We caved. It's now Christmas in our house.

But first: I'd like to direct you to our new, fabulous frame which features Gustav Klimt's Der Kuss. Mark and I love this print and have waited for the perfect frame to come along. Thank you Ikea!Now for the good stuff:

Normally I'm a staunch supporter of starting Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but this year Christmas officially starts in our house on November 9th. Here is my justification:

• There are 46 days left until Christmas; 20 of which will be spent in Portland for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If we put up the decorations after we get home from Thanksgiving break that gives us a mere two weeks or so to enjoy our decorating and Christmas spirit.
• Part of that lousy two and a half weeks will include lame finals. And we all know that during finals week I never embody the Christmas spirit. Therefore, wasted time.
• Mark and I have finished all of our Christmas shopping. So we've been launched into the Christmas spirit early.
• Mark was put on hold the other day. The holding music: Christmas carols.
• It's all Ikea's fault. If we hadn't gone there on Saturday, none of this would have happened.
  

But I still have a little bit of Thanksgiving cheer...

I have not forgotten about Thanksgiving. I know what I am grateful for. One of the things I am grateful for is my German heritage. Without the Germans, Christmas would cease to exist. Advent, ornaments, traditions and all of my beautiful handmade Christmas decorations come from Germany. If you've ever been to a Christmas market in Germany, you know the Germans do Christmas the right way. Thank you Mom and Omi for making me German.

And...Dad - I love you anyway even though you thinned the blood line.

Merry Christmas!!

My new president.

Eight long years are finally coming to an end and I feel blessed to have participated in history. Whether or not you agree with Obama's policies, you cannot deny the greatness of this historical time. I envy the people who have witnessed progression. Those who lived before, during and after the civil rights movement and once thought that a black president was impossible.

My feelings at the moment can be summed up in three words: I have hope. Surely, our national problems will not disappear magically but perhaps new found hope will lead us in the right direction. Obama will certainly inherit a mess created by past presidents, but I have hope and faith that he will at least throw a ladder in the hole so we can begin to climb out.

I awoke this morning feeling a sense of nationalism. Feeling proud of my country, my leaders and myself for voting.

I awoke this morning with an unfamiliar spirit of responsibility for my country. More than ever, I feel like my voice matters. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

I awoke this morning with with e-mails from friends and family in Europe who thanked me for making the right decision. They expressed their happiness with the decision. Their positive sentiments toward my country showed me that Obama has already made a mark on the world.

(Read this TIME article: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1856584_1856586_1856592,00.html)

What a privilege it will be to tell my children that I helped to elect the first black president. And I hope Obama's next four years will give me even more reason to brag to my children about electing such a wonderful man into office.

Not only do I believe that Obama is a brilliant politician, but I believe he is a brilliant family man. He loves his wife and children and I certainly strive to have a loving family as he does. He cherishes his wife and nurtures his children. It's not often that we see a politician whose passion for politics is equal to or less than his/her passion and commitment to family.

Today was a good day for me. I walked on campus and for the first time since I can remember, I looked up at the American flag and felt emotional. I felt a dash of nationalism, a load of responsibility and an overwhelming amount of happiness.

This will be a good four years.

More of our weekend with Barack.

Photo Courtesy: Chris Jewell.

(Believe me, I won't take credit for these photos obviously taken from a much nicer camera than mine!)

Our weekend with Barack Obama.

We went down to Las Vegas this weekend to see Barack Obama speak at a local high school in Henderson, Nevada. We rolled into Las Vegas around midnight, checked-in at the Hilton, slept for a little over four hours and took off at 5:00 a.m. to get in line to see Barack. Arie and I waited in line for over an hour, while the boys fetched us some food. Once we finally got into the stadium, we ran to one of the best seats in the house. We were standing 15-20 feet away from where Barack Obama was going to speak. We stood there, in our golden spot, for three hours!

Finally, after waiting hours with built-up anticipation, Harry Reid came on stage to introduce the man we were waiting to see. I was thrilled to see Senator Reid. He is one of my heroes as he is a strong Democrat who is also an active Mormon.

Then Barack finally came on stage and the crowd went wild. Once I get my hands on the photos Chris took, I'll post more. Chris got some great shots of Obama speaking. Also, Mark took video of most of the rally. I'll have to get some clips up. He did a really good job.

Obama spoke about change, peace, health care, education, the economy and unity. I will admit that I was a bit teary-eyed when he came on stage. He really brings with him a powerful presence that feels so good.


I was sooo close to our next president. My goal was to touch him, but it was nearly impossible.

Once the rally was over, we went back to the strip to wander and eat a good lunch at the Cheesecake Factory inside of Caesars Palace.

Solve the Equation

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my weekend

Everyone clap for Mark.

On top of his scholarship, Mark was informed that he got a SMART grant starting next semester. I'm so proud of him!

President Bush signed into law two new student grant programs, and the SMART grant is one of them. It's nice to know President Bush managed to do something noteworthy during his eight years in office.

Congrats Mark!

I promise I'm not anti-baby.

This isn't going to make me popular, but I've got some thoughts on all of this baby business. I'll probably get a sound "hell-yeah" from Adrien (she's my best friend for a reason), but I'm sure the rest will shake their heads with disappointment.

Yesterday in Relief Society, a girl mentioned that her and her husband were going to get a 3d photo of their unborn baby. My first thought was, "Wow. They can do that!?" The technology available is truly amazing and having a baby sounds expensive (especially if you're on crappy BYU insurance). As I was thinking about technology and cost I noticed that all of the girls in the room suddenly started "oohing" and "ahhhing" and a girl across the table said, "I wish that were me." For a second I felt like I was abducted by a spaceship and taken somewhere completely foreign and frankly, uncomfortable.

Is it completely "unwomanlike" to have not caught the baby virus that is spreading rampantly amongst married couples in Provo? It's not that I never want children. And I certainly don't judge those who do have children or are trying to have children. But, I would like to wait a considerable amount of time before I get on that bandwagon (I understand that accidents happen and if it does, then I will love that accident with all my heart).

I just don't think it makes me (or Mark) selfish for wanting to wait. We've heard from a lot of people that couples start thinking about having babies at their year-mark of marriage. I've had a few friends pass the year-mark with their hubbies and they still retain their stance on waiting to have children. I'm anti-cookie-cutter when it comes to life. I don't think we all need to fit into the same mold. It seems like it is really up to each couple individually.

I also feel like a space alien sometimes when a baby is in the room and I am the only woman who doesn't rush to hold it or cuddle it. It's not my baby so I guess I just don't feel this automatic connection to nurture it for no reason. Granted, there are certain families that I am close to where I do feel a strong connection to their children. I just don't seek moments to kiss the cheeks or carry a small child that I have no relationship with.

Anytime I whine about this to my mother she reminds me that my Dad is a perfect example of someone who doesn't really like other people's children, but loved being a parent himself. I get the impression that my Dad has never really enjoyed other children - he's usually apathetic or finds them to be a little annoying. But when he had his own children (especially his intelligent, gorgeous, opinionated and VERY humble first-born) he became a nurturer to them and loved being a parent.

I guess there really is hope for me.

That's my baby rant for now. There are some other thoughts swirling through my mind (like how pregnant women seek a 9-month free complaints pass and somehow can't function or go anywhere because they might puke. Or how I hope to follow the pregnant example of some of my friends who pulled off their 9 months with style and class), but I will refrain as I know it's probably offensive.

(That wasn't really refraining...was it?)

Oktoberfest 2008

Adrien, Eric and Chris came over tonight for a pre-Oktoberfest party. We made chocolate fondue and used strawberries, pineapple, angel cake and pretzels to dip into the fondue. It was so yummy! The following are photos taken from the fab pre-party.

Then we went off to University Villa for the annual Oktoberfest. The boys played pool and Adrien and I proudly pranced around in our dirndls. When we got bored of the party we decided to shine our huge high beams on the party and then we left on a wild ride. We harassed deer in the field by the insane asylum, stole ghoulies from the ghoulie tree by the temple and went up to Squaw Peak to shine our brights on people making out in cars. We even threw our ghoulies at them. Or tried I guess. All in all -- VERY fun weekend.

Updates

Bed Update:

The bed was fixed the night of the incident. I guess it's a nice thing that my hubby can fix just about anything. I'm actually quit impressed as the bed looks good as new. Mark is even so prideful to say that "it's a good thing I broke the bed, because now it's even stronger and better than it was before!"

Weekend Update:

Adrien, Eric and Chris are coming over tonight. Supposedly the big annual Oktoberfest is taking place in Provo this weekend. I've seen no advertising or PR for the event, but I've got a few ideas of where and when it might be. I pretty much find any excuse to wear my awesome dirndl to anything Oktoberfest. The dirndl is gorgeous and I love wearing it.

Tomorrow night, our good friend Brian is coming over for dinner. Brian was one of the first friends both Mark and I made out here as freshman at BYU. In fact, Brian was the one who introduced Mark and I to each other.

For some reason since Mike died last month, Mark and I have had an overwhelming feeling to stay close to the friends we have. I guess you never really realize the impact someone has on your life until they are gone. We still talk about Mike quite often. It's amazing how many great memories we had with him.

Life Update:

Mom sent our ballots in the mail so they should be arriving here shortly. I don't need to tell you who Mark and I are voting for because, let's be honest, it's painfully obvious. I doubt Oregon will have any difficulty remaining a blue state in this election, but I still think our votes are important.

Mark got an amazing job this year. He is working as a mechanical engineer at US Synthetic. They absolutely love him here. He gets to work on all sorts of projects that seem to constantly prove to his boss that he is brilliant. I am proud.

Next week I go in for a meeting with the dean of communications about grad school. The application is due in February so I'm in no rush. But I always feel better when I do things way in advance. It just settles my mind. So I'll keep everyone updated about whether or not grad school will happen next fall.

I just realized it's about a month to Thanksgiving. Mark and I are going home to Portland to be with my wonderful family. We are so excited to get out of Utah and to see Mom, Dad, Heather, Omi, Aunt Geli and hopefully Sirpa too. We really are blessed to have such a great family.

Okay, that's all for now!

Berlin Memories.

I've been experiencing memory lane as it has been two years since my study abroad and we just had our reunion last weekend. Here are some Berlin photos. Other Germany ones still to follow!

Just outside of Zoo, the Gedachtniskirche.

Neue Wache.

We went clubbing in East Berlin. Sketch!


For some reason, Jenny and I were lucky enough to get an apartment just down the street from the Charlottenburg Palace.

Yeah. The woman we lived with was crazy and was certain we were wearing our shoes in the house. The sign says, "No shoes in the apartment! Never! Not mornings, not afternoons, not evenings. Never! Understand!?!??!"

Snow Patrol concert.

Amazing.

Berlin soccer game at the old Nazi stadium.

Post-Modern Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Brandenburger Tor.

Hotel Adlon. Michael Jackson shook his baby over the balcony at this hotel.

The Reichtag. My Aunt and Uncle took me to see the president of Germany speak on the national day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. I got to meet big-wigs in the German government!

The outside of The Reichtag.

The Siegessaule. Disregard the fact that I look like a sister missionary.

Inside the Gedachtniskirche. This choir was singing u2 songs.

Berliner Dom.

Mark broke our bed!

Mark and I like to play this little game where I run into the bedroom and he chases after me. We probably play this game two to three times daily. Well, about 20 minutes ago I ran into the bedroom and Mark chased after me, as usual. Only this time he decided it would be a good idea to leap high into the air and land on the bed. Well, the bed broke. We heard a crack and sure enough he snapped the bed frame. Now he is on his way to Home Depot to buy some wood glue to fix our bed so we can sleep tonight. He is also under the pressure as I want the bed looking good as new by this evening! I must say, Ikea is wonderful, but apparently not good enough to withstand Mark's hyper activity! It's a good thing I love him.

Idiot Classmates and The Devil Wears Prada

Like most good films, The Devil Wears Prada was a book first. Long before the heightened obsession with the film (and stupid Anne Hathaway (who is an idiot)), I was a fanatic about the book.

The other day my critical theory class offered examples of thesis statements for their mid-term papers. I noticed that no one was writing about Was Bleibt, the book we read for class. I raised my hand and in a (clearly) sarcastic tone asked my professor if I could write about The Devil Wears Prada, since no one seems to be writing about the about the book we've actually discussed in class. My professor (Okay, it was Rob) knew I was kidding and responded that we should try to write about Was Bleibt. And that's what I did.

So the guy next to me (who clearly doesn't understand sarcasm and therefore would never be able to appreciate shows like The Office or Monty Python) said to me, "I wouldn't recommend writing about The Devil Wears Prada. This is an academic class." Serious tone. Not kidding. He surely thought I was an idiot for suggesting such a thing!

First of all, I don't need some fresh-off-the-mission sophomore/junior telling me what to write about. I ought to bring in my German writing portfolio to remind him that I've never had a grade below an A on any paper or assignment.

Second of all, why knock The Devil Wears Prada? I hate it when people knock those kind of books and disregard them because they aren't academic. There is no need to be elitist about the kind of books we read. We should read academic texts, as well as texts that distract us and ease our minds. From a new historicist standpoint, The Devil Wears Prada is intelligent because it serves as a snapshot of society with the fashion, the New York lifestyle, the clubs, etc.

Third of all, even if I did write about The Devil Wears Prada, the paper would have been fabulous and I would have received an A for my work. Take that.

Best Day Ever.

Mark and I went up to Salt Lake today to take my brother, Shawn, and his companion out to lunch. It was so nice to spend some time with Shawn and to hear all of his wonderful mission stories. He is working so hard and touching the lives of so many people. I'll be honest, if I were interested in the church, I would want a missionary just like Shawn. I'm so lucky to have him only 45 minutes away!

Shawn bought a suit and loafers at the local DI. What a stud!

But when he extends his arms, it's clear the suit doesn't really fit. Nice.

This is Shawn's planner. Japanese stuff and a photo of my Dad. (???)

All smiles with his big knot on his tie. In honor of our visit, he wore his ugliest tie (it had brown cranes on it).

Shawn laid out all of his ties for us to see. He has 55 of them and is always looking for more.

He showed us his ugly boots and of course had to do the notorious kick that we all love so much.

The Notebook.

For starters, I hate "chick flicks." I certainly don't watch them often and when I do, I find them to be predictable and corny. But, one of my favorite films (and book for that matter) is The Notebook. I've always found the story to be so touching and every time I see the it I catch something new that touches me.

Tonight Mark and I watched The Notebook. I've seen the film so many times, but this was the first time I've seen it since I've been married. When the film ended, I was an absolute blubbering mess (which almost never happens!) and Mark's shirt was soaked with my tears. Mark was like, "Are you going to be okay?" I think this was the first time that I've watched the film where I have felt an absolute deep connection and understanding of that kind of dramatic and passionate true love. I guess when we personalize things they hit us deeper.

With that said, I just really love my Mark. And I'm grateful that he loves me too -- even when I cry and make a mess out of his shirt.

Piece vs. Peace

See Scotty's latest blog about Piece vs. Peace. Let me know what you think.

http://sdspjut.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/a-most-enlightening-moment/

It's not easy being Dr. Lund.

It's not easy being Dr. Lund, who is the only conservative professor in a liberal sea of blue (the liberal sea of blue being the German department). With so many boisterous opinions from professors with Ivy League degrees, usually involving anti-Bush claims or Republican jabs, Dr. Lund keeps to himself and maintains his composure. Usually he expresses his small voice via cartoons or quotes that he quietly posts outside his door.

This was his quiet argument today. And I love it.

** Note: he made this himself and was delighted to send me the JPEG to post on my blog. In the four years I have worked here, I don't think I've ever seen this ex-military man smile before. EVER.