Europe, Post 4: Berlin and Germany

Ok, I know its been like a week since I last posted pictures of Europe... Well I took tons of pictures (at least 6 gig worth which was about 1000 pics). I would love to show you all of them, but frankly you would be bored out of your mind. Well enjoy these ones.

Here I'm coming back to Germany from London. I felt like a celebrity by walking outside to get on and off the plane. This is Pia's House. Most the houses were A-framed with red brick and roofs. I found them very unique and lovely. This is a part of the Berlin walll. It was snowing and really cold but the wall was pretty sweet looking. I actually rubbed off some silver paint onto my backpack accidentally. Yes, that silver paint is still on it. Do I dare use or wash my bag? By the way, Berlin was awesome. It was crazy to think of what happened there and see so many historical buildings.

These blocks of cement are the memorial for the Jewish Historical Museum of Berlin. It was a very interesting and moving monument. It looks level but as you walk through the blocks the ground rolls like hills and the blocks get bigger and smaller.

It definitely left you with the feeling of intimidation and loneliness, such as I imagine many of the Jews felt. The museum itself was really touching. I couldn't believe the stories of survival and the last words of the Jews that suffered during the Holocaust. I highly recommend this museum to anyone who happens to go to Berlin. This is the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Ok, so we are no longer in Berlin. This is the North Sea in Cuxhaven. It was really kind of cool. When the tide went out you could walk on the water... ok not on the water but almost. The water looked deep but it was really shallow for a long way out. You could even walk out to this island. The catch was getting back before the tide came in. Sort of trippy huh? It was beautiful out there. And here is Pia's lovely family. Her dad, younger sister Ranja (didn't speak english but was still fun to hang out with), mom, younger brother Jan-nicholas (was very funny and was so brave to try his english on me, which was very good), Pia, and then Pia's boyfriend Bruno (the nicest German guy ever, perfect for Pia). I also met Pia's older sister Sara who was really nice. But her other sister, Rebecca, is in Australia so I didn't meet her. They were such a nice family. They reminded me so much of my own family that I felt at home by the time I was leaving. I was very sad to have to leave them. I hope I can go and see them again soon. Well I will put up some more pictures later. For now Tschuss!!

YAY for Spring

So this past week the weather has been so beautiful I have studied outside next to the Museum of Art. There is this group of blossom trees, that are absolutely gorgeous, that I like to lay under.

There was this nice breeze one day which caused the petals to come off the trees and fly everywhere; it was like snow but much prettier and not cold.

good ol' friday

So today actually started out surpisingly good. In spanish we had a fiesta which means there was food and a movie in spanish. Then I went to work and that is where the dread set in. To me, it was no longer a friday because I had to work on a 10 pg. research paper, deathly. Well, after work I walked to the library to continue to work on my slow death. To my wonderful surprise, there was a small happening at Brigham Square. There was free food, rockclimbing, and I got a free shirt. Well, if anything, it made writing my paper a little better. To make life even better, tommorow is General Conference, which means for me no thoughts of homework during any of the session. Oh the sweet relief of the

The Thrill of being Chaste

I came across this article on msn. I think it is so cool that there others discovering the beauty and joy of remaining to be a virgin until after they are married. This article is short and I think worth the time to read.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23437024/?GT1=43001

High Intensity Stress and Aggression Management

I must first wipe away all questions from your mind of who those two girls are. They are neither Sierra nor I. Yes, we could probably take those two girls on in a whim, but we try to restrain such aggressive behavior on others. However, Sierra and I both struggle when it comes to David or Brigg (particurally Sierra, watch out she's fiesty). But that is why we both now have light sabers of our own, in which we can take them both on with out doing too much bodily damage (however some damage is inevitable).

However, I have discovered stress and aggression management through BYU aerobics. I found that they offer a high intensity kickboxing class without contact to another human being. I was at first hesitant about such a class, and thought it would be lame-o. Well, I was wrong. It was beyond intense. At the beginning of the class I was confident, and I knew all the moves. However after 1/2 hour, I found myself suffering with pain. I did not think I would survive to the end of the hour to see my dearly beloved Brigg or family again. My life was flashing before my eyes. How I survived, I know not. I was brought down to the depth of all humility; in my bones, muscles and mind. Yet I shall endure; right now I'm the apprentice, but soon you shall learn to call me Master.