tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284210682849783362024-02-07T04:43:05.202-08:00stina on the moveattempting to run, work, and live in a new placestinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-40038622385197882312014-05-30T13:24:00.002-07:002014-05-30T13:24:57.207-07:00Very long, very much belated race recapI know you are all dying to hear the big story of the race, so I'm gonna share it with you now<br />
(and only 20 days late):<br />
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So, before the race even started, I kept forgetting about it and that that it was actually actually happening. I know. Ridiculous, but hear me out.<br />
When I signed up for it, I just pressed "yes, I will run this 10k for a t-shirt and a medal."<br />
(I am certain the button said this. Or something remotely similar.) I never even bothered to check what time of day it starts or what the general planning of the day looked like. My only thought was: "hey! It's 2 weeks before the wedding! I have time then! I want to run this!"<br />
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Well. If you ever get married (or like us, have a big wedding ceremony almost 5 years after you got married) - don't underestimate the planning. No matter how "small" you want your wedding to be. The planning still is a humungous pile of work. It sucks you in and takes over every minute of your day (and night). Oh just thinking about the hours on pintrest, etsy, or google...<br />
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I'm getting side tracked. Different post. Different time.<br />
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Anyways. Imagine my surprise when - in a bright moment of "I am running tomorrow. I should check when it starts." - I realized that the race was at 6pm!<br />
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I don't run in the afternoons. I can't.<br />
I have no choice but to trick my morning brain by dragging it outside before it realizes what I'm about to do. 6pm is bad news. I'm fully awake by then (as fully awake as it gets). Telling me to run in the middle of the day already makes me come up with instant excuses why I can't do it then.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT89Xe-l0qxnvUCpBUnLsom7Z8b2WUNR7MHKksPGulvwkBKG6SWxHZ7Z1W9rg0r2QD7FPPkF502sgEQ5CXxATcn8qD9m4aIPmr0bBg0RyrCAeGYTa0XfV-JLOMpwO6aMI7pbFlhYMSKyS_/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT89Xe-l0qxnvUCpBUnLsom7Z8b2WUNR7MHKksPGulvwkBKG6SWxHZ7Z1W9rg0r2QD7FPPkF502sgEQ5CXxATcn8qD9m4aIPmr0bBg0RyrCAeGYTa0XfV-JLOMpwO6aMI7pbFlhYMSKyS_/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Plus, Saturday is our "lets clean the house" - "lets get groceries" - "lets go to the dog park" - "lets go have ice cream and explore the city" - "lets have wine in the park" - "lets have a picknick by the water" - day. Having to leave at 4.30pm to make it to the starting line kind of threw a wrench into all of this.<br />
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Especially if you have a visitor coming Monday morning, who is staying for two weeks, and you have to clean the house (Sunday, you can't make any noise, so that's a no-go for doing house work. - Yet, another blog post. Or 3.)<br />
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So yes, I kept forgetting about this race, because my mind was filled with "I have to send the first draft of the beginning of my paper to my professor", "when can I do laundry and have a chance it will dry on the balcony within 12 hrs", "we need to buy coffee!"...<br />
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No surprise then that we cut it really close to make it to the beginning of the race. The event itself seemed to be a lot of fun and well organized. I had picked up my race package two days prior and was already very much impressed with the fool-proof and incredibly structured pick-up" - plus, the t-shirt is my favorite yet. Its a deep pink adidas running shirt. Just like the half-marathon shirt (that I bought for 30 Euros!). It is incredibly comfortable and I just like its cut.<br />
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That was a plus.<br />
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I also really liked that they had scheduled warm-ups for everyone to take part in. They had instructors and loud music and everything. While I didn't do it, because I'm a grump, lots of people seemed to enjoy it very much and happily hopped up and down, clapped, and danced in place.<br />
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As we were waiting for the race to actually begin, we all looked really cool. Almost veryone was wearing their pink shirts. - It was an all women's run, sponsored by Avon. I just realized that I should have probably mentioned that earlier. Well, now you know it. It was just women running this race. Before the 10k at 6pm, they had already had a 5k run, a 5k Nordic Walking, and other events throughout the afternoon.The 10k was the longest run for the day though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome T-Shirt! </td></tr>
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We started at 6:00:00pm. On the mili- or even microsecond. Seriously, this is only my second race organized by the SCC, but if they say a certain time. It is right at the very second when it starts. I truly love that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7clo6SJMKPLPpNr9lspu4vAALoO8hwEWs2UQt2BclmuXeytwLOUfQWV0wOfqQu_EuuS3gv5bGu7fhwsUKNOoB_zMw3FwGC5rzbb9wa2skOYjemE3EAnCjrQZcoRkUzTb6bHgvnjAtcQE9/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7clo6SJMKPLPpNr9lspu4vAALoO8hwEWs2UQt2BclmuXeytwLOUfQWV0wOfqQu_EuuS3gv5bGu7fhwsUKNOoB_zMw3FwGC5rzbb9wa2skOYjemE3EAnCjrQZcoRkUzTb6bHgvnjAtcQE9/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we started running, everything went as expected. We all slowly started moving and, because the road was relatively wide, people were able to spread out in order to pass others and find their pace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Dbxy4ZBXklbmNim1Cqo57M5llF77LqEk3pLQTBjWqe9cNOl0edHlghX_iFWXSpdRECVP3RGSrGpx9N5CAVdwu5t9wgQhRxC2-yf_2PJKrOQyxUzBDG147fBobQK-e7Rqdh2TScej8Uw/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Dbxy4ZBXklbmNim1Cqo57M5llF77LqEk3pLQTBjWqe9cNOl0edHlghX_iFWXSpdRECVP3RGSrGpx9N5CAVdwu5t9wgQhRxC2-yf_2PJKrOQyxUzBDG147fBobQK-e7Rqdh2TScej8Uw/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, scratch the last part. Shortly after the start, we all took a hard left turn to run into the park.<br />
Living in Berlin, I've run in that park plenty of times and when I saw the course of the race, I was wondering how this is going to go down. Imagine 2-3 (car-)lanes of runners being funneled onto a sidewalk thats lines with trees or bushes. - I would think that in theory, it really could have gone well, but people turned out to be complete assholes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ4FDtDCm6Uu9Ep0pmSoct6fOjxWDnEgVUSTCTGu02Vy8j8EpVTBM1NV52AvLl4GzCk1lESrAJfHL9raG8w17RImmDnlUQyUwsY2mDkdtdTGhNBy_rYNbdMIoPgmaj_etRI8y2FG1bE3B/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ4FDtDCm6Uu9Ep0pmSoct6fOjxWDnEgVUSTCTGu02Vy8j8EpVTBM1NV52AvLl4GzCk1lESrAJfHL9raG8w17RImmDnlUQyUwsY2mDkdtdTGhNBy_rYNbdMIoPgmaj_etRI8y2FG1bE3B/s1600/giphy.gif" height="215" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380222758/307090.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
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Ladies were aggressively pushing each other, elbowing, showing, and overall being really nasty to each other.<br />
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I mean seriously. We all wanted to cross the finish line eventually. I would even say that most people had the idea of not finishing as the last person, but pushing someone towards the bushes at a 10k women's run in Berlin? Rubbing each others arms and trying to pass - absolutely. But using both elbows and hands to shove people out of your way? Get over yourself! I don't want to diminish this race by all means. It was important to me, too, on a personal level - but this was neither a qualifying run for the Boston Marathon, nor the Olympics. So there is no need to forcefully push others around.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-CTzkMagpqbdYQCrZ5noKeMdLvlceN43mX2JNTWvFRWkuwX9owcpNCDTNGyPAIwPP7NPM9IcPaPYnievRbFj0cjCpWdR470mGXFxsjWoL2JMkuU6MtsIc3bVL-iJMycjhxJ8gDRIQ_jm/s1600/tumblr_ll2q1cekD21qdlkgg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-CTzkMagpqbdYQCrZ5noKeMdLvlceN43mX2JNTWvFRWkuwX9owcpNCDTNGyPAIwPP7NPM9IcPaPYnievRbFj0cjCpWdR470mGXFxsjWoL2JMkuU6MtsIc3bVL-iJMycjhxJ8gDRIQ_jm/s1600/tumblr_ll2q1cekD21qdlkgg.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm happy they didn't carry bats or sticks...<br /><a href="http://cdn29.elitedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/tumblr_ll2q1cekD21qdlkgg.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
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For the first 2 miles, I saw young girls elbowing older women and vice versa, I saw ladies jumping fences, cutting through woods and bushes, shoving others aside like nobody's business.<br />
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I was not only shocked, but completely ticked off. It wasn't just once that someone came from behind and rammed their elbow into my ribs, or pushed me towards a tree. Again, I can understand light rubbing your arms agains one another, or even shoving a little bit and trying to pass each other, that's all good and well - but this was way beyond that. This was rude!<br />
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Now you might think "maybe you were in the way?"<br />
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Let me just say this: No, I wasn't! And neither were the other ladies I saw being pushed around.<br />
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There wasn't even any place to go. This was less than a mile into the race with almost 4000 women trying to fit onto a path that is 7feet wide. Of course, the pace that most people were going was slower than what I would have liked to go, if I had been alone. But there were hundreds of women in my fairly close proximity and they were all giving their best, I'm sure. So what I think you'd normally do is to adjust to the general pace if there is no place to go! It's very likely that there will be the opportunity to speed up again later.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrTudHtoPpMnnq5CHotAbFdyU5Ya6NZaizFKTUmEUzxbMADVDuUmhLvL9xBr6i_HKBdA3zzaa35KsLfaSx6DpyyZ9fpSuf0DcOYAZe-Fjq7U2OATD4r3wm5wjVe0hcBe5pQUL2jHraw9_/s1600/307090.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrTudHtoPpMnnq5CHotAbFdyU5Ya6NZaizFKTUmEUzxbMADVDuUmhLvL9xBr6i_HKBdA3zzaa35KsLfaSx6DpyyZ9fpSuf0DcOYAZe-Fjq7U2OATD4r3wm5wjVe0hcBe5pQUL2jHraw9_/s1600/307090.gif" height="203" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380222758/307090.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
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At mile 2, I was ready to call Nick and quit. Not because the race was poorly organized, not because I couldn't handle the 3rd mile, but because the runners around me were acting like maniacs. There were few like-minded who shook their heads, others just put up with it - and I chose the path of loudly swearing and shouting at people (very productive, I know).<br />
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Yes, maybe there is a slight chance that this could have been avoided by having 2-3 start waves, but honestly, I'm not even sure about that. Just having different starting times doesn't make people more respectful or less crazy. I believe that if people had run less like hooligan antelopes on crack, it would have worked out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM5-RFCraet7e9WhRWOiR_z8PkwN_lr-NIgdTz7no-EZ3lviqXuufAXwEI_r9_2NdJbv5X9J7mMydTA9_wBGFRBO72lIgAIR7XxBcfYgpbsOdmJLXVLABiUqYPBbgoN6kfm-ycdWoqzY4/s1600/mountain-biker-vs-antelope-o.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM5-RFCraet7e9WhRWOiR_z8PkwN_lr-NIgdTz7no-EZ3lviqXuufAXwEI_r9_2NdJbv5X9J7mMydTA9_wBGFRBO72lIgAIR7XxBcfYgpbsOdmJLXVLABiUqYPBbgoN6kfm-ycdWoqzY4/s1600/mountain-biker-vs-antelope-o.gif" height="220" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3069234/mountain-biker-vs-antelope-o.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
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The only reason I didn't quit was a conversation that Nick and I had right before walked to the starting line. He told me if I didn't give my best, he would think less of me. It was all in a joking conversation, no worries. I am 100% certain that he would still cheer for me even if I quit after 10 feet or come in walking after taking 2hrs to finish 3 miles.<br />
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Still, it got me thinking about how much I wanted to be able to be proud of myself. How much I didn't want to think "less of myself." Being unable to run for three weeks after my half, due to a nasty cough, and then having to start at the "bottom" again in order to make it for 6miles within just under 3 weeks was not the easiest thing. Especially with everything else that's going on at school, the wedding planning, and the upcoming move back to Baltimore.<br />
I wanted to finish this. So none of the other ladies should be able to take that from me. Especially if they are nasty like that.<br />
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Also, lets not forget: I paid money for this (yes, I'm that cheap). AND there was a medal waiting for me (yes, I care about a 10k medal).<br />
Plus, I had grand plans to enjoy the crap out of this race. It was (most likely) the last race I would ever run in Berlin. So I did what I can to stare people down and called them names.<br />
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Everyone always praises the wonderful running community - and rightfully so. I know very many wonderful runners. But trust me, there are jerks out there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcCcQg8zkbiqwgvfpT-DY0wWI7vwFHaxU360i3AekExqNFz07tCFkJRUIoQXr1YugIvlRq1Se4VSO2Pyrf2laW4gbmlo7U62M_ZAPunVFoTaESMOwRkqrvNrSqokYfp6Zxk2Y8l4S8Ofp/s1600/PF5ji.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcCcQg8zkbiqwgvfpT-DY0wWI7vwFHaxU360i3AekExqNFz07tCFkJRUIoQXr1YugIvlRq1Se4VSO2Pyrf2laW4gbmlo7U62M_ZAPunVFoTaESMOwRkqrvNrSqokYfp6Zxk2Y8l4S8Ofp/s1600/PF5ji.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/PF5ji.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
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In case you were curious: I finished. I even did a bunch of extra turns through bushes and trees, which made the 10k just a bit longer - and threw off my timing. My GPS told me 56:21 at the 6mile mark (that was about half a mile out from the finish line) the chip said 59:00 at the finish line.<br />
However, I think my GPS was trying to make me feel better than I actually was.<br />
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I even received the very nice medal. It is particularly awesome to have this, because it has the "Siegessäule" (victory memorial) on it. It is one of Berlin's famous sights and happens to be the first thing I took a picture of on my very first run in Berlin almost a year ago.<br />
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I know that this race wasn't nearly a big as the half marathon, but I truly liked that there was a lot of space to walk after I finished. Everyone was able to stretch and move and they even had running water, in case you wanted to rinse of your face. There was plenty of water, tea, and alcohol free beer after the finish line, the chips were collected right then and there, too (which was really nice!) - and I forgot to mention that there were 2 or 3(?) water stations during the run. Which, if you don't run with a hand bottle like me, was really nice.<br />
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All in all it was a great experience, because I learned that an all women's run, doesn't mean it is just all nice and friendly. Even if the program states that the idea is that "we are all winners" - once the race started the gloves were off.<br />
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Nick picked me up at the finish line, where I really enjoyed that they had free (non alcoholic) Erdinger wheat beer for everyone. Best way to replenish after a run!<br />
On top of the awesome t-shirt, the medal, and the beer, every participant also received an Avon gift bag with a shower gel and a body lotion. I haven't tried it yet, but it smells promising :o)<br />
<br />
So to point it out again: I think this was a great race and I would highly recommend it just as much as any other SCC running event based on the experience I've had so far. The races start on time down to the second, everything is well marked, there is plenty of water/ tea supply, information regarding the races is easily found and even provided in regular emails, helpers are knowledgeable and friendly, there are plenty of bathrooms, .... truly, whichever part you take about these races - they are terrific.<br />
<br />
Whatever negative I took from this race is only based on the actions of runners around me. They were royal assholes. Still, I want to also happily remark that despite the aggressive behavior, I didn't take home any black eye or other serious injuries.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_BM_oz5U2t69348WdOTnqrHfxUEg856yl3rMQyAA4WpmZVNeMxJ9JrQj4SbMN2s2cAyhvuTaYSmz5tpVYOZzeHz3GYdvTv0Lmu2LfkwJRLymDpllXOvUCCV-iUb_3kEx9XouE_F297Ig/s1600/animals-being-jerks-gifs-baby-monkey-push.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_BM_oz5U2t69348WdOTnqrHfxUEg856yl3rMQyAA4WpmZVNeMxJ9JrQj4SbMN2s2cAyhvuTaYSmz5tpVYOZzeHz3GYdvTv0Lmu2LfkwJRLymDpllXOvUCCV-iUb_3kEx9XouE_F297Ig/s1600/animals-being-jerks-gifs-baby-monkey-push.gif" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There wasn't actually any water. I just like this gif.<br /><a href="http://www.pbh2.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/animals-being-jerks-gifs-baby-monkey-push.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-54070824706747695362014-05-29T11:53:00.000-07:002014-05-29T11:57:11.627-07:00The big day.I know, I still owe you the race recap and a about 14 posts on top of that. However, I'm going to post a picture (or two) of the big day first. - Believe it or not, the full race recap has been sitting in my "ready to publish" queue for over a week now. Weddings make your life busy. Whether you want that or not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXzo1adfbZEyjJhkSnQJQEAVtPjikcmTJMHp5AoEUDtDb_0rR1hxqs8e02KyK0ox_3-D2Z5C0BCS-D1XP7SEZ0eWPNrNG-ZF9gjhxklD5fFrButLlX5NX5jjsVFrmaLaZpkU2B7GPNzkA/s1600/Nina+Reinsdorf+Photography+-++Stina+Nick+Preview+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXzo1adfbZEyjJhkSnQJQEAVtPjikcmTJMHp5AoEUDtDb_0rR1hxqs8e02KyK0ox_3-D2Z5C0BCS-D1XP7SEZ0eWPNrNG-ZF9gjhxklD5fFrButLlX5NX5jjsVFrmaLaZpkU2B7GPNzkA/s1600/Nina+Reinsdorf+Photography+-++Stina+Nick+Preview+13.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I can't even believe that it's already over.<br />
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That day was so beautiful and so happy. Words can't even come close to expressing how we both felt having our family and friends all in one place. The church looked so beautiful and the ceremony was filled with such meaningful surprises. - I lost all composure after we finally reached the altar and I can assure you that the only thing that prevented something really ugly was that I knew we had only 2 tissues with us.<br />
<br />
Our hearts were so deeply touched and we will always remember this day for how blown away we were by everyone's love, thoughtfulness, and generosity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI15fxW_IToQSKWayCNvjyZ8JSCmDkrYomqTt9NO4bniGkw6Ukq1E-095StSNoXkeXRpO4uNsAiK1xHa3aqhODC2zs9LwsTtfJ3-QqhVzYBP2QCAtRfUCSNDbcoujY7usdYvTauxTDs_d/s1600/Nina+Reinsdorf+Photography+-++Stina+Nick+Preview+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI15fxW_IToQSKWayCNvjyZ8JSCmDkrYomqTt9NO4bniGkw6Ukq1E-095StSNoXkeXRpO4uNsAiK1xHa3aqhODC2zs9LwsTtfJ3-QqhVzYBP2QCAtRfUCSNDbcoujY7usdYvTauxTDs_d/s1600/Nina+Reinsdorf+Photography+-++Stina+Nick+Preview+26.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*no worries. I will have more to say about our wedding and the time leading up to it in the days to come :)</span></span></h4>
stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-41633657967054351512014-05-14T13:11:00.005-07:002014-05-14T13:13:55.606-07:00time lapseIf you are in a PhD program, sometimes - but only sometimes, really - the way it goes is:<br />
grad school > blog (or life in general)<br />
<br />
This is what's happening these days. I'm trying to (or pretending to?) get work done and while it may seem as if writing a paper isn't that hard to do, on good days, I manage to write a page. On others, I write a sentence and then delete the page I wrote on the good day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvW-MtFzZLb8SHXUooP11Rs0c9Fmw-ZLkVhqmB1KzT6wvf7amQIWpwlBLuVOSdzC5ibpceNxBKkPovpIIQdylup5bQA0EpAHWkJUPNAr0L9h2z3ycs8yuF-zH8-duwT0VRWCkU25mnmQk/s1600/phd070513s.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvW-MtFzZLb8SHXUooP11Rs0c9Fmw-ZLkVhqmB1KzT6wvf7amQIWpwlBLuVOSdzC5ibpceNxBKkPovpIIQdylup5bQA0EpAHWkJUPNAr0L9h2z3ycs8yuF-zH8-duwT0VRWCkU25mnmQk/s1600/phd070513s.gif" height="172" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a time lapse of my past days/ weeks (years?!)<br />
<a href="http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive/phd070513s.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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It's a lot of fun. Trust me!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjkFI568Ea_iYohic4M_tUVpMGFanUmd8ipvu74BwcsPP4YJguXAZKkoEM1OFtwHEl1rGwjfpQ8ywWfjJaFc6cBS3i7vrXZKP7AaCllM0aqSUOE1acvBiEzD4IL3YZoSvB9D8xBdIe6bq/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjkFI568Ea_iYohic4M_tUVpMGFanUmd8ipvu74BwcsPP4YJguXAZKkoEM1OFtwHEl1rGwjfpQ8ywWfjJaFc6cBS3i7vrXZKP7AaCllM0aqSUOE1acvBiEzD4IL3YZoSvB9D8xBdIe6bq/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fastbleep.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Slide1.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />
On a brighter side, I ran the 10k last weekend. I finished the whole damn thing and haven't run since.<br />
<br />
Not because I don't like it anymore as a result of the race (although that doesn't seem completely crazy). No, my left knee is hating every step I take and I'm giving it as much rest as it needs. While knee issues are never good, I'm not upset about the timing. Having to sit at the desk to write or read without moving for hours at a time is exactly what my deadlines/ possible future career needs. So it's okay that I don't get tempted to spend a few hours at the park to run around.<br />
<br />
No worries, you will get a full recap of the race tomorrow or the day after. It was one of the most interesting experiences. To say the least.<br />
Maybe this much, after not even one mile, I was so angry that I was ready to call Nick to meet me at the beer stand in 5mins.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fJJ1r3Yph-NjYNuJgohA1FyzFVg8YDm9N4bb30FOSLRxuEDPw7YMCHnA9k_MX5fuaH3aYuy0nO2ST23FoxK51Ct4P9o7QCMLCqfVEp26aiwtm_FbiB3KDyMXVGRGtqe0KiDHZz3oVhOO/s1600/arrested-development-gob-huge-tiny-mistake-cabin-show-season-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fJJ1r3Yph-NjYNuJgohA1FyzFVg8YDm9N4bb30FOSLRxuEDPw7YMCHnA9k_MX5fuaH3aYuy0nO2ST23FoxK51Ct4P9o7QCMLCqfVEp26aiwtm_FbiB3KDyMXVGRGtqe0KiDHZz3oVhOO/s1600/arrested-development-gob-huge-tiny-mistake-cabin-show-season-3.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sure did. But I did get a T-Shirt and a medal. And the T-Shirt is pink.<br />
<a href="https://d1mxyp5ceukbya.cloudfront.net/images/arrested-development-gob-huge-tiny-mistake-cabin-show-season-3.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />
I can already see that this post really is a pleasure to read, as I am talking about work and being cryptic about an annoying race.<br />
<br />
Trust me, in real life, things look much brighter. Today marks the "10 days left until the wedding"- day!!!<br />
We are beyond excited.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajDjeDTx5U6l0fUnIt9q589zRG-1RJVg7xVmni2B0t8Ho7Zsf6nNZP8G7oyViDLePydM8v0PsStMv_suFwuB0g-pV3X24owxTb4Xthc9GWk8dtWpak1YaOC8RHiWo3-wmo5Fx8cMIejF9/s1600/happy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajDjeDTx5U6l0fUnIt9q589zRG-1RJVg7xVmni2B0t8Ho7Zsf6nNZP8G7oyViDLePydM8v0PsStMv_suFwuB0g-pV3X24owxTb4Xthc9GWk8dtWpak1YaOC8RHiWo3-wmo5Fx8cMIejF9/s1600/happy.gif" height="312" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloEJwXVb3bE7Yr7wGEC3RlHgtGB5Nuw-dwAPsDVxnMy5XsGLgJsuyhbYZkFg89kbdRNyaDOII4CPDfmqmLTNEpX9GdoVAfXCtibiPZ0JJhyphenhyphenB5Jv9zkNRkIpWopDWxg6qwqLyQDWZN4LFq/s1600/happy.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Our first guest arrived on Monday and we've been in the "wedding mode" since then. There is still a lot to do, but I think whatever doesn't get done, won't be the end of the world.<br />
<br />
Everyone has his or her plane ticket, the church is booked, the pastor said he will be there, the reception place is reserved, and the food is ordered. Monday, I am picking up my dress and Nick is buying his shirt and tie this weekend. What else would there be that could potentially ruin this day?!<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/IwaJgz_CKmw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/IwaJgz_CKmw&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/IwaJgz_CKmw&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<br />
The best detail: my dad is driving us and asked, if we wanted to have a bag of Haribo in the car! Marrying Nick again and having Haribo waiting right after the ceremony?! This is already promising to be the best day.<br />
(Oh I told Papa that we need that bag. Plus a bottle of liqueur. - It isn't illegal in Germany to have open containers in the car.)<br />
<br />
To let give you a glimpse on how lucky I am, two days ago, Nick just went ahead and ordered me a brand new pair of running shoes. Just like that. It's unreal.<br />
<br />
Gotta go back to work... yay.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfsc0dCnj25FyUSUW6JJavDmuSuiX9nQCBA08xOgu8Y_UH9j4CdxG3SmQz8OvZS35VRzUsR_-CiYsMtymiyPTGryQ5fuAY4Byw2V1JHgW_3G6gZHsmoCGb7qVNR5r1noP_vzNwV02BOwd/s1600/happy-gif-4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfsc0dCnj25FyUSUW6JJavDmuSuiX9nQCBA08xOgu8Y_UH9j4CdxG3SmQz8OvZS35VRzUsR_-CiYsMtymiyPTGryQ5fuAY4Byw2V1JHgW_3G6gZHsmoCGb7qVNR5r1noP_vzNwV02BOwd/s1600/happy-gif-4.gif" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weddingpartyapp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/happy-gif-4.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-54631086757687187222014-04-24T14:52:00.001-07:002014-04-24T14:52:27.397-07:00"Putzen" and pancakesDidn't today just fly by? I feel like I just got up a few hrs ago and now it's time to go to bed again?! I didn't even get half of the things on my to-do list done. In fact, I never even made it to start work until 10pm. What a fail. At least now I know that I can't get any seminar-paper-related work accomplished in one hour. <div><br></div><div>In the spirit of the quickly passing hours today, I am writing a quick (short) blog post, with only a couple of pictures.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow evening, my brother and his girlfriend are coming to stay for the weekend. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. The two of them are such great people and I can't wait to spend time with them!!! In addition to their general awesomeness, it is always very special if my family (or a division of my family) is coming to visit. For the past five years, this would always imply someone gettin on a plane, flying across the ocean and into a different time zone, and spending thousands of Dollars. In a few months, we will be back to having that situation and I am just loving it each time we still get to enjoy living in driving-distance. </div><div><br></div><div>To make them feel the special love and excitement, I am cleaning the house. I truly believed that this 1br apartment could be easily cleaned within 2hrs. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that this place was a complete and utter shithole. Excuse my French, but seriously. As if someone had picked it up, shaken it, dumped 18lbs of dog hair in it, and left it sitting upside down.</span></div><div><br></div><div>So cleaning (German: putzen) was on top of the list. </div><div><br></div><div>After four hours of misery: including washing Lucy in our bathtub (because, clearly, she is the only one to blame for the house looking like this and we had to get to the source of things immediately), lots of dishes, lots of sorting through mail and papers (is anyone else as happy to find documents you had to take care of months ago, but lost them in a big pile of paper and forgot about them?) ... I had the glorious idea to make pancakes. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUKiq4Qa9sfqjCxYDh3DquDwFpKbHxLzWr6HiNCvNRH7JsagKovDGCG2HTQemLnCrrxHkTiJsoVwLo2jHLfNQ8lreRLtwP7vQCNYaP2jkI00WnzjtqCo6TyVhUxCH60qgX9N6xsZm0tDD/s640/blogger-image-759596739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUKiq4Qa9sfqjCxYDh3DquDwFpKbHxLzWr6HiNCvNRH7JsagKovDGCG2HTQemLnCrrxHkTiJsoVwLo2jHLfNQ8lreRLtwP7vQCNYaP2jkI00WnzjtqCo6TyVhUxCH60qgX9N6xsZm0tDD/s640/blogger-image-759596739.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>They were everything I could have hoped for. I haven't had pancakes in forever and I'm telling you, if you have a rough cleaning day, they will help you. Not with the cleaning. Actually you will make a mess making them and have extra work afterwards. You might even curse them when you have to wipe half-dried drips of batter all over your counter, like me. </div><div>But there is nothing like proper fueling for a round of tub scrubbing! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbOlcXkvZnAasTplkUCwQHqtEHYF_E6t7d8UTVZ3e2YaK84wR3298lWipNOVownaWNFGM9j_xtzbIrCca6XNYL7jTY9senHZik8u_wtTj1N_djKznpsitErNV3BcWisCTiUpKLUaN6vXe/s640/blogger-image--1624179400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbOlcXkvZnAasTplkUCwQHqtEHYF_E6t7d8UTVZ3e2YaK84wR3298lWipNOVownaWNFGM9j_xtzbIrCca6XNYL7jTY9senHZik8u_wtTj1N_djKznpsitErNV3BcWisCTiUpKLUaN6vXe/s640/blogger-image--1624179400.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>While eating<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I noticed that my syrup expired 2 months ago. I know. This may be a new low, so look away if you can't take it - but I kept eating after thinking about it for 2 seconds (one for each month). The bottle had never been opened before, it tasted fine, I was really, really hungry. It was the only option I had. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VCqYIUxlKeLlCDRLjSExMCUhjRxiEHfquGYeLTqSHl7qERPzHeESUUR-hpi6aCCOiN7CS9MiM6zzarDwavUNcThTKxAQktp91WHbocdTqavNTDyn7kxCN78b5-Cv8m6em3tqAxaULAAB/s640/blogger-image-588256979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VCqYIUxlKeLlCDRLjSExMCUhjRxiEHfquGYeLTqSHl7qERPzHeESUUR-hpi6aCCOiN7CS9MiM6zzarDwavUNcThTKxAQktp91WHbocdTqavNTDyn7kxCN78b5-Cv8m6em3tqAxaULAAB/s640/blogger-image-588256979.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow morning, there will be another 3miler through the park. I ran today, too, and either my endurance is slowly building, or the colder weather helped me not to die on the way, but I finished without walking. Yay! </div><div><br></div><div>Oh, and I'm posting from my phone, because "putzen" also makes you lazy (the phone was sitting closer to me than the laptop. By about 3feet.). In case the pictures are weird (in size, the content is probably always is), I'll fix it tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>Good night everyone! </div>stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-15658433485920754172014-04-23T16:05:00.002-07:002014-04-23T16:05:27.398-07:002 Runs and a BirthdayFortunately, today I managed to sit down to write a blog post before 3am. Trust me, you wouldn't want to ever read what I type past midnight. It makes even less sense than it usually does.<br />
I have big plans to be asleep by 1am tonight. We'll see how that works out...<br />
<br />
Anyways, lets talk about the most important thing first: Yesterday was Nick's birthday!!!<br />
<br />
I get really excited about other peoples' birthdays. One, because they are getting older, too - not just me (and if that's not a reason to celebrate, I don't know what is). Two, I really love buying birthday gifts and making a birthday cake. The way I grew up, birthdays were always so special. Whoever had a birthday, was woken up with a birthday song (sung by the rest of the family), a big breakfast, followed by lots of cake and dinner. Mama would ask me weeks ahead what I would like for her to make and it would be there. No matter what it was. I just wish for everyone to get to feel the same birthday happiness on their special day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOLkhVOn-8pxWqEs70p7-hUMBT1lzESobAUbAVYeSp4j4doQFqrLiBMuv0GoW7PxUoluCmlPYGQnY1MrmylvSFtD5_Qzke5ocea8eguENTyBjuTCEOQoxObXl7Tn_R0MHtEz2FH7wLDaZ/s1600/tumblr_inline_mpyq95ClPQ1qz4rgp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOLkhVOn-8pxWqEs70p7-hUMBT1lzESobAUbAVYeSp4j4doQFqrLiBMuv0GoW7PxUoluCmlPYGQnY1MrmylvSFtD5_Qzke5ocea8eguENTyBjuTCEOQoxObXl7Tn_R0MHtEz2FH7wLDaZ/s1600/tumblr_inline_mpyq95ClPQ1qz4rgp.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media2.onsugar.com/files/2013/11/07/831/n/1922398/9d62fd4fa48c4072_25.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Since yesterday was a regular work day for us, we postponed cake (Against better judgement. One should never postpone cake.) and presents until after dinner.<br />
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There are no pictures of dinner. We were both so incredibly hungry. Trust me, it was a life and death situation that didn't allow for me to pull out my phone.<br />
The meal of choice: Döner and Lamachun. Delicious. Maybe even the best one yet. We'll have to go back to confirm.<br />
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What will we do if we don't have this anymore in a few months?! Nick and I discuss this issue quite often.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXMtfdlep3vRuoG5HgbDyckK5pd6B_usdiSkfPBN8iPgL8Kkrtq46HuDk81TNvVcbggq8nSvbzd-tpLhm1mi2qvcMFX-4prE0j_6edyoJQOs5LIm2DJ3-07gc-mowHAYHlOh-4lfQnI0L/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXMtfdlep3vRuoG5HgbDyckK5pd6B_usdiSkfPBN8iPgL8Kkrtq46HuDk81TNvVcbggq8nSvbzd-tpLhm1mi2qvcMFX-4prE0j_6edyoJQOs5LIm2DJ3-07gc-mowHAYHlOh-4lfQnI0L/s1600/giphy.gif" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know.<br /><a href="http://media.giphy.com/media/xlafffIXQZPA4/giphy.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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I did take a picture of the cake, though.<br />
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Now the next question is: What will we do without "Torte" (the type of ceamy, fluffy cake) in a few months?! (I will have to bribe someone to send ingredients...)<br />
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The problem about picking a gift when living abroad is that you always have to keep <i>the suitcase</i> in mind. "Will it fit in a suitcase?" "Will it break in a suitcase?" "Is it legal to take in a suitcase?" "How could I transport this in a suitcase?" "Will this be too heavy for a suitcase?"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NvMw3U4ZYnolEdtxZEwIbWdrDUicBuDn-gMeTelhlz5vkXX10bQhe4uVJiTF4vFCYQJsewqAFDW7M2e9VVPRoS3V-9lOgjfQ3aAUHFAEf5d6aA1oMRFBVt9hkqKwNo7KF5Ou6C6gYDZk/s1600/suitcase-size.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NvMw3U4ZYnolEdtxZEwIbWdrDUicBuDn-gMeTelhlz5vkXX10bQhe4uVJiTF4vFCYQJsewqAFDW7M2e9VVPRoS3V-9lOgjfQ3aAUHFAEf5d6aA1oMRFBVt9hkqKwNo7KF5Ou6C6gYDZk/s1600/suitcase-size.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/suitcase-size.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />
The great thing about this is: with almost every idea that doesn't pass the "suitcase-test-question", you come up with an idea for future holidays, birthdays, or random surprises.<br />
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Aside from celebrating, eating cake, and staying up way too late, I went for a run yesterday and today!! They still sucked. But on the bright side, today's run sucked a little less than the one yesterday. I finished 3 miles without walking. Lots of near-death moments, but no walking.<br />
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When I came home, I was not only exhausted but also incredibly sweaty and gross. Really gross. As usual, I got into the elevator (You know, because I just ran. The stairs are just too much) and while I am always by myself in that one-person apparatus - today, of all days, an elderly woman came in and wanted to take it, too... I guess karma really wanted me to take the stairs. Damn you, karma!<br />
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Oh, and then this happened:<br />
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We took Lucy to the park and as I was already thinking no other dog was going to come play - this guy showed up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media2.onsugar.com/files/2013/11/07/831/n/1922398/9d62fd4fa48c4072_25.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Lucy weighs 65lbs. I know that she isn't the typical Rottweiler or German Shepherd size, but I have never seen her as a "small" dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB90gRYg7kvFWCEdp9pLGvd5Tcdl1LzVNenbw2e_pcC7ConxjXE0TAdXOvxMnxcodfa9lJmrfuCc8vPbPyJY6F1CBbcPfzB9qKsZ0kJxmoG1xVPMHdeejmQ_wgQZ89s3qQpZ8LIMysuoi/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB90gRYg7kvFWCEdp9pLGvd5Tcdl1LzVNenbw2e_pcC7ConxjXE0TAdXOvxMnxcodfa9lJmrfuCc8vPbPyJY6F1CBbcPfzB9qKsZ0kJxmoG1xVPMHdeejmQ_wgQZ89s3qQpZ8LIMysuoi/s1600/image-2.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This guy was 160lbs. Unbelievable. I've heard this dog bark before. It made our windows shake.<br />
While he was quite fond of Lucy, she told him very loud and clear she wasn't interested. It was quite the scene. Nick and I were a bit worried, but she set him straight. It was quite the scene.<br />
Good thing, dogs don't know how big/small they are.<br />
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Now it's 1.05am - which, according to my plan, leaves -5 minutes to fall asleep.<br />
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Good night!<br />
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-19335128777670511202014-04-20T13:02:00.002-07:002014-04-20T13:02:39.342-07:00The Rum Run.I went for a rum run this morning. It wasn't pretty.<br />
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Last night, Nick and I went to our favorite cocktail place and under the influence of the sun, the more than usual oxygen from being outside, my brain somehow tricked to try something new: "Mango Baby".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-7G1j6AgAsKw2iF0DL0TvxP0z0lQ6RTEulZgIar4xuncDd3VrMJms2gVsZ7MHWYbYKHZUha9KIEtow9cShGZQKTgvwfAeCOnyXDKoPsic1SLhAFmK69vmvOpdZcS9oLvt0b_XQJem7Q8/s1600/IMG_4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-7G1j6AgAsKw2iF0DL0TvxP0z0lQ6RTEulZgIar4xuncDd3VrMJms2gVsZ7MHWYbYKHZUha9KIEtow9cShGZQKTgvwfAeCOnyXDKoPsic1SLhAFmK69vmvOpdZcS9oLvt0b_XQJem7Q8/s1600/IMG_4171.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danger in disguise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't remember when I had the last rum cocktail, but it was rough. Not only did the second glass taste much stronger than the first one, I also have to shamefully admit that I only made it through half of it. (In case you missed why this is our favorite place: they have a "order 1, we'll bring you 2 happy hour".) So yea. I'm not certain this was what made it so horrible this morning, but it sure didn't help to have an angry hangover.<br />
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The first mile was wonderful. I was so happy to be back out, the weather was gorgeous, and the park was nearly empty. (There were only a few people sitting on benches celebrating the 4/20 part of today.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx19cKhrVpwY83r7YD1mGEZ6bnASUSxilF6YVYkfThulalPjuiz9wyCstAxHFIC0DBSjDyP3HfLeVb3-ROIj4VGTrcoq_vpJ73D53kJGQj5wQMDFuv_E5ukd8OieBHiA8Aj_BX2fZTkFPu/s1600/happy-prancing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx19cKhrVpwY83r7YD1mGEZ6bnASUSxilF6YVYkfThulalPjuiz9wyCstAxHFIC0DBSjDyP3HfLeVb3-ROIj4VGTrcoq_vpJ73D53kJGQj5wQMDFuv_E5ukd8OieBHiA8Aj_BX2fZTkFPu/s1600/happy-prancing.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ed_wp-content_v2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/happy-prancing.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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After the first mile. It quickly went downhill. First my legs started yelling at me. Then my stomach. All while my head was throbbing. Then my shoulder cramped. Then I felt my head was catching on fire, because I was overheating.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusTNWaunAc0qA9tSFNrAc-PToYKo1nQJPE3S0N9djNrDOzpRxghgZZCgoNU8pnTi7jrYD6qOnfVEYrDDIj-84S1Vi4Qoa8Y6emcSCFgg808EJQovVGsXRGzLnss_WZhDXf3w6b4ICwEjF/s1600/url.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusTNWaunAc0qA9tSFNrAc-PToYKo1nQJPE3S0N9djNrDOzpRxghgZZCgoNU8pnTi7jrYD6qOnfVEYrDDIj-84S1Vi4Qoa8Y6emcSCFgg808EJQovVGsXRGzLnss_WZhDXf3w6b4ICwEjF/s1600/url.gif" height="183" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxd23tBYB6J507KGzAB8xcvE12tb2IhRcA7HS6TtQsYaSdfBjUPxtIvqvz2KfDrAVoj-mcRTe3VtcQ5rXpGIw3EErryr5J7PjJHaiNz8W-9MJfuzdeKf_k8diwSXX3IA-WLbc9k5jZMoe/s1600/url.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Finally, at mile 2.5, I had to walk. Can you believe that?! What a rude run! I finished the 3 royally miserable miles at the pace of 9:51 and just wanted to die on the doorstep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvoSgOjZFydSWxx4uiYQfcRFWEU8spOMp8SBjRtxuTaGWiDZQu0PnXOrWgJ4TMYtdxP9fareRSMVmxWUjo4EPytJVnXDu3uJ-t2fQgX-61KgFz3nD10_gFohM-mTA4w8DtXzCtpC8P9NN/s1600/true-blood-gif-true-blood-21716768-500-220.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvoSgOjZFydSWxx4uiYQfcRFWEU8spOMp8SBjRtxuTaGWiDZQu0PnXOrWgJ4TMYtdxP9fareRSMVmxWUjo4EPytJVnXDu3uJ-t2fQgX-61KgFz3nD10_gFohM-mTA4w8DtXzCtpC8P9NN/s1600/true-blood-gif-true-blood-21716768-500-220.gif" height="175" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew it!<br /><a href="http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/true-blood-gif-true-blood-21716768-500-220.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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On top of it, out of nowhere, my cough is back. It was completely gone and now I sound like I've been smoking 3 packs a day for the past 70 years. Without filter.<br />
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I'm really happy I tried it. In retrospect, that it. While I was trotting around the park, it was nothing but plain awfulness.<br />
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Not sure what I will do tomorrow. Originally, I wanted to do 3 miles every day for the next 5 days. (HA!)<br />
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Just getting up in the morning and having coffee and fresh rolls on the balcony sounds much more fun to me at this point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DXMyE-jwGE2BbGns4WOX5lPKvj_7oHgE-PiXNR0owtk-n0OBkm9RBs1Hsm4iWh9PN0bAu69sgiiptPWsACi5e5kqoCnHE-R6N0JtRWXRd09fwZXdfrCt09IAvXj3AIF9ri8eULyODoXk/s1600/running.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DXMyE-jwGE2BbGns4WOX5lPKvj_7oHgE-PiXNR0owtk-n0OBkm9RBs1Hsm4iWh9PN0bAu69sgiiptPWsACi5e5kqoCnHE-R6N0JtRWXRd09fwZXdfrCt09IAvXj3AIF9ri8eULyODoXk/s1600/running.gif" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This does seem to make a lot of sense right now.<br /><a href="http://readeroffictions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/running.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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On the bright side, Nick and I had a wonderful Easter. We went to the dog park at 1pm in the morning and while we thought we'd be the only people to go there - that place was packed! (I wonder if they all came because they thought it would be empty?!)<br />
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Afterwards, we had a big lunch, napped, watched TV, and went to get ice cream before dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BqwaxlGKDuwT3YwYzfxBMXBtybhMPbaej-htr7qYImD5RVeFRmfuJZaSFzxW2ZPn5ztevq5Hj4lpD0NZczcO1jPsrlX-ujXm0jpNVuESK3Wx4qH2m4PHEV6sHrUgyH5TdFYYwnqA6EK/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BqwaxlGKDuwT3YwYzfxBMXBtybhMPbaej-htr7qYImD5RVeFRmfuJZaSFzxW2ZPn5ztevq5Hj4lpD0NZczcO1jPsrlX-ujXm0jpNVuESK3Wx4qH2m4PHEV6sHrUgyH5TdFYYwnqA6EK/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't make me get up. Ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xu8MRsGeR3PkeUIV2jS6A1yHxaZsWfAfI3b0xbQmacCOR3pHOY9IBFvXk_GdtH9_YIwIGxXGgc_0KSoKnj53jR-NyCL6LdLM5WyiVqvcjSayZJ_Rf6iqRdSmvrR9CrkWh-SnM0SF4vUR/s1600/IMG_4187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xu8MRsGeR3PkeUIV2jS6A1yHxaZsWfAfI3b0xbQmacCOR3pHOY9IBFvXk_GdtH9_YIwIGxXGgc_0KSoKnj53jR-NyCL6LdLM5WyiVqvcjSayZJ_Rf6iqRdSmvrR9CrkWh-SnM0SF4vUR/s1600/IMG_4187.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the perfect combination. <br />Today: Pistachio-Malaga-Amarena/Cream (for Nick), Yoghurt-Straciatella-Malaga (for me)<br />Clearly, I won.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You wouldn't believe it, but I actually cooked today! As much as I hate cooking in this kitchen (made for smurfs, no dishwasher), I am always happy when we have a sit down dinner at home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD1c_7B8tVvDBn29DfYwhEDoetTrjY86-lMDWYNPzeq5uN8dQu5nuN0dW_Aa4lpbv_DPe5lpG1lbRCWh1piXg2lOtywfqUofBQ3VppADyTW-1kkFF1ykkY70EfJnylP9Z6bSfxBH2Qfiy/s1600/IMG_4189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD1c_7B8tVvDBn29DfYwhEDoetTrjY86-lMDWYNPzeq5uN8dQu5nuN0dW_Aa4lpbv_DPe5lpG1lbRCWh1piXg2lOtywfqUofBQ3VppADyTW-1kkFF1ykkY70EfJnylP9Z6bSfxBH2Qfiy/s1600/IMG_4189.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schnitzel stripes in mushroom/onion sauce, pasta, peas and carrots - and Easter Chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Oh and this morning, I woke up to this: <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EjTHeaeDX9ToGO5WITU7Xw0meaPCf66AMjFtHywZbbK7hYf5EPq5_2s3UL2Dn33xSd323FUJPoc9iTySdHTZC5K1i4NNRQWC_-lt7BKrEz3RP6xkZhndWce2La1DjUvWY-dwxZf7_IPL/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EjTHeaeDX9ToGO5WITU7Xw0meaPCf66AMjFtHywZbbK7hYf5EPq5_2s3UL2Dn33xSd323FUJPoc9iTySdHTZC5K1i4NNRQWC_-lt7BKrEz3RP6xkZhndWce2La1DjUvWY-dwxZf7_IPL/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone set up a special easter decoration. <br />More chocolate than decorative grass and things. <br />I love it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />This was such a terrific Easter Sunday, but I feel really guilty for not working today. I'm sure tomorrow will be even more productive then, right? Right?!<br />
<br />
On a different note, we passed these guys on our walk through one of Berlin's neighborhoods yesterday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb1_hQKsgvifowd3PrQCGrYqKS27PAI_FlwrcSIa3Qa-rE8lU7pri1xRwDqBfXaXyoEGQpboIkmhEydxKVF5KnNgg-sxwVk-aaS-Q7fEJEqm2ppa-vhUxhvXyb_w1qPIRe3t7WpdceMd-/s1600/IMG_4170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb1_hQKsgvifowd3PrQCGrYqKS27PAI_FlwrcSIa3Qa-rE8lU7pri1xRwDqBfXaXyoEGQpboIkmhEydxKVF5KnNgg-sxwVk-aaS-Q7fEJEqm2ppa-vhUxhvXyb_w1qPIRe3t7WpdceMd-/s1600/IMG_4170.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only in Berlin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Easter!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-34899674310701933042014-04-18T15:07:00.001-07:002014-04-18T15:09:16.239-07:00Because of some crappy days...Everyone knows the feeling of just having a crappy day. Or two. Or three. At least I am telling myself that. Because work has been incredibly slow and frustrating yet again, I decided to not spend an entire post whining about it (you are welcome) and post a few pictures, links, or things instead that made me happy or helped me procrastinate.<br />
<br />
<br />
- I truly thank the parents of this little one for putting a costume on their child and posting it on the internet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMH9TsRje1fcEhR3gB7wDzojkLpwdheT0dMUJCncc1YHh7da_2E9jua5staJHk5EUlhr-QMMLt7diLV-XbTLQaGDtNEQiuuHl3ZrSfp2kCYY6CARbpZcpORrLS2yiIMgly1p4nniPerJy/s1600/cACHQV1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMH9TsRje1fcEhR3gB7wDzojkLpwdheT0dMUJCncc1YHh7da_2E9jua5staJHk5EUlhr-QMMLt7diLV-XbTLQaGDtNEQiuuHl3ZrSfp2kCYY6CARbpZcpORrLS2yiIMgly1p4nniPerJy/s1600/cACHQV1.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is exactly how I feel after eating all the Easter candy!<br />
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/cACHQV1.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Although nothing beats the cuteness of chunky George, the royal boss.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01j8nwRPnw4Qr56fFOvOXYyqbU0mNL7I4kW5dwGNJw44fSL13L-9qawiJof4PU61PrZH-92gieCRJiAUo8rgaAIq53HivWP1pLyUYYwq2OqoPfs3Ch6Blfn9lVva0lkJxJjADzDDtOoZo/s1600/ad131902532epa04159875-cath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01j8nwRPnw4Qr56fFOvOXYyqbU0mNL7I4kW5dwGNJw44fSL13L-9qawiJof4PU61PrZH-92gieCRJiAUo8rgaAIq53HivWP1pLyUYYwq2OqoPfs3Ch6Blfn9lVva0lkJxJjADzDDtOoZo/s1600/ad131902532epa04159875-cath.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, you must be those peasants my mom told me about.<br />
<a href="http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/ad131902532epa04159875-cath.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Have you watched<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t4pgh"> Sherlock</a> yet? If you haven't, please stop what you are doing and start watching it NOW. I don't know what I did before I knew this show. Sadly, Nick and I just finished the last episode that's available online. It is just that good!<br />
So, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, please go and film <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/sherlock-season-4-filming-spoilers-3428288">that next season</a> now!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EeTik-OC2fHvLKfkOEuLbo_MCobwlUAyrg93XQEBloxbO1VRpg_XzuX4_WMLyZo6eUPA-nz7a4xiITdi8tzSK8FMa7SJRJUwwKAl8fW1kPoszw2EuLUg86buRgncyEs161rvHVavLNoN/s1600/tumblr_m6ded14qFC1qi3ei3o2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EeTik-OC2fHvLKfkOEuLbo_MCobwlUAyrg93XQEBloxbO1VRpg_XzuX4_WMLyZo6eUPA-nz7a4xiITdi8tzSK8FMa7SJRJUwwKAl8fW1kPoszw2EuLUg86buRgncyEs161rvHVavLNoN/s1600/tumblr_m6ded14qFC1qi3ei3o2_500.gif" height="160" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No. Don't make it weird. Just get on the set already!<br />
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6ded14qFC1qi3ei3o2_500.gif">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- Someone posted <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyK7baSeTk">this</a> on Facebook. I was mesmerized and terrified both times I watched it. This is truly impressive!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdaqY9FVkyu4ySZXr6Y6h9QB5v_0pEmJ7J9Exwke4o4zgzXS9kY3lLHB2w6PCj86ho-VRlOZqu-nZPtz0c_ZF_h9gr7yyNA1Ev_E9VqXSVP6dW-zXV_BoF84OaafbldN62GT3ZqTw50Iq/s1600/robert-downey-jr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdaqY9FVkyu4ySZXr6Y6h9QB5v_0pEmJ7J9Exwke4o4zgzXS9kY3lLHB2w6PCj86ho-VRlOZqu-nZPtz0c_ZF_h9gr7yyNA1Ev_E9VqXSVP6dW-zXV_BoF84OaafbldN62GT3ZqTw50Iq/s1600/robert-downey-jr.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeYNcxVzabdZmow2TgCwpeCQ0GFVCi0dXmofLDIZEOIm8BA5jW3uR2SqF5mGGMYrCxQHZbSxSZIk3vZgeL7oL44f8bys6-sFu2w8DIUMFRhmKIcz4oDJAFTkposWBF1U5o85WJP42c-aC/s1600/robert-downey-jr.gif">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- I would not be surprised if each of these children were scarred for life upon the taking of <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/19-vintage-easter-bunny-photos-that-will-make-your-skin-craw">these pictures</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aF8ULNTDlIHeqnt5N39gPb1tLHIILP9Ij_2PpW0CLhyfIPOHDf7UEv-eMVW9wKSm27_0S8MG5i1vSvIzcJqYxxqTJgoNs_K17eaUt8yoHMMYEORUnbCvtpL9SqGtB0asx6SMMHpWHW1f/s1600/enhanced-23436-1397679780-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aF8ULNTDlIHeqnt5N39gPb1tLHIILP9Ij_2PpW0CLhyfIPOHDf7UEv-eMVW9wKSm27_0S8MG5i1vSvIzcJqYxxqTJgoNs_K17eaUt8yoHMMYEORUnbCvtpL9SqGtB0asx6SMMHpWHW1f/s1600/enhanced-23436-1397679780-10.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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<div>
<br />
- I don't know what it is, but I need one! So much cuteness!! I swear, I yelled out "AWWW!" for each <a href="http://news.distractify.com/fun/animals-fun/22-animals-that-are-so-adorable-they-will-make-you-mad/?v=1">one of these</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQQJKep2OnoPosuOz_qC2KpTHilwNq6a7Iqnyrv6TXuOPng9B7kv9Hh-zo61S6h5ixDPAQxk9yttFeZ-_xkAaypLYpo9oEtwdlXZUdy2gdUZsyAErnmZi6gdxj64tn1KVPK8su0qdhJg8/s1600/1180-620x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQQJKep2OnoPosuOz_qC2KpTHilwNq6a7Iqnyrv6TXuOPng9B7kv9Hh-zo61S6h5ixDPAQxk9yttFeZ-_xkAaypLYpo9oEtwdlXZUdy2gdUZsyAErnmZi6gdxj64tn1KVPK8su0qdhJg8/s1600/1180-620x.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you a micro-rabbit-mouse?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- More small things made their rounds on the internet. Why would a small or any other small food be desirable? People are strange.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI6YBfU5yEQRl4Pc4zC-_nO24_00Kk2Js2Kxq0y1VcVXgjDhDaeybPmPk9N21qGhUD6zDRuBtu74GsYTBno2hUxxqjxhlmQogV8uUgbf93sXmIGTwnXjO9nO2ebKYg3VQTxQrJf_A5q4B/s1600/TysjvCj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI6YBfU5yEQRl4Pc4zC-_nO24_00Kk2Js2Kxq0y1VcVXgjDhDaeybPmPk9N21qGhUD6zDRuBtu74GsYTBno2hUxxqjxhlmQogV8uUgbf93sXmIGTwnXjO9nO2ebKYg3VQTxQrJf_A5q4B/s1600/TysjvCj.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm still curious what it is. Marzipan?<br />
<a href="http://imgur.com/TysjvCj">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With this being said, I should go and find some wine and chocolate to celebrate the end of this awful week. Next week, I'm sure will be much more productive and awesome! Plus, I have big plans to go running again!<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a lovely Saturday!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z1KZbAaKL4agmdhIsHZvjM8254NlNxouOEtZVSQxL-UcyQrVyr1IDxiIAW6e0BclAlUfREYV9Bn-vZZdkwq417kYOUOKPVtKmrEdhlksycMhp5WuEDjsoWxE6ibxQFwKT9SglQ9vqO-1/s1600/anigif_enhanced-21581-1397505152-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z1KZbAaKL4agmdhIsHZvjM8254NlNxouOEtZVSQxL-UcyQrVyr1IDxiIAW6e0BclAlUfREYV9Bn-vZZdkwq417kYOUOKPVtKmrEdhlksycMhp5WuEDjsoWxE6ibxQFwKT9SglQ9vqO-1/s1600/anigif_enhanced-21581-1397505152-3.gif" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamdavis/things-only-perpetually-tired-people-will-understand">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-64351774506621698112014-04-17T14:42:00.000-07:002014-04-17T14:42:01.996-07:00Apples in the garbage.It is no secret that sometimes, I have absolutely no control over what I'm doing. I'm not talking about the words that come out of my mouth. No, that's a different story. I mean what my arms, hands, or legs are going. I think at any given point in time, I would be unable to walk a straight line or touch my nose with my finger. Which is going to become very awkward if I ever get pulled over for speeding or forgetting about a stop sign.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmxkcTc5JOp2bSLeuxdm2vUe9thn07_M0NUDKjJ9viaiSCrcp8FpcniLhW8Fh_hEyKOoLM_HYq_J6FO6HhnhSdJJwTHOkInAVjZbf0VMHU6H3saP201ofP-6NFpzA7uifn9tEJYohtrKF/s1600/Jennifer-Lawrence-Oscars-GIFs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmxkcTc5JOp2bSLeuxdm2vUe9thn07_M0NUDKjJ9viaiSCrcp8FpcniLhW8Fh_hEyKOoLM_HYq_J6FO6HhnhSdJJwTHOkInAVjZbf0VMHU6H3saP201ofP-6NFpzA7uifn9tEJYohtrKF/s1600/Jennifer-Lawrence-Oscars-GIFs.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This would probably be a better excuse than "general malfunction".<br /><a href="http://cdn29.elitedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Jennifer-Lawrence-Oscars-GIFs.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While I usually brush it off as "everyone has moments like this", sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong in the communication between my brain and my body.<br />
<br />
A little while ago, I came home from doing the groceries and put everything away, before I started working on my paper. The next day, I wanted to grab one of those apples that I had bought and just couldn't find them. After looking in all reasonable places, I thought about it for a minute and then remembered it very clearly: I had dropped them into the garbage bin. The whole bag. Fresh apples. Into the garbage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xSH71jobbVMplCwzDuZHfxcFGYjKCRDlAUMK2jSrscHOIJLFJ4trV8aLkwykfy39VMVAzULKBBpLPtpEqNKNKREqRJB9L7Lrfn9FymZPrhZtmulGoCwaZDhsZaHBYTaJjlGjy88cB7E8/s1600/original5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xSH71jobbVMplCwzDuZHfxcFGYjKCRDlAUMK2jSrscHOIJLFJ4trV8aLkwykfy39VMVAzULKBBpLPtpEqNKNKREqRJB9L7Lrfn9FymZPrhZtmulGoCwaZDhsZaHBYTaJjlGjy88cB7E8/s1600/original5.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know.<br /><a href="http://cdn4.gurl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/original5.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What bugs me about this the most is that I could clearly remember how I put them in there. This means that during the very moment when it happened, nothing about it seemed strange. (?!)<br />
<br />
<br />
This is only one example.<br />
There are more.<br />
<br />
I've found a pack of ham ceran wrap/ aluminum foil/ ziplock bag drawer - days after my grocery trip.<br />
<br />
Just the other day, I wanted to put cheese into the fridge and threw it in the garbage. With confidence.<br />
<br />
Generally, I have found so much random food (mostly foods that should have been immediately refrigerated) in drawers, on shelves, or in bags I never took them out of (!?).<br />
<br />
I've also driven off while a gallon of ice cream and a pineapple were still sitting on the roof of my car. Or a cup of coffee. Or a pack of milk. If you think watching your ice-cream come flying off your car is the most awkward thing, you are mistaken. It is the getting out of your car and picking up the pieces.<br />
(What I have learned from these situations: No matter how soon you remember, it's already too late - and: People do stare. For a while. And shake their heads.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGh6KyU1ZTrWgAUEHVFNO8GhtbroPMJqn2vsGpqbHKBr7CvRFw7tnP3umy-I7EgQl7ovlqDXkBdbBduhIM6JEiMC7ZhBVgtOPzGYX0qTSes9Xw8m9Y9mKaAHXb9AC78du1IUxIBRWo3Ll5/s1600/Dog-in-the-Fridge.jpg" height="288" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why did you put me in here?! - I don't know. It just seemed right at the time.<br /><a href="http://twolittlecavaliers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Dog-in-the-Fridge.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Please tell me that you do this as well.<br />
<br />
Or don't say anything at all.<br />
<br />
Or even better, just lie about it.<br />
<br />
Yes, lets do that.<br />
<br />
<br />
While I'm a little sad to leave our little old kitchen here in Berlin, I'm glad to have a gas stove again. When you have a gas stove, you can at least tell which of the stove tops you turned on. (Trust me, unless you have a fancy glass top that lights up bright red, the electric stove can be tricky. Plus, melted plastic does smell.)<br />
<br />
<br />
On a completely different note, Easter is coming up and I am beyond excited. Easter candy is one of my favorite things and Nick and I have been working on trying every kind of chocolate or other sugary treat we could find.<br />
<br />
Easter in Germany is a rather big holiday. Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are official holidays. This also means that everything is closed. Many stores don't even open on Saturday, which turns it into a really REALLY long weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp-UYddmRZi9Lq1LUsfO13EJ-PZcnQOMZBgPMtuYittExeR8_hgxlR-FtADztjgbwbgpt0d31PTERlB8xuDTo19bWSay2d6yzpvkxuZ8WK4w4SOa_fyl8B5axnlTIzvefvbnmgPZJcVu_/s1600/1343940010556bugs_bunny_skipping_along_gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp-UYddmRZi9Lq1LUsfO13EJ-PZcnQOMZBgPMtuYittExeR8_hgxlR-FtADztjgbwbgpt0d31PTERlB8xuDTo19bWSay2d6yzpvkxuZ8WK4w4SOa_fyl8B5axnlTIzvefvbnmgPZJcVu_/s1600/1343940010556bugs_bunny_skipping_along_gif.gif" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/7gJ8RTmrnX37yIWFRcOToefxpFkZoebLR6KqkjLwDOM8uEqRkij1brxPknUPr0a*MYe-vHdYA-XRxIGSKLU5e7Z*bRISEZme/1343940010556bugs_bunny_skipping_along_gif.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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That's why I went to the store this afternoon to stock up on food and wine. Sadly, 372890523573207 people had the same idea. I had to wait in line to grab a cart. There was a line to get A CART!?! To then begin shopping?! It was ridiculous. And that was only the first of three stores I had to go to.<br />
<br />
While that was no fun at all, I'm really glad we won't starve.<br />
<br />
Now lets just hope I put it everything in the right place and it won't all spoil in a random drawer or corner of the kitchen.<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you have a good night!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H_ALCy8Ek3IWd9zsADDNLcCRHidSdhQGeAJUWzzewDAwfEhDKhCmvwXkQYXhWLglS2Z1I5F5Z_MFfx84WryUMNRKWNeIF7ortg095NKjB5tlH8SR2K6IB7Cq5OtoxgyP0iUldnVwHSCb/s1600/cute-gif-cat-closing-drawer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H_ALCy8Ek3IWd9zsADDNLcCRHidSdhQGeAJUWzzewDAwfEhDKhCmvwXkQYXhWLglS2Z1I5F5Z_MFfx84WryUMNRKWNeIF7ortg095NKjB5tlH8SR2K6IB7Cq5OtoxgyP0iUldnVwHSCb/s1600/cute-gif-cat-closing-drawer.gif" height="228" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zA0nXJSQ_7fx0MlZx3Sn2LdbsTeEVpuX-gwG3uQutcwB1EgFB_Az02oA-NoOc_QXxI2rB73Yynp6wjTdWGMy-CdS07qVpJdoGmgtM3wKCxg7hfEs1C_aroYBlii_DKM0kI0ftixoLKk/s400/cute-gif-cat-closing-drawer.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-37604680125718820632014-04-16T12:44:00.000-07:002014-04-16T12:44:18.400-07:00Pictures and Passover.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;">It has been one of those days here, where aside from work and sending out emails, nothing much has happened. </span><br />
<br />
Except: As of today, half of the dress is now officially mine! Let the alterations begin!<br />
<br />
Aside from this, I am still coughing and sneezing and losing my patience about this terrible cold that just won't let go of me. Today it's been two weeks since I last went for a run and at this point, I'm not only anxious to lace up my shoes again, but also terrified. I'm pretty certain I won't even make it past this block, because I lost all of my muscles. However, there is nothing worse than starting off too soon and my sinuses and lungs are definitely asking me to wait another few days. So I will do that. (Damn you, sinuses!)<br />
<br />
That's why I am going to share some random pictures from the last week with you.<br />
<br />
First things first:<br />
<br />
Nick surprised me yesterday morning, by handing me a flash drive that contained all the official pictures from the half marathon! I just couldn't believe it! Especially after I had spent all of our money on a dress. He still goes out and buys all of them for me, because he knows how important this was for me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprj1Mf8PPMGzHkiE3qY9D5gxClqNxOGtsnidzxNGJI1YqGWSHr7e-xG94KwY-OpK58jNXVlYzP6wSrUg_j8xGzfF8LF3ABnF-sfIlXL-4SJvgvaF6e3sNwtWJV6qUFP5hJtaJuTZemVA_/s1600/763269-1040-0015s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprj1Mf8PPMGzHkiE3qY9D5gxClqNxOGtsnidzxNGJI1YqGWSHr7e-xG94KwY-OpK58jNXVlYzP6wSrUg_j8xGzfF8LF3ABnF-sfIlXL-4SJvgvaF6e3sNwtWJV6qUFP5hJtaJuTZemVA_/s1600/763269-1040-0015s.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is my favorite. <br />
(Just so you know, this was only mile 3, hence the happy face.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80CKWP4Ju7UTAM7sENYDiGhYypsw1HTMYOYV4riIXKT_WAvyVwibT8UZgUhGv074CyYmJm96kOueXSTGmXBIyuysvKTzEUAIGr2vFaYpfFPxr4lv2UZY8Xrbbv_OtNe8NsmCzW1cChZYg/s1600/763271-1136-0049s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80CKWP4Ju7UTAM7sENYDiGhYypsw1HTMYOYV4riIXKT_WAvyVwibT8UZgUhGv074CyYmJm96kOueXSTGmXBIyuysvKTzEUAIGr2vFaYpfFPxr4lv2UZY8Xrbbv_OtNe8NsmCzW1cChZYg/s1600/763271-1136-0049s.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was right around when I thought I should just go home and sleep. Or die.</td></tr>
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Someone yelled we should all raise our arms. Guess I was the only one who actually did. Awkward.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgezlp3OJqQPyWV-Ou22mU6wC7F-12iOhDN9h96JKVzXfMphc71DRvvrUcn7qUIISirwkob4e3zJU99cVyvJQA9_v9QGDhkPOIjqu3sWWhrW_OOI0QXG0IcfVvbD81e-dOQP6UBv1ChyU/s1600/763284-1555-0043s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgezlp3OJqQPyWV-Ou22mU6wC7F-12iOhDN9h96JKVzXfMphc71DRvvrUcn7qUIISirwkob4e3zJU99cVyvJQA9_v9QGDhkPOIjqu3sWWhrW_OOI0QXG0IcfVvbD81e-dOQP6UBv1ChyU/s1600/763284-1555-0043s.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and this was when I knew there was going to be Ice Cream in my very near future.</td></tr>
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Just in case you were wondering, the clock in the pictures was taking the time from the start of the first wave. My wave started running about 30 minutes after the official beginning.</div>
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It seems to have become a tradition that every Saturday, we first make coffee to go and then take Lucy to the dog park, afterwards, Nick and I walk to get groceries, and to reward ourselves (you know, for so much walking), we go to the best happy hour place that we know.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppWuUfQBFdxfa9J3X34yALAeNt1WVtSb91VkWZIr0ofGbDXyNXfx_7Ip0d-wU8T0UrEOOYn7GbldOID5_3avweQBXVH-W_VM1ew3ld6m4xG-mViSnDJnJUREaZPGOQkeVKI88U7Augak6/s1600/IMG_4132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppWuUfQBFdxfa9J3X34yALAeNt1WVtSb91VkWZIr0ofGbDXyNXfx_7Ip0d-wU8T0UrEOOYn7GbldOID5_3avweQBXVH-W_VM1ew3ld6m4xG-mViSnDJnJUREaZPGOQkeVKI88U7Augak6/s1600/IMG_4132.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh buy1 get1 free cocktails, you are my favorite!</td></tr>
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I have once again proven that heating up can also count as cooking!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoIVZD862SxShMzz7dA6yK65_KvKlAUXkZf3GvLpmSzD4wNT9bSWvWAW4ijp6H1Nr0hCmmM8kZPpOYs65qPWzRSHc_Nbjmo_fMoi0GewOj4n8tqs8fm1wCZysEtr0u5gGsfuylZ8Yul9y/s1600/IMG_4137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoIVZD862SxShMzz7dA6yK65_KvKlAUXkZf3GvLpmSzD4wNT9bSWvWAW4ijp6H1Nr0hCmmM8kZPpOYs65qPWzRSHc_Nbjmo_fMoi0GewOj4n8tqs8fm1wCZysEtr0u5gGsfuylZ8Yul9y/s1600/IMG_4137.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, you have to have 2 bottles of ketchup on hand at all times. <br />
Never run out of ketchup. It's the rule.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Gelato is officially back in my life. The place up the road from us finally opened and we had to go immediately to see if their ice cream was still as good. It is. Now I just need to go back to check the other 40 flavors!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RrzJ4_L2mQGivGpt2SOxxDSKXfHLooGHol77L4M3PMaMjbogdLVW_UAeTc2sfkwk-0VgubhzezvH_Vhuy70r587TtReB6swUMrn2LkR8rJfqeXOpWf8rIk2ziSTF04QRGw5n1FQIVxBW/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RrzJ4_L2mQGivGpt2SOxxDSKXfHLooGHol77L4M3PMaMjbogdLVW_UAeTc2sfkwk-0VgubhzezvH_Vhuy70r587TtReB6swUMrn2LkR8rJfqeXOpWf8rIk2ziSTF04QRGw5n1FQIVxBW/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how I've missed you!<br />
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Nick went through his computer the other day and found pictures that were taken during our stay at Disney World in January 2011. I had completely forgotten about them. Especially this one:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQnZTzv201xJyBsatqVJdptf2t4sDI3DHuTt0Pn8mg-oaICsOLa_FfyplJthXWLiYOkfAk08eG1NGNphh_-aWnX6IWQY8v-L4svkjYfoLATYWRqDfhDQu1JFNJhHZHO2CTUAtoQ5zIdc/s1600/1559F1E0d01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQnZTzv201xJyBsatqVJdptf2t4sDI3DHuTt0Pn8mg-oaICsOLa_FfyplJthXWLiYOkfAk08eG1NGNphh_-aWnX6IWQY8v-L4svkjYfoLATYWRqDfhDQu1JFNJhHZHO2CTUAtoQ5zIdc/s1600/1559F1E0d01.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah. No. I have no idea how this happened.</td></tr>
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<br />
Yesterday, we were invited to our very first Passover celebration. Friends of ours had us over to be part of their ceremony and it was terrific! I have never been at a dinner that involved so many symbolic aspects - or where I learned so much about a different religion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaC-r6856X11xkS3awxlVG5ySki1Z5jT31iaF4V1g7umJBpy6S8gZ_Ys53sfCYUYqd4q9zklQoZuqcdUVNyfwIwKGTyP4NSQ75Hmzmi0hogAnutU1TxIu9d7YtZoNodLsl-Qf5U6cSB9M/s1600/IMG_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaC-r6856X11xkS3awxlVG5ySki1Z5jT31iaF4V1g7umJBpy6S8gZ_Ys53sfCYUYqd4q9zklQoZuqcdUVNyfwIwKGTyP4NSQ75Hmzmi0hogAnutU1TxIu9d7YtZoNodLsl-Qf5U6cSB9M/s1600/IMG_4162.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQOaU9bkV2JtzPJjvVkvkv-7ttZmZ5nbKc_kUSa-PZ2piMkF53VCCv1u4Vkw9jeq5PE9OWfPJMRsozSiopj8CeF1sQbLDjTfAGpxqwuspoe3s6R5iG8jiN_Y1S41YNzj-KzwhXur-qoX0/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQOaU9bkV2JtzPJjvVkvkv-7ttZmZ5nbKc_kUSa-PZ2piMkF53VCCv1u4Vkw9jeq5PE9OWfPJMRsozSiopj8CeF1sQbLDjTfAGpxqwuspoe3s6R5iG8jiN_Y1S41YNzj-KzwhXur-qoX0/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Now it is time for me to clean up the kitchen from today's dinner.<br />
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I envy everyone who has a dishwasher. Or a bigger kitchen. Or more dishes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NtDfA27V8DjAUiwS4dAQSseI3-Z9IstAWzrNZOAfnivoMWq2JiBIo9OQcu4zpzhZw3PQYoOAjnyV9DYIzoNbozXz8lc22qEtGrMh3ZZp3_g0PoUkic22RPn7-7yN6JmAOGjkeNUtqg3c/s1600/gifstache_4022_1360814402.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NtDfA27V8DjAUiwS4dAQSseI3-Z9IstAWzrNZOAfnivoMWq2JiBIo9OQcu4zpzhZw3PQYoOAjnyV9DYIzoNbozXz8lc22qEtGrMh3ZZp3_g0PoUkic22RPn7-7yN6JmAOGjkeNUtqg3c/s1600/gifstache_4022_1360814402.gif" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe we should just get a cat.<br />
<a href="http://cdn.gifstache.com/2013/2/7/gifstache_4022_1360814402.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-27623772230949574302014-04-14T17:34:00.003-07:002014-04-14T17:34:27.209-07:00The day I picked my dress.Today was a long, happy day.<br />
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As I told you, when we first got married, Nick and I planned on having a big church wedding in Germany a few years later, you know, the one in less than 6 weeks.<br />
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Over the past months and years, I thought, I would then get a chance to wear a big wedding dress. The one I wore 4.5 years ago is really lovely. Its shorter and ivory colored with beads and lace and just overall pretty.<br />
<br />
So I started thinking that I should save us the money and wear it for the big day. I made a decision. I wanted to just give up on the big dress to save us the money. When I told Nick, he wasn't pleased. I remember that just three months ago, we were sitting and having cocktails when told me he would just pick a bridal store and buy a gift card. I wanted none of that. I didn't want my big dress anymore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3ygu011TndoxZhMC8_iVIQrudoF8M6WOf6Q6i1qo159zbvueba_row-kqgJMBYayvAgCtejjtdZK_akZkv_nsvSpHDo6nuN-pYnh_jPQjDrNA6aJQTJvBGGPxYh5fSPMnnwyBDuU-kUt/s1600/tumblr_lq3ye5gHbN1qfn10do1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3ygu011TndoxZhMC8_iVIQrudoF8M6WOf6Q6i1qo159zbvueba_row-kqgJMBYayvAgCtejjtdZK_akZkv_nsvSpHDo6nuN-pYnh_jPQjDrNA6aJQTJvBGGPxYh5fSPMnnwyBDuU-kUt/s1600/tumblr_lq3ye5gHbN1qfn10do1_400.gif" height="175" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel so pretty when saving us money!<br /><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq3ye5gHbN1qfn10do1_400.gif">Source. </a></td></tr>
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<br />
Until 2 weeks ago.<br />
<br />
I don't know what happened, but all of the sudden, the thought of never having the feeling of walking down the isle in long wedding dress I had dreamed of for years made me really sad.<br />
<br />
I remembered how I was still in my mom's kids choir and we would meet every Friday, in a building right by the very church that Nick and I are getting married in next month. Fridays were, and still are, popular days for weddings and during the summer months, us kids would wait for the bride to come out of the church, just to see her dress. On other days, my mom and I would drive by the church and wait in the car if we knew there was a wedding. It was always the greatest moment to see the bride.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-AnGGLbZZiPDiXU86qFHyXlQOgD-nLRBazcMSz3HUvDrseP11KACwiy3XPPdX8_RaYJ239gzz1Szpz0Fp3_LF-KXN7lGJDc1g1q8y-s_gGrOR3JOOWNmweMV1O6ym-vqpSgNyvyiWaDp/s1600/So-Beautiful.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-AnGGLbZZiPDiXU86qFHyXlQOgD-nLRBazcMSz3HUvDrseP11KACwiy3XPPdX8_RaYJ239gzz1Szpz0Fp3_LF-KXN7lGJDc1g1q8y-s_gGrOR3JOOWNmweMV1O6ym-vqpSgNyvyiWaDp/s1600/So-Beautiful.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know!<br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cJm4YmNtMu6lVFgqHNk-zMIvySfxF4vfY9LgRUW89uDnkm5ZlsbrZZQ6u6RhO8ZmBqjEVZ1HAc3AqjGb7QJdkugEE0HNe90POE0_2JGMIlul8lHBSZ1sOEPblw">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also remembered how often I would sneak into my parents' bedroom to secretly wear my mom's wedding dress when she was out. I was about 6 or 7 and obsessed with that dress. My grandmother made it and I can't tell you how happy it still makes me that my mom kept it all those years. In elementary school, we did a fashion show and I was the one who was presenting the "bridal collection". I was 8 years old and wore my mom's veil and her white gloves - it was one of my proudest moments as a kid.<br />
<br />
Since then, I had dreamed of having a big, long wedding dress myself and while I truly love my shorter dress from our October wedding in New York, I just couldn't bare the thought of never being able to live that moment any longer. Especially when I will be walking out of that very church, in the town I grew up in, with Nick next to me.<br />
<br />
I know I'm being wasteful. I know that it will be the most expensive piece of clothing and that I will only wear it for less than 24hrs. But I just can't help it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f1gdlHjKi6ByFueruABG2CeLGDJmiJgay5j126VYYUy4rNb4FYo6iOmBKdomQtMVn5KDljfMB2XDRWh8ix9Cn6nvKBH_woPZPOO-hi6KlOAU-qxJP0p1DA06RSzNe4GcyjW_d38-zuI2/s1600/anigif_enhanced-buzz-23297-1387434993-4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f1gdlHjKi6ByFueruABG2CeLGDJmiJgay5j126VYYUy4rNb4FYo6iOmBKdomQtMVn5KDljfMB2XDRWh8ix9Cn6nvKBH_woPZPOO-hi6KlOAU-qxJP0p1DA06RSzNe4GcyjW_d38-zuI2/s1600/anigif_enhanced-buzz-23297-1387434993-4.gif" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-12/enhanced/webdr07/19/1/anigif_enhanced-buzz-23297-1387434993-4.gif">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now, <i>deciding</i> that I want a dress and <i>finding one</i> are two different stories if there are only 6 weeks to go until the big day.<br />
<br />
In case you didn't know, wedding dresses can take 6-8 months to be ordered. (I definitely didn't know.) I spent more hours looking at wedding dresses online than I ever thought was possible or healthy. I looked for so long that all of them started to look the same, just one white ball of fabric.<br />
<br />
It's our second wedding, so I didn't want it to be too big, too poofy, too long, or too lacey, no big bows, something smaller, but not too small, simple, but not too simple... that's exactly what I told the sales lady at the store. She truly appreciated it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGR9hNNKtH6PJX9G3x4iAg5d1iw38pjHUj1luSx3GHLWHEhA2Pj5rUXjXWrE0Azgkkh80ah6BQKzwC7FrRLkEPVnUvlVHUZ_bqHtpFIQEg7_EkT0GA3pfUhxArdeFPW3_KvvVD29nLJh/s1600/princess_diana_wedding_dress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGR9hNNKtH6PJX9G3x4iAg5d1iw38pjHUj1luSx3GHLWHEhA2Pj5rUXjXWrE0Azgkkh80ah6BQKzwC7FrRLkEPVnUvlVHUZ_bqHtpFIQEg7_EkT0GA3pfUhxArdeFPW3_KvvVD29nLJh/s1600/princess_diana_wedding_dress.png" height="356" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This seems appropriate! Maybe less flowers though.<br /><a href="http://whatamiholdingonto.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/princess_diana_wedding_dress.png">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Last week, I tried about 20 dresses. I hated every single one (too big, too poofy, too long...). I felt like a snowman in most of them, looked like a ball of mozzarella in others. It wasn't pretty. The poor sales lady kept saying "lets put a flower around it and see what you think then" (I'm dead serious. She tried that one flower on every dress. Almost hilarious.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLmgKzpHAPUAOzpg6Jo629UMQrYCF0YGcuwS7U8FOu5QHJOnJUeSBENy2GJDoR1x4PeFr8Qa7VQD9m4KamhqeNEHFDUVYGGf1dvgMlJdsOuyECGTy5dUrp63ZuHiKXaiBG5p_oAijGjqZ/s1600/f2b86967f450fc3fbb103607de6689d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLmgKzpHAPUAOzpg6Jo629UMQrYCF0YGcuwS7U8FOu5QHJOnJUeSBENy2GJDoR1x4PeFr8Qa7VQD9m4KamhqeNEHFDUVYGGf1dvgMlJdsOuyECGTy5dUrp63ZuHiKXaiBG5p_oAijGjqZ/s1600/f2b86967f450fc3fbb103607de6689d1.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lets add a flower to see if it works then."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Right before I left, she told me that they had another dress and went to get it. I hated it on the hanger. But since she was so nice and helpful (read: patient), I said I would try it. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. The only problem: it was about 3 times as much as I wanted to spend.<br />
<br />
I had a sleepless weekend and aside from browsing through store catalogues, I also looked at about 362934732852720984 used wedding dresses online. I swear, I know every single entry by now. I know the brands, I know the shapes, I recognize the sellers. The thought was: maybe I can find a really nice used one. Or one that was bought and never worn!?<br />
<br />
My friend came with me this morning to look at a dress I thought might be a good fit. It wasn't for me. It wasn't my dress. It was someone else's.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd5ruI5gYZOdD2LtVtP1SPzWAbJ0fgxXbUWfSLmroCgOiN2-09WLG2j5KJRcYKjy5m3wknYa0vKmZuXsUebZ9LZ4TrG3qweBjn1Xl7c1zTrAKAN7qebint52uxQoGRCSJvwc6VYjNTtZQ/s1600/proposal-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd5ruI5gYZOdD2LtVtP1SPzWAbJ0fgxXbUWfSLmroCgOiN2-09WLG2j5KJRcYKjy5m3wknYa0vKmZuXsUebZ9LZ4TrG3qweBjn1Xl7c1zTrAKAN7qebint52uxQoGRCSJvwc6VYjNTtZQ/s1600/proposal-dress.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/photos/proposal-dress.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So we went back to the store and I picked one there. That's all I can say, because Nick reads my blog :o)<br />
<br />
I absolutely love it and I cannot wait to wear it (and plaster this blog with pictures). At the store, I had to insist sitting and finishing my champagne in the dress. (Yes they gave me booze. Maybe to help decide.)<br />
<br />
I am also thinking about putting it on every year at our May-wedding-anniversary. Even if it doesn't fit anymore. I swear. It is THAT pretty. I could also give tea parties and wear it for that occasion. Maybe I will invite everyone who says they are sad they only got to wear their dress once. It could be a thing. Lets all wear our wedding dresses! (Of course, we would be forced to only eat really creamy-cream cakes, you know, no "healthy" fruit, because of possible stains...)<br />
<br />
Just let me know. I'll keep a slice for you.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXrykf8zHccyFrVQ3KbJ1iY0ipbR9svuCeLqe1Lv4Vs4ZfC0Ou_My2uW_sxCn69kxxG29blfeF4G7zJ3UWj4wQQ9aOGRHwNQpSa7NWVNET6n33yCdOuEsbFG5-Sp6bvyulnFbnrPw0V8w/s1600/d28d24df2f496f26f1ae7e36e1b78ac3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXrykf8zHccyFrVQ3KbJ1iY0ipbR9svuCeLqe1Lv4Vs4ZfC0Ou_My2uW_sxCn69kxxG29blfeF4G7zJ3UWj4wQQ9aOGRHwNQpSa7NWVNET6n33yCdOuEsbFG5-Sp6bvyulnFbnrPw0V8w/s1600/d28d24df2f496f26f1ae7e36e1b78ac3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did anyone say "cake"?<br /><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d2/8d/24/d28d24df2f496f26f1ae7e36e1b78ac3.jpg">Source.</a><br /></td></tr>
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stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-51249052381834666142014-04-13T16:30:00.002-07:002014-04-13T16:30:26.099-07:00The day I fought in public (again)I am not a person who seeks confrontation. No. I hide from it. Especially if it's in public. I find arguing in public embarrassing - but sometimes, people are acting like royal assholes and I can't control my feelings. Let me tell you about it in a little bit.<br />
<br />
First: happy things!<br />
<br />
I don't even know why I haven't talked about this on here yet, because it's not even a real secret. In fact, a few months ago, we distributed a good number of letters to announce it:<br />
Nick and I are getting married in Germany! We've been married for 4.5 years, but back then, my parents were unable to come. (Maybe because we gave them 3 weeks notice and we got married thousands of miles away?!)<br />
Anyways, we had a beautiful wedding at Nick's parents' house and in my mind it couldn't have been more perfect. My parents and brothers attended via Skype and my brothers even played a song for us. (They even dressed up in fancy clothes and had a celebratory dinner!)<br />
<br />
Still, we've been planning on having a bigger church wedding in Germany ever since - one where everyone from this side of the pond will be there, too. This is going to happen in just six weeks. And guess what!? There are a number of people from the U.S. coming to be there with us - including my parents in law! It is going to be so great to have them here!<br />
<br />
While I love to plan, I have been so busy with school, the beginning-of-the-year-chaos, my trip to Baltimore, etc that this even just snuck up on us without warning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4sp7UjxsEYenJI0CdZo-3icP7sUKFho5wslEVU-2fiMmU4fq0cxcZ-UsjMbBRxyIr5m7DU2sLM4eRRCzXWfy_4x29OhthCW02FNtJcrsVu250sOnXudoHXLmcFiVKudjXv1ysYQ62wEA/s1600/trollbird.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4sp7UjxsEYenJI0CdZo-3icP7sUKFho5wslEVU-2fiMmU4fq0cxcZ-UsjMbBRxyIr5m7DU2sLM4eRRCzXWfy_4x29OhthCW02FNtJcrsVu250sOnXudoHXLmcFiVKudjXv1ysYQ62wEA/s1600/trollbird.gif" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">That's exactly how I feel about it.<br /><a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/trollbird.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Now the serious matter:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We received a wedding related package from the U.S. the other day and were notified that there was something waiting at customs for us. <div>
<br /><div>
While I want to spare you the details: picking it up was much less enjoyable as expected. The lady was just plain rude - not just because the things in the package were handled with the least possible care, but also because the value of the gifts were picked at random by the officer. The receipt I was sent via email didn't even count and the office just accused me of making it up. - The value that she found online was 4 times higher than the actual cost. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH_2D6KER3AkIU3VZsCzj9bj4CnyQFa5HGNTywrhbzuyiHsq13lqCh5cfHNLGRDbIOMk_gtz5Q5UA9gsg0LMulmg5Bm-SJhz0OyazTuvH03ZNyyGa8BuxVCpHTQtSJNBZwsTu6ZdwMMtz/s1600/3144382.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH_2D6KER3AkIU3VZsCzj9bj4CnyQFa5HGNTywrhbzuyiHsq13lqCh5cfHNLGRDbIOMk_gtz5Q5UA9gsg0LMulmg5Bm-SJhz0OyazTuvH03ZNyyGa8BuxVCpHTQtSJNBZwsTu6ZdwMMtz/s1600/3144382.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380894511/3144382.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<div>
I'm happy to pay what I owe. Even if my receipts don't count and you want to go with your higher prices, it's all fine. You say what I have to pay and I'll do it. But don't treat me like that in public, don't throw around my property this carelessly and make snarky comments about them, don't call me or the sender a liar after I made them jump through hoops to send me receipts, don't act like I broke a law - it's not illegal to have things sent to you, and most of all: don't be that disrespectful just because you are on the other side of the counter and are wearing a uniform. That's not right. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgimf-z9X8mRU51poTSUyZTOcjQJfK5ftxavbNmmHGUHgyj8XmOnsxfpDme6uBsaXpDjSvw98n4uU96JS53rEgVTUjQW1-j1bQrDi9XnBxy13kYCZQhMfmB3cA7f1uaw3OtRzYIIfnOcdo/s1600/PDtkcEp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgimf-z9X8mRU51poTSUyZTOcjQJfK5ftxavbNmmHGUHgyj8XmOnsxfpDme6uBsaXpDjSvw98n4uU96JS53rEgVTUjQW1-j1bQrDi9XnBxy13kYCZQhMfmB3cA7f1uaw3OtRzYIIfnOcdo/s1600/PDtkcEp.gif" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/PDtkcEp.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<div>
I have been truly thrown off by the way people think it's okay to talk to others. What is wrong with you?! Why can't you at least try to treat everyone with the same respect that you'd expect from others? Don't be an asshole. It's not that hard.<br />
<br />
I don't know if I told you, but just a few days ago, I went to the pharmacy across the street. I needed cough syrup and asked the lady, why the one she wanted to sell me was better than the one I had been taking. I was then lectured that I wouldn't understand the names on the box anyways so there was no point in answering my question. (What?!) How do you still have a business?<br />
<br />
Almost every day, I come home and greet Nick with something like "You wouldn't believe what someone just said to me". Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm too easily irritated. (Of course, we all know this is purely rhetorical.)<br />
<br />
On the bright side, it really sticks out if someone is nice to you. Maybe that's what this is all about. That you appreciate nice (non-rude) people even more now. </div>
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stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-53914730336253442992014-04-09T15:03:00.002-07:002014-04-09T15:03:17.470-07:00The golden ticketToday was a good day.<br />
Not because I am feeling better - no, I'm still sporting my nasty cough -, but because I received a special letter in the mail this morning!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0h1Mz-5C6WhS_ucvPkt3EnUzQYelDcha8AsL9-KrBdUBAwGzXNrk8J0R1AqagtIrX4EcyiLQ4FEwfarAoPwUvxd83m99lQmvz2mmWwSdP6Gf1wfDH0t3J9dFd4-I3TZ3MeSEoF5_JId/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0h1Mz-5C6WhS_ucvPkt3EnUzQYelDcha8AsL9-KrBdUBAwGzXNrk8J0R1AqagtIrX4EcyiLQ4FEwfarAoPwUvxd83m99lQmvz2mmWwSdP6Gf1wfDH0t3J9dFd4-I3TZ3MeSEoF5_JId/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got my semester ticket!! I am taking the train again, people! :o) For the past 8 days, I was forced to walk everywhere (or pay for the train, but I'm much more cheap than lazy), because my old ticket expired on March 31. It took a little while to get all the paperwork done to apply for a new one at school, but the wait is over and the golden ticket is in my hand. So I took a celebratory trip to the university library this afternoon and restocked my book-pile at home. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRql7yIIe2jYG1q5N4I7vxvedFAmFYcXFlh4gYCsscdzvDNMiCUUPQFMSePL12-EqOUDaraWH3wstN-FdE05fuhA2_WN6OV9nb1drLV1guBroU8x3N1QDplq-0eQ2ykbkxd-2nOgfb7Raq/s1600/IMG_4102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRql7yIIe2jYG1q5N4I7vxvedFAmFYcXFlh4gYCsscdzvDNMiCUUPQFMSePL12-EqOUDaraWH3wstN-FdE05fuhA2_WN6OV9nb1drLV1guBroU8x3N1QDplq-0eQ2ykbkxd-2nOgfb7Raq/s1600/IMG_4102.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay. Work.<br />(Yes, the pen is supposed to be on the ground.)</td></tr>
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No worries. The library here is more of an archive than a libraryand you can't take out more books than nine. It always makes for really hard decisions when I'm there. Still, the person at the front desk didn't fail to count the books out loud. And ask me, if I was sure I wanted to take out all nine books. And if I was going to use all of them. And if I was going to read all of them. - I'm sorry. If work at a library, you should not ask such questions. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyFBCIVi6J0WKjzOXz7zwnRqkJaA7RE6aG4WpZIac57Ql8_NwxkdlKDLlwCk6W-1UY9UlCp31VX4V0Nva4l0p4SoGmtfwvjknRQZp-0tNo6gU0_tmz9AmXNgeheHIpQe3Kp7N3iFJDsWY/s1600/tumblr_mc4oauZDYa1rf11kxo1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyFBCIVi6J0WKjzOXz7zwnRqkJaA7RE6aG4WpZIac57Ql8_NwxkdlKDLlwCk6W-1UY9UlCp31VX4V0Nva4l0p4SoGmtfwvjknRQZp-0tNo6gU0_tmz9AmXNgeheHIpQe3Kp7N3iFJDsWY/s1600/tumblr_mc4oauZDYa1rf11kxo1_400.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc4oauZDYa1rf11kxo1_400.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Then I wanted to go home and this happened:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c7fQiyl8UVq3vGztY-0ZeZF1jHQDEoqsCBi7YfhZuu3jW5YPgDTlg1JsWVIyHczr7eFW78eZzgZGOV8oVIHx0Tr7bkQmMDnXaJktocmgt73AatmyAxGg9_XGoY9bYaPQHciGEq37gdk8/s1600/IMG_4101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c7fQiyl8UVq3vGztY-0ZeZF1jHQDEoqsCBi7YfhZuu3jW5YPgDTlg1JsWVIyHczr7eFW78eZzgZGOV8oVIHx0Tr7bkQmMDnXaJktocmgt73AatmyAxGg9_XGoY9bYaPQHciGEq37gdk8/s1600/IMG_4101.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hail?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have truly been experiencing the wildest weather over the past couple of weeks. Today, it went from warm, to cold, then we had a thunderstorm, then sun, then a hailstorm, then terrible wind... and I actually kind of like it. With all the climate changes and extreme weathers, this feels like the appropriate weather for once.<br />
<br />
I'm actually lucky that my running break falls into this weather period. While I'd still pick hail over wind when running, I'm not upset if I can avoid both of those things.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you regularly take public transportation? </b>In Berlin, yes, every day. In Baltimore, no, not at all.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What's your favorite running weather/ temperature? </b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-17975443892931583172014-04-08T13:37:00.003-07:002014-04-08T13:37:22.433-07:00We bring sickness and hair!I've been sick.<br />
Since the <a href="http://stinaonthemove.blogspot.de/2014/04/so-angry.html">Half on the 30th</a>, I could already feel it coming. Nick had it first and then I followed his lead one day after.<br />
<br />
I am certain that my family was thrilled <a href="http://stinaonthemove.blogspot.de/2014/04/so-much-excitement-for-tomorrow.html">to have us there</a> while I coughed all day and was an overall useless guest. Not that I'm particularly useful on otherwise, but I took it to a new level this time. On top of it, Lucy is currently shedding like there is no tomorrow and managed to leave at least half of her coat on my parents' kitchen floor, living room floor, dining room floor, hallway floor... it was just everywhere. Gotta love having us as guests! We bring sickness and hair.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy9I2fTe227IElnkO7S3BDfhPO3ty43vQFe5hWaDjmvfebmB748VRxTfnl3v10twCQ3nY2YQk51rYy09MFXSdjbR7Kt0xD8hl8KS1FFKFQsPWvWn4tXZXpftPND5AiUjBtcB-oP4N4L3I/s1600/200_s.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy9I2fTe227IElnkO7S3BDfhPO3ty43vQFe5hWaDjmvfebmB748VRxTfnl3v10twCQ3nY2YQk51rYy09MFXSdjbR7Kt0xD8hl8KS1FFKFQsPWvWn4tXZXpftPND5AiUjBtcB-oP4N4L3I/s1600/200_s.gif" height="203" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1.giphy.com/media/4JXJ52VS1j3B6/200_s.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I called the doctor today and they told me their office is packed with coughing people. So I stayed home. Who wants to go sit in all that mess?!<br />
<br />
I've been working on my (next) overdue paper and wrote the first sentence today. One sentence. This is going to be awesome. I can feel it already.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEqf0Ftrc49SsiE4677R-Uj0MEJehpyb_nztrhqiflmyNeGbCJj3RkhDfYYXcrbZiHMop4NhRTwT4cZE69Y7iibWBd6cB1fhQRO7YtXkgV-CDEVepH8AMOXD9sZ5lrDSTqaYF1QJeYYQ9/s1600/tumblr_ltsomig4fc1qmf6dp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEqf0Ftrc49SsiE4677R-Uj0MEJehpyb_nztrhqiflmyNeGbCJj3RkhDfYYXcrbZiHMop4NhRTwT4cZE69Y7iibWBd6cB1fhQRO7YtXkgV-CDEVepH8AMOXD9sZ5lrDSTqaYF1QJeYYQ9/s1600/tumblr_ltsomig4fc1qmf6dp.gif" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo81q8zqXXOV3N70WFwqE5XkSD5cH8eH6ir4biZNmxV1MhVN8gdSB7Hl4egNxt1YuW1Jd4iIqumyJ1iCwMo2NfA6TNvckQ5TAAcjPqACISj9DOv8oorgx1vUlL_HzF5m8_RkXl2jSSdrD3/s1600/tumblr_ltsomig4fc1qmf6dp.gif">Source. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As far as running is concerned, I took 3 rest days after the Half, due to unbearable<a href="http://stinaonthemove.blogspot.de/2014/04/so-angry.html"> soreness in my legs</a>. Seriously people, that was just out of control. Then I planned to do 3 miles on Thursday, did 5, and haven't run since, because I've just been sick and gross. I am hoping to be back in my running shoes by the weekend, but we will see. At this point, I'm just glad I didn't get sick earlier.<br />
<br />
And what do you do when you can't run? - You sign up for a race :o)<br />
Yesterday, I registered for a 10k on May 10. It is the annual <a href="http://www.berliner-frauenlauf.de/">Womens' Run</a> and the route goes from from the Brandenburg gate to the Siegessäule and then in loops through the beautiful big park that I've been running in for my long runs. It will be terrific!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1Jspcn6Hf_bSvoTLnUhEZWhyphenhyphenMgrGoMfImGcdgwTqlrpukZSrNbBwZinmDxJa2ex1JGFvNpCWcvPAN1989k4xIgXtQW3V_9lFFlp_K6upyHspn3RWjFUH3etu6bzZ9_KBNCQTDB2_ktss/s1600/liz-lemon-run.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1Jspcn6Hf_bSvoTLnUhEZWhyphenhyphenMgrGoMfImGcdgwTqlrpukZSrNbBwZinmDxJa2ex1JGFvNpCWcvPAN1989k4xIgXtQW3V_9lFFlp_K6upyHspn3RWjFUH3etu6bzZ9_KBNCQTDB2_ktss/s1600/liz-lemon-run.gif" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/liz-lemon-run.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-28764224336902604872014-04-03T13:11:00.004-07:002014-04-03T13:11:52.314-07:00So much excitement for tomorrow!Today was an awesome day, because we picked up a rental car to go on a Road Trip!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bKKbrsQ6mhk1XQC5HigRg-I5tvSnwwmmxi9FKx8XUdQdI_5eNib_hsoF3cv4taT5xz7uUrELtblXEKvmFeb1ib9sbzSGvgVivLT0kGpCwr7kKVdkHNMQTYazxtjaSdUj-DMfIKww6bFB/s1600/BigBangTheory-HappyDance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bKKbrsQ6mhk1XQC5HigRg-I5tvSnwwmmxi9FKx8XUdQdI_5eNib_hsoF3cv4taT5xz7uUrELtblXEKvmFeb1ib9sbzSGvgVivLT0kGpCwr7kKVdkHNMQTYazxtjaSdUj-DMfIKww6bFB/s1600/BigBangTheory-HappyDance.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a Road Trip!<br /><a href="http://www.theprospect.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/BigBangTheory-HappyDance.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are headed towards my parents' house for the weekend and I can. not. wait!<br />
<br />
Nick and I both love being in the car together and traveling longer distances. I think the longest we have ever driven was a 26hr trip from Western New York to Florida. It was terrific! (Especially the time when I got lost and drove us right through D.C. on the way back... but let's not go there.)<br />
<br />
Tomorrow will be significantly quicker though and only take us 3-4hrs. Maybe even only 2, because our rental is a new Audi sport edition!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbbcwzFWWWFyi2_nvJvSDuV0S3zOIgWvgxCHxoe0CkiDFwzWLLR6nULxPMNST1D4GS6KlMohvmfGkVpbdlYskaosKtBCGKH-ZZvuYLwwLOsfKtOqy-4Pvr2cYzFVHtkLarIY6jwyxAncX/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbbcwzFWWWFyi2_nvJvSDuV0S3zOIgWvgxCHxoe0CkiDFwzWLLR6nULxPMNST1D4GS6KlMohvmfGkVpbdlYskaosKtBCGKH-ZZvuYLwwLOsfKtOqy-4Pvr2cYzFVHtkLarIY6jwyxAncX/s1600/giphy.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.giphy.com/media/ETPLoALGNrooo/giphy.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Either way, the drive it just long enough for us to work up an appetite for coffee and cake (Mama, I hope you are reading?!).<br />
<br />
It has been almost two months since I went to see them and the last time Nick and I went together was for Christmas (?!).<br />
<br />
Having the car here already also meant that I could go to the store to pick up water. In Germany, we drink mostly sparkling water, so Nick and I always have to buy 6packs of 1.5liter bottles and haul them from the store to our apartment on the 4th floor.<br />
So whenever we have access to a car, we stock up on water as much as we can. (Be prepared if you ever come visit us by car - we will make you go to the store with us to get water.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XBepJdY24gbKpR7p9VrgE6_B1sDuASxre-sEBf-19kjdAbD0i7_wJcXHKynchkynAMq5Fcs1RUPIjL3CKpIt7kUcotgbeiIth-uLwk4LcbqHwZu7NKCGB8OQqc-C3PN3Jzpf0UL_r1NF/s1600/Youre-my-ride.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XBepJdY24gbKpR7p9VrgE6_B1sDuASxre-sEBf-19kjdAbD0i7_wJcXHKynchkynAMq5Fcs1RUPIjL3CKpIt7kUcotgbeiIth-uLwk4LcbqHwZu7NKCGB8OQqc-C3PN3Jzpf0UL_r1NF/s1600/Youre-my-ride.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wishpicker.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Youre-my-ride.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because of our plans for tomorrow and the following days, I spent most of the day cleaning the apartment and packing for the weekend. This means I'm terribly behind on my schedule for work and have to get to that now. This is going to be a long (short) night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIgZQfycOW_0ZLtE9evRFIorepOcFRiFqoZ5tijIpNZtrStvkWJnvuEMBLRQuvy0_SFhiIztUNcuhGCgW5MGsBytVgoJPkrl4Mq2WbnyPxlP8G1NEPCsvGuDAwhURz8_wPEOU_ExcuVuW/s1600/tumblr_inline_n0qhl6Tnbf1s6onxh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIgZQfycOW_0ZLtE9evRFIorepOcFRiFqoZ5tijIpNZtrStvkWJnvuEMBLRQuvy0_SFhiIztUNcuhGCgW5MGsBytVgoJPkrl4Mq2WbnyPxlP8G1NEPCsvGuDAwhURz8_wPEOU_ExcuVuW/s1600/tumblr_inline_n0qhl6Tnbf1s6onxh.gif" height="180" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d914916c1f04b8a78c31618dcf5ab23e/tumblr_inline_n0qhl6Tnbf1s6onxh.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I think at this point, I'd prefer sleep. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What are you up to today? </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>When was the last time you went on a road trip?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Do you clean the house before you leave for a few days? </b>Always. I can't help it. Coming back home to a dirty house/ apartment is a nightmare for me.<br /><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-45967366960149761292014-04-02T16:14:00.002-07:002014-04-02T16:14:33.145-07:00Playing catch upAs I am a useless sloth right now and my only habitat ist the couch, I am going to play a bit of catch up for a day and share a few pictures from my trip to Baltimore. Remember, I promised you those blue-sky-cloud-wing-pictures and here they come :o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S2RSaS8zGJNoew2ajhQb2nnJNTioD3AjmdCfjrjqJZfpyvIIBOnXE5Qomv7ZnHU9YyuGNM3uuuPJJKWL0kx99CZgVWfoeRLKJZjlq8tf0rWCNFrh8UIxVVIc6W5S_DDv4HaVPGvMR2Ru/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+03+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S2RSaS8zGJNoew2ajhQb2nnJNTioD3AjmdCfjrjqJZfpyvIIBOnXE5Qomv7ZnHU9YyuGNM3uuuPJJKWL0kx99CZgVWfoeRLKJZjlq8tf0rWCNFrh8UIxVVIc6W5S_DDv4HaVPGvMR2Ru/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+03+54+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVcYeTD1Ip1Z1t-DGZ3LRmmlogawszHc6KyDhxlVD3exJCfHApxTs4gbtTLRyHmRcjKo6OVa94l-hTI3lKeBO9kWvkFvYVl0FIdL-krqOQKfMpbOTe9JO9xWlXuLz2SMxa04BWvRgUskV/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+42+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVcYeTD1Ip1Z1t-DGZ3LRmmlogawszHc6KyDhxlVD3exJCfHApxTs4gbtTLRyHmRcjKo6OVa94l-hTI3lKeBO9kWvkFvYVl0FIdL-krqOQKfMpbOTe9JO9xWlXuLz2SMxa04BWvRgUskV/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+42+30+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's no secret that I am deathly afraid of flying. It terrifies me to a point where I am trying to prepare myself for the case that I won't return from my trip. If you are wondering, yes, I am a delight to travel with when there is a plane involved. The terrible part about this: I have never had a truly scary experience and I can't blame it on being PTSD. It's all in my head. Where in face most of my greatest ideas come from...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbwON_E8fqP2EOeOmYo6H2nOtP4kZeaT8M81sy-U-5BH8zCNzIqUzCWUCCpHLZHqGpXANy3CPLOU90gZUp5v-g1b0MyQDJ0oubeooADYiqMBPwJqeb8Hd_uirfJV9W5uCKJnxO627iXG1/s1600/29425438729ef1f194c820b04073e5ccdc434583b9c5b4c7cd3b03f96bfa6f00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbwON_E8fqP2EOeOmYo6H2nOtP4kZeaT8M81sy-U-5BH8zCNzIqUzCWUCCpHLZHqGpXANy3CPLOU90gZUp5v-g1b0MyQDJ0oubeooADYiqMBPwJqeb8Hd_uirfJV9W5uCKJnxO627iXG1/s1600/29425438729ef1f194c820b04073e5ccdc434583b9c5b4c7cd3b03f96bfa6f00.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.quickmeme.com/img/29/29425438729ef1f194c820b04073e5ccdc434583b9c5b4c7cd3b03f96bfa6f00.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
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As usual, when I am leaving on a morning morning, I don't sleep the night before. It's not that I can't, you know, because death is near. It is strategical sleep deprivation so that I just don't care anymore about anything thats going on and just want to sleep. (Yes, this has actually helped before. Once. Five years ago. But it helped!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMVYd0-MkLOYwDzB8m173MtTIXwpxfzaIN7_IuF8Yk9rBHBMu2ZsSgCOwtrIlg0ZsfEV2wC_NAWxHlbJgeUhjFf-WtSvCwNu3698h5njTxm8mcGs25QlPMtdCxBsPFsfKcCLbP4AE6xvB/s1600/Harry-Potter1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMVYd0-MkLOYwDzB8m173MtTIXwpxfzaIN7_IuF8Yk9rBHBMu2ZsSgCOwtrIlg0ZsfEV2wC_NAWxHlbJgeUhjFf-WtSvCwNu3698h5njTxm8mcGs25QlPMtdCxBsPFsfKcCLbP4AE6xvB/s1600/Harry-Potter1.gif" height="126" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA2LzE4L2M4L0hhcnJ5UG90dGVyLjNlYTQzLmdpZgpwCXRodW1iCTEyMDB4OTYwMD4/dea0da87/d7c/Harry-Potter1.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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I had two flights to get to Newark (Berlin - Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf - Newark) and had booked a train to go to Baltimore the night of my arrival. Because it's always hard to tell in advance if all the planes will be on time and if immigration will be quick (or packed with about 5000 people like last time), and because I am generally an extreme planner, I chose the last train, which left at 8pm - 5hrs after my arrival.<br />
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Little did I know ... BOTH of my planes ended up landing early. As much as I hate flying, I am a big fan of Lufthansa. (Lets not talk about flights being canceled these days, due to a strike.) We boarded within minutes on both planes and both flights must have flown really fast.<br />
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The best part was: on my flight from Düsseldorf to Newark, the plane wasn't full. There were plenty of seats available, so I ended up with a 2seat bench just to myself. Perfect to sleep. Unfortunately, I had to watch out if there was anything weird going on with the plane, so I didn't sleep for one minute.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6W_hXM05bROQOwH4M8JRoP7subJId-1iWEmr9tdC_qSRSTmj-JB6Z4fq4905eJmPSnEzeBn_0VaukRg745O6BDnfMcw0DMeifQxmyzJpuTk0gAwQElIe8nqdoLWoaBd0ViJPbfOYUd87/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+03+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6W_hXM05bROQOwH4M8JRoP7subJId-1iWEmr9tdC_qSRSTmj-JB6Z4fq4905eJmPSnEzeBn_0VaukRg745O6BDnfMcw0DMeifQxmyzJpuTk0gAwQElIe8nqdoLWoaBd0ViJPbfOYUd87/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+8+03+30+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a waste of an awesome little bed.</td></tr>
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Now this is going to make you jealous. Usually, the food on the plane isn't really what one would call delicious - but this was just unbelievable. I had steamed salmon on basmati rice with green asparagus for dinner (lunch?) and it was amazing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jghyakMnArr-cAdCRPRLIw1vnbGriWVI9VjPf0OWalhm7K1MMRA1kFJEmgAk78QwukuYikQc-gLOrWbiKktUiGUvD5JJp1A5AFD6O9QhjKoOODNGTL4EFwT6TH6ASYJ8fxTJG5SxrqZq/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+12+57+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jghyakMnArr-cAdCRPRLIw1vnbGriWVI9VjPf0OWalhm7K1MMRA1kFJEmgAk78QwukuYikQc-gLOrWbiKktUiGUvD5JJp1A5AFD6O9QhjKoOODNGTL4EFwT6TH6ASYJ8fxTJG5SxrqZq/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+12+57+04+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyLDmP7hIcDcR9IzgB1TRtbwqENJ5X0NV0qPfndiqtmifTQ660-Nsegtsu1uF_3BN7bT4hZKJ-tZLCAYd6wBJ06lcYfOx1WZZKYt1U31Q-MyQr7gQOUylBH6ozZ3CYX4KyTKvDceitCc2/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+12+57+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyLDmP7hIcDcR9IzgB1TRtbwqENJ5X0NV0qPfndiqtmifTQ660-Nsegtsu1uF_3BN7bT4hZKJ-tZLCAYd6wBJ06lcYfOx1WZZKYt1U31Q-MyQr7gQOUylBH6ozZ3CYX4KyTKvDceitCc2/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+12+57+02+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">definitely worth two pictures</td></tr>
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It seems as if planning ahead and making sure there is enough time to get from A to B, doesn't always end up working out the way you had in mind. My planes were early and immigration, baggage claim, customs, and walking to the train station took less than an hour! (!!??) They let me reschedule my train ticket and I arrived in Baltimore 4 hrs before I was supposed to be there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_53BvlycmMXKnMLiL4Yj_zjcsk51Wc8PSp23xGz4H4eode2R-v9-QdH-3fHjHR8fbuRT_lx1TcvARhGTMfpp17B9JiZACjpcsB4TtP_PWn05iKvGBgQwuF57U-lPKNkHecJKUk5WT5ma/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+10+05+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_53BvlycmMXKnMLiL4Yj_zjcsk51Wc8PSp23xGz4H4eode2R-v9-QdH-3fHjHR8fbuRT_lx1TcvARhGTMfpp17B9JiZACjpcsB4TtP_PWn05iKvGBgQwuF57U-lPKNkHecJKUk5WT5ma/s1600/Photo+Mar+06,+10+05+06+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let the blue sky fool you... it was COLD!</td></tr>
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All in all: my flights were not only smooth, but empty, we were fed amazing food and wine, we landed early, and I arrived while it was still light out! (Plus, I was still alive.) I felt as if I won the lottery.<br />
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Like last time, I stayed with our good friends and again, the days just flew by too quickly.<br />
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I ran a lot, met with a lot of professors, took care of a bunch of administrative things, and looked for an apartment for August, when we move back. Everything ended up really successful. We are so happy to have already found a place to live, because Baltimore is truly not the easiest place to find a nice, affordable apartment in a good neighborhood. Our new home will be close to campus and very close to the friends I stayed with. We just signed the lease a few days ago and can cross it from our things-to-do-before-we-move-back-to-Baltimore-list.<br />
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Some other random things from my trip:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFtPjcpWLn8UOZ2HiQoH3Y7-NtrfHspc4rFGePnRaqmvNBMzxPMI1yZURRxQ7ARejojpFeCHv9geyE5r8jYWrwsuFvmFy7Bvy5Q4_5GD8VcW0vBuPFLEdr3hMjAylh2nIRr8D8UnEO1Ar/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+7+27+46+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFtPjcpWLn8UOZ2HiQoH3Y7-NtrfHspc4rFGePnRaqmvNBMzxPMI1yZURRxQ7ARejojpFeCHv9geyE5r8jYWrwsuFvmFy7Bvy5Q4_5GD8VcW0vBuPFLEdr3hMjAylh2nIRr8D8UnEO1Ar/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+7+27+46+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you ever tried these?! I bought them at Trader Joe's and <br />am now completely hooked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUweXCKyEjUKWswCquD6WrTpwdPwGoFzy0lXSJVNisWxOpStFuAtMp9KFTx2YB04N_XlSN8TAkU_b0HlkOXYsyG2q0nNKL_xlEuLt1JgENY2eBzhOXrUo22QddQ40CgPuWff8vnXXOPGkx/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+11+28+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUweXCKyEjUKWswCquD6WrTpwdPwGoFzy0lXSJVNisWxOpStFuAtMp9KFTx2YB04N_XlSN8TAkU_b0HlkOXYsyG2q0nNKL_xlEuLt1JgENY2eBzhOXrUo22QddQ40CgPuWff8vnXXOPGkx/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+11+28+03+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aldi in Baltimore now carries Müsli. <br />I am convinced they did this just for me.</td></tr>
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Baltimore had a rough winter and not only did I get a taste of it when I was running my 11 miles around campus, but also the day I left. Sure enough, we woke up to about 10 inches of snow the morning of my departure. So convenient!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7Mm8Eds0_uuIm1TbG69lK3QWtoZNU7_vVsALZq_nTXUY7zVwjB1i1fTFJYY_Ygpns_Ppg2SnAHkoHviE-rcHJrAJIj3piUOuKKEukLoWMNVhYRrTT_aEZnkBtSa3o2nANlDT2OtQQvCS/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+1+56+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7Mm8Eds0_uuIm1TbG69lK3QWtoZNU7_vVsALZq_nTXUY7zVwjB1i1fTFJYY_Ygpns_Ppg2SnAHkoHviE-rcHJrAJIj3piUOuKKEukLoWMNVhYRrTT_aEZnkBtSa3o2nANlDT2OtQQvCS/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+1+56+45+PM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It wasn't the only moment of shock for me. I also didn't expect my first flight to be on a plane that's just a bit bigger than our car...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALzgMW7YiC5KRvJvL6QHt54Zub2m2dQ4V6qY7caQcpfKitudP4scGjy69CnV7eXSv_kq8zcb_8AE3eTyHSGCJ2fcl3_5o-QrCWB7_J_q9txeqf1dHEu8hrwUlwVgedvvdxnJtLq7IUa8E/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+8+32+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALzgMW7YiC5KRvJvL6QHt54Zub2m2dQ4V6qY7caQcpfKitudP4scGjy69CnV7eXSv_kq8zcb_8AE3eTyHSGCJ2fcl3_5o-QrCWB7_J_q9txeqf1dHEu8hrwUlwVgedvvdxnJtLq7IUa8E/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+8+32+24+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This time, I went from Baltimore to Toronto, from Toronto to Frankfurt, and from Frankfurt to Berlin.<br />
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As I got on the plane to Frankfurt, you know the one that carries you over the ocean for about 8 hrs, I found my neighbor to be a lady, who had caught my eye at the airport before. Lets just say that the first thing she shared with me was that she had a terrible rash as she was itching her arms, face, and legs without stopping. Ugh.<br />
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I know that this doesn't normally happen, but the plane was once again not full. While I was feeling bad to leave the lady and relocate to an empty 2-seater, she shrieked in excitement. Maybe she was happier than me?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVV5P_7__Jee_QLoOVvd8cm60SNamzbYVIH4S5nEJc985aVbm44WLwnsmZTmQVFXzoiazpPgiXS2t-jUaOtwH8Y20LW6Il-BJPoLTdR4DgTDa24x8SHfVRa1Dmcz23Logw-A75OhBz-8T/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+11+59+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVV5P_7__Jee_QLoOVvd8cm60SNamzbYVIH4S5nEJc985aVbm44WLwnsmZTmQVFXzoiazpPgiXS2t-jUaOtwH8Y20LW6Il-BJPoLTdR4DgTDa24x8SHfVRa1Dmcz23Logw-A75OhBz-8T/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+11+59+03+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopURramQtn1veyNw-I1BtjppCGrRcXQKZqMygde0MQJ7DglR-GmBUqCDwvjOeFYC35jY68r_IUgYRHk78CNO2YR6sb3ZKv5KzorXKwOcWn-j-ootqWTTQtwy4g5wBzRMj0Z55SdJhvuvK/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+11+58+59+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopURramQtn1veyNw-I1BtjppCGrRcXQKZqMygde0MQJ7DglR-GmBUqCDwvjOeFYC35jY68r_IUgYRHk78CNO2YR6sb3ZKv5KzorXKwOcWn-j-ootqWTTQtwy4g5wBzRMj0Z55SdJhvuvK/s1600/Photo+Mar+17,+11+58+59+PM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I watched 2 movies: 12 Years a Slave (great movie!!), Amadeus (one of my favorites) as well as all the episodes of TV shows they had available. I also had a very, very strong gin and tonic, wine, and food that was similarly tasty as the salmon from my previous flight.<br />
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The best thing was that Nick picked me up with my favorite thermos mug, filled with coffee.<br />
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We will see. Maybe having wonderful travel experiences like this will help me not to freak out before getting on a plane one day?<br />
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<b>Are you a frequent traveler?</b><br />
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<b>Do you like flying? </b><br />
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<b>Have you ever had a "favorite arrival"? </b>Mine was on January 8, 2009 at the Buffalo airport in NY. We were the first plane landing after a terrible snow storm and I was greeted with a dozen red roses. Those roses are now in storage in Baltimore, waiting to be hung up again.stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-57705391880853572542014-04-01T06:14:00.002-07:002014-04-01T07:23:31.185-07:00So Angry.(This is a very long post...)<br>
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My legs are so angry at me. I can't even tell you. For the past two days I've been limping around the apartment. I can't get up without help and I walk as if someone has tied my legs together - which makes it really difficult not to fall.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGhJ6tG2JeCERUf-u9kdWREE2Rq7TGHcV7PrjsnNaUGUrdiFzlELELhRXI1ze2pc8faVywAjJMNS1lrjmJUiyCSM-kG414gRvAa4ZnyFFVP_jQEBUckonaD10L_LakceileWSDVlZapd/s1600/tumblr_inline_miqyi9Mi5B1qz4rgp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGhJ6tG2JeCERUf-u9kdWREE2Rq7TGHcV7PrjsnNaUGUrdiFzlELELhRXI1ze2pc8faVywAjJMNS1lrjmJUiyCSM-kG414gRvAa4ZnyFFVP_jQEBUckonaD10L_LakceileWSDVlZapd/s1600/tumblr_inline_miqyi9Mi5B1qz4rgp.gif" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/061dfd828fd4dbac9b5ed12233709650/tumblr_inline_miqyi9Mi5B1qz4rgp.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
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After none of my long runs, I've experienced such pain. At least, I know why this is. I usually stretch for at least 15 mins after my runs. On Sunday, I didn't. But we'll get to that later.<br>
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Lets talk about the run.<br>
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In case I hadn't mentioned it before, race day happened the night after the clocks were turned one hour ahead. Now seriously, who in their right mind does that?! I am convinced this was some cruel joke, because clearly, this time change was planned by someone who didn't run the Berlin Half.<br>
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Miraculously, we woke up in time, got all packed up, and hopped on the train. Lucy was the most <strike>confused</strike> pissed off dog that morning. She hates being woken up before 9am. I'm not sure she has forgiven me for dragging her outside at 7.30am that day (6.30am, if she doesn't participate in daylight savings). She has been giving me looks ever since.<br>
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When we got to the station, there were only a few runners who went on the train with us, but then there were more and more with each stop. By the time we got off to hop on the light rail, you could already tell this was going to be a packed race.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqlDSxjoJlEiYl0TkcmCm4Fgji8VqYHzryvA398n5YlWOnyrexYNjlcPZxIbanoux2PY171rzXOt6D7b8JRhaZJfAzIjmfi88dSTbfQ4tZTVbpzj_o_WDpGpcDT2k0wAts9D8ZMT5lnD2/s1600/P1090191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqlDSxjoJlEiYl0TkcmCm4Fgji8VqYHzryvA398n5YlWOnyrexYNjlcPZxIbanoux2PY171rzXOt6D7b8JRhaZJfAzIjmfi88dSTbfQ4tZTVbpzj_o_WDpGpcDT2k0wAts9D8ZMT5lnD2/s1600/P1090191.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KhfCAengpAFiZAixdI90ceFmCKTsTZE4kut0AXO7FZPlm0wC8AaeUsTPPnKasmQLmai4LqbC76yTJrqvO1trXQRcb6gnAXzVDJWPB09Bbh3gZn1I4gE-c9w32SWKGbAoG-kxfOYvEe9y/s1600/P1090193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KhfCAengpAFiZAixdI90ceFmCKTsTZE4kut0AXO7FZPlm0wC8AaeUsTPPnKasmQLmai4LqbC76yTJrqvO1trXQRcb6gnAXzVDJWPB09Bbh3gZn1I4gE-c9w32SWKGbAoG-kxfOYvEe9y/s1600/P1090193.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></div>
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We got to the start just in time for me to get in line for the bathrooms. There were a gazillion porta potties, which was great, because the lines were still incredibly long. With my race package, I also received a bag for my clothes and a name sticker. I didn't end up dropping off my bag, but from what I saw, the drop off (and later the pick up) worked like clockwork.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPgw2vMlrrk5gf5gsWdj4jmw3fhP0P5DOuojhm6Om9izIAXbUVZkiQUJVsU3T2XrsQ3bR5FS8EZUxkz4UBPYAkuf3hG-WVIz7wHTqFjwkvb-B3yb0R5DP5RxvtpMYZkBPbumt9HN3X_QP/s1600/P1090198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPgw2vMlrrk5gf5gsWdj4jmw3fhP0P5DOuojhm6Om9izIAXbUVZkiQUJVsU3T2XrsQ3bR5FS8EZUxkz4UBPYAkuf3hG-WVIz7wHTqFjwkvb-B3yb0R5DP5RxvtpMYZkBPbumt9HN3X_QP/s1600/P1090198.JPG" height="400" width="300"></a></div>
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We started in three waves. I was at the beginning of the third and before we even started running, we were told that the runners from Kenya had already finished more than half of the course. (Wait. What?!?!)<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnSBlfXKCVXhQoHoTQOlbxXRslwIFDTOjC8g55IoQ3C3fmcC53oack7FCRuZXxUyOYv3sOkZz4yFVs-EvIOHHSQCI6hbIDCn7KRBUnzP3VVHwI6TLF3cpDboMOlw0Korc0MegbMnZa0sV/s1600/P1090213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnSBlfXKCVXhQoHoTQOlbxXRslwIFDTOjC8g55IoQ3C3fmcC53oack7FCRuZXxUyOYv3sOkZz4yFVs-EvIOHHSQCI6hbIDCn7KRBUnzP3VVHwI6TLF3cpDboMOlw0Korc0MegbMnZa0sV/s1600/P1090213.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonard Komon, the runner in blue, won. <br>It was his very first half marathon and he finished in 59:14 - the world's fastest <br>debut half ever (beating Mosop's time from four years ago by 6 seconds).</td></tr>
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They also announced that from the time of us lining up to the start of the first wave, the temperature rose by 8 degrees. So glad I chose the longer pants. So glad!<br>
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After we got moving and crossed the actual starting line, the first person I saw was Nick! He had fought his way through the crowd, climbed up on a fence or something, and was waving at me. It was the greatest feeling to see him there, cheering me on.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVnXI8hK27KauWghS615GhHRL_F7X4YIf8BG0et2LBYramUVi1gOYSxl0iiBfIlW7TQ2YqdyBMtoq27hZNNGxWWXW4OtDLQ3D0DZyqhB9OuuHFZSYcoSV9UEA-ZEgKxeQYd-Lbzd8C729/s1600/P1090293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVnXI8hK27KauWghS615GhHRL_F7X4YIf8BG0et2LBYramUVi1gOYSxl0iiBfIlW7TQ2YqdyBMtoq27hZNNGxWWXW4OtDLQ3D0DZyqhB9OuuHFZSYcoSV9UEA-ZEgKxeQYd-Lbzd8C729/s1600/P1090293.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 seconds after the start.</td></tr>
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By mile 3, I had the suspicion this wasn't going to be easy. I was <strike>dying from 65F heat</strike> warm, only had half of my water left, was tired, and just wanted to go back to sleep. I was incredibly happy that there were thousands of strangers who were yelling at me to suck it up and keep going... Seriously, there were so many bands and drums set up on the sides that the whole atmosphere was just wonderful.<br>
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Nick had said he was going to come to the 4 mile marker, yet I never expected that I'd actually be able to see him - but there he was, waving and shouting and taking pictures. It was awesome!<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTqTUW_TkzTyK2rlk9A0rRgvAMqBGW8Al9kYTQDWVLzNnLTKp_0E4nCEBvzG_P66oJMcvl5oswYMbWaWfg0xXzkYby-UwtrK-QQbiaSF6ia3Kz0wh0B3wddxlQyOcHbArHCISfdQlM_py/s1600/P1090297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTqTUW_TkzTyK2rlk9A0rRgvAMqBGW8Al9kYTQDWVLzNnLTKp_0E4nCEBvzG_P66oJMcvl5oswYMbWaWfg0xXzkYby-UwtrK-QQbiaSF6ia3Kz0wh0B3wddxlQyOcHbArHCISfdQlM_py/s1600/P1090297.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right after the first water station (around mile 4)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcdXVnbD0_WirndeopACX53xB2NdUXA7SSkYf5J8SWNobL5xCpVQCyIoBDQK26c1bCibOwC_iM3foVVjHJRvA4oeNCtOsZQ9_9eUJYRKa_fhjevsu_m2VPDn1-9r-YZbpYLYmf-R6VXvX/s1600/P1090302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcdXVnbD0_WirndeopACX53xB2NdUXA7SSkYf5J8SWNobL5xCpVQCyIoBDQK26c1bCibOwC_iM3foVVjHJRvA4oeNCtOsZQ9_9eUJYRKa_fhjevsu_m2VPDn1-9r-YZbpYLYmf-R6VXvX/s1600/P1090302.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick took these pictures from the train.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzF_VcmjG8ULUrtRodBFeSP-B32_G0I3pUILk-1nXW5BfQ4kVtbSHi3SXbkdW1m2LUzz4F4jY3FJP-Zt3uQHGIHuBP9t2H2iVIqFCnT2T3KZ4VqSgF8iIB7wTGsjUtUPtjuy1ZFmzF3M1/s1600/P1090303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzF_VcmjG8ULUrtRodBFeSP-B32_G0I3pUILk-1nXW5BfQ4kVtbSHi3SXbkdW1m2LUzz4F4jY3FJP-Zt3uQHGIHuBP9t2H2iVIqFCnT2T3KZ4VqSgF8iIB7wTGsjUtUPtjuy1ZFmzF3M1/s1600/P1090303.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 30.000 runners! <br>I'm the one in the pink shirt.</td></tr>
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The best thing was yet to come though. He knew that I was worried about running out of water. So at mile 8, he called me on my cell phone to let me know where he was standing and that he had a bottle of cold water for me!! He saved my life.<br>
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It even worked out that he handed me the water, I poured it into my hand bottle, and gave him the empty bottle back. (Nick was running next to me for that stretch.)<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5cKKP7WxrdbXDXEqDiZOh5C47RuY8EjVRjEmMTvxLv07sIahyAGOyoryG_qIzsf8UED_TeowuJ3hwWurUkKAmBHn_F_dheWdBeUnaEdl16O3wl101UAWRG8EfKE25XQXA79wNZh64GUl/s1600/P1090321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5cKKP7WxrdbXDXEqDiZOh5C47RuY8EjVRjEmMTvxLv07sIahyAGOyoryG_qIzsf8UED_TeowuJ3hwWurUkKAmBHn_F_dheWdBeUnaEdl16O3wl101UAWRG8EfKE25XQXA79wNZh64GUl/s1600/P1090321.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please recycle this bottle properly." <br>(It looks like I'm walking, doesn't it?!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5iFtu0cTix3cVfjWjyovxcffF7YQYulNoe02AZk-6Tp4_OYuiuZk54Wjfz7lAaCNo-3jKVu4JwXsKEbcbwYz1qfv9_Pc2AXNUP88q_BKKFaIVs27QpmFKM8BP5YzshRn6BKvFErxtPoY/s1600/P1090306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5iFtu0cTix3cVfjWjyovxcffF7YQYulNoe02AZk-6Tp4_OYuiuZk54Wjfz7lAaCNo-3jKVu4JwXsKEbcbwYz1qfv9_Pc2AXNUP88q_BKKFaIVs27QpmFKM8BP5YzshRn6BKvFErxtPoY/s1600/P1090306.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many runners were carrying flags or were dressed up in costumes.</td></tr>
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I knew that the finish was right where we started, by Alexanderplatz. There is a tall tower that you can see from afar, so I kept looking out for it... and couldn't find it. Maybe that's why the last 5 miles were just plain painful. <div><br></div><div>When I finally spotted something tall, my heart dropped, because it was (in the distance) Potsdamer Platz, which was still about 2-3 miles away from the finish line.<br>
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I can't tell you how great it was to finally see the finish line in the distance, knowing that I was going to survive it, and then eventually crossing it. I ended up running the distance in 2:13:03 (coming in right after Komon...). It took me about 5 minutes longer than last weekend. So that was a bummer. But it was also 25 degrees warmer on race day.<br>
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As I had read before, there really wasn't any space for the runners to walk after they finished. (Not sure if this is normal, though.) We came to a full stop immediately and just stood behind everyone who was waiting for their medals.<br>
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Usually, I walk for at least half a mile after running anything beyond 10 miles. My body just doesn't do well with running for 2 hrs and then suddenly not move anymore.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLJno1ZwoWsV-Q78F-aHNDMg_i3XSJZcjWA1FNnURPwqvJLm_G-HkVB6lSUJ0hgCTzYTu8ni2sOpwE6QNp6tYQZm0KbheaWZMT6RndZoiQM4TJJUAYgIcxWWvmuRCaYDap9d0uf0Tk9Gl/s1600/P1090362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLJno1ZwoWsV-Q78F-aHNDMg_i3XSJZcjWA1FNnURPwqvJLm_G-HkVB6lSUJ0hgCTzYTu8ni2sOpwE6QNp6tYQZm0KbheaWZMT6RndZoiQM4TJJUAYgIcxWWvmuRCaYDap9d0uf0Tk9Gl/s1600/P1090362.JPG" height="266" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
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Thankfully, they had really cold (alcohol free) wheat beer for us. Every runner was handed a half liter and a bunch of bananas. Before I even knew what was happening, Nick had already found me and led us out of the fenced in area. There was no place for me to stretch until about 30-45 mins after finishing.<br>
By that time, my legs felt like they were made of concrete.<br>
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Aside from having no room to walk or stretch after the finish line, everything was incredibly well organized. Especially if you are like me and have never run a big race like this before, it really helped that everything was perfectly planned.<br>
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As far as I can tell, there was no shortage on anything, the helpers were incredibly friendly and knowledgable, I already knew exactly where to find what along the entire course weeks before the race, and on race day, it really was to be found in the exact spot. The route was well marked and the crowd was terrific. I don't know how many high fives from 5year olds I got that day. Lots of families were out, lots of bands, lots of people holding up signs, clapping, shouting, taking pictures and videos. Around 300.000 people came out to cheer for over 30.000 runners.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84LaQuKnHG30Lnwf6BMZKoULwyasbdfepeCJCrP28edjSq3YzQSJQk59VS_D4wWGul_1zmJPWCXtcszw36CdT9A5Aab3WgtbB3kEb8ivWBcNUSCMaZDT-LPhBUhQhQmbCzqhUBCwpwAnY/s1600/P1090368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84LaQuKnHG30Lnwf6BMZKoULwyasbdfepeCJCrP28edjSq3YzQSJQk59VS_D4wWGul_1zmJPWCXtcszw36CdT9A5Aab3WgtbB3kEb8ivWBcNUSCMaZDT-LPhBUhQhQmbCzqhUBCwpwAnY/s1600/P1090368.JPG" height="400" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a beer and a banana. What else do you need?!</td></tr>
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For me, it was the best thing to know that Nick was there and the moments when I spotted him in the crowd, seeing he is my biggest fan, was the greatest feeling.<br>
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Of course there is only one way to properly celebrate surviving: with a ton of sushi, ice cream, and wine.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9H-ScDZ9uBfRHICZam6GUl4EYUED3uCeqUWqhTIPBJsNS0rP9O1HKFdc2J5WWnVRuKN9zeBJHw8fntQsafsQawYDGxh1m3Svisnsz2EQLPxwSFL4uzUfywRyACXJb3kJeeBF9GsbeDhK/s1600/celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9H-ScDZ9uBfRHICZam6GUl4EYUED3uCeqUWqhTIPBJsNS0rP9O1HKFdc2J5WWnVRuKN9zeBJHw8fntQsafsQawYDGxh1m3Svisnsz2EQLPxwSFL4uzUfywRyACXJb3kJeeBF9GsbeDhK/s1600/celebration.jpg" height="400" width="310"></a></div>
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All in all, it was a terrific experience. Except for the pain. The pain really sucks.<br>
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<br></div>stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-568929110361188872014-03-30T15:28:00.001-07:002014-03-30T15:28:40.834-07:00Finished.It's done! <div>As you might suspect, I have a lot of feelings to share about the event (and in general). </div><div>Stay tuned for a longer post tomorrow. </div><div>For today, just one thing:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA9Sw77NwdST8AzXX2cBHHsKyTF1JxWuEUfeMb0rCGhEfn4pUIN4D4Zt3RSGpeozBaG5CQHNjgx2MHn7E7mKMcyKdTxh3pGHKrSTvVKpNjryEPSFyNdknUafwu2ZDQvgXB2uLtSWkQzbr/s640/blogger-image-1573094467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA9Sw77NwdST8AzXX2cBHHsKyTF1JxWuEUfeMb0rCGhEfn4pUIN4D4Zt3RSGpeozBaG5CQHNjgx2MHn7E7mKMcyKdTxh3pGHKrSTvVKpNjryEPSFyNdknUafwu2ZDQvgXB2uLtSWkQzbr/s640/blogger-image-1573094467.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Yes. That's my thumb all over the picture. Let's just focus on the tower on Alexanderplatz, the blue sky, and the many, many runners that were all eager to get going.</div><div><br></div><div>One of the greatest views I've ever had.</div><div><br></div>stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-25289681461858750892014-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:002014-03-28T16:23:48.144-07:00TaperingI'm tapering.<br />
<br />
It's difficult.<br />
<br />
For me, as for many other people I know, moving one foot in front of the other on a regular basis is a form of dealing with stress, finding relaxation, clearing thoughts... Because it's time to rest my muscles for Sunday, there is barely any running this week. Not sure if recovery is the only outcome. I think by the time my feet hit the pavement, I will have a long list of things to think about.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ck95ZHE73-6aLrNEIsiZ2pOa57SmWW5dp9ZeABoMi5k_iEjQfar0tUcfTtRGNMWZzzUNhs8BdHRzMk58aD4QFTdvgUkTTCz3Ov1ewzIavQfvR28Dep2i4z1jRjAIDjjLjVOmIANW7neb/s1600/tumblr_m6nd8dAOM51rsl78go1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ck95ZHE73-6aLrNEIsiZ2pOa57SmWW5dp9ZeABoMi5k_iEjQfar0tUcfTtRGNMWZzzUNhs8BdHRzMk58aD4QFTdvgUkTTCz3Ov1ewzIavQfvR28Dep2i4z1jRjAIDjjLjVOmIANW7neb/s1600/tumblr_m6nd8dAOM51rsl78go1_500.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lies. Probably.<br /><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6nd8dAOM51rsl78go1_500.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nick and I are in the middle of planning our move back to Baltimore. If you have ever lived in Germany, you know that canceling your contracts in time is key - otherwise, you are stuck with paying for another 12 months. (We have had our share of experiencing terrible contracts and have been paying an entire year for a phone/ internet account that we have never used or have a router for, but lets not go there right now.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhuFsurldG7tXYaa3JMKQGkTSexz9uQPENtXCxNHu9PCfTsDlDzSDIg6VvhaopES9DHxzLMxD3LAmI97WgGCcEIYaOl74D9lNr_txjBSMVkB16KwvXEuL0O3u7DMBtXHdCYtucZKyCXG8/s1600/Toosoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhuFsurldG7tXYaa3JMKQGkTSexz9uQPENtXCxNHu9PCfTsDlDzSDIg6VvhaopES9DHxzLMxD3LAmI97WgGCcEIYaOl74D9lNr_txjBSMVkB16KwvXEuL0O3u7DMBtXHdCYtucZKyCXG8/s1600/Toosoon.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes - and it will always be.<br /><a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130302234309/glee/images/6/64/Toosoon.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In addition to this, we have to take care of everything in Baltimore and have to haul everything across the ocean. Including Lucy. (If anyone has tips on bringing a dog back to the US, let me know.) This alone is a full time job. At the same time, I am applying for grants, have to prepare a talk, and am working towards my dissertation.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR4Gip2UBM-GMGlHiv4xOwsa7MlLtn1TkwfXkWZ1BqCn7XV4o2rIcqbQuf-WmPmNlk4D9VObybo8ZyUgVrQXGAaKZ-i62e0Ad7Q7luXim989JoHDtam9L1lv0kBMCKD4PtuQFstFhwxDs/s1600/tumblr_mq5ulonVzv1rzbvsto1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR4Gip2UBM-GMGlHiv4xOwsa7MlLtn1TkwfXkWZ1BqCn7XV4o2rIcqbQuf-WmPmNlk4D9VObybo8ZyUgVrQXGAaKZ-i62e0Ad7Q7luXim989JoHDtam9L1lv0kBMCKD4PtuQFstFhwxDs/s1600/tumblr_mq5ulonVzv1rzbvsto1_500.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://31.media.tumblr.com/18974f573c0fb6a0fb7205e0661f83a2/tumblr_mq5ulonVzv1rzbvsto1_500.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That's why now, on the 4th day of tapering week, I know that it actually means: getting eager to work (things) out again. Yes... lets call it "eager".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hLYMJ0PuqQaD09YWP5ay4i7_LmzdLbUxhbpAnGHGC2_bL1B6Vq-lPx1EB3Jc2kzFoc1IoqCIN8LxIac-ncUQq2Y9-GsHay6cz6-R4uthu6m701RXiUy2IUrFUIS__238MPr2RsqVDrDB/s1600/kermit-freaking-out.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hLYMJ0PuqQaD09YWP5ay4i7_LmzdLbUxhbpAnGHGC2_bL1B6Vq-lPx1EB3Jc2kzFoc1IoqCIN8LxIac-ncUQq2Y9-GsHay6cz6-R4uthu6m701RXiUy2IUrFUIS__238MPr2RsqVDrDB/s1600/kermit-freaking-out.gif" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hovergirl.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/kermit-freaking-out.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At least, this is what I'm saying now. Ask me again when I have to get up in the middle of the night (at least, 5hrs earlier than usual) to get on a packed train and then wait in line, in the cold, for 2 hrs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JoDwFhyCoVsp6h-ps8DqBeMLxyczRbp337DJiQJy4BxkxEFpd8qrcLCEG9mg3x57U_wJoa_XoZqaUylMj9ZkDgyOyx7ZKoR9r9U2ltBT4OBx15ydzHhGFbWrVV_TTpoyReW-0dpR1gLe/s1600/sleep.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JoDwFhyCoVsp6h-ps8DqBeMLxyczRbp337DJiQJy4BxkxEFpd8qrcLCEG9mg3x57U_wJoa_XoZqaUylMj9ZkDgyOyx7ZKoR9r9U2ltBT4OBx15ydzHhGFbWrVV_TTpoyReW-0dpR1gLe/s1600/sleep.gif" height="208" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8JZQ13RWtWUSHRzszG3yaXAxMuIvUUONUGvt5gmO3HXTA8gMiDckdRtECppdiOkREK-ewhfe6OslZi8TgcVxF110icIVkyxVkgBICgcn634748nQuLI3qNFTsIDzsMNlS1BIDMsdlhg/s1600/sleep.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-15036174194984552352014-03-27T16:17:00.003-07:002014-03-27T16:17:56.304-07:00I got the stuff!Today, I had an important appointment.<br />
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Before that, by the crack of dawn at 10am, I was out the door for my 2mile taper run. Let me tell you. It was hard! How is this even possible?! The entire way we walked to the post office later, I told Nick about the theories I have come up with why 2miles are a lot harder to run than 12. He is a good listener :o)<br />
<br />
One of the theories included me falling into some kind of deep sleep after I hit the 2.5mile marker. (My slow pace could be an indicator for this.) Alternatively, I could have some version of PTSD, where the long run is so horrible that my brain refuses to remember it and it all seems like kittens and rainbows afterwards.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfIF356JrySNMDw_TEALZrrdUZMOssbhkuQeYH93YMX2_P4jYsw9aliamv1Z53jESXSG4N-Aabd8pU62YxltOYIylNcOHkOHFulTGH5NrpkmwqzKxspHJenlXyyP4V_lnj2HFTg3DiF0V/s1600/poptart-kitten-rainbow-unicorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfIF356JrySNMDw_TEALZrrdUZMOssbhkuQeYH93YMX2_P4jYsw9aliamv1Z53jESXSG4N-Aabd8pU62YxltOYIylNcOHkOHFulTGH5NrpkmwqzKxspHJenlXyyP4V_lnj2HFTg3DiF0V/s1600/poptart-kitten-rainbow-unicorn.jpg" height="274" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fashionablepeople.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/poptart-kitten-rainbow-unicorn.jpg">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I will pay extra attention on Sunday and let you know. Aren't you lucky?!<br />
<br />
Oh, and in case you were wondering, today there was another full bowl of healthy food! Yoghurt, muesli, whole wheat cereal, fruit, and 1 scoop of pollen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA0aHYFMkiVoSl7WxVuV2CVR0tmv6lR3SItpRAiGVWarSfhLhUX68Ej9_9KO-48Hy0wkhD71xph1lzn62F_whOdIGGcivFKMol_H2hR_yprWSjcTy1NvpG2CjkjiM477x6TXv2wE9hB1N/s1600/IMG_4002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA0aHYFMkiVoSl7WxVuV2CVR0tmv6lR3SItpRAiGVWarSfhLhUX68Ej9_9KO-48Hy0wkhD71xph1lzn62F_whOdIGGcivFKMol_H2hR_yprWSjcTy1NvpG2CjkjiM477x6TXv2wE9hB1N/s1600/IMG_4002.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost looks like an ad for healthy food. Almost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyhow, back to my appointment:<br />
<br />
At 3pm today, the race packages were ready for pick up at the expo!! I could have waited to pick mine up on Saturday, but I am assuming that it will be incredibly packed and a very unpleasant experience to do it when the other 29.999 runners come to get theirs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzL9PU6ugqXxCTUub_QtZolsXhzfGrmN74Oikb8AUUdCEduq0N1TIC5bAZV4eMEfIooHaxOYjaevGI1ZNTV16Z350y2XphAgjv6u9kFw4W3VM7GWcRJHawkpVs5oKHT-BjRLFx073sSRA/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzL9PU6ugqXxCTUub_QtZolsXhzfGrmN74Oikb8AUUdCEduq0N1TIC5bAZV4eMEfIooHaxOYjaevGI1ZNTV16Z350y2XphAgjv6u9kFw4W3VM7GWcRJHawkpVs5oKHT-BjRLFx073sSRA/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be disturbed by the weird face and the blurriness. Someone was coming around<br />the corner and scared the hell out of me when I took this picture. <br />Or maybe that's just my face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So I went to the expo. It was heaven! So many stands with so much stuff!! I was forced to walk across the entire hall and just happened to browse by every single stand they had set up. Unfortunately, not a lot of the things that were marked as "reduced in price" lived up to that promise. Maybe it is, because I was just in the U.S. and had the prices from the stores there stuck in my head... or the people here are just plain rude, but the shoes I wanted were marked about 80 Dollars higher than what I've seen them for 2 weeks ago.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I didn't buy shoes, but I got a bag full of stuff! Whenever someone hands me a bag filled with free things, I get all excited. Even if its just paper. Aside from my bib, I got a ton of magazines, flyers, handouts, and stickers! It all came in a handy bag that will function as my clothes-drop-off bag on Sunday. That already won me over, but they topped it by throwing in a granola bar. Free food. Enough said.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYY-tBywrlBOiqh2Wu3qfkVoDiT4QJe9HiBzkwRpUdDQrobBJnZALN_l3T-y59wB_UyUPZtdbatkC4hgvh3GRuQklMJZkDwcvyWSCkz17n7LThyLyijKMppbMLtTFRzGwrIm8twQDnwkp/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYY-tBywrlBOiqh2Wu3qfkVoDiT4QJe9HiBzkwRpUdDQrobBJnZALN_l3T-y59wB_UyUPZtdbatkC4hgvh3GRuQklMJZkDwcvyWSCkz17n7LThyLyijKMppbMLtTFRzGwrIm8twQDnwkp/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that granola bar?! And the magazines and papers!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have to admit that I did buy an event t-shirt and a running skirt! I have never owned a running skirt but it looked cute, it seems perfect for warm weather, and it was really cheap! I'm too tired now to change into it and take an awkward selfie. So you have something to look forward to in tomorrow's post :o)<br />
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If it is as organized as it seems thus far, it will be the most perfectly planned event in the history of mankind.<br />
<br />
The only thing thats annoying is that I already got my wristlet. It needs to stay on until the moment I cross the finish line. If it keeps itching the way is has over the past hours, I will be ready to bite it off my wrist the second I arrive. Or Nick needs to meet me with scissors immediately. Or bite my hand off.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivihk_m4yEmb2s8AuW4Bpmjv9FieVVbMaqVZD8QQEbAVM7YcFj_5oIfe4U40H8NZI60rT67SUzrHpSAR77_bcgFdRVLD_3n_Gp6Jq-B3r9B_ntRqicqi5aYMd5WYxd-sLKjwGbfistQFy/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivihk_m4yEmb2s8AuW4Bpmjv9FieVVbMaqVZD8QQEbAVM7YcFj_5oIfe4U40H8NZI60rT67SUzrHpSAR77_bcgFdRVLD_3n_Gp6Jq-B3r9B_ntRqicqi5aYMd5WYxd-sLKjwGbfistQFy/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want to torture someone, put an itchy thing around their wrist and <br />forbid them to take it off for four days. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
On the bright side, from afar it looks like I went to a really cool show. So people from afar might think I'm hip and awesome. If that's not a plus, I don't know what is.<br />
<br />
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-48975157525273004492014-03-26T14:53:00.001-07:002014-03-26T14:56:09.070-07:00I was taught an important lesson. So last Sunday, I had big plans to have my 12 mile long run. Because I am a responsible person, I thought I should eat well the day before. Trust me, I had every intention to focus on good nutrients, which have been said to work well for a run this long... you know, because the race is only one mile longer than that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqKBMD2D_OiyvlSpRryQL6azGQV_QXB_H4BTcgJ3sEln9m-Wf6pyeT0NW3-baL2Rkp1jhJBk64ifyYg5QaY8Xbz28W6TltynwQyTTDpwbc0FGGYoD5w9fWN0i6vPbruSaIsibEnAaAPn/s1600/tumblr_inline_mjap9qGjRS1rnvwt1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqKBMD2D_OiyvlSpRryQL6azGQV_QXB_H4BTcgJ3sEln9m-Wf6pyeT0NW3-baL2Rkp1jhJBk64ifyYg5QaY8Xbz28W6TltynwQyTTDpwbc0FGGYoD5w9fWN0i6vPbruSaIsibEnAaAPn/s1600/tumblr_inline_mjap9qGjRS1rnvwt1.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The way to healthy living. Or something like that.<br /><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/70147f5292129d198b0dca471fb8a26a/tumblr_inline_mjap9qGjRS1rnvwt1.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Saturdays are our food-shopping days. This past weekend was an "off" weekend, so we had the short grocery list and were back within an hour. To have a good and very responsible breakfast, I mixed cereal and yoghurt and muesli in one big bowl. That was pretty good. Fiber, carbs, protein - it was all there. It even tasted great.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, Nick had the terrific idea to go to one of the markets and just browse around. It was absolutely awesome. We had a lot of fun and spent our afternoon looking at all the little stands and shops and exploring the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
Before we knew it, it was 7pm! So we stopped for Döner/ Lamachun. In a very brief bright moment, I told them to cut back on the sauce (which they didn't), garlic (which they didn't), and onions (which they did!!!). The missing onions didn't save me the next day though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoaBVDJdS7nn7CoRfkJGeCODX8wol2PBxrJM9fYK89Cx8_jU5jPjZJUamdiFj0GSviui8LDYalxG72w0tHhYu6ZNDn60wfdZXQkxwqTJ9Xt0O2T8ryNZEAKUKLfuibH1Lf1cKjHjKt3qE/s1600/tumblr_inline_mlcpv8YtSI1qz4rgp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoaBVDJdS7nn7CoRfkJGeCODX8wol2PBxrJM9fYK89Cx8_jU5jPjZJUamdiFj0GSviui8LDYalxG72w0tHhYu6ZNDn60wfdZXQkxwqTJ9Xt0O2T8ryNZEAKUKLfuibH1Lf1cKjHjKt3qE/s1600/tumblr_inline_mlcpv8YtSI1qz4rgp.gif" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/fbf1683f86260e912ba832151902ba77/tumblr_inline_mlcpv8YtSI1qz4rgp.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While shoving this greasy mess into my face, I kept thinking to myself "oh, it has carbs and protein - so it's not that bad!" "Plus, there are no onions on this!" "We should go to the cocktail happy-hour!"<br />
<br />
Yea. That's what we did then.<br />
There is a place that we have fallen in love with because they have a "buy 1, get 2" happy hour! It doesn't get better than that! Especially, if the glasses hold just about almost 70oz or something close to that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIGaYoQWMOUxXHnsIivb6kfvJxO4jaSa3Bc9GSxvHPpbB-spACLkreObuP1iLwSMCcTNUjkd1QEYKLfOIJ1eZcQawU4FJGiJysCJs4vLYg3RkQGWY3AnlDIX_YGS6qcetGbtQ_JF5Y74d/s1600/71191-sansa-stark-booze-gif-EIwZ.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIGaYoQWMOUxXHnsIivb6kfvJxO4jaSa3Bc9GSxvHPpbB-spACLkreObuP1iLwSMCcTNUjkd1QEYKLfOIJ1eZcQawU4FJGiJysCJs4vLYg3RkQGWY3AnlDIX_YGS6qcetGbtQ_JF5Y74d/s1600/71191-sansa-stark-booze-gif-EIwZ.gif" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After all, I've never run 12 miles in my life before!<br />
<a href="http://img.pandawhale.com/71191-sansa-stark-booze-gif-EIwZ.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I had a fruity cocktail. With pineapple, champaign, vodka, passion fruit concentrate, and lime juice. It's pretty acidy ... but it tastes amazing! Plus, fruit juice is good for you pre run, right?<br />
Afterwards, I couldn't say no to some red wine. Or candy. Or ice cream. Or staying up until 4am.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you that all throughout this night, I was fully aware that except for my breakfast, none of the foods or drinks were a good idea. Especially the drinks. ESPECIALLY the drinks. So let us all file this under "the experiment that you only do once".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2pYmcDa1M7Oy2y6KB5DhPOznS8DjvYTy-sgb5MxHZfZWH_cnvC9gTh-rqXP_IcwGulkiN8dy9L2rHDGifI0hm4wveRxKp696E5HLoEYIrBr-8865yalnSb5Ps_5KeTCrNVYiynsQy9Zg/s1600/eUK7cnb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2pYmcDa1M7Oy2y6KB5DhPOznS8DjvYTy-sgb5MxHZfZWH_cnvC9gTh-rqXP_IcwGulkiN8dy9L2rHDGifI0hm4wveRxKp696E5HLoEYIrBr-8865yalnSb5Ps_5KeTCrNVYiynsQy9Zg/s1600/eUK7cnb.gif" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/eUK7cnb.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The beauty of this experiment is though that I am now really clear on what I should under no circumstances do or eat this Saturday. So I'm glad it worked out like that! :o)<br />
<br />
If you do want to follow my example, please be prepared for dehydration, stomach cramps, and stretches of time where you are convinced you are going to meet Jesus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzLsp2Pv1jpRkRSIzcaAhjFidflH6hAcCU-QD8MqAFkMDowtYu5FGtgGaBCCg-CkmVSOZnVKirAgz9RohMPO3sqthhcLhZ1k_HCzrtZfJUlWAYb3pXiLijbaPpmtcIocciUUGwtLSoDu/s1600/a1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzLsp2Pv1jpRkRSIzcaAhjFidflH6hAcCU-QD8MqAFkMDowtYu5FGtgGaBCCg-CkmVSOZnVKirAgz9RohMPO3sqthhcLhZ1k_HCzrtZfJUlWAYb3pXiLijbaPpmtcIocciUUGwtLSoDu/s1600/a1.gif" height="196" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rmdiUqS8vEQBlHz5b45G7mfPfm-orefGm0JwE2Bv0mMjDcnp8MxL54x1799N-HWCtpGJt8USL0Or5_jgAu9Uciz9zyHVhiRtuVxSkClfEZ8e2VsUohDlbYLPfgxorVsSOzfp6R20Pv-g/s1600/a1.gif">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This weekend, I want to try a different fueling approach. This time, with proper breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No drinks. Lots of water. I will see if this actually makes a difference or if it is all lies!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-4455978290381155052014-03-25T13:08:00.000-07:002014-03-25T13:08:00.965-07:00Did you think this would happen? and more running. Did you think I would make it online again today? Even I had my doubts, but trust me, I have too much to tell you about the past few weeks that I just can't help but blog regularly again :o)<br />
<br />
If you haven't fallen asleep from <a href="http://stinaonthemove.blogspot.de/2014/03/a-lot.html">yesterday's</a> running calendar yet, this one might do it.<br />
Here are weeks 9, 10, and 11 of the <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51312/Half-Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program">12 week plan</a> that I used to prepare for the Berlin Half Marathon next weekend.<br />
<br />
<div>
Week 9 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>): </div>
<div>
03/03/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ </i><i>Rest</i></div>
<div>
03/04/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ 5.4 miles </i><i>(9:17, 9:54, 10:02, 10:10, 10:11, (9:42) - overall: 9:55)</i><br />
03/05/14: <b>5 mile run</b><i>/</i><i> 6.2 miles </i><i>(9:28, 9:56, 10:10, 10:00, 10:04, 10:00 - overall: 9:58)</i><br />
03/06/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest (flight to Baltimore)</i><br />
03/07/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/</i><i> 4.3 miles </i><i>(8:48, 9:24, 9:11, 9:40 - overall: 9:24)</i><br />
03/08/14: <b>10-K Race</b><i>/</i><i> 4.5 miles </i><i>(9:23, 10:09, 9:33, 9:52, (9:52) - overall: 9:48)</i><br />
03/09/14: <b>cross</b><i>/Rest</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJG0FiJDTlowlIYZzPaD-PHgPlDdMFcRiMKhoiFouDf702WkS42vdX1XDcXsZxFhB9Ice1fsUUiDztzef-vdcRBOEIzayDljzKQpIDAoyqZHc2v_dqgbtf3p5do-GOlLIvSp0ieeItaSc/s1600/IMG_3708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJG0FiJDTlowlIYZzPaD-PHgPlDdMFcRiMKhoiFouDf702WkS42vdX1XDcXsZxFhB9Ice1fsUUiDztzef-vdcRBOEIzayDljzKQpIDAoyqZHc2v_dqgbtf3p5do-GOlLIvSp0ieeItaSc/s1600/IMG_3708.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
This was the week I flew to Baltimore and let me tell you, sleep deprivation and climate change can be quite the challenge. Especially if all of the sudden, you have to run up and down hills again!<br />
<br />
On a side note, I will write a post about my trip in a few days. I am certain you are dying to see more pictures of blue sky, clouds, and a wing.<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div>
Week 10 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>): </div>
<div>
03/10/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/</i><i> 4.3 miles </i><i>(9:21, 9:37, 9:22, 9:43 - overall: 9:36)</i></div>
<div>
03/11/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
03/12/14: <b>5 mile pace</b><i>/</i><i> 3.1 miles </i><i>(9:27, 9:54, 9:49 - overall: 9:46)</i><br />
03/13/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
03/14/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ 11.2 miles </i><i>(2 mi. 9:18, 4mi. 9:59, 6mi. 9:55, 8mi. 9:57, 10mi. 10:01, 11mi: 6:58</i><br />
<i>- overall: 9:46)</i><br />
03/15/14: <b>11 mile run</b><i>/Rest</i><br />
03/16/14: <b>cross</b><i>/ </i><i>4.7 miles </i><i>(9:34, 9:51, 9:28, 9:47, (10:03) - overall: 9:46)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
My 11 mile run was something. Mainly, it was COLD! When I started, it was below freezing (we've had solid upper 50s/ lower 60s temperatures in Berlin for weeks! So yes, this was both a shock and reason to complain. Loudly.) and then it warmed up to about 40F by the time I finished.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwy0aylQzrLFiDVSB0iiC5aXyor_0NoWSzU-Yj4EmhoqxdOCSdGbgvTZRpFubFtZ7n9p9hGABRVW_1ODyUkSkks7Sfa9qH0u7YMI_kMgyc1YuwQg_uEAYPWWBhrd4r0c4DAUcItYP2quY/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwy0aylQzrLFiDVSB0iiC5aXyor_0NoWSzU-Yj4EmhoqxdOCSdGbgvTZRpFubFtZ7n9p9hGABRVW_1ODyUkSkks7Sfa9qH0u7YMI_kMgyc1YuwQg_uEAYPWWBhrd4r0c4DAUcItYP2quY/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy I made two of these! Gotta ensure proper refueling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Because I am lame like that, I just circled campus 4 times. (It's a familiar route, I didn't have to drive far, and parking was free. Yes, free parking is a great reason to pick this route.) The security people must have thought I'm some sort of weirdo. The second time I passed by them, they waved, the third time they gave me looks, the fourth time, they yelled at me what I was doing.<br />
<br />
Aside from becoming familiar with the faces of everyone working along the route, the 2.8 mile-circles were really comfortable to run. I thought I might get bored, but the miles just flew by. I think I was so tired that I didn't wake up until mile 6 and at that point, I only had 5 miles to go!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OCdQdZTBsuBNxslKqeQXFkDzoqVU3Cfl4jw0T1JWUGzDSB0vH44wgNcapsip6oZUY2MEf-Rod5lyDHZaKhS8woK7KkdqgiEu835DcTsSYFIEZewf6F78AJoFRvmpPyW7CHB4LaJuw8H6/s1600/IMG_3856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OCdQdZTBsuBNxslKqeQXFkDzoqVU3Cfl4jw0T1JWUGzDSB0vH44wgNcapsip6oZUY2MEf-Rod5lyDHZaKhS8woK7KkdqgiEu835DcTsSYFIEZewf6F78AJoFRvmpPyW7CHB4LaJuw8H6/s1600/IMG_3856.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 miles and free parking! Win win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div>
Week 11 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>): </div>
<div>
03/17/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ Rest (flight to Berlin)</i></div>
<div>
03/18/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest (flight to Berlin)</i><br />
03/19/14: <b>5 mile run</b><i>/ 5.5 miles (9:13, 9:43, 9:38, 9:37, 9:38, 9:41 - overall: 9:37)</i><br />
03/20/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ 3.2 miles </i><i>(no data)</i><br />
03/21/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
03/22/14: <b>12 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
03/23/14: <b>cross</b><i>/ 13 miles (</i><i>2 mi. 9:11, 4mi. 9:45, 6mi. 9:41, 8mi. 10:05, 10mi. 10:12, 12mi. 9:58, 13mi. 9:33 </i><i>- overall: 9:50)</i></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
The 5.5 miles after coming back from Baltimore were incredibly hard. Not sure why, but it was one of those "Running is so hard!!!" runs. It was plain awful.<br />
<br />
This past Sunday, I had big plans to run 12 miles. Nick and I looked for a route I could run (I'm "running out of ideas" (Oh the amusement I get from word plays!) and can't figure out where to go without help) and I memorized where I have to turn to not get lost.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hc9Rv8gZE5bTCM9bOtavfz1MJnDM28CXe-bZUpuV3tY3zXhdW2OfKh2re4-5THnxZDAiOm1T_Kyadb1GEa1yhyphenhyphenPMh8ldAYQoEJtYE8OMtmXOMqqRQ1oug80FofCfollMcF20DCF5QsdS/s1600/tumblr_ln1e1f2UIi1qb4p3ko1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hc9Rv8gZE5bTCM9bOtavfz1MJnDM28CXe-bZUpuV3tY3zXhdW2OfKh2re4-5THnxZDAiOm1T_Kyadb1GEa1yhyphenhyphenPMh8ldAYQoEJtYE8OMtmXOMqqRQ1oug80FofCfollMcF20DCF5QsdS/s1600/tumblr_ln1e1f2UIi1qb4p3ko1_500.gif" height="235" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wouldn't know.<br /><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln1e1f2UIi1qb4p3ko1_500.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, google maps lied. By one mile. (It could be my running up and down streets to wait for cross lights, but it's easier to blame google maps.) This is how I ended up with my run being 13 miles. I could have made it 13.1, but I wanted to leave some extra milage for next weekend.<br />
<br />
At this point, I am thinking: why in the world didn't you make it 13.1 and stayed in bed next Sunday?! One will never know.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEM2iBAeXGQc_hZX0eX587jiEbyUta27_YwoO-nuMsPaZBhwxRjLvqGCBsZvaxqz_FA1VIlw351Yr2xruO-LrEFvbpSjPVaKJo7K5B2g_WjoCNzAOSIhjVGsv5EJWVa5u8V5aAKG22EOB/s1600/31205-right.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEM2iBAeXGQc_hZX0eX587jiEbyUta27_YwoO-nuMsPaZBhwxRjLvqGCBsZvaxqz_FA1VIlw351Yr2xruO-LrEFvbpSjPVaKJo7K5B2g_WjoCNzAOSIhjVGsv5EJWVa5u8V5aAKG22EOB/s1600/31205-right.gif" height="175" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://icesabel.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/31205-right.gif?w=645">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What was worse than everything else: I ran out of water. Has that ever happened to you? I hope it never has and never will. I truly thought I was going to turn into a raisin and drop on the side walk. Ugh. I'm thinking about asking Nick to meet me somewhere on Sunday to hand me a full water bottle. Did I mention that I can't drink out of cups while running? (Who am I kidding, I can't drink out of a cup without spilling everything all over me when I sit at the dinner table. - Don't get me started on food.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1G9nDeQL_Hf-flZ0S2TliqCGjPN8H033OQ_DOT-cSC39SSX3X0kBYTg0I7MxPqSwP_2IXvdYFWv8yMZI_7f5bR_YHNj8qmChWrM8ohihJOMnd6J4vdaDqi-qR_d0UvRhhWgZuDSdafN/s1600/aWZGjD4_460sa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1G9nDeQL_Hf-flZ0S2TliqCGjPN8H033OQ_DOT-cSC39SSX3X0kBYTg0I7MxPqSwP_2IXvdYFWv8yMZI_7f5bR_YHNj8qmChWrM8ohihJOMnd6J4vdaDqi-qR_d0UvRhhWgZuDSdafN/s1600/aWZGjD4_460sa.gif" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aWZGjD4_460sa.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did I mention that I've just discovered eating while wearing a rain coat is awesome?!<br />
Anyhow.<br />
<br />
This is what Sunday's course looks like:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYg38SZwF6o1oddxixYG6ngtRrBktwGZErk7minef0U9_GRUKbI6SBfVSws7SIlqRpHOtHq2s3n_MwQytr7TyLfAoriltDX76A3Eg-MgTnSWItvtC9yE0fnU2x_kmMZN_UqOmOXSa008K/s1600/strecke-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYg38SZwF6o1oddxixYG6ngtRrBktwGZErk7minef0U9_GRUKbI6SBfVSws7SIlqRpHOtHq2s3n_MwQytr7TyLfAoriltDX76A3Eg-MgTnSWItvtC9yE0fnU2x_kmMZN_UqOmOXSa008K/s1600/strecke-2014.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I should take a camera, because we will pass every tourist attraction and landmark there is in this city. With all the turns, I'm so happy I'm not running by myself.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now it's time to fuel up. With ice cream. For Sunday, you know?! :o)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-88200691018949747522014-03-24T13:47:00.004-07:002014-03-24T13:47:53.340-07:00A Lot.I'm sorry for leaving you alone for this long.<br />
These first three months of the year have been nothing but a roller coaster. I know we are not the only ones who had a rough start, so I will spare you the complaining (unless you insist :o) After all, Nick is fine, and everyone else is, too. That's all that matters.<br />
<br />
On the day that Nick had his surgery, just hours after he woke up, my dad let me know that my mom was in surgery that very moment. I thought he was joking. My mom has never been sick.<br />
Except for giving birth to my brothers and me, she has never been to the hospital. The day of Nick's surgery, she fell and broke her hip. She is fine now, but it was one of the many set backs at the beginning of this year that have distracted me from spending time online.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMXW3cxkp2aICl4HEIcKiytGN4aFaIDzihkFnlDzsJ6zwsbmpjmTC8WvbJTRjNnP0SQJ7HKXCRb8zaGIWZWeke64_gjtKuTUyZLShHpFmD-OqC_Da7S2waHDHKHsjLfJKVRVL7sH_-UOd/s1600/IMG_3500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMXW3cxkp2aICl4HEIcKiytGN4aFaIDzihkFnlDzsJ6zwsbmpjmTC8WvbJTRjNnP0SQJ7HKXCRb8zaGIWZWeke64_gjtKuTUyZLShHpFmD-OqC_Da7S2waHDHKHsjLfJKVRVL7sH_-UOd/s1600/IMG_3500.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, over the past 12 weeks, <br />lots of chocolate and gummy candy has been consumed in this house.</td></tr>
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After I wrote my last post, I went to visit my parents for a few days, and two weeks ago, I flew to Baltimore to catch up with professors at my university. Now that I'm back in Berlin and getting settled again, it's time to get into my old routine - this also means procrastination through regular blogging.<br />
<br />
I promise, I will catch up on everything I meant to blog about over these past weeks, but first of all, lets talk running.<br />
<br />
This upcoming weekend, the Berlin Half Marathon is finally happening. Despite all the craziness, I managed to stick to my training plan (at least for the most part) and I guess in a few days, it is time to run all over the city with 30.000 others!<br />
<br />
Running in Berlin these days is nothing but heavenly. It is cool out, but not cold and there is barely any rain or wind (my arch enemy). Not to mention that it is mostly flat. During my stay in Baltimore, I was quickly reminded how lucky I am being able to run wherever and whenever I want here in Berlin.<br />
<br />
So lets look at the training plan for February and what I actually did. I will post the March plan and the course of the race tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
Week 5 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>):<br />
02/03/14: <b>Rest</b>/ <i>Rest</i><br />
02/04/14: <b>3 mile run</b>/ <i>4.5 miles (9:21, 9:04, 9:18, 9:33, 9:21 - overall: 9:21)</i><br />
02/05/14: <b>4 mile run</b>/<i>3.1 miles (9:20, 9:51, 10:08 - overall: 9:55)</i><br />
02/06/14: <b>3 mile run</b>/ <i>Rest</i><br />
02/07/14: <b>Rest</b>/ <i>3.2 miles (9:40, 10:19, 9:54, 9:10 - overall: 9:56)</i><br />
02/08/14: <b>cross/</b><i> cross</i><br />
02/09/14: <b>8 mile run</b>/ <i>8 miles (9:14, 9:34, 9:41, 9:50, 10:08, 10:23, 9:52, 9:57 - overall: 9:51)</i><br />
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Week 6 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>):<br />
02/10/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ Rest (trip to my parents' house)</i><br />
02/11/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i><b>/ </b>Rest</i><br />
02/12/14:<b> 4 mile pace</b><i>/ 4.1 miles </i><i>(9:45, 9:20, 9:17, 9:42 - overall: 9:34)</i><br />
02/13/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ 4.0 miles </i><i>(9:48, 9:30, 9:10, 9:25 - overall: 9:31) (ride back to Berlin)</i><br />
02/14/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ 4.5 miles </i><i>(9:05, 9:24, 8:55, 9:41, 10:00 - overall: 9:24)</i><br />
02/15/14: <b>5 K Race</b><i> / Rest</i><br />
02/16/14: <b>cross</b><i> / cross</i><br />
<br />
This was the week I spent at my parents' house. My dad must have heard I snuck out the door and took pictures of me in my incredibly fashionable outfit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yGIyaEKPPYlLkLl_sFP1IsdQypWgq8X04Dgs6OSAfrN3xFzcMSIosTlKSKRXCnuAVYzxzLg4rIK5-xqrxJ3MEXfNJSjCrDlTJDUaBcP4uNu6AkisvBwFvAKizL0iveyTdAYk2LWbzi2Y/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yGIyaEKPPYlLkLl_sFP1IsdQypWgq8X04Dgs6OSAfrN3xFzcMSIosTlKSKRXCnuAVYzxzLg4rIK5-xqrxJ3MEXfNJSjCrDlTJDUaBcP4uNu6AkisvBwFvAKizL0iveyTdAYk2LWbzi2Y/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, the picture is blurry because I'm so fast. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqltNAfgRZIGd9KjGFbE-TltkHeHheqZMkFMMkz665uuGZC-tggcv29HZCQj55wiVW44xYsOvl16tAtS2V32WE4s49kxhNDHGLYX8vp0KKqCZA8o-ZTUsk420r8ZJvNY843Df-hS4QEdWh/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqltNAfgRZIGd9KjGFbE-TltkHeHheqZMkFMMkz665uuGZC-tggcv29HZCQj55wiVW44xYsOvl16tAtS2V32WE4s49kxhNDHGLYX8vp0KKqCZA8o-ZTUsk420r8ZJvNY843Df-hS4QEdWh/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always love when I start running in the rain and <br />the sun decides to break through the clouds by the time I finish.</td></tr>
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There wasn't just running though. I also had a bunch of work to do - which I may or may not have gotten done that week.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8pUc4k3NYp1XSx42D4DeR6FP4bo-xna7OEKd-AoMD6r4qqHvg4vAgFr-rQ4Evk_5LFYKRHRQCeOj2D6gn_V3NNSyDfxvsBhLU2B1ZoyiVbUK5kyp2Gz-KlnmOR-647mtJIJSCpM-0VE/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8pUc4k3NYp1XSx42D4DeR6FP4bo-xna7OEKd-AoMD6r4qqHvg4vAgFr-rQ4Evk_5LFYKRHRQCeOj2D6gn_V3NNSyDfxvsBhLU2B1ZoyiVbUK5kyp2Gz-KlnmOR-647mtJIJSCpM-0VE/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always fresh cake at my parents' house. This one was actually made <br />by a close friend of my mom, who heard I will be coming to visit - so she made a cake! <br />Isn't that the nicest thing?!</td></tr>
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Week 7 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>): <div>
02/17/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ 6.1 miles </i><i>(6:41, 8:45, 8:32, 8:07, 9:22, 9:49 - overall: 8:36)</i><br />
02/18/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ 4 miles </i><i>(9:16, 9:28, 9:47, 9:28 - overall: 9:27)</i><br />
02/19/14: <b>5 mile run</b><i>/ 3.2 miles </i><i>(9:32, 9:41, 9:35 - overall: 9:08)</i><br />
02/20/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
02/21/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ 9 miles </i><i>(9:26, 9:13, 9:35, 9:56, 9:49, 10:13, 9:38, 9:45, 9:32 - overall: 9:42)</i><br />
02/22/14: <b>9 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
02/23/14: <b>cross</b><i>/ cross</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Week 8 (<b>Plan</b>/ <i>What I did</i>): </div>
<div>
02/24/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ 4.4 miles </i><i>(no data - overall: 9:35)</i></div>
<div>
02/25/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
02/26/14: <b>5 mile pace</b><i>/ cross</i><br />
02/27/14: <b>3 mile run</b><i>/ 3.2 miles </i><i>(9:21, 9:35, 9:46 - overall: 9:36)</i><br />
02/28/14: <b>Rest</b><i>/ Rest</i><br />
03/01/14: <b>10 mile run</b><i>/ 10.1 miles </i><i>(2 mi. 9:15, 4mi. 9:45, 6mi. 10:08, 8mi. 9:53, 10mi. 9:51 </i><br />
<i>- overall: 9:48)</i><br />
03/02/14: <b>cross</b><i>/Rest</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
I know that at times, I altered the plan quite a bit. Most of the time, it was due to traveling or appointments that I couldn't move. Generally, I'm trying to run on those days that I "should" (according to the plan), but if I can't make it, I attempt to hit an overall milage during that week that is somewhat close to the planned milage. Sometimes I end up with more (if the weather is nice, I have a good run, or if I miscalculate the route before I start), sometimes with less. </div>
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No matter how crazy things get, nothing can beat the happiness of having coffee together in the morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipL-7TESaoYWmmmJQQFMWhChP8mzUepUKknfiImhvclPtlHFaAyVhwYro5hqe-sBoviwIM5bWXBKNfNTvTyPifqZvdQgVYOS5OIs1-T0qi27XwHiD6PvHkOqDX2u82degPLhdM3YiXbuKs/s1600/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipL-7TESaoYWmmmJQQFMWhChP8mzUepUKknfiImhvclPtlHFaAyVhwYro5hqe-sBoviwIM5bWXBKNfNTvTyPifqZvdQgVYOS5OIs1-T0qi27XwHiD6PvHkOqDX2u82degPLhdM3YiXbuKs/s1600/IMG_3552.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And where is my cup?! I need my caffeine, too, people!</td></tr>
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stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-10691163954973339052014-02-03T12:37:00.003-08:002014-02-03T12:37:47.236-08:00It happened. It happened.<br />
<br />
I sent an email out.<br />
<br />
It's an email with an attached paper that I have been working on since September.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I am thinking about drinking wine out of panic that it is really on the way to my advisor, or joy that it is really on the way to my advisor.<br />
<br />
Either way, tomorrow, I will begin working on the next project.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTk6QF_NCb798czn77KC49mBsFe92KRZGfW93sFHyt3L7XJugrkPY3iu3-1P9MvCLQg9phlzVz-OF6LO2Tehzj2WSQJ-s9FR4O5Pwl2t20cOIgHvKX-qK3pjjCAKlikY-FR4gB8dOKcDH/s1600/there-is-no-finish-line-keep-going.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTk6QF_NCb798czn77KC49mBsFe92KRZGfW93sFHyt3L7XJugrkPY3iu3-1P9MvCLQg9phlzVz-OF6LO2Tehzj2WSQJ-s9FR4O5Pwl2t20cOIgHvKX-qK3pjjCAKlikY-FR4gB8dOKcDH/s1600/there-is-no-finish-line-keep-going.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First thing I learned in grad school.<br /><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/post/33251941257"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source.</span></a></td></tr>
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yay.stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-11915897835687342322014-02-01T09:33:00.003-08:002014-02-01T09:33:48.849-08:00Best decision ever and This week's long runHappy Saturday, everyone! I hope all of you had a great start into a terrific weekend!<br />
We sure did! This is partly, because we made the best decision ever to get groceries on Friday.<br />
<br />
In Baltimore, groceries were my sole responsibility and since I would always pass by a grocery store on my way home from school, I could just pick up whatever we needed every other day or so.<br />
<br />
Here in Berlin, Nick and I go to the store together. It's a 15 min walk to get there and we do a big grocery trip every other week and a small trip on the weekends in between. We cook a lot here, so our big trip usually involves filling up every single bag and backpack we own and our arms hurting on the way home. I truly enjoy this time we get to spend together, but I'm not gonna lie, the carrying-everything-home-part is annoying.<br />
<br />
It's particularly pleasant to deal with a gazillion pounds of stuff, if the stores are packed - and each Saturday, the number of people shopping is just insane.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPiGOkhzZ9joHpm53VVuCPkCY5CPYYmzTq_behyIuFyvJZMKZLuGi5nU0J6WJzd-DvW8x57cuFSqttHvIdLGmus3gLpjB_wucOxwY7367Qm0psh4S6JzUsH4qEGtaN9xVlptwCGzd3t8G/s1600/stampede.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPiGOkhzZ9joHpm53VVuCPkCY5CPYYmzTq_behyIuFyvJZMKZLuGi5nU0J6WJzd-DvW8x57cuFSqttHvIdLGmus3gLpjB_wucOxwY7367Qm0psh4S6JzUsH4qEGtaN9xVlptwCGzd3t8G/s1600/stampede.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like. <br />You see the one in the black coat? That would be me.<br /><a href="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/">Source.</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Instead, we had a relaxing grocery experience. It was heavenly. Except the sidewalks weren't nicely shoveled, but one can't have everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdeAA2LqALVTY73OA18pdrlorwTA_MQJLiIgT-QJC42efg9XmJBg94FOFBaYrxkhMWKW3FnqOnQToBmX1BaLU1TnnLBNHY7wqi1GESw1LEfh-0rDDf9DQFZnCmb8MQ2IYzreZxMmzbBVA/s1600/home+alone.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdeAA2LqALVTY73OA18pdrlorwTA_MQJLiIgT-QJC42efg9XmJBg94FOFBaYrxkhMWKW3FnqOnQToBmX1BaLU1TnnLBNHY7wqi1GESw1LEfh-0rDDf9DQFZnCmb8MQ2IYzreZxMmzbBVA/s1600/home+alone.gif" height="359" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin, I envy you for your snow-shoveling neighbors.<br /><a href="http://img.pandawhale.com/">Source.</a></td></tr>
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Another reason for us to move the grocery trip up one day, was today's long run. I had the feeling that I didn't really want to walk to the store and <strike>waste</strike> spend hours in line, after my morning run. So without stressing about whether we would still be able to get eggs and tomatoes after I got back, I could just run and spend every single minute planning what I was going to have for breakfast once I got home.<br />
<br />
The best part of this morning: it was 36F outside! Amazing!<br />
<br />
I did 7 miles that took me by some of the landmarks here in the city. I ran past the zoo, through Tiergarten Park, past the Brandenburg gate, and Potsdamer Platz. It's wonderful that we have such incredible, historic places right at our door step and it really keeps the runs much more interesting.<br />
<br />
What are you up to today?<br />
<br />
Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428421068284978336.post-90071693850995923072014-01-29T14:11:00.000-08:002014-01-31T14:59:34.929-08:00Want to read something random?I've been looking through my phone and realized that I missed to post a number awesome things we did during this first month of the year.<br />
<br />
Before I post a good number of pictures though, let me tell you how yesterday, I had plans to run 3 miles and ended up doing 4, because it felt really good to be running. It was awesome. <br />
Today, I disliked every second of every single one of the 3 miles I did. How does this happen?! None of these runs are long, so they all should be nothing but fantastic and unicorns.<br />
<br />
Anyways. Now, I can tell you about the wonderful things we have done this month that (for some reason) never made it to this blog.<br />
<br />
On January 1st, we had our one and only take out for this month!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdy_pZi47_QedtxPVUi1qTeEetuuL-zPe7ktyszWewR6TpRA3BXsqYX5vxtw_AuGZC3gmNV_Qc0xRA4uVrlUBg0AcsrF8N25ZvqEvfyQwMGDHO05HZPA8NmYJ5iUlrplRa5QWhUSFExz/s1600/IMG_3326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdy_pZi47_QedtxPVUi1qTeEetuuL-zPe7ktyszWewR6TpRA3BXsqYX5vxtw_AuGZC3gmNV_Qc0xRA4uVrlUBg0AcsrF8N25ZvqEvfyQwMGDHO05HZPA8NmYJ5iUlrplRa5QWhUSFExz/s1600/IMG_3326.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture is blurry, because I was shaking from starvation. <br />
Not because I am terrible at taking pictures. </td></tr>
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Then, we celebrated my birthday! I know, such a big event. Practically an international holiday! - and I didn't even tell you when it happened. Trust me, you didn't miss a huge party. We had a very low key day with lots of food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87VfzgndjlABUGMxEEhcmvAz9-xrEs8Boy4znQkM-Vt0LVWUWfLrq-51tqca6_Q1R1PQEZjS1E8r-hCJdt1hyphenhyphenGMvEvXT2zDNWPTHqHBVJqJMO9tVHBgabPxhb4zd-Oe13sABIBLuSPLm/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87VfzgndjlABUGMxEEhcmvAz9-xrEs8Boy4znQkM-Vt0LVWUWfLrq-51tqca6_Q1R1PQEZjS1E8r-hCJdt1hyphenhyphenGMvEvXT2zDNWPTHqHBVJqJMO9tVHBgabPxhb4zd-Oe13sABIBLuSPLm/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cake and ice cream for breakfast! Fruit cake plus mango and yoghurt-lemon ice cream for me, chocolate-bomb cake and camouflage ice cream for Nick.<br />
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We also did the next fun thing there is and went to a castle/ museum. If you ever come to Berlin, you have to visit the Castle Charlottenburg. I don't want to tell you too much - just know that Friedrich the Great was born in that castle. Yes. I know! It's pretty exciting!<br />
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I made friends again, because I didn't realize that it wasn't allowed to take pictures. I'm glad the one I took was this incredibly pretty boy... (not sure who it is, I was getting yelled at and had to flee quickly).<br />
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If anyone recognizes this child, please share.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG3zIfd-NeNX9RvwVvVNzHYLqRGDpQp9opMK7COfrcMnjrKNj5H-DM6SugdI5ofUb5KENd1oQca10FMq5IswDeZ3HA0ElEAnpyvuOWNUZXTDjfLLCN9bJGOpMaf4-IQoQtKi8YIhmhpXP/s1600/IMG_3331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG3zIfd-NeNX9RvwVvVNzHYLqRGDpQp9opMK7COfrcMnjrKNj5H-DM6SugdI5ofUb5KENd1oQca10FMq5IswDeZ3HA0ElEAnpyvuOWNUZXTDjfLLCN9bJGOpMaf4-IQoQtKi8YIhmhpXP/s1600/IMG_3331.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who am I?!</td></tr>
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Later that day, we went out for drinks. I never have cocktails. Ever. This was the first time in 5 years that I ordered one.<br />
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Best part: we didn't know it was happy hour and they gave each of us two!<br />
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I thought it was a birthday special just for me, but apparently, they do that every single day from 5-8pm. What a beautiful invention.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofOebf_tAmaiTn340qh7wmMLSPZHQY0AEVc8RqOSy5NYVG-hzCJXKGUkow39a5sGHCaQY5krWv83FpW5pjzWqiY1-i2LshkGVcFTsBt7Sexq8rRmripbHgCjv1ykEXws7f14zWWDM9A5F/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofOebf_tAmaiTn340qh7wmMLSPZHQY0AEVc8RqOSy5NYVG-hzCJXKGUkow39a5sGHCaQY5krWv83FpW5pjzWqiY1-i2LshkGVcFTsBt7Sexq8rRmripbHgCjv1ykEXws7f14zWWDM9A5F/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Did I mention it was a beach bar?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1yKRKZ79L2jpnGPyYzR8m-1jJSLWVXv0YHV2I0GxDoaClpshacqZXYaAQ65DmHGefkWC_DTOpnCA-vyyvQ3se1L-kolgxO8fdQjknCttNzO8yFeE11q0dwmlUfjSXHhOn5i9dfN8_OXH/s1600/IMG_3334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1yKRKZ79L2jpnGPyYzR8m-1jJSLWVXv0YHV2I0GxDoaClpshacqZXYaAQ65DmHGefkWC_DTOpnCA-vyyvQ3se1L-kolgxO8fdQjknCttNzO8yFeE11q0dwmlUfjSXHhOn5i9dfN8_OXH/s1600/IMG_3334.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew that dumping a ton of sand on the ground <br />
really makes you feel you are on vacation!?</td></tr>
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We actually just happened to go again with a wonderful couple who decided to move to Berlin very soon!!! YAY! I am incredibly excited about this, because she is an old friend of mine who I hadn't seen in 6 or 7(?) years.<br />
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On January 10, Nick and I had a very special date night planned. Eddie Izzard was in town and while he was scheduled to do a program in German for a few days, he did one single show in English. That's the one we went to and it was hysterical. I don't think I've laughed this hard for an hour straight before. Well done, Eddie, well done!<br />
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No photographs or video were allowed during the show, but managed to take one picture the second he came on stage.<br />
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We had pretty awesome seats! The waitress confused us by putting random drinks on our table. I guess she thought we were thirsty.<br />
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A few days ago, I had to take the light rain and passed through the main train station. This is where Nick and I (and all the other people on this planet) celebrated the beginning of the new year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHfSD6jhoVRoEw-uaLYP4KI_XsD8z8cYhdNLpsqCzyWwn53ytmsFPX9ZPL0UsDUJbdk6jGzinRMpgvFUBzIICvbV92i80yYMjlM7R5j7OQWAuLtNnWsEjqbbJTJAlU6mEwle4ai1_Fzz/s1600/IMG_3404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHfSD6jhoVRoEw-uaLYP4KI_XsD8z8cYhdNLpsqCzyWwn53ytmsFPX9ZPL0UsDUJbdk6jGzinRMpgvFUBzIICvbV92i80yYMjlM7R5j7OQWAuLtNnWsEjqbbJTJAlU6mEwle4ai1_Fzz/s1600/IMG_3404.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not inside, of course, but at the square right in front of the building. </td></tr>
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I think, this is from now on my favorite place in the city. Although I have never been a fan of New Year's parties, this was by far the best celebration I have ever experienced.<br />
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Let's hope that the next months will be as wonderful as our start into this year, or at least less scary than the past couple of weeks.<br />
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Happy Wednesday, everyone!<br />
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<br />stinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999917167360494147noreply@blogger.com0