I know it isn't father's day but,

I am so thankful for my dad! I just got off the phone with my father, who by the way has just gotten Skype so we'll be able to talk more often, and we had a great conversation. One thing that has truly been a downside of living so far away is that I haven't been able to talk with my family very consistently, but our conversation today was a blessing.

My father is a kind, determined, and soft-spoken man who has always shown me so much love and taught me how to love others. When we were kids, he used to take us every Sunday night to serve at a homeless shelter in Denver. He has always challenged me to think things through and to put others above myself. He has enabled me to do so many things in my life, and I am truly happy that he is my dad.

Here is a picture of us outside of Starbucks. It is one of my favorite memories with him because we got to talk for a couple hours before I left to come over to Europe, and we just enjoyed our time together like we always had when I was in high school.

Love you dad!!!

Shout out!

Just a quick shout out to Jake and Emilie for getting engaged. Congrats my friends. :)

Happy Sixth of January!!!! (Everything is closed again.)

Christmas time in Germany is really wonderful because everything is actually peaceful, much like I imagine it was when Jesus came into the world. As Drew and I celebrated our first Christmas together in Germany, we didn't realize that all of Germany shuts down for three days over Christmas. Christmas Eve was on a Thursday, and almost every grocery store, shop and business closed at 4pm that day. We knew everything would also be closed the next day, but figured we would be able to buy more groceries on Saturday the 26th before stores were again closed on Sunday as normal.

Little did we know, all of the stores were also closed on Saturday because in Germany they celebrate Christmas for three days. We didn't go hungry, and we were able to buy some lunch at the local gas station.

However, surprise surprise. Today is January sixth, and Drew tried to go to the grocery store this morning. Only to find that today is also a national holiday with everything closed.

Write below if you can guess which holiday is celebrated in Germany on the sixth of January by everything being closed.

My "Best of 2009" List...

(In no particular order...)

Noelle's Wedding in July

Two Visits from Jared

Hanging out with Andi and Ivan in Switzerland

Skiing with our friends Drew and Stefan in Austria

Going to the U2 concert in Berlin for the 20 year fall of the wall

Being inspired by cool architecture

Chillin' with my new Husband!

Having my new mom, Amy, visit for 2 days during Christmas time.

Our new Cappuccino machine.

Exploring Greece!

Finding great beaches

Driving my boss's solar car

Celebrating at our wedding!

An Austrian wine tour with our new friend Hans.

The view from our bed and breakfast in Salzburg with Drew's parents

An architectural masterpiece in Prague

Picture perfect vacation with Drew's parents

It was really fun!

Bethany and Josh's wedding in Idaho

Emmy visiting in February!

Without pictures....

Maren's wedding, I know it was beautiful.

Hearing that we will become an Aunt and Uncle in July!

Deciding to move home in August!

Democracy Fail?

What is true democracy? When a president becomes elected with whom we do not agree, we simply say, "I did not vote that way, but I am stuck with the Majority's decision until the next election." However, this idea of democracy cannot be applied to every situation.

Last week Switzerland voted with a majority to no longer allow the building of minarets on mosques. A minaret is a distinct architectural feature of a mosque comparable to say the church bell towers of the famous European cathedrals.

Though the people voted and the ban was passed, is this true democracy when the country's very own constitution states in the second article, "The Swiss Federation protects the liberty and rights of the people...It promotes common welfare, sustainable development, inner cohesion, and cultural diversity of the country. It ensures the highest possible degree of equal opportunities for all citizens." (1)

What is true democracy? Allowing people to vote and living with the majority? Or is the voice of the minority just as important as all the others?

(1) English Translation of the Swiss Federation Constitution, http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/sz00000_.html December 9, 2009

Thanks Nevin!

After taking the vote, I was ready to get my haircut into the fashionable "adventurous brunette" style. Despite my fears of chopping my hair and not being able to describe exactly what I wanted, I walked into the Hairstübchen. I showed the hairstylist my picture, and told her what I wanted.

She looked at me and said, "that is not what you want." After I explained to her that I did want this haircut, she bargained with me and started cutting. She tried really hard to tell me I didn't want short hair, then she cut my hair into her own mixture of the two pictures I originally wanted. (Plus her own little twist.)

I simply laughed as I left the shop, and wondered if Nevin always takes such authority when cutting hair....

Well, here are the pictures, and I am actually happy with how Nevin decided my hair should look.

The

Nevin

Adventure!

I need your help!

Most girls get the advantage of having advice from their friends before they get such a drastic haircut. However, because of the distance I can't get input from you before I get my haircut on Thursday. So, I need your help in deciding which cut I should get. I am going for something a little different, and a little more fun. Here are the options...

Current Curls

Adventurous Brunette

Sensible Blonde