Nearly every woman, at some point in her life, has worried about her weight. I am no exception. Lately I have been looking back at pictures of myself as a young teen, thin, cute, and wondering if I can get it all back. Then it occurred to me: at the time the photo was taken I thought I was fat.
I want to shake my 15-year-old self and tell her that she's beautiful. Actually, I also want to do that to my 17-year-old sister sometimes as well. You are beautiful, don't worry about it.
Funny that I don't practice what I preach. Today I ate very little and felt a bit dizzy. That's when my friend reminded me of something that I'd forgotten about: being thin isn't everything, and even those that are thin often wish they could change something about their bodies.
Thus, I have come to the conclusion that, although I do need to eat healthier and exercise, I don't need to look like Heidi Klum to be beautiful. I have other qualities that make me beautiful, and so does every woman.
-----
I spent the last week of my vacation with the Deuke's (noticing a pattern here?)-from Tuesday to Tuesday.
I baked a German cake with a bit of instruction from Susanne. Very productive. On that Thursday I spent the night at Christine's. Her husband, Ingo, picked me up from the Deuke's after work (he works at BMW in Munich) and then we drove to their home near Augsburg. That night we all went out to eat for pizza, and then Christine and I went out to see a movie together the new Til Schweiger film, Kokowääh. Before we left one of her sons, Nico. was complaining that I don't spend enough time with him. He asked why we have to go out for coffee every time I come to visit. Adorable. The film was very cute, and Christine and I laughed and carried on per usual. The next day Deutsche Bahn was striking (wie auch immer/as always), so I stayed and went with Christine and the kids to the Fasching party at their church). Then Christine drove me to the train station, and I called my sister to wish her a happy 17th birthday (February 25th). This is the 3rd year in a row I have missed her birthday-I feel like such a bad sister. I will be there next year for her 18th! :)
That evening Susanne was the only one home as the kids and Uwe were gone for the weekend. Susanne and I watched The Devil Wears Prada. The next night she and I went out for fast food (she said she was dying for McDonald's so we went to the drive through), and then we went to Subway for me. We watched tv, ate, and talked. I loved it :-)
On Sunday the kids got back, and on Monday I went out to lunch with Lotte before babysitting for the kids in the evening. Then Susanne came home and we had a long talk about husbands leaving their wives... On Tuesday morning I got up early to head back to Salzburg just in time for the start of second semester. I literally made it to class just in time. That's me for you :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Children
I realize I can only speak for my generation, but excuse me if I generalize this a bit.
I feel like American children are babied more than children from Germany. My friend's son is 9 and today, I was at their house to keep an eye on him. He had a flute lesson at 5:15. He practiced, packed, and got ready to go himself. He also biked there himself and remembered to take a house key before he left.
I would say those days are gone in the states, at least in Michigan, where I live. I'm sure if you talk with my parents they will tell you they walked places as children, or rode their bikes. I myself walked to school in Kindergarten and first grade when school was nearby. However, I feel like this new generation is growing up with parents that are a bit overly concerned for their children's safety. I am not saying parents should let their children take the subway in New York alone, as one mother from the Big Apple did recently, however, letting junior walk to school might be a good thing. Exercise and a bit of self responsibility never hurt anyone.
Just a thought.
I feel like American children are babied more than children from Germany. My friend's son is 9 and today, I was at their house to keep an eye on him. He had a flute lesson at 5:15. He practiced, packed, and got ready to go himself. He also biked there himself and remembered to take a house key before he left.
I would say those days are gone in the states, at least in Michigan, where I live. I'm sure if you talk with my parents they will tell you they walked places as children, or rode their bikes. I myself walked to school in Kindergarten and first grade when school was nearby. However, I feel like this new generation is growing up with parents that are a bit overly concerned for their children's safety. I am not saying parents should let their children take the subway in New York alone, as one mother from the Big Apple did recently, however, letting junior walk to school might be a good thing. Exercise and a bit of self responsibility never hurt anyone.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Greetings fron Munich
I got back from Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. I spent a couple days in Salzburg and now I am visiting my host family in Munich for a week.
More about Abu Dhabi:
That first Thursday Kerstin's friends took us out to a hookah bar on top of a large building, where we drank mint tea and enjoyed a view of the city. After that we all went to a jazz bar where they sang well known hits. It was really cool. The room was filled with people all over the world, and yet everyone new the American songs and sang along. On Friday Kerstin, her friend, and I went to a hotel on an island. There we had brunch and also had use of the pool all day. Luxury. ;) That evening went to a hookah bar with her parents (hookah bars are a big thing there, can you tell?) On Saturday Kerstin's parents took us to the desert, where we dug our feet in the sand and took pictures of camels. Then we went to tour a palace, followed by eating at a traditional restaurant. My eyes got big when we walked in and I saw a fish with its eyes still intact, but didn't end up being bad. On Sunday and Monday we went shopping. On Tuesday Kerstin and I met up with her friend, a native Emirati. She was really nice and explained a lot about her culture to me. After that Kerstin and I went to the movies to see the film No Strings Attached. They sold American candy at the movies, and FROZEN COKE! I had my first frozen coke in 7 months. It felt like home... I felt a little homesick at that point. On Wednesday we went on a day trip with Kerstin's mother and her German women's group. It was fun, we went to a traditional market where bargaining is the norm, and the salespeople are pushy. On Thursday we went out for a nice Italian dinner, and on Friday we said goodbye and flew home
Abu Dhabi was an amazing experience. I honestly had pictured people living in modest homes in the desert. It's not like that at all. It is a vibrant, beautiful, city with a lot to offer.
At least, that's the side that the tourists see. I also had the opportunity to see Abu Dhabi's dark side. Although people claim that the guest workers are earning more in Abu Dhabi than they would earn in their home countries, I still felt for them every time I looked at the emotionless looks on their faces. Those guest workers, mostly from India and Pakistan, work long, hard hours, often sleep in disgusting, run down apartments shared with an obscene amount of people, and don't spend any of the little money they earn: they send it all home.
Seeing this has made me appreciate where I was born, the family I was born into, and the opportunities that I have had. To be able to go to college, to study abroad, it's amazing. And I see that now more than ever.
Greetings from Munich, Molly
More about Abu Dhabi:
That first Thursday Kerstin's friends took us out to a hookah bar on top of a large building, where we drank mint tea and enjoyed a view of the city. After that we all went to a jazz bar where they sang well known hits. It was really cool. The room was filled with people all over the world, and yet everyone new the American songs and sang along. On Friday Kerstin, her friend, and I went to a hotel on an island. There we had brunch and also had use of the pool all day. Luxury. ;) That evening went to a hookah bar with her parents (hookah bars are a big thing there, can you tell?) On Saturday Kerstin's parents took us to the desert, where we dug our feet in the sand and took pictures of camels. Then we went to tour a palace, followed by eating at a traditional restaurant. My eyes got big when we walked in and I saw a fish with its eyes still intact, but didn't end up being bad. On Sunday and Monday we went shopping. On Tuesday Kerstin and I met up with her friend, a native Emirati. She was really nice and explained a lot about her culture to me. After that Kerstin and I went to the movies to see the film No Strings Attached. They sold American candy at the movies, and FROZEN COKE! I had my first frozen coke in 7 months. It felt like home... I felt a little homesick at that point. On Wednesday we went on a day trip with Kerstin's mother and her German women's group. It was fun, we went to a traditional market where bargaining is the norm, and the salespeople are pushy. On Thursday we went out for a nice Italian dinner, and on Friday we said goodbye and flew home
Abu Dhabi was an amazing experience. I honestly had pictured people living in modest homes in the desert. It's not like that at all. It is a vibrant, beautiful, city with a lot to offer.
At least, that's the side that the tourists see. I also had the opportunity to see Abu Dhabi's dark side. Although people claim that the guest workers are earning more in Abu Dhabi than they would earn in their home countries, I still felt for them every time I looked at the emotionless looks on their faces. Those guest workers, mostly from India and Pakistan, work long, hard hours, often sleep in disgusting, run down apartments shared with an obscene amount of people, and don't spend any of the little money they earn: they send it all home.
Seeing this has made me appreciate where I was born, the family I was born into, and the opportunities that I have had. To be able to go to college, to study abroad, it's amazing. And I see that now more than ever.
Greetings from Munich, Molly
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Abu Dhabi
When I woke up this past Friday morning I had butterflies in my stomach. I was a bit scared to fly somewhere so different. What would Abu Dhabi be like? Would I get there and just want to go straight back to Salzburg? I wasn't sure, but I had the desire and the curiousity to try.
Kerstin, a German friend of mine that lives near Salzburg, had invited me to come with her and visit her parents, who live in Abu Dhabi. So on that Friday we met in the afternoon and took the train to Munich, where we flew out to Abu Dhabi.
The flight in itself presented me with culture shock when, as we took off, words in Arabic appeared on our tv screens as a man said them out loud. "They are praying for a good flight," Kerstin explained. All I could think of at that point were suicide bombers. I clearly had my own prejudices.
Upon arriving at the airport Saturday morning after not having slept, I exhaustedly followed Kerstin. We went to go and show our passports, and noticed that there were two lines: one for the regular people, and for first class passengers. Kerstin flashed one of the Arabi men a smile, and he allowed us to go to the first class line. Apparently that is how things work around here....
Kerstin's parents met us at the front of the airport and then drove us to their home. I slept for about 7 hours as I was very exhausted, and then we went out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. I had steak and drank wine. I felt very sophisticated.
On Sunday Kerstin took me to Heritage Village, which is basically a recreation of the old outdoor markets for tourists. It was really cool, with a little museum showing old artifacts and women's wear on display (the different veils women wear, etc). There was even a man wearing one of those things wrapped around his head, sitting on a camel. I definitely took a picture of that one.
Then we headed to the mall, where I saw the native people for the first time. Men with things on their heads, women wearing veils covering everything except their eyes, some women showing their entire face, others choosing to wear no veil at all. And then the loud speaker came on and something was chanted in arabic. Kerstin explained that the Muslim people were being called to prayer. Even in the mall there are prayer rooms for this purpose. I was very surprised. In movies I have seen they just kneel down wherever they are and pray. Oh Hollywood.
That evening, as we took a walk along the beach overlooking the Persian Gulf, I was surprised to see kids with their parents playing on the playground. It had to have been 10 at night, and it was dark. Kerstin explained that the kids sleep part of the day because it is so hot, and then stay up later at night.
On Monday Kerstin, her mother, and I got manis and pedis at the new place across the street. For a mani pedi it only cost 90 dirham, or 25 dollars. As I sat there, being pampered, I was able watch Friends on the big screen. It felt like home :-) Later in the day we went to the mall, where I spent way to much money on a Banana Republic sweater. I couldn't help it. I loved it.
In the evening Kerstin and I went out with her brother and some friends to a local outdoor hookah bar. I haven't smoked that in several years, as it makes my stomach sick, but I enjoyed the company and the conversation. While sitting there I was a bit freaked out. There are picture outside everywhere of the current king. That just creeps me out. It somehow reminds me of Not Without My Daughter starring Sally Field.
On Tuesday we went to Dubai where Kerstin's mom wanted to meet up with a friend. We saw the tallest building in the world, took pretty tourist pictures, and went shopping. Esprit is so much less expensive here since the people don't have to pay taxes on anything. I got a pair of jeans and a jacket for 200 dirham, or 50 USD!
Today we went to a beautiful mosque, where we had to put on veils and robes provided by the mosque just to get in. We also had to take off our shoes and leave them in a pile with the others. The mosque is beautiful and we enjoyed looking around despite the Asian people taking pictures of everything, including the floor---haha :)
At one point at the mosque we joined a tour and listened to the question and answer portion. It was great. I could tell who was in the group-everything from Germans to Dutch to English people were clearly evident by their accents, clothing, and behaviors. All different, but all interested in this culture that is so different from their own. Everyone was allowed to ask the Arabi guide questions. Nothing was taboo. And he answered them gladly. If only US political leaders would go on such a tour, perhaps they would understand the culture instead of just pointing fingers without all of the facts.
Thus far my trip has been quite enlightening. More to come.
-Molly
Kerstin, a German friend of mine that lives near Salzburg, had invited me to come with her and visit her parents, who live in Abu Dhabi. So on that Friday we met in the afternoon and took the train to Munich, where we flew out to Abu Dhabi.
The flight in itself presented me with culture shock when, as we took off, words in Arabic appeared on our tv screens as a man said them out loud. "They are praying for a good flight," Kerstin explained. All I could think of at that point were suicide bombers. I clearly had my own prejudices.
Upon arriving at the airport Saturday morning after not having slept, I exhaustedly followed Kerstin. We went to go and show our passports, and noticed that there were two lines: one for the regular people, and for first class passengers. Kerstin flashed one of the Arabi men a smile, and he allowed us to go to the first class line. Apparently that is how things work around here....
Kerstin's parents met us at the front of the airport and then drove us to their home. I slept for about 7 hours as I was very exhausted, and then we went out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. I had steak and drank wine. I felt very sophisticated.
On Sunday Kerstin took me to Heritage Village, which is basically a recreation of the old outdoor markets for tourists. It was really cool, with a little museum showing old artifacts and women's wear on display (the different veils women wear, etc). There was even a man wearing one of those things wrapped around his head, sitting on a camel. I definitely took a picture of that one.
Then we headed to the mall, where I saw the native people for the first time. Men with things on their heads, women wearing veils covering everything except their eyes, some women showing their entire face, others choosing to wear no veil at all. And then the loud speaker came on and something was chanted in arabic. Kerstin explained that the Muslim people were being called to prayer. Even in the mall there are prayer rooms for this purpose. I was very surprised. In movies I have seen they just kneel down wherever they are and pray. Oh Hollywood.
That evening, as we took a walk along the beach overlooking the Persian Gulf, I was surprised to see kids with their parents playing on the playground. It had to have been 10 at night, and it was dark. Kerstin explained that the kids sleep part of the day because it is so hot, and then stay up later at night.
On Monday Kerstin, her mother, and I got manis and pedis at the new place across the street. For a mani pedi it only cost 90 dirham, or 25 dollars. As I sat there, being pampered, I was able watch Friends on the big screen. It felt like home :-) Later in the day we went to the mall, where I spent way to much money on a Banana Republic sweater. I couldn't help it. I loved it.
In the evening Kerstin and I went out with her brother and some friends to a local outdoor hookah bar. I haven't smoked that in several years, as it makes my stomach sick, but I enjoyed the company and the conversation. While sitting there I was a bit freaked out. There are picture outside everywhere of the current king. That just creeps me out. It somehow reminds me of Not Without My Daughter starring Sally Field.
On Tuesday we went to Dubai where Kerstin's mom wanted to meet up with a friend. We saw the tallest building in the world, took pretty tourist pictures, and went shopping. Esprit is so much less expensive here since the people don't have to pay taxes on anything. I got a pair of jeans and a jacket for 200 dirham, or 50 USD!
Today we went to a beautiful mosque, where we had to put on veils and robes provided by the mosque just to get in. We also had to take off our shoes and leave them in a pile with the others. The mosque is beautiful and we enjoyed looking around despite the Asian people taking pictures of everything, including the floor---haha :)
At one point at the mosque we joined a tour and listened to the question and answer portion. It was great. I could tell who was in the group-everything from Germans to Dutch to English people were clearly evident by their accents, clothing, and behaviors. All different, but all interested in this culture that is so different from their own. Everyone was allowed to ask the Arabi guide questions. Nothing was taboo. And he answered them gladly. If only US political leaders would go on such a tour, perhaps they would understand the culture instead of just pointing fingers without all of the facts.
Thus far my trip has been quite enlightening. More to come.
-Molly
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snow-Shoeing!
Those who know me know that I am not exactly athletic (Wow, that's putting it mildly). But I do enjoy volleyball, bike riding, and now, my newest interest: snow-shoeing! This past week my group from Ohio went on a field trip to a national park a few hours outside of Salzburg. We snow-shoed through the alps! It was an amazing 4 hours. It was a beautiful, sun shiny day, and I was so excited to be able to try a snow sport that doesn't make me fear for my life. I tried skiing once about 10 years ago, and let's just say that didn't go so well....
Photos to come... :-)
Photos to come... :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)