One Year Later

At 9am on July 1, 2011 we arrived into the Frankfurt airport tired, scared, and excited; ready to begin our adventure in Germany. Our transition wasn't always a smooth one, the loneliness and language was enough to send us packing but somehow we made it through summer...and then the rest is history!

In 4 days we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary in Germany! I can't believe that we have lived here for a year! What an amazing year it has been, I have created friendships; I am blessed to have a group of 30+ of the most amazing women as my support network! My children are growing accustom to the international school. We have learned 30% of the German language (I truly believe even German's don't have 100% mastered). We have traveled to places I never thought a family from Davison. Michigan would ever see. We have learned more about each other’s strengths and weakness. We have learned more about connections, and bonds with people. And we have learned so much about the world!

One year ago our house was an empty place filled with paper plates and air mattress, today it is filled with toys, kid’s artwork, and end of school papers, old clothes, dirty clothes, and furniture. Today our house has memories of Christmas with friends, new years with family, cold winter nights watching movies, and hot summer days trapped inside! Over the last year our house has become our home!

On Sunday morning we will wake up to celebrate with pancakes, and then do our favorite thing here...Head out on a day long adventure. Where will go? I don't even know, but it doesn't even matter, everyday as an expat is a new adventure!

Runner!

Running...ugh! No really, I have learned to love running! I have learned to enjoy exercise, but this wasn't always the case! Back in high school I managed to fail freshman year gym class on the sheer fact that I refused to run, at all! I use to view running as a God given gift meant for skinny people!

 Things begin to change in the winter of 2007. After a series of medical problems and drama, I was gaining weight (again)! My husband put out the challenge of learning to run, he knew that I would never back down from a challenge...and so my days as a runner begun!

Running for me did not come so naturally, I had spent the last 5 years having babies and basically forgetting to take care of myself, so running was more of an experience than natural. My first time running was in April of 2007, my husband loaded up the kid’s bikes one Sunday after church and we drove to the high school track. After getting the kids going it was my turn...off I went....and stop! Yeah, I only made half a lap 1/8 of a mile. Running was draining. I pushed myself into a walk/run to finish out that 1/4mile, and I was done for the day! My body was not use to all this movement! Running...ugh!

The track and I continue these silly games on and off for nearly a month before I was able to walk/run a mile! However, at this point I wanted more! I had caught the running bug! I loved the feeling I had after I finished; I loved the idea of goals and distance, and achievement! I was ready to run in public on the sidewalks! Yes, I was going to let people see me run (shocking)! The first time I ventured out into the world to run I was amazed on how different it was, with hills, cars, and pavement changes! I made it a half mile out and a half mile back at a hair slower than a snail’s pace! At this point I kept up the running once or twice and week through the summer, fall, and winter; however my times weren't improving and my distances weren’t increasing...it was time for a new goal.

In the summer of 2008 I trained for my first race! Putting the goal to not worry about time and run my first 5k! I trained the whole summer and on a rainy August morning I ran in the Crim Festival of Races 5k run and I finished! My husband was so proud of me, and I felt like I had finally kicked out that "woe is me” spirit from high school...I was officially a runner! I continued to push myself to run more and has the fall of 2008 came my kids were both in school and I had time to run! I learned to run in snow, ice, rain, in Michigan heat, with kids, and even while on vacation! 2008 quickly turned to 2009 and I was rockin the 5k's. My time wasn't fabulous but I was running and now at least 3 times a week!

Another stopping point came again in the winter of 2010. Running was fun, and good exercise but I liked goals! So, like a crazy lady I signed up for a 10mile race in August (Michigan's hottest month) and a half-marathon in October! What, who does that? I begin running all the time 3 or 4 days a week. Adding distance, working on sprints. By the time of my 10 mile race in August I was pleased, I had successfully trained to 9 miles, I was ready! The race went great and I was so excited for my half marathon! I begin to build more miles and 2 weeks before the race successfully ran 12 miles! I was now one of those crazy runners! The day of the half marathon, the weather was cool and prefect to run! I rocked out those 13.1 miles in 2:18! I was thrilled!

After my race that enthusiasm stayed and I continued to run, keeping up with at least 15-20miles a week!

However, as are move to Germany drew closer my running became more and more a thing of the past! By June 2011 I was running maybe 1 time a week for 30 minutes (shameful)! In July of 2011 we arrived in Stuttgart, Germany! Before we made the move we decided that I wouldn't have a car while we lived here, but I had never really thought about how all that walking would affect my running! I was so exhausted in July, I couldn't even think about running...That is until all the bread from the bakery caught up with me! Running...ugh

August 2011 was the month of the running is a must! Than in September my kids started school, and I had free time...thus beginning a new season in running for me...hills! Stuttgart, Germany is filled with hills, the entire city center sits nestled in the valley of the surrounding hills the same hills that I run. I had to learn to run all over again, because now I was having to battle the uphill climb! I would love to write here that after time the hills became easier, but the answer is clearly no, I still hate the hills!

In January 2012 fresh off some New Year’s resolutions I set the goal to run the Stuttgart half marathon on June 17, 2012! Training began! I fought the hills, the rain, and the cold! I explored some amazing nooks and carnies, and I learned to run in Europe! I added distance slowly in the winter months, just trying to make sure I was running 3 times a week and that I wasn't hurting myself. Than in April I kicked it into high gear! I built my big run up to 10 miles and 2 smaller ones at 3 and 5miles. By May I was ready having already ran a 12mile, 6mile, and 3 mile week I felt great!

Yesterday was the day of my first race in almost 2 years; it was also the day of my first race in Germany! I was a nervous lady! The race was very similar to the states, minus the fact that all my race markers were in Kilometers and not miles. The course was good, not as flat as I would have liked but still nice! There were a ton of people running and great support from the crowd! I did ok yesterday. I was slow and had pain in my ankle but I finished! I accomplished yet another running goal! But, most importantly I was proud of myself! I was proud that in the last year despite it all (the move, the schedule, the physical abilities, the changes) I had finished a half marathon!

For me running is not about time, not about distance, it is about showing myself that I am not that little girl in freshman year gym class afraid to run in front of people embarrassed that I am slow, embarrassed that it somehow makes me less than them. I run because its empowering, I run because it's freeing, and I run because I CAN!

A few helpful hints for those traveling to Germany!

Since December we have had 4 sets of visitors welcomed in our home. We have had the variations of people, and backgrounds.  All being Americans but some older, some families, and some young! We have welcomed all of them with open arms and excitement to show them our life her in Germany! Before their arrival we prepare for adventures, organize food, and figured out airport pick up!

However, even with all this planning there are always things I forget! Things that I have no choice but to embrace and the things that I don’t even see anymore, things that make are visitors say “Oh, really!”

First off personal space: Simply put there is none. If you are waiting in line or riding an escalator someone will be right on top of you. This isn’t meant to bother you it is simply a way to convey they are next, or they are in a pole position to move when it is time! I have grown to embrace it, because otherwise you will never get anywhere!

Grass or the mini rainforest: German’s famously do not cut the grass, or at least as much! Grass can grow taller than me before someone will cut it! The reason why being simply, it’s natural and better for the grass. If you cut it, it takes labor and machines that can harm the environment, also they don’t use fertilizers so it keeps in green! My son has enjoyed this, because it is a great game of weeding with a Nerf sword!

The Sunday Rule: Everything is closed… everything except some restaurants, tourist attractions, gas stations, and maybe if you’re lucky the neighborhood bakery for 5hrs. People from the states have such a hard time with this rule, we miss Sunday Target shopping!

Quiet, Silence, Peaceful: Germany is such a quiet place.  Unless you’re in a city center the people are very quiet. Most days you can’t hear any noise! No cars, radios, children, or machines! On Sunday’s the noise is restricted even further. There use to even be so called quiet hours, during lunch, evenings, and all day on Sundays. This is something that only semi exists or that is now only semi followed, depends who you ask!

Dirndls, lederhosen, beer steins: People do wear the traditional dress for special events, weddings, and parties! It is not joke.  And Bier actually comes in a stein.

The Escalator: This is a simple rule but always the hardest for visitors to remember….Standing (not wanting to run up) stay to the right! Those in a hurry on the left! This works for up, down, ramps, and moving walk ways!

Walking, biking, and generally being outside: When you visit Germany or really any European city you will be outside, you will be walking. Think of it as a daily exercise routine of 1-5 miles of site seeing! Some of the best views of Europe are at the top of buildings (few have elevators) or the top of mountains. Be prepared to walk!

And Finally ICE: We don’t have it! Freezer space is limited here, mine is the size of a shoe box. Good luck finding an ice filled drink!

Hopefully writing a few of these things down makes it easier for the next wave of visitors! However, I am sure my list will only grow! For my fellow expats did I miss anything? Because simply put…It’s Europe and anything goe

New Job Description

I have been a stay at home mom now for 10 years! I have had on and off again jobs, but basically a stay at home mom! I haven't really traveled alone, but once when my kids were 2 and 4. Scott and I have only ever had two weekends away! So, really I have been at home raising kids for 10 years!

This has been an amazing journey of watching firsts, helping when needed, hugging when sad, and teaching when possible.

However, over the last 11 months that we have been here in German, things have begun to change! Not change with my desire to be a stay at home mom, not with the way people view me, not with my husband, but more in the ways in which the children need me! My son turned 9 last year, and instantly it hit Scott and I that he has crossed the half way point...in 9years he will be on his way to University! CRAZY....It wasn't like on this day; my son was like see ya...but slowly over time things changed!

Over the last year we have collectively gone from playing with toys, and dress up to reading and projects. My daughter has already given up on American girl dolls, and now spends most of her time writing stories, songs, listen to music! My son has a passion for electronics and all things nature, even going so far to declare he would like a laptop and a Swiss army knife! They want more things of their own, walks to the store to buy candy, friends over all the time, in their rooms with the door shut, and of course cell phones (not happening as of yet)! Over the last year I went from the one always entertaining them to the one having to find my own entertainment, a nice change but weird.

This brings me to the point! In the German education system class trips are a rite of passage. Starting in third grade the children at ISS (International School of Stuttgart) take an overnight class trip! My son's trip departed almost 4 hours ago off to the Switzerland, German border for two nights and three days of fun, and education! I have been prepping myself for this since the day we signed up, not because I am scared or nervous, but simply because this is so new for me. Like I said I have gone a total of 10 years and only missed 8 days of my kid’s lives!

Two months ago the teacher began to prepare us for this trip, asking for volunteers to go with the class. Scott and I asked our son and he quickly said no way! So, what else can you do but carry on, knowing that he is excited for independence! Over the weekend, we packed our son, told him how loved he was, and prepared him for this journey. Than today I take him to school, because it is traditional to do the wave off as the bus pulls away! As I head into the school with my kids, by son turns around and says "ok, bye Mom." WHAT...hold the phone you don't need me? Ahhh, Ugh....Independence!

And off he went....

I know that my job as stay at home Mom, as helper, hugger, friend, and teacher isn't ending but more so changing! I now just have a new job description!

And off I go...