View on Life

View on Life
A beginning of a new journey

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I'm in France!!!!

I'm heading to Italy tomorrow and Jan took me to France!!! FRANCE!!! I never thought I was going to go to France. It was special to go to France. We took a small car ferry to France and had dinner. It was a surprise. I totally did not know that we were going to France. It's not far away at all. I have to now stamp my own passport as there are no coast guards. It is open boarder. So cool. :)

We went to Roth Wilhelm for Tarte Flambee. It was a very salty and burnt, but I still enjoyed it. It's part of he experience right! :)

I'm still shocked that I went to France. It sure wasn't on my list to do in the last 5 days that I am here.

I head to Italy tomorrow, so depending on how much time I have at each place, i might not blog as much, but will blog my experiences when I get back. Until my next blog...more food and pictures to come.

My partner's Family - First Impression

My decision of going to Germany is for one major reason! My love of my life (at least I hope it is)! Jan is my first boyfriend and I hope to have an experience of a life time. By coming to Germany, I get a chance to meet his family. I don't know anything about the German culture or what they like or don't like. I was in for a surprise. These are Jan's parents (picture on the left). They are very friendly people and had open arms and heart for my arrival. They are excited about learning about me and my culture. But most of all, they are excited for Jan, that he has found someone that he can live in laughter with. My smile grows very day with what their family does for me and what Jan provides for me. My view on Germans is that they are kind, simple and open to the community. They live a simple life and will live life with the people around them and lots of dinners as a family. Very family oriented people. :) I fit right in.

This is the rest of Jan's family. (picture on the right)
He has an uncle, in the back row, and these are his grandparents in the front. I didn't realize that German's have small families, but family is all that they need. They support each other and are very close. Although I wasn't able to communicate with them, they were still able to show friendliness and kindness to me. We weren't able to spend a lot of time with them, but  I know i'll see them again soon.

My Partner In Crime!

Look at my tired eyes!!! Still in Jet Lag Mode! I hope it ends soon. It's already been 3 days. I sure need to get more sleep.
So, for those who don't know, this is Jan-Moritz Mildenberger....short form "JAN." I met Jan at Greystone College, downtown Vancouver. We took the same TESOL course together. By taking this course, it has changed my life forever. It has been life changing. I never thought my life would go in this direction. Jan has been a great support in all I do and now that I get to be with him in his community, I have become a person of strength, wisdom, passion, and endless laughter in life. I get to learn a new language, share my thoughts and feelings, and meet great people in the community of Ottersweier. I know I won't be living here, but I got a chance to meet some of the important people in Jan's life. I'm glad to be part of his community. I look forward to future functions and gatherings.

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Bronze Sculpture of the Greek God and Molina eating grapes!

Today, I decided to have some grapes. Where should I have it? Well, this Greek God was hanging around and I decide that he would share with me. There are so many kinds of fruit at this time of year, but grapes are here all year round. Also known as wine!!! There were other sculptures in the area, but this one seems to catch my attention. Greek Gods are so masculine!!! hahahaa. Where is Jan feeding me grapes?

Today has been a long day with lots of driving and lots of German. I think I'm overwhelmed with listening to German and I don't even know what is English, Cantonese or German. I'm so confused. My brain needs more food to function in each language. All I remember is Guten Morgen, Schuess, Auf Wiedersehen and Danke Schoen. I also need my yoga or physical activity. Where is the volleyball??? 

Things are going well. A day and a half and I'm off to Italy. I hope i'll have some time to post while i'm there.

My first encounter in Germany

Alright peeps, why are there signs of women? I thought it was just for bathrooms to let you know which one to go in. I guess not. In Germany, they have parking spots just for women. What the heck is that all about??? Women apparently need more space for parking so they they get their own parking spot. Isn't that interesting! Some women can use the lines, like myself, but there are a few out there that need a little more parking practice.

Desert at a Castle!!!

Last night, Jan took me to the top of the hill in Ottersweier Germany, his hometown for desert. The Castle is called Burg Windeck.

www.burg-windeck.de

It was a beautiful night. We got to sit by the window looking out to the town. It was just like sitting in Horizon and looking down at Vancouver. But the difference is....I'm in Germany!!!



This is what we had: Plum ice-cream in a cappuccino, Brownie, Crembe, 3 different sorbet. Yum....It was great to end the night with some great deserts at the top of the hill in a castle. The prince and princess of Burg Windeck Castle.

Kiebingen, Germany

This is my address where I will be living starting October 6th til who knows when. Feel free to write me.   

Molina Chow & Jan Moritz Mildenberger         
Stiegelstr. 5
72108
Rottenburg - Kiebingen Germany