Discovering your own Backyard!

I moved countries - I could use that for an excuse but that was 4 years ago!

I have a small baby - but she is not going anywhere!

It's just simple motivation to get out the door and discover what is around the corner.

I have discovered (have known) that there is a decent forest adjacent to the nature reserve practically in our backyard. I have found a wonderful route via forest, meandering thru the lush tree scape and eventually leading me to a very unique swimming hole along the oceans edge! I enjoy doing this route early in the AM while baby is taking morning nap and husband is slowly waking up!  The simple pleasure of spinning, swooshing at the overlying plants hanging on the path, wiping my legs, looking far ahead, anticipating the lean of the next turn, the dirt flying about, the feeling of just being ALIVE! I'm finding my way again. Thanks Nature!

Happy Valentines Day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sitting up June

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Days

Make a Smilebox slideshow

CONFUSION!

Maybe it's a bit of New Mommy Brain (is there such a thing) of course there is!!
I came out of the frisør (hair salon) and suddenly had a moment of panic - Where is my bicycle!!??
Don't worry about the baby or anything else predominant Dynah - it's your precious bikes that provoke  immediate hysteria!!  

No need to analyze the dreams about losing your baby! (that is a completely different post!)

I scouted the area instantly and had no memory of leaving my bike nearby! I distinctly remember riding my bicycle to the center but here I stood outside, with a lovely new haircut, in the frigid cold with no expeditious memory of where I parked my bike.  I don't recall how long it took until the bells chimed resulting in a clang and a bong inside my head!  Out of habit I had parked it on the other side of the center! 

So continued my way (oh and baby is being looked after by grandma) so no need to fret about misplacing the baby (in reality as of yet!).  Headed over to SuperBest to do" my daily shopping but again ran into this continual problem of forgetting!!  I mentally read the list off: milk, rugbrød and swim diapers! Once you begin shopping there are always other items that hop into the basket!  (can someone explain this phenomenon) I kept saying to myself "remember the swim diapers"! So found the essentials and MORE (oreos) and then stood in the aisle drawing a blank once again -- What am I missing???  Strolled further thru the aisles, gazing at random food items then suddenly looked up and saw the diapers at a distant then it all made sense! Glanced the area looking for any good deals and then found the swim diapers but they only had LARGE, June is not that big yet! No small ones 5-8kg. We were due to go swimming in 1 hour and mommy can't find any diapers (panic mode again) NO! I headed to the checkout aisle and asked them if they had small and the lady told me that they should have them by summer as it was a summer item!!?? You are telling me that the Danes only use the indoor swimming pools in the summer?? Not much I could do but ask at the pool if we could borrow one! Play the confused english speaking resident..... works sometimes! 

So now it's time to find my bike again! No panicking this time except when it was time to find the keys....... Suddenly I remembered that I had given them to Ulla (grandma) so she could get back into our house! My bike key was on the keychain! Now I have a heavy bag and no bike to haul it back on! 

This little adventure to the local center was turning out to be a lot more trouble then I bargained for! So it looks like I get to fling this heavy bag of groceries over my shoulder and walk home (about 1.2km) Amid all this confusion my blood sugar had dropped and I could feel the shaking begin. I started digging thru the bag to find something to eat and found the bag of banana chips.  This would of been the healthy version but as I took my first steps away from the center with bag in hand that is when the sight and smell lured me!  There was a wonderful solution to this dilemma, a Danish hotdog stand! This would make my walk home all worth it with a warm hotdog in hand!

Clutter-less Life

Is it really possible to relinquish ourselves from the clutter that builds up within our lives, in our houses?

When I moved to Denmark, I had about 20 boxes of stuff, a guitar and 2 bikes! I had to clear a small apartment out quickly and I can recall how hard it was to give up all that stuff! And now I don't even remember what that stuff was!!

Again I am in a position where I need to undergo a major clutterness release! With the baby arriving soon, I look about the house and wonder when will we ever use such a device, when will I read that, when will I wear that..... It's time to visit the Redcross bins and start clearing out the old and making room for the new life presenting itself shortly!

We have these wonderful ideas for our Artistic Expressions and collect the material but the output has stopped! Its just sitting on shelves with no order, I can't find anything in that unbalanced, expressive moment.... I want to create those cards simply, those scrapbook pages swiftly.

I have 6 weeks left but I don't want to create huge obligations which I can not fulfill. Notice the annoyances and fix them first and then slowly attain the rest within time.....

Stages of a Day!

So what does one do in order to entertain their brain while they are in the midst of recovering? This is the answer to the question that I am searching for at these moments....

I can get up and walk back and forth from the front door to the back door and move my legs in order to get some fashion of exercise but the lenght is rather short. I can dabble on the computer for only so long feeling productive. There is never anything decent on Danish TV so forget the idea of wasting away before the tube! It is a little irritating to play on the Wii since you have to move about and my body is not ready for that sort of activity which sucks because I love playing video games. But have been able to immerse in video world in small intervals! It is difficult calling those on the other side of the pond due to time differences. The world is slanted at unusual angles at this point in the season and we have lots of daylight, causing me to have abnormal sleeping patterns, so I guess I could ring friends up when it is early AM
over here, translating to only a late night over yonder! So who wants a 10,11,12 PM phone call?? Reading has entertained me plenty but the joys of the book is about to be over and it is a wonderful sea adventure and am not fully ready to let this stimulating feat withdrawl from my imagination! So if anyone can send a book that will capture the imagination then PLEASE go ahead and take action!

I gaze out the window, mesmorized by the constant drift of clouds, shaping and curving as the wind cuts them into spectacular designs, releasing them in their own direction. Often I feel like one of these clouds, not being able to hold any shape of distinction for long and floating about in a blue abyss. After a human being has a traumatic experience it usually leads to meaningful thoughts. I am in the position of having alot of time on my hands and the thinking creeps, sneaks, slips past my conscious and fabricates various delusions to life.

I just want to find some meaning to my purpose on this side of the pond. I rummage thru the possibilites of many new career options. But there comes a point when the individual must face the realities and take action. You can only sit in the dreaming phase for so long. So as I sit here in my recovery mode, I release the Energi to the universe, and hope that portions of my new beginnings will begin to present themself.

So now I have the time to write rambles out to the vast Universe and hoping that someone will enjoy it!!

The long month of June

June has been one long month of suffering for me! I can give you some details but they deal with the anatomy of a woman! First I was having a very abnormal menstual cycle, so I went into the doctor 10th of June or so and she told me that I had an infection in one of my ovaries, gave me some medicine and told me to come back after antibiotics were done (14 days or so)

The problems insisted along with the pain and I really began thinking that something was not right! Thursday I was sent home from work due to intense pain. I tried to get into the doctor but they told me to call Friday AM and talk with her! So I endured another night of pain, and during all this Tom was away in Greenland! I was not sure what to do but found out I should of come up to the doctors anyway. Who knew!

The next day went from bad to worse!

FRIDAY:
9AM - Called doctor
9:15 - Meet with doctor
9:45 - Doctor made decision that something more serious was occuring and immediately called ambulance to get me and take
me to hospital! (So here I am sitting in her office already nervous, thinking OK I am alone now and about to head off to a DANISH hospital, what is going to happen.....) The mind runs, especially in a foreign country!
10:30 - I get dropped off at hospital - Alone! I am able to get ahold of Tom via phone and tell him what is going on, he contacts other family in town
11:30 - Mother-in-law shows up at the hospital, Thank goodness!
12:00 - Meet with doctors and get examined, pokked, prodded.....

So finally comes the diagnoses: Dinah has a tubular pregnancy in the right fallopian tube, NOT GOOD! This is also known as an ectopic pregnancy. The symptoms are painful! It is a dangerous thing if not treated quickly because at any moment a rupture can occur and this is more serious. So the decision is that sugery is needed immediately. By this time I have had the symptoms for about 2 weeks. Everything happened so quickly but doctors reassured me along the way while my mother in law held my hand during numerous moments!

5PM - Dinah goes in for surgery
7PM - Recovery room
8PM - Taking to my room for the night and FINALLY reunited with Tom and how glad we are to see one another!

Results of the surgery went really well! No ruptures occured and all the vital organs for producing kids are still intact! That is the greatest news out of this along with Dinah finally being cured! Have a few stiches in my abdomen, taken out next week and a blood test next week at the hospital to monitor hormone levels making sure everything is going back to normal! WOW what a day along with a month it has been!

And now doing well, slowyly recovering, relieved that the problem was finally correctly diagnosed, and home while Tom takes care of me!
The Dansih system is excellent and on top of all this left the hospital with no BILLS! All of this was FREE!

Morning Commute!

My mornings begin like this:
Wake up! I have been having very lucid dreams lately, lots of water in them! Who knows about dreams? What does that mean? The world is going to flood, yes I know! It is still dark out once I wake around 6:30am and then still dark once I leave the house at 8:00am. Coffee! Stretch! Turn the lights on and wake up the husband!

My point is that I wish to share the morning commute on bike. This is the aspect of the morning that I find actually very relaxing! I am not behind the wheel of a car but rather I am propelling myself on two wheels. I go to basement, put my bike lights on for it is a law along with safe cruising. All this occurs about 8ish, so imagine it still being very dark at this hour of the morning! You begin wondering why you are leaving the house so early when in actuality I am usually running late! I make sure everything is zipped tight, gloves on..... Proceed to open the door towards the blistery cold, well not really but it is cold to the unwoken mind! The journey begins............I go thru the side streets to get to Amagerborgade (yes all the street names in DK land are this long!!) the main street and this is where the wave of cyclists begin. I wait at the bike light making sure it is clear, hop upon our own lane unobstructed by the Filth of Cars! I cruise at a steady pace but you have to be aware of all your actions! There is such a thing as a fast and slow lane on the bike path, if you stay in the fast lane too long you piss off others. You will get Dinged at, the ringing of the bike bell! I have never enjoyed using a bike bell as much as now!! And if only I could truly describe the amount of people on bikes, it entertains my brain each and every morning! I look about noticing the different type of folk on bikes, notice the swarm of bikers from all directions as we are all trying to get to our destination. So as I bike further into the city this is where the real bike Jams begin! The cyclists also have to follow the basic rule of stopping at lights not only lights but the bike lights which are seperate from the car lights! We are a very special breed here! So here while waiting at my bike light is where I look inward and begin to think more about my foreign journey in DK land! I would say a cluster of about 30 cyclist are waiting for the light to turn green! And once the light changes it is a mad dash to get to the front, some people are a bit more aggresive than others. Depending on my mood or how late I am relates my position in this pack because I know that I can blow most of them out of their saddles if I really wanted too!! Or I will just sit back and enjoy the infusion of massive bikes intertwining wondering where the hell are you going?? But the joy of this ride every morning on my way to Danish lessons is that I am able to have a bit of physical exercise,fresh air, entertainment and introspection into the vast difference of cultures! You would never see this in America! That is why I write this to you trying to explain a typical Danish morning commute!!

Firework Bandit Part 2

WoW!!What a remarkable sky line! I have never been in the midst of quite a chaotic firing of fireworks. It all started at a friends small, cozy house. The clock was getting closer to striking a new year. The buzz of fireworks began increasing! We decided to get our coats on, head outside to the parking lot for the unit of houses. As we walked we stumbled upon used firworks littered all over the trail, then suddenly we walked into the firing zone!! At the end of the trail the parking lot opened up and dozens of people, kids, dogs, fireworks beginning to buzz right above us! I ducked, cringed and ran across to a safe zone quickly. People yelling Godtnytår, passing champange around and cookies, hugging! And then the kids took peoples cigarettes and lit thier fireworks. In this small area we stood while fireworks launched from every angle of the parking lot. We had a 360 degree view in which you could view more and more fireworks coming from all over the city. It was a bit overwhelming, especially when you had to keep your eyes open for the launching around you just in case something went wrong! A few times some sparks hit the crowd too early, or an explosion went off to early! Everyone was fine and firing resumed quickly! I enjoyed the atmosphere as all the neighbors came out and greeted one another. It was very cozy (as Danes love using this word - hyggeligt) This display of fireworks lasted 1 hour! Do you realize how much money just exploded in the night sky??

Firework Bizarre!

What does the general public think of Fireworks?

Denmark has a very low tolerance level concerning them. Since the firework factory explosion a few years back, people say that the laws have become stricter. I ask myself what is your definition of stricter? I do not see any restrictions towards these flying torpedos within the sky! People are allowed to set them off within the city limits which I find very unusual for the close proximity within this cramped city. But no worries to your neighbor they still go off constantly! Coming from American cities, where you set them off in a small street of Golden, CO the police will show up at your door within minutes. So being able to shuffle mind frames and accept that you are allowed to set them off has been hard to accept. But I do know that Joshua Montgomery would love being in København to celebrate the new year!! For the month of December the sky lights up continuously, bangs, bangs more Banging. But I find it rather amusing that everyone goes crazy setting them off! You will find them going off at all times of the day also. I was cruising home from work on a friday at 15:45 and BanG already going up in the sky (for it is dark at 16:00!) And as the night continues on more and more light up the sky in every direction. It is just as common as buying milk from the grocery store! So I better go and buy lots for this new years Eve! (and save some for summer Josh) But so far the most amazing, spectacular firework show has been at Tivoli Gardens. For 4 consecutive nights they are putting on a international firework show. For 10 minutes you get to see the real thing, the real pyrotechnicans displaying true firework phenomenon! They dazzle, they linger, they explode all for our pleasure. What unusual creatures we are! Have you ever thought of that?

Copenhagen Riot!

On my way to school today I biked into a police road block and quickly discovered that it was RIOT POLICE handling a 'demonstration' or 'rally' of young people in Copenhagen. There is a house here that has been inhabitated by squatters for the last couple months, following intense protests in December... and this morning the police raided the youth house, and the fight was taken to the streets.I didn't see much, mostly just alot of screaming and sirens. However, the police vans filled with riot cops would drive through the mass of people fairly quickly. I wouldn't really call it a riot, but I wouldn't be surprised if it escalates in the next couple days. Back in December this issue escalated and there were many accounts of these kids flipping over and burning cars, and using jackhammers to loosen stone to throw at the cops... so they're pretty serious.These kids are protesting because at one point this house was owned by the government and used as a youth house. This concept is completely Danish! It is rather wise, give the kids a place to have as there own. And they do use them wisely, all sorts of activities took place: concerts, rooms for band practice, debates, political groups, various other clubs, culture stuff and many others.... Well the government sold the house because it was going to cost too much to fix up and now have asked the youth to leave! They dont want to leave! They were promised that it would never be sold and well can we always trust what the govenment will say?? The government has lobbied extensively with them to reach an agreement of some sort. But they're obviously very passionate about them selling this house that they would not compromise! So now they are protesting by squatting and have recently announced that they are getting other youth from other countries to join them! Helicopters flew in over the house, dropping officers ontop of the building so they could get in safely and firetrucks came in and blasted the place with water in order to get them out!

Last night thursday after I rode pass the area in the morning, demonstrations excalated with about 1000 youth causing great destruction..... (More updates in another note!)I think they have a right to protest! Their promise was broken!

Blizzard 07

The Blizzard of '07

Blizzard? I have been hearing about the intense winter weather the US has been having and have been wondering if ever I was going to see some here in Northern Europe. Last week we finally got to experience what happens when a city is completely unprepared for a snow storm. We had a "blizzard" hit Copenhagen yesterday. I'd say it dropped a solid 3 inches; however that combined with some pretty gnarly gusts of wind created some pretty good snow drifts. Anyways, chaos ensued.-I allowed for an extra half an hour to make my usual 20 minute commute, and I was 20 minutes late for class.-Denmark's S-trains, which is their main commuter rail, was apparently designed by Italians... you know those people that live in a generally snow free Mediterranean climate... So these S-trains barely function in ice and snow. Next thing you know the system that is meticulously efficient and planned out to a tee just falls apart.-I spent 30 minutes standing at a bus station that I usually never have to wait more than 3 minutes for, all the while watching busses and cars skid all over the road.-None of the restaurants or shops in the city are clearing the snow from their sidewalks, so you can barely traverse the slush/snow/ice stuff without boots on. Now I've seen towns and cities get bogged down by snow before... but this was 24 hours after a storm which couldn't have dropped even 5 inches of good snow.

Real Thai Life: Bangkok

BANGKOK
May 18 - 20 2006
Chaotic town of Bangkok brought us back to reality very quickly after the serene island life!! We spent 2 very busy days trying to absorb as much as Bangkok as possible and we did just that!! We took a superb bike tour that lead us to some unbelievable sights of Thai living. We rode thru tight alleys where locals lived in very unpleasant conditions, saw local markets, passed a kindergarten, took a fairy across the river, rode on elevated concrete paths, tried local Thai snacks, went to a glove factory, went to a temple where they have a dead monk on display in a glass case, visited the local bike shop, and attempted to ride thru the busy streets of Bangkok on a bicycle. I dont recommend biking in the midst of Bangkok trafffic! I can say that I have been there and tried that! This bike ride was absolutely the highlight of my Bangkok trip. It turned out to be a bike ride that wont easily be forgotten, it was a mind-opening experience. I just can not fathom living in such filthy, muddy, grimy conditions. Some of the living quartesrs were not much more than 3 walls of shabby used materials with some sort of creation as a roof and then many people crammed into a tiny area. The bike ride was excellent, that is all I can further state about it. If you are interested in seeing more photos from the ride, the company has placed some up on their website @ www.realasia.net On the lefthand side, find Daily Biking Pictures, then go to May 18 on the calendar, then go to the afternoon ride, scroll down once the pictures appear. You will be able to see a few more photos of the amazing ride!!

Our final day in Bangkok. Our plane leavea at 1AM, so we have the entire day to tour around. I wanted to see a few temples/wats. Something a bit spiritual, touch my soul wont you, as this trip has already been an eye opener. I had 2 items on the agenda and in between was up to Buddha. I wanted to see the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace in Wat Phra Kaeo. Wat Pho was lively and shambolic, a great complex with arrangements of lavish structures, even a turtle pond! This is the oldest temple in Bangkok founded in the seventeeth century. The Reclining Buddha is a 45 metre-long gilded statur of plaster covered brick which depicts the Buddha entering Nirvana. The chapel is only slightly bigger than the statue, for you cant get far enough away to take in anything but a surreal close -up view of the beaming 5 metre smile! The feet on the statue very impressive, vast black soles are beautiffully inlaid with delicate mother-of-pearl showing 108 lakshanas, auspicious signs, which distinguish the true Buddha. Along one side of the statue are 108 bowls which will bring you good luck and a long life if you put a coin in each. Of course I had to attempt my fate with good luck for I just got married, I need all the LUCK I can get! Grand Palace hangs together in a precarious harmony of strangely beautiful colours and shapes. It is the holiest Buddhist site in the country, housing the most important image, Emerald Buddha. Wat Phra Kaeo was built orginally as a private royal temple and occupies the northeast corner of the huge Grand Palace. Entering the temple is like stepping onto a lavishly detailed stage set, from the immaculate flagstones right up to the gaudy roofs. The whole temple compound is surrounded by arcaded walls, decorated with extraordinary murals of scenes from the Ramayana. Each time you proceed thru gates you are confronted by six-metre tall Yaksha, gaudy demons from the Ramayana who watch over the Emerald Buddha who ward off evil spirits. Each item you come across has some important significant role, so many to tell you about. But the important one the Emerald Buddha: the walls of the bot sparkle and inside a nine-metre high pedestal supports the tiny Buddha of 60 centimetre! The spiritual power of this jadeite image derives from it legendary past. Reputed to have been created in Sri Lanka, it was discovered when lightning cracked open an ancient chedi in Chiang Rai in the early fifteenth century. The image was moved around the north, dispensing miracles wherever it went. Then it was taken to Laos for 200 years. It was believed to bring great fortune to its possessor, so the future King Rama 1 snatched it up , and then installed it at the heart of his new capital as a talisman for king. What a way to get what you want! So much lively history spread around this massive, chaotic town, but there is truly something special about Bangkok. So much history, check it out for yourself!!

Honeymooners

SouthEast Asia
THAILAND
May 2 2006
*Flight from Copenhagen to Bangkok (loong)
*Layover in Bangkok then a flight to the island of Ko Samui (1hr)
Ko Samui:
We stayed 4 nights in Ko Samui. A very beautiful beach but it has been built up so much with tourism that it has become a huge circus. Resort after resort. You would get smoothered every where you walked, everytime you turned. Taxi's honking at you asking if you needed a ride, locals trying to sell massages, locals trying to get you to come into their store. There was not a moment of peace, it was a bit too much!! Even when we were sitting on the beach locals still coming up to you and trying to sell hot corn or icecream or pineapple.... You could not get away from it. It was a wonderful honeymooners location our resort and a great experience to try out the high priced resorts as Tom & I usually dont travel like such! We go for the bargain rooms but it is our honeymoon and we decided to go big!!

Ko Pha Ngan: May 7 - 18
Now we are on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, just north of Ko Samui. Its much more remote, we are on the northeast side of the island in a small cove called Thong nai pan. We are staying in our own private beach house with an ocean view and the sound of the ocean lapping constantly. This is much more our style! We got here from the main island by taxi boat! To get anywhere you must take a taxi boat as the roads are not very developed. We have been relaxing and eating wonderful Thai food! There is great snorkelling around and plan to go out on a few trips, to nearby, undisturbed coves with coral reefs and a colorful display of marine life. We hope to rent a motorbike and explore ourselves, for there are only a handful of roads about, how can you get lost?? Also plan to do some sea kayaking, find the breathtaking waterfalls around and check out a local temple. Its a wonderful honeymoon and a wonderful country to explore.......

Now must go back to the beach...........

United Souls

The moment occured, the words I DO embraced my life forever!
The day was lovely, exquisite; my life is now complete.
I had my hair done in the AM, rushed to the Radisson, where Mom and Dad were staying, threw on the wedding clothes. Being a woman sucks, no wonder I dont get dressed up often. The silly things she must wear in order to keep her looking good! But I did it to impress my husband to be and he was dazzled, mesmorized by my beauty! Caught a taxi to Rådhusplasden (City Hall) and suddenly the nerves started to twitch, the butterflys began to tumble.......
I looked around did not see any one that I recognized, Tom said he would met us downstairs, I could not find him. A few other brides were outside surrounded by supporters. Where was my new family to be??? Then a familiar face emerged from the crowd, Tonny. Quickly I asked him if he had seen Tom and of course he had a video camera in hand and proceeded to film not anwering my desperate questions!! Time was ticking, we had a 11:45AM appointment, they dont wait for you here! And it was 11:39 and no sign of TOM.... We went inside looked around and just more unfamiliar faces.
So now is when you start to panic, now is the time you feel the entire stress of the situation lying heavily upon your chest, wondering how did I get here? Then we decided to follow the other wedding parties, mabye they had some clue as where we are suppose to go. We followed a long coridoor, some twisty stairs, I could read the signs Bryllup Kontor (Wedding office). I could no longer make any rational decisions at this point, people were crowding around, everybody throwing out comments, asking where is Tom, where are we going, I just followed the main stream, for it seemed to be the best option! And sure enough we ended up in a large hall with chairs and there was my wonderful, handsome husband to be in 5 minutes. The moment our eyes engaged, we spoke, I knew. The excitement, thrills, exhilarations, rushes, tremors of joys knowing that you will be pronounced man and wife.
An employee came out and rambled some instruction in Danish, "please be seated and your party will be called". In the midst of the commotion, I sat patiently, confident in our promise. I quickly thought about the rays of hope, trust, faith, hopefulness that Tom has brough to my life. Everything was surreal, time became frozen, I took everything in. Then without further notice "Dinah Sherrill and Tom Christiansen" from some corner of this busy room. I jumped up looked around, Tom grabbed my hand and lead me into the room. It was rather small, with a wodden table in the middle and a woman behind it. All I remember is she read something in English, but her English was a bit rusty, love, marriage, commitment, I remember hearing those words, I stood there a bit frozen, gazing around at all the people in suport of us and of course cameras still going. Then came Tom's turn - I DO, then my turn, I DO. Then the rings, then the kiss! And suddenly we are married. We had to sign some papers afterwards, along with our witnesses. Then they looked at us and said "have a good day!".
All the buildup, all the work, all the stress and in an instant it's said and done, husband and wife!! But what a remarkable, extraordinary, superb feeling. I was floating somewhere amongst the clouds with the birds looking down upon myself. We walked towards the door stood there as everyone congratulated us (Tillykke). Then it was time to make our debut as Mr. & Mrs. Christiansen, we walked across the tile floor, opened the gigantic wooden doors, screams, rants, yells and rice everywhere. We stood in the midst of flying rice for several minutes! What a marvelous way to begin the day!!

Møns Klint

We have been on easter holiday for a week. Theoretically Tom has been on holiday and just an extension for me, as every day feels like a holiday. We took a drive southward from København, 1.5 hours, and ended up on this gorgeous, wooded, with an ocean view island! It is described as the most beautiful island of Denmark. I enjoyed the area thourougly, for we plan to go back in the summer when it is warmer and more events are going on in the nearby town of Stege, the biggest village on the island. I feel in love with this village! Tom and I have even contemplated of buying a house in the area. The island offers everything, a town in which the size is just right, not too big but then not too small! The size is similiar to Golden, CO which has become the perfect size for me. The island has deep wooded areas with hiking paths, bird sanctuaries, a nature preserve, wonderful little country roads to ride a road bike along and then plenty of water sports! One area of the island is well known for its cliffs, for they are majestic, rugged chalk formations sloping 130 metres towards the turquoise greeen Baltic. Check it out yourself! http://www.moen-touristbureau.dk/english/monsklint.html
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday!!

Nat Film Festival

By April 2, Tom and I will have seen 11 intense, mind bending, foreign cinematography flicks. The annual Nat Film festival is playing in town right now and we decided to go big! We are seeing a total of 11 movies in about 9 days! Some days we double up on movies. At this point we have seen a Japenese movie about the craze of manga (cartoon characters) and how fanatics are so deeply involved in this lifestyle. It was a very interesting movie. Otakus in Love was the name of the flick and so far our favorite. Then we had to see a movie directed by a Hungarian artist, because that is where the moment of truth was discovered for Tom and I! (Hungary) But that was not the best choice! The film started at midnight and moved rather slowly! It was about 4 young guys working as chimmney sweepers, bored, trying to devise ways to make more money. So they bet on cock fights and of course lost their money, then somehow got mixed up with a guy who sold hash from a goat that ate hash plants. A little bizarre and quite a grotesque scene when they had to kill the goat and look in its stomach for the winning lottery ticket...... The creative mind of a film maker! We have also seen a Mexican flick taking place in Mexico City, Iranian film taking place entirely on a deserted ship, a Canadian independent film with beautiful scenary and an intense movie taking place in Hong Kong. So far the films have all been unique, interesting plots with unexpected twists. I do prefer to see foreign films, it gives you a perspective on other cultures, daily life and the sufferage of women that still exist! We still have a few more days of films, take a break today, which will be nice and back at it Wednesday 29

I DO!!

As the wedding nears, the little questions begin pop into your mind. But deep inside I know that every decision made along the way got me here successfully. All the major preparations are underway, found a wedding dress, going to order wedding rings this weekend, and now its just details for the wedding party. We are scheduled for a City Hall ceremony on Saturday 29 April @ 11:45AM. Then celebrate with brunch afterwards at a nearby Cafe. Then the wedding party at a penthouse in the city! Tom's friend Tonny has a beautiful place and is going to allow us to have our party there!! I wish you all could be here!

Velkommen København

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  A moment in time is equivalent to a days motioning with the Earth. I recently made life-changing decisions. I up and left my American life and relocated to København, Danmark. It has been an exciting journey! Of course at times I miss certain aspects pertaining to my Home Land, but this journey has been about relinguishing all that was familiar and understanding complete newness. I have been able to reconnect with the bicycle as my main mode of transportation! Learning an area by bicycle is the best means of grasping your bearings. Now the difficult part is just finding a space to park your bike.......