I know that I only have a few more months left. . but right now I feel so overwhelmed with work and it is getting hard to see the end! School is filled with so much busy work that some days does not make any sense. School is kind of a strange inner conflict because I love learning but only from really great teachers like ones whom I have been lucky to study from in the past. This semester is just a lot of classes that take up a lot of time. . .
But on top of that I am in three different music ensembles at school and I need to be practicing at least 3 hours every day to keep growing musically and prepare for my recital on April 18th.
. . . Yet more important then all of my complaining with moaning and groaning. . . I know how lucky I am. I am grateful that I do not have to work full time in addition to being a full time student to support me financially. I know I am blessed to even be getting a degree and finishing it in four years. I just finished studying abroad in Germany. . .
Some days it is hard for me to stop complaining, it is hard for me to get my head out of the mess with everything that is "not right" in my life. When I really should focus more on the good in my life, and all of the things I can reflect on that will encourage me to constantly be doing better. With that said, I probably should get back to studying for my three wonderful test!!
February 18, 2009
February 15, 2009
I got bored. .
A few weekends ago I got bored and decided to try a little arts and crafts project to add a little something more to my bed room. I got the directions from here . . . It only took a few hours and I think that it turned out pretty good!
I probably could have just bought a bulletin board already made. . but I liked the idea of getting to use the fabric and ribbon colors that I wanted. And it gave me something to do that wasn't just sitting infront of the television!
I probably could have just bought a bulletin board already made. . but I liked the idea of getting to use the fabric and ribbon colors that I wanted. And it gave me something to do that wasn't just sitting infront of the television!
Valenitne's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day
even though a day too late!
even though a day too late!
The day started off with flowers which such a lovely treat!
The jazz band at my school does a dinner dance thing every year, and since David had to play in it I went! Although I did not do much dancing (because David was playing the whole time) I still had a fabulous time listening and watching everyone else dance. During the day as David was off setting up I decided to try out some valentine's recipes I saw in a magazine. They look pretty good if you ask me. It was a lot of fun trying to make everything from scratch. And it was my first time baking all by myself!
Super cute brownie heart cupcakes! . . home made butter cream frosting also YUM!
A surprisingly delicious and easy to make Pear-Raspberry Heart Pie. It is kind of hard to see but the top crust is little heart shaped pieces.
February 8, 2009
Now we are back. .
I know that I never got around to putting up any pictures from Italy. . but time is quick to run away from me. We have been back now for about 2 months and that in itself is crazy to believe! Germany feels like a life time ago, we both miss it so much. Now we are back at school and we are back to working. . working very hard! We both have full academic loads about 18 units each and working outside of school too. It has been hard to try to get back into the old routine of things - but we are taking it a day at a time. Most days are filled with "remember in Heidelberg when. . ". It is nice to have that amazing part of our life to look back on. Who knows maybe one day we will be back :).
One thing that has been great is now having the time to spend with our family and friends. Both of us were so anxious to come back to see our family - and it has been wonderful to see them all. Our family was anxious to hear about our trips and see more pictures - and we were excited to share them as well! And there are a lot of stories to still be told!
One great thing about being back is that it really made us fall in love with LA again. There is no place in the world like LA - there is so much to do here, and so many people each person completely different! I was excited to just be able to drive some where at 11:00 at night for an "adventure" as we like to call it!
All in all it is great to be back!
-Jess
One thing that has been great is now having the time to spend with our family and friends. Both of us were so anxious to come back to see our family - and it has been wonderful to see them all. Our family was anxious to hear about our trips and see more pictures - and we were excited to share them as well! And there are a lot of stories to still be told!
One great thing about being back is that it really made us fall in love with LA again. There is no place in the world like LA - there is so much to do here, and so many people each person completely different! I was excited to just be able to drive some where at 11:00 at night for an "adventure" as we like to call it!
All in all it is great to be back!
-Jess
December 11, 2008
Italy
We just thought that we would let everyone know that we are doing great out here!
We are enjoying our last week out in Europe and we are excited to be coming home soon!
We are enjoying our last week out in Europe and we are excited to be coming home soon!
December 6, 2008
Italy!
We leave for Italy in just a few hours. We have a very early train and we cannot wait much longer! David is planning the last few details of all of the things that we are going to be doing in Florence and in Rome.
It is going to be a great final week in Europe!!
We cannot wait till we get to share pictures with you!
Love you all!
Counting down the days until we get to see you all
-David and Jessica
It is going to be a great final week in Europe!!
We cannot wait till we get to share pictures with you!
Love you all!
Counting down the days until we get to see you all
-David and Jessica
December 4, 2008
Finally finished with Finals!
Well! We made it through all of our finals and our final concert! All that we have left now is just to plan our final trip to Italy, pack, and then go to Italy!
We felt a bit distracted at the beginning of the week. It seemed like there was so much going on and so much to get through till we would be done and in Italy. Now we have gotten through most of it and all that we have left to do with the group is just all of our final dinners.
The head to this semester had us over last Saturday to babysit his two kids. His daughter Vivian is 5 and their son Adam is 2. They are both super cute - and pretty much love hanging out with really cool David and Jessica! The game we are most known for with the two of them is Dinosaur and Lions. David is the bad Dinosaur and the rest of us are lions. It is pretty hilarious to watch but for us I think its just a lot of fun. Tomorrow their family is having the whole group over to their house for dinner which will be fun! So that is one thing we have to look forward too, is a free meal and getting to hang out with their kids again :)
Then on Saturday night is our official final dinner for the group. They are taking us to the Hotel Ritter's restaurant. The hotel Ritter is not only the nicest but one of the most well known establishments in town, and their restaurant is very very nice. There the group is having the traditional German Christmas mean of Goose (And Jessica will get Pasta yum!). It will be a great meal and a good time for us to all get together for the final time.
Soon will follow Sunday morning! We will be very early boarding on to a train and heading out to Florence. We will get to Florence late, but we will have the 8th and the 9th all day to see the different museums. Then early morning on the 10th we head to Rome and right away we head to the Vatican to take part in a Mass lead by the Pope. Then we have that day as well as the 11th and 12th to see everything the city has to offer!
On the 13th we head by to Heidelberg. It will be a very very very long train ride that will last basically all day. But that is okay because I get to sit next to this Handsome fella the whole time!!
The following morning on the 14th we leave on an airplane out of Frankfurt International Airport to LAX!! And we will be home sweet home :)
We felt a bit distracted at the beginning of the week. It seemed like there was so much going on and so much to get through till we would be done and in Italy. Now we have gotten through most of it and all that we have left to do with the group is just all of our final dinners.
The head to this semester had us over last Saturday to babysit his two kids. His daughter Vivian is 5 and their son Adam is 2. They are both super cute - and pretty much love hanging out with really cool David and Jessica! The game we are most known for with the two of them is Dinosaur and Lions. David is the bad Dinosaur and the rest of us are lions. It is pretty hilarious to watch but for us I think its just a lot of fun. Tomorrow their family is having the whole group over to their house for dinner which will be fun! So that is one thing we have to look forward too, is a free meal and getting to hang out with their kids again :)
Then on Saturday night is our official final dinner for the group. They are taking us to the Hotel Ritter's restaurant. The hotel Ritter is not only the nicest but one of the most well known establishments in town, and their restaurant is very very nice. There the group is having the traditional German Christmas mean of Goose (And Jessica will get Pasta yum!). It will be a great meal and a good time for us to all get together for the final time.
Soon will follow Sunday morning! We will be very early boarding on to a train and heading out to Florence. We will get to Florence late, but we will have the 8th and the 9th all day to see the different museums. Then early morning on the 10th we head to Rome and right away we head to the Vatican to take part in a Mass lead by the Pope. Then we have that day as well as the 11th and 12th to see everything the city has to offer!
On the 13th we head by to Heidelberg. It will be a very very very long train ride that will last basically all day. But that is okay because I get to sit next to this Handsome fella the whole time!!
The following morning on the 14th we leave on an airplane out of Frankfurt International Airport to LAX!! And we will be home sweet home :)
December 1, 2008
Finals Week!
We can barely believe it!! This is our last week living in Heidelberg. This week is our week of finals but we are not worried about any of them really. So what we are really focusing on this week is planning for our trip to Rome next week!!! We are planning on spending 2 days in Florence and 3 days in Rome! There is so much to see in these cities. We are looking forward to seeing all of the Roman ruins, art work, and experience the History there. David faxed in a request to get tickets for an audience with the Pope! We are both looking forward to seeing him.
More about this week. They now have this huge Christmas Market all around Heidelberg! This afternoon we are planning on walking around and taking pictures of the town decorated for Christmas. So look forward to seeing those soon!
Last night our group had our final concert! Everyone played a short piece that they have been working on this semester. Jessica played a part of a song she plans to do in her Recital. David played the last 2 movements of one of the several pieces he has learned this semester. Also he played a piece that he wrote this semester in his composition lessons. He has been learning about 21st century music and the piece is written off the 12 tone system and different techniques used in the 20th century. Everyone really enjoyed hearing his piece and if you ask me, it was amazing! I always love watching him playing something that he wrote.
It was really great to get to hear every one in the group play. All of our teachers were there also, so it was great to have their support. It is sad to think that this semseter is coming to an end and we will not be able to continue studying here. But more then that we are so anxious to be back home with our families.
1 Week and 6 Days left!
More about this week. They now have this huge Christmas Market all around Heidelberg! This afternoon we are planning on walking around and taking pictures of the town decorated for Christmas. So look forward to seeing those soon!
Last night our group had our final concert! Everyone played a short piece that they have been working on this semester. Jessica played a part of a song she plans to do in her Recital. David played the last 2 movements of one of the several pieces he has learned this semester. Also he played a piece that he wrote this semester in his composition lessons. He has been learning about 21st century music and the piece is written off the 12 tone system and different techniques used in the 20th century. Everyone really enjoyed hearing his piece and if you ask me, it was amazing! I always love watching him playing something that he wrote.
It was really great to get to hear every one in the group play. All of our teachers were there also, so it was great to have their support. It is sad to think that this semseter is coming to an end and we will not be able to continue studying here. But more then that we are so anxious to be back home with our families.
1 Week and 6 Days left!
November 29, 2008
Cologne
This is us walking to the Chocolate Museum. In the background is one of the several great churches in the town.
The main treasure to the Cologne Cathedral is this Golden Shrine to the three Magi. It was made around 1200, and it is absolutely breath taking as you can see here!
Inside of the Chocolate Museum was this chocolate fountain of a golden coco tree. They would dip in vanilla wafers into the chocolate of this fountain and give them out as samples. It was so so so good!
A part of the museum had several workers demonstrating different parts of the production of Chocolate. It was neat to watch each one do their individual jobs. There was one lady who was hand wrapping this huge hallow chocolate Santa in his aluminum wrapper.
Our delicious treat in the cafe of the Museum. Jessica could barely finish either one of her items because it was all so much! But it was really good! This museum was a lot of fun, maybe the highlight of the day!
The main treasure to the Cologne Cathedral is this Golden Shrine to the three Magi. It was made around 1200, and it is absolutely breath taking as you can see here!
Inside of the Chocolate Museum was this chocolate fountain of a golden coco tree. They would dip in vanilla wafers into the chocolate of this fountain and give them out as samples. It was so so so good!
A part of the museum had several workers demonstrating different parts of the production of Chocolate. It was neat to watch each one do their individual jobs. There was one lady who was hand wrapping this huge hallow chocolate Santa in his aluminum wrapper.
Our delicious treat in the cafe of the Museum. Jessica could barely finish either one of her items because it was all so much! But it was really good! This museum was a lot of fun, maybe the highlight of the day!
Pictures from David's Birthday!
We had a great 2 days celebrating David's Birthday! We really love going to museums and experiencing new places together - which is why I felt this town was a perfect place for us to go! Right when you walk out of the main station you see the Cologne Dom. Then right behind that Church are 2 museums, and just a short walk father down the river is the Chocolate museum! It was a lot of fun! And since everything was so close, it worked out better then we could have imagined!
This is during David's birthday dinner. We went to a more traditional German restaurant that is just right down the main street from us. It was really delicious, and a great time!
This is beautiful Cologne! This shot is from across the river showing the Dom at night time.
Up close to the Dom. This church was HUGE, it seemed even bigger than the Notre Dame.
We climbed over 500 steps to the top of the front towers of the Dom! And here is a great shot showing the museums right under the church and the city.
This is where we decided to have our Thanksgiving dinner! There were some groups with actual full Turkeys there. But a Cheese burger and Veggie burger were the perfect alternative for us!
This is during David's birthday dinner. We went to a more traditional German restaurant that is just right down the main street from us. It was really delicious, and a great time!
This is beautiful Cologne! This shot is from across the river showing the Dom at night time.
Up close to the Dom. This church was HUGE, it seemed even bigger than the Notre Dame.
We climbed over 500 steps to the top of the front towers of the Dom! And here is a great shot showing the museums right under the church and the city.
This is where we decided to have our Thanksgiving dinner! There were some groups with actual full Turkeys there. But a Cheese burger and Veggie burger were the perfect alternative for us!
November 26, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Today is David's Birthday and we have had a great day of celebrating!!
We started the day off with Breakfast in bed (for David) and a beautiful (if I do say so myself) handcrafted birthday card.
Then German class. But it is an enjoyable class so that is good.
After class David opened his first gift which was a scarf that I have been knitting during this semester. The colors in the yarn, length and size all turned out to be perfect! And it looks awesome on David!
Next both had to go to our lessons. Both went really well.
Then at 6pm we finally met up again and got ready to go to dinner.
We went to a small restaurant right next to where we live known for their huge portions of meat. David got a Sirloin steak and I got on of the 6 vegetarian entrees offered. Both meals were delicious and it was a great dinner! During our dinner David got to open his final gift which was. . .
A surprise Day trip to Cologne (Köln) Germany! This great town has a huge Gothic Cathedral and several wonderful museums. It is not to far away and it will be a great way for us to spend our Thanksgiving together!
We will update this blog with more information when we get back. And post up plenty of pictures! :)
It was a great day for the both of us! And we are both excited for our little adventure tomorrow!
We started the day off with Breakfast in bed (for David) and a beautiful (if I do say so myself) handcrafted birthday card.
Then German class. But it is an enjoyable class so that is good.
After class David opened his first gift which was a scarf that I have been knitting during this semester. The colors in the yarn, length and size all turned out to be perfect! And it looks awesome on David!
Next both had to go to our lessons. Both went really well.
Then at 6pm we finally met up again and got ready to go to dinner.
We went to a small restaurant right next to where we live known for their huge portions of meat. David got a Sirloin steak and I got on of the 6 vegetarian entrees offered. Both meals were delicious and it was a great dinner! During our dinner David got to open his final gift which was. . .
A surprise Day trip to Cologne (Köln) Germany! This great town has a huge Gothic Cathedral and several wonderful museums. It is not to far away and it will be a great way for us to spend our Thanksgiving together!
We will update this blog with more information when we get back. And post up plenty of pictures! :)
It was a great day for the both of us! And we are both excited for our little adventure tomorrow!
November 23, 2008
SNOW!!!
Another Christmas Miracle! It started snowing yesterday when we took a trip to Ladenberg. There, our professor and his wife cooked us an amazing lunch and then took us around the town. Today it really started to come down though. It was so much fun to play in the snow! Nothing like snowball fights and snowmen to bring in the holiday season!
November 17, 2008
What we have been up too
The semester is now coming to an end. So much as happened since we have been here, we have gone on 3 trips, several day trips, gotten our ways through 3 academic classes and worked very hard in all of our lessons.
Our German class is still going well. The subject matter is starting to get a little big confusing. When it comes to learning a language so much of it simply is memorization. And when you do not put the time in the memorize if a noun has a male or female article it can start to get a bit over whelming. But we are glad to say that we have still managed to work our way through and at least get to the point where we feel really confident going out to restaurants and getting our food. Usually the waiter/waitress would know that we only spoke English before we even said a word. For the past few weeks our whole ordering experiences have been only in German! So that is pretty good! But of course we catch on right at the end! At least if we ever come back - we will be just fine.
Another course that we are both taking is our German History class. I think this class by far has been the best for us both. Although the course title is "Hist 121" our Professor is teaching us out of his 500 level history course! So it has been great to have that challenge. Growing up in main stream public schools, neither one of us has learned a bit of German history, so it all has been new! The class has taken us from the very first writing about the Germans by Julius Cesar all the way to the end of WWII. Learn about all of the different political influences on the country and even all of the influences this country has had on the world as been really fascinating! I think if we both had the option to take another course from our Professor Luft we would in a heart beat!
Both of our lessons have been going good. Jessica has been working hard to get all of her literature for her Senior Recital under her fingers. That has driven her to work hard and accomplish all of her goals for this semester. David's clarinet teacher has continued to push him and challenge him. Also, they realized that they both share a love for coffee Cappuccinos. At the beginning at every lesson his teacher greets him with a wonderful home made Cappuccino. His composition lessons are also going extremely well. His teacher is unbelievably talented and is pushing him in musical directions that he has yet to explore. (Although, he does stress out about these lessons a lot!)
As you can see, we are both loving our time here. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work for both of us. Now we are starting to plan for our final trip to Italy!!!
Oh and David's Birthday is eight days away!! And I think that I (Jessica) am more excited for it then him. . .
We hope every one back at home is doing well!
Love you all!
Our German class is still going well. The subject matter is starting to get a little big confusing. When it comes to learning a language so much of it simply is memorization. And when you do not put the time in the memorize if a noun has a male or female article it can start to get a bit over whelming. But we are glad to say that we have still managed to work our way through and at least get to the point where we feel really confident going out to restaurants and getting our food. Usually the waiter/waitress would know that we only spoke English before we even said a word. For the past few weeks our whole ordering experiences have been only in German! So that is pretty good! But of course we catch on right at the end! At least if we ever come back - we will be just fine.
Another course that we are both taking is our German History class. I think this class by far has been the best for us both. Although the course title is "Hist 121" our Professor is teaching us out of his 500 level history course! So it has been great to have that challenge. Growing up in main stream public schools, neither one of us has learned a bit of German history, so it all has been new! The class has taken us from the very first writing about the Germans by Julius Cesar all the way to the end of WWII. Learn about all of the different political influences on the country and even all of the influences this country has had on the world as been really fascinating! I think if we both had the option to take another course from our Professor Luft we would in a heart beat!
Both of our lessons have been going good. Jessica has been working hard to get all of her literature for her Senior Recital under her fingers. That has driven her to work hard and accomplish all of her goals for this semester. David's clarinet teacher has continued to push him and challenge him. Also, they realized that they both share a love for coffee Cappuccinos. At the beginning at every lesson his teacher greets him with a wonderful home made Cappuccino. His composition lessons are also going extremely well. His teacher is unbelievably talented and is pushing him in musical directions that he has yet to explore. (Although, he does stress out about these lessons a lot!)
As you can see, we are both loving our time here. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work for both of us. Now we are starting to plan for our final trip to Italy!!!
Oh and David's Birthday is eight days away!! And I think that I (Jessica) am more excited for it then him. . .
We hope every one back at home is doing well!
Love you all!
November 12, 2008
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