Monthly Archives: December 2010

Post #50: Closing out 2010

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Morning Sunrise: New Awakening

Morning Sunrise: New Awakening

During 2010 my life was filled with a lot of change and it seems appropriate that my fiftieth post comes with the conclusion of the year.  I could use this time for deep reflection upon the events which occurred this year.  Since there is one last day left in the month of December I will perhaps save that for tomorrow.  Instead I will share these thoughts:

1) I wish I could tell what 2011 will bring.  Alas, it is impossible to know the course of events which will unfold over the coming months and years.  Only the steps you wish to take while going there are known to you.  When I was younger I would joke around with a friend about being born with an instruction book. Uniquely written with the solutions an individual would need throughout their life.  Unfortunately, no such book has ever existed.  Which is probably for the best.  Life would be boring if you knew all the answers ahead of time.

Morning Sunrise: Over the Horizon

Morning Sunrise: Over the Horizon

2) I took the pictures in this post yesterday morning as the sun was coming up.  I include them here because the rising and setting sun have been symbolic for 2010 in my mind.  Every day includes new moments evolving the development of this new life.  Plus, I like how the morning light plays with the clouds.  I could not think of anyone better to share it with than you.

Photography and the Walking Snowman

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City Buildings in the Snow

City Buildings in the Snow

Young Man Statue

Young Man Statue

Walking Snowman

Walking Snowman

Last Thursday I thought it would be fun to walk around town after my language course and snap some pictures.  The weather has been cold and snowy lately, creating some interesting landscapes.  Especially where the snow accents some older buildings and churches downtown.  It is amazing how little water crystals can change the landscape from partially drab to almost iconic.  Not that any of my imagery is iconic, but I like to think it is at least entertaining.

A friend of mine recently shared a link to an article on the Boston Globe website highlighting 47 photos from this years National Geographic’s Photography Contest.  The detail and expression some photographers can render into their images is amazing.  A lot of taking a great picture is being in the right place at the right time (with your camera handy).  Yet great photographers understanding of how to capture light and bring out the emotion in life.  My favorite pictures include #2, #6, #12, #15, #33, #36, and #39.  Perhaps someday my photography will reach the same level.  Until then it will be one of my favorite hobbies.

One reason I decided it would be a great idea to take pictures is I have been walking to class everyday.  With ice upon the roadways, taking the extra 5 minutes walking demands has seemed like the better choice.  Most days something interesting will appear and I will wish I had my camera with me.  Little did I know that my walk home last Thursday would turn my body into that something interesting.  About half way home the slimmer of blue sky disappeared and huge snowflakes began descending upon me.  Before long I became a walking and breathing snowman.  Some of the snow was knocked off while taking the picture, but I think you get the idea.

A2 German Language Test

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Last week we completed the second of four tests assocated with the German course I am in.  The exam was an extension of the original test I wrote about on this site.  Surprisingly, I was not very nervous this time.  I resisted the mental blocks I was stricken with during the A1 exam.  Specifically, I could recall the entire “Ich heiße…” portion of the oral examination.  Unlike while taking the A1 when my mind went completely blank.  Hopefully the results show this new found Zen.

I know that every day brings some improvement.  Saturday I walked into town to buy tea and order contact lenses for Anni.  I do not go shopping very often.  Mostly for groceries and the occasional run to the drug store.  When entering a store I wonder to myself if I will understand the salesperson.  Interaction with native Germans is a great indicator of my progress with the language.  The better understanding I have of what is being said means the closer I get to being better understood myself.  On this trip into town I did surprising well.  In the tea shop I understood everything the clerk said to me.  Even responding in German without thinking about my answer.  The contact lenses proved a little more problematic though.  Since the conversation involved something I had not been exposed to this was to be expected.  Fortunately the salesperson spoke English and quickly switched when my German vocabulary failed me.  I kept responding in German though.  I think he was wondering if I actually understood the English conversation or not.  Fortunately I did.