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Happy German Day of Unity Oct. 3!

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German History from 1990 - 2010 | 20 Years of German Unity*

Bonus!

Political Borders of Europe from 1519 to 2006

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Going to an event at the German Embassy... above is a clip of a past performance there... let's hope mine is just as exciting, but with more lederhosen (see below -- we'll probably do a more thorough discussion on this topic another day... haha!  : )  I'll be back to tell you how the event goes...!

**Your turn: In regards to the lederhosen, I'm kind of speechless... but... my question is, do you really think these were easier to work in??? (again, we'll probably discuss this more in another post... but I couldn't resist...don't you fret! ; )


*No, you're not crazy, yes there are two tracks playing... Remember to turn off background music at the bottom of the screen before viewing...  : )

New Goals!! Poor Man's Travels

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German Coastguard... : ) & Brief tour of Hamburg


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Oh heeeeeey!!!! ; ) So it's been a while... I know I have wild masses of fans who have mourned my absence.... : ) but don't you fret... I am going to try to repent for my personal record of my life (note sarcasm in wild masses of fans... ; ).  If anyone still/ever did read this... get ready, because... I'M BACK!!!   Okay, actually, I struggle with commitment, so no promises... BUT  I'm going to try to write more because....!! I have a new goal.  If you know me well, or if you hardly know me at all... you probably know I have a slight obsession with experiencing and tasting as much of life as I can.  (and when I say taste... I DO mean literally.... ; )

Here's the scoop... I have a passion for travel, but limited resources in regards to $$$ and time... and (yes, it's true) I have a personal mission statement, and part of it includes experiencing as much of life as I can -- whether it be through actual travel, talking with people about their life stories, foods, music, dance, art, work, lifestyle, religion, etc. etc. etc. and do my best to do more with less.

As I was pondering recently how I could travel with limited resources, I have decided to experience it the best I can on my own.  Last year I started this on a smaller scale with Tapas Sundays when I would put on my flamenco apron, listen to flamenco music and invite a friend over to have tapas (in honor of my love for Spain : ).  I have decided to re-start and re-vamp this goal; meaning, my new goal is, to choose a new country each month and learn about/experience it each month.  The ways I do this may vary each month.  I am banking on DC being really cultural and having lots to offer... let's hope it does : ).

Here is where you come in -- as I scan for movies, documentaries, music, recipes, youtube videos, phrases, jokes, culture tid-bits, events, games, traditions, news, cool person of that country to learn about, awful American assumptions/stereotypes about the country, outfits to try on, etc. to try/do -- or just even share with me your own memory or experience for a little inspiration : ).

I already have a full plate, so I am not going to get too obnoxious with this goal, but am going to try to get a little country action in each week.  Upcoming country for OCTOBER.......... (drum roll.......)  GERMANY!!!!

Plans thus far for my "poor man's travels":

• I'm attending a dinner at the German Embassy -- so I'll even get to touch some German soil! : )
• Hitting up some kind of PG Oktoberfest event 
• Finding somewhere where I can do a photoshoot with some traditional german clothes..... any recommendations of where I can get my hands on some?? : )
• Rest of the ideas I'll be deciding from here and FB... so shoot me some ideas!  In the future, if this takes off.... maybe I'll even let people vote on my adventures or the country for the next month -- or even give out some invites to come eat/cook/attend with me if you're up for it....!! : )

Let the games begin! Taking ideas/love experiences/feedback starting............... NOW! : )  As I love traveling with others and sharing adventures with people... I hope you'll join me in the journey and tag along ; ).

..................danke.....!

(OR maybe I should just re-enact this like these folks... even if it doesn't REALLY have anything to do with Germany... still could be fun...!! : ) Ferris Bueller... Danke!

40 line, 3 word update each... just trrrry to interpret : )

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Life is a highway baby... I think I drove 40 hours in two weeks... (later update, later 80 hours in 6 weeks... who loves road trips?! : )


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I am taking off to DC soon... here is 40 line, 3 word update each of my recent adventures I made... have fun trying to interpret!! : )

1. Heidi C-section TODAY!!
2. School lunch grandkids
3. Swam with grandkids
4. Ate yummy salsa
5. Saw Mom NM
6. Played catch grandkids
7. Cleaned prego's house
8. Ate at Chilis
9. Got temp-job call
10. Bob wants me (temp-job guy)
11. Crazy decisions DC
12. Need be there
13. Temp no go (see above)
14. Motivation to go
15. Interview when arrive
16. Microsoft skills tests
17. Other networking plans
18. Pack up go
19. Drive drive drive
20. Love phone GPS
21. Loved MCDs StrawberryLemonadeFreeze
22. Saw "don't pick up hitchhikers near correctional facility" sign
23. Saw suspicous hitchikers : )
24. Called PoPo justincase : )
25. LOVED driving scenery
26. Listened to books
27. LOVED St. Louis & Elk City, OK : )
28. Enjoyed state stereotypes
29. Ohio -- tired, Erin (friend/neighbor)
30. Scared Dad TV : )
31. Harry Potter Erin
32. LOVED home ward
33. Sister/Fam visit M-day
34. 4 yr. old Niece say, "I can't keep up with you and David" ha! : ) (or something like that, also asked why I wasn't married : )
35. Watched "Waiting for Superman" again (and y'all should too!)
36. Cheap Massage, Erin
37. PF Changs, Erin
38. FHE with Dad
39. Email catch-up
40. Musana Conf. call

Bonus: This, now SLEEP!!!! : )

40% off Musana Jewelry to Celebrate International Women's Day!

So I've been a little inactive in the blogging world for a while... but I'm making a comeback for a very important reason! : ) Musana Jewelry is the NGO I helped some friends start over a year ago. We have a new Spring collection coming soon and are currently doing a clearance sale to celebrate International Women's day! Check out: www.musanajewelry.org

40% off + Free shipping if you blog about us or make the image above your FB profile pic and email us about it at info@musanajewelry.org!

Even if you are not up for new jewelry, please share the message with friends -- your few clicks can make a world of difference to these women and their communities. See our Musana blog for details. Let me know if you have any questions or want to get involved, enjoy a quick intro. video here... Happy International Women's Day!

Much Love,

K*

In Celebration of Our Lord & Savior!

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HAPPY EASTER!


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In honor of Easter, the holiday that has been set apart to celebrate that Christ was resurrected and lives, I would like to share my simple but sincere testimony of our Savior through the following video messages, as they speak for themselves. Please watch and enjoy : ) As you do, **despite your faith or denomination,** I invite you to ponder and reflect what the Savior has done for you and invite you to express your gratitude in prayer -- He is there, loves you -- and is listening, as He is aware of your situation in life, as well as your desires and hopes. I know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and that Christ is His Son and that not only did He live and die for us, on that third day, He rose, and... He lives again!! : ) I know that to be true.

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Just as there were Apostles in the bible, as a Latter-day Saint, as result of a loving Heavenly Father who wants to provide a clear path for us to return to Him, I believe that there are Apostles on the earth again today -- this is the simple but touching reflection of one of them about this Easter Holiday.

***An Apostle's thoughts on Easter:***

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The following are a few of my favorite hymns that honor Christ and His sacrifice and the hope we can find in Him.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I Stand All Amazed

His Hands

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***Finally, the following is a link to a text version of a combined testimony of the 12 Apostles of The Living Christ - it is a true and beautiful testimony of our Living Christ.***


More messages like these can be found at http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages and http://www.mormon.org.

Getting to know you... at work : )

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I don't want to brag, but... I DID work in the library computer labs... don't be jealous BYU has an incredible library... ; )  


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Want a glimpse into the innerworkings of Kristina?  Or at least the random questions my work uses to interrogate people?  If anything, the questions themselves are pretty entertaining. Enjoy my answers 4-12 of a get to know you survey we did at work... good times -- would love to know any of your answers to these questions, please feel free to share! So random, right?! : ) 

4. What’s your favorite color?

- Blue. No yel-- auuuuuuuugh! [ explodes and dies ].... (I actually just love the whole rainbow... : )

5. What do you like to do in your free time?

- Dream of more free time : ) Read, run, be outside, spend time with people, make tapas (Spanish appetizers : ), etc.!

6. It’s a Friday night, what are you doing?

- Getting treats and doing fun things, getting groups together to do stuff... and an occasional a hot date ; )

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

- A Mom : ) As well as.. the first lady : ) Or... would love to work for the Government in the Foreign Services or in the non-profit sector

8. Any big plans for Christmas?

- Having a fondue dinner with family and playing with my nieces and nephews!

9. Please tell me one short, interesting story about yourself.

- When I was little (say 8/9/10 or so), I would play "business" instead of house : ) (I did that too, but just wasn't as fun : ) j/k I had a little "office" I created for my self and among my many careers (I was a teacher, a counselor, aerobics instructor, etc.) I was a banker. I lent money to my sister and the deal was you have to give me back the money in the exact change I gave it to you (meaning if I gave you 5 pennies, you have to give me 5 pennies back : ) Well, she signed the contract, and once her time was up, the interest charge was $1 a day for everyday late the first week, $2 a day the second week, etc. Long story short... I made $20 off of her... and it was beautiful : )

10. What’s the coolest place you’ve ever been to?

- Other than my mom's old room in my Grandma's house... probably the tent home of a Moroccan nomad family in the Sahara.

11. Who do you think would win out of a fight between Jack Skellington (Nightmare Before Christmas) and the Grinch, and why?

- Jack... the Grinch has no heart. Gotta have heart to win.

12. What is the most awkward/interesting thing you have seen in the labs?

- 2 guys on the same day "diggin' for gold" and then using the keyboards...

13. If you had to be any type of Christmas decoration, what would you be, and why?

- The leg lamp... : )

14. What’s your favorite part of Christmas?

- Reenacting the nativity as a family and the reading Luke 2

15. What’s one unique Christmas tradition your family does?

- Volunteering at the Salvation Army to help distribute food to families and having a full-on fondue dinner at home : )