I finally did it...

For almost nine months I have been avoiding it, but I finally got up the courage.  I went to the doctor, and spoke to him in German.  (Well, at least until he asked me if I really pronounce my name 'Nason' in perfect English.)

I have been so afraid to go to a German doctor because I didn't think I would understand, or that he wouldn't understand me.   

Despite all of my worrying the experience we so easy!  I even learned several new things.  So, do one thing that scares you everyday...

Some of my favorite memories of the last month...

The view outside our window in Salzburg...

Drew's parents and I in Schwäbisch Hall, where Drew proposed, after my soccer game.

We found this picture frame on the side of the road...then had so much fun taking random pictures with it.

We had Mexican with Andi and Ivan in Luzern...

Fred & Ginger

Last week, Drew and I spent the entire week road-tripping with his parents from Nürnberg to Prague, Salzburg, and Lucerne.  We were arriving late into Prague, and were trying hard to follow the GPS' directions when we happened upon this building by Frank Gehry and Czech architect Vlado Milunic.  

This very modern building adds excitement to a classic and linear city-scape.  It's movement inspires passion, creates a lively mood, and shows great creativity.  The design of the building was influenced by the famous dancing-pair, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from the 1930's.  Perhaps a hidden meaning since Prague was alive and dancing until the German Nazi occupation in the mid-1930's, and a modern symbol of a return to the city's most vibrant days.   

("Dancing House", www.wikipedia.com, 16.6.09)

Keep an eye out for design...

Sometimes the best design is found in the most unexpected places, and two Sundays ago this happened to me.  Hiding in the basement of an Idaho home, playing host to eight grown men, was this Charles & Rae Eames Lounge Chair.  

I have only studied this chair in classes, and have always appreciated it for its aesthetic value.  However, after getting the chance to sit in such a famous chair, I can now fully understand why this chair is so famous.  Not only does it look wise and classic, but also seems to be made for each sitter's individual body and transudes its qualities on the person enjoying a rest.

 

So, keep your eyes open for good design in random places...

(This is the Charles and Rae Eames Lounge Chair, produced by Herman Miller, and first sold in 1956.)  www.wikipedia.com

Love and Marriage!

As I was in Eagle, Idaho last weekend I was able to spend a few quick hours with some of the most incredible people in the world.  Ya, the kind of people you would drive four hours out of your way just to get to hang out with for a little bit.  Needless to say, my few hours with Becka, Maren, and the surprise guests Abbey and Marla were refreshing to my soul.  Being reminded of community and the love that others can have for people, made me wish I didn't have to return to Germany.   

However something more than these women's obvious love for others was a moment that will be remembered forever.  Of course, the topic of marriage came up, and Abbey was asking me about my relationship with Drew.  We had had some conversations before about where I used to be at with marriage, and although I have not talked with her for over a year she was getting tears in her eyes.  (Maybe she was just tired, and was getting watery eyes.)

Her reaction to Drew and I's redeemed relationship was shocking to me at first.  (Good thing I had the next twelve hours in a car alone to think about it.)  After thinking through the conversation, I began to learn something about marriage, which will probably happen a lot in the coming years.  My relationship with Drew is not only a blessing to me, but also to people around us.  This is what God wants us to know about marriage, and loving someone.  Through our love for each other, we are able to show love to others.  Although I don't truly understand this relationship of marriage...I know that this is the same way that God shows us love.  He loves others unconditionally so that we can see how others should be loved.  

Abbey, thank you for reminding me that this relationship is never just about me, nor is it about only Drew.  The love people share for each other is a blessing to those surrounding them, which I also saw in Josh and Bethany's relationship this weekend at their wedding in Idaho.  So many people are blessed by their love for each other.   

Probably not what you were expecting for today...

In the back of my head I have about three potential blog posts just waiting for me to get enough time in between work, soccer, youth group, wedding planning, and hanging out with Drew to actually put into words. However, today I experienced something that I need to get out of my head in some way, and since I cannot reach Drew by phone I am going to write my thoughts here. 

It is not happy, nor an exciting adventure I have been on, but it is part of life just the same...

The train had just left Röthenbach, and was pulling up to the station at Steinburg near the Röthenbach high school when the train stopped just short of the station and the doors did not open.  As the passengers and I looked around confused to see our car, the last train-car, stopped about twenty feet before the station.  The train-conductor came over the loud speaker and said something I didn't understand.  So, when the elderly woman sitting next to me asked me what he had said, I left her to watch my bag while I went to the front of the train to see what had happened.  

As I walked into the next train-car I could see school-aged children at the station looking incredibly worried and helpless, and then I could hear a strange noise, a young man's voice saying something in German, but I was confused because I didn't know who was speaking.  Then, I realized there was a young man under the train, but was he okay?  Why wasn't anyone doing anything?  What could I do?  The doors are locked...can I get out the window to help?  No, so I am stuck in here, and he is stuck there.  We are both helpless...

Another announcement over the loud speaker told us that we could get off the train near the front, if we wished, which I did immediately as I was trying to avoid the tears that were fighting to come out.  There were medics and firefighters there in no time, and I was relieved to hear through my broken German the boy seemed to be alive, injured of course, but at least he was alive.  

As I waited for the train, many thoughts went through my head.  Life is a valuable thing, and I should not take it for granted.  The only time I have is right now, so I should always make the most of each moment.  Maybe I should become a doctor so I could help in such a situation.  Finally, I was thankful it was not me, which immediately made me feel guilty, and terribly sad for this young man whose life will never be the same.  

Yes, I am still helpless, but the one thing I can do is pray that God would be with this young man and make the rest of his life incredible and full.

I wish I had a fridge to post these on...

For the first time since beginning my new job as an Interior Designer, I left work feeling proud of what I had accomplished today rather than feeling defeated by a computer program. I don't really have a job description, but I work with 'Kreuz Bad und Heizung' drawing the customers' future bathrooms on this German computer program to show them what their new bathroom will look like. This is my first set of drawings that went with the designer to a customer sales-meeting tonight, and with a few changes will become a real bathroom soon!

After wrestling with this design, as well as two earlier bathrooms, trying to figure out what a 'torus' is, how to make the glass walls see-through, and even how to draw a curtain with brown rings on it, this is the final product. An accomplishment to be proud of, but also a promise of improving and learning even more about this program, design, and loving the work I do. How much would you pay for this bathroom that boasts a Twinline: shower and whirlpool duo, a Keramag Silk modern style sink, a Vasco Radiator/towel warmer, and a modern trend glass sliding door?

This is estimated at around 20,000 Euros...