The Joy of Baking.. The Pleasures of Home

In case you were wondering... this is my dear mother Mary Lou (left) who has taught me almost (but not all) I know about cooking and baking. She is a master kolacki maker. My favorite alternates: one year I can't have enough of those with lekvar (prune jelly); the next year it's those made with the nut and pineapple filling. Yum Yum. There's very few things in this world that beat fresh hot kolacki, just out of the oven and sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar.

The second picture shows my lovely and very talented sister Stephanie with our dear friend Siutang (we like to think of him as a second brother; Siutang actually helps us out around home. In fact, he's amazing!). Stephanie is making her award winning "whoopie cushions". Okay, Aunt Pat calls them "whoopies". I forget what Steph calls them. You really have no idea how good marshmellow fluff can taste between two chocolatety cookies.

You know, somedays all I'd like to do is find a reasonably priced house (basically a deal) somewhere picturesque (okay, maybe I'm asking for too much... I'd settle for West Virginia (no offense of course), fix the place up, and open a bed and breakfast. I'd do a fair portion of the cooking and baking. Or better yet, maybe I'd just stick to baking (more my specialty). Given the stressful nature of my current job, I'd sure like to make this more reality than mere fancy. So, if you know of any real estate or want to offer your services let me know. :)

And, here is my family home on Dunham Hill Road, where I grew up, playing Pennsylvania Turnpike in the driveway, and where we were told to run around the house ten or twenty times by Dad when we had too much energy as kids. (Hey, it's a good idea -- I just might use the same trick someday). Ah, to turn back the clock ...

Prague on the mind

If I were Ray Charles (now wouldn't that be interesting?!), I'd change that tune about Georgia to Prague for that city is most definitely on my mind. Right before I left I made a trip at my friend Fal's suggestion to the Kafka museum. Prague and Kafka shared quite the complicated, highly complex relationship. The musuem is a bit of a puzzle, surprising you with it's twists and turns and use of dark, light, straight, narrow, and angles here and sometimes there. The journey through attempts to create a sense of Kafka's wonder and torment mixed in one. Kafka wrote something about Prague stealing your heart; the city takes you in, capturing you, and doesn't let go too easily.

But, I'm finding that there is other beauty and wonder on the other side of the Atlantic pond. Tonight I had the opportunity to take in the Washington monument, with its moonlit reflection upon a small pond in the national mall grounds, and the American flags surrounding the base, blowing in the crisp night wind. As I walked along, I made use of my Christmas present to myself, a Sansae270 mp3 player, listening to U2's "City of Blinding Lights" and for that brief moment took a sigh and could honestly say, "Ah, this is good. This is beautiful. What a gift it is to be here." I still remember my first impressions of DC as a child on a day trip to see the nation's capital, later as an 8th grader on my school's "Spirit of 76" trip, and oh least I forget those 2 trips to the National Spelling Bee at the Capital Hilton. Those were the days, and well, these are the days!

The Family

It's been a while (a long while) since our last family photo, at least a professional one. So, my sister Karen (right of me), decided Christmas 2006 was the time to get everyone together for a family picture. Well, this is definitely not professional, nor is it a 'glamour shot', but I'll say that this is the fam as we often are. You might find us to be a particularly rag tag bunch, and I wouldn't argue too much on that point, but I beg you look a little closer at the smiling faces, the personalities on display (just get a look at my brother's South African rugby shirt and his Capetown surfer dude get up), and you'll learn a bit more about our clan.

Happy 2007

Happy 2007! Can you believe it? Not only is it already 2007, but we just had our first 3 day weekend of the year, Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Let me tell you, three days away from work was just what the doctor ordered. Starting a new assignment on January 3rd, after only being back in DC for a few days, was more of a shock to the system than I imagined. I started working in a new office, but since I didn't have a computer set-up, I was volunteered to help out with other fun tasks. I shouldn't complain too much. I did get to hear Tony Snow, James Carville, and Mary Matalin speak on the art of clear communication, sharing some of their tools of the trade as well as some amusing anecdotes. In fact, I manned the microphone for quite a few events during the course of 2 or 3 days. Boy, am I looking forward to sitting more, rather than being on my feet for hours on end!

To say the least, it's not much fun without a computer log on and voice mail. Sure I'm not out in a cardboard box heating myself over a metro vent, but disconnect from the cyber world can lead to a disjointed feeling of homelessness... at least for we desk job folks. What made things particularly difficult was that internet at home has been on the blink, so I was really feeling kind of cut off from the majority of society. But, hopefully tomorrow I'll get properly set up at work and we certainly hope our internet woes are a thing of the past. We shall see.

In case you were wondering, slowly but surely I am beginning to readjust to life in the greater Washington metropolitan area. I still miss my Czech kolac or sweet breads every morning (my fairly regular breakfast accompanied by an espresso) and I've eyed the pickles and relish numerous times upon opening the fridge (dill!!!!), but I'm somehow finding a way.

As for the above picture, Heather, Jordana (Jde) and I took a minute to pose on New Year's Eve.

Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate by Night

This is Berlin. No, I'm not anywhere near Berlin (UNFORTUNATELY). BUT, in my effort to catch you up with photos from the fall and early winter, I'm taking a step back in my time machine...

Every time I'm in Berlin I absolutely must take my traditional stroll down Unter den Linden street to the famous Cold War landmark, the Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin wall extended on both sides of the gate dividing the city in 2. Hard to imagine. History books don't do it justice. You need to come to Berlin to get an idea of what that really meant. Hard to believe, too, but many young kids today in Germany don't even know what the Berlin Mauer (wall) was.

Let it snow let it snow let it snow

Oh, how I wish it would snow. We had record breaking temperatures in DC the other day. But, back to my past environs, during my November trip to Berlin I took in this grand spectacle of a ski promo in Potsdammer Platz in the heart of Berlin. Too bad I got there a little late!!! :(

World Cup 2006

Some leftover evidence of Germany's hosting of the 2006 World Cup. And, yes, I agree soccer or futbol is a beautiful game :)

Government Precinct - Berlin

Berlin's architecture is outstanding. Take a look for yourself!

Berlin this past November

Yes, I'm WAY LATE, but better late than never, RIGHT?! Here is the River Spree in Berlin over Veterans' Day weekend. Berlin is one of my all-time favorite cities - there is just so much to discover!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer was executed in April 1945 in KZ Flossenburg (for his involvement in a plot to kill Hitler).

Zionskirche (Berlin)

Zionskirche in Prenzlauerberg is the church where the famous German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer preached and (at age 25) presided over a group of 50 young confirmants.

I'll be back.

Just imagine if you will Christine with an Austrian accent..."I'LL BE BACK". Yes, my friends that is a promise. However, please cut me some slack in the meantime while my roommate and I get our hugely frustrating internet problems solved and I find some time to actually sit back and write.

Some of you know I have been back stateside since Dec 22nd, but given the holiday season and that I am a people pleaser and agreed to start work on Jan 3rd, it's been NON-STOP ever since.
But, so as not to leave you hanging, Christmas was a truly blessed time at home with family and friends, including my 2nd brother Siutang from Hong Kong (according to my dad, Siutang becomes first son when my brother Mark is away). I can't tell you how refreshing going home is, how it rejuvenates me. There's something about the rolling hills, the wind in my face upon a walk, and the simple pleasure of waking up to Belgian waffle breakfasts on Sunday morning either before or after church.

As of Dec. 31st, I returned to DC and to be honest, my adjustment is taking a bit longer than I imagined. I'm a bit caught in reverse culture shock. I don't say this to brag, but some days I feel like I'm caught up in some TV series on the DC scene. I rub elbows with many polished women and men in suits, neat suits. Everyone around here seems to be hot-stuff. We all seem to be out to change the world, thinking pretty highly of ourselves. Well, I can't help but feel isolated from the rest of the world-- yes, sitting here in the nation's capital if you can believe it. I guess what I'm trying to say is we are pretty stuck on ourselves. We are inundated with domestic news and perspectives. In Europe you don't just hear the Czech perspective, but you get news from the UK, Germany, France, etc. For world news our CNN doesn't come close to BBCWorld. However, one thing I really do enjoy about DC is waking up to NPR everymorning. In fact, a couple of nights ago I listened to OLD 1950s radio shows they had on (e.g., The Shadow amongst others).

I definitely miss my palatial residence in Prague, where I had cleaning service twice a week, and the whole place to myself. I returned to my little bedroom, but fortunately with the help of Raymond and Justin downstairs was able to rearrange stuff to optimize space. I have to say my new digs are an improvement that's for sure!

Man, I also miss being within 2 hours of Dresden, 5 hours to Berlin, 4 hours to Bratislava... And, most of all, I miss my friends back in Prague. Isn't that quite amazing how even in 6 months people have the ability to touch your life?

Well, I think you get the point.

Not sure when (we've got visitors coming in from Russia), but I'll be in touch soon.

Looking forward to sharing about my new adventures and general happenings.
Christine