First Christmas Market

Today I did a lot of yard work. It hasn't been raining for the second day in a row, so I needed to take advantage of it. My German neighbor across the street saw me and came over to talk and even helped me for a little bit. She is so nice. Later, when I was almost done, my German next-door-neighbor also came outside to talk. I feel so lucky to be able to get to know my German neighbors. So many Americans will live here for years and not learn even pleasantries such as, "How are you," " Have a nice day," or "Excuse me." I think they are really missing out on the whole experience of Germany. I love living out in the community. I love our house and our neighborhood. I love living here!
We went to our first Christmas market tonight. It is the first one of the season for this area. We drove to Queidersbach--a tiny little town up the hill, behind Burg Nanstein, through a tunnel, and back down on a narrow, windy road. We found excellent parking and made our way through the little shops, stalls and crowd.
First stop was a sweets shop. We looked at some novelty Christmas hats and ignored the candy, goodies, chocolate and baked goods. Then, at a different shop, Jer got a traditional German food with french fries. We stood at an outdoor table and were soon joined by a man in his 50s and a college-aged student. It is very common here to have tall (yet small in circumference) standing-only tables near an eatery. It is also common to share a table with someone you don't know (even at sit-down tables). We all had great conversation, half in German and half in English. They were the best unknown company we've ever eaten with!
Afterward, we looked at hats. We each bought a new hat with ear muffs that were made in Germany. This was my favorite booth. Such variety and so cute!
We got some hot drinks and talked for a while until the man from the hat shop tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to come help him. He said I speak German very well and he needed help understanding a customer who only spoke English. I was a little taken aback because I know my German isn't perfectly fluent, but I was also willing to help them both. I spent about 10 minutes interpreting for both of them. I feel really humbled that he found me out of the crowd and asked me to help. Yet, it's SO very cool to be able to speak the language well enough that I can communicate.
There was a wonderful trumpet player soloing along to recorded accompaniment. He stood up near the church, above the throngs of people. His music filled the air with Christmas carols and lullabies. Christmas lights adorned the town square and the smells of food wafted out from the shops.
We stopped at the sweets shop again on our way out. This time we bought some goodies! Jer and I each got some gingerbread. It was so good! It was definitely made with real ginger--not artificial flavoring. It tasted like German baked goods--oh so yummy!
Our first Christmas market was fabulous! It was quite small, but very festive and very fun.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 30

It's finally here. The day that has been both dreaded and welcome. I'm a little surprised that I made it, but also not surprised at all. You see, when I set my mind to do something, it usually gets done. I'm just stubborn that way.
There are many things that I thought of to blog about, but they just didn't make it into a post. Some things didn't make it because I couldn't think of anything more elaborate than, "I'm thankful for _____." Others didn't make it because I wouldn't have been able to have a new, accompanying picture. This is the case with my family members. Still, there are some things that I've realized I'm thankful for that propelled me to feel a deep gratitude in my heart, where it remains a wonderful, personal reminder that my life is good and I am blessed.
When I set out to blog with accompanying pictures for 30 days straight about things I'm thankful for, my goal was to make it the entire 30 days. I didn't have any lofty goals or grandiose, nirvana-like ideas. I did assume, however, that this challenge would be good for myself by helping me recognize things I'm thankful for that I hadn't recognized before or forgot about. I thought it might lead me be a more positive person. And that it has.
All-in-all, blogging about being thankful has been good for my soul. I took on my younger brother's (Matthew) challenge to "be more thankful more often" in a way that would help be actually feel thankful more often, not just be thankful.
So today, I want to express my thankfulness for the wisdom of a 20-year-old man who compelled me to be thankful. The entire experience has been uplifting and good. It has been the perfect preface to a season where there is a holiday to remind me to be grateful. This blog has been the ideal avenue for me to evolve into a person I want to be more like: my little brother.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 29

Jer was happy to help me out with my post today when I told him what it would be about.
Today I am thankful for turkey and chicken!
I don't eat beef (or any red meat) or pork. I haven't eaten these things for 15 years. It started when I got sick as a teenager and found out the hard way that every time I ate beef or pork I would get sick. Not just nauseated, but very ill. I've ended up in the hospital after being served pork even though I told the waitress I couldn't tolerate it.
The meat in my diet consists of poultry and seafood (I LOVE shrimp!). People who are new to learning this about me ask me if I crave a hamburger or steak or other such grossness. I never crave these things. I think all kinds of beef look gross, and I can't stand the smell of it cooking. It smells like rotton meat. Pork, on the other hand, sometimes looks good. I just can't eat it.
Instead, I eat turkey or chicken alternatives. They are almost always healthier, less greasy, and does not sacrifice taste. Just to give an idea, here are some things that can be found in turkey or chicken form: hot dogs, burgers, bacon, ham, steak, jerky, chili, ground meat, pepperoni, roast, bologna and other lunch meat... The list goes on and on. I can make almost any recipe and use chicken or turkey products instead of beef and pork. My diet is not limited like people might think at first.
My diet is limited, however, when we go out to eat. I must make sure what I'm ordering is edible. Germans eat a lot of pork. I mean, a LOT! They eat more pork than any other meat, I think. Beef is a close second. I have learned to read the German menus and even ask if they serve a chicken alternative. This is how I found out that I love Putenschnitzel (turkey schnitzel)! My other favorite food in Germany: döner kebap. It is most common in Germany to have pork or lamb döner, but because of the high military influence in this area, many restaurants cater to the American palat and most serve a combo of chicken and turkey.
Tonight we went out to eat at my favorite döner kebap restaurant. I love the owner. He recognizes me when I come in. He will always speak German to me at a pace I can keep up with. Tonight we were really lucky to be the sole customers: it's really dark, rainy, and cold--I'm sure that's why nobody else was there. I explained in German that I do a blog post and I would like to take pictures of his food and restaurant because it is unique. (It also serves turkey/chicken döner). It's not commonly found in the States. He obliged. Such a nice guy! We had more conversation about where I'm from in the US, and how the city there is. I will definitely be taking my sisters here when they come for Christmas!
Because of my diet, I was a little worried about moving here. I didn't know how well the commissary would be stocked with the meats I like to use. And I had a feeling, which turned out to be correct, that I wouldn't be able to find such items in a German market. But the only thing I haven't been able to find here is turkey ham.
So, today I'm not only thankful for chicken and turkey, but I'm also thankful that because I can't digest beef or pork, I eat leaner meats. I feel healthier for that.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 28

We had a fun weekend with Evan and family here. After we went exploring in Landstuhl, out to lunch, then back home, they packed up and headed out. I have enjoyed the extra company. It made our weekend less monotonous.
After they left I started cleaning. I do this any time any guests ever come to stay--especially when that includes kids. I did it at our old house in Virginia too. I know the house is bound to be a bit messier with anyone extra staying. It's just the way it is, I expect it, and enjoy the time with extra people.
I deep cleaned for three hours straight today. That wasn't just the guest bedrooms and bathroom (and laundry), but also my bathroom, the powder room (1/2 bath), kitchen, living room, dining room, couches, stairwell, and wiping down all the surfaces, doorhandles and light switches that needed it anyway.
Now I can sit down and relax. It feels good to be in my nice, clean house. I am really thankful for a clean house. It's much easier to feel comfortable and at ease after I've cleaned.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 27

It's so cold today! We went with Evan and family up to Burg Nanstein in Landstuhl this afternoon. It wasn't raining but had been all morning, so it was very wet and cold. The drive was so beautiful.
Today I'm thankful for castles. They are always situated on top of a mountain. They provide the best views and have such lush foliage. Last time we went to Burg Nanstein we'd been in Germany for only 3 days. It's much different in the fall than it is in the spring. I thought it was so beautiful here when we first came. And it was. Now it's different but still beautiful!

Each castle we go to is different. Some offer tours, others are only ruins, and some still are very ornate and gaudy. Each is unique. I never get tired of exploring and imagining what life used to be like living in a castle.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 26

Today was awesome! When we moved here, we left a lot of really good, close friends behind. We've been really fortunate to have good friends wherever we've lived.
Back in March we went on a ski trip for a week to Maine. We went with some of our friends, including Brian and Amanda. We also stayed with them for a month after we sold our house and before we left for Germany. I miss our friends from VA.
Many of them have been deployed these last 6 months. I've emailed them asking if they would happen to be coming through Ramstein on their way back to VA. We found out yesterday that Brian was coming through today. (The dates and times of planes leaving the desert are secret, so he had to send Jer the information through a secure computer on base).
Brian (left) and his friend had a 2 1/2 hour layover, so we took them to the KMCC to eat. We also went to the cute pub because they wanted to try some German beer.
It was just so fun to see him and talk again after all these months!
My other friend from WA (stationed with the Army) is in eastern Germany. He and his family came this afternoon to spend the weekend with us. They are also good friends who I really love. (Remember my post a couple of weeks ago about a different type of family in Germany? They are part of that).
It's been a really great day. Today I'm thankful of where I live in Germany. We live at the hub for much of the desert travel. Ramstein is a major base here. Many people from all over Germany will travel to Ramstein on the weekends to shop. I hope, because we live here, we will be able to see many of our old friends coming through from deployments. This is a great place to be.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 25

Today I am thankful for the public library! I went to the library on Landstuhl (Army post) today to turn in some books on CD I'd checked out. I love listening to books on CD--especially when in the car. I have hooked Jer on Harry Potter. We usually listen to one of the Harry Potter books during a long car ride.
I also like to read. I recently finished reading a non-fiction book from Ramstein library called, "Understanding the Holocaust." It was very interesting. Of course it paid tribute to the millions of Jews who suffered under extreme and terrible circumstances, and were eventually murdered. I knew these horrific stories already. But what was interesting about this book was that it started out at WWI and explained what what happening politically in Europe, especially in Germany. I read about Germany's politics through the 1920s and could see how Hitler came to power. I'm actually in awe of him. Not a wondrous awe, but a terrified awe. How clever a politician he was. I read that he was never known for his people skills, but only knew how to talk politics. He could wow a crowd with his speeches.
Both of my grandfathers served in WWII. One served in the Pacific Theatre, and the other served in Europe. I wish my grandpas were still around so I could ask them more informed questions than I ever had before.
For as long as I can remember, I've always known the basics of WWII, but mostly about America's involvement. It's amazing how much I learned from reading this book.
There is so much knowledge in a library! Thousands of books to choose from. Hundreds of books on CD. Every sort of fiction and non-fiction from authors all over the world. I'm so thankful for the library. It's amazing that I can check out several books, read them, and then return them free of charge. I don't think there's any other establishment that offers that type of service.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 24

Today I'm thankful for rain.
I've always loved the rain. It's perplexing to me when people complain about it. Even the weather forecasters will report about the rain as if it were the worst weather possible.
I have many good memories of the rain. One of my earliest is that my older brother and sister were at school (not sure if my little sister was born yet), and Mom helped me put on my rain boots so I could go splash in the puddles. I always had an umbrella, but I think I used it as a toy more than a protection from the rain.
The street I grew up on would often flood when it rained a lot. I loved to watch the cars go by. Some would drive slowly on the other side of the street where it wasn't as flooded, but my favorite was when they would just drive straight through and make a big splash. I'm sure my siblings remember this (except Matt who was only 2 when we moved to WA).
Another nice memory I have of the rain is lying on my bed in my room (in CA) and listening to the rain hit the back porch awning.
When we moved to WA, I was amazed at how often it rained. There are so many different types of rain! There's the hard rain that you have to put the windshield wipers on high to see through it, steady rain, big raindrops rain, freezing rain, slushy rain, sprinkle, drizzle, and something I hadn't seen before WA, the misty rain.
I still love the rain. It is comforting to me. In the summer, I often prefer it over the sun beating down on me like a mallet. I like to think of the image of Bambi when the "April showers" song starts. Drip, drop, drip, drop. I love the song and scene from the movie, "Singin' in the Rain." They really got it right that rain is happy and glorious; I love that someone depicted rain as a positive, fun occurrence.
Rain also washes away the dirt and oils from the road. It freshens up the flowers, trees and foliage. It helps the trees shed their leaves in the fall. It gets the bird poop off the car between washings.
I'm thankful for rain!

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 23

When Jer joined the Air Force, we wanted to experience the world. I have driven across the US many times, and taken many trips I would not have taken had we not moved and lived where we have. When we got orders to Germany, we were ecstatic. We've always wanted to live in a foreign country, and especially Germany. What we didn't bank on, however, was that throwing away our waste would also be a part of the Germany experience. I've put together photos explaining the process so hopefully you can get a feel for what it's like.
I'll start with the garbage can on the left. This is the yellow bag or recycle can. The things to put in here are plastics (yogurt cups, plastic bags, shampoo bottles, etc.), metal (metal lids, foil, etc.), and other recyclables, such as styrofoam and milk cartons. These things should be rinsed off and fairly clean before disposal. Most of our waste goes in here. The yellow bags are collected every other week. They are just put on the side of the road.
The second garbage can is for clean paper (has not touched food). That includes newspaper, mail, and cardboard/boxes broken down. Paper is collected once per month. We put it all in a large, blue garbage can stored outside.
The third garbage can (the littlest one on the floor) is for glass. All our glass goes in here, then we have to take it to a glass recycle point and sort it by color before depositing it.
The fourth garbage can (the medium blue one) is for electronic scraps. This includes anything with wires or circuit boards. We have broken headphones, an old hand vacuum, and some bad computer parts in there. We have to take these in to special waste dump places, or wait for a truck to come by our town. It is on a schedule and comes by every few months.
The fifth garbage can (the white one) is for residual waste. This includes meat, dirty napkins, textiles, and sweepings. We can just use our regular old garbage bags for this. Residual waste goes in a black garbage can stored outside. It is collected every other week.
The cute little yellow/orange garbage can is for biodegradable waste. In the house, that means food, including fruits and veggies (no meat). We must use a biodegradable garbage bag. We have to buy those off base. The biodegradable waste goes in a large brown container stored outside. This container is also used for grass clippings, branches, etc. This is collected every other week.
If you look at the first picture again closely, to the top right is a halogen bulb. This and batteries are considered hazardous waste and must be taken in to a special waste dump. Some German stores have boxes available to dispose of used batteries. Chemicals (nail polish, household cleansers, etc.) must also be taken to a hazardous waste drop-off.
So, you can see why there are labels all over the garbage cans. Although we rarely look at the labels anymore, it was quite confusing when we first got here. It was one of those things that was hard to adjust to. Now it's just a part of life. I don't even think about it anymore.
What was once a thorn in my side is now something I'm thankful for. I am thankful someone comes to pick up my garbage. I'm thankful that we recycle so much and I'm thankful for learning how. I'm thankful for the earth I live on, and I'm glad to share the responsibility to take care of it.

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 22

Monday!
Most people hate Mondays. It's understandable; it's the day most people go back to work after a weekend. Statistically, it's the day you are most likely to have a heart attack. I could list more, but you get the idea--there are reasons to dislike Monday.
I used to be on the bandwagon with the other Monday-haters, but now I LOVE Mondays!
Monday means a couple of things:
1. Jer has to wear his AF Blues. He hates Mondays. Apparently the uniform is very uncomfortable. But I think he looks so handsome! So, even if he does change the minute he walks in the door, I still like it, and I get to see it every week. What girl can resist a good-looking man in uniform?
2. Family letter day! Every Monday my little brother, who is serving a full-time mission in Las Vegas, gets to go online and check emails. He usually writes one too. Monday has become the day that the rest of the family writes a letter too. I look forward to reading everyone's letters. I like to read what people have been doing. I love to read about my nieces and nephews. I like to read about accomplishments and plans. This is a highlight of my week! It helps me feel a little bit closer.
So, I am thankful for Mondays--the one day each week I look forward to watching my inbox all day. Except around 4pm. I start watching the front door for Jer to get home. :)

30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 21

If I hadn't moved to Germany, I may have never realized how thankful I am for a washing machine! Yes, I'm thankful for my washing machine.
When we first got here, we had to go to the laundromat. There are pros and cons to the laundromat. Pro: can use multiple washers and dryers at once. Cons: must lug all dirty clothing, detergent, and fabric softener up and down 3 flights of stairs and can't leave it to run errands (or do anything else).
When we moved into our first house, we had a German washing machine. German washing machines are really small. Each is 1/2 the size of a standard American washer, and takes over twice as long to wash. That equals four times as long to wash what I deem is a normal load. German washers also have a spin cycle that sounds like carnival ride spinning out of control. While doing laundry at our first house, when the noise stopped, I frequently fell for its deceptive silence and made my way downstairs only to find it was just starting the rinse cycle. The whole process of washing took over 3 hours. It was really annoying.
When I called my mom to talk about it, she told me her laundry experience while living in Germany in the 1970s (my dad was also in the Air Force): They used to have a hand-crank machine that would only fit a couple of items of clothing. I think her laundry experiences trump mine. It sounds dreadful!
I have an American washer in the house we live in now. However, one of the outlets in the laundry area is broken, so we share 1 outlet between both the washer and dryer. That means one load of laundry washed then dried before another load can go in. Also, there are no hot water hookups--cold only. Part of the reason German washing machines take so long is because they heat their own water. But I still can't figure out why it took so long when I washed on cold.
I did an American-sized load of laundry today. I can stay in my own house to do it. I can leave while it's washing and it doesn't matter what time I get back home. The funny thing about it is that if I were still in the US, I would have a harder time with this situation. But moving here has really made me learn to adapt to things that are different. It is just a part of life here. And life is good.