Lambson Family in Slovakia ...

Lambson Family in ???

2008-05-18T19:49:00.004+02:00

Okay, I've learned over the last 15 years that nothing is done until it is confirmed in writing and signed by everyone above you in the company. This process can take 4-18 months depending on the decision being made.

As you may know, there has been a rumor now for some time (maybe 6 months) that we will be moving. It sounds like now the rumor is becoming more real. There are no dates yet, but hopefully we have more to share this week. So, where are we going? Some hints for you to try and figure it out (if you already know, no guessing) ...

Weather (city):
Average Temperature in January 27.5 F
Average Temperature in July 65.3 F
Parcipitation in June 2.8 in

Population (city):
City 370,000
Metro Area 730,000

City Elevation 778 ft

LDS Stuff:
Members in country 1,981
Active members in country 495

Major Religions:
Atheist 39.8%
Catholic 39.2%
Protestant 4.6%
LDS 0.0193%

Other Country Facts:

Country borders 4 other countries
Fresh Water Withdrawl - 1.91 cu km/yr
Natural Hazard - flooding
Population Growth - (0.082%)
Fertility Rate - 1.23 children born/woman
Government Type - parliamentary democracy
GDP - $249.1 billion
Unemployment Rate - 6.6%
Agricultural Products - wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry
Telephone Lines - 2.9 mil
Cellular Phones - 12.4 mi (note: total population is 10.2 mil)
Airports - 122 (with paved runways - 45)
Illicit Drugs - transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy

This Just In...

2008-05-06T10:02:00.002+02:00

I got some new info on the hair-do front. Appearently, after the first version (kevin cut just the sides and back leaving the top 'longer') Bremen went to school and told everybody to touch his head. I'm talking EVERYBODY in the school (preschool-high school). Anyone who would walk by him he would say "Touch my head!"...And they did. I guess he repeated it the next day with the total skinhead look. Yesterday one of the teachers came up to Bremen and lifted up the hat he was wearing. The mom we carpool with was picking him up. He told her he was checking to make sure it wasn't blue or anything.

A Grand Production

2008-05-04T23:57:00.012+02:00

Bremen's class had a production at the last assembly of the year for his school. It happened to be the day The Siblings and I left for Italy, so of course, we made a stop to watch. These first pics are of Anastazie (of Czech origin) and Eric (of the Netherlands) with B-Man.

First they sand 'Happy Birthday' to all kids who would have b-days in April, May, and June, so Bremen got to go up on stage.

Then his class performed a skit based on a book that had something to do with "I couldn't get my turtle to wake up." or something like that. I feel horrible for forgetting the name of the book. I guess I'll chalk that one up for one more reason I'm a bad mother.

Bremen played one of two goldfish swimming in a fishbowl (appropriate that Bremen and Will (USA)-the kid that takes swimming lessons with B every week- are the fishes).

Swimming over to the turtle that won't get up.

Now all the characters are surrounding the lazy turtle...

And he finally wakes up!

Next they did a song about a hole in the ground-again bad mother for not remembering the song title. Bremen was singing this song to us at home for weeks and we had no clue what he was singing. He played the hole. I believe we've found his calling.

New Hair Cut - yet again

2008-05-03T18:15:00.011+02:00

While Marcy toured around Europe last week with her brother and sister, I got to spend the week at home with Bremen. Even though it was only a week, the kid wore me out.

Bremen decided one evening that we should surprise mom with new haircuts when she came back. Sounds good to me. He fetched the clippers. I was expeting him to ask for a mohawk again, but no ... "I can't have a mohawk at school. I want to be bald."

Scouts honor ... I tried to protest but Bremen insisted that, "mom will really, really like it." So I started to cut. I must of looked worried because he tried to reassure me while I was cutting his hair, "don't worry daddy, momma won't kill you."

Anyway, here are the pics ...

To borrow from Sheri's 'Max Quotes', Bremen had a few funny ones today:

"I was born funny."
"The world must never know." (in response to Marcy asking why he was holding onto his foot and hiding)

Deep Thoughts

2008-04-09T21:08:00.002+02:00

If you don't know to the second when a drunk's gonna vomit on you, you don't survive as a strip club bouncer.
Veronica Pare and Ferrett Steinmetz, Home on the Strange, 10-02-07

The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question.
Stephen Jay GouldUS author, naturalist, paleontologist, & popularizer of science (1941 - 2002)

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.
Groucho MarxUS comedian with Marx Brothers (1890 - 1977)

There is only one difference between a madman and me. I am not mad.
Salvador DaliSpanish Catalan Surrealist painter (1904 - 1989)

I think the world is run by 'C' students.
Al McGuire

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.
Mark TwainUS humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

The Ones You Know

2008-04-04T15:08:00.002+02:00

No One We Know-My Venice

2008-04-04T14:48:00.002+02:00

Quotes of the Day-with reason

2008-03-28T13:55:00.003+01:00

You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in.
Arlo GuthrieUS folksinger (1947 - )

I love Arlo Guthrie's songs. Growing up my family would sit around the record player on Thanksgiving listening to Alice's Restaurant. The Motorcycle Song is on of my favorites-I don't want a pickle.

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe, "Eleonora"US short story author, editor, & poet (1809 - 1849)

I hope to always be a dreamer/imaginer, so I never take life too seriously, or not seriously enough.

'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln, (attributed)16th president of US (1809 - 1865)

I frequently feel stupid when I open my mouth, which is part of the reason I rarely open it.

Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.
Bill Watterson, cartoonistUS cartoonist (1958 - )

I believe there is life on other planets, and I happy we haven't found it-happy for that other life.

Bremen's Venice

2008-03-26T10:02:00.004+01:00

So for Easter this year, we drove down to Venice (that's in Italy). We had wanted to go skiing, but because the weather had been so warm, we figured all the snow would be gone. The day before we left on our trip, it snowed over an inch. Luckily that had melted by the time we had to drive, but it was cold. Luckily, our online directions were slightly inaccurate and the trip took on 6 hours instead of 7.

Our hotel was on the mainland (Venice is an island with only one access bridge which only opened in 2006), so we found it and a place to get groceries and dinner before heading to bed. The next morning we drove to the pier and took a ferry-boat to the island. Bremen professed even before we got off the boat that he wanted to live in Venice and never leave. (My profession of never wanting to leave occurred in the grocery store's cheese aisle-I could just live in the store, if they'd let me, please!)

I'd done a bit of research (as I do before any trip) and the guide books recommended just wandering around the city, which is mostly what we did. We leisurely followed the signs to St. Mark's Square (St. Mark's body is at the church there-yep!) where Bremen purchased corn from a smiling old italian guy to feed the pigeons. He loved it! They didn't hop into his hand, but came dang close. They ate out of his hand, which produced one of the biggest smiles I've ever scene. he became concerned at my suggestion to run around the square, because he said he didn't want to run into the pigeons. He relaxed this stance as he watched many of the other children running around without inflicting damage to the birds. (his concern is so funny becuase i have pictures of him chasing pigeons in every country we've visited)

He loved the ferryboat ride, the gondola ride, the boat-bus ride down the Grand Canal, the pizza/pasta, ice cream, pigeons, the water everywhere, ice cream, bridges everywhere, playing tag through one of the more desterted squares, ice cream, jumping back and forth on the two beds in the hotel, watching 'the news' (we don't have television at home and one of the hotel's two channels was CNN, so we watched that), and just being with his family for four days in a row. I don't understand it, but the kid likes his parents. Go figure.

The weather held up pretty nicely for us. It was cold enough to need gloves and a hat and scarf, but the rain only came at night, and the sun came out for at least a little while every day. On the way home, as soon as we hit the mountains (Dolomites) everything was covered in snow and it started falling. A major storm had hit the mountains all weekend. I guess we could have gone skiing after all.

This trip has a the designation of being the first Bremen Photographically Documented Trip. He enjoyed taking pictures immensely. We'll have to work on patience, as many of his shots were blurred or distorted by his quickness to get everything on...can't say film anymore...pixels(?). I love his record of our trip and it surprised me how many of our pictures almost matched exactly. He made about 200 shots. These are the ones I picked to share with you. He took every one of them!

On a side note: I don't think we'll run into a problem with Bremen having confidence in life. As we were looking over his pictures on the computer (Kevin and I praising many of them), Bremen says "My pictures are cooler than yours, Mama." Of course I agreed with him.

Ode to the Mysterious Highway Inspector

2008-03-18T22:00:00.003+01:00

If you know me well, you know of my fear of...engineering. This covers things like tall buildings, towers, carnival rides, bridges, freeway overpasses. It's not merely the height of these objects that puts the end of my life to the front of my mind, rather their stability and durability (yes, I know, I've scene too many movies). My fear worsens if you can see through the item: glass stairs, the Eiffel Tower, etc. Driving over a freeway overpass is very difficult with your eyes closed, let me tell you. each time I hear a report of a bridge collapse or a highway falling and cars being crushed my fear is reinforced. This lastest report, sadly does NOTHING to instill confidence in those bright men and women who spend their days designing death traps for the rest of us and 'weren't sure' how this could have happened. By the way, I am grateful to the ONE highway inspector who 'happened' to stop and check in this instance. He wins the gold star of the day!!! A true hero in my book. His name is sadly not mentioned in this article which appeared on AOL's news:

Emergency Repair Shuts Major Highway
By BILL BERGSTROM,
AP
Posted: 2008-03-18 12:06:45
Filed Under: Nation News
PHILADELPHIA (March 18) -- A three-mile stretch of Interstate 95 was shut down early Tuesday, backing up commuter traffic for miles, as workers began emergency repairs on a 6-foot crack in a concrete pillar supporting the major corridor through the Northeast.

The work required closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of the highway north of the city's central business district, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Gene Blaum said.The fracture ranged from 2 inches to several inches wide.

"Obviously, we feel it could compromise the strength of that section of the highway," Blaum said.The section of the interstate carries about 190,000 vehicles a day, making the repair "a major undertaking," he said.Traffic rapidly snarled at exit points as police directed motorists onto detours around the damaged area.PennDOT planned to have a contractor erect four steel towers to surround and support the steel-reinforced concrete pillar before the highway could be reopened. Officials said the work would take two to four days.

On Tuesday morning, workers were clearing concrete barriers so heavy equipment could be moved closer to the damaged pillar and were starting work on the foundation for the temporary towers.

"Fortunately it was found, we're on top of it, and we're taking care of the situation," Mayor Michael Nutter said.

A crack about a half-inch wide was noticed by an inspector last fall. The same inspector happened to be in the area Monday and decided to check the cracked pillar, Blaum said."This crack has grown considerably since October," Blaum said.

"It was very fortuitous that he took that look today."Concrete at the top of the column was crumbling, leaving reinforcing rods visible from the street below, and brick-sized chunks of concrete had fallen around the base of the pillar.

Blaum said engineers weren't sure what caused the crack in the 40-year-old pillar. The column is located under an expansion joint, and it's possible the damage may have been caused by expansion and contraction of the roadway, Blaum said.
"Obviously this is certainly not something we would do unless it is absolutely necessary, to shut down the interstate, but it's going to be done," Blaum said. "Two spans of Interstate 95 basically connect right on top of that column."Blaum said the highway's other supports in the area weren't showing similar deterioration.
Several sections of I-95, including the column in question, had been scheduled for repair later this year, Blaum said. There's also a $2 billion plan in the works to replace five sections of roadway, including the area with the damaged pillar, in the next 10 to 15 years, Blaum said.AP writers JoAnn Loviglio and Randy Pennell in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-18 08:57:00

Quote of the Day

2008-03-15T16:12:00.001+01:00

Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none.
Jules Renard(1864 - 1910)

Boy Eating Cookie

2008-03-02T13:33:00.011+01:00

Bremen asked Marcy if he could make a video using one of the cameras. What kind of video do you want to make? ... "Boy Eating Cookie". Clever boy, he knew his chances were slim of getting an additional treat that day.

So, here is his masterpiece ...

Cast:

Bremen Lambson ... Boy

Marcy Lambson ... Mom with cookie

Cookie ... Cookie

Crew:

Bremen Lambson ... Writer/Director/Camera Man

Kevin Lambson ... Producer (purchaser of camera)/Catering (maker of cookie)

Negative Cutter ... Mo Henry

MPAA: PG13 (scary cookie action and violence, peril and some thematic elements)

ASPCA Note: Only one cookie was harmed during the making of this film.

Special thanks to the people of Olympus Camera for making this possible. Shot on location in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Something to do with the Quote of the Day

2008-02-29T11:59:00.006+01:00

I've posted my freaky rock photos on my Photo.net page: http://photo.net/photodb/folder.tcl?folder_id=812604 I figured it was better then posting them here, mainly because I there are so many of them, it'd be nearly impossible to fit them all. And also, because that way those of you who don't care to view my freaky artsy-fartsy side don't have to be unduely exposed.

I must say, however, I did enjoy putting these shots together. I actually did some 'editing' work on some of them this time (filters, soft focus, saturation, etc), which I normally don't do. I also enjoyed naming them. I think I may have been getting a little loopy with the naming game, so watch out. Something about listening to Enya and the Juno soundtrack that works wonders for your brain.

So, to those of you who make the trek, I have a request to make of you. Please let me know which are your favorites (top 5-10), if you have them. Thanks.

Here's a teaser:

And the Quote for Today:

No matter what we have come through, or how many perils we have safely passed, or how many imperfect and jagged - in some places perhaps irreparably - our life has been, we cannot in our heart of hearts imagine how it could have been different. As we look back on it, it slips in behind us in orderly array, and, with all its mistakes, acquires a sort of eternal fitness, and even, at times, of poetic glamour.
Randolph Silliman Bourne

Quote of the Day

2008-02-28T09:46:00.002+01:00

Someday we'll look back on this moment and plow into a parked car.
Evan Davis

Question for the ladies: Is vulnerability something you admire in a man?

Quote of the Day

2008-02-25T12:21:00.001+01:00

I dedicate this to my husband:

I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.
Marshall McLuhanCanadian author, educator, & philosopher (1911 - 1980)

What we did this Sunday:

2008-02-25T11:56:00.003+01:00

We love our spot on the bank of the Danube River in Austria.

I think we decided to go every Sunday, weather permitting. As you can see, the weather was beautiful yesterday-Bremen actually took his shirt off, because he said he was too warm. We got him to put it back on by threatening sunburn. He loved combing the beach for 'unique' rocks to add to his collection, tossing sticks and rocks into the water, and playing with his dad. He even took a few pictures with his camera.

Kevin enjoyed being able to relax before an extremely stressful week of work (the boss is here), being in the warm weather, collecting really excellent pebbles (he found a blue-like turq blue-one), and fighting with Bremen (with sticks).

The river is unusually low for this time of year. I guess the mild winter takes it's toll somewhere. It did allow us to see more of the bank and locate lots of interesting additions to our rock/beach glass/garbage collections. I'm the one with the beach garbage collection. And glass. I know, i'm a freak.

I spent almost the entire time with my face behind the camera shooting the beach. I'm debating posting the majority of the, shall we say, artistic attempts, mainly because they make me look like even more of a freak. I took about 200 pictures yesterday at the river, most of them are of rocks and glass.

I pondered to Kevin, "At what point does one more picture become just excess?" He couldn't answer, but I think I know what he was thinking. Crazy obsessed photographer wife.

Just in! from January

2008-02-22T22:47:00.002+01:00

Well, for the past couple years, Kevin has been taking me on trips for my birthday (because we've been in AZ with babysitters, I assume) and this year's trip was to Tucson and San Xavier Mission outside of Tucson. Why? Because I'd never been, the mission, that is. We also spent time at the Center for Creative Photography and U of A Art Musuem. It's worth a trip for the CCP every couple years, at least. They have Ansel Adams complete archives (including negatives) which you can make an appointment and view, if you want.

Anyway, the church is beautiful and I'm glad we went.
My head hurts and I can't think of anything interesting to say, so...

Quote of the Day

2008-02-22T10:27:00.001+01:00

How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?
Charles De Gaulle, in "Les Mots du General", 1962

A side note: I like France, so there! But this is just too funny.

Another side note: So, nobody's worried about Belgrade? Interesting.

Quote of the Day

2008-02-16T16:21:00.001+01:00

This is one of those views which are so absolutely absurd that only very learned men could possibly adopt them.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970

Kim's Challenge

2008-02-15T15:49:00.007+01:00

I did the Band Challenge Kimberly posted via Amy. Here's my results:

1st try: Band Name: Speed Bump

Album Name: I Have Of It

Album Cover:

But I prefer this for my cover, which was number 4:

2nd try: Band Name: Mark Cohen-Cricketer

Album name: And What It Brings

Album Cover:

This was fun. I did have a problem or two-like the real picture for my second try wouldn't save to my computer, so reloaded on the same page and this fishy came up.

Here's the directions from Kim's blog if anyone's interested:

It’s the Random Album Cover Game! A great exercise in creativity.
This requires three random things. But wait, here’s what you’re supposed to do (I promise I didn’t cheat on mine):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first article on this page is your band name. (If it’s a real band or musician, you might want to cheat and hit refresh.)
http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 Scroll down - the last four words of the last article are the title of your album.
http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ Whatever the third picture is - that’s the album cover.

Thanks Kim and Amy

Random Thoughts On My Way To Pick Up My Son From School

2008-02-15T15:25:00.002+01:00

Floating, swirling, angry white poofs
The killer in me is the killer in you
Policia-Oh, crap! Did I turn my headlights on? Yes-shwew!
Stupava-Stupida name for a town
Pretty cute for two ugly people
Where's my drink? -Darn it! Left it at home.
Should we get pizza for dinner tonight or have leftovers again?
Take a hike Mr. Winter, I'm ready for Spring!
I love my ipod
Autoskola drivers: forever to be mocked, ridiculed, and tailgated.
Teenaged girls are soooo annoying.

Soul of a Cottonfield

2008-01-15T05:32:00.001+01:00

The Last of the Cottonfields

2008-01-13T20:22:00.000+01:00

Growing up in southern Chandler I didn't give much thought to how great I had it. I'm sure I even complained at times. My family moved to a 2.3 acre property before I entered the fifth grade. The reason: Horses; my sister and I were hopelessly addicted to horses. We raced them barebacked around our yard, weaving in and out of the trees sometimes forgetting to duck before the low-hanging branches knocked into us, well, at least me.

We made obstacle courses, and jumping courses in the arena, made up games and pretended to be in the Olympics. We jumped ditches, waded in irrigation water, and caught snakes. We used to have a Christmas tradition of going on a family trail ride. We went trail riding often, but only occasionally were we all out at the same time. We even took the dog. Horses and riders set out from our house down the dirt road, past a paved Cooper Road and onto the narrow farm lanes. Surrounded by corn, alfalfa, or cotton fields we spent hours; we rode for miles and miles.

Today those fields are full of stucco covered houses. I am told the house I grew up in has been bulldozed to make way for another. I have not gone by to see for myself.

Faced with the recent issue of 'Where to Live?', I have given considerable thought to the question 'Where do I want my children to grow up?' and 'What kind of life do I want for them?'. I would love for them to have the kind of childhood that I had. Kevin has similar stories from his youth: Irrigation football, jumping tumbleweeds, etc. I don't think he would object to my desire for a rural life, although I fear that ideal is quickly becoming impossible.

For good or ill Kevin and I pourchased a house in eastern Queen Creek (a thirty-five minute drive from Kevin's Dad's house). We thought this might be far enough out.

There will be a Fry's Marketplace opening soon not 5 minutes down the road. The Super Target and Walmart (as well as an assortment of duplicate retail chains) opening in the Spring is less than fifteen minutes from our rural oasis.

The point of this blog: The first week of my visit this December, I was elated to find a cottonfield with the cotton ready for harvest out in Queen Creek. I nearly yelled the word 'cottonfield' as I drove past with Bremen in the back seat. Duely impressed by whatever would make his "Mama" so happy, the next time (and many times after) we drove past the fireld, Bremen yelled "cottonfield". We now have an expert Cottonfield Identifier on our hands.

I forced Kevin to pull over (as I often do) so I could photograph the cotton. He and Bremen ran around as I snapped the soul of the field into the black box I held. I stood and turned as I heard Kevin say to our son "Ask Mama?" Bremen came up to me and asked, "Mama, what does cotton taste like?"

At least he knows food doesn't come from the supermarket.

Arizona Holidays

2008-01-01T23:14:00.000+01:00

The family took off for their annual trip to Arizona on December 9th. I joined them on the 21st. After a week of adjusting to the time zone changes, we were back to regular Arizona life. The family visits on Christmas Day was a challenge - 10am at the Grammy & Papa's, 2pm at Grandma Sandy's and 5pm at Grandma Norris. It was fun, but felt rushed as we were always running late trying to get to the next place.

Bremen raked in the gifts, as usual. Now we have to decide what stays in Arizona and what gets brought back with us to Slovakia. With a limit of two bags per person and 50 pounds per bag, some stuff is staying here.

Temperatures in Slovakia currently range from 23-28 degrees, compared to the 70 degrees we plan to hit this week here. Notice the short sleeves on Bremen at his Grandparents house. New Years Day was spent learning to clean/ride horses and playing with Arizona "snowballs".

Slovakia Childrens Hospital

2007-12-20T21:10:00.000+01:00

My company gives a lot of money to charity but as it is an American-based company, most of this money goes to organizations in the United States. This has bothered employees in Slovakia for the last few years. I've tried to get a budget for Slovak charities without success - maybe I haven't tried hard enough.

Anyway ... rather than wait around for the company or for me to convince the company, the employees decided to do something on their own. This is the third year we have 'adopted' the local Childrens Cancer Hospital in Bratislava (picture above).

We collect money from team members. Some employees work overtime for a month and donate the OT wages. We've been slowly stocking thier play/craft area ...

Television
Sound System
Computers (2)
Nintendo
Movies/Books
Craft supplies (paints, paper, etc)

This is the first year I went with them to deliver the gifts (my boss went the previous two years to represent the center). We went today. The director showed us around. The hospital is the largest in the country, caring for over 50% of all children with cancer in Slovakia.

She showed us the first wing for the 10-18 year olds. We got to meet some of the kids as we unloaded the gifts under the tree. The kids live in the hospital while getting treatment - parents are welcome as well. Some of the kids were telling us how they like to aggravate the staff by setting up passwords on the computers (the ones we bought last year), locking everyone else out. They were pretty funny.

We then took some chocolate eggs (the cool ones you get in Europe with the toys inside) and went to tour the second wing. The kids were so little (2, 3, 4 years old) - Bremen's age. They were so excited about the eggs. We started going room to room giving them out. There were 'sterile rooms' that we weren't allowed in but the nurse was sure to take in an egg. We then came to the last few rooms. I peeked in through the window ... cribs ... each of these rooms had a crib. A young couple came out with a little baby in their arms. A beautiful, tiny baby ... I can't imagine it ... they're just kids. I don't try hard enough.

Tag from Jamie

2007-12-15T16:39:00.001+01:00

Sorry, Jamie - new to this blog/tag stuff. I assume that means I have to answer these questions:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. But not the thick, soup-like hot chocolate they have in Slovakia that Marcy loves.

2. Do you wrap presents or not? I like to wrap if I have time. I am usually too lazy and shop at the last minute (like on the 24th) so I end up doing bags. By the way, any ideas on what I can get Marcy for Christmas. It's only the 15th. I still have a lot of time.

3. Colored Lights or White? Colored unless you are doing those icicles on the house which have to be white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.

5. When do you decorate? Most of the Christmas stuff is in Arizona. We travel back for the holidays so we don't do much decorating in Slovakia.

6. Favorite holiday dish? Ham ... there is usually a ham somewhere around the holidays at my dad or moms house - or both (even better).

7. Favorite memory as a child? We weren't aloud to open our bedroom doors on Christmas eve. So we'd stay up really late until we thought the parents were asleep. I'd lay down inside my room by the door, but my mouth up to the crack at the bottom of the door and talk to Teresa. The conversation usually went like this:

Kevin: You think they are asleep.
Teresa: Yea, go sneak out and see what's out there.
Kevin: No, you go.
Teresa: I don't want to get in trouble.
Kevin: Get Charlotte/Wendy to do it. She'll go.
Teresa: Charlotte/Wendy, go out and peak.
(door opens as Charlotte/Wendy sneaks out and comes back)
Kevin: What did you see?
Charlotte/Wendy: Bikes
Kevin: Cool
Dad (yelling from the other room): Be quite and go to bed or there will be no Christmas.

8. When & how did you learn about Santa? I think I first realized that Santa existed when I was 3 or 4. As I grew older I learned more about him. I think I was 6 when I learned he lived at the North Pole. I haven't learned a lot of new things about Santa in the last few years. I should get to know him better.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? As kids, pajamas and slipper unless the slippers were built into the pajams - score man.

10. How do you decorate your tree? I don't, Marcy does. But I remember the first year my mom switched to the 'themed' Christmas trees. It was very sad. As a kid I was no longer allowed to contribute. A kids view (at least mine) of a Christmas tree is not a single color or a single type of ornament. I love the mismatched trees as some ornaments, like the one you made in 1st grade, are important. And if Bremen wants to hang all the ornaments on only one branch of the tree, so be it. That makes it even better.

11. Snow...love it or dread it? Playing in it ... love it. Driving in it ... hate it. Throwing a blanket over you by the fire sipping hot chocolate while it falls outside ... love it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but not well. I have to run into a wall to stop.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Bright orange 10-speed bike. I assume because I still remember it, it must be my favorite. I'm actually not a big fan of getting gifts. Giving them is fine.

14. What is the most important part of the holidays? Others

15. Favorite holiday dessert? Frosted, sugar cookies ... not too soft, not too crispy. Must be homemade, store bought ones are too soft and taste like cardboard. Decorating them yourself is great ... gotta have sprinkles too.

16. Favorite tradition? tradition, not sure really. My favorite thing is watching Bremen's face as he opens gifts. It's the best.

What we did today:

2007-12-08T20:38:00.000+01:00

Today, I was a guest on the traditional boys Saturday out. You may have been told before that Kevin and Bremen usually spend Saturdays together, leaving me at home to sleep in or do...whatever. Today I had the privilage to join them on their trek to Aupark (a big mall with a playground and park behind it).

We began by parking by the river and walking across the UFO bridge to downtown, where the boys had a race through the pedestrian zone. We had lunch at McDonald's (a sin, I know) and learned a bit of trivia about bees (did you know it takes 2 million bees to make enough honey to fill one jar?).

Then we walked back across the bridge to the park. Passing the lounging police officers, we proceeded to kick everything in view, rocks, signs, statues, etc... walked on a bunch of displaced cooblestones, a bench, and eventually the path.

As you can see by the other dad and kid in the photo, it's not uncommon for dads to take their kids out by themselves in Slovakia. My friend Sharon and I used to wonder what kind of jobs these dads had, since we often saw them out with their kids in the middle of the week in the middle of the day quite often.

I made Kevin pose with this building. If you ask Bremen what this building is, he will tell you: It's Daddy's new work when they're done building it. That's right, folks, AT&T will be moving into this nice new shiny building in the new year (they're getting kicked out of their old building-mafia problems-not really, but the landlord did threaten to baricade the doors on them-Life is never simple for the AT&T Slovakia Country Manager).

Next we had to stop and let Bremen have a laughing fit, because when he crouched down (waiting for us to take the picture with the building), he farted. BOYS!

Then I saw this little advert for keeping Slovakia beautiful and thought I would share it with you all (okay, so I'm not such a girlie girl).

Next stop: Playground. We first came to this playground not long after we moved here. Bremen hadn't turned 2 years old yet and he was still in diapers.

He used to be so scared of the climbing equiptment that he couldn't walk on it on his own, and some points he wouldn't even attempt with help.

As you can see his play confidence has improved slightly as the years have passed.

Kevin, tired (can't imagine why, he actually took a 2 hour nap after we got back home-Kevin did-not Bremen), tried to take a break, but...

Bremen came over and said: Daddy play with me! So, he chased him around the playground, earning bewildered looks from all the other dads and their kids. Slovaks don't play like Kevin (actually, I'm not sure any nationality does).

Bremen's training for his future career as a pole dancer:

Actually, if you ask him what job he wants when he grows up, lately his response will be: I want to work at the CARWASH! That's due to his favorite CD: Bob and Larry sing the 70's (VeggieTales). After a minor shopping trip (they have a grocery store in the mall-we needed Pepsi light), he headed back through the park to our car.

Kevin found a weeping willow stick and wisely handed it to Bremen, who instantly began whipping him with it. OK New Rule: No whipping people. He got very good at using the whip-he said it was for horses.

Next he started running with his eyes closed saying: I can't see, I'm blind. We finally made it back to our car (no police to give us a parking ticket (I received my first parking ticket from a Slovak cop this week. Very embarrassing as I had the missionaries there to witness it. But at least they were able to translate for me.))

Well, I'm just one of the guys now.

Home Sweet Home!

Not looking forward to spending 14 hours on an airplane, and Although he will probably say he won't miss Kevin (he said that last time we went to the US) I know Bremen will miss his Daddy tremendously for the next 2 weeks.

Dresden, Germany

2007-12-02T19:08:00.000+01:00

We have a new tradition that may get a little too expense to keep up if we ever move back to the United States ... For the past three years we've gone somewhere to see the tradtional Christmas Markets. The first year was Nuremburg, then Salzburg, and this year we went to Dresden. We tend to stick to German-speaking countires for these trips. First, not knowing the language sometimes gets a little old (Forget going to France if you don't speak fluent, accent-free French. Now that I think about it, forget going to France for any reason). Second, the thought of Christmas and Germany just kind of goes together, doesn't it?

We left Thursday morning around 9am. It's almost a direct route from Bratislava to Prague to Dreseden. We arrived in Prague at about 11:30 - lunch time. Took a few hours to hit the Christmas market in Prague and had lunch at the Red Hot Blues Jazz Club - best onion rings we've had in Europe ... actually the only onion rings we've ever found in Europe. The real reason to stop in Prague was not lunch or the Christmas market, but to visit a small American food store downtown; we are out of Pam Cooking Spray and wanted to stock up (you gotta have Pam ... well, you don't but life in the kitchen is not as easy without it). Anyway, the store was closed. Apparently the lady that owns it decided to be pregnant and sick that morning. I guess I'll have to grease and flour the pans.

We left Prague around 2pm. It's almost 2 hours more to Dresden. It would have been faster if it wasn't -5 degrees C outside with icy roads. I think I've mentioned how I hate driving on snow and ice. It was dark when we arrived (it gets dark early) and it took a while to find the apartment, but we made it. By the way, if you are traveling with kids go for apartment rentals instead of hotels - less money, multiple bedrooms and your own kitchen. We hit the grocery store (something I like to do anyway when visiting a different country) and went back to the apartment to make dinner.

The next two days were spent in Dresden. Dresden has 7 or 8 different Christmas markets, the biggest one has been held annually for the last 573 years - it was cool. There are rides for kids and lots of food to eat ... Kartofelpuffer with apple sauce, 1/2 meter long bratwurst, currywurst, chocolate apples, crepes, some sort of almond/cinamon pastry, roasted pigs (Bremen loved that) and everything else you can imagine. We had a blast. Here are the pics:

Some buildings in Prague - you have to ask Marcy (I have no idea)

Marcy was recommended this ice cream shop in Prague, just so happens to be on the most expensive street in the city. The ice cream was good ... but I also like Thrify Ice Cream (25 cents a scoop) ...

Some big, famous clock in Prague - again a Marcy question...

Dreseden - 573rd annual Christmas Market

Bremen said, "come here mom" and then proceeded to pull the branch of the Christmas tree back to have it smack her in the face ... see how happy he is?

Wandering the streets of Dreseden we found these cool buildings surrounding an enormous courtyard. It was dark, you can't see it well. If you come visit, we'll take you there.

After the trip, Bremen said his favorite part was riding the trams. Here we are buying a ticket.

One of the best things about Europe ... fresh cookies/pastries from the bakery.

Not very many pictures of Marcy on this trip - sorry.

Bremen loved the idea of chasing the street sweeper through the Fussganger Zone.

Bremen spent a lot of the time on my shoulders.

It rained - sorry, nothing else to say and it's 11pm and I need to work in the morning.

Yes, more rain.

It rained on the whole family.

Another market in Dresden. This one must be younger than 573 years. They didn't bother to say how old it was.

Other pictures of Dresden.

We were at the top of a church tower. They had pictures of what Dresden looked like after WWII - everything destroyed. Try explaining WWII to a 4-year old. He was really concerned and asked, "dad, were the American's bad 'cuz they bombed everyone." Bremen knows he is American and is quite proud of that. I think he was feeling a little hurt.

He didn't really want to pose with the toy soldier. We did get him to salute, but that picture didn't turn out.

I don't want to go to bed!

2007-11-22T23:00:00.000+01:00

OK, The best thing about being a grown-up (or being old enough to be a grown-up) is not having to go to bed when you don't want to. The problem for me at the moment is I don't have anything to do to keep me up. I simply don't want to go to bed. And now, since this is going to be a true rambling blog, I feel a true blogger in every sense. I have nothing important or relevent to say. So I'll ramble. I love playlists. I haven't gotten the hang of putting them on the blog yet, so the same one is still on here and you have to click on it to hear it, so I doubt anyone ever listens to it, but I've spent hours making others and I've recently remembered, or been reminded of some great music I forgot about. I am ashamed to admit this as well. I haven't been following music for the past 10 years. Anything 'new' is foreign to me, so recently I've been kinda searching for 'new' music that's new to me that I like, so if anyone has any suggestions (I better think before I ask for this right?) I love The Shins-they're my Smiths for the modern times.
Someone's probably going to hate me for that coment. C'est la vie. My favorite all time song is Reel Around the Fountain. I'm listening to it now, and I have to say I want to die hearing it. I can't describe what it does to me.

I noticed today that someone in their infinite wisdom has created an electronic book. Wireless, paperless access to over 90,000 books, blogs, etc. This is probably a very good itea for todays market, but I, for one, will NEVER EVER own one. I love books and paper far too much. I also hate staring at a computer screen for too long, unless I'm shopping for shoes that i never have the nerve to buy. Anyway this thing just looks like an oversized PDA and I thought what an idiot to use that design. Wouldn't it have been infinitly cooler (and more sellable) to make it actually LOOK LIKE A BOOK! Imagine your sitting on a train, book in hand, that reads War in Peace on the cover, yet you're actually reading a trashy romance novel, or the sports page. People would think you're so tough to sit and read Tolstoy for hours on end when you're really just like everybody else. Yeah, so I swear an oath today to never use one of those things. I know this is a dangerous thing to do, especially since Kevin reminded me I said the same thing about Digital Cameras (I'm such a hypocrite).

That's probably enough of nothing for tonight, but I still don't want to go to bed. Ok I'll put some pictures on here I took when we went on a nature walk a few weeks ago (before the snow ruined everything). I know a few of them look very much alike, but I couldn't choose which I liked best and since I have the power I decided to put them all on. I hate it when I really need a tripod and I can't find it in the two seconds I spend looking for it, then spend the next 20 minutes after I get to what I want to photograph swearing at mysel

f for losing my tripod. These are the best of the bunch, low light, and it only got worse. I wish I wasn't such a wuss about the cold, I coulda got some snow shots. Oh, well, I think I better go to bed. This is sounding really boring.
Oh, By the way, Elise, I make lists too. I think I have about six or eight at any given time. I love that you can make lists on Amazon. It makes me nervous though, to make lists of things (like movies) I'd like to have, because then I'd have to find a place to put them.

Oh, I remembered the movie Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael today. I don't know why that's now on the blog, but that's what you get when you give me the keyboard at midnight. I need to watch it again, to see if it's anything like I remember it. Oh, and Drop Dead Fred. What ever happened to Phoebe Cates? And when's the last time you watched the original movie Buffy and the Vampire Slayer? I actually own this one. If it's been a while and you need a laugh, rent it. Everyone is in that stinking movie, like Batman Begins.

Has anyone else checked out Facebook yet? It's soooo high school it makes me laugh, but I'm on there now. Anything to get me to waste more time on the internet. I haven't put my heart into it or anything, but I like to waste time on the never-ending movie quiz, and yes, i do cheat sometimes. If people are going to be so stupid to put questions on there you can look up on imdb.com, I'm gonna do it. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about.
Peace out.

Happy Turkey Day!

2007-11-22T22:58:00.001+01:00

Snow, Snow, Snow

2007-11-11T21:36:00.000+01:00

We left for church at 9am looking at a sunny, cold day. The snow started started halfway through Sacrament Meeting and about 3-4 inches were dumped on the city by the end of the services.

While I have taken the occasional snowy drive up to the White Mountains or even New Mexico working for Jim, I am not the expierenced winter driver. We live in an area called Koliba, the highest point in Bratislava, with a long, narrow road curving up to our home. About halfway up the traffic stoped.

Rather than slowly following a line of cars stopping/starting all the way up the mountain, we pulled over and decided to walk. Sundays are good for family nature walks, aren't they? Not to sure if Marcy was particularly thrilled, but we survived the trek up to our house.

After hot soup for lunch everyone was happy.

Bremen was so excited about the snow. We suited up (snow bib, gloves, hats, boots, etc) and went outside. A snowman, snowball fight and some sledding ... it was great fun. Oh ... and warm chocolate chip cookies for a late-night snack. Not a bad day.

Marcy

2007-11-05T21:54:00.000+01:00

Marcy has taken thousands of pictures since we moved to Slovakia almost 3 years ago. She has posted them on Shutterfly, Photo.net and now this blog site. There are many pictures of the sites, the cities, the people and of course a heck of a lot of pictures of Bremen.

The problem is that she is always the one behind the lens. I've searched through the pictures on her computer and pulled out the rare appearence of herself. So ... here she is ... the one, the only, Marcy ...

Be warned that she may take down this post as soon as she realizes I put it on, so this may be a limited viewing opportunity ... and sorry, no captions as I am trying to get this posted before she comes up and catches me.

Lessons

2007-11-04T20:39:00.000+01:00

There is a park that Bremen likes to visit behind one of the malls (Aupark) in Bratislava. There is a big play area with swings, merry-go-round, climbing walls, etc. They even set up trampolines and motorized cars during the summer for kids to play. It seems that we visit at least once a week.

A while ago Bremen and I spent a Saturday morning at the park. Bremen loves the merry-go-round (it's sort of like a big sit-n-spin that 7-8 kids can sit in) and on this morning he was sitting in it with two other kids. One of the children, about a year younger than Bremen, was being bossy and didn't want anyone touching the wheel in the middle. Bremen loves to go fast. Every time he reached out to spin the wheel, the younger Slovak kid would yell at him (in Slovak). Being more sensitive lately, Bremen would pull is hand back everytime the kid yelled. He looked so sad. He looked like he was going to cry.

I watched him from a nearby bench and found myself feeling bad for him. Here's this little American kid that doesn't understand Slovak, surrounded by other children speaking a foriegn language with one particular, mean little kid yelling at him. He looked at me with those eyes, questioning what to do. I told him it was okay and to go ahead and spin the wheel. Another attempt, more yelling.

I found myself becoming angry. How dare this little kid yell at my child. How dare his parent, standing close by, simply ignore the mean behavior of his child. This is where I taught him wrong ... if this kid was going to be a jerk, then it's okay to be a jerk back, "That kid is just mean, yell back at him."

But of course, Bremen is a better man than me. He didn't yell at the kid. He didn't want to. He sat there and enjoyed the ride. When the kid decided to get off, Bremen stayed on and played with the other children. He didn't let it bother him any longer.

I can't stand seeing him hurt, in pain or sad. Can't I shield him from everything, everyone bad in this world? I know I can't and I shouldn't. It's just so hard.

But of course, Bremen is a better man than me. Maybe I can learn from him.

Class Pictures

2007-11-01T18:34:00.000+01:00

My mother made keepsake boxes for us growing up, including albums with all of our school pictures in them. I only remember 3 or 4 of the names of my Kindergarten or 1st grade classmates, but it is still fun to go back and look at the pictures.

We just got back Bremen's class pictures and thought you might want to have a look ...

This was the best photo of him ... but it is typical Bremen.

At the Parent/Teacher conference this week, his teacher told us that Bremen and Ellen (the girl sitting next to him) will both run to the dress-up clothes during play time and squabble like an old married couple.

Bremen attends preschool at QSI Bratislava. It's an American-based school teaching pre-K through 12th grade. He has been going since we arrived in Slovakia and loves it. While instruction is in English (his teacher is from Chicago), most of the students in his 3-4 year old class are not native English speakers.

2007-10-31T20:05:00.001+01:00

data="http://www.profileplaylist.net/loadplaylist/18227061/config_green/270/430/true">

value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/loadplaylist/18227061/config_green/270/430/true">

Alright, It's not perfect. you have to click on "Launch Stand Alone Player" to hear my list. Please do. By the way, it's a game: Which one of these is not like the other? Which one of these do not belong?

More Pictures

2007-10-28T20:45:00.001+01:00

Hey, I know it's been a while since you've heard form me, but I've been staying away from the internet on purpose. I just waste time when I'm around it as evidenced by today. I spent most of the afternoon and evening getting a playlist together and couldn't get the stupid thing to post. Huuuhhhhh!

Anyway I wanted to share these pics with you. I was sitting in my living room on Friday, working, when I looked outside and realized i better get out there and document fall before it went away on me. It's gotten really cold and rainy really fast. It actually snowed last Saturday, although nothing stuck. The pics are mostly of my spent garden and my neighbors plants that fall over over mutual fence. I really love the ones of the broccoli blossoms and I'm upset I couldn't get one with the worm in focus.

Oh, well, I have often refered to myself as The Photographer Who Can't Be Bothered to Take Good Photographs. I'm more of a point and shoot and hope for the best type. I do have a small tripod, but I mostly use that for family shots while on vacations. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my Macro lens? Thank you Kevin-I love you more, most of the time.

Okay, that's enough time suckage. Back to the mysterious life of an expat wife. (Equivalent to an International Woman of Mystery (or is that Misery, I forget)) By the way-Mer, you should know that it's me writing because I refered to myself as a wife/woman. hehhehhhehehhheeeeee Love you!

HELP I NEED SOMEBODY

2007-10-28T20:12:00.000+01:00

Hey you guys, I need help! I've been trying with all my might to get my Playlist on my blog. It's driving me nuts!!!!! I got the code, and then blogger won't accept it, or it doesn't have the songs on it?!! Any clue what I'm doing wrong?

Pumpkin Carving

2007-10-26T18:26:00.000+02:00

A few years ago, we started carving pumpkins at my dads house. It was always a blast. Then all the boys moved away. Patrick to Utah, Marcy and I to Slovakia and John to Idaho. The girls are still in Arizona, but I'm not sure if they still do pumpkins.

Marcy and I kept up the pumpkin tradition in Slovakia. They don't really celebrate Halloween here, but it's still fun. We invite the young, single adults from the Branch and the missionaries. Tonight was the third year we've done this. The fruits of our labor:
Missionaries and members hard at work. Robert, the one sitting on the floor, is a member and also our neighbor.

Bremen and my pumpkin. While I carved the face, Bremen picked up a knife and started slashing, digging on the sides of the pumpkin. He said he was making "scars and scratches".

Do you have a favorite? Bremen likes the elf one the best. I was also quite impressed with that one. It was made by Elder Sorenson ... without a pattern. Not bad.

Oh, by the way, you can see Elder Sorenson as the lead in the following Mormon movie http://www.turnaroundmovie.com/.

Since learning that he's an actor, he now has to come to Primary anytime I need someone to act like a prophet, Bible character or whatever. Lucky guy.

America's Test Kitchen ... My Box

2007-10-25T19:42:00.000+02:00

Bremen has always enjoyed cooking. Thanks to a recent birthday gift from Laura and Dad (to me), Bremen is also now an America's Test Kitchen fan. He and I could sit and watch episode after episode. He will even make me pause the show while he runs to the restroom. His favorite of the 2007 season is the Grilled Shrimp. I like the Chicken Parmesan.

I don't know about everyone else, but I had a box when I was a kid. Everything I put in this box meant something to me ... even if it was just that I thought something was cool and I wanted to keep it. I still have this box. It's taped up, sitting in my office in Arizona with a bunch of other boxes waiting for me to get back to Arizona.

Every few years or so, I'd open the box and relive the memories (or wonder what the heck I saved this for). It's been 2 1/2 years since we've moved to Slovakia and since I've opened the box. I don't remember everything in it, but will enjoy going through it again when I get back. I do remember some items ...

Railroad tracks from a train set my dad had built when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old. It was a cool train track with a tunnel through a mountain and everything. Well, the train is long gone, but the tracks remain. Maybe Bremen and I will rebuild it together someday.
Model airplane engines - there is actually a debate over these. Dad claims they are his, but I swear he gave them to me. Sorry, dad ... you're not getting them back.
Rocks - a few cool rocks that I've found over the years. I intended to turn most of them into jewelry or something, but who knows ... maybe when I'm older.
A bracelet or two - yes, I was an eighties kid that wore bracelets. No, they were not frilly or pink or anything like that. They were quite manly (if that is possible)

Well, the purpose of all this is that I realized the other day that Bremen has a box of his own. It is for his special things. Here is a picture and a list of items and why I think he includes them in his box ...

Big round rock tied to a string - given to him by a vendor at a flea market in Austria. He loves to wear it around the house.
Wallet - where he keeps his allowance. Money = toys or candy. Clear enough.
Flashlight - I agree with this one. Flashlights are cool.
3 Chapsticks - if you know Marcy, you understand this one. He got this from her. Marcy must have bought thousands of these over the course of our marriage. They are everywhere in the house or car or ... well, everywhere ... but she can never find one every time we are passing a 7-11 or Circle K.
KootieKiller - what little boy wouldn't want KootieKiller?
Picture of him when he was a baby - he likes to sometimes hold this and look at himself. He loves stories about things he did/liked as a baby.
Winnie the Pooh statue - obtained in Rome while on vacation. They had vending machines for these things everywhere. Bremen asked for a Euro every time we passed one so he could have another.
A rock made with wire to look like a fish - I don't know about this one, but it is a craft that Marcy is trying to learn. He loves his mommy.
Whistle - he complains that he can't whistle with his mouth ... "like daddy". With this he doesn't have to worry about it.

My New Favorite Least-favorite Movie

2007-10-13T15:19:00.000+02:00

PAYCHECK starring Ben Afflicked and Uma-gosh, I can't believe they pay her for this Thurman

What does it take to make a bad movie? A few key elements always seem to be present.

'Smell the fart' acting-Thank you Joey
Repeat the main characters problem or question at least four times and maybe it will sink in-audiences are stupid.
Ignore the science in 'science fiction'.
Thinking about the story during the writing process really slows things down.
If something doesn't make sense-just add more flames.

Other movies I can't believe I wasted 2 hours of my life on:

Van Helsing
Reign of Fire
The Transporter (this is one long fight/car chase scene-I swear there's 30 minutes where no one speaks because they're too busy fighting.
Snakes on a Plane (your mother should be proud Sam), although it's just one of those titles you have to see.
Starship Poopers (It's really Starship Troopers, but I don't think anyone will notice)
The Brothers Grim

By the way this came about, because Kevin aquired some movies from a friend and they were given to us in a way which we had no idea what Paycheck was about, so we started watching and then I was mesmerized by it's stupidity and had to watch it to the end. Kevin swears we'd actually seen the movie before and I blocked it from my memory, but I doubt it.

Shopping List

2007-10-10T16:24:00.000+02:00

Elise recently put her shopping list online and a few people gave her a hard time for it. I think it was quite interesting. Doesn't it say a lot about a person? It's kinda like looking at a persons CD/DVD collection, magazine subscriptions, garbage, etc.

So, to follow her lead, here is my shopping list ...

Diet Pepsi
Fresh Milk (not the boxed stuff that has a shelf life of 3 years)
Pasta (any kind - for Bremen)
Chicken (from Austria, Marcy doesn't trust the Slovakia stuff)
Diet Pepsi
Ground Beef (good luck finding this)
Eggs
Quark or Tvorah (sorry no translation in the US, doesn't exist)
Diet Pepsi
Canned tomatoes (diced, pureed, etc)
Refried Beans
Flour tortillas
Salsa
Cheese (Emmentaler, Cheddar, Gouda and Parmesan)
Bread (also from Austria, but I really don't know why)
Diet Pepsi
Lion Bars
Chocolate Kinder Surprise Eggs
Meat Sticks (don't ask, it's for Bremen)
Yoghurt (all flavors, including chocolate and so many of them that they don't all get eaten before they go bad and need to be thrown out)
Diet Pepsi
Frozen blueberries
Cucumbers
Pepper

And finally ... Diet Pepsi (but only 'cuz they don't have Mt Dew)

Slovakia

2007-10-07T19:34:00.000+02:00

It was in 1989 that Slovakia (Czechoslovakia) overthrew the communist regime. Anyone in their mid-thirties or older has a good understanding, or at least an opinion based on experience, of what it was like to live under communist rule.

I was recently discussing the differences with one of the managers at work. As a child growing up under communist rule, he remembers going to the grocery store and having a choice of oatmeal, cornflakes or puffed rice for breakfast cereal. Now his children have 10-15 options to choose from. I told him that in the US there is usually a whole aisle dedicated to breakfast cereal. His comment ... "I like cornflakes."

Another individual at work commented that there was no poor, no one was without food, a place to live or a job. Children were protected, they were the most important asset of the country. Parks ... there were children's parks everywhere (a good number of them still in use today). Parents would take their children out to play in the parks everyday.

I grew up in the 80s, Ronald Reagan era. Communism was the worst evil in the world. Everyone living in a communist state hated it; they were miserable and led the worst kind of life. Then again, the propaganda over here was the same ... a lady at church was surprised to learn that Ronald Reagan was actually a beloved president. She thought he was the devil himself.

I'm not saying people loved Communism. The opportunities people have now are far greater than they could ever imagine. If you are committed, hard working you can accomplish anything. This would not have been possible before. But there are always two sides ... unemployment of 16%, homeless on the streets, people/children in line at soup kitchens, etc.

There is a member of the church in our branch, probably the oldest member in Slovakia. She is the kindest, gentlest lady you could every meet. She brings little candies for the kids every Sunday. As she lives a good distance from Bratislava, she can only afford to come to church every other week. Bremen has learned her schedule and runs into church looking for her the weeks she is supposed to be at church.

She has been a member of the church for over 60 years. In a recent talk, she shared some of her experiences with the church. She has lived through everything; Nazism, Communisum, 'Socialism with a Human Face', Soviet domination, Czechoslovakia rule, reestablishment of the Slovak Republic, etc. and "through it all the church was there. No matter the system of government or the rulers in charge, the Church will be here."

I enjoy living in Slovakia. I love the country. I love the people. While my home is, and always will be the US; I'm grateful for the opprtunity I've had to live her for the last 2 1/2 years.

Don't worry, I still plan on moving back home someday. I don't think I can stay away forever ... I like being able to have Froot Loops one day and Cinnamon Life the next.

Bratislava Zoo

2007-09-10T20:26:00.000+02:00

Saturday mornings are usually Daddy/Bremen time. This not only allows us to spend some time together, but Mommy gets to sleep in for a bit. Last Saturday's morning turned into 5 hours at the Bratislava Zoo. No, Marcy did not sleep until early afternoon, but she did get the house to herself for most of the day.

The zoo is not large, but it does have a number of play areas on the grounds. So ... about 1 hour of actually watching animals and 4 hours of playing.

Bratislava spent the last few year building a new lion exhibit. It's actually pretty cool. Bremen was convinced that the lioness wanted to eat him. But, instead of avoiding the exhibit, he wanted spend time walking slowly back and forth by the glass wall so she could see him. He even started crawling, acting like a little animal to get her attention. The picture is him "playing dead" in the cutout.

They also have a Dino-park. Again, playing dead in the dinosaurs mouth. Yes, he is a little strange.

He loved climbing the rocks next to the pygmy Hippos. Notice the tounge, I think that's a Lambson trait, or just me.

"Chase Me" is one of his favorite games. He has no idea that I am on the slide ... he's walking into a trap. Wish I got a picture of him when I jumped up and yelled, "got ya!" He said I cheated because I was supposed to stay on the ground and the slide is for "big kids, not parents."

After I cheated, he got in the tube and refused to come out until I promised not to get on the slide again and to stay on the ground where parents belong. We had a blast. He's a great kid.

Mohawk vs. Iroquois

2007-09-06T23:22:00.000+02:00

So, now I know when your husband yells out from the other room "I'm cutting our son's hair. Do you care what it looks like?" The answer is always "YES!"

I mean, Kevin says Bremen asked for the Mohawk, but he didn't know what it was. Kevin just said, "Do you want a Mohawk?" And, of course, 'Mohawk' sounds cool, so the kid said yes, but come on how am I supposed to be seen in public with this kid with the crooked Mohawk? If I had given him a Mohawk, at least it would have been straight! All the other Mohawk kids (there are actually quite a few here in SK) are going to laugh at him. And he's actually adopted a surly attitude to go with the new do.

Incidentally, the Austrian doctor we saw for mosquito bites informed me that in Europe they're called 'Iroquois' not 'Mohawks'. Interesting, huh?

This Monkey's Gone to Heaven

2007-09-04T19:51:00.000+02:00

Well, we haven't counted them, but I'd bet more than a dollar there are more than 15 (closer to 30), spots that is. It freaked Kevin and I out so much that I took Bremen into Austria to the doctor today. After I explained he had a fever last week (this doctor was out of town last week so we saw a different one) and had been on antibiotics since thursday, the doctor was slightly concerned it might be a reaction to the meds or a result of a viral infection from last week. He had trouble locating the "reaction" beause of all the mosquito bites. Yes, they are mosquito bites. That's actually what I thought the first time I saw them, but there were just soooooo dang many of them...anyway, we're relieved it's nothing worse, although I would have been ok getting chicken pox out of the way. Pretty strange since I haven't even seen a mosquito (Kevin said he saw one the other day).

Kevin made a great compilation CD for the car. It's got a nice mix of songs from both of our preferences-a little Social D and Pixies for me, some Depeche Mode and Morrissey for Kevin, etc. Bremen and I were driving to the doctor today and I park and turn off the engine. Bremen starts singing 'And the devil is six and the devil is six...then God is seven (in a scratchy, harsh voice), then God is seven...' (this is part of the Pixies song) I had a hard time keeping a straight face, torn by pride in my offspring enjoying such a wonderful band and by realizing what other parents might think if he starts singing this at odd, out of context moments. Yeah, I know it's in the Bible and all, but little kids talking about the devil...kinda weird.

It reminds me of a time I was working at Antique Plaza and this kid (maybe 6 yrs old) was there with his mom (in her 30's) and the whole time they were shopping the kid kept singing over and over again, 'She blinded me...with science!'. It was great. I love kids.

Yes, it really is a bother when technical things don't work properly. Our European DVD player that works on US DVDs stopped recognizing (even though I gave it a nice rap on the top of it with my fist-the extent of my technical expertise) DVDs in general (at least it's a total ban, not just the US ones-I'd of been offened) so we have to watch movies on my new laptop, which is handy that we have it, but not really what I intended to use it for. Now we're left with the decision: Buy a new DVD player or move back home. It's a tough one.

Enough rambling for today.

The Time We Spent in Arizona

2007-08-25T17:26:00.001+02:00

Pictures to go with earlier post.

2007-08-25T16:42:00.001+02:00

Gardens, Vegetables and Ice Blocking

2007-08-25T15:15:00.000+02:00

Sorry, I'm still getting use to this technical stuff, so it looks like I have to put my slideshow in a seperate post for now.

Someone asked for pictures of the garden so...

We (by this I mean I) haven't picked veggies lately and Kevin went out today. So know you have pics of our harvest.
Bremen loves watermelon. He loved the idea of growing watermelon and today we picked his first home-grown watermelon. He was taken by how it was the same size as his butt. Kids...

The other day Bremen was helping me with dinner. We (I mean I) seem to have a problem picking the cucumbers before they reach gi-normous proportions, so we (I mean I) have been scrapping out the seeds (they get really tough) with a spoon (like you would a cantalope) before slicing. Well, Bremen really wanted to help with this, so I gave him the spoon. No less than 2 seconds later, I was wearing cucumber seeds. It felt like something threw up on me, but it was cold (there were a lot of seeds and pulp). It didn't just go on me either. We had a kitchen splattered in cucumber barf.

Today being sunny Saturday, the family decided it would be a perfect ice blocking day. Kevin has taken to making ice blocks (fill a plastic tub with water and place in freezer) whenever I go out of town. Last time he hosted a branch activity with 6 blocks of ice-the missionaries loved it. Anyway, we drove about 5 minutes up the hill from our house and found a nice spot (used as a ski run in winter). The Slovaks watching on were perplexed, but we had a blast! The worst part was walking back up the hill. We also ate lunch and Bremen and Kevin took a bobsled ride. Good day!

It's the Little Things

2007-08-24T12:23:00.000+02:00

Bremen nearly sent me into a panic attack the other day.

We were driving to the store and he asked about his friend, Ellen, coming over to play. I had to explain that Ellen had gone back to the US for a funeral at the last minute and wouldn't be able to come over as planned. Well, then we got started on a discussion about death (these are not uncommon) and he said "When Daddy dies we'll have to go back to Arizona to bury him." ......................My heart was in my throat, or somewhere, because this has been a reoccurring fear of mine. I just have this thought over and over again-how on Earth will I get the body back (Yeah, I know I'm morbid).

I asked him why he thought Daddy was going to die (as calmly as I could). He informed me that Daddy was really old-he has wrinkles. ..............OK I can breath now.

I told Bremen that Daddy is only 35 years old and that's really not that old. So Bremen says, "When he's 100, then he'll be old and he'll die." I had to agree that he would indeed be old when he's 100 and agreed that he could die then. .....Hear that Kevin!

Famous Veggie Lasagne Recipe

2007-08-24T11:22:00.000+02:00

Wow! I guess I have to share this recipe with you all. It comes from Cooks Illustrated (it's a magazine related to America's Test Kitchen and you can get an online membership at http://www.cooksillustrated.com/ -They're grrrrrreat-ala Tony the Tiger.)

Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Lasagne

Step One-Roasting the Veggies (this is not as difficult as it sounds-I have been doing this first step and freezing the veggies so I can make lasagne anytime in the year (we can't get it if it's not in season), although from start to finish this is not a fast dish)

If you use 2 baking sheets for this-adjust your oven racks for even cooking and preheat to 400 degrees. Toss 1pd zucchini and 1pd eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch dice, with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread veggies over 2 greased baking sheets; roast, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Set veggies aside.

Step Two-Master Recipe for Vegetable Lasagne with Tomato Sauce

The book says you can substitute 3 1/2 cups of your favorite prepared tomato sauce, but their sauce is quick and easy. They also suggest buying 2 boxes of the no-boil lasagne noddles because they come 12-16 in a box and you need 15.

2 Tbs olive oil
2 med cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 Tbs chopped fresh basil of parsley leaves
salt and pepper
15 dried 7 by 3 1/2 inch no-boil lasagne noodles
3 cups cooked and seasoned veggetables (this is your roasted zucchini and eggplant)
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups) (sorry Amy-I don't know if you can find a reasonable goat cheese substitute, or something-hey don't they make buffalo mozzarella?)
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oil and garlic in a 10-inch skillet over med heat until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes; simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the basil or parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Pour into large measuring cup. Add enough water to make 3 1/2 cups.

2. Spread 1/2 cup sauce evenly over the bottom of a greased 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Lay three noodles crosswise over the sauce, making sure they do not touch each other or the sides of the pan. Spread 3/4 cup roasted Zucc and Eggp evenly over the noodles, 1/2 cup sauce evenly over the veg, and 3/4 cup mozzarella and 2 generous tablespoons Parmesan evenly over the sauce. Repeat the layering of the noodles, veg, sauce, and cheeses three more times. For the fifth layer, lay the final three noodles crosswise over the previous layer and top with the remaining 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, and 2 tablespoons parmesan. (lasagne can be wrapped with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight or wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and frozen for up to 1 month. If frozen, defrost in refrigerator.)

3. Adjust the oven rack to the middle postion and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover the pan with a large sheet of aluminum foil greased with cooking spray. Bake 25 minutes (30 minutes if chilled); remove the foil and continue baking until the top turns golden brown in spots, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let rest 5 minutes. Cut and serve immediately.

And that's it! Enjoy!

The Benefits of Being 35

2007-08-11T19:25:00.000+02:00

After a three week visit to Arizona, Bremen and I are glad to be back home. Although my fingers seemed to have forgotten how to type-I have to re-write a lot, I wanted to make a short entry.
Slovakia is still here, and no, we have no immediate plans to move back to the US. Our Zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumber are trying to take over and Bremen thinks the watermelon growing in the back yard is really cool. The tomatoes need to take a lesson from the squash, and although I don't need an abundance of eggplant, one or two more wouldn't hurt. I have a really great Veggie Lasagne recipe (from cook's illustrated) that uses the zucchini, eggplant, and some of the herbs from our garden-and Bremen loves it (I even make it with spinach lasagne noodles). Yes, that means I've been cooking since I got home.

Oh, yeah, the title of this entry was inspired by Kevin yelling up at me (the computer is currently on the top floor), "Am I thirty-five?" After I thought about it and informed him, "Yes, you are thirty-five!" He informed me that he could run for President (of the United States). There's always a bright side.

2007-07-04T14:41:00.000+02:00

Okay I'm gonna give this a go:

Here are the rules:Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their 8 things and post these rules.At the end of your blog, you need to choose four people to tag and list their names.

Random Facts/Habits About Me:
1. At one time I really wanted to be a NASCAR driver.
2. I don't like cheesecake
3. I just got called as Young Women's President (notice I didn't say anything about being released as Primary President)
4. I think we're closer than we all think (in America) to a 'Running Man' type of society than we'd like to admit.
5.I love to grow vegetables and fruits, flowers too. I think if there were one reason to not live in AZ, it would be because it's not in an ideal growing zone.
6. After having lived in a foreign country for over two years, I'm amazed at how much of the language I haven't picked up. If I could snap my fingers and have one thing, it would be to speak any language at any given time. That would be cool.
7. My Best Friend has and always will be my Husband, the perfect husband.
8. I'm old enough to remember when Transformers came out the first time, I also remember the TV show called "Barbara Mandrel and the Mandrel Sisters".
Okay...Tag you're it :)I'm not naming anyone because I don't know anyone else with a blog that hasn't been tagged already, oh, wait Charlotte's on the list, and Kristiana, but I won't hold my breath.

Fourth of July in Slovakia

2007-07-04T10:36:00.000+02:00

Okay, well, so far we've spent 4th of July in Prague, England, this year we're here in Bratislava. On Saturday we took a bus down to the Castle grounds where the American Chamber of Commerce in SK hosted a Independence Day Party. It was a little odd. They had Slovak bands singing American music, an Elvis impersonator, a Beatles cover band (which I had to point out to someone, is a British band-the beatles that is), a mechanical bronco, face painting (see Bremen with 2 American Babes in Photo), a giant inflatable cactus that you could climb up and repel down, a parade, a petting zoo, free drinks and food. The lines for the food where horrendous, although not bad (I've had worse hamburgers and the hot dogs were quite good), we didn't even attempt the Taco line.

Bremen insisted on wearing his coonskin cap, which attracted alot of attention and fit in nicely with the theme-Old West. One of the highlights had to be during the parade, when Miss Slovakia pointed at Bremen and said "Oh, how cute!" really loud. Another highlight was atching the US Embassador riding the mechanical Bronco, unfortunately he didn't fall off-it was being filmed for TV. But I think the best was Kevin being interviewed by a Slovak TV reporter.

She asked (in English) where he was from and if he liked SK. She then asked if he thought it was ok to celebrate a country's independence in another country, whether he thought Slovaks have a good idea of American culture and if Americans have an idea of Slovak culture. His answers where PC enough that the messages reporting he'd been seen on TV (mostly people from work) he got that night contained no threats. He didn't have the heart to tell her that most Americans don't even know Slovakia exists, or if they have heard of it, say "That's in Europe, right?"

Eastern Slovakia (Castles and Churches)

2007-06-15T21:13:00.000+02:00

Eastern Slovakia

2007-06-11T20:51:00.000+02:00

Still need to catch up on a few activities happening in Slovakia. We took a road trip with the McDonalds in May. It was 3 or 4 days driving across the country. I don't actually remember how long we were gone, I just remember driving, driving and driving.

We had a great time. We hit all the major cities. Kosice was my favorite, but I don't think anyone else agreed as they all only wanted to spend a few hours there.

Bremen and Isiah are running down the street of a small village with 3 May poles standing in the background. The village had a stream running down the middle of the road for people to get their water. What a life.

Kosice is famous for their "singing fountains". You know, foutains that move to the music. Bremen decided to play music conductor.

Bremen the Photographer

2007-06-04T22:40:00.000+02:00

Well, for those of you who didn't know, we were in AZ from around Christmas until the 21st of March. At least Bremen and I were. Kevin flew in and out a couple times.

While we were home, Bremen attended preschool with Grandma Sandy. Apparently one day at school he was playing with a toy camera. He pointed and shot, bent down, peered upward, turned the camera, pointed and shot again. He did this several times appearently getting pretend shots of the room from every angle. He's obviously been watching Mommy doing the only thing she does when we travel.

Uncle Jon heard this story and thought it was pretty interesting. He gave Bremen a free-bee digital camera he'd gotten from work. I added a card and carrying case and took Bremen on a tour of our new neighborhood in AZ (we bought a house for some crazy reason) and he took some at the Phx zoo. I thought you might want to see some of the pics, so here they are.

I'll try to keep on top of taking him out on photo shoots. I think it's pretty neat myself.

medzinarodny den deti

2007-06-04T20:57:00.000+02:00

We celebrated International Children's Day at Bremen's school last Friday. Groups of children took the stage to celebrate their nationality. Bremen participated with the North American group with a line dance and singing "Home on the Range" around a campfire. Bremen held a fake marshmallow on a long stick over the "fire". Rather than singing, he spent the length of the song pretending to eat his marshmallow.

There was also representation from Sweden, Japan, Italy, Germany, Slovakia and South Korea (there is a big KIA plant in the area). All groups did well. I learned a lot from the presentations. Did you know that Italy is known for gourmet food, soccer players, fast cars, fashion models and the movie Gladiator?

Growth Update: Bremen is now a little over 39 1/2 inches. With shoes, he can now go on most of the rides at Disneyland.

vsetko najlepsie k narodeninam

2007-05-31T18:49:00.001+02:00

While brushing his teeth one night, Bremen look up and said, "Mommy, daddy, I don't need parents anymore. I am a big boy. I can take care of myself."

Bremen celebrated his 4th birthday in Slovakia. We hadn't discussed having a party with him, but while picking him up from school one day last month, he pointed to one of his friends and said to us, "He is coming to my dragon birthday party." So, we had a party. Bremen invited six of his friends from school and one of the families from church.

He loved having his friends at his house. A swimming pool, slip-n-slide, dragon pinata, water balloons, hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, cake, ice cream and two hours later, we were exhausted.

dobre rano ... ako so mas?

2007-05-30T21:31:00.000+02:00

Okay, let's see if this will actually work. Success being defined as being able to keep up with posting to this site. As you may know, we took a 12-month assignment with my company in Slovakia. We are now into our third year. The family, I'm sure, were not too thrilled with the idea of us moving 6,000 miles from home.

We've enjoyed the first two years and are actually considering a fourth - surprise, surprise for those of you back home that didn't know this piece of information yet. There are still a lot of unknowns that need to be resolved before we make that decision. We will keep you posted.

The purpose of setting this up is to keep the family back home aware of the daily happens of the Lambson Family in Slovakia. Now you will no longer have to sit around wondering ... What is the Lambson Family in Slovakia up to today?

Today's Slovak Lesson: "Bremen" in Slovak means, "burden". We just found that out this week. Isn't it funny that it took two years before anyone told us that?