tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52595001506893650352024-02-07T05:30:39.516+01:00Drakes Going DutchHillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-69041598033619066542011-10-19T20:30:00.000+02:002011-10-19T20:30:43.843+02:00It's Been a Long Time<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">**It has been a long while since I've written anything on here, so this post is mostly for me to document what we've been up to the last couple months.**</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I arrived back in the states August 28. I spent the first few weeks resting and relaxing at my grandparents. It felt like a nice vacation. My days consisted of working out, running errands for my grandma, reading, and overdosing on Diet Dr. Pepper. It was lovely! The only thing missing was Jay was still across the pond! He was due back September 27, and I was going to just chill in Iowa until then. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Unfortunately, Jay's sweet grandmother passed away in September, so I headed to Texas for her services. Jay was unable to make it, which was hard on everyone. I ended up staying in Texas until Jay's arrival. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Jay graduated on his birthday, September 23, and he arrived in Denver September 27 a little before midnight. It was so great to see him! He had been traveling for over 24 hours at this point, and he was exhausted. We drove back to the hotel, and by the time he showered, his jet lag kicked in, and he was up. We spent the next couple days in the hotel room trying to get over jet lag all the while catching him up on things he'd missed while in the Netherlands...like Mexican food!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After a couple days of R&R we headed back to Iowa. We drove across country, and Jay and Junie were reunited. She was very nice at first, and then not so nice when he woke up in the middle of that first night to Junie hissing at him in his sleep. I think it was a power play on her part....they were friends again by morning. We spent the next two weeks doing a "little flowerbed work" for my grandma. Those are my grandma's words. The job was in no way little! She wanted new pavers around all her flowerbeds, and the job included removing old liner, digging trenches, packing sand into the trenches, placing brings, packing in more sand, and then rocks behind the pavers. It was hard work, but it actually felt good to be doing some physical labor!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This isn't our actual work, but ours looked just as awesome (and about 20 times as long!).</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Last Friday we drove to Oklahoma City to see Jay's family. We've been hanging out here this week and are heading for a weekend getaway to Red River, New Mexico with his parents and his brother, Josh, and our sister-in-law, Amanda. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We are looking forward to getting back to the cool, crisp mountain air. We are both a little homesick for the mountains! Of course, getting ready for the trip involved getting some warm clothes for the cooler weather. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Okay, mostly caught up for now. Hopefully I will get some pictures from this weekend! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIV1kRrJSiA/TdyBH9_cRPI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sy7pe14sKUE/s1600/BLOG+SIG.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIV1kRrJSiA/TdyBH9_cRPI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sy7pe14sKUE/s1600/BLOG+SIG.png" /></a></div>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-87471301453146029592011-09-05T04:26:00.000+02:002011-09-05T04:26:58.324+02:00These are a Few of My Favorite Blogs<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today I am linking up with <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly</a> to share with you some of my very favorite blogs. I have been reading blogs for years now and only ventured into bloggy world when we started on our big adventure to the Netherlands. I honestly read more blogs of people I've never met, than those I do know in real life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have found a lot of the blogs I enjoy reading just by "worm holing" (as Jay calls it). Keep on clicking and who knows where you'll end up! The ones I return to again and again are all written by women (not intentional, I just tend to prefer women authors), and none of them seem to be trying too hard to make their life or topic seem a particular way. Some of my favorites are linked on the right side of this page, but my very favorites are listed below. Go visit them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1. <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly's Korner Blog</a> This was the first blog I started reading regularly. I don't even remember how I came across it. Kelly is so real, and I feel like she's honest and open about where she is in her life right now. She is the mom to two precious girls, and she never misses a chance to glorify God. She's wildly popular, and I can totally understand why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2. <a href="http://babyisaacson.blogspot.com/">Baby Isaacson</a> My dear friend Elise just had a baby, and this has been so fun to keep up with her pregnancy. Now, I'm excited to follow it and "get to know" Audrey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3. <a href="http://www.blueeyedbride.com/">Blue-Eyed Bride</a> This is a blog I only recently found. Erin is the mom to two boys, and I love her straight forward, no nonsense approach to life. She is so real, and I would like to think we would be friends in real life if we met.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4. <a href="http://theschmidtfamilystories.blogspot.com/">The Schmidt Family Stories</a> This is my cousin Britany's blog. I use it to keep up with her two daughters, and I always end up laughing out loud at the stories she tells. She is funny and her blogs are too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5. <a href="http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/">Jamie the Very Worst Missionary</a> I am always super excited when Jamie has a new post. She and her family are missionaries in Costa Rica, and she is hil.ar.i.ous. She is not in any way, shape, or form what you would expect when you hear the word missionary, and I think it's great. She is so real. So real about who she is, who she was, and who God is forming her to be. I love reading her posts and always leave the site laughing and thinking about what she's written about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Those are my five favorites. Go visit them. What about you? Do you have favorite blogs you read?</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rj6TPbCTUI/Tbu10jfp19I/AAAAAAAAAGI/eMp5h_eMaHI/s1600/BLOG+SIG.png" />Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-23284140338826175162011-09-05T04:02:00.000+02:002011-09-05T04:02:00.852+02:00Stateside<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last Sunday morning I woke up in a hotel in Amsterdam and went to sleep at my grandma's house in Iowa. It felt really nice to land on American soil again, but it was bittersweet because Jay still isn't here. It was also bittersweet because neither one of my suitcases made it! (They did get here on Tuesday, though {all in one piece} so I'm thankful for that).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My day Sunday looked like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Up at hotel: 6 am (11 pm Central time in US on Saturday night)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To airport: 7:30 am</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Flight to Dublin: 9:30 am (2:30 am Central time, Sunday morning)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Flight to Chicago: 12:50 (6:50 am Central time)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Flight to Cedar Rapids: 5:50 pm Central time (12:50 am in the Netherlands)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Arrive at Grandma's house: 8 pm Central time (3 am Monday in the Netherlands)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was a long day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I was being herded onto and off of and onto more airplanes, I had the chance to notice some very interesting behaviors of my fellow fliers. Originally, I had planned a snarky post, but I waited too long and I've caught up on my rest and binged on Diet Dr. Pepper, and my feelings aren't quite as strong as they were a week ago. These two stuck, though. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Two pieces of advice/information that all travelers should follow:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1. If you need a cart to lug your CARRY ON luggage around the airport, perhaps you should check it. Seriously. If it's too heavy and cumbersome for you to manage between gates, save yourself (and everyone else around you) the trouble, and just pay the $25 to check it. This also applies to being able to lift your luggage. You shouldn't depend on other people to put your luggage in the overhead compartment for you. Nor should others be whacked in the head and/or shoulders because you can't get your bag down in a controlled manor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2. Be prepared. It is NOT a new rule that you have to take laptops out of bags before being scanned. It is NOT a new rule that there are liquid/gel restrictions. You will NOT be allowed to board a flight from Chicago to Cedar Rapids with a boarding pass from your previous flight. You WILL have to take off your shoes in the US to get through security. Please don't act surprised or indignant about any of these things. They are not going to change the rules for you. You will end up looking foolish, and you are slowing things down for everyone else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whew. Getting that off my chest and getting fueled with my DDP, makes me feel so much better. Glad to be back in my homeland! Ready for Jay to be here too!</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rj6TPbCTUI/Tbu10jfp19I/AAAAAAAAAGI/eMp5h_eMaHI/s1600/BLOG+SIG.png" />Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-78461029218814563672011-08-26T13:33:00.000+02:002011-08-26T13:33:56.413+02:00Little Difference #9<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think these pictures should probably speak for themselves. Never seen anything like this...anywhere...in the States.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-54101536713830163282011-08-24T14:36:00.000+02:002011-08-24T14:36:00.333+02:00Road Test<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the biggest learning experiences we've had since we've been here was navigating the roads in our rental car. We have rented a car twice this summer, and we really enjoyed the freedom that goes with that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Freedom, yes. Familiar? Not so much. It's amazing how different some road signs are, and how helpless not knowing what they mean makes you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some were pretty self explanatory, like this speed limit sign.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvobV3_ku_g/TkuwpE-B6uI/AAAAAAAAAjo/VfpyfWY5oc4/s1600/spd+limit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvobV3_ku_g/TkuwpE-B6uI/AAAAAAAAAjo/VfpyfWY5oc4/s200/spd+limit.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Others, though, had us a bit confused. This sign means it's no longer 50 kilometers per hour speed limit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you think this means?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The above means no passing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And this one, means end of no passing zone. To me, the slash through it should mean no. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI7LTdBi6do/Tkuxmh9--zI/AAAAAAAAAj0/iL89_qgd1kc/s1600/end+of+no+passing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI7LTdBi6do/Tkuxmh9--zI/AAAAAAAAAj0/iL89_qgd1kc/s200/end+of+no+passing.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This one means no cars allowed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This one means no parking...not a helicopter landing pad. Sorry, John.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okNxP1SsosM/TkuyC6djDXI/AAAAAAAAAj8/M6_-zQfx4E4/s1600/no+parking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okNxP1SsosM/TkuyC6djDXI/AAAAAAAAAj8/M6_-zQfx4E4/s200/no+parking.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It definitely made Jay a very aware, alert, defensive driver. It also made me very glad I wasn't listed as a driver on the rental agreement! </span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-87073317244656476092011-08-23T14:26:00.000+02:002011-08-23T14:26:50.516+02:00Unprepared<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today I was caught unprepared. <b>Very unprepared</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I went to meet Jay at his school for lunch. We had a quick bite to eat and then decided to go for a little walk before he went back. When we started our walk, we commented on how it was going to rain this afternoon because the sky on the horizon was that dark gray color. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Within <i>just </i>a few minutes we decided we better head back. <b>This storm was moving.</b> By the time we got back to his school (I swear no more than 4 or 5 minutes) the entire sky was a DARK greenish gray....so dark that all the cars had their headlights on. We parted ways, and I picked up speed. It usually takes about 8 or 9 minutes to walk from his school to our apartment, and I was hoping I could make it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't make it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Without warning (well, minus the whipping wind and the scary-movie dark sky) it started pouring. {Pouring really isn't even the correct word. What is pouring times 100 with hail thrown in? That's what it was doing.} Not a sprinkle. Not a gradual increase in rain...one second it wasn't raining and the next it was a deluge. Luckily I was near an overpass, so along with a few other unprepared souls, I jogged to find shelter under the bridge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's how I was unprepared today:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1. No umbrella...such a rookie mistake here in the Netherlands considering it has </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> rained 90% of the days I've been here.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 2. I was wearing flip flops. Have you ever tried to walk in flip flops when it's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> raining? (No wonder you don't see many Dutch wearing flip flops.) It's impossible!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 3. No jacket and wearing a whitish shirt. NO need for explanation really.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, there I stood under the bridge pondering what to do next. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I could:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1. Wait it out. The only problem with this scenario is that it can rain for days and </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> days here. OR</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 2. Take off my flip flops and run like crazy the rest of the way to the apartment. I </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> mean, how wet can you get in 4 or 5 minutes? (I'll answer that question with </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I did nothing. Just waited. And waited. For 25 minutes I stood under the bridge. I debated in my head when would be the best time to go. I tried to figure out the crosswalk light timing so if I decided to make a run for it, I wouldn't have to wait too long at the intersection.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then, finally, I went for it. The rain had let up a little, but it was still raining. Really hard. I took off my flip flops, ducked my head, and just went. I was drenched by the time I got home. But you know what? It's still raining an hour later! I could still be standing under that bridge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This has got me thinking about life. (Pretty deep for 25 minutes under a bridge, hu?) Sometimes there's no perfect solution to the situation you're in. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation that you're totally unprepared for. Perhaps you could have been better prepared, but you aren't. Sometimes you may really question the timing of what's going on...why couldn't it be a year later? a month earlier? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's what I learned today. You can't stay under the bridge forever. Sometimes you just have to jump in and go for it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It may be messy (Um, I'm sure you can imagine how nasty and gross my feet were when I got back). It might not be pretty (As my mascara streaked face and curled up wet hair can attest to!). It might not even be what you had planned on doing. But, if you really think about it...at least you're not standing under a bridge frozen with fear and indecision. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes, you just have to duck your head and go for it.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-32133011617031389782011-08-21T04:56:00.000+02:002011-08-21T04:56:00.442+02:00Change of Plans<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jay arrived in the Netherlands in January to work on a 9 month degree program. I stayed in Wyoming to finish my school year. The plan was for me to join him in June and stay with him until he completed his courses at the end of September.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were fully aware that as a US citizen, I could stay in the Netherlands for 90 days before registering for a residence permit. We had been in contact with his school about it, and they told us to contact them when I'd been here about 60 days, and they would help us get the ball rolling. Should be no big deal....{you may see where this is going}...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, at the beginning of August Jay sent an email to the appropriate person to set up this appointment. We were scheduled to meet with the lady the next week. Unfortunately, she needed some documentation we didn't have (Who travels with their marriage license anyway?), so there was some scrambling to the Randall County Courthouse (Thanks, Duane!), and scanning, and emailing, but we showed up to the appointment prepared. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What we were not prepared for, though, was the news that the fee to register for a residency permit was now 1200 Euros! We were originally told it would be a couple hundred. Apparently the changes are fairly new because even the ladies at his school were just as shocked as we were. One of them even put her hands over her ears when she heard!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I arrived on June 12, so my 90 days is officially over on September 9. Jay's classes are finished September 23. It didn't take us long to decide that 1200 Euros to stay an extra couple weeks was definitely not worth it (especially since that would more than pay my airfare back to the states).</span><br />
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So, the big change of plans is that I'm not going to get to stay with Jay for the duration of his courses. I'm flying back to Iowa (to Junie and some Diet Dr. Pepper...a bright spot in this unexpected change of events) a week from today, next Sunday. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He will fly home to the States when he's done at the end of September. I'm sad to be separated from him again, but it's only a few weeks this time. I guess we'll see where this journey takes us from there!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-46715280485210230752011-08-18T13:23:00.000+02:002011-08-18T13:23:00.340+02:00Hobbies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? I always DREAD this question on applications or when someone asks me in conversation. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dread it. Here's why.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am terrible at hobbies. Worse than awful. Seriously. The only hobby I really have is reading. Now don't get me wrong, I have dabbled in countless hobbies over the years, but I just don't have the "stick with-it-ness" required to fully develop a hobby. For example...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Knitting</span> Years and years ago I got into the knitting craze. I signed up and took a class at the cutest little knitting shop in Iowa City. I loved that store. It was cozy and colorful and so perfectly organized. I even convinced my friend Liz to take a class with me the next semester. She dove in headfirst and became a knitting fool. She finished our mandatory scarf in the first couple weeks and was on to bigger and better projects! Me? I barely finished the first scarf and when I packed up our house in Wyoming, I threw away two started scarves and a dishtowel. <b>Hobby finished.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Scrapbooking </span>I had the marvelous idea the year we turned 21 to make my friend <a href="http://babyisaacson.blogspot.com/">Elise</a> a birthday book entitled "21 Reasons I'm So Glad We're Friends." I embarked on this project with full gusto and with about two months to complete it. I spent countless hours at Hobby Lobby, bought gobs and gobs of scrap paper and pens and stickers. I also happened to mention to a few people that I was "sooo into scrapboking." {Guess what I got for gifts for <i>years </i>following???} I made a few pages, and then I was fresh out of new ideas. I eventually finished and mailed the book to her in April (her birthday is in January). Never used those supplies again, but I traded my friend Val some great scrapbooking materials for hot sauce. I think I got the better end of that deal! <b>Hobby finished.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Yoga</span> I signed up for a yoga class at a cute little studio in Iowa City. One night a week....not too much of a commitment, right? Hmmm. Now, in all fairness, I did enjoy my yoga class, but I never practiced the poses at home. I also think I skipped the last few weeks of class...I think I could get into yoga again, maybe. Maybe not. <b>Hobby finished.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stamping/Cardmaking </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I met some great friends in Wyoming and one of them happens to be a Stampin' Up representative. <a href="http://www.stampinup.com/">Stampin' Up</a> is a company that deals in, you guessed it, stamps, papers, and cardmaking...essentially. Once a month Deborah had these great parties. You go, pay $10, get to make four cute, cute cards and enjoy a nice sampling of foods and drinks. I was hooked after the first time. I loved the cards we made. I loved the idea of being crafty. I bought a couple sets of stamps, I bought the materials to make our Christmas cards that year, I even won several stamp sets at her parties. Guess what? After I moaned and groaned my way through our Christmas cards that first year, I never made another card outside of Stamp Camp. I donated all my goodies to another friend Jennifer who actually uses them and makes some very cute creations. <b>Hobby finished.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dutch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, I know I said I was going to learn some Dutch. I promised myself back in March when I got back from visiting Jay here. I ordered Rosetta Stone, and I was into it...for awhile. Then I got busy with school and said I would work on it when I got over here and didn't have so much to do. And I did...for awhile. Then, I decided that my time here was already halfway over, and unless we were back here in the Netherlands I wasn't going to really need to speak Dutch. I have learned some vocabulary words and can recognize words in print. I have no idea what people are saying or how to say anything, though. So, I feel a twinge of guilt when I get an email from someone asking how the Dutch is going. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's face it, I'm TERRIBLE at hobbies. </span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-14092761438801133502011-08-17T13:46:00.001+02:002011-08-17T13:46:01.455+02:00Fall is in the Air??<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Could it be? Is it really that time of year? Yes, I know it's getting toward the end of August...that it's back to school time, but could it really be? Is it FALL?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See, it never really got all that hot here. It has been very mild since I arrived in June. We probably had three or four days that I would call hot. The rest of our days the weather has been in the 60s and 70s, and of course, it rains so much here compared to anywhere else we've ever lived.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The last week or so, though, there has been a certain "crispness" in the air. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know, the kind that goes with fall. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When Jay's parents were here, we noticed some trees by the train station here in town had leaves turning yellow. We weren't sure if it was a sign of fall or if the trees were sick. I think these pictures from this weekend confirm it, though. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so do the other trees around town. The leaves are turning, and if they haven't turned yet, they are that weak color of green right before they turn. No denying it, I guess. It's almost fall...my favorite season of the year!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-4844032385325580802011-08-16T16:45:00.000+02:002011-08-16T16:45:46.033+02:00Go West<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were itching to go somewhere this weekend, so we decided to explore the western Netherlands. We boarded the train early Saturday morning, and only three hours later, we were on the other side of the country! {Of course that prompted the land surveyor to do some internet research and we discovered that Fremont County (where we lived in Wyoming) is about 3/4 the size of Holland.} The Netherlands may be small, but it is packed full of culture, architecture, and beautiful scenery.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We started off in The Hague. It is the seat of the Dutch government and is the third largest city in the Netherlands. It was chilly and rainy when we were there, and we were kind of wimpy, but we did see quite a bit of it. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is always fun to see something familiar in a whole new way! It was too chilly to try one, though.</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We got back on the train and rode just a little ways to the town of Delft. Delft is most famous for its pottery, appropriately called Delftware.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We didn't go on a factory tour to see the pottery made, but it was everywhere to buy. Delft is a quaint little town. They were having a large market where we found American style cupcakes, and they have a HUGE city center area with a big open area. It was still very, very rainy, but we did walk around and enjoy the town. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was the beautiful train station.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trying to capture just how far this church tower was leaning. It was definitely not where it once was!</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a great daily outing, and we really, really enjoyed those cupcakes!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-75475851040756355572011-08-12T11:04:00.083+02:002011-08-12T11:04:00.752+02:00Missing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Two months ago today<i> </i>I landed in the Netherlands for an extended summer stay. I knew when I was packing up our house in Wyoming that the next few months of my life would be a totally new experience. Time has flown by and Jay and I have had some unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in that short time! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think I've adjusted (somewhat, and probably as good as I'm going to) to life here. We are, as I've mentioned before, in a very unique situation. Jay is going to an international school, so we're living in student housing. That means the basic necessities for day to day living are provided with the housing. Therefore, other than our clothes, computers, and a few books, none of our own things are on the same continent as us. Because of this, I know that our "Dutch experience" Is not typical. If we were to move here for a longer duration, we would definitely have more of our belongings with us or would have acquired more along the way. As it is, though, we are living a pretty spartan life compared to how we've lived previously. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But, our experience is just that...<i>our</i> experience. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, as I've been reflecting on our life for the last two months (his for the last seven), I've compiled a list of the items from my previous life that I'm missing and can't wait to have again when we return!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*These are really in no particular order, except number one and two.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">My cat, Junie</span></span>. She's at my grandma's and I know she's in the best hands and being well taken care of, but I miss her. I also feel guilty about abandoning her. I am aware this makes me sound like the crazy cat lady. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> Diet Dr. Pepper</span>. I have dreams about walking into a store and finding it hidden behind some other drinks. That's how bad it is. I can't wait to get my hands on one or ten.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> My car</span>. I really have enjoyed all the extra walking that a Dutch lifestyle entails, and I hope to carry some of this over to my life back in the States upon return....but, I won't take for granted being able to hop into my car for whatever reason. Need to buy a whole trunk worth of groceries? No prob. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A dishwasher</span>. I guess we do have a dishwasher here...actually two and their names are Jay and Hilleary. Not a fan of washing dishes by hand, that's for sure. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A microwave and oven</span>. We only have a cooktop here, and I think we have done very well for ourselves in the food department. (Neither one of us is hurting for food that's for sure!) But, man it sure is a pain to have to heat up leftovers on a stove (not to mention the pot that the above-mentioned dishwashers now have to wash). I know people lived without microwaves for a long, long time, but what a great invention. And an oven...I had no idea how many of my recipes use an oven. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Netflix</span>. We love to watch movies, and we've gone to several here at the theaters. We also love to watch them at home and had gotten way into Netflix, especially streaming movies. They are awesome. So sad they don't work here.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A real couch</span>. Seriously look at this thing. It's not even on the same page as comfortable. I guess even if we could stream movies, we wouldn't have anywhere to relax and watch it!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't know that two months ago I would have been able to guess the things that would wind up on this list, well except Junie and the Diet Dr. Pepper.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-59666276776688912962011-08-11T12:46:00.000+02:002011-08-11T12:46:38.320+02:00Little Difference #8<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the things Jay and I have always loved to do is go to movies. It was a cool, air-conditioned activity in hot, humid Corpus. It was a warm, cozy place to be during our Wyoming winters. Here in Enschede, it's an easy way to get our American culture fix.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We've been to several movies since I've been here {How's this for American culture fix? We've seen <i>Bad Teacher</i>, <i>Bridesmaids</i>, and <i>Horrible Bosses </i>this summer...yes, a little crude and crass, but we laughed anyway}. Anyway, the first movie we saw, <i>Bad Teacher,</i> was in a relatively empty theater. We enjoyed an entire row to ourselves with two or three other small groups of movie-goers spread throughout the theater.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The second movie, <i>Bridesmaids</i>, was a whole different story. We noticed when we sat down that some people came in and sat RIGHT next to us...like, there were all empty seats on our row and they chose the two right next to us. <i>Weird</i>. Then another couple came in right before the movie started and sat on the other side of us. We were trapped in between two groups of people we didn't know...and there were still plenty of empty seats throughout the theater! <i>Awkward</i>. Thank goodness I had already seen the movie, because I was quite distracted with people I didn't know sitting <i><b>thisclose</b></i> to me. I need my space, especially if I don't know someone. I'm the person who will get up and move at an airport waiting area if you come and sit too close to me. When we left the movie we were wondering if the Dutch just had different standards of personal space.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, imagine our surprise (and my horror) this past Sunday afternoon when we went to see <i>Horrible Bosses</i> and this happened. We went in and sat down. We intentionally chose an aisle seat, thinking people would much rather sit in the middle of the row for optimal viewing. Jay and I even strategically put my purse and his jacket {*yes, I said jacket those of you melting in Texas and Oklahoma*} in the seat next to us to deter space-invaders. Of course, without fail, the first group that came in after us was a family and they were heading up toward our row. I was commenting to Jay that I wasn't sure it was an appropriate movie for kids to see when they walked into our row, passed us, and started looking at the numbers on the seats. Numbers on the seats? Hmmm, hadn't noticed those before. Then, they started speaking to each other and pointing to the number on the seat next to us and then at us. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apparently, there are assigned seats at this movie theater! We had no idea. We got out our tickets...sure enough E6 and E7. So, we got up and retreated to our assigned seats. We laughed at ourselves, thinking we had caused our own stress at the previous movie by not sitting where we were supposed to. We also laughed because everyone that came into the theater was looking on their tickets and then searching for their assigned seats. How had we not noticed this before?! Ok, I was feeling better in E7 with Jay, someone I know, sitting next to me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Until...as the time for the movie to begin got closer and closer, the seats around us started filling in. RIGHT in front of us. RIGHT behind us. RIGHT on BOTH sides of us. All I was thinking was my friend Michelle would have been hyperventilating at this point and probably have left! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think the assigned seats are ridiculous. Ridiculous. But on top of that, for a computer to assign seats in a really big theater right next to someone who bought tickets ten minutes before??? Insane. Most of the little differences I've documented have been neither positive nor negative, just different. This? This is a BIG negative in my book! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have no idea if this is a regular practice in the Netherlands, but they do it at our theater. It makes no sense to me and Jay got a big laugh over how worked up I was about it. I concluded that their computers could run faster and save memory by not having to assign seats to each ticket purchased. I also asked him how much ink (i.e., money) they could save each year if they weren't printing seat numbers on each ticket. I think those are valid points....now I just need to find someone at the theater to listen to me. Perhaps next time I can start by sharing it with the stranger sharing an armrest with me.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-35665297087537858272011-08-09T17:28:00.000+02:002011-08-09T17:28:59.052+02:00What I've Been Up To<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week when I went to Amsterdam with Jay's parents to be tourists and see them off on their plane, I came across a gold mine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seriously.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In one of the shops at the airport, they had magazines...in ENGLISH! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was so excited. I've always, always been a magazine junkie, but I've slowly weaned myself over the years. At one point, I think I subscribed to 8 or 9 magazines at the same time. When I left Wyoming, I was down to 3. That's not to say, of course, that I didn't buy a magazine every time I was at Wal-Mart, though!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's what I came home with...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't realize until I went to check out that my find would cost me dearly, but it was worth all thirty euros I had to spend! I slowly have been working my way through my treasure and enjoying every minute of it.</span><br />
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Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-64592744460589661562011-08-07T03:16:00.000+02:002011-08-07T03:16:22.214+02:00Love Can Build A Bridge<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Is the Judd's song going through your head right now? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, on our first trip to Cologne we noticed something unusual on the bridge over the Rhine River as we rode the train into downtown.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apparently, there is a tradition for people in love to fasten a lock with their name or initials onto a bridge. Once the lock is on there, you throw the key into the river. The idea is, the lock can never be removed since the key is long gone, and therefore, your love will always remain. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know, it's just a tad cheesy, but we decided that since we were going back to Cologne when Jay's parents were here we would surprise them and do it too. So, we both locked our locks onto the bridge and threw away the key. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're ever in Cologne, our locks are on the 14th panel on the more congested side of the bridge {Probably should have paid attention to an actual direction}. Look us up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-5920818027124977742011-08-06T11:50:00.001+02:002011-08-06T11:50:00.956+02:00Double Drakes-The Rest of the Story<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's see...I don't think I've fully covered our trip with Jay's parents yet. Some of the places we visited (<a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-3-cologne.html">Cologne</a> and Trier <a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-1-trier.html">1</a> and <a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-2-trier-dom.html">2</a>) we had already been to so I won't repost pictures. I talked about Luxembourg and Bastogne <a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/08/proud-to-be-american.html">here</a>, so that leaves the drive down the Rhine River with beautiful views of castles and the city of Worms.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The drive down the river is about fifty miles and contains 30 castles or remains of castles. There are boat trips you can take that will let you off at different castles so you can tour them, get closer, take good pictures, etc. We decided we could do all that on our own. Well, not so much. The road is two-laned with hardly any places to stop, so most of the castles we saw we couldn't even get a picture of...lesson learned. Take the tour!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trying to figure out which castle we were looking at...and wishing we had taken the dang boat tour!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That same afternoon we arrived in Worms, Germany. As I mentioned earlier, Worms is <i>kind of a big deal</i> historically...like as in it played a pretty big role in the Protestant Reformation. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These three pictures are from the beautiful Cathedral there. The following is the Martin Luther Memorial.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJUdh6ppILs/TjybVbCsQkI/AAAAAAAAAhA/SKJuu2ufYjw/s1600/DSC00791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJUdh6ppILs/TjybVbCsQkI/AAAAAAAAAhA/SKJuu2ufYjw/s400/DSC00791.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Worms was also known as Little Jerusalem prior to World War II because for centuries it had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. The Jewish cemetery there is just fascinating. We got there right after closing and the caretaker was kind enough to let us in for just a few minutes, but I would have loved to get to spend some more time wandering around. It dates from the 11th century!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Worms was a lovely little town. There was so much history to see, but it wasn't as full of tourists as some of the other places we went. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-73397789376039062002011-08-06T03:02:00.000+02:002011-08-06T03:02:12.200+02:00Proud To Be An American<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week when Jay's parents were here we had the chance to visit two special places on our whirlwind loop through neighboring countries. The first was the American Military Cemetery & Memorial in Luxembourg.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This cemetery is the final resting place of 5,076 American soldiers, most of whom died during the Battle of the Bulge. Among those interred here is General George S. Patton. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Cemetery was an amazing sight to behold. The grounds are beautifully tended, and it was very humbling to look upon row of row of tombstones knowing the sacrifice that not just those soldiers had made, but the families of those soldiers as well. Inside the Memorial is a small chapel and the bells chime every quarter hour. The music filling the serene landscape was very moving.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The other location we visited was Bastogne, Belgium where the Battle of the Bulge occurred. The Mardasson Memorial was placed there by the Belgium government to honor the American soldiers who fought to liberate Belgium. Inside the stunning star-shaped memorial, the story of the battle is carved into the walls. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One quote in particular really captured the honor and dedication of the men who served. If you can't make out the entire inscription from this picture it says, "The uniformed ranks of the United States fought for this soil...as if it had been their homeland."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right down the road from the Memorial is a place called La Bois de la Paix or Woods of Peace. Four <i>thousand</i> trees were planted on the 50th anniversary of the battle. The trees commemorate the units of the American military that served there. Some of the trees are dedicated to specific veterans who were able to make the trip in 1994 to the memorial.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We visited all of these places on the same day, and it was probably my favorite part of our tour. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was such a nice reminder of the great country I had the privilege of being born in. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A great reminder of the thousands upon thousands who have made (and are still making) sacrifices, not just for the freedom of our own country but for others as well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a stark reminder that no matter how crazy our government and politics can be at times {and we were visiting on the eve of the budget deadline...craziness of politics at its finest}, <b>I'm</b> <b>so proud to be an American</b>.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-76351501728603137622011-08-03T02:45:00.000+02:002011-08-03T02:45:37.824+02:00My Latest Addiction<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have you heard of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>? I'm sure I'm one of the last to get into this craze, because, well, that's usually how it works. But, oh my. I'm loving this site. A hundred, million thanks to my cousin <a href="http://theschmidtfamilystories.blogspot.com/">Britany </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for inviting me and getting me started. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">{{Funny side note, I was just about to publish this and decided I better check my links to make sure they worked. Well, I forgot the word "the" before Brit's blog name, and I had linked up to some totally random Schmidt family! Brit, did you know there was a blog with such a close name? They look like really nice people! haha}}</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those of you not in-the-know yet, here's what it is. Basically it's a website where you can "pin" images to different bulletin boards you create. You know how lots of people like to tear articles, pictures for inspiration, recipes, hairdos, etc out of magazines? Well, with Pinterest you can keep all those images and ideas organized in one place without having hundreds of loose papers everywhere. It's genius. Pure genius. And 100% addicting.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are some of the images I've pinned recently.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/82758271_BbB6c9Ec_c.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can think of several outfits of mine that just need these shoes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think even I could make these and they turn out ok. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Really?? Doesn't this make so much more sense than the long deep closets usually under stairs?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm ready for fall and this would make me so happy to walk by every day on my way to and from work during the fall season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I could go on and on for a long time about how great this site is. I have boards with school ideas, holiday ideas, food ideas, books to read, quotes I enjoy, clothing ideas, decorating ideas, gift ideas...anything that catches my eye I can pin it and refer to it later. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm loving it! (And wasting a good amount of time loving it...be warned you will get sucked in...).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-77554782841250108742011-08-03T02:23:00.001+02:002011-08-06T03:18:47.963+02:00Drakes Going Dutch...Doubled<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Watch out Holland. It's Double the Drakes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I rode the train to Amsterdam last Thursday morning to pick Jay's parents up from their flight. We walked around Enschede and enjoyed the scene around the city center that night.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friday we were up early to head on a four day outing: Cologne, castle tour along the Rhine River, Worms, Trier, Luxembourg, and Bastogne. Lots to see and do. We were delayed a little in our departure because of a little passport mishap, but all's well that ends well, right?!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cologne was wonderful. Jay and I had already made a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-3-cologne.html">quick trip there</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. It was just as magnificent this time, but we were able to spend some more time there and take it all in a little better.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The next morning we woke up and drove along the Rhine River along a stretch of road about fifty miles in length with over thirty castles or ruins of castles there. We ended up the day in Worms. As in Edict of Worms...as in Martin Luther getting kicked out of Catholic Church...as in pretty big stuff happened here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday we trekked to Trier. This was a <a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-1-trier.html">return trip</a> for <a href="http://drakesgoingdutch.blogspot.com/2011/07/drakes-going-german-part-2-trier-dom.html">us</a>, but it really is one of my favorite places I've seen so far. We ended the night in Luxembourg.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Monday was a busy day. We started off with the American Military Cemetery there and then headed to Bastogne, Belgium where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today we ventured out and about around town and will do more of the same tomorrow. On Thursday we're heading over to Amsterdam, and they fly out Friday. It has been so nice having them here.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm still working on sorting through all the pictures, so I'll post some of them in separate over the next day or so. I'll leave you with a couple pics from our evening: a windmill underneath the setting sun.</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-18946941204655524482011-08-03T02:11:00.000+02:002011-08-03T02:11:46.750+02:00Never Say Never<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't believe I'm about to say this. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am now the owner of a pair of Crocs. I have never been a fan of the shoes. I mean, unless you're gardening, working as a nurse, or in a kitchen I could never really see the need for the rubber clog. I know some people love them and that's fine, I just always said I would never own a pair.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I guess as the old saying goes, never say never. Before we left on our trip with Jay's classmates, I knew I would need some comfortable shoes since we were going to be doing so much walking. Well, in my packing and planning back in May I didn't really think about comfy, touring shoes. {In my defense I did have a lot of other things on my mind.} I have several pairs of way cute shoes here, but they definitely aren't good for hoofing it all day. The only comfortable pair I had over here were my tennies, and nothing ruins an outfit quicker than having to wear socks and tennies where they don't belong. {So vain, I know.} Anyway, I was out shopping one day and came across the Crocs store...There was a really cute pair of shoes on one of the advertisement posters so I ventured in.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It smelled like rubber. BUT, oh my goodness. There are some way cute shoes in there now! They have come a looooong way from just the brightly colored clogs. A looooooooooong way. I ended up getting this pair, but I would have bought another of their jellies if they'd been available in my size. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wore them our entire trip. No blisters, no tired aching feet. And no ruined outfits with my sleek black flats. I'm now a believer and I can sort of, kind of understand why people were so willing to wear the ugly clogs. They are heaven for your feet. (Notice I said <i>were</i> willing. With all the cute styles out there I am still not getting the rubber clogs).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-70110849560276279712011-07-26T22:29:00.003+02:002011-07-26T22:29:00.714+02:00TLC<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Big news! {That might be a bit dramatic of a beginning, I doubt anyone else will be as excited as I am about this...}</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Guess which new channel we just got here? And that's in English?!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am so excited! It actually comes on the same channel that is Animal Planet during the day, but at 18:00 (6 pm), it turns into TLC! Some of the shows are familiar and some are played from UK TLC. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I was flipping through tonight, though, I got a little concerned. Here's the line-up for Tuesday nights. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F88EysvJF0/Ti3ydNBRZyI/AAAAAAAAAeY/VFBuP8mHbAE/s1600/toddlers-and-tiaras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F88EysvJF0/Ti3ydNBRZyI/AAAAAAAAAeY/VFBuP8mHbAE/s400/toddlers-and-tiaras.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgT_Gn3mhD4/Ti3yeN75EiI/AAAAAAAAAec/AwiUGBRd7nA/s1600/kp8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgT_Gn3mhD4/Ti3yeN75EiI/AAAAAAAAAec/AwiUGBRd7nA/s400/kp8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbf5R-i-z34oM9mHknvzTrJFHqRTjmwOkX2VfBMt0gRMghmPaWJ4w8POE8Xmey8eBn1UvF33Izw31ktoskdd5fmHVLT1PW7BmkrMWdXOELWAtm_N0S3XP_J_f15HZr0SiGvFHWwyj_2hOB/s1600/sister-wives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbf5R-i-z34oM9mHknvzTrJFHqRTjmwOkX2VfBMt0gRMghmPaWJ4w8POE8Xmey8eBn1UvF33Izw31ktoskdd5fmHVLT1PW7BmkrMWdXOELWAtm_N0S3XP_J_f15HZr0SiGvFHWwyj_2hOB/s400/sister-wives.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now I am the first to admit that I have watched all of the above (and enjoyed them), but I'm a little concerned about the Dutch people thinking these shows are representative of the American public! Hopefully they stay tuned for <i>What Not to Wear</i> and <i>Say Yes to the Dress</i>, because they show us <i>so</i> much more accurately, right? Hahaha. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttwkuk4WVRQ/Ti3zWxC1Z8I/AAAAAAAAAek/VSghmnZaJQY/s1600/hilleary+blog+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttwkuk4WVRQ/Ti3zWxC1Z8I/AAAAAAAAAek/VSghmnZaJQY/s1600/hilleary+blog+sig.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-21320240077807484772011-07-26T01:33:00.000+02:002011-07-26T01:33:15.618+02:00Excursion: Friday & Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friday morning, bright and early, we were back on the bus. We spent two full days driving to get back to Enschede. We stopped outside of Zurich, Switzerland to stay the night. We were all so exhausted by that point in the week we didn't do any sightseeing there. Jay and I had dinner in our hotel restaurant (I made sure to avoid all dishes with stinky cheese!) and then the group had a little party that night to wrap up the trip.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The following pictures were taken Friday on a mandatory stop. Our driver could only drive two hours and then had to take a 15 minute break. Then, after the fourth hour he had to have a 45 minute break. I guess it's a Dutch rule. Are there rules like these for drivers in the US too? Probably. Anyway, it's not so easy to find a gas station/restaurant in the middle of the Alps, so we had to spend our break at a wide spot in the road. Not a bad view, hu?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vblfFBA0ow/Ti3WDnSuzAI/AAAAAAAAAds/OgUxJQW7fnc/s1600/IMG_5399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vblfFBA0ow/Ti3WDnSuzAI/AAAAAAAAAds/OgUxJQW7fnc/s400/IMG_5399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You might say we were a little "slap happy" after being on the bus for so long...Imagine how we were by Saturday afternoon!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyxRiNYyYJ8/Ti3WObDrzUI/AAAAAAAAAdw/n4a4f8Ac7fA/s1600/IMG_5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyxRiNYyYJ8/Ti3WObDrzUI/AAAAAAAAAdw/n4a4f8Ac7fA/s400/IMG_5407.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXYt5ZSDZYF5uXIAKaXSk3QBGPOqCTkzGo8uSzfdzi-fmlha9N40xvzFFMFdUa54vPqLbgOO5Ej4AlND6zRbGRhepgwz9vz3nSPJbqJQHkA7cYerbQUfGhan8M2T8YSBvxPs_QEWNWJpa/s1600/IMG_5408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXYt5ZSDZYF5uXIAKaXSk3QBGPOqCTkzGo8uSzfdzi-fmlha9N40xvzFFMFdUa54vPqLbgOO5Ej4AlND6zRbGRhepgwz9vz3nSPJbqJQHkA7cYerbQUfGhan8M2T8YSBvxPs_QEWNWJpa/s400/IMG_5408.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrPKXE9WPEj4VPY2lXIlgjEk0d_l4k7wXnerGaK4LnstzWsuxmIXkTr7LOy66_TK8XRfERCkwfhQdHnEkGfbEy8kLmkslDnGIWPIOArGyMLtM_rkPfkHGf5ldWh3cOCgkr-LJsF6YSB6X/s1600/IMG_5409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrPKXE9WPEj4VPY2lXIlgjEk0d_l4k7wXnerGaK4LnstzWsuxmIXkTr7LOy66_TK8XRfERCkwfhQdHnEkGfbEy8kLmkslDnGIWPIOArGyMLtM_rkPfkHGf5ldWh3cOCgkr-LJsF6YSB6X/s400/IMG_5409.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_v_KRu0cRQ/Ti3WUw28ceI/AAAAAAAAAd8/HZWLnMPek0c/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_v_KRu0cRQ/Ti3WUw28ceI/AAAAAAAAAd8/HZWLnMPek0c/s400/IMG_5587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We got back here Saturday evening around 6:30. We had a fabulous trip and it was an amazing experience, but it felt so good to get off that bus! We enjoyed a day of total relaxation on Sunday. Jay is back to school this week, and then on Thursday his parents get here. We have a long weekend trip planned, and it will be nice to spend time with some fellow Americans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgYpAJGTCRLKNWqz3yS-7JhpdgGP17cY-1DspJvWbxTu5MmDyOPorwudSu4ZJIWINEmDHlTmRoWgeZXXCI1S4Fjg4_EOe9YYQREtd0Y5AcP-ACtUKnV4g5Vnmbf6cAveDGZHdYa29LWe_/s1600/hilleary+blog+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgYpAJGTCRLKNWqz3yS-7JhpdgGP17cY-1DspJvWbxTu5MmDyOPorwudSu4ZJIWINEmDHlTmRoWgeZXXCI1S4Fjg4_EOe9YYQREtd0Y5AcP-ACtUKnV4g5Vnmbf6cAveDGZHdYa29LWe_/s1600/hilleary+blog+sig.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-33902950242376322792011-07-26T01:20:00.000+02:002011-07-26T01:20:00.494+02:00Excursion: Wednesday & Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wednesday morning I was free to roam Genova while Jay and friends went to visit another mapping agency. Because of the very narrow roads and the fact that this agency was in the foothills of the mountains (remember I said Genova is squashed between the water and the mountains?), the bus couldn't make it up the road. That meant that Jay and his classmates had to walk the 2 kilometers <i>uphill </i>to get there. They were exhausted when they finished around lunchtime! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We hopped back on the bus and drove to Parma. I actually got to go on this visit to a photogrammetry company, which was pretty cool because this has been Jay's obsession for many years, and I felt like I really learned a lot there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb51RVK2TxZ3GnEX1LTJ-h_-cfk1Rt_2VRR8GNOkQ7taRCGVQfyqfeC00DgoDqZimPdzbrQxz3YK44DzPzKGPXV96nUHMdedvAViOSRwz-HWrKTxbAHsb63WBuslFxoIAbxRNC6WvHyg4r/s1600/IMG_4871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb51RVK2TxZ3GnEX1LTJ-h_-cfk1Rt_2VRR8GNOkQ7taRCGVQfyqfeC00DgoDqZimPdzbrQxz3YK44DzPzKGPXV96nUHMdedvAViOSRwz-HWrKTxbAHsb63WBuslFxoIAbxRNC6WvHyg4r/s400/IMG_4871.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do I pass for a mapmaker? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After our tour of this company it was back on the bus to drive to Florence. We got there in the early evening and got checked into our "hotel." You know in romantic comedies a couple goes on a getaway to Europe and ends up in some less-than-ideal hotel? Well, it was <strike>a lot</strike> kind of like that. The best thing about the accommodations was the view from our balcony...Is it still called a balcony if there isn't a door to get out there but instead you have to crawl out the window?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ8NUrtH_FA/Ti3VH6kb5AI/AAAAAAAAAcs/twT2MYwLu7c/s1600/DSC00683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ8NUrtH_FA/Ti3VH6kb5AI/AAAAAAAAAcs/twT2MYwLu7c/s400/DSC00683.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Florence is AMAZING. We found the same atmosphere as in Genova, it's just much larger and much more tourist-y. Florence is home to a couple very famous museums. Ever hear of the David statue? Yeah, it's here. No, I didn't see it. Sad to say I didn't' pre-buy tickets to the museum it's in, and I refused to spend my day in Florence standing in a line...which is also why I wasn't able to go inside the amazing cathedral either. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kypiJG3J09E/Ti3VKXRlyOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/v3FM2RnDI2Y/s1600/DSC00688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kypiJG3J09E/Ti3VKXRlyOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/v3FM2RnDI2Y/s400/DSC00688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfKLK3H8FTI/Ti3VLIaFgOI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Vj88rr2ALhk/s1600/DSC00690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfKLK3H8FTI/Ti3VLIaFgOI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Vj88rr2ALhk/s400/DSC00690.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had the most delicious meals in Florence. We ate at little sidewalk cafes and tried different pastas and dishes each meal. It was to.die.for.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UkHqBq53GM/Ti3VMqK6N2I/AAAAAAAAAc4/ZskOrohgrVk/s1600/DSC00692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UkHqBq53GM/Ti3VMqK6N2I/AAAAAAAAAc4/ZskOrohgrVk/s400/DSC00692.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qn4wkhTrHdxtBqoEZMsQ5bB4FZQj3a_x4C-7iyvz-pv7ilMB2eDPEWwai1gpNuwB5WJAI8mEIj9WhzUaE_lgEUHG5QtEXfRSDyqU_ubz64fy7PCOir6N23GThzV8QcvCojrXAL-iXe2Z/s1600/DSC00701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qn4wkhTrHdxtBqoEZMsQ5bB4FZQj3a_x4C-7iyvz-pv7ilMB2eDPEWwai1gpNuwB5WJAI8mEIj9WhzUaE_lgEUHG5QtEXfRSDyqU_ubz64fy7PCOir6N23GThzV8QcvCojrXAL-iXe2Z/s400/DSC00701.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those were my attempts to take a picture of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral">Il Duomo</a>...this thing can hold 20 <i>thousand </i>(not a typo) people. The problem is it's so big and it's difficult to get far enough away from it to get it all. You should totally click on the link above and go check it out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This photo cracks me up, because this guy just walked into the picture. I was going through them and started laughing. I need to document that we have no idea who this guy is, or I'm afraid someday we'll be showing our grandchildren these pictures and racking our brains trying to remember who this dude is!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I loved Italy. I loved the atmosphere, the people, the food, the weather. I would go back in a heartbeat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-67571488556659308562011-07-26T00:37:00.000+02:002011-07-26T00:37:04.677+02:00Excursion: Tuesday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Early Tuesday morning we boarded the bus to head to Italy. After some confusion about which roads our bus could take and back-tracking and getting to see much more of Switzerland than expected, we finally crossed the Alps into Italy. {My only regret is that we weren't able to get better pictures of the amazing views we had from the bus...some people were taking pictures from inside, but I've never had much luck with pictures through glass. If I get a chance to borrow any of their photos I will definitely share them.}</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We arrived in Genova, Italy in the late afternoon. It is interesting to me that Italy and Switzerland are neighbors. They are sooooo different. Switzerland was beautiful, but almost in a fake way. Italy, though...I'm in love! It's a more rustic, raw beauty. We drove through Tuscany and the hills are filled with vineyards and old homes and sunflowers. The streets of the towns we drove through and visited were crowded and noisy. The people were much less "refined" than those in Switzerland, and they certainly seemed to be having more fun!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Genova (spelled Genoa in English) is a seaport town nestled between the Mediterranean and the mountains. It is also the home of Christopher Columbus. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These next two pictures are looking out the window of our hotel in each direction.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Italy was just like what I imagined. The streets were very narrow with tall buildings shooting up right close to the streets. There were cars and scooters zooming in and out of traffic. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be driving around town there! During our walking around Tuesday evening we stumbled upon a little sidewalk cafe where Jay's professor and his wife were having a glass of wine. We sat down and joined them. It was very interesting because the later it got, the busier the streets got. Families, couples, little kids all seemed to come out once it got dark. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We ended up taking the advice of a local and eating at a restaurant "off the beaten path". Well, off the beaten path is an excellent description of this place. It was in a narrow alleyway, which I read are called carruggi. The food was delicious and the company was great. I think this was easily our favorite night of the trip.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trust me, it's as wonderful as it looks. I loved, loved, loved it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens! </span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-77727400315897264942011-07-26T00:20:00.000+02:002011-07-26T00:20:44.430+02:00An Email From an Old Friend<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I got an email from one of my oldest friends (That's length of friendship, not age!). Sarah and I were in the same first grade class, and we have remained friends since then. We even shared a "Best Friends" necklace or two in elementary school. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{IF I was in Canyon I would scan one of the multiple pictures of us in my mom's picture albums, but just imagine two bow-headed late 80s/early 90s girls.}</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we entered junior high and then high school, Sarah and I had very different interests. She was a very talented athlete, and I was...well, not. We ended up having different groups of friends, but I always knew she was someone who would be there if I needed her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have stayed in contact over the years--sometimes going months at a time without talking to each other, sometimes years. When I got Sarah's email a couple weeks ago it had been a couple years since we had talked (other than keeping up with each other on Facebook). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One thing that Sarah and I always had in common was our love of quotes. She has a quote book we shared and wrote in during those awkward preteen years. When I got married, she gave me a very pretty notebook filled with some of her favorite quotes. So of course it is only fitting that at the end of the email, Sarah included a couple quotes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's the amazing thing about the quotes she sent.They spoke to me so perfectly at this point in my life! Even after going all that time without really talking to each other, she picked just the quotes I needed to hear. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was my favorite one.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><b>Today you are stronger and deeper on the inside because of the experiences life has given you, and softer around the edges because of the things you have let go of along the way.</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This time in our lives has been fun, exciting, scary, sad, freeing, and many other emotions wrapped into one. This quote reminded me that everything that happens along this path of life is working to shape me into who I am and who I will be. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We still aren't sure what's next for us, but we're excited to see what's in store and we're completely grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259500150689365035.post-2122240884275097462011-07-26T00:16:00.000+02:002011-07-26T00:16:12.030+02:00Excursion: Sunday & Monday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last Sunday Jay and I boarded a tour bus for a week long excursion with his classmates. Our destination? Switzerland and Italy...that's a far cry from the field trips I took as a student or took my students on! It has been a very, very long time since I've been on a bus that long...like I'm thinking since Student Life camp in high school?! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday we drove through Germany to Bern, Switzerland. This drive took us through the Swiss Alps. It was so beautiful. Picturesque. Perfect. We spent Sunday evening and all day Monday in Bern. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bern is the capital of Switzerland and also home to Albert Einstein for part of his life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Monday during the day Jay and his classmates took two tours of different mapping agencies, and I was able just to roam around town freely. Jay's professor actually apologized to Jay that I wouldn't be able to take the tours with them, but Jay assured him I would be perfectly ok with it! We had the late afternoons and evening together to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">explore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and eat. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was very expensive in Switzerland, but that didn't stop us from trying the local cuisine...fondue with, what else?, Swiss cheese. Now, as most of you know I have a hyper-sensitive nose. It is generally an annoyance, but when you're in a restaurant with melted stinky cheese everywhere, it's a curse. The cheese (melted not only for our fondue but also on most of the dishes in the restaurant) didn't actually taste too bad, but I couldn't get over the smell. Ick. Jay loved it though, and was glad for once that his sense of smell doesn't work very well!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{Thanks, Sami for the pictures of Jay and me together. When I was going through all the pictures, I realized the only pictures of us together were ones you took! Thanks to you we have proof we were on the trip together!}</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a great few days in Switzerland, but early on Tuesday morning we got back on the bus for a drive to Genova (Genoa in English), Italy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tot ziens!</span><br />
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</span>Hillearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857840532312871497noreply@blogger.com0