Ironic.

“We nurture and care for the things we love and feel connected to. We neglect and destroy the things we do not.” –Unknown

How many of your relationships (with a family member, a friend, yourself, the things that surround you in your world) follow the path of this thought?

My Beebs...

Makin' it happen in the kitchen. :) I had to blog this photo because I came across it just now and realized I cannot let the last post happen without telling you all how much help Daniel has been around the house. He helped me to put together this cabinet we bought for Bea's kitchen, he helped to paint the cealings in the dining room ( I HATE painting cealings), he has repaired many small things around the house and all while he is working on a major project to simplify the coats and shoes mess that currently clutters the staircase. But, this is not the time for discussing that. Those pics will come later! He is still working hard on that.

I am a darn lucky girl to have married such a good man. And, he can build and fix things. Not that he always knows how it can be done, but he always knows he can study a little and figure it out, my kinda guy. :)

Pointe your toes please...

I used to love to dance. Actually, I still do deep inside. But since I had my knee injury in 2001 I've been through a rollercoaster of emotions and physical experiences which has led me not to dance for the last 8 years. I miss it. I can often be found doing ballet in the corner when I think no one is watching or listening to my old Tchaikovsky CDs. Especially at Christmas time.

I did attempt to find a new studio when I was 19 to pick it up again but, I couldn't really find anywhere I thought I would fit in. I was apparently too old for dancing with the younger, more advanced girls, but I felt to young and embarrassed to be in an "adult" class with the older ladies (who, at the time, I felt I couldnt relate to and the class was just not strong enough for me). I was crushed and couldnt believe it. Actually, now I realize, I was stupid because my ego kept me from dancing for 8 years.


Thankfully, a certain chain of very special events and a little more humilty in the last years has led me to finding another studio in Hannover that has great classes for old dancers (of all levels) just like me. The owner is an older gentelman who has danced all his life. He never left it. In 1981 he said he stopped dancing professionally and opened the studio in Hannover to teach. For one week I had been planning to visit his studio after a recommendation from my pilates instructor (a retired pro-ballerina). When it came to be Monday, the day I was supposed to go, I was exhausted from the kids and had nearly made myself sick with fear and nervousness about being allowed to go into a studio again. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who had been listening to and watching me all these years and knows my love for dance. Late at night he encouraged me and then dragged me to downtown Hannover. It was so good to be there again. I loved watching the older dancers. I could remember all the moves they did, a good sign...but I still felt sick with fear that I wouldnt be able to do them anymore. When the class was over, Yener Durukan, the owner came to talk with us. He told me I could come back Tuesday to take a class and he would evaluate where I could start. I was so pleased to find I had the opportunity to take a class every night of the week here. And it was inexpensive!


So, I went. I took my first ballet class yesterday and it was really humbling. I was there to be evaluated for what classes I could take. At the end of class, I thought, "well, final eval = at least you know what ballet LOOKS like." Ha! Granted, I havent done ballet since I was 13. I did jazz & poms for 5 more years until I was 18, but then I had my accident. It was really interesting to be the same girl (in mind), doing moves my body remembers, but without the control, the precision, and the softness I used to. So, my strength is not there. My technique is not there. And I was probably pretty horrible. But, I have to admit, I REALLY REALLY HAD A LOT OF FUN. It was amazing to put on a pair of ballet shoes again (those are my new ones in that picture above).


The class was challenging, as Yener said it would be. But he is an extremely patient teacher who loves to stretch you to your limits. It was great to be challenged again. I forgot all of my worries from the day. There is no time to think, only time to dance and feel. Before we started he spent about a half an hour getting to know me, my history with dance, my issue with my knee and the way I've treated it the last 8 years. He was very careful to help remind me to take it slowly and be sensitive to my body. I understand why so many retired dancers and girls like me attend his studio. He is fabulous.


I felt funny when I came home last night and had a very mixed set of emotions. One was sheer excitement/joy, and the other embarrassment. But, really, this man is not critical. He is a wonderful person who knows the love a dancer has for movement. He respects even the most rediculous of us. :) Really, it is a time of reconciliation with myself for the experiences I've chosen to have and the place I am in today. Oh, the roads you travel on in life...how interesting it is!


Today, I can really feel the parts of my body that I had no strength in yesterday. No wonder dancers look so fabulous. These are the best parts!


So, tonight I will take it easier and go to pilates. I will dance again on Thursday. Next week if I am stronger I will dance Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Eventually, he said, I can work up to the more advanced classes again. I am really thrilled. So, wish me luck and quick healing!

Our Friends

So, I thought, since we are always mentioning our friends M & S I ought to blog and share with you who they are. These pictures are from two weekends ago when we had some extra time on a Sunday to spare. It was a beautiful day so I think we barbecqued in the evening, the boys fixed a chainsaw, the kids really worked hard to better their hoola-hooping skills, and us girls read books in the garden and chatted. So, M&S have 2 lovely children, K (5), and J (4), and two birds, Rocky & Piefke (apparently means "Little One" in Germany). They live here in the same village but in a new build community. Its quite a bit different from where we are living with our host family because the houses are much closer, and everything is mostly brick surrounding the houses. But everyone has a yard (varying sizes).

In this picture Daniel was helping M to rebuild his chainsaw so that they could cut some more wood for burning in the fireplace in the winter. Hard to believe when you see how much wood they already have, huh? But, that's really the only heating they use here.

They have a nice new Audi A3! And weee loooove it! :)

This is K. He was busy looking good while watching his Papa and Daniel do guy stuff.

Their house. Despite what age this style may represent to you, this house is only 3 years old. On the left is their carport, and small garage, and on the right is a bed of rocks for the kids to play on, and the beginnings of their flowerbeds. Behind it is their backyard.
S has had a horse all her life...so, this is a horse family. A welcoming sign for the English speakin' folks. :)
And for the "Germs" :)
Here is Miss J. :) She is sweet, loves horses too-just like her mommy, and, apparently, hoola-hooping. She spent so many hours practicing on this day AND every time I come over again I HAVE TO watch her show me her improvments!
So the funny thing is that K totally has the hip movements for hoola-hooping. He is a natural and can go forever. J has to really try a little harder. Shame for us girls that sometimes boys can move so much better! Here are S & K competing for longest hoola-hooping ability. I guess while I'm at it I will introduce you to the rest of the family. This is Rocky. And here is Piefke. Which, apparently, means "little one", or something, to German people. Now I took this picture to show my mom because I really thought that if you have birds, your house will always, inevitably, have bird poo smeared somewhere, feathers flying around, or, at least, the remaints of their nuggets they eat strewn on the floor below their cage. BUT(!), and I know this picture only represents one moment in time, these birds dont ever throw food on their floor and there is nooo birdy poo in their house anywhere! And, yes, they do get to fly around for about 2 hours a day. I was amazed. Thus my rediculous paragraph about this. :)
So, they have a very beautiful home, which S keeps very nicely, despite having the added difficulty of kids, toys and birds. They love bright colors, which is not unlike many German households actyally, and I always feel very light when I am there.

Here is a picture of one of the fireplaces that they have here. What I mean is this one is representative of the many fireplaces in the homes in Germany. Not like ours back home. We might actually be adding one of these to our little cottage for a different, more cozy, kind of heat for the winter. :) Will post pics if we do!
The rest of these photos were pictures I took of their lovely yard. They, too, like to garden. And, I really appreciate it! Thanks to my mom and dad and Oma & Opa who have always worked hard in their yards, I have a real understanding of what it takes to create such a pretty place.

Here is a pic of, what I thought was, an interesting kind of pine. Love the long needles. Reminds me of fireworks exploding when I see it. Happy. :)

This is actually the neigbors palm. Funny, I wouldn't have guessed they could grow here!

A Banana tree/shrub...something. It will actually grow bananas some time, I guess.

View from the back door. This is where we sit and have our dinners outside. We often barbecue.

This is where we barbecue. M built this beautiful thing. Its actually the other side of the rock pit.

S's olive bush and her tomatoe plants (which, mmmmm, smell so good - like homegrown tomatoes!)

A crazy plant that looks like coral when you can see it with your own eyes. This picture is not so good. Its really neat!

Our view from the barbecue/hearth. Like I said, the neighborhood has small yards, but its enough for the kids swing set, and soccer net! Its great! Not too much work either! That big terecotta pot on the right of the patio is actually an oil lamp! Its so nice at night!

A lovely bench under the trees. :)

We Made A SMART Decision

We bought a car! So after driving a classic Mini with Marlayna, it was clear that it wasn't the best option. Didn't fit well and we didn't like how it drove. It handled well but the engine/trans didn't feel good at all (although this was an older carbed version, fuel injected ones may be better).

Anyway, we decided to look for something else. We still wanted small with character and ended up getting a 2002 Smart Car, red with black accents. It actually has the more interior space for two occupants of any car I have ever been in! And it is really comfortable and the European version gets over 60MPG (although the US one does get less...go figure).

I would love to post pictures of OUR car....but I can't yet because we don't actually have it yet thanks to all the government complexities here. I put a downpayment yesterday to hold to car. Now I need to wait a few days for the dealer to get the car TUV approved (safety regulation board). Then I go back to the dealership in Hannover to pick up ownership papers BUT NO CAR and then drive to the registration office to get plates, title, etc. Then I need to get insurance set up AFTER I do all that. And then I can finally go pick up my car. Way easier in the States!!!

And yes, we have seen them parked like this (c:

I Hear This Music & Think Of You.

When I met him, I instantly wanted to be his friend. But I couldn't really fathom why I should be a part of such a wonderful family, why I would deserve so much love, or how I could fit into this group of inspiring women. When he adopted me as another beloved Ylvisaker kid it was the beginning of a friendship so encouraging, so precious, filled with so much love. It is more than I had ever imgined it would be. I wanted to share these next two songs and their lyrics with you because when I hear them, I think of Dr. Y. These songs tell how I felt when I met this incredible man and explains how he changed my life. I am so grateful for what he saw in me, for the love he showed me, for the life, the wisdom, and the time he shared with me that has transformed me forever. This is what he does for every person he touches. These songs share a little about what I think makes Dr. Y one of the most precious people to have lived.

True Colors

You with the sad eyes

Dont be discouraged

Oh I realize

Its hard to take courage

In a world full of people

You can lose sight of it all

And the darkness, inside you

Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And thats why I love you

So dont be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors are beautiful,

Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,

Dont be unhappy, cant remember

When I last saw you laughing

If this world makes you crazy

And youve taken all you can bear

You call me up

Because you know Ill be there

And Ill see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And thats why I love you

So dont be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors are beautiful,

Like a rainbow

Its amazing how much he loves everyone. He taught me how beautiful people are when you realize that loving them so much helps them to see that too and then they really blossom. When you live like this, your life too will be filled with so much love it will be immeasurable...like Dr. Y's...its overflowing.

Seasons of Love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes,

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Moments so dear

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights

In cups of coffee

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure a year in the life?

How about love?

How about love?

How about love?

Measure in love

Seasons of love

Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Journeys to plan

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure the life

Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned

Or in times that he cried

In bridges he burned

Or the way that she died

It's time now to sing out

Tho' the story never ends

Let's celebrate

Remember a year in the life of friends

Remember the love

(Oh you got to, got to)

Remember the love

(Remember the love)

Seasons of love

(Measure measure you life in love)

Seasons of love

Seasons of love

It May Be Mini....

...but its Uber-Cool! (c:

So as Marlayna had mentioned a week or so ago, we are looking to get a car so we can get out and explore more. While there are a ton of really cheap cars we could buy that would get the job done just fine, we felt that it would be more fun to spend a little more and get something with a little more character....a Mini Cooper! It may be almost the exact same as it was when it was designed around 1959 (and this is a 2000 model year) but they are really neat cars. They drive like an adult-sized go cart (handle really well).

So today I went to go and look at THIS Mini. Well actually a different one originally, but that one was in really poor shape, but the dealer had two more blue ones I looked at that were in really good shape (pics). Mini's are really unique - everything about them is a little off (steering wheel is angled funny, pedals are towards the center of the car, etc) but this is part of what adds the character.

Unfortunately, they were asking a lot for the two nicer ones, 5,699€ for this one (about $8,100 USD) so I had to pass, otherwise I think I would have gotten this one today if it was more reasonably priced. It also had the brushed/swirled aluminum interior which I really liked, while most have a wood grain.

In order to still get a Mini Cooper and have it be in the range of what we want to spend, it looks like we may have to get one that doesn't have an airbag and side-impact-bars (added in 1997). To be honest, a Mini Cooper isn't the safest car in the world even with these features so who knows, maybe we will sacrifice. I am planning on checking out this one tomorrow (below). It is red with white stripes - I liked the blue much better but oh well...

Dream Job at Mansory?

I (Daniel) put together an application packet with a cover letter (in German) explaining my passion for modified high performance vehicles and about how I want to make it my life's work, along with my engineering and personal experience with modifying cars, German resume, and English resume. I sent out 11 of these to various high-end aftermarket car companies, and....

I GOT A REPLY BACK! The company that I was most excited about got back to me within 2 days! I had sent the application pack to the owner of the company, and he had already talked it over with the company's business development director and they e-mailed me back 2 days later saying that they found my application very interesting! They wanted to speak to me further as long as I was willing to move nearer to their headquarters (Brand, Germany). I will let you all know how it goes from here! Wish me the best!

Here are some pics of cars they have built...

Bonjour!

I am so excited! We are going to Paris for our *1 year anniversary*! Four days in Paris...hmm, I wonder if Daniel will go with me to a cabaret? :) ha!

"My wife's built like you...just a little bit...lighter."

Yah, if I took this even one time a week I'd be lighter than me too! Ha!

I took my first spinning class today with a british english guy named Steve! He is an absolutely fabulous man. It was a CRAZY hard class. I am inspired by the endurance, and stamina of the people in the class, two women in mid fifties, and mid seventies. Nothing I have EVER done on my bike has even KIND OF compared to that. It was so difficult. I nearly passed out at 25 minutes. Then I skated through the next ten-fifteen minutes and all of a sudden (my body must have switched over to fat burning, hooray!) I found a blast of new energy. I was so thankful! When we stopped "climbing hills" at 55 minutes and sat down on our seats my legs wouldn't peddle (sp?). I really had to try hard to make them move again. I was truely amazed because I really didnt feel like that when we were ending the class! We were all soaking with sweat from 20 minutes on (one of those fabulously purifying kinds of workouts) and my hair was totally curling in all directions defying even the restraints of my ponytail holder and bobby pins.