Expressions and Motor Development

Just a short blog because now that Kaiden's here, I'm lucky if I can manage to get a shower before noon.

I remember once hearing a father explain that all his newborn baby did was sleep, poop, and eat. Back then I thought, "Hmm, that's all? Sounds rather boring." But now that Kaiden is here, I find nothing could be further from the truth. It's amazing how much little babies grow and what they can process in such a relatively short amount of time. In the pictures I've attached (taken today at 6wks of age) he's showing two very distinctive facial expressions (I love both of them equally) and is exercising his leg muscles for the rolling over, standing and crawling that is to come. Far from being boring, there's so many fabulous precursors to watch Kaiden go through. Instead, I'm taking the advise of so many other parents and am relishing this time with Kaiden.

End of the Liminal Phase

Hmmm, how am I feeling right now? What a very good question, because I feel I am in a weird place at the moment. One day past the baby's "due date" and possibly 11 more days to go. There's a heightened awareness that I'm at the end of my liminal phase. I'm standing in a forest as Mother Nature Personified where my path has ended. Everything is verdant and lush around me and the wind is still. I want to walk out of the forest into the clearing that will become my transition, but I can't because the baby is still not here. My journey in the forest is done (e.g. maternity leave officially begun, several meals cooked up and in the freezer, all hospital bags packed and waiting in guest bedroom, all the furniture/nappies/clothing procured, washed and awaiting its new owner and other pregnant initiates now new mothers themselves).

Instead of moving out of the forest, I stand in one place, shuffling my feet, looking up at the sky and thinking I should probably enjoy the calm while it is here. "Take deep breaths. Be patient. Enjoy the air." All things I console myself with. And the thing is, I don't even know what the weather is like once I can transition through to the clearing? Stormy and unsettled, devoid of others? Clear and beautiful with familiar others? A bit of both? I don't know. I just know I'm standing still at the of my liminal path wondering when the special magic surrounding a mother and newborn child can begin.

Lessons of my Pregnancy

Sometimes I'm not sure what to write in my blog. So I wait for extraordinarily interesting events to come along in my life, and when none does (as my life has slowed down noticeably by now), it dawns on me to write about the extraordinary events happening in and around me. So I leave you with my reflective thoughts on the lessons, thus far, from the 34 weeks of my pregnancy.

1. Pregnancy is a communal activity. Even if you thought it would be all about you, be sure that many other parents have similar experiences and advise to offer. Because of your passage into motherhood, women will disclose some of the most detailed information that your non-pregnant self would never have been privy to knowing. For example, they will share full details of the memory of their C-section, miscarriage, or natural birth as well as any tips on breastfeeding, maternity/breast pads, and antenatal vitamins. But stories aside, there's also all the communal gift-giving that friends and loved ones near or far will want share. Be gracious by allowing them to take part in your baby's upcoming birth. Remember, you're producing another little social being that will become his own little person in the community. Allow and encourage your communal pregnancy to happen.

2. Encouragement is everywhere. I think this is my personal "thank you" to each and every caring friend and family member who ever had an encouraging word to share with me about miscarriage/loss or about raising a son. I still have moments when I'm scared to death, but they're also countered with thoughts of rolling out the big red Hollywood carpet beneath a blazing banner that reads, "I'm going to be the mother of a son!" Thank you all for having the confidence in me to do the correct thing or to, at least, acquire the skills to do that correct thing.

3. Naps are wonderful. Full stop.

4. You have new special needs. I have found in my experience from working with school-age children and their parents the following: everyone has needs. Whether those needs really are "special" in the conventional sense, a need of some attention and love, a need to be heard, or some desperately sought after sleep (see no. 3 above), we all have needs that are being met or unmet. Learn to recognise your new special needs and their accompanying limitations. Don't try to deny or ignore them. You'll only be adding possible harm to you or the baby.

5. Find those experts in the appropriate field who can help you meet your new special needs. I offer this word of forewarning, though. However "expert" they may proclaim to be, they too are human beings with their own sets of limitations and met/unmet needs. You may have to be firm and guide them into the direction you require them to go as experts meeting your needs. It almost seems counterintuitive, but I find in my dealings with the midwife, the employer, the photographer, the pharmacist, and the fitness coach, that they may require a bit of gentle education, background information, and feedback as well. Be fully prepared to engage in the mutual meeting of the needs. Your baby, if not your peace of mind, depends on it.

6. You love your growing baby. Remember to love your partner. Do loving things to remind him that he is your best friend.

7. Learn to relish the new shape of you. You're sharing your body, its resources and its space with a new little person. Embrace that new look to you and take heed that it's not going to stay this way forever. There will be plenty of time for calorie-burning exercises once the baby is here. Plus, you know all those skinny chics you see in the changing room? They're probably in awe that you're going to have a baby, so just revel in your own inner love and beauty!

Me at 32 weeks pregnant in my blue bikini, which I happily wear to my aquanatal courses on Fridays. (I like Pop-pop's comment about this picture that there's sure lots more of me than bikini. Isn't it so, Pop-pop!)

Bruni and Jürgen's visit to Scotland

Bruni and Jürgen came to visit Dominik and I on 31 July. After a long relaxing breakfast on their second day of arrival, Jürgen and Bruni tried their hand at Dominik's indoor golf set.

Bruni und Jürgen haben uns am 31. Juli besucht. Nach einem langen entspannenden Frühstück am zweiten Tag, probierten die beiden Dominiks Innengolf.

Then that afternoon we hit the links (okay, technically the Himalayas) of St. Andrews. Here's Jürgen showing us his stuff!

Später am Nachmittag haben wir Golf am St. Andrews Golfplatz gespielt, aber der war genauer gesagt die Himalayas für Putt-putt Golf. Hier zeigt uns der Jürgen was er kann!

Later in the evening, we drove out to the Pittenweem Art Festival, which we missed when it closed at 5pm. However, Bruni and Jürgen had a whirl around on the dance floor at their first ceilidh. In the video above Dominik is leading Bruni through her first Strip the Willow dance.

Am Abend sind wir auf das Pittenweemer Kunstfest gefahren, das wir verpasst haben, weil es um 17.00 Uhr geschlossen wurde. Trotzdem tanzten die Bruni und der Jürgen auf ihrem ersten schottischen Ceilidhtanz! In dem Video führte Dominik seiner Mutter beim Strip-the-Willow-Tanz.

On Sunday, 2 August, the Stork Tea was officially underway at Pizza Express -- better so because of the threatening rain. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the conveners of my official prepartum baby shower, Vinet and Gözde, and to the photographer, Jacorien.

Am Sonntag 2. August war der Stork-Tea (Geschenkparty für eine werdende Mutter) in Restaurant Pizza-Express, weil die Wettervorhersage mit Regen bedrohte. Herzlichen vielen Dank an den zwei Organizatorinnen, Vinet und Gözde, und an die Fotografin, Jacorien.

At the Stork Tea, Karen (an Irish friend of ours) kindly captured English-speaking Jeanette (left) and German-speaking Brunhild (right) having an apparently full conversation together. Dominik's commentary on the two, "This is the final demonstration that when women talk, content is irrelevant!"

Auf dem Stork Tea hat unsere irische Bekannte, Karen, die englischesprechende Jeanette und die deutschsprechende Brunhild im Film oben festgehalten. Sie schauen, als ob sie eine vollkommende Unterhaltung haben gehabt. Dominik kommentiert, "Das ist der entgültige Beweis, dass Inhalt unwichtig ist, wenn sich Frauen unterhalten!"

And just before their departure one week later on 7 August '08, we posed for a quick Granny-Mummy-"Hartmut"-Grandpa time.

Und kurz vor dem Abflug eine Woche später lassen wir uns unter dem Titel Oma-Mama-"Hartmut"-Opa fotographieren.

My Love

I love my bump and who's inside more and more each day. I love the summersaults that feel like "Harti" is going to pop right through my abdomen when I'm lying still in bed. I love his poking and prodding when he listens to classical music on the headphones. I love when he kicks while his daddy strums the guitar and sings good night lullabies. I love how he pretends to be still when one of my friends thinks he or she will feel him. But I love how he moves for his daddy. I love all the homemade cooking, vegetables in the garden and healthy eating that I do for him. I love that tightened pull around my belly when he grows. I love him enough that I will get back on my bike or take a walk to keep fit and healthy. And I love when he complains I've worked too hard and that I need to sit down to have a rest.

I can't wait to one day meet that baby who's growing inside of me. I love this little guy.

Golfing in the Himalayas

Having wanted to hit the slopes of the famous Himalayas for over half a year, Dominik Endres shows off his first putting attempts against the backdrop of the the Royal & Ancient clubhouse. The red building to the right used to be university-owned Hamilton Hall, soon to be a hotel again.

A celebratory pose in front of the St. Andrews Links Clubhouse and inside later for some afternoon coffee and cakes. (Left to right: Jennifer, Dominik and Vinet)

Commentary found in international newspaper: "Hailing from South Africa, the 2007 LPGA rookie of the year, Vinet Coetzee, fired a 10-under-par 62 in the second round to move up the leaderboard at the British Open."


While "Hartmut" nested in his mother's womb, he would never really pick up a club until he was 18, which was about the same time he graduated from high school and decided to backpack in New Zealand and Fiji for six months. “I never knew what I wanted to do when I was in high school. So after I finished, I traveled,” he said. “It was an adventure. I bungee jumped, sky dived, I did it all.”

Upon returning home, "Harti’s" adventure continued as he spent the next few years bartending in St. Andrews. While “getting partying out of my system,” "Hartmut" started competing as an amateur and won his first three tournaments. They were small amateur events, but wins nonetheless that inspired him towards golf. His goal of earning a golf scholarship to a college worked when, at 21, he matriculated at the University of St. Andrews in 2030. "Hartmut" posted five wins while attending university that lead to thoughts of playing golf for a living afterwards.

When approached by reporters, "Hartmut" commented, "I think it was all that putt-putt golfing my mother did on the Himalayas while I was still in the womb."

It is very hard not to like Gözde Ozakinci. After a good shot, she jumps around joyfully and offers an infectious smile that spreads an enthusiasm that reminds you why you call her a "friend."

Seen on a golf advertisement:

"Unravel the mystery of ball flight control and learn why it goes the direction it does!"

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Top-ranked women's golfer Jacorien Coetzee on Friday said she would consider following Vinet Coetzee and take on the leading male player, Dominik Endres.

When a reporter asked Ms. J. Coetzee if she would play against a man, the South African said, "I am not going to say no."

"Perhaps we'll change direction," she added. "I am flexible. We are willing to look at something fun, and it could be fun to play a man."

Ms. J. Coetzee did not mention any potential events or competitors other than her flatmate, Vinet Coetzee.


Yikes! Get this girl signed up for some lessons, someone!

"Harti" at 20 weeks gestation

Dominik and I were at the hospital in Dundee on Wednesday, 18 June for the baby's second ultrasound at 20 weeks. It was really cool to see the sonographic technology in use. We could see the four ventricles of its heart. It had the circumference of its head and length of its femur measured. I looked over my left shoulder to Dominik to see his facial expression and saw that he was reading a neuroscience paper from work, which I promptly instructed him to put away. Later when we were back at the car park, I asked him if he was bored with the examination. He replied, "No, just extremely nervous. The paper was anchoring me from shaking too much." (Sweet.) From what the sonographer could tell, everything looked to be in order. Before leaving we asked for the sex of the baby; she told us we would be having a boy. He'll be the first son, grandson (for both sides) and great grandson . . . definitely most spoilt!


Later on that evening, I worked in Newport at the junior boys' club (Rio Juniors) as substitute for one of the Youth Workers. The first half went smoothly, but the second half of the night was a nightmare. The boys (ages 11-12) were so unruly and mouthy. I came home from work and just bawled my eyes out. I don't think I was prepared for the doctor to tell me it would be a boy. I had secretly hoped for a girl. A girl I figured, as illogic as it will sound, I could raise. But me, the mother of a boy? I don't know how to raise a boy . . . I always hung out with the naughtier ones. Would mine turn out to be so? Would my upbringing of him go askew, god forbid he turn into a hooligan? Or a thug? Or a . . . okay, I was over-reacting. The next day I was completely fine. These upcoming parenthood moments can be a little overwhelming from time to time.

Emotional traumas aside, I'm fortunately over the hump of sore breasts, morning sickness and head colds that plagued my first trimester. I can say that I feel like I have settled into life as an expectant mother of a boy for the time being. This past Sunday (22 June), I felt "Hartmut" kicking around for the first time when I was lying in bed. Up until that point I'd only felt "fluttering" on the inside of my uterus wall, which was a very pleasant and surprisingly soft sensation in its own right! On Thursday (26 June) while I was typing on the laptop, I looked down and saw a momentary bulge emerge from the left side of my abdomen. I was like, "Whooaa!" It was wild -- like something out of one of the Alien films.

Oh, but on Wednesday (25 June), the middle of my trunk hurt like hell. It was all cramped up, which Dom and I figured was due to a shortage of calcium and/or magnesium for the day (the milk had soured that morning). And then twice in the night I woke up with the worst leg cramps. Dom still makes the best nurse in the whole wide world when gets up to rub them out. Today, though, he stocked me up on all those necessary minerals so there will be no cramping tonight -- I hope.

Muscle cramps aren't the only challenges to face; Dominik and I have had one brain cramp after another trying to think up names . . . mostly still quite silly, and providing a good laugh, at this point. We come up with names like Primus Gambrinus Maximus Endres or Hartmut (which is considered the Franconian drunk village idiot) or Bacchus M. T. (like an empty [M.T.] glass of Bacchus wine) or, as Barb F. put it, "gangrenous" Gabrinus, or Notburga (then shortened to Notty, as in a Snotty Notty) . . . the list goes on and on. The poor child-to-be. We're open to suggestions in case anyone reading this has any to offer.

And finally, here's a "family" picture taken yesterday on Dominik's birthday (26 June).

A Father's Day Surprise!

On Monday, 28 April, Dominik and I took a trip out to the Dundee Ninewells Hospital, about a 45min drive north of St. Andrews, for my first obstetric appointment. Once parked, we had a convoluted walk around the hospital trying to find where scanning and x-rays were done. We were directed to three different locations, the last being our final destination. As it turned out, the Prenatal Care Unit was still adjusting to their first morning in the temporary wing. The staff was polite and the midwives were helpful as I was told they would be housed there for the next 6 months.

After check in and a short wait in the makeshift lounge, a midwife led me to a quiet examination room where the ultrasound equipment was set up and asked me to lie down on the exam bed. She maneuvered a handheld scanner to my abdomen when, after making some slight adjustments because the fetus "was running away", she was finally able to locate "Harmut."

And there s/he was, heart tickin' away and arms swinging up and down! It was quite a special moment for Dominik and me in the small examinations room. It's a moment I will cherish forever. You can see from the scan that there is a smugged part above the fetus' trunk, which is the baby's arm moving up and down. But I think the coolest part was to look at the heartbeat. It was like the size of the end of your pinky finger and situated in the core of the chest cavity. They determined "Hartmut" to be 12 weeks and 5 days along from the scan (I had calculated 12 weeks and 4 days) and that s/he'll make her/his big debut on 7 November.

Since then, we've had blood work done and know that the fetus is at low risk for Down Syndrome, which is reassuring since I'm 33 and Dom is 36. I'm looking forward to knowing the sex of the baby, which we'll find out this coming Wednesday on my 20th week. And no, Dom and I don't want to wait! I had enough trouble waiting until the first ultrasound to see if there was one or two and if they/he/she had a heartbeat. I won't be able to wait until the end to the know the sex. But if you would like to be surprise, just make sure to let me know before I reveal too much.

Keep your fingers crossed that everything else goes well! Here's me at 18wks and 3days along, taken on 7 June 2008.

Hope you enjoyed the surprise. Happy Father's Day, Dad!

A South African Braai

Dominik and I hosted our very first Braai (Afrikaans for barbeque, pronounced "bry") both on the Priorletham Farm and as a married couple on Saturday. Guests included Ines, Rainer, Carolin and Gesche (all German), Peter (Hungarian), Harold (Dutch), Ingi (Icelandic) and, the original creator of the idea, Vinet (South African).

(from left to right): Gesche, Harold, Ines, Rainer, Carolin and Peter. The actual barbeque is in the pit below (don't ask why we have a pit outside the cottage, something to do with an access chamber to an old and unused pipe), and the top grill, which you can see in the above picture, was used to keep the finished meat warm.

Ines proudly manning the Braai in the pit.

There was plenty to eat as it was centered around a potluck and BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything). But a word of forewarning when inviting a group of Germans to a barbeque: there may be more variations of potato salad than one could possibly handle or, at the very least, plenty of leftovers.

Success! We beat the weather forecast for rain.

Ingi and Vinet (with the great idea!)

See, now that's what I'm sayin' . . .
ein herrlicher Mittagsschlaf im Sonnenschein
(Ines and Rainer)

One of the funnier parts of the evening took place in the living room afterwards. Here Dominik's describing a digestive Chinese drink to our Icelandic friend, Ingi, that Dominik picked up on his trip to Shanghai in March '07. And brave, brave Ingi actually gave it a try. You're a BAD MAN, Dominik!

I've included the wikipedia link to Braai to find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braai

Mills Observatory and the RRS Discovery

On Saturday, 9 February Dominik and I headed off to Dundee, the sister city of Würzburg, which lies just 13 miles north of St. Andrews. We wanted to check out the Mills Observatory in order to see if it was a worthwhile field trip for the youth at the Dolphin Centre in Tayport. Turns out its a perfect evening/nighttime trip to view the constellations and stars. They also boost a 20 foot "human" sundial, whereby the human body stands in for the sundial and its shadow casts the time.


Here's my shadow indicating 2pm, which was right on the dot. They also have an educational "Planet Trail," which represents the relative distance of each planet in our solar system on the trail. The tour guide was even kind enough to pencil in our group of teens for an evening viewing on 31 March with their high-powered telescope. Unfortunately, I discovered the youth (to include Euan and myself) have two weeks of Easter holiday starting on 30 March. Nja. I guess I've got myself a headstart for next winter's field trip.

After the Mills Observatory, Dominik and I drove down to the harbour to take a tour of the famous RRS Discovery. In the late 19th Century Dundee was a major whaling centre with a reputation for building ships to withstand the icy Artic conditions. At that time still much of Antartica was uncharted. With winds over 90mph and temperatures plummeting to -50°C, Captain Scott and his intrepid crew of 40 ventured in search of scientific knowledge aboard the first vessel specifically designed for scientific exploration in Antartica, the RSS Discovery. Despite the adversities of gales and blizzards, the team of scientists made some interesting findings, from magnetic surveys to collecting the first specimens of Emperor Penguin eggs.

Here's Dom at the helm . . . being the fearless leader of today's research!

And fake sheep. This struck me as funny somehow. With so many real sheep around in the British Isles, someone actually found a market producing imitation ones.

December's work at the Teen Centre

And so! I have finally started working with the teens. I am now into my fourth week and have been jotting down my thoughts and reflections about the Teen Program up and out here in rural Scotland, which I will happily share with you:

WEEK ONE:

I've been hired to work 10 hours a week, mostly for Tuesday evenings (6:00-7:30pm with school-age kids and then from 7:45-9:15pm with teens) and Thursday evenings (with teen girls in a program called "Girls on the Move" which, to me, sounds like it should run a lot like BGCA's SMART Girls program). It's voluntary attendance, in that the youth come if they like, but they don't have to. Entrance costs 1 pound (= $2) for the hour and a half. The center is located in a run-down, 2 room, 100+ year-old building in the deprived town of Tayport, and I am told the youth are thought of as "disadvantaged." There are very little supplies available. No carpets, no sofas, no pool tables, no fussball tables, no basketball court, but there is a small kitchen, 3 computers, a few tables plus chairs, two open spaces, a supply closet the size of the trainers office at Leighton School Age Services in Würzburg, and 100 pounds ($200) in the budget to work with. Despite the lack of resources, there is no lack of clear enthusiasm at the possibility that the centre could be the winning recipient of 80,000 pounds of grant money. Fingers crossed.

I've been hired as the Senior Youth Leader (or Lead) and will partner my new co-worker, Euan, who was interviewed the same day as me. Euan goes to Dundee University, just half an hour north of St. Andrews, and will be the Program Assistant. On Tuesday evenings, I have one mentor who will soon be leaving because she expecting her first child. And on Thursday evenings, I have two mentors who will also soon be departing.

So, I'll start with Thursday . . . these are the same girls who came in on Tuesday night. They not only join the Teen Program, but also like to volunteer in helping me out with the school-age kids. They're a really lovely group of girls. Because "Girls on the Move" is meant to encourage healthy lifestyle and fitness, a professional dance instructor was hired and showed the girls some great steps and managed to coordinate a whole dance routine within an hour. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to participate and afterwards was extremely complimentary of the instructor. Unfortunately, my two "mentors" and Euan hung out in the kitchen chatting and drinking hot tea while the instructor was giving her lessons. I was livid. When my so-called mentors eventually resign, Euan and I are going to have a serious chat.

Tuesday night was interesting as well . . . my one mentor there had little control over the school-agers who came. Her conflict mediation techniques were inferior. She had difficulty gaining the children's attention. She thinks we'll "lose" children if we stop serving them chocolate and candy for snack. She told me I should have "observed more" when I jumped in to play a hot potato-like ball game with a group of teen boys and had embraced a sidearm hug around one of the teens. (Did I mention they invited me in to the game??? They actually asked me to play.) She told me I should not have been washing any of the dishes (the girls cooked mac 'n' cheese while one of the hungrier boys dried up, which was the deal I made with him to encourage him to get something to eat if he was really hungry. Besides, it provided me a quieter time to get to know him that otherwise might have been lost had I not offered -- and, people, it's not like I'm that KEEN on doing the washing up everytime. I just quickly sensed that he was the ring leader the others listen to when I introduced myself at the begining of the club. I knew I needed to make my alliance with him. Taking the time to get to know him will, no doubt, pay larger dividends down the road. And my predecessor is stuck on the fact that I offered to wash up the blinkin' dishes????) Grrrrr. Mid-January cannot come soon enough.

So right now I'm thinking the school-age kids will be a walk in the park, and my first move is to introduce healthy cooking club options. Like a professional, I involved all the kids when I asked them about what fruit and vegetables they love to eat and what they thought about a heathly new Cooking Club at the center. They were very excited. The teens will be tricker for me . . . I find they're fussier than the toddlers at the Child Development Center. I know I've got to program plan like I would for SMART Girls for Thursdays and to get my hands on some Teen Guidance Modules, so that I can be more effective.

WEEK TWO:

I'm back at the SAS and YS clubs tonight. Euan and I are going to go through their resource cabinet and see what art activities we can hook the school agers into when they first come into the center. I'll ask Euan if he would like to take up the Cooking Club with the SAS kids for an hour . . . get him onto some ownership of the place, too. I won't get the teen program until sometime in January when my mentor goes on maternity leave, so I'll have to play everything real cool with her until then . . .
sigh, only 3 more until Christmas vacation. Deep breath. I can do this.

Good news today: my centre got the most votes across Scotland today. They've won the 80,000 pounds for the necessary refurbishment! http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/11/29/newsstory10619052t0.asp

WEEK THREE:

Uggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of these teens are SHITS. What a night. Oh hell. What have I gotten myself into? Of the regular 8 or so that came, we had an additional 12 who showed up but who never otherwise come. Guess they thought it'd be cool to raise havoc on the teen center. Even the three aforementioned teens said that if it gets this bad next week, they won't come back. Ugh. Hell. Did the presence of the other rowdy 12 just change the WHOLE dynamics. What a shitty night. It does get better, right???? Okay. Take another deep breath. I did learn one thing tonight. Those three hard core teens are friggin' awesome. They have shown me that they really OWN the teen center. You see them in there cooking, taking the 1 pound ($2) charge at the door, putting up the Christmas decorations, doing engagin activities with the school age kids, participating in the sports activities, etc., etc. They rock! And I will be sure to tell them that on Thursday at Girls on the Move Club. Okay, I feel better. Everything for a reason.

Euan said he hated cooking with the school-agers. He said he'll never make tacos with them again. Hmmm, must work on this with him. Negotiation is critical.

WEEK FOUR:

Since I'm still at beginning stages with nearly all of these teens, I made it a point to introduce myself right up front, "Hi, we haven't met yet. My name is Jennifer. What's your name?" After meeting a youth named Noel, we settled into playing the card game Bohnanza (brought over from Germany), and it turns out he's quite the Card Shark. So we got a real rapport going, and after the Christmas holiday he said he'll bring in his poker set and teach us all how to play. He offered an apology (freely given by the way!) for being cheeky with me last week. I took his apology full-heartedly. I'm extremely pleased with my progress, I must say.

Euan's did really well with Cooking Club; he's had his first successful Cooking Club experience with the SAS kids just last night. They baked shortbread cookies (not too healthy, but very Scottish). I'm willing to let the "healthy" slide because he's still on a sharp learning curve with this whole Cooking Club thing. I'm very proud of his accomplishment all the same. I will continue to support him.

And I'm pleased to announce that after meeting with our supervisor, Euan and I are going to help the three dedicated teens (who really own and take care of the Teen Centre) to go through the Scottish reknowned Youth Achievement Award process. Apparently it very similar to BGCA's Youth of the Year Award, whereby young people are encouraged to progressively take more responsibility in selecting, planning and leading activities that are based on their interests. This peer group model will encourage the development of a wide range of life skills through a flexible and informal approach. The three of them are excited. So am I.

Four Weddings . . . and no funerals, please!

I wanted to post some pics of the four weddings Dominik and I had been to this summer and to add a few highlights along the way. The first one we went to was on Saturday, 21 July in Aberdeen, Scotland. Despite the rain and cold (high of 10 C all day!), Jacqueline Evans and Kevin Rinchey successfully tied the knot. Some highlights of their wedding for me were the touchingly tender, surprise speech given by Jacqueline's mother in church (I sobbed, but who didn't?) and the brilliant ceilidh at the end (was it only me, or did it seem like 200 guests showed up all of a sudden?) Well done to the two of you! Say, I Spy a Groom in a Kilt. . . LOL! Sorry, it had to be done. Kevin is actually to Jacqueline's right.

The second wedding notice was told to us two months before it happened. Andy phoned up Dom one Saturday night while we were out at the pub to say that Robin and him were to have their civil service Orpington, London and would like us to be there. Closer to the day, we flew down to London for their marriage on Saturday, 4 August. In contrast to Jacqueline and Kevin's wedding, the weather chose to cooperate with sunny spells mixed in with some cottony clouds. What impressed me the most about Andy and Robin's wedding was that Robin's family all made it over. No small feat, especially for her sister, April, and her husband, Alan, who had to be back at uni for exams and classes two days later. You both make a beautiful couple together! Thank you for inviting Dom and I to share your special day together.

One week later . . . Marian and Claudia's was next. Theirs was a real treat because they held a Polterabend in Claudia's home town of Schmiedefeld the weekend before in order to smash porcelain and old dishes with family, friends and neighbors. While the meaning is still debatable (from driving away evil spirits to offerings of filled containers to the gods), it is commonly believed that sweeping up the mess together ensures that the couple will be able to work through their marital problems. The following weekend, Saturday, 18 August, they tied the knot at a civil service ceremony in wine-producing Volkach and celebrated thier reception in the neighboring village of Sommerach. They win the award for best weather with crystal blue skies and sparkling sunshine. Congratulations you two! And thank you for having us!

And finally the fourth wedding was Gustav and Sandrine's on 6 October in Colmar, France. On Sandrine's right are her two best friends and witnesses (Fanny and name I forgot?) and to Gustav's left are his two best friends and witnesses (Micha and Dominik). I give their wedding high kudos for having the most amazing reception dinner yet . . . the highest quality in French cuisine. Ah, heaven has food like this! I'm still dreaming of the basil-pineapple-olive oil sorbet for dessert. I stopped counting how many chocolate cream gateau Dom devoured. It was quite the feast. Wir haben wie Gott in Frankreich gegessen! Well done you two and thank you for having us both to celebrate your beautiful day!

Romantic Views from the Farm

To the left is a view of the front of our cottage on Priorletham Farm. It has the romantic appeal of countryside living with sheep, cattle, and a riding horse within view from our bedroom window. There's also plenty of nighmare-sized spiders (actually dreamt one of the hairy beasts sat on my chest while I was in bed threatening to bite me!) and howling evening winds. Ah, life on the farm.

On the other hand, we have some quite romantic views from our wee cottage out on Priorletham Farm. This shot below was taken in early September after the hay had been cut and rolled into bales. It reminds me so much so of "the everlasting hills of Oklahoma, they hold a million treasures to be found!" I know, I know. We're in Scotland. But that's what happens when you've left all your CDs behind in Germany, and all you have to listen to are songs from Sons of the Pioneers. Honest!

Day at Glen Clova

Hello World,

Johannes has been kind enough to walk me through my own blog account. Thank you, my friend. Your help cheered me up.

On July 28th, Dominik, Johannes and I set out to conquer the two mountain tops Driesh and Mayar. After two hours of strenuous hiking up the Kilbo Path, we made it to the Driesh (947m). Stomachs grumbling and wind gusting, we ate lunch behind the shelter of a large boulder.

Upon finishing lunch, we walked on to the Mayar (928m) and down behind an enchanted valley called the Corrie Fee. Wow! Streaming waterfalls, undulating streams, purple heather, and a huge rainbow to top it off . . . it was like Lord of the Rings filmed here on location.

The six hour walk was hard on me, but the majestic view of the Corrie Fee was well worth the extra effort. Thanks, Dom, for suggesting such a great treking local!