Just a Random Update!

Well hello everyone! Just thought I'd drop a line! Recently I have delved into the Garmisch lifestyle, even trying out snowboarding for the first time! It was much more fun that I had anticipated, and I am looking forward to going again when we get some more snow. Right now the snow is pretty melted, and then it freezes into ice at night which would be painful to fall on. I also went sledding with a few friends down a trail on the mountain that we live by. It's called the Kramer, and about half-way up the side of the mountain there is a small restaurant called the Half-Way house. We climbed up the trail in the snow one night, and sledded back down. It was freezing cold, but so much fun! I still have the battle scars from that night! Last night I invited the Elders down from Munich (It's about a 45 minute drive). They came and brought a newly baptized member, and I also invited a few friends from the Abrams (the place I live) to eat with us. We all sat on the ground in my room, and ate some amazing Paella and Milk Chocolate Mousse. After dinner, I asked the Elders to share a short message. I have never done this before, seeing as I went to school with all members, so it was quite an experience for me to share the gospel with my non-member friends. I had expected them to not say anything or ask questions, but they did! We talked about Joseph Smith and the Restoration, then we talked about Moroni's challenge, and my friends asked a LOT of questions! We ended up discussing things for quite some time, until the Elders realized they were going to be late getting home, and we had to wrap things up. I am looking forward to having them down again in the near future.
Everything is going well over here in Pretzel Land, and I am soon going to be traveling to far off places again! February 22-25 I will get to go to London, which I am very excited about! I already have tickets to Wicked, and I am planning on seeing all the famous sights while there. Hopefully in March I will be able to go on a few weekend trips, as my fried Tyane and I have the same days off and want to see some of the same places. Right now we are thinking Venice for a couple of days, which should be a blast! In April I am going to Paris for four days, which I am super excited about, and I have a long trip to Italy planned, hopefully in June. Other than that, I am just trying to stay sane at work! I love you all!

Fitness Challenge

Okay. So over here in Pretzel land, we have a big gym on post. And said gym is having a six week fitness challenge, which I am signed up for with some of my friends. You have to get weighed, check your BMI and body fat content, as well as flexibility. Then, you get awarded points for things like working out, eating right, and giving up things that are unhealthy for you. I have decided to be gung-ho about it, and I am giving up sweets for the duration. That may be the hardest part of the whole thing! However, I have set some personal goals to accompany the challenge, so we'll see how it goes! Wish me luck!

Snow White and the Seven Dirndls

Hello my loyal fans! Or, you know, two or three readers...I am back! I wish I had more to Write about, but what goes on around here is mostly work. So I'll try to find enough interesting things to write about! The biggest thing to happen recently was the purchase and subsequent use of a shnazzy new...Dirndl! For those of you who are not familiar with Dirndls, they are a type of traditional dress worn in Bavaria for Fests and such. I have wanted one for a while, but most are very expensive (~500 euro). So I did what any sane poor person world do. I went to a thrift store. I ended up getting the whole thing for less that 150 euro! I know that is still a lot, but it really was a good deal. I love my new Dirndl, and it loves me. I got to wear it the very next day for a friend's birthday party, and had a blast feeling like a true Bavarian. At some point during the evening, someone mentioned that I reminded them of Snow White with my very pale skin, very dark hair, and peachy complexion added to the Dirndl. I always knew I was a princess. I should have guessed it would be the whitest one. Oh well!


I love it!

In other news, we had an Eighties night here a few weeks ago, and we all dressed up for it. It was a really fun time, and I look forward to doing it again real soon!


Me an Katie in our 80's gear!

Okay! That is all! Stay tuned for my trip to London at the end of February!

Odds and Ends

I have been so busy with work and play that I have neglected my blog! Sorry! I don't feel too bad, because I know only three people read this thing anyway! Okay, so a few things happened since my last significant post...

1) My birthday! I still don't feel 23...maybe I will when I turn 24. Anyway, I had a wonderful birthday, complete with winning an Ipod shuffle at work (which I gave away, since I already have one, you are welcome Joel), and then going out to a fantastic dinner with some amazing friends! It was a blast!


The Roomies! Amy, the blonde one, is my roommate. She's awesome!

2) Christmas! I was super crafty and made Christmas candy and went caroling around my complex. It was really fun, and everyone enjoyed the Fudge and Divinity I made! Christmas day I was awoken by my good friend Tyane, who came bearing cinnamon rolls in a can, so we baked them and joined a breakfast group in the hallway. Later that day we went to work, and tried to spread Christmas cheer by caroling and generally being in a good mood. It was a great day!

3) New Years! I worked on New Year's Eve, but got off at midnight, at which point I rushed downtown to be with Tyane for her birthday (she was born on the 31st). We danced in Marienplaz, fought our way through the crowds at IPub, and then ended up snagging some goodies from Burger King around 2 am before catching a cab home. When we got there, we cut her birthday cake and sang to her. It was a long, eventful night, but one for the books!

I think we are caught up! Now I am busy planning all the places I want to see in the new year. On the list are London, Brussels, any part of Italy, and somewhere in Spain. I am so excited to see the world, and share all my adventures with you! Until next time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
That is all! I love you guys!

A Little bit of Everything

So it's been a while (again). I just seem to lose track of time over here! So much going on, and way too much fun! So in the past few weeks I have done a lot of exciting things like:

Decorating for Christmas (sorry it's sideways...)




Taking in the very first real snow of the year!


Taking naps...Natasha joined me for this one!


Hanging out with amazing people...Like Angela and Isabell


Cooking Sunday dinner...Natasha and Sven helped out in the kitchen!

And also...

Going to the Munich Christmas Market! So much fun!

I will have to put more pictures up soon, as these are only a small portion of the fun!

A Tale of Turkey and Turkey

The past few weeks have been busy! On the 22 of November I had the chance to attend another Opera, this one starring my beautiful and talented friend Angela! It was called Il Turco in Italia, or The Turk in Italy. The opera was fantastic, and I enjoyed getting to see Angela in a starring role! She did wonderfully!



Angela the Gypsy

This week I had the good fortune to spend Thanksgiving Day with some friends, and cook a delicious meal. We had a great time making traditional turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. It was a quiet night at home!

Sunday, however, was a very different story! Melanie wanted to organize Thanksgiving dinner for the YSAs and missionaries in Munich, so we got some turkeys (four, to be exact) and all the fixings for a feast! It actually began on Saturday, with Nathan, Andreas and I making the pumpkin pies and rolls. We spent a lovely afternoon baking and listening to some classical music in the church kitchen. The pies turned out great, but the rolls were a bit undercooked (okay, I still haven't gotten used to the ovens here).


Nathan with the pies!

We hid the good away for Sunday and headed out. I met up with Angela, and we had a great time having a sleepover at Melanie's apartment which she graciously allowed us to use while he was out of town. It was a really fun time!

Sunday I was blessed to be called as a primary teacher, and so I am now responsible for the 9-11 year old Valiant class. I have been subbing for their class for the past two weeks, and I am very excited to get to know them better. I also gave a talk in Sacrament meeting, which was scary! I hadn't given a talk for almost five years (!) but I think it went pretty well, despite being terrified.

Fast forward to about three that afternoon, and I have just put the first turkey in the oven. One turkey was being cooked in Melanie's oven, one by the missionaries in the mission office oven, and two at the church. By five, we had all the help we could have wanted to cook the side dishes. S many cooks in the kitchen! But it was such a fun time being together!


Cooking with everyone

Little did I know that everyone else was playing games while we were slaving away! Some friends they are...Just kidding. The kitchen was so crowded! I am glad they found something to do while the food was being prepared.


Wii bowling, anyone?

Before we knew it, it was time to carve the turkeys! They turned out great and we had so many good things to eat!



Carving the Turkeys

Then we ate! It was so good! After two long days, we pulled it off! We counted heads, and we fed over 30 people that day! How crazy!


Enjoying our blessings!

I loved getting to help out on Sunday, and I have realized just how blessed I am to have such great people in my life. I hope everyone had such a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that everyone who I didn't get to see this year know how much I love you!