white sugar</div>
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1/4 cup gelatin sugar (optional)</div>
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1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice</div>
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1 cup water</div>
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fresh orange zest</div>
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a cinnamon stick</div>
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2 anise stars</div>
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about 6 cloves</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla or a package of vanilla sugar<br />
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Put all ingredients in a pot and cook over medium-low heat for about an hour. Berries will soften and "pop." Stir regularly. Strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the whole spices and berry skins. Store the sauce in the fridge until ready to serve. The anise adds a mysterious and exotic hint to the flavor! If you want a whole berry sauce with more fruit pulp, you just need to be able to fish out the cloves, anise and cinnamon before chilling it, or spoon some of the fresh pulp back in after straining and ensuring that there are no spices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i9ZZ5g2Iw0_cs5V_9polMjTXDWWbxXHy387Lbkwt7OO8GHEPuCRvlJuI8DEsOVm9Axz6FSAlAESu-EzOPY6FmNeTjT_PMjZjAPuAwYlUlY4YXiUr-2QLlTSJF5OEWf4b9XNV2yJDWPPN/s1600/IMG_3977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-66053821812658022782012-11-15T10:00:00.000+01:002012-11-15T21:24:13.727+01:00Growing an International Family Through Exchange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a reunion with my host family October 2012</td></tr>
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Sometimes I'm not sure how to answer simple questions like "How many children do you have?" or "How many brothers and sisters do you have?"<br />
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Because in addition to my four biological children, and my two biological brothers and four step siblings, I have this large, extended, but closely-knit international family that won't fit on your average family tree and that many people have a hard time comprehending. This is my YFU family: Youth For Understanding.<br />
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With YFU, I have two exchange brothers in different countries (one where I lived as an exchange student in Germany, and one from Sweden who lived with my family in New York when I was a teen.) And then there are all my "daughters." These are the girls we hosted while we lived in Maryland. There are six whom we remain very close to, and a couple others we loved for a time, but for various reasons have not stayed in touch with.<br />
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<b>Seeds</b><br />
Twenty-five years ago I won a scholarship to spend a year going to high school and living with a host family in Germany. I could not, at that time, begin to comprehend how it would impact everything about the rest of my life. This is when the seeds were planted and my international family began to take root; where the rest of my life and family sprouted.<br />
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During my exchange year I lived on a small farm, in a very small village on the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein. When I arrived, I did not speak a single word of German. The language wasn't offered at my high school; I had only learned French. (I had wanted to go to France, but there were no scholarships there and my parents could not afford to send me on an exchange year. Desperate to travel, see the world, and meet new people, I grabbed the only chance I could get and applied for the Congress-Bundestag scholarship to Germany; close enough, right?).<br />
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My host brother spoke a fair bit of English, but honestly, we didn't get along too well at first. I was not what he had in mind when he asked his parents to host (the exchange organization didn't have any boys needing placement; so they got a girl - to my host mother's delight and my brother's chagrin). My host father spoke a bit of English, but worked 15 hour days on the farm. I spent most of my time outside of school helping my host mom in the house or garden. She did not speak a word of English. We both got very good at charades!<br />
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I am very grateful to my wonderful volunteer host family for taking me in. Despite not having much to spare economically, they were generous with everything they had, especially their patience and love. They taught me so much about their culture and language and helped me learn a lot about myself. We remain close today, and my host brother and I have built a strong bond.<br />
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<b>Tree Branches</b><br />
The amazing experience I had with Youth For Understanding inspired me to stay involved with the organization and share the love and learning with other young people. Initially, upon my return to the States, I got involved as an area representative. I worked to find host families for international students coming to the US, then mentored the students and families through their year together, lead cultural orientation sessions, and organized various outings and events in the community. I've now mentored about 50 students, some of whom I grew very close to and continue to stay in touch and visit with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Daughter Stefanie (Denmark 2001-02)</td></tr>
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After I was married, had a house and children of my own, we started hosting. This is when our family really began to bloom. My children grew up with older exchange siblings from around the world.<br />
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One great benefit of always having an exchange student in the house is that we placed a high value on doing things together as a family - going on day trips and establishing traditions to share with all of our children. When faced with the choice between doing yard work on a beautiful Saturday or taking the exchange student and our kids river rafting and for ice cream in historic Harper's Ferry, WV - well, maybe our garden was in bad shape, but our kids had amazing memories and learned a lot about the history of the area where we lived near Washington DC and Baltimore.<br />
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Every holiday was celebrated with enthusiasm as a chance to show off American customs to each new exchange student. Each year, we'd drag our students off to a tree farm to cut down the Christmas tree. We would take haunted hay rides at Halloween and carve pumpkins, color and hide Easter eggs in the Spring. The list goes on. Our exchange students brought endless adventures to our lives and helped us live fully and learn about ourselves, as well as about their cultures. Christmas cookie baking marathons included new recipes each year, brought to us by our exchange daughters from around the world. And my kids learned to say "please" and "thank you" in the languages of the kids we hosted each year.<br />
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<b>Flowers </b><br />
As my children reached their teens, it's no surprise they wanted to have their own exchange experiences. My oldest daughter won a summer exchange scholarship to Finland when she was only 14. (One year after she spent the summer in Sweden with my host brother's family!). Marissa had a fantastic host family as well, and we were very glad that her host sister could then visit us the following June. And last summer my son was invited to visit them (they also had a boy his age). We hope we will get the entire family here to visit us in Germany soon!<br />
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<b>Butterfly Garden</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Daughter Katja (Switzerland 2002-03)</td></tr>
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There's been a bit of cross-pollination from all these exchange experiences, in vastly different ways. I could tell a million stories. Several of our exchange daughters have met each other (during visits after their initial year) and become "international sisters." We've developed close ties with some of the natural families of the girls we've hosted. One year, on a trip to my husband's family in Hamburg, Alice (arrival student in 2000 from Munich) came up to visit us and brought her sisters. Another year, our Italian daughter (Tamara, 2005-06) also met us in Hamburg, with her parents and brother. And we've become so close with the family of our daughter, Janna (Germany 2004-05) that they took us all in when we first moved to Germany over a year ago. For two months they helped us find a place to live, look for schools for our kids, get the new house painted, buy appliances, figure out insurance, etc. There are no words for the generosity they bestowed on us - they were a life line!<br />
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<b>My Global Family</b><br />
So how many children do I have? ....<br />
I guess I have a heart full :)<br />
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Here are a few pics of my global family.... I love them all!!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With daughter Janna (Germany 2004-05) in Canada in 2006</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With daughter Tamara (Italy 2005-06) during a visit in 2008<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With daughter Viki before Prom (Germany 2006-07)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With daughter Inessa (Germany 2007-08)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With daughter Grethe-Marie (Norway 2008-09)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamara and her boyfriend visit while we hosted daughter Edith (Finland 2009)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janna and her boyfriend visiting in Summer 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjPZLy3hckokGwMe-PhI9znFqRlIE-pxHKQdcMdMk4O3Z98wiOuzmBgD-jndTBS2Zhahx1V4hTVukEE9jO-hNuOxt2RwmfCU3NZYTqF-5s7OH4Nx54HTww2iCawNKi9KPdXHElOhlr3MC/s1600/Girls_from_tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjPZLy3hckokGwMe-PhI9znFqRlIE-pxHKQdcMdMk4O3Z98wiOuzmBgD-jndTBS2Zhahx1V4hTVukEE9jO-hNuOxt2RwmfCU3NZYTqF-5s7OH4Nx54HTww2iCawNKi9KPdXHElOhlr3MC/s320/Girls_from_tower.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Sisters with Tamara and Alice (Germany 2000) in Munich 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-84650846200566168122012-10-21T13:05:00.002+02:002012-10-22T10:47:20.833+02:00Apologies! Life got in the way...So this is something of a travel smörgåsbord post; thinly disguised as an apology for having shirked my writing responsibilities for so long. You see, lately I've been way too busy living life to find time to write about it. I've drafted dozens of posts in my head while traipsing through the summer and early fall. But now sitting before an intimidating blank screen prepared to illustrate them in full-color glory, I hardly know where to begin!<br />
<br />
At the start of summer I took off for Munich, and wrote a review of that Summer trip slated "<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/07/summer-travel-first-up-munich.html" target="_blank">First up: Munich</a>" but then failed to ever report on subsequent forays. So here's a belated recap of some other summer adventures, with a couple teasers for travel posts still to come...<br />
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<b>Switzerland</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_XwYx-GLKaa_-jnctmHKf0FB-ZtrnR7eg8wtJd5hXz1Oy8FKJebc5BEuG1AhjEnKdR1xBVxjfnadLRYuRMOzw2Zeeiy6KfAQ6RYJidn9gvNkv7BsQSmWwg3beY6xBvRB2bMW39NZ4Zva/s1600/Kevin_Luzern.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_XwYx-GLKaa_-jnctmHKf0FB-ZtrnR7eg8wtJd5hXz1Oy8FKJebc5BEuG1AhjEnKdR1xBVxjfnadLRYuRMOzw2Zeeiy6KfAQ6RYJidn9gvNkv7BsQSmWwg3beY6xBvRB2bMW39NZ4Zva/s1600/Kevin_Luzern.JPG" width="320" /></a>In late July, we visited Lucerne, Switzerland with my <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/07/my-life-from-my-brothers-perspective.html" target="_blank">brother</a> and his family. I wish I had been able to capture better photos, but the weather most of the time was miserably cold and rainy. What I do need to share is that we took an awesome (albeit freezing cold and wet) excursion that, one day, I'd like to repeat under fairer skies and which I strongly encourage you to take if you find yourself visiting the Swiss Alps. It was the <a href="http://www.pilatus.ch/en/railway-cableways/golden-round-trip/" target="_blank">Golden Round Trip</a> to Mt. Pilatus. This tour involved a ferry ride across the incredibly beautiful, turquoise-blue Lake Lucerne, followed by a <strike>slightly scary </strike>spectacular ride up the world's steepest cog railway. Once atop the nearly 7,000 foot peak, you have the opportunity for some awesome hiking and sightseeing. Unfortunately, we couldn't see much, entombed as we were in formidable rain clouds. To descend the summit, the tour includes an aerial cableway ride part-way down, then you switch to smaller gondolas for the remaining trip to the foot of the mountain at Fräkmüntegg. A short bus ride then returns you to the starting point in Lucerne.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmIbtkLSP5MMb7Ov4q7fZ77pfy4g1Eap-vYjwAuMEp2Rc7ptQOmD7vhQPqrADd77-3syqlUJ8L9hZtBE72371DkO4hNUELD6nz_UewiXDo59JOpaPsY5yYrgCTgc6s0r7kBr248-_H4lP/s1600/Rhinefalls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmIbtkLSP5MMb7Ov4q7fZ77pfy4g1Eap-vYjwAuMEp2Rc7ptQOmD7vhQPqrADd77-3syqlUJ8L9hZtBE72371DkO4hNUELD6nz_UewiXDo59JOpaPsY5yYrgCTgc6s0r7kBr248-_H4lP/s1600/Rhinefalls.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another day trip in Alpineland included a boat ride to Europe's largest waterfall: <a href="http://www.rheinfall.ch/Rheinfall/Schnelle-Ubersicht-am-Rheinfall" target="_blank">Rhine Falls</a> and a hike through the town of Schaffhausen. This was nice, but if you've been to Niagara Falls, Yosemite Falls, or Viktoria Falls (among many other gorgeous river cascades) prepare to be unimpressed.<br />
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One of the more exciting adventures for the men in our group was a day of <a href="http://www.alpinraft.com/en/alpinraft/activities/canyoning.html" target="_blank">Canyoning in Interlaken</a>. Unfortunately, since the younger kids were too small for this, my soon-to-be sister-in-law and I got stuck taking the four little ones to a noisy, chlorine-filled indoor water-park. The kids loved it, we couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and crack open a bottle of red!<br />
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<b>Bavaria</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnOeszS-bHhgMD-uwha4TPPi6KktJO462oC1zvKVUdkXsSRdjouB7QsaLJG_iVEscNvYockahDfWcnt5fAI1sWa1NnIjQMCuOy-VtiEnvhRuco9H2GU1nEjZhmTiaVP4kKTGPbeastRqY/s1600/Karen_Castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnOeszS-bHhgMD-uwha4TPPi6KktJO462oC1zvKVUdkXsSRdjouB7QsaLJG_iVEscNvYockahDfWcnt5fAI1sWa1NnIjQMCuOy-VtiEnvhRuco9H2GU1nEjZhmTiaVP4kKTGPbeastRqY/s1600/Karen_Castle.JPG" width="320" /></a>We departed Switzerland after a few days and headed for the fairy-tale <a href="http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist/index.htm" target="_blank">Neuschwanstein Castle</a>. At least on this day, the weather gods blessed us so we were able to enjoy stunning views in the German Alps. Arriving too late to get tour tickets for the famous structure that inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle, we were able to tour the neighboring <a href="http://www.hohenschwangau.de/556.0.html" target="_blank">Hohenschwangau Castle</a>, where King Ludwig II spent his summers growing up and actually lived while building his dreamy princess palace. The tour was fantastic and I was really glad we did it. The rooms of the castle are richly furnished and the wall murals are amazing. We were able to get a sense of what life was like in the castle during the early to mid 1800s.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6tWqnhm_O-PfbnloLw-HkOHCzR4PWJKOwxYwoN5ki-d0Fri6KCNWckwu7DaHkmEO3kjaTQvMw2Q1KeBm6LAJasN0Bx0XkSD22go_FiMHDgsQlYGnStelUY22maPNEcqvBBUtjz1O5SfK/s1600/Hohenschwangau.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6tWqnhm_O-PfbnloLw-HkOHCzR4PWJKOwxYwoN5ki-d0Fri6KCNWckwu7DaHkmEO3kjaTQvMw2Q1KeBm6LAJasN0Bx0XkSD22go_FiMHDgsQlYGnStelUY22maPNEcqvBBUtjz1O5SfK/s1600/Hohenschwangau.JPG" width="320" /></a>The castle visit was followed by another trip to Munich so my brother and family could visit my daughters and experience a traditional German beer garden, among the other great sights of this historic city. Most of this rainy trip included the same points of interest I reported in the Munich blog post, minus the sunshine.<br />
<br />
<b>The Maldives</b><br />
The final trip of our summer was a three-week dream vacation to a tiny atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean - part of the Maldive Islands. That trip, which was a gift from my in-laws, is going to need its own blog post, so I promise to get one up in the next couple of weeks! Right now, I'm still sorting through the thousand photos we took and trying to assemble an album to give them as a thank-you present.<br />
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<b>Autumn Adventures</b><br />
Then summer ended, I <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/08/looking-back-on-year-birthday.html" target="_blank">celebrated my birthday</a>, and the first full year of my new life in Germany came to a sentimental close. School resumed and life moved on at a somewhat normal pace, with the expected highs and lows of kids continuing to adjust to a challenging situation. We were all grateful when fall break arrived. And with it, came a visit from the American grandparents. That, too, deserves its own post. So as soon as I gather all the photos from the various trips we took to the Baltic, to Belgium, along the Rhine, and throughout the Ruhr region, I'll get them up for you!<br />
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<b>Essen-Kettwig</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff_FUussLhQqStPaUliGTHwL7SgZ_lEtE7o6zeYoIg8zDIPuDvdKcIW0oB6ElJ-sH32MJtljuIG3zeUOZoJhpZCWgNnC6AJfLMVRWicJqjpkxq48GmmmddegfCjK48kd4o9pCdt_9jNgh/s1600/IMG_3858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff_FUussLhQqStPaUliGTHwL7SgZ_lEtE7o6zeYoIg8zDIPuDvdKcIW0oB6ElJ-sH32MJtljuIG3zeUOZoJhpZCWgNnC6AJfLMVRWicJqjpkxq48GmmmddegfCjK48kd4o9pCdt_9jNgh/s1600/IMG_3858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And as a side note on crazy adventures, last week, in the middle of the fall break, with the grandparents and rest of the family as witnesses, my girlfriends and I participated in the Essen-Kettwig Drachenboot Race. This was a huge amount of fun and definitely worthy of its own blog post, but since my co-conspirators <a href="http://kettwigefrau.blogspot.de/2012/10/out-of-puff.html" target="_blank">KettwigeFrau</a> and <a href="http://emmasexpatadventures.blogspot.de/2012/10/puff-magic-dragon.html" target="_blank">Expat Emma</a> already blogged about it, I'll refer you to their wonderful sites! (And they're religious about updating their blogs, so check in often and you might even learn more about what I've been up to).<br />
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So, apologies again for not writing in so long. One of these days I'm sure life will slow down enough for me to find no other excuse for blog-procrastination! Until then, I hope you all are enjoying adventures of your own!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-32050205854232012292012-09-24T20:32:00.001+02:002012-09-24T20:32:19.394+02:00Wanted: A Great Job!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iEnWan3RQp7sAWqpFy2Ccqi5Q_mRhvrTqL87wi0OY_tHarIreTqtqy_pztwAYiKheBwT7csaTIcLFIocCfyCJ-mi16z8l6N3r6O1FDm4gUBMHgFmab-jvJ0X2vw-NlXcYrq4O4mniXTB/s1600/greatjobsticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iEnWan3RQp7sAWqpFy2Ccqi5Q_mRhvrTqL87wi0OY_tHarIreTqtqy_pztwAYiKheBwT7csaTIcLFIocCfyCJ-mi16z8l6N3r6O1FDm4gUBMHgFmab-jvJ0X2vw-NlXcYrq4O4mniXTB/s200/greatjobsticker.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I've been in Germany for a year now and am feeling settled in. The kids are adjusting well. We've gotten their schools sorted out. I've found them pediatricians, orthodontists, eye doctors, sports clubs, and tutors as needed. They've made nice friends; and the initial transition drama has faded away. The household is set up, major appliances purchased, closets and shelves built, lamps hung, etc.<br />
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Life has returned to a normal routine for the family in most regards. But there's one big exception: I've not returned to my own career. Now that everyone else is taken care of, it's time to focus a bit of effort on my own needs.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
I've completed all the residency paperwork and obtained my German driver's license. I've built a network of wonderful, supportive local and expat friends, joined a book club, began some volunteer work with an exchange organization, and even held a mini-job for most of the last year, providing English tutoring and assisting faculty at the children's school a couple hours each month. But I need more.<br />
<br />
<i>I need a great job.</i><br />
<br />
<b>What's a Great Job?</b><br />
<br />
I am a subscriber to the philosophy "without dreams there is no need to work and without work there is no need to dream." I also believe I can pursue both work and dreams by doing what I love, and loving what I do. And that's what having a great job is all about. It's not about the money; that's just a nice by-product of a great job.<br />
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<i>A Great Job is one where I engage with a team of bright, fun people, collaborating on interesting challenges with ample opportunity to take my own initiative.</i> It's one where I can contribute to providing an outstanding product or service; where my unique skills make a difference in the success of the organization. It's also one where I can continually develop my skills by learning from great minds around me; where I respect and am inspired by the people I call colleagues, clients, and vendors.<br />
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<b>What Would I Do at a Great Job?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2h77w6mijQyVf_4TPLW0wCBBq7PtKzFt4VIQcRqQFtpsd8kYWhyphenhyphenOr3A22TPTNhd67B_F3gBp-_K7dG1d-EBw9I43wD1GAcjCdMpRDpnlgGHLhdzZ58NbCM6I4vZ-qN_EJK_1ZLjlvB78/s1600/Resume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2h77w6mijQyVf_4TPLW0wCBBq7PtKzFt4VIQcRqQFtpsd8kYWhyphenhyphenOr3A22TPTNhd67B_F3gBp-_K7dG1d-EBw9I43wD1GAcjCdMpRDpnlgGHLhdzZ58NbCM6I4vZ-qN_EJK_1ZLjlvB78/s1600/Resume.jpg" width="264" /></a>I cringe a bit each time someone asks me "<i>What do you do?</i>"<br />
The short answer is: I'm a Communication Professional. That's what my formal education prepared me to become and the essence of what made me successful in the positions I've held.<br />
<br />
But I've applied my communication skills in <i>very</i> diverse settings, often filling an undefined void in dynamic organizations. I connect the dots, build relationships, refine processes...make things work, or work better...<br />
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A little bit about my background and past Great Jobs...<br />
During four years of graduate school, I studied, conducted research, and taught classes in three communication fields: health, cross-cultural, and organizational. I worked extensively in local hospitals with resident physicians to improve psycho-social communication skills with patients from diverse cultures.<br />
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Then for nearly ten years I worked for an innovative Public Policy firm in Michigan. My titles included "Project Manager" and "Research Methodologist" but the responsibilities were rather broad and changed as the business grew. Our clients represented an incredibly wide range of fields including: education (charter schools and education voucher systems), work force development, small business economic impact measures, natural resource uses and tourism, health care policy, etc. The myriad of subjects in which I developed content expertise along with the opportunity to take on tremendous responsibility made it a really Great Job!<br />
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After moving to Maryland, I continued to consult for my previous employer and clients, but dedicated spare time to numerous non-profit organizations where I helped create major outreach and fund-raising events. The worthy causes I was able to promote (from an historic theater to international youth to a mental health association) and the fabulous volunteers and sponsors I dealt with made my freelance consulting a Great Job!<br />
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Eventually, I was asked to do some software testing at an interactive media firm that specialized in online education. The clients there were mostly large medical societies or science foundations. Being a small and dynamic firm, that role also grew quickly to include not only quality assurance but content management, project management, product support, client training, and technical documentation. I was constantly learning new technical skills and transferring that know-how to new situations. The fast-paced, cutting-edge technology environment paired with brilliant colleagues made that a particularly Great Job!<br />
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The common thread to success in these Great Jobs: a positive attitude with excellent communication and organizational skills and an ability to connect people and technology.<br />
<b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b><b>What Are the Tangible Benefits of a Great Job?</b><br />
<br />
Another question I cringe at: "<i>What are your salary expectations?</i>"<br />
A truly Great Job offers priceless intangible rewards: personal growth, professional development, job satisfaction, new friends, interesting travel, the ability to look forward to each new day at work with smart, fun colleagues.<br />
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Financial compensation is only one tangible benefit among several very important considerations. How flexible are the hours? How far is the commute? How much vacation time is available? Are there annual or performance bonuses? What kind of travel is involved? Are there company perks, such as a car, airline miles, conference attendance, or discounted products/services available?<br />
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The most important benefit I've had across all my Great Jobs: Fantastic "bosses" who offered a finely-tuned balance of flexibility, financial fairness, and fun on the job.<br />
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<b>Where Do I Find A Great Job?</b><br />
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I've been blessed to have most of these Great Jobs find me. The owners of the two firms where I've worked the longest were associates or friends who asked me if I could help them out on a project. Those part-time, temporary positions quickly evolved into very rewarding Great Jobs that I was sad to leave - but life moved me to new places. Most of my freelance work came to me through referrals. So now I'm building my network, meeting interesting and smart people, and trusting that with the right connections, another Great Job will come my way.<br />
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If you happen to know someone in the Essen or Düsseldorf area with a Great Job opportunity ripe for a vibrant bilingual communication professional, please, send them my way!<br />
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My professional data can be found on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmaduschke" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-34250739116019548732012-09-14T09:11:00.000+02:002012-09-14T09:11:22.996+02:00Pizza Culture: An International Culinary Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoAw24QFud5a_6TCP9W4Ue-SVlLGZr31xLqzUavs2VunIyXaCCKhzKIXP-7B3efXSNyqEnmQrD_6WvudCs9V1CHtOZX4aaaH0WF1f7Dd7KsgVoCwQuftMQuBj82vnOcsFlSrJOVW7dpuI/s1600/Pizza_Goa_Eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoAw24QFud5a_6TCP9W4Ue-SVlLGZr31xLqzUavs2VunIyXaCCKhzKIXP-7B3efXSNyqEnmQrD_6WvudCs9V1CHtOZX4aaaH0WF1f7Dd7KsgVoCwQuftMQuBj82vnOcsFlSrJOVW7dpuI/s320/Pizza_Goa_Eggs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The other morning I sat down to breakfast with the morning newspaper
and a flier for a local pizza delivery company fell in front of me.
One glance at the pictured specialties and I lost my appetite for the
eggs on my plate.<br />
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A large photo featured a pizza with hard boiled eggs,
broccoli, corn, and curry sauce! Seriously? Does anyone eat that? With a little imagination I can believe people might like curry sauce with chicken and pineapple on their pizza - but eggs and broccoli?! No. Thank. You.<br />
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Glancing through the Joey's Pizza ads, I found several combinations that challenged culinary couth. How would you like steak, asparagus, and Hollandaise sauce on thin crust? Feeling a little dull? Try the sharp edge of a "Pizza Hot Conchita" with spicy BBQ sauce, hamburger, bacon, red onions, Mozzarella, and chili peppers. And call the fire department.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2XVe4IXzAjdT70xV7rK68WfRsEN7JbEeZiGM_-QMvQYn9FHnhott03e_UANdDmrC-jBZe7rkLl4CBv9RV6Wk1ndAmJiFu_oRDIiCqfnx6qPPb7clDqVLEmnn9pyycr39q-gQuTbXuhKF/s1600/Pizza_Steak_Spargel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2XVe4IXzAjdT70xV7rK68WfRsEN7JbEeZiGM_-QMvQYn9FHnhott03e_UANdDmrC-jBZe7rkLl4CBv9RV6Wk1ndAmJiFu_oRDIiCqfnx6qPPb7clDqVLEmnn9pyycr39q-gQuTbXuhKF/s320/Pizza_Steak_Spargel.jpg" width="320" /></a>Flipping through more pizza menus, I had a flashback to the first meal I shared with my host
family in Germany as a 16-year old Congress-Bundestag
Exchange Student. The day I arrived, they took me to a festival along the
beach near our home on the Baltic Sea, then out for dinner at a local Italian place. Since I didn't speak any German, I opted for the first thing I was certain I understood on the menu: Peperoni Pizza. I really couldn't understand why my host brother seemed so surprised and asked me if I was sure that was what I wanted. Until it sat before me. I quickly discovered to my horror that "peperoni" in German is not at all the same as "pepperoni" in English. Rather, in Germany, this is a hot green chili pepper. If you want the traditional American pizza topping, then you need to order "Salami." I've tried to warn unsuspecting tourists about this, but it never fails that visiting friends forget, and order a pie full of hot peppers.<br />
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After seeing the flier with hard boiled eggs on pizza, I jumped online and surveyed my Twitter friends for the strangest pizza toppings they've found outside the US. I got some interesting feedback! Here are a few of the oddities people have encountered around the world:<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqAu4d4hKUTopjo1ddStHMaPw12i5WHbRHIyXi5Py-us5Z8fCwvYm4inKu7eM8axIYNeFPhfJybTPC7zzPhbFGMjtKbfscJ6I9pke9ImQbQt9WbmkAQ5k_-AcpZfTazmwqVyIrrhejNJa/s1600/Pizza_Scharf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqAu4d4hKUTopjo1ddStHMaPw12i5WHbRHIyXi5Py-us5Z8fCwvYm4inKu7eM8axIYNeFPhfJybTPC7zzPhbFGMjtKbfscJ6I9pke9ImQbQt9WbmkAQ5k_-AcpZfTazmwqVyIrrhejNJa/s320/Pizza_Scharf.jpg" width="245" /></a>
<li>Dönerfleisch (shaved seasoned lamb similar to that used for Greek Gyros) with onions, peppers, and tzatziki (a cucumber and garlic-based yogurt sauce).<br /></li>
<li>Tuna fish, shrimp, salami, spinach, and garlic.<br /></li>
<li>Mixed seafood (including octopus, mussels, shrimp, and clams) with garlic.<br /></li>
<li>Pineapple, ham, and onions (although I've often seen this "Hawaiian" combination in the US, too).<br /></li>
<li>Turkey, artichokes, and onions.<br /></li>
<li>Olives, sardines, capers, Feta cheese, spinach, and garlic.<br /></li>
<li>Smoked salmon, spinach, peppers, and garlic.<br /></li>
<li>Eggplant, spinach, broccoli, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and artichokes.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I can be adventurous with food. So I'd be willing to try a few of these, but some topping combinations are just too much of a challenge to my open-mindedness.<br />
<br />
What are your preferences for pizza? Anything you've seen that made your stomach turn over? I'd love for you to share your thoughts and experiences!<br />
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Photo Credits & Disclaimer: all photos are from advertisements for Joey's Pizza in Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany. Joey's has not sponsored or endorsed this blog in any way. I have not actually tried any of the mentioned pizzas.~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-35276339658679315942012-08-29T17:29:00.001+02:002012-08-29T22:45:41.174+02:00Girlie Breakfast: Expat Bonding at its Best<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8kW96eU6VfWUG6GsiFt-RuFkRio_CEJEuzEbrZzKX2hfivOLaqnXn_ZD-tne2rs48OB-YaCdDK849fO_Xhpzz2NEE9N1FTew-hxupnuSvV0JWlH5rG70PtWS3as4sQr6aD2i0ZZ4NXMD/s1600/Front_Entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8kW96eU6VfWUG6GsiFt-RuFkRio_CEJEuzEbrZzKX2hfivOLaqnXn_ZD-tne2rs48OB-YaCdDK849fO_Xhpzz2NEE9N1FTew-hxupnuSvV0JWlH5rG70PtWS3as4sQr6aD2i0ZZ4NXMD/s320/Front_Entry.jpg" width="320" /></a>About once a month, I eagerly run the kids off to school, kiss the hubby goodbye, and race out the door dressed up pretty for "Girlie Breakfast." This morning was one such occasion.<br />
<br />
But it was special, because the expat bonding celebrated at these gatherings was extended to a new girl, and in a way, it was for me an example of friendship coming full-circle.<br />
<br />
Less than a year ago, I was the lost and lonely "new girl" in town. Then I was invited to my first Girlie Breakfast. Nothing in the world could have done me more good at the time, as I was wallowing in the "overwhelmed new expat" blues.<br />
<br />
It started with Rachel, a lovely British woman I met at an Expat Quiz Night (via MeetUp). Rachel reached out to me, the newcomer, and welcomed me to join her and a group of her friends the next morning at a beautiful little boutique and cafe very close to my home (<a href="http://www.villa-landleben.de/" target="_blank">Villa Landleben</a>). I was a bit apprehensive about going, but also desperately in need of connecting with other women, especially anyone who could relate to my experiences as a mom in a foreign country. So I went.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnXvNfM0iH08SdrxkvbT30ZHh3wbuo7d4ZF6o8YbvObFYAALIk3xPs3k-G4ytOVM8-3zlT7BvwzCsJOEolRnhcu9mp3FBez30WQXNqzw0lL-qrVTD6D3msV_lZGkRExbH_f7nuAkQ27J7/s1600/Yummy_food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnXvNfM0iH08SdrxkvbT30ZHh3wbuo7d4ZF6o8YbvObFYAALIk3xPs3k-G4ytOVM8-3zlT7BvwzCsJOEolRnhcu9mp3FBez30WQXNqzw0lL-qrVTD6D3msV_lZGkRExbH_f7nuAkQ27J7/s320/Yummy_food.jpg" width="320" /></a>And it was one of the BEST things I ever did! During the two or more hours we lingered over lattes and a splendid breakfast buffet, we talked and laughed like I hadn't done in months.<br />
<br />
I left that first Girlie Breakfast feeling, for the very first time since moving to Germany, like everything was going to be ok. I was so grateful for the warmth and easy friendship of this group of near-strangers. They made me feel like part of a family and gave me perspective and hope. Over the next half year or so, I learned their individual stories, the reasons they came to Germany, the reasons they stay. Each month the group in attendance at breakfast may vary between 5 and 8 ladies who manage to get there between jobs, kids' appointments, household repairs, etc. In total, there are about a dozen women in the group. Each one is very different - who knows if we would even be friends in other circumstances. But here in this little corner of Germany, being expat moms is a pretty powerful common bond.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNg5gYz6sqrG8pvfWb6PKAhLKhyg1Wygraiaf64rb9g2W3KCs8hgLsF4s9sBYJnSne5FkD5gQmmiBSNlRvOGnFgccrGiHQ6SsHLBBj3KWYl4Wn5QeL-21ibAnDcu_3n0zDbZ36PU2JxK-/s1600/Centerpeice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNg5gYz6sqrG8pvfWb6PKAhLKhyg1Wygraiaf64rb9g2W3KCs8hgLsF4s9sBYJnSne5FkD5gQmmiBSNlRvOGnFgccrGiHQ6SsHLBBj3KWYl4Wn5QeL-21ibAnDcu_3n0zDbZ36PU2JxK-/s320/Centerpeice.jpg" width="239" /></a>My new girlfriends, who hail mostly from the UK and US, all call this country "home." None of the women in this particular circle of expats are here on a temporary basis. Some, like me, are married to Germans. Others have expat spouses, too, but their children were either born here or have lived here long enough that it is the only place the kids feel at home; so the parents have put down roots and decided to stay for the long-term. I think that makes this group unique from many expat communities. And it makes it the perfect fit for me. I feel enormously blessed to have found them!<br />
<br />
Now I am able to "pay forward" the tremendous gift Rachel gave me, when she extended that first invitation to breakfast....<br />
<br />
Last night I was at a German Parent-Teacher Meeting for my son's 8th grade class. It was the first one I attended at his new school and I didn't know anyone. But then I realized the woman sitting behind me (the only one who had brought her child to the meeting) was whispering in English with her daughter. My son had mentioned a new girl from South Africa had joined their class. And she didn't speak ANY German. And they just moved here. Over the last week he'd mentioned the new girl and her family a few times and I was already feeling a bit sorry for their apparent struggles, never having met them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4Ekn-W_GxPj21EtAzJmg8PrvTDFaHBqb-uxE1dvouPrR5cOa-Uwpue1-H9tn3AnQ4Ll0DGmpR88434BMfVKPVYvljfV0nRlGThbva_ygipKNiCdHy-kcA7lZeirDGpqCudeX2vGTmmBn/s1600/Coffee_bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4Ekn-W_GxPj21EtAzJmg8PrvTDFaHBqb-uxE1dvouPrR5cOa-Uwpue1-H9tn3AnQ4Ll0DGmpR88434BMfVKPVYvljfV0nRlGThbva_ygipKNiCdHy-kcA7lZeirDGpqCudeX2vGTmmBn/s320/Coffee_bar.JPG" width="320" /></a>I leaned over and asked them if they were new to the school. Bingo. I introduced myself as the American whose son had just come to school mid-way through last year, and we proceeded to chat and pass notes in the back of class like "bad kids" :)<br />
<br />
I couldn't help but invite her to breakfast. I knew EXACTLY how she felt. So this morning, I swung by her apartment on my way to Girlie Breakfast and took her to meet the best expat group there ever was. And just like they had done for me, they welcomed her with open arms. By the end of breakfast there were hugs for the new girl and offers of any help she needs. She was so grateful. So relieved. And I know exactly how that felt for her, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvrwgetWsZ4gAovtl1RKfC7bwjSk0h5bZjLJz5BHdWkUJiVjzr-MzKI5bjeRL74IG9uDuzgw1YYDHFKhfqUYmmkDb42rlBZ1NZSXRYraP8_ZrhUoekIgO7KOaPu9cMzWvglnuYQBrJiSt/s1600/Cashier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvrwgetWsZ4gAovtl1RKfC7bwjSk0h5bZjLJz5BHdWkUJiVjzr-MzKI5bjeRL74IG9uDuzgw1YYDHFKhfqUYmmkDb42rlBZ1NZSXRYraP8_ZrhUoekIgO7KOaPu9cMzWvglnuYQBrJiSt/s320/Cashier.jpg" width="228" /></a>She has a very tough year ahead for herself and her family. But every month or so, we've got Girlie Breakfast.<br />
<br />
In between, we've got good old-fashioned Girlfriends (and Quiz Night, and Book Club, and Birthday Cocktails, and lots of other excuses for getting together!).<br />
<br />
And like they did for me, these Girlfriends will do for the new girl: We've got your back. Welcome to the Girlie Breakfast Club!<br />
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~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-35632632639888254932012-08-22T22:11:00.000+02:002012-08-22T22:16:46.164+02:00Looking Back on a Year: Birthday Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PjUh2YEjMFULydIgTIItVib3bHFA1GYIORLoYpwsvjviCEF4Upi-N7F1oqBcKSX65YIG7uHBIP07rYpmplRU8ES1Qf4ATzyZH6Qp0OJk2KSeRRzeJyJGm3DiVhmNxtZtkdffFa-s9Iua/s1600/HappyBDay_sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PjUh2YEjMFULydIgTIItVib3bHFA1GYIORLoYpwsvjviCEF4Upi-N7F1oqBcKSX65YIG7uHBIP07rYpmplRU8ES1Qf4ATzyZH6Qp0OJk2KSeRRzeJyJGm3DiVhmNxtZtkdffFa-s9Iua/s320/HappyBDay_sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday I celebrated my 43rd birthday. The day was fantastic, and I'll get to that in a moment. What is important for me now is that it marked an occasion to review and evaluate the last year. This past year has been, hands down, the most difficult year of my life. It was filled with tears, heartbreak, frustrations and desperate moments. But I made it through, and recently have found more frequent days of hope and happiness. So on this particular birthday, I had a lot to celebrate. Here's a little recap of the incredible 12-month journey.<br />
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<b>Flashback Beginning August 2011</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFNtQUd9w3opYtDaHbyJSQJflqh0mwtkzIlDs2rgNA3uDpI_7hxIyKnHWXRRRLPj5_JetCrqPCMSKgO4dqIPAYwUkLaT7HFuUqhrk0B3we7hRkAQq41BISpe_g6M93ZmjM-NnsxF4ejlc/s1600/MovingTruck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFNtQUd9w3opYtDaHbyJSQJflqh0mwtkzIlDs2rgNA3uDpI_7hxIyKnHWXRRRLPj5_JetCrqPCMSKgO4dqIPAYwUkLaT7HFuUqhrk0B3we7hRkAQq41BISpe_g6M93ZmjM-NnsxF4ejlc/s200/MovingTruck.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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On August 1, 2011 I signed the papers closing the sale of my beautiful home in Maryland where our family had lived for eleven years. Several days earlier all the contents had been packed onto a 40' container and sent ahead to Germany. My kids had also departed for Europe and were staying with their grandparents on the Baltic Sea. My husband and I remained with friends for a few days to settle affairs and say our goodbyes.<br />
<br />
On August 4th we flew to Hamburg, stayed for a night, then drove to North Rhine-Westphalia, where, during a house-hunting trip a few weeks earlier, we had made an offer and begun the contract process to buy a house in Essen. We were expecting to finalize the deal and move in within a week or so.<br />
<br />
However, after arriving in Essen, we learned that the person with whom we had negotiated the house purchase did not possess the appropriate inheritance paperwork required for him to legally sell it (<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/03/housing-crisis-double-edged-sword.html" target="_blank">The Housing Crisis</a> post). For the next several weeks, we were left in limbo: homeless with our container sitting in port storage amounting massive daily fees as we had no place to unload our household goods.<br />
<br />
With the start of school looming and the prospect of finding a home looking impossible, I was sure I had made a monumental mistake by moving my children overseas. I had no way to provide for them, no place for them to live or go to school, not even access to their clothes and other things we shipped. I had failed them and was already desperately homesick. By my birthday at the end of August one year ago, I was severely depressed.<br />
<br />
By the grace of God, we found a rental home in September and things started to look up. The house was under renovations, had no lights or kitchen, but we had a permanent address and were reunited with our belongings. The kids started school and by end of October we had completed unpacking, had phone and computer lines, and a kitchen (<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/05/kitchens-closets-and-light-fixtures.html" target="_blank">Kitchens, Closets, and Light Fixtures</a> post).<br />
<br />
In November, I was feeling very lonely, had not really made any friends yet, and was still homesick. As the new year arrived, one child was struggling so badly in school that we had to move him to a different school system. All the children were overworked with school, tutors, and social adjustment in a new language and culture (<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/04/helping-teens-transition-to-school-in.html" target="_blank">Helping Teens Transition</a> post). I was overwhelmed trying to support them and feeling isolated. Most of the time, I hated being in Germany. The incessantly cold, rainy weather didn't help.<br />
<br />
But as Spring approached I connected more and more with some friends I made through the Expat community (<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/05/expat-resources-meeting-new-people.html" target="_blank">Expat Resources</a> post) and a couple parents from the kids' friends. I was able to get out more socially, began exercising regularly (<a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/05/i-will-walk-1000-kilometers-fitness.html" target="_blank">Will Walk 1000 Kilometers</a> post), kept busy with a part-time tutor job, and began blogging for personal therapy :)<br />
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Summer came, the kids all passed their classes, my brother and his family visited from the States, and then we ended the year with an amazing dream vacation to the Maldives (more on that another time).<br />
<br />
<b>A Year Later: August 21, 2012</b><br />
<br />
Then yesterday was my birthday. Just over one year since we moved. And it was a wonderful day from start to finish. Two nights ago I met up with a German girlfriend early in the evening - just wanting to catch up after not seeing each other most of the summer. Claudia made a wonderful salad that we enjoyed with a couple bottles of wine outside on her beautiful roof-top terrace. We had such a great time and talked so long that it was suddenly midnight, and we ushered in my birthday with a toast to all that I've survived in the last year and hope for a much better next year. I went home very reflective of what a significant year it has been.<br />
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When my children awoke me early yesterday, they had set the table outside for breakfast, decorated my place with the red <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/04/you-are-special-celebrating-ones-we.html" target="_blank">You Are Special Plate</a>, gone to the bakery for fresh Brötchen, and made my coffee. I was regaled with funny home-made cards and thoughtful gifts. Later in the day, I was ready to get moving and set out on what has become my "usual route" for an 8k jog. It was the first time I had been able to do that in at least 5 weeks and it felt good to return to "my woods" and "my river." I was acutely aware of how these places felt like part of me, and that I was feeling at home and even missing Mülheim after my absence. Wow.<br />
<br />
For dinner, we grilled burgers and again were able to eat outside because the weather, in a rare streak, has been sunny and warm all week. This might have been the best birthday present :) But my celebration didn't end at dinner. After calls from three different German friends to congratulate me, I headed to a favorite local beer garden and restaurant where six of the wonderful Expat women who have become among my closest comrades in this adopted homeland treated me to an evening of cocktails, conversation and fits of laughter! (Special thanks to Emma, Julie, Rachael, Rebecca, VeDonna, and Verena for a fantastic, fun evening!)<br />
<br />
<b>Final Reflections</b><br />
<br />
I suppose its true that time heals all wounds. And sometimes it doesn't even take as long as we might think. A year ago, my heart and soul were deeply wounded. Today, I am well on my way to a full recovery. I feel grounded and even happy. I'm aware of my abundant blessings. And thankful for my life.<br />
<br />
Happy birthday to me... and many more :)~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-41272792557440022082012-07-13T14:36:00.001+02:002012-07-13T14:36:49.119+02:00My Life from My Brother's Perspective?In less than 24 hours, my "kid" brother, his significant other, and their combined five children arrive in Germany for a 2-week visit. I'm very excited to see them all and to welcome them to my new home and my new country.<br />
<br />
But as I've been cleaning the house, shopping, planning day trips in the region, and otherwise preparing for their stay, I find myself wondering what my brother will think of my life here. What differences will he notice; what rituals will he find odd? How will he judge me and my life compared to what he used to know?<br />
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Will my brother be surprised that our one fridge is half the size of either of the two we had in Maryland? What will he think when he sees that we now buy milk and juice in little 1-liter paper boxes, rather than mega 1-gallon plastic jugs?<br />
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I suspect he'll find the scale of many things here - including our house and yard, to be much smaller than he expects.<br />
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Will he notice that none of the windows or doors have insect screens?<br />
<br />
I expect my brother might be startled when we're sitting around the
living room in the evening and electric shutters over all the
windows roll down automatically and entomb us in secure darkness :)<br />
<br />
<br />
Will he wonder why there are two buttons above the toilet for flushing (will he ask what's the difference between them)?<br />
<br />
Will he be surprised that the towels, which we hang dry after washing, instead of using an electric dryer, are a bit stiff and scratchy - as opposed to the super soft-fluffy towels we always had in the States?<br />
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Will my brother miss breakfasts of pancakes and waffles and bacon, as we gather around a table of bread rolls and jams, cheeses, honey, and Nutella?<br />
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He already knows we now have only one car, rather than two, having ditched the mini-van before we moved, but will he be surprised when he realizes how much and how far we walk everyday? Or ride our bikes? What will he think that the kids ride trams and trains to meet their friends in neighboring cities?<br />
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When we head out, will be be surprised that we pay for use of public toilets? That we need to put a coin in the grocery cart? Or bring our own bags to the stores?<br />
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<br />
I look around at the life I have here, which is starting to feel normal and familiar, and wonder what will be strange about it to my brother? <br />
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But no matter how odd and out of place things may seem, one thing will be very much the same: I'm still the big sister and he's my grown up baby-brother :) And I can't wait to see him!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com2Mülheim, Germany51.4309558 6.880746151.3517588 6.7228176 51.5101528 7.0386745999999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-70473214123997178742012-07-10T21:06:00.000+02:002012-07-10T21:06:43.571+02:00Summer Travel - First up: Munich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer is here! Well, sort of. The calendar says it's summer. And finally the schools have capitulated and released our kids for six weeks. The weather...well that's still holding on fiercely to a cool rainy spring program. Nonetheless, with the young ones out of classes, it's time for our travel season to begin! First up: Munich.<br />
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My oldest two children are getting a bit cheated this summer. They have to spend the first three weeks of break in a different kind of school: intensive language camp. They moved to Germany as high-school aged teens and were dumped into a traditional Germany college-preparatory in the manner of "sink or swim." Although they were made to repeat a year of school in the name of "catching up" with the language, it was evident at the end of the academic year that they still needed a lot more help improving their vocabulary and strengthening grammar. Understand: they did amazingly well under the circumstances, passing all of their classes and maintaining in some cases better grade averages than their German peers. But they want to and can do better. So we enrolled them in a program through the <a href="http://www.humboldt-institut.org/german-language-courses/" target="_blank">Humboldt-Institut</a> that offers 30 hours per week of intensive German language training to kids aged 15-18 years old. The camp operates out of a Youth Hostel in Munich, so we drove them there this weekend to drop them off.<br />
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It was a great chance to tour the beautiful city, spend quality time with my girls before their camp started, and visit with two of our former <a href="http://www.yfu.org/" target="_blank">YFU exchange daughters</a>. Despite grim forecasts, the weather in Munich cooperated beautifully for our visit and both Saturday and Sunday we were graced with a fair amount of sun and moderately warm temperatures (low to mid 70'sF or 22-25C).<br />
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Since Saturday was the first day of Summer Break for North-Rhine Westphalia, we set out by 3:30 am to beat the anticipated heavy traffic. It was well worth it, as we made the drive straight through in about six hours, arriving in time to meet our Italian daughter, Tamara, for breakfast (she had taken a bus up from South Tirol, also getting in about 9:30am). We indulged in scrumptious Nutella-filled French toast at the lovely <a href="http://www.rischart.de/index.php?entryid=48" target="_blank">Richart Cafe in Marienplatz</a> - I highly recommend it! - with perfect views over the square to the Town Hall with its famous musical clock tower (Rathaus-Glockenspiel)<b>. </b>After breakfast, we got out in time to watch and listen to the Glockenspiel which plays for about 15 minutes every day at 11am (and a few other times each day during the summer). <br />
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We then spent the next 4-5 hours walking off the gluttonous meal while devouring the magnificent architecture of the city. We visited the Asamkirche, the Frauenkirche, the Residenztheater, and the Stadtsoper, among many other places. The pictures here don't do these incredible structures any justice - you must see them yourself!<br />
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By mid-afternoon, we needed to rest and were prepared to take in more delicious tastes and sights, so we returned to the city center and snagged awesome seats on the terrace of another Richart establishment: the <a href="http://www.rischart.de/index.php?entryid=49" target="_blank">Cafe on Markt</a> in the Viktualienmarkt. Here we sampled traditional <span class="st">Kaiserschmarrn (cut-up sugared pancakes with raisins and apple sauce). Yummy! Must. Do. More. Walking.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Next we headed to our hotels to check in and clean up (we'd now been up since 2am and were starting to turn a bit Zombie-like). We walked out to the Best Western near the main train station (Bahnhof), where our Italian daughter had a room, and then trekked clear to the other side of town where my family was staying at the Marriott Residence Inn closer to Ostbahnhof (east side of town). Both hotels were very nice and I can recommend both, although I was a little more comfortable on our side or town. The area around the main train station is diverse and lively :) </span><br />
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<span class="st"> After showers and fresh clothes, and band-aids on our blisters, we decided to drive to the Englischer Garten and substitute Beer and Pretzels at the Chinese Tower for dinner. I'm afraid the pictures from that evening escapade are not suitable for publication ;) Needless to say, we all had a great time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgUcLXDFtND2JbGNpazsLRvm8DDY4BaRNGvdGNNqAOUMjHAACh8LRlFWNs2XI0sRZqkmtLP82aaTo09-sUmshVLdsWuYGDx4NOj09RNNR9N5pFMxj2mRlj8Zy-XMwlXGyuGo2Kf1Ag_LN/s1600/Cafe_view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgUcLXDFtND2JbGNpazsLRvm8DDY4BaRNGvdGNNqAOUMjHAACh8LRlFWNs2XI0sRZqkmtLP82aaTo09-sUmshVLdsWuYGDx4NOj09RNNR9N5pFMxj2mRlj8Zy-XMwlXGyuGo2Kf1Ag_LN/s320/Cafe_view2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="st">Sunday we were up and at 'em early again, as we had breakfast reservations at another amazing Marienplatz restaurant: The <a href="http://www.cafe-glockenspiel.de/" target="_blank">Glockenspiel Cafe</a>. Ok, after this trip, I need to join a gym, because I'm not sure the intense kilometers of walking are enough to cover the calories we consumed! At least my half avocado filled with shrimp salad and accompanied by massive amounts of fresh fruit was a healthier option than the French toast with bacon :) </span><br />
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<span class="st">Again, this place should not be missed on a visit to Munich - but do make reservations; they serve the breakfast menu until 4pm, but also have lunch and dinner menus. We chose to sit outside, since we'd already witnessed the Glockenspiel - but if you want a view of the Town Hall (Rathaus) then ask for a table inside.</span><br />
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Right after breakfast, we went over to St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) and spent the best Euro and a half per person you can possibly invest in Munich! After a vigorous workout climbing more than 300 narrow wooden steps to the steeple pinnacle, we were rewarded with the one of the most beautiful panorama views in Bavaria. On a clear day, you can see from St. Peter's beyond the other church spires to the majestic Alps.<br />
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It was incredibly windy at the top, and we were rather winded from the climb, but after catching our breath, we snapped some breath-taking photos! (How many cliches can I use in one sentence?)<br />
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Reluctantly we eventually made our way down from the tower and headed back to the Englischer Garten. On such a beautiful day, we knew we'd find surfers at the <a href="http://www.eisbachwelle.de/category/river-surfing/" target="_blank">Eisbachwelle</a>. I'd never seen river surfing before and thought this was pretty cool. On our way there, we gawked at the naked sunbathers and stopped to take free lessons in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacklining" target="_blank">slacklining</a> from a few kids who were practicing in the park. All new and fun experiences!<br />
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Detouring through Hofgarten on our way back, we were serenaded with a fantastic solo Cello performance. That was easily worth another Euro investment :) We also visited the Ludwigskirche, where our German exchange daughter from summer 2000 was recently married to her Swiss love.<br />
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Finally, we met up with a group of friends at Munich's oldest continually-operating cafe: <a href="http://www.tambosi.de/1/1/index.htm" target="_blank">Luigi Tambosi</a> near Odeonsplatz. Here we lingered for a few hours over Aperol Spritzes and other cocktails, just enjoying the balmy weather and the company of good friends before delivering the girls to language camp and driving back to Mülheim.<br />
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The entire stay in Munich was less than 34 hours, but we managed an impressive array of sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences. Still, there is much more to be discovered and I'm looking forward to returning in a few weeks when camp is over and my brother is visiting with his family, as well!<br />
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Anyone have suggestions for my next Munich adventure?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UDVfsQA3tSrL74alBcGNu4goj1Q-HT_0ycJySioNKYoQayK2SytwF2ft5wuYWTvd6ztuYlYpp1qS6fboorvz3BcCbcDrLIEHIu5W5GV0qbY3-5kpFIKIoMBrlgO9oshfRMy9w2TyzhVY/s1600/Biergarten_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UDVfsQA3tSrL74alBcGNu4goj1Q-HT_0ycJySioNKYoQayK2SytwF2ft5wuYWTvd6ztuYlYpp1qS6fboorvz3BcCbcDrLIEHIu5W5GV0qbY3-5kpFIKIoMBrlgO9oshfRMy9w2TyzhVY/s320/Biergarten_sign.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com1Munich, Germany48.1366069 11.577085147.967062399999996 11.2612281 48.3061514 11.892942099999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-22628901340467632162012-07-04T16:00:00.003+02:002012-09-18T17:21:05.927+02:00Happy Birthday America, With Love from Germany!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Often it's the holidays that are the hardest for an Expat. We miss celebrating traditions with our family and friends from "back home." But these can also be a wonderful opportunity to connect with new friends in an adopted country. So while today is a huge national holiday back in the United States, while merely an ordinary school and work day here in Germany (we're not even out on summer break yet!) I'm making the most of it all week and enjoying sharing a little American history and culture.<br />
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With summer holidays starting next weekend, we chose to ignore German taboo and celebrate early. So last Sunday, July 1st, we decked the house out in full patriotic flair with red, white, and blue streamers and flags hanging from all the windows and eaves and lining the drive to clearly announce that Americans live here. <br />
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We put up a tent, strung bright balloons everywhere, with lots more flags in the backyard, set out decorated tables and chairs, and invited over 50 friends from our German neighborhood and the local Expat community - meaning Brits and Singaporeans and Scots, as well as other Americans.<br />
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I had spent weeks hunting down patriotic paper ware and decorations from
Internet stores. I scrounged up classic recipes and calculated metric
conversions and figured out ways to improvise on missing ingredients. (They don't sell blue Jello in Germany!).<br />
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I also spent way too many hours compiling a "patriotic play list" of
music for the party. Of course it included classics like Springsteen's
Born in the USA, Mellencamp's ROCK in the USA, and Greenwood's God Bless
the USA. But my kids also contributed modern hits like Redneck
Woman from Gretchen Wilson, Party in the USA from Miley Cyrus and a
Beyonce version of God Bless the USA. <br />
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While grilling cheese burgers and hot dogs, served with BBQ baked beans, various salads, chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies, and Jello shots, we clarified that this was a celebration of our country's independence from Great Britain and not the end of the American Civil War (some Germans had a heated debate about that!) <br />
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We were thrilled that nearly all of our guests, without prompting, dressed in red white and blue - one enthusiastic guest even had the US Flag painted across her face! It was brilliant (despite the Union Jack flag on her shirt)! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv45j-4a4DzmIN4rvuCFgOu-Vlzc8Y_gg4ywhVy2OWJSLChltivnSghP5eXFNXKY5AX_rGfGOJJ7ur3_-vz8K4oRmGXWzHV_jL8KFBPYImF28HpEWAI7VurgvrcgBLtHTUEOVbqEBEUlf/s1600/Jaz_2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv45j-4a4DzmIN4rvuCFgOu-Vlzc8Y_gg4ywhVy2OWJSLChltivnSghP5eXFNXKY5AX_rGfGOJJ7ur3_-vz8K4oRmGXWzHV_jL8KFBPYImF28HpEWAI7VurgvrcgBLtHTUEOVbqEBEUlf/s320/Jaz_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We were very lucky the typically miserable weather played nice and we enjoyed a beautiful sunny day. Lots of kids came, and it was fun to listen to their exchanges in "Denglish" (or "Germish") as they played - since all of the kids present were fully bilingual in English and German.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8VlIHN6aHZOYMRsp3qbNtNgrMtxPsAMfpLxsEB01l3n8QiX_iI8sUYf5kGJ4Y7hCEt8yJ42AFDjJXk6y1ZdP4Eon4jOMsRDpRABt9xbFS4iiFY3IcAO54VGcVwSdwGXZBcU-JZ1BVBI2/s1600/Sergey_patriot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Two of the American women who joined us have lived in Germany for at least 10 years, married to German men with kids born here. I had met each of them incidentally through businesses they own locally. While I didn't know either very well, I thought they might enjoy a taste of home and invited them to celebrate with us. I was very excited that they came and had a great time. Both have written this week to tell me how great it was to connect after so many years with other Americans and to eat foods from home (like Rice Krispie treats!). It made me feel good to offer them a bridge to their native culture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8VlIHN6aHZOYMRsp3qbNtNgrMtxPsAMfpLxsEB01l3n8QiX_iI8sUYf5kGJ4Y7hCEt8yJ42AFDjJXk6y1ZdP4Eon4jOMsRDpRABt9xbFS4iiFY3IcAO54VGcVwSdwGXZBcU-JZ1BVBI2/s1600/Sergey_patriot.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8VlIHN6aHZOYMRsp3qbNtNgrMtxPsAMfpLxsEB01l3n8QiX_iI8sUYf5kGJ4Y7hCEt8yJ42AFDjJXk6y1ZdP4Eon4jOMsRDpRABt9xbFS4iiFY3IcAO54VGcVwSdwGXZBcU-JZ1BVBI2/s320/Sergey_patriot.jpg" width="300" /></a>Today it was a bit sad to pack the kids off to school (like it was on Thanksgiving Thursday, as well). But they each wore their patriotic colors and took some American treats to share with school friends. One son prepared all the ingredients for homemade buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and cooked breakfast for his class!<br />
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And tonight we have our monthly Native English Speaker Quiz Night, where the Quiz-master has promised an appropriately-themed array of questions. He's sent us some warm-up items and I'm afraid my chances of winning at this one are rather slim, but I know it will still be fun!<br />
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Can you answer these?!<br />
<ul>
<li>Which president's pet parrot had to be ejected from his funeral for screaming obscenities at mourners?</li>
<li>Which president, when short of funds, offered White House china as the ante in poker games? </li>
<li>Eleanor Roosevelt made news in 1939 when she served what dish to visiting King George VI and Queen Elizabeth?<br />
</li>
</ul>
Anyway, lesson of the week has nothing to do with American history, but everything to do with attitude. As long as it is a holiday in our heart, then it can be a happy occasion!<br />
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Happy Birthday, USA, with lots of love from Germany!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credits for most shots: Viki Behm, our German exchange daughter (06-07) who drove up from Passau to spend the weekend celebrating with us! Oh the joy of throwing a party and being surrounded with the laughter and love of family & friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-24821330377800485382012-06-26T17:09:00.003+02:002012-06-26T17:44:29.103+02:00Love Happens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DzMFBw408SNpp31MlXKs-vH_sP8esUc-iCDv6J8yCrnQOh3zwVckVoviX6H4DZ6TNIrS9SSWNfHahKtw_iisOuCHxUVt5RIhgIOwHEFnD3Z9IeRp50xkBhTlqHYtsD1tm_aZnrBv6KcV/s1600/Anniversary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DzMFBw408SNpp31MlXKs-vH_sP8esUc-iCDv6J8yCrnQOh3zwVckVoviX6H4DZ6TNIrS9SSWNfHahKtw_iisOuCHxUVt5RIhgIOwHEFnD3Z9IeRp50xkBhTlqHYtsD1tm_aZnrBv6KcV/s400/Anniversary.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>In the summer of 1989 I had a market research internship at a multinational company in Hamburg, Germany. I didn't have much to do after work during the week, as my friends were up in Kiel and I could only visited them on weekends. One day a friend of the family I was living with stopped by to visit them. He was kind of cute and close to my age. He invited me to join him and his friends to play billiards. Sure, I thought, why not?<br />
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Billiards twice a week with a group was soon supplemented with walks in the park, dinners, an occasional night out dancing. We had a good time.<br />
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I was heading back to the States at the end of August and was just ending a long-distance relationship I'd been in for a couple years. I didn't want another overseas boyfriend. <br />
But he and I had become good friends and since he didn't need to start his college classes until October, he decided to return to the States with me for a few weeks. Why not? We had fun together, why not hang out for one more month?<br />
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He returned to Germany in the fall and life went on. We stayed in touch. He wrote letters. Lots of letters. OK, he wrote a letter everyday we were apart for the next two years. Yes. EVERY. DAY. I still have the boxes of hand-written notes on pages of tissue-thin airmail paper. Maybe we've got something here?<br />
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On breaks from college, we visited each other. Then, April 28, 1992, he took the big leap, packed a large military-style Duffel bag, his computer and his stereo, and arrived in the US with an open return ticket. He thought he might stay a year. Or 20....<br />
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On June 26, 1993 I married my best friend. We've walked a long winding path together. Four kids, eight international exchange daughters, three apartments, three houses, two states, two countries, a German Shepherd, and countless good friends have all been on that path, so far....<br />
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Yeah, I think we have something here. We have fun together. We work well together. Why not hang out another 20 years or so?<br />
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:)~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-24840655512163992152012-06-19T15:16:00.001+02:002012-06-19T15:19:20.521+02:00Tropical Treat: Pineapple Upside Down Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My boys love the <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/04/candy-coated-celebrations-kitkat-cake.html" target="_blank">KitKat Cake</a> I described in another post, but my oldest daughter prefers the fruity sweetness of my tropical pineapple upside down cake. This is also very simple to make and looks pretty. A friend recently suggested you might even make it with pears instead of pineapples, and I agree, that could be quite tasty, too - I'll have to try it soon and let you know.<br />
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I make my pineapple upside down cake in a large skillet. I like to soak the fruit in spiced rum. Usually, I make it with crushed pecans, but here in Germany those are harder to find, so I recently substituted chopped hazelnuts and they were great. I also like to add shredded coconut to the topping, but had to skip that on this latest version.<br />
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The recipe below is converted into metric for my European readers*. I am happy to provide the American recipe using good old-fashioned cups and teaspoon measures to anyone who comments that they want it :) <br />
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Here's the basic recipe - as always, feel free to improvise!<br />
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<b>Ooey-Goey Super Yummy Topping:</b><br />
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150 g. butter<br />
250 g. brown sugar (if you can find the moist, dark brown kind available in the US - that's best!)<br />
a few dashes of cinnamon <br />
dash of clove<br />
dash of nutmeg<br />
200 g. chopped nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds)<br />
<br />
50 g. shredded, sweetened coconut (optional)<br />
Large can of pineapple in juice (you can use sliced or diced - different looks but both taste great)<br />
cocktail cherries (optional)<br />
raisins or dried currents (optional)<br />
Dark Rum (optional, but so good!!)<br />
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Drain and save the pineapple juice. Soak the fruit in about 100 ml of rum (spiced rum is my favorite). Take a sip for yourself. Melt the butter in the bottom of a large, round saucepan. Sprinkle in the brown sugar and spices. Layer in the pineapple, then any other fruit and the coconut (if using). Some people like to layer whole rings of pineapple. I often prefer crushed pineapple for maximum flavor. On this occasion I spiraled half rings around the pan. Please, do play with your food - decorate your upside down cake any way you like!<br />
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<b>Moist and Delicious Pineapple Rum Cake:</b><br />
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60 ml dark rum (you can use what's left from soaking the fruit, if you didn't drink that already)<br />
60 ml pineapple juice (reserved from the can)<br />
75 ml buttermilk<br />
250 g flour<br />
2 TL baking powder (10 ml)<br />
1 TL cinnamon (5 ml)<br />
1/4 TL nutmeg (1.2 ml)<br />
1/4 TL salt (1.2 ml)<br />
dash of clove <br />
100 g butter, softened<br />
200 g light brown sugar<br />
3 eggs, room temperature<br />
1 EL (15 ml) vanilla extract (liquid) or 2 packs vanilla sugar<br />
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In a small bowl, combine the rum, pineapple juice, and buttermilk. Whisk flour, baking powder, and spices in another bowl. Cream the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour mixture with the sugar mixture in thirds, alternating with the liquids.<br />
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Slowly pour the batter over the fruit topping in the skillet. Bake in a 175 C or 350 F preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. <br />
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Place a large serving plate over the skillet and invert the pan. Let the
pan rest upside down on the platter for at least 5-10 minutes, so all
the warm gooey topping can settle onto the cake. When you remove the
skillet, if there is still topping stuck to the pan, then gently remove
it with a rubber spatula and either replace on the cake or lick the
spatula clean :)<br />
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<b>Enjoy! </b><br />
<br />
*BTW: I found a wonderful <a href="http://www.traditionaloven.com/tutorials/conversion.html" target="_blank">cooking measures conversions</a>
page online, that can convert from all sorts of American measures of
volume to European measures of weight by ingredients like butter, flour,
sugar, and oats. I have this bookmarked and reference it all the time!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-87766265752620150902012-06-07T13:52:00.003+02:002012-09-18T17:21:38.906+02:00A Few More Things to Know About Germans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecb1DVkbly4L31cU3DduHpBJn1bdRuutw4i7Cf8Y2qMGsNZgb8bq2WYfMg6WlaEYAyL3iHbqoSSruGi5OmsIZO3gbY5MVbY1Sj6QkqQlLvct-PusjCnZ0a6xiimsCwOBjZXwqPJGRTONI/s1600/Love_Germans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecb1DVkbly4L31cU3DduHpBJn1bdRuutw4i7Cf8Y2qMGsNZgb8bq2WYfMg6WlaEYAyL3iHbqoSSruGi5OmsIZO3gbY5MVbY1Sj6QkqQlLvct-PusjCnZ0a6xiimsCwOBjZXwqPJGRTONI/s1600/Love_Germans.jpg" /></a></div>Building on the incredibly accurate and witty list <b>What I Know About Germans</b> compiled by Liv of <a href="http://a-biglife.com/" target="_blank" title="A Big Life">A Big Life</a> and recently published by <a href="http://www.uberlin.co.uk/what-i-know-about-germans/" target="_blank" title="Ueberlin">Überlin</a>, here are some more things you should know about Germans… A to Z. (I tried not to duplicate, so be sure to check out the original list!)<br />
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A. They have an apprenticeship program for everything. Don’t think they got that super-efficient supermarket checkout system mastered by hiring high school students for part-time jobs, no those are highly trained “Auszubildene” supermarket checkout professionals. Pretty much every service and retail job is a trained profession requiring a 3-year apprenticeship. <br />
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B. They keep beautiful, perfectly manicured lawns (gardens) despite the fact that anytime one is off work and thus has free time to mow and weed the lawn, it is a crime to do so because…<br />
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C. Sundays are holy days of obligatory lounging and recreation and… <br />
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D. Saturday early mornings, mid-afternoons, and late evenings are equally off-limits for any work, particularly which might cause a sound or smell that could potentially disturb a sensitive neighbor.<br />
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E. Speaking of neighbors, Germans strongly endorse the phrase "fences make good neighbors" and have very strict laws on the placement and maintenance of fences, which surround every perfectly manicured lawn/garden in Germany. <br />
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F. Windows should be open almost all the time. Upon entering a classroom or office, or as soon as one awakes at home, if windows are not already opened, Germans must thrust them open and declare the need for "Luftung." Even if it's below freezing and, as usual, raining. <br />
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G. During required Sunday quiet-time recreation, everyone must go for a walk. No matter the rain, Sunday afternoon is time for a "Spaziergang." Bike rides are an acceptable alternative, but....<br />
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H. Germans never bike on a a designated walking path. Doing so will get you a fine, which can actually count against your driver's license if you have one. Bikes may be ridden on bike paths or the street, and....<br />
<br />
I. ...only if said bike is properly equipped with working lights and a bell. There will be an inspection, a test, and all other matter of formal paperwork processing to ensure that every bike in Germany meets all safety standards.<br />
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J. Given that it rains 80% of the year, they are amazingly adept at scheduling lawn maintenance and other chores around both inclement weather and obligatory quiet times. This goes back to their perfect planning and preparedness skills.<br />
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K. Like banks, pharmacies and doctors' offices are closed mid-days for lunch, Wednesday afternoons, and, of course, on weekends. So make sure you only get sick or allow your children to develop a fever during standard work-hours.<br />
<br />
L. And if you or your child does get a cold or sprain an ankle, expect to be excused for at least a week from work or school. Illness or injury of any degree is taken quite seriously and requires one be “Krankgeschrieben” from work and/or school for an appropriate period of recovery. (Probably because it took a week to find an available doctor or pharmacy).<br />
<br />
M. Germans love sun-soaked vacations (of course, the weather in Germany is dismal!). They flock to amazing beach resorts every year in a mass exodus during the Autumn and Spring breaks, at which times there's a greater population of German tourists in Mallorca, Ibiza, the Maldives, Grand Cayman, Antalya, Crete, Hurghada, etc, than any other nationality or the native inhabitants. <br />
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N. Like their lawns, their cars are also cleaned and polished to sparkling, despite the constant rain and required work-free timezones. It’s a federal crime to drive a dirty car. (I’m pretty sure)<br />
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O. OK, really, everything is always clean and polished. The garden, the car, the house, the boots. Germans have a penchant for cleanliness – I believe they place it not next to, but <i>above</i> godliness.<br />
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P. Germans are pretty trusting. I suspect they believe everyone plays by the same rules of fairness to which they subscribe. It's not uncommon to order products, books, etc. and have them delivered to you before payment, with a bill sent separately. They never seem to worry that one might fail to pay the invoice.<br />
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Q. Cash is king in Germany. They may not worry about you paying the bill, but they do worry you might overextend yourself on credit. Very few places accept credit cards. Cash and debit cards MAYBE, but even these are not accepted at a great many places. Be prepared to pay even for the delivery of your new washing machine and refrigerator in cash -even if that's up to a 1,000 Euros.<br />
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R. Oh that refrigerator. It does not come with the house. Nor does the kitchen sink, cabinets, or counters. Kitchens being a matter of personal preference, expect to find nothing more than an empty room with a pipe sticking out of the wall for water hook-up in your new apartment or house. Kitchen sold separately.<br />
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S. Light fixtures, too. Germans take everything not made of brick and mortar out of the house when they move. So bring your own ceiling lamps or the switch on the wall is worthless.<br />
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T. German employers request a lot of personal information. As well as your actual birth date, you must include a photo and your marital status on your resume. Do NOT smile in your resume picture. Smiling makes you very suspect.<br />
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U. German elementary schools are only a half day. Before fifth grade, it's rare for kids to be in school past 13:00 and more common for them to be home before noon. The recent introduction of "Ganztagsschule" or all-day school, basically provides after-school homework help but not full day instruction. But that's OK, because the super efficient German teachers can easily convey everything the super smart German children need to know in half the time other countries need to educate their young-uns.<br />
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V. Germans are dedicated to their sports teams. In fact, public viewing of National Soccer tournaments is one of the only occasions when all noise, smell, and light-restricting ordinances are lifted, and revelers may party in public as long and loudly as they wish to support the home team.<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/AVvXsEip81dn87selOtAIsW7Hyq_ofeY07d2x2CXWnf49YWNgr0mGL-t0VGqP9-KR5xXBPQxz-e67bQg385t-kNCh3qyhK2mK71Mz52FcVl3Tsyd8Th1s6J-Y8Tzp17A-dmqqiv3bs67yQfs3EOL/s1600/Germany_fans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip81dn87selOtAIsW7Hyq_ofeY07d2x2CXWnf49YWNgr0mGL-t0VGqP9-KR5xXBPQxz-e67bQg385t-kNCh3qyhK2mK71Mz52FcVl3Tsyd8Th1s6J-Y8Tzp17A-dmqqiv3bs67yQfs3EOL/s320/Germany_fans.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Germany Fans cheer the U19 Women's LAX World Championship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>W. Germans are meticulous about recycling (dedicated to the preservation of the environment). There's an appropriate bin for every type of waste. Plastics and tin in one. Biodegradable food or yard waste in another. Glass, paper, etc. the "trash" bin is the smallest by far and to be used only for items that can't possibly be sorted into one of the other five waste baskets you have in the kitchen pantry. Expect to be fined if the trash collectors find the wrong refuse in the wrong bin.<br />
<br />
X. Until you are a friend you are a “Bekannte” maybe even a “Gute Bekannte” but that translates to (close) acquaintance and should not be confused with a friend.<br />
<br />
Y. They chose their friends very carefully. Do not presume to be friends with someone you’ve only met a few times, no matter how friendly the interactions were (This only makes you a Bekannte). It takes time to build a true friendship, but then you’ve got it for life.....<br />
<br />
Z. Because of their dedication, trustworthiness, reliability, preparedness, value for recreation, regard for fairness, etc... (see points A through Y): Germans make awesome friends! <br />
<br />
Dedicated to my amazing German friends :)~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-41627383871412458702012-06-05T11:30:00.000+02:002012-06-05T14:52:52.667+02:00Cutting for Stone: Book ReviewI recently completed the novel <b>Cutting for Stone</b> by Abraham Verghese.<br />
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Set primarily in Ethiopia, the book is narrated by central character Dr. Marion Praise Stone. Born conjoined with his identical twin brother in a Mission Hospital, Marion never knew his biological mother, a young Indian nun who died in childbirth. His British-born father, presumably consumed with grief, fled the same day. Thus the boys were adopted at the mission by close friends of their parents who gave them a wonderful childhood and raised both boys to be brilliant doctors. <br />
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Complex events involving love, war, and politics ultimately force Marion to flee to the United States after medical school. The story picks up as the reader is drawn into the life of a foreign-born medical intern in a poor inner city New York hospital. Here, Marion has a chance encounter with his biological father, for whom he harbors a great deal of anger. But he is haunted by a promise to his beloved adoptive father. Ultimately, Marion seeks out the senior Dr. Stone and also determines to trace his mother's story from her roots in India to her death in Ethiopia. In the exploring and telling of his parents' story, he is forced to confront his own story, and come to terms with his life and relationships, learning about love and forgiveness.<br />
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I admit, it took me a long time to get into this book. I found the prose at times to be too elaborate and I was bored by what seemed to be unnecessarily long descriptions of the scenery and to some extent, of the political situation in post WWII Ethiopia. It was honestly a chore to read and nearly 200 pages in, I almost gave up. But something about the story intrigued me and by time I was a little more than half way into the novel, I was deeply hooked, fascinated, compelled not only to read to the end, but to go back and immediately re-read the first several chapters. Then I wanted to read everything I could about the author and Ethiopia - so moving was the story once it fully unfolded.<br />
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Despite the difficult beginning, this book has so many elements of a great story - blending history, politics, culture, and medicine with self-discovery, a love story, mystery and adventure. I really loved the book and would recommend it.<br />
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Four out of five stars.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Stone-Abraham-Verghese/dp/0375714367/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338809855&sr=8-1">Amazon book link</a>~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-61942581555411603752012-06-04T12:31:00.000+02:002012-09-18T17:21:38.901+02:00Multicultural Celebrations: The Brits are Fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZaWF6skAaWq-X3wITFaT2Ddz56ioEVDeQhCMxuGaCYzMPy7YhkchUOE5klJ-MXMR4JmiQg8n2sfKWBOloCfBgeLzL68JJzVUb942vuVipMjFArnJI3kZpNZEnbT-f-nVDVzJ-IjFBlA/s1600/Jubilee_table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZaWF6skAaWq-X3wITFaT2Ddz56ioEVDeQhCMxuGaCYzMPy7YhkchUOE5klJ-MXMR4JmiQg8n2sfKWBOloCfBgeLzL68JJzVUb942vuVipMjFArnJI3kZpNZEnbT-f-nVDVzJ-IjFBlA/s320/Jubilee_table1.jpg" width="239" /></a>Joining an expat community here in Germany has led to lots of interesting new experiences. Many of my "local" friends are actually British - not what I expected when I moved to Germany, but it's been a whole cultural experience of itself. The Brits are much more fun than this American ever gave them credit for. <br />
<br />
I'm learning a whole new English language (who knew "crackers" were little packages that snapped and not something you eat with wine and cheese? And don't even get me started on the misunderstanding about what a "Pantomime" is!). These are some of the things I've learned during the group's monthly Native English Speaker Quiz night. I'm apparently not as native a speaker as I thought, since I can hardly understand half the things my British friends say. Forget the Aussies, South Africans, Scots, Singaporeans, and others who share some form of The Queen's tongue...<br />
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Thanks to the Brits, I've also had the chance to try new culinary treats (marmite, anyone?) and this weekend, I indulged for the first time in a cocktail I'd never heard of, that apparently is a big hit with folks on that little island across the North Sea: Pimm's Cup. I wish I could tell you exactly what <a href="http://www.anyoneforpimms.com/" target="_blank">Pimm's</a> is, but as the bottle says, only six people know the secret recipe! Evidently, it's a gin-based, herb-spiked, 50-proof alcohol that is typically blended with Ginger Ale, cucumber, strawberries and mint to make a long drink. Mysterious, but very tasty. <br />
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I've had two recent opportunities to try this new concoction. The first was a slightly bawdy Eurovision party hosted by my friend, Emma. As with the cocktail, I'd never heard of the song contest when I was living in the the land of Stars & Stripes. (OK, I didn't have a TV and wasn't even familiar with American Idol, so all's fair). The guests at the Eurovision fete were all asked to represent a participating country and come in costume (or at least national colors) and bring an international dish to share. Representing Azerbaijan, I had a tough time coming up with a recipe I could prepare from local ingredients, but I did manage to create something that had a hint of Mediterranean flavor. In another post, I'll share my Caspian Chicken Kabobs and Baklava. The party was lots of fun, with most of us gathered around the TV, sampling from the amazing smörgåsbord (wish I had photos, but major fail on this one) and cheering our favorite contestants. I do think Germany was totally cheated. Roman Lob is pretty hot. And he can sing. Just saying :) Still, the party was great fun, and I'm grateful to the UK gal pal who hosted and all those who brought yummy munchies and taught me about the Russian Grannies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcRseS2SdSYXD7Pf-d0zO3mmcKkbZDnfJYP5kJ8grGnuz4xXAi11IW0cS_Ye67dfEjxrDHUC_9iySzeWLFAhayPWpC3ADSWRuYOmEnnn838jSKG3h-JlsvYyfPBCxZ9yGnWk7xH5NJ4y2/s1600/Jubilee_table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcRseS2SdSYXD7Pf-d0zO3mmcKkbZDnfJYP5kJ8grGnuz4xXAi11IW0cS_Ye67dfEjxrDHUC_9iySzeWLFAhayPWpC3ADSWRuYOmEnnn838jSKG3h-JlsvYyfPBCxZ9yGnWk7xH5NJ4y2/s320/Jubilee_table2.jpg" width="320" /></a>My next Pimm's party was a royal celebration of yesterday's Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth. The lovely Verena held an all British Bash at her place, which she had decked out to the 9's in red-white-and-blue swag. Seriously, the entire house was draped in bunting and balloons! It was suppose to be a garden party, but the Queen couldn't just let it rain on her parade - she sent the storms through North-Rhine Westphalia to demonstrate the extent of her reign ;) Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time, providing our own sunshine and lots and lots of CAKE. I've never seen so much cake outside of a bakery. There were cupcakes, and carrot cake, and apple cake, and lemon cake, and strawberry cake, and my white chocolate cheesecake (I'll post that one day, too) and a few others I'm not even sure of. Thank God I'm not diabetic!<br />
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And thankfully, there were some nom nom savory items as well to counter the sugar coma. We enjoyed traditional English sausage rolls, dainty cucumber and other tea-type sandwiches, and deviled eggs with lox & caviar.<br />
As with the Eurovision event, we gathered at times around the telly to pity the poor drenched and cold but fine-looking Royal Navy boys and admire the incredible grace of The Queen. Despite the miserable conditions of the day, the Brits home and abroad sure know how to celebrate.<br />
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Really, I think the best thing about living in Germany might just be my very fun British friends! Who knew? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6-hNdn0T8SLImrRGClucQZ5IcmpyQeJUddCcFPdpFovJUfPjmEEvxgoO52tGo9b8gNs6doaPJNmN4rV8Z1vYPJJMa7eN_7gRyIl_PqOwMNR-XZdvEt-mgPpQHg02fmPtfCbJJMtpQni/s1600/crown_cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6-hNdn0T8SLImrRGClucQZ5IcmpyQeJUddCcFPdpFovJUfPjmEEvxgoO52tGo9b8gNs6doaPJNmN4rV8Z1vYPJJMa7eN_7gRyIl_PqOwMNR-XZdvEt-mgPpQHg02fmPtfCbJJMtpQni/s320/crown_cake.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QHAi-rjEfiKsfokQ-SeyWdslzjoGLaFD38edd0zn6SvK3fBrf6ZQWLtOalZjQx61ZPp6DEe7LEUveA2HvUDEtFXbQkrZ1dQIss6sI4WWtk-qjHyYla-o67pkTuxN8N5uhcN7pOncBeD3/s1600/British_reveler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QHAi-rjEfiKsfokQ-SeyWdslzjoGLaFD38edd0zn6SvK3fBrf6ZQWLtOalZjQx61ZPp6DEe7LEUveA2HvUDEtFXbQkrZ1dQIss6sI4WWtk-qjHyYla-o67pkTuxN8N5uhcN7pOncBeD3/s320/British_reveler.jpg" width="213" /></a>~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-42669237488886080112012-05-30T14:04:00.002+02:002012-05-30T14:04:52.365+02:00I Will Walk 1000 Kilometers: Fitness Goal 2012Confession time. I have gained six kilos in the last year. That's about 13 US pounds. UGH.<br />
<br />
The stress of the move contributed largely to emotionally-fueled eating, a bit of over indulgence in medicinal wine, and very poor sleep patterns, which, all combined, have taken a heavy toll on my hips and my overall health.<br />
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One of the major side effects of the weight (and stress) has been the advancement of early arthritis, especially in my spine and feet. My extra lumbar vertebra (I have six instead of the usual 5) is inflamed and causing a great deal of pain. I've seen a half dozen doctors and been prescribed massive amounts of anti-inflammatory meds and been advised to go to physical therapy for strengthening my lower back. But obviously, the best solution would be to lose weight.<br />
<br />
I know all about good nutrition. I could teach a class on it. Healthy foods have always been staples in my diet... I love fresh vegetables and fruit (baby spinach, avocado, tomato, apples, bananas). I eat lean protein of mostly poultry, fish, and nuts, with rare indulgences in red meat. I try to curb the carbs and eat almost no white bread or pasta, but I confess German Brötchen are too tempting (even though I stick with whole grain varieties). I very rarely consume processed/canned foods and watch my sodium levels.<br />
<br />
My biggest weaknesses are WINE, CHEESE, and CHOCOLATE. Given my otherwise healthy diet, I find it grossly unfair that I can't freely enjoy these treats, when I have skinny friends who never think twice about what they eat. So. Unfair.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, a couple months ago I committed to limiting even these and would say I generally have the "diet" part of healthy living under control. So the deficient part of the equation is exercise. It's hard to get motivated to exercise when you're in pain and seriously lacking sleep. But this is what I must do. My body is conditioned for and requires it. I grew up as a dancer, training for many hours a day through my youth. Just a few years ago I was running regularly. I used to be extremely fit, strong, and flexible. Sadly, that is no longer the case.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQWpuKvf8D42dR0V3SRjKeVvdwawwFpLve77xvfZ4hyphenhyphenhyl95oa8Djt6LUwqRYixrmZDozFjTMKLHfVOgHdRmQEp2LuMcfz0b4iMIOun3xlx9eELKP8eLTEa5bVMD6-b0oIkoEkzUS5lR1/s1600/sneakers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQWpuKvf8D42dR0V3SRjKeVvdwawwFpLve77xvfZ4hyphenhyphenhyl95oa8Djt6LUwqRYixrmZDozFjTMKLHfVOgHdRmQEp2LuMcfz0b4iMIOun3xlx9eELKP8eLTEa5bVMD6-b0oIkoEkzUS5lR1/s1600/sneakers.JPG" /></a></div>
So in February I downloaded a new iPhone app (<a href="http://www.runtastic.com/" target="_blank">runtastic</a>) to help me track my walking pace and distance. Then, in mid-March, I decided I needed to do more than just track my exercise, I needed specific goals. I ran some numbers, employed a little math and logic, and determined that it was entirely realistic to walk 1000 kilometers in a year. This is only 20 km per week, for 50 weeks - it even allows the standard American 2 weeks of vacation :) More precisely, I only need to walk about 5 km 4 times per week, or 4 km 5 times per week. You get it - not terribly much.<br />
<br />
Still, I managed to get behind pretty early on. March rained non-stop. April I was traveling for 2 weeks. So come May, a reality check meant I needed to "haul butt" or give up.<br />
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I. Do. NOT. Give. Up.<br />
<br />
In the last two weeks I logged over 80 km to get myself back on track for my goal. And here I am. Week 15. As of this morning, over 300 km trekked at a steadily increasing pace, so that I now frequently jog more of my route than walk it. I'm on track now for getting to 1000 km!<br />
<br />
Still, the scale has not budged since I began this regimen :( I remain well over a healthy weight. Not sure what to do next. I should add weight training, but find that very VERY hard to do on my own. I know I am getting stronger and generally feeling better. The joint pain is kept mostly in check with anti-inflammatory meds and movement. But I sure would like to fit comfortably into my summer frocks and feel confident in a swimsuit. Joining a gym would be fabulous, but out of budget. So, hard as it is, I think I need to set some goals for sit ups, squats, and hand weights. Last ditch efforts will be further limiting my dearly loved wine and cheese.<br />
<br />
Anyone want to set some goals with me and join me in my personal fitness challenge?<br />
<br />
At least, wish me luck :)<br />
And enjoy some pics of the beautiful Ruhr region that I get to explore as I walk 1000 kilometers this year.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEhuWMyUDtkdYlQ6ExDKslZt09VZLwfC381HAPfTWQOo4h255pcIgWSkD7OYlYYC_A7DnT8TFJgrV2z2Buaci9sEiVFtNs-9emGe6XIJQFUO6X8OBo9DlI-z-XdZpm7LfQMgxUj-9eh_Wn_q/s1600/WalkinWoods1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWMyUDtkdYlQ6ExDKslZt09VZLwfC381HAPfTWQOo4h255pcIgWSkD7OYlYYC_A7DnT8TFJgrV2z2Buaci9sEiVFtNs-9emGe6XIJQFUO6X8OBo9DlI-z-XdZpm7LfQMgxUj-9eh_Wn_q/s320/WalkinWoods1.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I start my route on beautiful wooded trails</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCYuABNjj9Gd0ei5KLP_0SJWubUSRjg8xgP8jIAxB6r9kdC4S4P9jmuIcLUQJqqcG29nZsrBugFhMxXKd-h18UGQ-BeUd709S3dtdv4mboEtKsxg9dr-0cCgKrNNb3mvyjehdL64p8TCA/s1600/WalkinWoods2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCYuABNjj9Gd0ei5KLP_0SJWubUSRjg8xgP8jIAxB6r9kdC4S4P9jmuIcLUQJqqcG29nZsrBugFhMxXKd-h18UGQ-BeUd709S3dtdv4mboEtKsxg9dr-0cCgKrNNb3mvyjehdL64p8TCA/s320/WalkinWoods2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing babbling brooks and peaceful ponds</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_8buUZbzyEyE8n8YT_4UOSTxN403OrjFFYyG7dcB1mlaB5HD3tb1OeNqzEWDzyVbgMZWMVSvBEyL6EJeQ7g5ByoLYGy3bJZ6-XJNVU6iIjpFnVQH1JAK4lPmP0TJqRbOTcgUqM23l6MQ/s1600/RuhrReflection1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_8buUZbzyEyE8n8YT_4UOSTxN403OrjFFYyG7dcB1mlaB5HD3tb1OeNqzEWDzyVbgMZWMVSvBEyL6EJeQ7g5ByoLYGy3bJZ6-XJNVU6iIjpFnVQH1JAK4lPmP0TJqRbOTcgUqM23l6MQ/s320/RuhrReflection1.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And continue along the lovely Ruhr River</td></tr>
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<br />~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-54819371067072798112012-05-23T15:12:00.002+02:002012-05-23T21:55:29.348+02:00Bitten: I've been MeMe'd Now, tooLast week I got an interesting note from a fellow expat blogger, Diana, at <a href="http://www.raisingexpats.com/" target="_blank">Raising Expats</a>. She had tagged me in a meme blog and challenged me to carry it on. Since I'm fairly new to the blogging world, I was unaware of memes passing through the community. If you're also a little late to the game, a meme is "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture" and here's <a href="http://thedailymeme.com/what-is-a-meme/" target="_blank">a meme primer</a> for you. <br />
<br />
Diana, an American raising two young children in Germany, replied to a series of questions sent to her, and then penned her own for me and ten other lucky bloggers to oust ourselves with, whilst passing the baton to yet another set of bloggers. It's blogging chain mail. But no one promised me 10 years of luck if I participated, nor threatened me with gross bodily harm if I broke the chain. And since I'm feeling game today, I'll play along.<br />
<br />
<b>First, here are THE RULES as shared with me:</b><br />
<ol>
<li>You MUST post the rules. </li>
<li>A<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">nswer the questions the tagger sent for you in the post, and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you've tagged.</span> </li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">Tag 11 bloggers, however, you can break the rules and tag fewer people if you want. </span><span style="color: #222222;">Make sure you hyperlink their names/blogs.</span> </li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">Let them know you've tagged them!</span> </li>
<li>Have fun!</li>
</ol>
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<b>Now, here are Diana's questions for me, along with my ADMISSIONS and CONFESSIONS :)</b><br />
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1. What is the craziest thing you've ever done that you will admit to online? <br />
<i>I jumped out of an airplane! A few years ago I went parachuting and it was the most amazing, exhilarating experience! </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfP-MHpkK5XZJAryWNtfjgyLKh9gcT_fizS2Y-CzYrzVqjyxJtEtCwkg9cPE6kkFqc5QUzvdMNx1ma7cVdUiWuio3evPiHoOXBoef_59rI3rM1rXORmN8dUDO4QO2eYH7vuKT4Mwhk82n/s1600/Freefall12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfP-MHpkK5XZJAryWNtfjgyLKh9gcT_fizS2Y-CzYrzVqjyxJtEtCwkg9cPE6kkFqc5QUzvdMNx1ma7cVdUiWuio3evPiHoOXBoef_59rI3rM1rXORmN8dUDO4QO2eYH7vuKT4Mwhk82n/s200/Freefall12.JPG" width="200" /></a>2. Are there any choices you would have made differently knowing what you know now? <br />
<i>I’d like to think not…everything in life is a lesson, good, bad, funny, sad....Learn from the past, but keep your feet and smile forward. </i><br />
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3. What is your earliest childhood memory?<br />
<i>My grandfather entertaining me and my brothers with magic tricks, like pulling a quarter out of my ear. Gramps died when I was 16, during my exchange year. Still miss him. </i><br />
<br />
4. Was there one event in your life that changed everything?<br />
<i>Definitely: Winning the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship to Germany and heading off to a host family and school in a country where I did not speak a single word of the language was a life-changer in every way. </i><br />
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5. Have you ever had your heart broken?<br />
<i>Very much so</i>. <br />
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6. Ten years ago, did you think you would be doing what you are doing today? <br />
<i>Not sure any of us can really imagine what we’ll be doing in 10 years, but living in Germany was not off the radar.</i><br />
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7. Follow up on Q6, what did you think you would be doing 10 year ago?<br />
<i>Ten years ago I was living in Maryland, pregnant with my fourth child, and on a brief hiatus from my career. I must have suspected in 10 years I’d still be in the US, have rebuilt my professional life and been a pretty “normal” working mother-of-four juggling kids’ sports and laundry. And that is exactly where I was one year ago, before the sudden relocation to Europe! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
8. Where do you want to be in 10 years from now? <br />
<i>I definitely want to be out working again, with lots of opportunities to travel! All four of my kids will be adults and I’ll have the freedom to spread my wings. Joining the Peace Corps is also not out of the question. </i><br />
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9. Have you been to your High School reunion? <br />
<i>No. I considered going to my 20th reunion, but the timing for the trip to NY didn’t work out. </i><br />
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10. How many countries have you lived in?<br />
<i>Just lived in two: the USA and Germany. Have visited a handful of others. </i><br />
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11. What unknown musician would you recommend?<br />
<i>I wouldn’t call them “unknown” but perhaps lesser-known. I’m a huge fan of the recently disbanded group “Fools and Horses” but their leader is still doing solo music and I strongly recommend you check him out: <a href="http://www.matthutchison.org/fr_biography.cfm" target="_blank">Matt Hutchison</a></i><br />
<ol start="1" type="1"></ol>
<b>Next, are my QUESTIONS FOR YOU, now in the hot seat:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZT0n0kIJVvRhtZ6Ks8w0_Mmpt-GpqfpYh3OHOTcOAjU6O5NnDQSvz5WdcK8MaUMpYVl8w4LFR6CecKK-yEHQR20QJDjVtq-GyVIG4VBJVzBuOXBH5MTMw2VYm_5PCWzkE2ibHajgLff/s1600/question-mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZT0n0kIJVvRhtZ6Ks8w0_Mmpt-GpqfpYh3OHOTcOAjU6O5NnDQSvz5WdcK8MaUMpYVl8w4LFR6CecKK-yEHQR20QJDjVtq-GyVIG4VBJVzBuOXBH5MTMw2VYm_5PCWzkE2ibHajgLff/s200/question-mark.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
1. How would you describe yourself with exactly six words?<br /><br />
2. What’s a great book you can recommend for my next vacation read?<br /><br />
3. What are the top two countries you want to see that you’ve not yet visited?<br /><br />
4. Do you collect anything (what)? If not, is there something you’ve thought about collecting?<br /><br />
5. If you could name a lipstick color, what would it be?<br /><br />
6. What outdoor activity do you most enjoy?<br /><br />
7. Which non-profit organization do you (or would you like to) passionately support?<br /><br />
8. Which household chore do you most loath?<br /><br />
9. What’s the earliest “appropriate” time of day to have a glass of wine?<br /><br />
10. If you could have one of the following personal service providers come to your home free for a year, which would you most want to have?<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
a)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>house-cleaner</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
b)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>a meal planner/cook</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
c)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>a personal trainer/fitness instructor</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
d)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>a masseuse</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
e)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>a nanny<br /></div>
11. What’s the oddest thing anyone ever asked you?<br />
<br />
<b>Finally, the awesome BLOGGERS I'm tagging in this game are:</b><br />
Check out their pages, because they are all amazing, interesting women from across the globe! Reading their blogs is like taking a trip around the world right from your living room (Many of them can be found on the Blogger Map). <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.latteloveblog.com/p/blog-directory-map.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlNeXLqB_46JHLsqX59c0wwa0sEpaDFBxMPKtj8GiCKFUFswUBg9ecsqNs1SZFwk6KaCKbfJJb81Q54dwJb6jKcQjfNzpOEw76IiQlkCKmgIRD6DyBOOYt5Z8KdrDwev6Au7KFJs63_c/s320/bloggermap2.jpg" width="125" /></a><br />
1. <a href="http://www.landofbean.com/" target="_blank">Land of Bean</a><br />
2. <a href="http://emmasexpatadventures.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Emma's Expat Adventures</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.hipasiwannabe.com/" target="_blank">Hip As I Wanna Be</a><br />
4. <a href="http://fionagray.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Somewhere between facebook and flickr sits fiona</a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.kettwigefrau.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">KettwigeFrau</a><br />
6. <a href="http://www.blahbloblog.com/" target="_blank">Blah-Blob-Blog</a><br />
7. <a href="http://ejgauld.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">das Blog</a><br />
8. <a href="http://www.latteloveblog.com/" target="_blank">Latte Love</a><br />
9. <a href="http://sabjesblog.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Sabje's Blog</a><br />
10. <a href="http://akbahrij.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Life in Lajes </a><br />
11. <a href="http://www.decoybetty.com/" target="_blank">Decoy Betty</a><br />
<br />
So, thanks for playing along. Later this week, back to our regularly scheduled programming :) Have a beautiful day!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-24575761805680815732012-05-20T15:05:00.000+02:002012-05-21T20:06:03.481+02:00Destination: Bruges, Belgium<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/AVvXsEhO49YW3cQGYZ9aHafxYf8IL8RR5LM3YmZG7WfGNf5hBAI4OWnG13JIWSxyqldsQp2zPwDBJ0TaNWJPPY4gl2yzrfHmeo27j2hEFBxDsvXW0JHUQNJTq5ZF2Asg7-GX3KuMBoKTJ9npA3QN/s1600/canal2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO49YW3cQGYZ9aHafxYf8IL8RR5LM3YmZG7WfGNf5hBAI4OWnG13JIWSxyqldsQp2zPwDBJ0TaNWJPPY4gl2yzrfHmeo27j2hEFBxDsvXW0JHUQNJTq5ZF2Asg7-GX3KuMBoKTJ9npA3QN/s320/canal2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruges: Venice of the North</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt) we had a four-day
holiday weekend and took advantage of the extra time to explore the
region. On this occasion, we headed for <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Bruges" target="_blank">Bruges, Belgium</a>.
This UNESCO World-Heritage Site has been on my wish list of places to
visit since we moved to Germany. But I must confess, I had no idea prior
to booking our trip, that the day we planned to arrive is largely
regarded as the most beautiful day of the year to visit the medieval
city! It was incredible good fortune that we were there for Ascension Thursday, the day the city holds its 700-year old
annual <a href="http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?RL=00263" target="_blank">Procession of the Holy Blood</a>,
a tradition also protected by UNESCO and said to have begun in 1291.<br />
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Each year, as many as 2,000 people and hundreds of animals (including
camels and herds of sheep), participate in this parade, during which
scenes from the Old and New Testament are acted out. In the second
part of the procession, the precious relic of the
Blood of Jesus (brought to Bruges by Derrick of Alsace, Count of
Flanders after the second crusade in 1150) is reverently carried through
the streets by prelates in a golden shrine and worshiped through the
procession by members of the noble brotherhood of the Holy Blood. Having grown up in a Catholic school, and being familiar with all of the Bible stories depicted during the procession, I was especially in awe of this spectacular event. But I think even most non-Christians would admit it is an amazing production.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc493DsQrGbGXQ4SH3VMvNUoRk0mfMJeGYzpf-qHZC5GiiJD_JlpAZ7KP5fNDWKhPB3gej0E9Oi6_pKklQ1TA-wF8Btmu7Yvbp5ancVhPptC2pFDhg41zChluMrVwhRJRyOpBztPWMKhJ/s1600/Belfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc493DsQrGbGXQ4SH3VMvNUoRk0mfMJeGYzpf-qHZC5GiiJD_JlpAZ7KP5fNDWKhPB3gej0E9Oi6_pKklQ1TA-wF8Btmu7Yvbp5ancVhPptC2pFDhg41zChluMrVwhRJRyOpBztPWMKhJ/s200/Belfort.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belfort: 13th Century Carillon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The procession begins around 2:30 in the afternoon and winds its way
through the city streets for several hours, with music, dancing,
elaborate costumes and floats, and magnificent religious artifacts. We
stood watching from one place for over two hours and witnessed most, but
not all of the procession pass by uninterrupted during this time. I
have never seen such a spectacular display and am anxious to return
another year, better prepared to rent front row seats in one of the city
squares, in order to have an optimal view of the entire parade and all the
performances throughout it. This year, my vantage point did not allow me to capture very good photos, but there are plenty to be found online elsewhere. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 575 year old home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Other Attractions </b><br />
Bruges, known also as a "Venice of the North" for its 14km of canals, is certainly worth visiting any other day of the year, as well. In
fact, the day after the parade, with the crowds thinned out a bit,
we were able to view more of the historic architecture, tour the
magnificent churches, enjoy a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride around
the city, and sample some of the famous Belgium waffles and chocolates. Yumm!!! I also tasted traditional Flemish beef stew and a baked dish made of endives wrapped in ham and cheese (both of which I loved!). <br />
<br />
It was amazing to see the houses originally built for poor tradesmen, now beautifully preserved as homes for the wealthy - willing (so I was told my our carriage driver) to pay as much as 200,000 Euros for a 25 square meter home! I would have loved a peek inside. I can't imagine what life must have been like in these homes over 500 years ago!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelangelo's Madonna and Child</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the Church of Our Lady, you will find one of the few works of Michelangelo outside of Italy: a beautiful sculpture of Madonna and Child: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_of_Bruges" target="_blank">Madonna of Bruges</a>. And the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a magnificent Gothic-style church with a Romanesque chapel beneath it.<br />
<br />
There is also a medieval hospital museum, art museums, a diamond museum and a brewery tour that we did not get to on this visit and which I understand are great attractions. Good enough reason for me to plan another visit soon! Oh, and I must pick up more of the delicious chocolates I brought back from <a href="http://www.chocolatierdumon.be/" target="_blank">Stephan Dumon</a>!<br />
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<b>Hotel Haeneveld</b><br />
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I understand now why finding a room in the city this week was so difficult, but as it turned out, we were very lucky to land upon the quaint little <a href="http://www.haeneveld.be/UK-Haeneveld.htm" target="_blank">Haeneveld Hotel and Restaurant</a> located in Jabbeke, 10 km outside Bruges. Here we booked the last three available rooms for our family of eight (the grandparents were traveling with my husband and me, and our four kids). I had to write to the proprietor ahead of our visit to ensure that we could have two extra beds put into one of the three double rooms we reserved. (For my American readers, most European hotel rooms only accommodate two people and rarely have space for extra beds). The proprietor wrote back promptly, happy to accommodate the request. We corresponded by writing in English and when we arrived, she also spoke perfect German - as did everyone we encountered in Belgium (Dutch is the official language of Flanders, but everyone seemed fluent in English and German and almost all restaurant menus were in at least 4 languages).<br />
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When we arrived at Haeneveld, the lobby and restaurant were beautifully lit with many candles. Dishes of chocolates awaited us on the counter and in our rooms (and gummy bears, too :) ). The hotel offers eight guest rooms above the restaurant/banquet facilities of this renovated farm. A generous breakfast buffet is included. All our rooms had amenities more typical of a larger chain hotel than a country bed and breakfast: stocked mini-fridges, complimentary water, bath robes, hair dryers, and little touches like nail files and sewing kits. There was even a shoe polish machine in the lobby area and a table of books and magazines to borrow! The furniture was dated, but the rooms were very clean and the service was above and beyond! <br />
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When we went down for breakfast, we found the owner had brought in and set one of the larger round banquet tables to seat all of our family together. She offered us each tea or coffee, and continued to refill our cups throughout our leisurely meal. She also brought warm milk and hot coco for the kids. She asked us about our visit, where we wanted to go for the day, and offered suggestions for attractions and parking. When we expressed interest in also visiting the beach after dinner, she suggested the best spot for viewing the sunset. And indeed, we tacked on a lovely visit to De Haan - a lovely location on the North Sea about 10 km from the hotel. Even if rooms were available directly in Bruge, I would chose to stay here again. The location between the historic city and the beach is convenient and we felt perfectly at home!<br />
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My entire impression of the trip to Belgium is very positive. Everywhere we went in and around Bruges, the people were very friendly and helpful, despite being overwhelmed with tourists. At no point did any service personnel appear irritated or impatient with us - on the contrary, they seemed to enjoy showing off their city and were happy to have us as their guests. This might seem like an obvious attitude for a city that thrives from tourism, but in my experience, there are plenty of places that seem to resent their tourist-based economy rather than embrace it.<br />
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Bruges, thank you for your wonderful hospitality - I look forward to visiting again soon!<br />
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<br />~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-92025508113485304842012-05-15T20:20:00.000+02:002012-05-16T13:26:31.329+02:00Birthday Brunch with Girlfriends: Menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week I had another wonderful opportunity to break out the <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/04/you-are-special-celebrating-ones-we.html" target="_blank">Red You Are Special Plate</a>. One of my gal pals in the local expat community had a birthday on Monday. She's had a really rough go of it lately and had been feeling very down. Apparently, she's not celebrated her birthday for years and didn't have any particular plans for it this year, either. When one of our mutual friends started to organize a breakfast gathering for her (see <a href="http://kettwigefrau.blogspot.de/2012/05/r-u-ok.html" target="_blank">KettwigeFrau</a>), I jumped on the chance for my own "kitchen therapy" and asked everyone to meet at my place for a birthday brunch. Helping my friend feel special, loved, and very worth celebrating gave me a sense of purpose. Isn't that always true about giving? We get so much joy out of it ourselves. Anyway, I think the party was a success for us all: my friend was very touched as we all ate, drank, talked, and laughed for hours. <br />
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While I do love the traditional German Brötchen breakfasts we cherish here on the weekends (see <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/05/weekend-mornings-sweet-reprieve.html" target="_blank">Weekend Reprieve</a>), for this special occasion with fellow expats, I wanted to break out some old favorite recipes I would make for holiday mornings back in the States. <br />
<br />
Thus, our Menu featured:<br />
<ul>
<li>Smoked Salmon Pizza</li>
<li>Baked Apple-Stuffed French Toast</li>
<li>Ham & Mushroom Egg Casserole</li>
<li>Chocolate Torte with Fresh Strawberries </li>
<li>Chocolate Mouse with Slivered Almonds</li>
<li>Brötchen & Coissants with a variety of jams, cheeses, honey and Nutella</li>
<li>Fresh Fruit Platter</li>
<li>Coffee, Tea, and Mimosas (Bubbly with Orange Juice)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
I've been asked to share the Salmon recipe, so here it is as best as I can try to capture it. My problem is I cook by "feel" based on my mood and available ingredients as much as what is designated in the "recipe," which is only ever a guideline in my mind, anyway. So play with it and make it your own!<br />
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<b>Smoked Salmon Pizza</b><br />
Crust: Prepare a pizza crust ahead of time. You can make one from scratch, or use a box mix or prepared refrigerator-dough. Back in the States, I could keep it really simply with <a href="http://www.boboli.com/BoboliProduct.aspx?upc=7313001237" target="_blank">Boboli</a> prepared crusts. Whatever crust you use, brush it with olive oil, season it with a little Italian seasoning (I used Krauter Salz this week and fresh Rosemary from my Garden), and some pressed garlic if you like, and bake it according to directions. You may do this the day before, as the crust needs to cool anyway and you will serve it cold.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Salmon Pizza</td></tr>
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Cheese: I try to start with a package of about 6oz or 150gr <a href="http://www.kraftbrands.com/philly/products/Pages/philadelphia-soft-cream-cheese.aspx" target="_blank">Philadelphia-brand flavored cream cheese</a>. In the US it was Chive & Onion, here in Germany it is called "Kräuter." I add about a teaspoon of prepared horseradish, a half teaspoon of Worstershire sauce and a few drops of lemon juice and stir it well. This, too, can be done a day ahead.<br />
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Salmon and Toppings: I buy a nice package of thinly sliced smoked Salmon. I've tried many varieties and have never been disappointed, so get what you like. You'll want about 8oz for a 12" pizza. I know these are American measures, but you'll figure it out - everything is approximate, anyway :)<br />
<br />
For added color and flavor, I usually toss on some finely-sliced rings of sweet yellow or red onion and a smattering of capers. In most cases, if I have the time, I prefer to caramelize the onions, as I did this week. And if tomatoes are in season and looking good, a few slices of Roma are wonderful, as well - I omitted those this time. When I have fresh dill, I like to throw that on, as well. Be creative :)<br />
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Assemble the pizza shortly before serving. Just pull out the prepared crust, spread the cheese mixture on it, and then layer the smoked salmon and other toppings. Keep this cold until you serve it.<br />
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Enjoy!!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-47646367363526365422012-05-11T16:58:00.000+02:002012-09-18T17:22:22.480+02:00Kitchens, closets, and light fixtures: German housing deficits<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/AVvXsEjvqrHjj4J0c5SccvekgYGsOdWrk3JEJ_sICGBTuCqwq67bR-nlgjXgj1P3MOqqHWZa0Jm5k8Zx_ifFqc1wHBMPepBmuteJdpJKyq3bWAM1ZYD2ja_HFV88O0r5MXOj8VEKTu7Bu1rWfL1T/s1600/IMG_2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqrHjj4J0c5SccvekgYGsOdWrk3JEJ_sICGBTuCqwq67bR-nlgjXgj1P3MOqqHWZa0Jm5k8Zx_ifFqc1wHBMPepBmuteJdpJKyq3bWAM1ZYD2ja_HFV88O0r5MXOj8VEKTu7Bu1rWfL1T/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ikea Kitchen in About 100 Boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As if being homeless through August wasn't enough, I spent the first several weeks "camping" in my new home in Germany. Even today, I still feel woefully under-equipped. You see, the lovely house I'm renting in Germany didn't come with some of the most basic provisions of modern-day housing. No kitchen. No closets. No light fixtures. <br />
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<b>Where to Hang the Clothes?</b><br />
We knew that houses in Germany would not have the convenient built-in (and often walk-in) closets we were spoiled with in the US. We are actually very lucky to have a small closet in one of the bedrooms. But for the most part, the storage of clothing in German bedrooms requires the purchase of hanging wardrobes ("Kleiderschränke"). We've acquired a couple moderate sized ones from Ikea for the kids' rooms, but the larger size and solid-wood style I want for my own room is going to require more of a budget than I have saved so far. Hence, most of my clothes are stuffed into dressers or in boxes and bins along the wall and under the bed. I feel a bit like I'm still living out of a suitcase.<br />
<br />
<b>Let There Be Light! </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_vtMRQJP6c_Fg_hIifmDeVhtcBsYsN6ANRdJGLVwlFuIvylRv9UoEGgrdqmdMRWagdRlDH8rXVl3vuCWtU2X_7wTvtPVxd0w7ILeDiQydI9AFt3AxPAJHVbfV1PIgLdMuMz14Ksl5sO-/s1600/ceilings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_vtMRQJP6c_Fg_hIifmDeVhtcBsYsN6ANRdJGLVwlFuIvylRv9UoEGgrdqmdMRWagdRlDH8rXVl3vuCWtU2X_7wTvtPVxd0w7ILeDiQydI9AFt3AxPAJHVbfV1PIgLdMuMz14Ksl5sO-/s200/ceilings.JPG" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Light Fixtures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's a good thing that I'm a candle addict and typically have a dozen or so lit most evenings, anyway. Because one of the surprises here was that none of the rooms had lights! Apparently, light fixtures are considered a matter of personal taste, and therefore treated like any other furnishing. The previous tenants had unmounted, unscrewed, and otherwise removed every light fixture from every ceiling in the house - and this is considered perfectly normal and ok. Since we came from the United States, we did not bring any lamps with us, because 1) light fixtures are deemed built-in parts of the real-estate and required to stay installed in the house; and 2) the electrical system is completely different, so our lights would not have been any use to us in Europe anyway.<br />
<br />
So far, we've purchased a few inexpensive standing floor and table-top lamps (thanks, again, Ikea). But we have yet to decide on most of the ceiling lamps we'd like. Thus, if you try the light switch in any given room, it probably won't work, and if you look up, you'll only see dangling wires.<br />
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<b>Everything, *Including* the Kitchen Sink?!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nQylXqLRX28GaFAkLiL5krKb36fVpym2Z-PVldQPmtNJg_kgQtPX1jpvCtuHXPpbKSDC4bN4__vX5GxV7KWSqotYgAfwp3uvBxOcy5m6h5fvZIl0pM8VUPcODEDX5pdA9Uro1X-BKG9t/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nQylXqLRX28GaFAkLiL5krKb36fVpym2Z-PVldQPmtNJg_kgQtPX1jpvCtuHXPpbKSDC4bN4__vX5GxV7KWSqotYgAfwp3uvBxOcy5m6h5fvZIl0pM8VUPcODEDX5pdA9Uro1X-BKG9t/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen was an empty room, with water hook-up and some wall tiles</td></tr>
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Ever hear the term "they took everything except the kitchen sink?" Yeah, well, here, they took that, too! And this is not some case of post-foreclosure looting. This is normal for Germans. Like light-fixtures, kitchens are entirely a matter of personal taste. So in most houses and apartments, they move with the tenants. Cabinets, counters, appliances, and sink! Here is what our kitchen looked like when we first moved in, and for about seven weeks as we "camped out" in it....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZX0Oei134TnieQDbbMKEdcBsrJzUUpBYqMmc0oP5hrovCnL-fVxNqOheiz1ZOzBvxbDqpVVig2SFvZQwoFOy16pLW6lWriTW48dpHFzaDUmMm2R6VPllbl5-sNk6Iyr9Y98DPBqfn1bE/s1600/IMG_2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZX0Oei134TnieQDbbMKEdcBsrJzUUpBYqMmc0oP5hrovCnL-fVxNqOheiz1ZOzBvxbDqpVVig2SFvZQwoFOy16pLW6lWriTW48dpHFzaDUmMm2R6VPllbl5-sNk6Iyr9Y98DPBqfn1bE/s320/IMG_2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folding tables, a camp stove & cooler for the interim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Off we went to our favorite economical home furnishing warehouse (Ikea, again) to select, plan, and order our new kitchen. Friends warned us in advance to make sure we paid for the assembly and installation service - and this was probably the best advice I've ever gotten in my life. The kitchen arrived in about a hundred boxes with a thousand small parts. It took a team of two professional kitchen builders three days to put together, especially since the 100-year old house we are renting doesn't have a single straight wall or square corner, and the counters needed to be custom cut around a fireplace chimney that juts into the room at an odd angle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjlD4se1ROqFyCcr3rrX2vkNmYBRuivZHbyw0KzwDy8pTQHT11M0Rl-Atn1snOfABKCyCQqyv7JVFlU5YHtkXV_TNRdocOtUhwNQAubNNDbOBnHpXOgDE2ImlJb4QPViHsdAshWMXczsU/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjlD4se1ROqFyCcr3rrX2vkNmYBRuivZHbyw0KzwDy8pTQHT11M0Rl-Atn1snOfABKCyCQqyv7JVFlU5YHtkXV_TNRdocOtUhwNQAubNNDbOBnHpXOgDE2ImlJb4QPViHsdAshWMXczsU/s320/IMG_2527.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first appliance was a small combi oven</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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However, being addicted to food even more than I am to candles, and having a hoard of hungry kids unwilling to fast for 40 days.... completing the kitchen was my first priority. And I have to say, I am very pleased with the results.<br />
<br />
To make us all feel a little more at "home," I first painted over the bright pink/red walls with the same warm green we had in our last house. Then I chose cabinets, counters, and a ceramic sink that would work with the existing white wall tiles and terracotta floor tiles, and go with the house's "country villa" charm. <br />
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Here are the "After" pics...<br />
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<br />
<b>Lest We Lose Sight of What Really Matters...</b><br />
I
confess, I feel a bit snobby, complaining about not having closets and
light fixtures, never mind a beautiful kitchen, when millions of people
around the world live in poverty without clean running water or
electricity. So this little exercise in learning to live with a bit less
than I used to have has been a good reminder that I am blessed beyond
measure. It's been good for me and my kids to appreciate the bounty of
gifts we do have and remember that what matters most, is that we have
each other.<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-14411285666755498812012-05-06T19:28:00.000+02:002012-09-18T17:22:22.448+02:00Weekend Mornings: Sweet Reprieve<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6vjze4TxIvxiHJKIor_-WafS9TUc4-MYEvwS-NdV-wE2PiVYavPVABjlS4Bd9aLROcmlDiUN1WtlwQAyh9j09d0X7oTnVFulUI9acdErmSltlr1ZwpEbe6dWoCiIhNBJukyP_JWgSEeM/s1600/BreakfastTerrace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6vjze4TxIvxiHJKIor_-WafS9TUc4-MYEvwS-NdV-wE2PiVYavPVABjlS4Bd9aLROcmlDiUN1WtlwQAyh9j09d0X7oTnVFulUI9acdErmSltlr1ZwpEbe6dWoCiIhNBJukyP_JWgSEeM/s320/BreakfastTerrace.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast on the patio when the sun shines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we lived in the US, weekends with four active athletes were often busier than the school/work week. My kids played different sports every season. Lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, swim, basketball, and cheer leading seemed to rule our weekend schedules, depending on the time of year. Usually my husband and I had to split up and work out carpooling to make sure that everyone got where they needed to be. During the summers, swim meets for all the kids started around 6am every Saturday and ran well past noon. In recent years, one daughter played with a competitive lacrosse club that required us to be out of town overnight at 2- and 3-day tournaments in June and July. Another daughter trained with the USA field hockey association in the spring and with a club in the Baltimore area during the winter, so likewise was frequently traveling out of town for long weekends of sports. Both boys played soccer in the fall and spring and all the kids played winter basketball. We were always on the run!<br />
<br />
So one of the things I love about our new life is that weekends are free! Most weekends, we have NOTHING planned. And we've gotten into a wonderful routine of leisurely family breakfasts every Saturday and Sunday morning. My 13-year old son, who does most of the complaining about life in Germany, gets up voluntarily each weekend morning and rides his bike to the local bakery to buy the breakfast rolls (Brötchen). Sometimes, he even insists on using his own pocket money to treat the family! When he gets home, the table is set with a variety of fruit jams, cheeses, meats, and, of course, Nutella. Tea and Coffee are cooked, and we all sit down, often with candles and flowers, and enjoy loud conversation, sibling teasing, and yummy food.<br />
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One of the first times we sat down for breakfast like this, we assumed the older teenage girls wanted to sleep in, and did not wake them when the table was ready. There was hell to pay for that when they got up and found us sitting around breakfast without them. I was quickly informed that even my not-at-all-a morning-person 15-year old daughter did not want to miss out on eating with the family. Wow. On weekends she tries really hard to put her typical morning grouchiness away and to be pleasant at breakfast. It's been a wonderful treat to have this time together and to know that the kids all want to be part of it. It's a perfect way to de-stress from our challenging weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
The kids still play sports, and today my oldest had a lacrosse tournament in Frankfurt (2 hours away), but she didn't need to leave until 10:30 - a perfectly decent time to get moving on a Sunday. Both girls play lacrosse, one son runs track, and another plays soccer. But sports here are just not as intense as they were in the US. Instead of training five days a week (as they did in high school), they usually only train twice a week and games or races are not every week. There are, of course, athletes in Germany who train much more frequently, but that just doesn't seem to be the norm for young athletes as much as it was in the US.<br />
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After our casual breakfasts, the day is often still open for family activities, like walking, biking, and kayaking. If it's a Sunday, you can forget shopping, since the stores are all closed. So we tend to relax a lot more. We get household chores done, then go outside when the weather allows, or read books or play games inside. It's a completely different pace of life here and one of the things I really appreciate about Germany. As the weather improves over the next few months, I'm looking forward to weekend excursions to Belgium and the Netherlands, which are both a short drive away. And I'm already scanning the local festival calendar for other great things we can do in North Rhine Westphalia during the weekends in spring and summer. After Breakfast :)<br />
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<br />~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-89663442368523833712012-05-04T12:49:00.000+02:002012-09-18T17:22:22.505+02:00Expat Resources: Meeting New People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you first arrive in a new country, it can be very lonely. Especially if you are the "trailing spouse" and not working outside the home. For the first few weeks, I threw myself into housework. Completely unaccustomed to not having a job and a dozen volunteer commitments, I wasn't sure how to occupy myself once I got the kids out the door for school. I walked a lot, exploring my new community by foot. I planned meals, cleaned house, and read books. Sounds like the relaxing life of luxury I dreamed of when I had a career and a thousand other things to do. But it wasn't. I was lonely and lacked any sort of adult conversation or intellectual stimulation. And I hate housework :)<br />
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I needed to find a way to meet people. Thankfully, a friend back in the States suggested I try online resources and actually sent me a link for a local "Meetup Group." I'd never heard of <a href="http://www.meetup.com/" target="_blank">Meetup</a>. And I'd only thought of online resources as a place for singles to look for dates. It never occurred to me, as a Do-It-Yourself-Expat, that I could tap into rich communities of people with similar interests or experiences in my new city. Duh. <br />
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So last November, I attended my first "Native English Speaker Quiz & Martini Night" at a great little bar in Essen-Kettwig. It was an interesting experience. I'm not fond of trivia quizzes, usually because I'm no good at them, but this one was actually quite fun and even I managed to know many of the answers. Plus, they had Martini's - which I love ;) But in terms of meeting people, the night was a bit of a let down. Most of the evening I ended up chatting with those who happened to be sitting closest to me at the bar: a couple business men who were in town during the week, but commuted home to England & Scotland on the weekends. We didn't have much in common, and while the conversation was pleasant enough, these weren't people I'd be making friends with. But during the quiz part of the evening, I teamed up with the bar owner, an American woman named Leslie who's been in Germany for at least a dozen years. She was a lot of fun, and I spent some time talking to her after the quiz. Although she's single and has no kids, she's close in age to me and we got on well. I was intrigued by her and admired how successfully she had built a good life in a new country, being perfectly at home in both languages and cultures.<br />
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When it came time for the December Quiz & Martini Night, I had mixed feelings about attending. I doubted that was a good venue for meeting people I had anything in common with aside from speaking English. And I'd never fancied myself the type of person who needed to cling to their home culture. I was more interested in meeting German friends. The only reason I went was to get out of the house and hang out again with Leslie a bit. And I'm really glad I gave it a second try!<br />
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At the next meeting, I found myself standing at a high-top with several women from the US and Britain. This turned out to be just the right crowd! The women I met that night invited me to join them for breakfast the next morning as well. Finally, I had found a wonderful group of women I had a lot in common with. Several of them, like me, were in bi-cultural marriages and had children in the German school system (although they had brought their children over at much younger ages and/or their kids were born here). So while they all spoke English, they weren't, as I'd feared, "clinging to their home culture." Fully immersed in our host country, these women are able to speak the local language, and appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences. They understand what I'm going through and have not only been a shoulder to cry on in tough times, they've also been a well-spring of advice and referrals. And most importantly, they've made me laugh again - the most basic survival skill an expat needs!<br />
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From the original core group of American and British women, I've met a number of others from various countries who are in similar circumstances, and now have a fantastic network of fun and interesting friends. Our families have gotten together for holidays and celebrations, with spouses and kids all getting along as well. One of my daughters gets third-language lessons from a French friend I met - a woman with four of her own multi-cultural children. And my daughters have landed babysitting jobs with kids who also speak English at home. It's been such a blessing for us all!<br />
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I've since learned of other expat and international groups and attended social events with <a href="http://www.internations.org/" target="_blank">InterNations</a> and the Düsseldorf <a href="http://www.awcduesseldorf.org/" target="_blank">American Women's Club</a>. <br />
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Last night, at an InterNations gathering in Essen, I met a really interesting woman from Spain, married to a German, with two adolescent boys, who has moved with her family through several countries. We exchanged emails and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better, as well.<br />
<br />
I've discovered English-speaking book clubs, breakfast clubs, yoga clubs
- you name it - for almost any interest or activity, there are groups
meeting in and around the region, where open-minded, fun-loving people
can make friends. I'm lucky to be living in a densely-populated metropolitan area, so these groups are already well-established here. If you live in a place that doesn't have international groups, then consider starting your own Meetup. And, if you try one or two events, and don't find friends, keep trying - because new people come each month and you may not have had a chance to talk to the right people the first time or two. <br />
<br />
Here are some online resources for Expats. Please, if you have others to add, I'd love your comments!<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.meetup.com/" target="_blank">Meetup</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.internations.org/" target="_blank">InterNations</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fawco.org/" target="_blank">American Women's Club</a></li>
</ul>
Success as an expat depends largely on making friends and building a good support network. To all my international expat friends THANK YOU - you are the flowers in the garden of my life!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454580701362584222.post-31269135914854308952012-05-02T16:58:00.000+02:002012-09-18T17:22:22.467+02:00Not Your Average Expat: Do-It-Yourself<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGwzmtq5UXSVKT7jUUsbD8iDLlVFiWuhec2Q6XnzfyXbQk9sErTGaPIfZTJ-nmH3GqAHN28-Pc5NnLYxNEeudZBUn4Ge2wrbSiJ9M4tFVI53AL11ivRnxmqQEJRywlhZ5CSJ6Bp7S5gyo/s1600/Do-it-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGwzmtq5UXSVKT7jUUsbD8iDLlVFiWuhec2Q6XnzfyXbQk9sErTGaPIfZTJ-nmH3GqAHN28-Pc5NnLYxNEeudZBUn4Ge2wrbSiJ9M4tFVI53AL11ivRnxmqQEJRywlhZ5CSJ6Bp7S5gyo/s200/Do-it-yourself.jpg" width="200" /></a>As I negotiate my family's transition to a new country, I spend a lot of time talking to other expats here in Germany and reading blogs from expats around the world (especially seasoned "expert expats"). I've garnered a good bit of support this way, and know that I am not alone in many challenges I face or the way I often feel. But I've also learned I'm not the average expat, and it has me at a bit of a disadvantage. Worse, it has my kids at a disadvantage. One of the key things that make us different from a great many expats, is that we did not come here on a corporate contract. We're on the do-it-yourself plan.<br />
<br />
We came back to Germany so my husband could return to his roots and be close to his aging parents and a handicapped brother, all of whom will need our support in the foreseeable future. It is something we knew we'd need to do one day, and initially thought we'd do right out of grad school. But circumstances, including my mother's unsuccessful cancer battle during the last year of my doctoral program, led us to stay in the United States longer than planned. We built a good life there for our kids and figured the move back to Europe could wait. But about six years ago, my husband really started to feel like it was time to get back to his family, and we wanted to try to do it before the kids got to high school.<br />
<br />
So my husband starting searching for overseas work and also requested a move with his employer, who has an office location in Germany. He was unable to find a new job, but after lengthy discussions, his boss approved a transfer of his current job, but needed to get it through Human Resources. It took HR several years to approve the request and figure out how to transfer his job to their European office. But that was all they would agree to do - to allow him to work in Germany while maintaining the position he had. From their perspective, this was an optional move and they were being gracious to allow us to relocate - at our expense. This meant that we would get no support or assistance from them. <br />
<br />
Doing it ourselves, it seems we've made every mistake in the book. As mentioned in an earlier post, we <a href="http://lipstickandlaptop.blogspot.de/2012/03/housing-crisis-double-edged-sword.html" target="">failed to understand the housing market</a>, so we lost a lot of time and money trying to find a place to live, and ultimately had to exceed our budget to get into any place at all. But we also failed to understand the myriad paperwork, from licensing our vehicle, to getting my German drivers' license, and most importantly, enrolling the kids in school and getting them the help they need.<br />
<br />
If we had been on a standard corporate contract, much of this would have been anticipated for us, explained, and often, paid for. Other expats I've met were given generous moving budgets that covered fees on the sale of their real estate, the international shipping, airfare, temporary housing until a permanent place was found, meal per diems, real estate agent fees, furnishings, various licensing fees, even health club costs and household help (cooks & maids!). But best of all, many expats get international school tuition covered for the children.<br />
<br />
I can't imagine how much easier my life would be with even a fraction of this support. Instead, as do-it-yourself-expats with four children, we spent every penny we had on the cost of the moving company and all of the setting-up-house expenses once we got here. Then we ended up over budget on the rental we finally found, and now are also spending hundreds of Euros a week on various tutors for the children. There's certainly no health club or maid. There's not even an electric clothes dryer.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzF0TEiiqSh8gfvdX1yRckM1yE87D0RpTnEGdApoS3fL1-73B9Jei8xjdfkJ4Ur8FnG89wUOoykfC9zb1KZYkuF3OGVshbabQ_wxxV8cZE29d7TAT3r4FyTHHAj4oYkThvOlKhbCZ861r/s1600/we-can-do-it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzF0TEiiqSh8gfvdX1yRckM1yE87D0RpTnEGdApoS3fL1-73B9Jei8xjdfkJ4Ur8FnG89wUOoykfC9zb1KZYkuF3OGVshbabQ_wxxV8cZE29d7TAT3r4FyTHHAj4oYkThvOlKhbCZ861r/s200/we-can-do-it.jpg" width="166" /></a>But I can live without most of those trimmings and I even think it is good for us to learn to live with fewer luxuries. What I most regret not having is the funds to cover international school. Watching my kids struggle through the local schools, as teenagers, has been incredibly painful. With only basic language skills, the older ones are unable to keep up in all of their subjects. They are frustrated and, at times, quite depressed. I've spent today online looking for summer language immersion camps and bi-lingual counselors (in recent weeks I was online looking for pediatricians, ophthalmologists, dentists and orthodontists). I need to build their support system here, without much of my own support system. I'm fumbling along in the dark, and as I read other expat blogs looking for guidance, it seems most had substantial corporate support. Anyone who didn't have a corporate contract was smart enough to not try bringing teens with them.<br />
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Well, we're here now and we'll make the best of it. If you have resources or tips to share, I welcome your comments. And one day, I am sure this experience will make my kids much stronger, more flexible, confident, and interesting people, capable of taking on the world! We Can Do It!~Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17839674142908901428noreply@blogger.com0