Gruss aus Stuttgart

Greetings from Stuttgart! The past two weeks have been alot of fun with a lot going on. On July 21st we had Anuste's 27th birthday which we celebrated by going to the diner next door, enjoying good food and a few beers. After that we headed to the playground to unleash our inner wild child!

On Sunday July 26th we decided to go explore on this beautiful day. We went to a place called "Rubble Hill" or better known as "Birkenkopf Memorial." After WWII all that was left of the city of Stuttgart was rubble, there were no buildings left standing. This is one of the three hills that was built with the pieces of the buildings destroyed during the war. It's heartbreaking to see these pieces with its amazing craftsmanship and intricate detail in pieces. The view from the top over looking the city is breathtaking. But while you're there, you can feel a certain energy in the air, almost like a sadness. We know our history and see tv shows, movies and pictures of the events that occurred. But when you're really there, touching a piece of history, it's an amazing feeling.

There is also a plaque on one of the pieces that translates as follows:
"This mountain, after the second world war, built from the rubble of the city of those who sacrificed their lives, serves as a warning to the living." I also captured a short video from the view on top of the hill. If you listen closely you can hear all the church bells ringing in the distance.

July 27th was Mapalon's first day at daycare. It was a big day for our little man, although Anuste was a nervous wreck that entire day. By the time she went to go pick him he was having so much fun, he didn't want to leave. But he survived his first week and does better with being dropped off in the morning.

While driving back onto base from our first trip to a German grocery we happened to catch a storm as it was coming in. Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks for exciting new adventures! Tschau!

Out and About

Guten tag (good day), we got to try some local favorites, some amazing beer, and just had fun in the little bit sun there was. Anuste had a great week at work, she loves working with flowers. She's sold a lot of bouquets since she started a couple weeks ago, still astonished that she got something so soon and that it was the first place she talked to about employment.

Saturday we went to the RB diner next door and had Sanwald biers, Pommes (french fries) and a mixed garden salat. There is something that looks like sauerkraut that comes on them, but it tastes nothing like it, which is a good thing. We've tried a couple of other things as well, but didn't decide to get photo happy until now and will be posting some of the different foods on here in the future.

Of course we had to make a stop at the gym which we do everyday, especially after all the good food we have tried. Mapalon has his own little play area at the gym where he gets to watch DVD's and everyone in the cardio room workout too! I'm teaching him how to use an exercise ball here.

Sunday Mapalon and I went for an adventure walk around. We decided to traverse into the long grass where the mowers don't go, we played with the tall grass and flowers. We even found the most peculur thing, a Faerie ring, and we know this because of the small mushrooms making a perfect circle. More commonly found in Ireland, but who says they can't appear in Germany.

Look for updates each week, we intend to keep you posted, tschuss (bye).

Playground

Went to the park near the Hilltop today and Mapalon had a lot of fun swinging and going down the slide. There are two different areas for different age groups, something for everyone, a little different than the usual playground.

Mapalon is doing great and never ceases to grow, he should be getting into the Child Development Center (CDC) early next week, he'll enjoy the company of children his age. He'll be at CDC part-time, while Anuste and I are working. Guten tag.

Vaihingen, Germany

It's really quite different when you find yourself living in a different country as opposed to visiting it. I know when I had been visiting I was in quite a hurry to see everything and absorb as much as I possibly could before I had to leave. Anuste feels that same way as she hasn't experienced anything like this before, Mapalon, well he's kind of comatose to the whole idea, he has no clue where he is or what any of it means, who knows if he ever will. I on the other hand am trying to pace myself as I know I'm here for the next three years, seeing everything can burn someone out, being that it would be fast paced. Once we get "settled in" we'll start to explore from the inside out.

We'll start at Vaihingen and the areas of Stuttgart, and then off to other areas like Heidelberg. It's going to be wondrous, we're taking pictures on the way to the gym today to give people an idea of the scenery we have from the base, which is quite impressive and unexpected.

Everyone is great here and enjoying the German food as we should, without completely sacrificing our regular healthy habits. Hope everyone has things planned as my command here is very lenient toward leave. I'll keep this updated as much as possible.

Until next time.

Supplements

Doing away with N.O. supplements, in for the 100% natural without stimulant. Using protein supplements, no more, no less.

Morn
-ON Casein 1 23

After Bike
-ON Whey 1 24

Mid
-SP 1 30

Workout
-ON Whey 1 24

Before Bed
-ON Casein 1 23