tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55089385460241810472024-03-12T21:58:35.157-07:00FLORIDA SCARFThe Latest News from Your Favorite Fashion AccessorySarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-36294169415469207752013-01-29T12:26:00.000-08:002013-01-29T12:26:33.209-08:00New Website!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aFKzR4NzouKdKgALojgbUtcACKIAydQCLHfXI87sJbFtlFLyD0uG30yKak1LgF4hoVud4dqPQEbFK5eCVEfLATnsdnNdsFQEFVEtG2l9MAvzJjK_BJq0tGRktAa__Idl9eUj1xn4inHo/s1600/Photo1-11+7.46.17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aFKzR4NzouKdKgALojgbUtcACKIAydQCLHfXI87sJbFtlFLyD0uG30yKak1LgF4hoVud4dqPQEbFK5eCVEfLATnsdnNdsFQEFVEtG2l9MAvzJjK_BJq0tGRktAa__Idl9eUj1xn4inHo/s320/Photo1-11+7.46.17+PM.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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There is a new website.</div>
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Please read all about it at www.floridascarf.com</div>
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Thank you for keeping up with me as my business grows, art improves, and journal gets fatter.</div>
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All of my past blog post are archived on the new site.</div>
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I am in the process of transferring the Germany Page.</div>
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I still need to finish writing about Bali. </div>
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Stay tuned...but not here...over there.</div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-35484586600961666862013-01-26T07:43:00.001-08:002013-01-26T07:43:47.960-08:00Painting Process<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLv_LI2R3n5Tmw43_LkVaQqPOPuM5l-KMlN2fYfRlSop3LN9_ISM0Sq2E97m7FZUDELgZzfTi3vNFuGzAkkE5rzw6QfgM0-hSCn3b2JchIvTMFUpVf_Vo_GOinJpJ7FwkKrOtEYHlmi0a/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLv_LI2R3n5Tmw43_LkVaQqPOPuM5l-KMlN2fYfRlSop3LN9_ISM0Sq2E97m7FZUDELgZzfTi3vNFuGzAkkE5rzw6QfgM0-hSCn3b2JchIvTMFUpVf_Vo_GOinJpJ7FwkKrOtEYHlmi0a/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">I
recently read an article on a current exhibit at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">The title is “Matisse:In Search of True Painting”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">The
writer of the article makes the exhibit sound fabulous. In
particular, the show is described as being quite informative on, not
only the artist, but on behaviors that should be practiced by all
artists. I've never thought of an exhibit as <i>instructional</i>
before. But I think it is a wonderfully smart way to experience what
your viewing; not just emotionally but scholastically as well. If you
have access to the Met before March17th, maybe you should go. Here's
a link to the article.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/854181/6-things-i-learned-about-painting-from-the-mets-blockbuster">http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/854181/6-things-i-learned-about-painting-from-the-mets-blockbuster</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">The
six things the article claims you will learn are; when to use black,
that the background is part of the composition, that one should
always do multiple studies, knowing when simplicity wins over
details, why to document your process, and that there is no shame in
imitating your contemporaries.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">In
reading what the article had to offer, I came to a conclusion that my
own artistic practices have a lot in common with those of Matisse.
Please mind; I am not trying to (overly) liken myself to a master
painter. I am just having a bit of (fancy) fun with information that
has been brought to light. </span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;">I
found a few things we had in common, but most importantly (for me)
Matisse documented his painting process visually. In the 30's he
hired a photographer to take photos of the various stages of his
work. This showed his painting was more strategic than spontaneous.
Looking back at photos also helped him plan future moves. I will use
this fact; that we both love to document our process to segue into my
own photographic representation of one of my recently finished
paintings. Enjoy. </span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYYeVZanfPrQZXid8lslZ7FlAYZGfosrMburZlKzWDlLeRj2N69JIJDngCItLJWHRsiSHGRYHFQkBnhZrN2neoYSb1_IAPMbmdmVc7_Z07OF-Xat0-30To8aWj8WCTQGwJop4q-TBQWGn/s1600/Photo+Feb+04,+10+49+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYYeVZanfPrQZXid8lslZ7FlAYZGfosrMburZlKzWDlLeRj2N69JIJDngCItLJWHRsiSHGRYHFQkBnhZrN2neoYSb1_IAPMbmdmVc7_Z07OF-Xat0-30To8aWj8WCTQGwJop4q-TBQWGn/s320/Photo+Feb+04,+10+49+50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the initial photograph.</div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-29485418521492556062013-01-21T12:43:00.002-08:002013-01-21T12:43:40.657-08:00Fest der Kunst<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvXTPsq7G6c23Onf-kUM161qBMCMVa6jRxlxrxxo0BlMmv2vAIGmXlTkhteFmWqTi2EiqB0bBljjtDuimJpELNGk7giGsxELLnnkZc_nDAVpq44jo20E0AfMBZGhQnTZjrvk7pzTDJeRo/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvXTPsq7G6c23Onf-kUM161qBMCMVa6jRxlxrxxo0BlMmv2vAIGmXlTkhteFmWqTi2EiqB0bBljjtDuimJpELNGk7giGsxELLnnkZc_nDAVpq44jo20E0AfMBZGhQnTZjrvk7pzTDJeRo/s320/IMG_0634.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Fest der Kunst</a></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-12535064766014124542013-01-17T12:12:00.001-08:002013-01-17T12:12:38.568-08:00It's our Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5LPhHi5H5rmYcO7DjycYBWAq1vi0njcVNE2G_4fu00JGTG0V8xDdiimvbNk7lDBHH6BNwfeqtQYDRzqhMEbHfroDb1HiC4VZFwL_2zXVCW5eJgDxLMDWvY7Ele6S8yrZhfdLLOwFTVLp/s1600/Photo1-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5LPhHi5H5rmYcO7DjycYBWAq1vi0njcVNE2G_4fu00JGTG0V8xDdiimvbNk7lDBHH6BNwfeqtQYDRzqhMEbHfroDb1HiC4VZFwL_2zXVCW5eJgDxLMDWvY7Ele6S8yrZhfdLLOwFTVLp/s320/Photo1-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>No, not me and Phil. That anniversary is in September.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It's me and Germany's Anniversary...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and we've come a long way babe.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Read It.</b></span></a></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-4689728149513613772013-01-14T10:40:00.001-08:002013-01-14T10:40:39.184-08:00New Neon Hat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever thought about what your least favorite temperature is?<br />
Mine is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It makes the weather incredibly annoying. It's been between 38 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit here for a couple of weeks. It's been chilly, wet and gray; and I've had trouble deciding if I need a coat, or not, most days.<br />
Not Today! It's cold again; under 30 degrees. I couldn't be more relieved. The air feels fresh and crisp, and we even saw some snow flurries. I definitely wore my jacket when I went outside...<br />
And my new hat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS96YvrGCjAYGY5961tmpoOK5kM0Z-alAOPqOtL_j3ZLVq2I2eMOX9pnnd9suOioUu3lSeNHJdI4NIpX5jWuJWF3gEi6Vn5LpMKTa1nPZlQEHFpkvfcswn6ZnHOizsgOnH0HCY7V-x_5E/s1600/Photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS96YvrGCjAYGY5961tmpoOK5kM0Z-alAOPqOtL_j3ZLVq2I2eMOX9pnnd9suOioUu3lSeNHJdI4NIpX5jWuJWF3gEi6Vn5LpMKTa1nPZlQEHFpkvfcswn6ZnHOizsgOnH0HCY7V-x_5E/s320/Photo2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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(I know I look like a dork in this photo, but that's what happens when you take pictures of yourself.)</div>
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(P.S. I am also aware that it is even dorkier that I am standing in front of one of my paintings. In my defense I just got excited about Winter.)</div>
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I'm, obviously, showcasing this hat because it was handmade.</div>
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Even better; it was handmade for me by my friend Elizabeth.</div>
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I didn't know what it was going to look like until it was done.</div>
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I told Elizabeth I wanted it to match my sneakers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F4kJckCzlukbh_CmN9B6e_z2qznOzyR07h8OaiA2wUJZNmugJ3Dvg0_XVoa-L1tPdDKAzGJDYfvMSv4P8BOZem7MjOhwTDfMklxWDeK6ZuIyWdPqmItDVi9TPRfYWdy-XEW_JydMnFYc/s1600/Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F4kJckCzlukbh_CmN9B6e_z2qznOzyR07h8OaiA2wUJZNmugJ3Dvg0_XVoa-L1tPdDKAzGJDYfvMSv4P8BOZem7MjOhwTDfMklxWDeK6ZuIyWdPqmItDVi9TPRfYWdy-XEW_JydMnFYc/s320/Photo1.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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And Viola! </div>
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Nice work E.</div>
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It's cool when you are good at making things. It's twice as cool when you have friends that are good at making things and you get to make things for each other. I think that is how the world goes 'round.</div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-17312530693700807982013-01-12T11:29:00.000-08:002013-01-12T11:29:19.231-08:00Build a Collection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeGEs-IoSbtLwLyFIbPLadIp-h9yIejGNhUd01Z7LGZ82gkHg0y33UWtrUpRkV69617yREiXp75iM3khb_NK8fVCL61JucTmR-9RT8b-u9DjAjCc7aWBLM5zWPI7ovwzsMsnrzy0Md2kA/s1600/Photo1-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeGEs-IoSbtLwLyFIbPLadIp-h9yIejGNhUd01Z7LGZ82gkHg0y33UWtrUpRkV69617yREiXp75iM3khb_NK8fVCL61JucTmR-9RT8b-u9DjAjCc7aWBLM5zWPI7ovwzsMsnrzy0Md2kA/s320/Photo1-9.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you see something you love, you get it. Once it's yours, you keep it forever. You don't stop there. You keep looking. You want to find another thing you love, to put with the other thing you love, so you can love them together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you're working on a collection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil and I have a collection of old license plates. Phil and I also have a collection of wooden masks. We have a music collection that we are rather proud of, and a snowboard DVD collection. Really, the snowboard flics are Phil's collection. I just sit next to him as he watches them repeatedly, rewinding and replaying his favorite parts, and breaking moves down for me one frame at a time. Thanks to travel; I've got a pretty awesome collection of stamps in my passport. And the list goes on...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got another collection that I didn't even realize I was forming until recently. Now it is something I am rather excited about. It is my handmade jewelry collection; and it is pretty spectacular. Currently I wear it all on my right hand, but I have no doubt it will be expanding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHfnvyDVTLKvkvlh-i1mVybAcMYVhuosR0TSR-Sr54SuZ7CQ9Olb9NyIkgCjCp0GLmmd579ZeQoXt-y2Z5tauXxJZ3JUroRWi3hsF8ITDzIvczPJbt9DVv_J9rG07igs9uCM1r67uvwFE/s1600/Photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHfnvyDVTLKvkvlh-i1mVybAcMYVhuosR0TSR-Sr54SuZ7CQ9Olb9NyIkgCjCp0GLmmd579ZeQoXt-y2Z5tauXxJZ3JUroRWi3hsF8ITDzIvczPJbt9DVv_J9rG07igs9uCM1r67uvwFE/s320/Photo3.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's where it started. This is my Jake ring; and by that I mean this is my Five Year Anniversary Band made by <a href="http://www.jacobalbee.com/">Jacob Albee</a>. If I was as much of a blogger then as I am now, I would have written about this ring a long time ago. Nonetheless. This ring was handmade by Jake in his Vermont studio. It's made of meteorite. How cool is that? It's Gibeon Meteorite to be exact; made of iron and nickel. It is 4.55 billion years old, and it fell from (somewhere between) Mars and Jupiter and landed in Namibia. Here Jake has incorporated white gold and three different colors of diamonds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This ring exemplifies the jeweler's mantra of combining the past with the present; earth and atmosphere. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB92yec6UUeVY_LAdGQ5X1nRNYrTFIoL3d90jQM9lJOnrnKe0a3-920E003HwZrBitV5Jbr6GipL-PCka02l2R39M0uIZbQwOoO0TMhC7UtznOyn5SU3kTasOSZyE5yNMATbzpijZ18i9E/s1600/Photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB92yec6UUeVY_LAdGQ5X1nRNYrTFIoL3d90jQM9lJOnrnKe0a3-920E003HwZrBitV5Jbr6GipL-PCka02l2R39M0uIZbQwOoO0TMhC7UtznOyn5SU3kTasOSZyE5yNMATbzpijZ18i9E/s320/Photo4.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always wore my Jake ring on it's own. I found it to be such an incredible piece, that I never had much to compliment it. Then I went to a Christmas market in Anwanden, Germany, and found the jewelry of <a href="http://www.erdwind.de/">Erdwind</a>. Erdwind is a small jewelry business run by Conya and Klaus. The two have turned their love of nature, and delight of collecting nature's treasures, into delicate and beautiful handmade jewelry. Their work highlights driftwood from Corsica, various tree seeds, pearls, shells, and metals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fell in love with this ring featured above. Particularly so because I found it to be a wonderful juxtapose to my anniversary band.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RBwR_dSKJitoS0SO3nQl89KaedrgFJ1brzUHs_lVKnfPlS2RNU4krbSCejXtnpYGxefp3ZNYn15Lfqpxwwio9ILLSw9OBns5Y58UNsKHyccmH0VlTSlmaw6igBRXWWH0kNuZM0kDnkU1/s1600/Photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RBwR_dSKJitoS0SO3nQl89KaedrgFJ1brzUHs_lVKnfPlS2RNU4krbSCejXtnpYGxefp3ZNYn15Lfqpxwwio9ILLSw9OBns5Y58UNsKHyccmH0VlTSlmaw6igBRXWWH0kNuZM0kDnkU1/s320/Photo2.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Not even two days later, I received a Christmas gift from my mother. (who happens to have a flair for cool jewelry) We have a lot in common. I know if she likes something, I'm going to like it too. She's a clay artist; and she was recently at a Christmas Bazaar herself when she found the work of <a href="http://www.angeladuffin.com/">Angela Duffin</a>. Angela makes jewelry from mixed metals and precious stones. She is inspired by her love for textile design. I find it alluring how, treating metal like thread, can be so complimentary to the organic forms of the stones. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDng4atC8hYuSS6HggdppY1mx_e7QQ-W3hEUBTtti6v5JF-79FtjtF8SAVbEmr42UjQsbfZXS6IhTZlnrP4GsIrHI30G6w3X-FyRqV382-tV9MjehOAGSGLLOPI8XlC9ZdP3bOnbWBifMO/s1600/Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDng4atC8hYuSS6HggdppY1mx_e7QQ-W3hEUBTtti6v5JF-79FtjtF8SAVbEmr42UjQsbfZXS6IhTZlnrP4GsIrHI30G6w3X-FyRqV382-tV9MjehOAGSGLLOPI8XlC9ZdP3bOnbWBifMO/s320/Photo1.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am proud to wear these three pieces together. As an artist I know how hard each craftsman has worked on their piece. I love how the artists, and I, all share similar ideals and motivations. I feel energized by the history (and personalities) of these objects. I can only hope that my own customers receive half as much joy in wearing my own products.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.jacobalbee.com</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.erdwind.de</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.angeladuffin.com </span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-45889250152536951962013-01-09T09:48:00.001-08:002013-01-09T09:49:09.387-08:00Snowboarding is for Kings. Surfing is for Beasts.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7lnQOvQJjHtUBFXn-5toAwppVgICVXB6a3yd3iHZSXwGk2dziCQXf2LYzXuACOgJYfJrBl8-Jf7ouBVfwkkYsO-su2DZR1E2iqfPcsy_21Hr1Djt1d5fnESLFDtnz-BEhU0LBJhxkmQN/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7lnQOvQJjHtUBFXn-5toAwppVgICVXB6a3yd3iHZSXwGk2dziCQXf2LYzXuACOgJYfJrBl8-Jf7ouBVfwkkYsO-su2DZR1E2iqfPcsy_21Hr1Djt1d5fnESLFDtnz-BEhU0LBJhxkmQN/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
after two days of sitting around with a busted belly and a busted
foot I decided that I'd had enough. I was no longer going to sit on
the beach watching other people surf and play in the water. I was done worrying
that I was going to have to go to the bathroom, and worrying that I
was going to get dirt and germs in my cut on my foot. I went to the
pharmacy and bought waterproof band aids. One of the instructors told
me my foot would have heeled in 48 hours if I had put placenta on it.
Great advice, I thought. Where in the heck would I know where to go
for placenta? Would I want to try to heal my cut with someone else's
placenta? I'm thinking <i>no</i>. I was already on enough antibiotics. This
instructor was actually the one who drove me to the pharmacy to get
band aids. We rode on his moped, without helmets, in the dark, after a
few Bintang beers. As we left I was trying to play it cool but at the
time I was thinking, “This can't be legal, but it is Bali. If I can survive this seriously risky drive I
should be able to survive a cut in the ocean.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
the surf camp it is normal that one would go through different
instructors as the week went by. You pick different waves to surf,
and you get different instructors. For Phil and I this was not the
case. We kept ending up with the same instructor. For both of us it
was fine. We liked having the same person everyday. It made
progression easier. The funny part of it was that, personality-wise,
our instructors could have been our alter egos. My instructor was the
one driving a moped without a helmet after a few beers, suggesting to
heal cuts with placenta. He wore a bleached mohawk and had plenty of
tattoos. He told us a story how he broke his neck while break dancing,
broke his shoulder while skateboarding, was taught reflexology by his
Japanese grandfather, and had a brief career as a comedian with his
father. On the other hand, Phil's instructor was a modest dude, had another job aside
from instructing, and was saving money to marry his girl. He was a
bit shy, really smart, and laughed at all of Phil's jokes. Both
instructors lived to surf. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo5CWbRhBJGLjOOf2xX4Rl2zwyI8FivF9BH7T0hpnPpQzxRlyDYm8J_Ihe7-6aMSseS1_e3h8bGoJ_txgTlSL6d9VyE7-hROLPTkQ6vuFOtVdlkBLvEE6-x_L4-LhX39S9ylik8u1M73B/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo5CWbRhBJGLjOOf2xX4Rl2zwyI8FivF9BH7T0hpnPpQzxRlyDYm8J_Ihe7-6aMSseS1_e3h8bGoJ_txgTlSL6d9VyE7-hROLPTkQ6vuFOtVdlkBLvEE6-x_L4-LhX39S9ylik8u1M73B/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday
Daniel, my instructor, took us back to Batu Balong, but I think we
surfed Old Man. They are right next to one another. I can't be sure.
Before we got in the water Daniel gave us a huge lecture on the
structure of our situation. There's a channel you paddle out through,
so you don't get hammered by the wave. The wave can get shallow in
spots; you must be aware of large rocks and reef. My mind was quick to let me be intimidated while he was speaking. It took all my
strength to ignore myself and pay attention to Daniel. Once in the
water it was a lot to think about. Plus there was a current so I
constantly needed to keep an eye on the shore to make sure I didn't
drift into a danger zone. The paddle out was long. The waves weren't
huge but they were big enough. I just felt like I was fighting.
Daniel would call behind himself; warning us to paddle faster so we
didn't have a wave crash on us, or maybe so we'd get out quick enough
to catch a good set. I could never figure it out. Like I said, I was
in fight mode. And the waves kept rolling, rolling. He'd say, “Go.”
I'd say, “Shit.” He'd say, “No shit.”
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, “<span style="font-size: small;">Holy
Shit, I actually caught a wave.” Almost...Yup. There it is. I stood up. Yes! Finally
I am riding waves. The effort pays off. I forgot how tired I thought
I was. I forgot everything other than me, waves, and a board. It was
a good time. Unfortunately the waves kept getting bigger, and I did
eventually get tired, and the wave started to get crowded. I paddled
back to shore. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
particular week we spent at the surf camp made me appreciate
snowboarding even more. I have come to the conclusion that snowboarding is
for kings and surfing is for beasts. In surfing there are absolutely
no guarantees, and you are constantly working. It's hard work. There
is so much you can't see. There's a lot you have to train yourself to
see. There's a lot you have to think about. There's also a lot you
have to force yourself not to think about. Much of snowboarding is
handed over on a silver platter; a platter that we pay for in the price of admission. We definitely pay for it...$$$ </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surfers love dawn patrol; but skiers, alike, love the first run. Is
there anything better? One thing you don't do in snowboarding is call last run. That's how you get hurt. In surfing you have to call last
wave. Otherwise you might never get out of the water. Another
thing they do have in common is that both activities, surfing and
snowboarding, need to be followed by hot tubs and local beer...in my opinion. Actually, if you think about it, a ski trail in the Poconos after a
tiny snow fall can be a lot like a crowded lineup in the ocean. They're both a great way to get decapitated.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh man. I hate to admit it, but if I could change one thing about snowboarding; I'd make snowboarding
food more like surfing food...cheap burritos, noodles, peanut sauce,
and pancakes. </span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-76693058202812070462013-01-05T04:39:00.000-08:002013-01-05T04:42:41.353-08:00Creative Indulgence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLrv-EcJVJYc29J0thAaSZnzH4WaTwceO4zPlCCc4DftXkP1VY8T_p2NbRBcDHJDTcFR-Dp6adiVGfTkiQma3iwvMHnT5XFLDMF6qxxi5twsUOaokJMhioGNpadhghmikT_MRL4t6H_iR/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLrv-EcJVJYc29J0thAaSZnzH4WaTwceO4zPlCCc4DftXkP1VY8T_p2NbRBcDHJDTcFR-Dp6adiVGfTkiQma3iwvMHnT5XFLDMF6qxxi5twsUOaokJMhioGNpadhghmikT_MRL4t6H_iR/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately
I have been spoiling myself by indulging a creative rampage. In the
past couple of weeks I have completed over 5 paintings. Mind you, they
were not all started a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn't want to
insinuate that I am a fast worker. Here they are in no particular order.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa79enSLQ51r9CTRrKORdvOSQagRRUDEfqspyXpvTOBOVgwWH8HNd8vKG194OU64yDKaAoG_H3v_5CXX47qvvKnog-5VF9wGQAIsinaFyu47V04wiN22MpNI2ciidwzDjdyUPzSSkdplk/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa79enSLQ51r9CTRrKORdvOSQagRRUDEfqspyXpvTOBOVgwWH8HNd8vKG194OU64yDKaAoG_H3v_5CXX47qvvKnog-5VF9wGQAIsinaFyu47V04wiN22MpNI2ciidwzDjdyUPzSSkdplk/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the coming days I will be posting the processes from some of these works.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, a few of these are available for purchase on <a href="http://www.scgeraci.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the holiday season I
have also been working on a series of special orders. I have been
getting an increasing number of Special Orders. It is
definitely more work to complete; but in a good way.
It works my brain in ways that making what ever I want never could. Here's a few, in no particular order.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvk14jo8PVIZhl-Jafbt10OXOCtTr7JzIu9nLGuv0SrfJf-XyLXQUPcgJ-dpZHCTPWVXYRgmvI8yYdh_e-zpBbBQw4KCvXiWTyq3fY_UTpl_Q9cQd1CdW1_09XSbM8d5Tx-fjoId9ycDV/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvk14jo8PVIZhl-Jafbt10OXOCtTr7JzIu9nLGuv0SrfJf-XyLXQUPcgJ-dpZHCTPWVXYRgmvI8yYdh_e-zpBbBQw4KCvXiWTyq3fY_UTpl_Q9cQd1CdW1_09XSbM8d5Tx-fjoId9ycDV/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TC8Cd6bzlJjRcR-GVDNDc9LccfMEM0yIaqWec5tIkUt3hdFHu0NjSHbPjfk7po38XBUlBmW8sW_l2no3IZLXxo2ZlZcodJOd3KrG7ZKYZTKTAXv9N2qGG9Kht84BbtL8-qYhFoaR_UcI/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TC8Cd6bzlJjRcR-GVDNDc9LccfMEM0yIaqWec5tIkUt3hdFHu0NjSHbPjfk7po38XBUlBmW8sW_l2no3IZLXxo2ZlZcodJOd3KrG7ZKYZTKTAXv9N2qGG9Kht84BbtL8-qYhFoaR_UcI/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddEs0lBIM3BGldCTUlkF5_iKzHIyNFjFDCja7slz9FeRV3yFWiIy5txGVqQlPVE5pF8rxzVWu1t6wiS5TTqazIoyVQNXBTSl8dP51T1Rounybudp9DTT1jti_rfKqDFgEX-p7vj3T95TU/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddEs0lBIM3BGldCTUlkF5_iKzHIyNFjFDCja7slz9FeRV3yFWiIy5txGVqQlPVE5pF8rxzVWu1t6wiS5TTqazIoyVQNXBTSl8dP51T1Rounybudp9DTT1jti_rfKqDFgEX-p7vj3T95TU/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMUSSzCXiV-mJSEGHiZ9rnb3SvISaIqycE17PccAKBBSdu23JJYIU-APWZpHmt2Z7axdYlNpoXlpw6mGfv7znXFW58qMFxbBnKCcpU-mSouJkZaXiDwgg3y5oCBvEWcdFF_0nV5eFtX7R/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMUSSzCXiV-mJSEGHiZ9rnb3SvISaIqycE17PccAKBBSdu23JJYIU-APWZpHmt2Z7axdYlNpoXlpw6mGfv7znXFW58qMFxbBnKCcpU-mSouJkZaXiDwgg3y5oCBvEWcdFF_0nV5eFtX7R/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my particular favorite of the season...The Santa Clause.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlBjNKh_RKTx7wdjOWZiCdb3Njj0S8vXuIxlve50XF_xtfwfBRm17THIGdhIXunS4BBhmK_NvrkH7oeNHLmutLu-yvYjYi-S0_GUdKL6R77RDWx0TzYI_ixf6RscWzrT3cWYLWXqVBj29/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlBjNKh_RKTx7wdjOWZiCdb3Njj0S8vXuIxlve50XF_xtfwfBRm17THIGdhIXunS4BBhmK_NvrkH7oeNHLmutLu-yvYjYi-S0_GUdKL6R77RDWx0TzYI_ixf6RscWzrT3cWYLWXqVBj29/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
have also been branching out from these two main outlets for my
creativity. For instance, here is my snuggie for my plant. I made it
from some old granny squares I have that my grandmother made. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC46Dw8cGq2NKkypr9RcMZtCq6xj_1yn77JIzvMR5hyOUMs2dvJA1j5-6jSGWVt8PAw3vB6cJjrOVfFHJUB5T26OFMgEMFnqHyUQ38RhecZag9jsOd8KjD9W-h-g8drbZabl_mcZZAF7SP/s1600/Photo1-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC46Dw8cGq2NKkypr9RcMZtCq6xj_1yn77JIzvMR5hyOUMs2dvJA1j5-6jSGWVt8PAw3vB6cJjrOVfFHJUB5T26OFMgEMFnqHyUQ38RhecZag9jsOd8KjD9W-h-g8drbZabl_mcZZAF7SP/s400/Photo1-8.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love
it. I want to make snuggies for everything using these squares.
Everything you wrap in them looks adorable.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApjtGs47xNkexj-kQuJLzXX1p2NPBjnI6qTAA9Dek_l6TksTYS3zbvyI3xVfd70p43TYXSpMuKiJs7ic2qeJqgs33O72PTXtbbTY-w7Trs85kiy-tXrf67S9mKPyl-Gtg3tJzmaTORyyW/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApjtGs47xNkexj-kQuJLzXX1p2NPBjnI6qTAA9Dek_l6TksTYS3zbvyI3xVfd70p43TYXSpMuKiJs7ic2qeJqgs33O72PTXtbbTY-w7Trs85kiy-tXrf67S9mKPyl-Gtg3tJzmaTORyyW/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's
my next “branching out” project?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Figuring
out how to cut down and resew my grandfather's flannels into a size
that fits me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have plans to finally finish the throw rug made from knotted t-shirts that I started in May. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-30790027139073647352013-01-01T08:10:00.001-08:002013-01-01T08:10:58.385-08:00A New Year. It's Already Been Brought.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY0lgJj_65iaUcsRzCTSMn556THKQINzxXXW_M87poAtR1v1geq10DC7Pfw-vfGXMyFUPT-heXEuA3RfyLpbcc-SPYX6rqocXrgcbqf0wdDMnQ-4qNR8auBPJMou2AIWhfE122-W_fYPi/s1600/Photo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY0lgJj_65iaUcsRzCTSMn556THKQINzxXXW_M87poAtR1v1geq10DC7Pfw-vfGXMyFUPT-heXEuA3RfyLpbcc-SPYX6rqocXrgcbqf0wdDMnQ-4qNR8auBPJMou2AIWhfE122-W_fYPi/s320/Photo7.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's
cool when you get to be one of the first people in the world to
celebrate a holiday. It is particularly fun on New Year's Eve. This
year I enjoyed stepping into the new year six hours ahead of most
people I know. Doubling my pleasure was having my morning coffee
and receiving messages from a few people who were <i>apres party</i>
partying. Even though my holiday was over I still had the excitement
knowing that my friends and family were in the thick of it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a <i>holiday split</i> this New Year's Eve. First I went to a party at
a girlfriend's house, but I left by 11:30. I welcomed
in the New Year with my neighbors. From their top floor balcony you
can watch a spectacular firework display to mark the slide of Germany into 2013.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's
start with the house party first. It was a theme party; and for this I was
grateful. I like getting dressed up for parties, but I also enjoy not
taking myself too seriously. The theme of the party was <i>Pho</i><i> Glam</i>.
Party goers translated this into understanding that we would all come
dressed in our most desperately unappealing (and cheap) attempts at
New Year's semi-formal wear.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
have been developing a desire to purchase a top hat for some weeks
now. I have been looking in thrift stores, at Christmas markets, and on
websites. I had never quite found anything to jump out at me. I was
browsing Etsy recently and saw a mini top hat on a headband; made by
a crafter who used a cereal box as her base. She then covered the
cereal box with fabric and accessories. That is when the light bulb
went off. I decided to make my own hat for the <i>Pho Glam</i> Party. I
wanted my hat to be festive, cute, obviously handmade, and a little
silly. Here's how I did it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-SJvndE-T_Cc2DwaFMrZeYYCxWdpdZx7lPGbkj6l8TRf2tEzHpWmgOauqbnXgFeaghoNxLxQWXP1jZ52C2gq9v4mSYA8KeZkd2kMJ7X1G5Qy5O9cikiRchczCdzZCT6Q6v5r-lR-Pag3/s1600/Photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-SJvndE-T_Cc2DwaFMrZeYYCxWdpdZx7lPGbkj6l8TRf2tEzHpWmgOauqbnXgFeaghoNxLxQWXP1jZ52C2gq9v4mSYA8KeZkd2kMJ7X1G5Qy5O9cikiRchczCdzZCT6Q6v5r-lR-Pag3/s320/Photo4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5dfLZYE421xo0cMLOA1RtAHpNvxRjjnZNccg7gszwYyiRa4R7mAqVpIQpT2OlDHNuDUGI4h7MQndJTWfHX0ejmqx2znycmCr42NdI_e2aEJO3s4hdoI5Z9Ya2L1IcyPdJxC23AcQSmco/s1600/Photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5dfLZYE421xo0cMLOA1RtAHpNvxRjjnZNccg7gszwYyiRa4R7mAqVpIQpT2OlDHNuDUGI4h7MQndJTWfHX0ejmqx2znycmCr42NdI_e2aEJO3s4hdoI5Z9Ya2L1IcyPdJxC23AcQSmco/s320/Photo6.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're gonna copy me you'll need a small sour cream container (preferably not fat free) and a larger plastic lid. (I used a 32 oz. ricotta cheese container.) You will also need black duct tape and decorative accessories. Oh, and a string and needle to be able to tie the hat to your headband.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Party was a blast. My
absolute favorite part of the party was when a new guest would enter
and we'd all stare to see what she was wearing...and it wasn't
considered rude because it was (like) a costume...and we'd all
whistle and cat call. My second favorite part of the party was
drinking champagne, well sparkling wine. It is such a treat;
especially in Germany. You can get a stinkin' good bottle for $3.00.
After all of the guests were present we voted to see who's outfit was
the best. I gotta tell you; credit went where credit was due. I don't
know my friend found this dress, but it rocked. I was pretty jealous.
It looked exactly like something my Malibu Barbie could have worn,
and she had the eyelashes to match.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7-WhJK1IRekWIo19rt3PVt7ImgxpBTeaOKxV-jMAod8QtZyL30blpXmmAcC0hWguHJbDCPSNCwmmnX6ezT0nE2A2HTnxYOc3_G8amUHHk0Mj9YVrKY0fYCuFx11-5bJ_YQF8mYw0AxKf/s1600/Photo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7-WhJK1IRekWIo19rt3PVt7ImgxpBTeaOKxV-jMAod8QtZyL30blpXmmAcC0hWguHJbDCPSNCwmmnX6ezT0nE2A2HTnxYOc3_G8amUHHk0Mj9YVrKY0fYCuFx11-5bJ_YQF8mYw0AxKf/s320/Photo7.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
rest of us Runner's Up looked pretty fun too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95orQrcpa7ZsCyJHB46-XVyvR9NuLUjtGeqme62phd66zs0QawsDgU5ZbGgyEyxn_BRkxIkPSUkkIoqhteKCyUb7KxqqLi5y8xivFNgQH59mVcu9KSbFJ07nmWBgs4Ov_SxMY76wFwCcI/s1600/Photo9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95orQrcpa7ZsCyJHB46-XVyvR9NuLUjtGeqme62phd66zs0QawsDgU5ZbGgyEyxn_BRkxIkPSUkkIoqhteKCyUb7KxqqLi5y8xivFNgQH59mVcu9KSbFJ07nmWBgs4Ov_SxMY76wFwCcI/s320/Photo9.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
this first party was just heating up I was donning my jacket in
preparation for my next celebratory activity; fireworks with
Katharina and Ludwig. My house sits on a bit of a hill and we can see
the town of Ansbach below. At exactly midnight it is a German
tradition that (almost) every single person light off as many
fireworks as they possibly can, for as long as they can. The noise
and light and heat are said to ward off evil spirits and bad ju-ju
from 2013. My fellow <i>guardians of the new year</i> did a fabulous job last night. I was
standing on the balcony in complete awe. I have never seen a firework
display so amazing. They were everywhere. It was beautiful, and it
went on for almost ten minutes. Prior to New Year's Eve fireworks are
for sale everywhere; and everyone is buying them by the trunk load.
Even in witnessing this, I could never have imagined the site I would behold at midnight...too cool. The most endearing part about it to me is that, essentially, this
is something that the community gets together and puts on
themselves. It is not part of the city government's budget, or some
professional ordeal involving a license and money and parking and
rules. In Germany people are just doing it for themselves. I am
really excited for next New Year's Eve already.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-47884036972966398332012-12-30T11:36:00.000-08:002012-12-30T11:36:39.439-08:00Kima Surf Camp, Bali<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RkMooSHIcWbw7cZZbMdY-0qj6-P5RPByojKCqt2Ksg4hJCHuCKgnj25-AAsvOruVl2DW4e_fM-y9CXMbmb7ihFdhLXl0_6ILB2XqiiP09mnzb1Jd7UNRKZtX0SvUArbUJYkm3N3C_bvA/s1600/399638_3993932361008_1123027978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RkMooSHIcWbw7cZZbMdY-0qj6-P5RPByojKCqt2Ksg4hJCHuCKgnj25-AAsvOruVl2DW4e_fM-y9CXMbmb7ihFdhLXl0_6ILB2XqiiP09mnzb1Jd7UNRKZtX0SvUArbUJYkm3N3C_bvA/s400/399638_3993932361008_1123027978_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding
Kima Surf Camp was an adventure in itself. We took a bus from Ubud to
Kuta to save a few dollars. We walked from the bus stop to the camp
to save a few dollars. This would have been a great idea had we known
where the surf camp was located. We didn't. A 2 kilometer walk turned
into a 2 hour walk that culminated in us getting a $3.00 taxi ride
around the block.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Similar
to Ubud; the streets of Kuta are packed with people and shops. For
the first time the streets were dominated with high-end retailers and
only the occasional trinket shop. Not that I've ever been; but it was
like Rodeo Dr. with surf shops. Shop windows featured tight dresses,
shoes, purses, and heavy price tags. For being such a small island I
am surprised at how many things are made here, in Bali. The Balinese
have their own version of everything; beer, wine, liquor, tobacco,
coffee, soda, furniture, cover bands, and even paintings. The
Balinese can paint anything. In Kuta there are a fantastic amount of
art galleries, all containing large, colorful canvases. Famous faces
are a popular subject matter. If you've got a wall begging for a five
foot portrait of Bob Marley, Bali is a must-visit. As is customary,
the streets of Kuta were filled with incense and music. The music, by
this point, had begun to grow on me. I may even like it now. I think
I was beginning to find it melodic, and even rhythmic. At first it
reminded me of Avant Garde Jazz; playful but not peaceful. Living in
its constant embrace had finally encouraged me to develop a different
opinion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFS2uwzqFqsolplKT4015quMzIr8xVB3kkD8zpFnzalGlvao88SEjPTN-6LVaX5AP_hdI0ez8_6ANBHp3HjVXOCmd4RpObTI4QJGvRX7kT2Gazx9mollxyrsYX3f-d1t_sYNNyjYA0cfzP/s1600/548155_3993953241530_103287615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFS2uwzqFqsolplKT4015quMzIr8xVB3kkD8zpFnzalGlvao88SEjPTN-6LVaX5AP_hdI0ez8_6ANBHp3HjVXOCmd4RpObTI4QJGvRX7kT2Gazx9mollxyrsYX3f-d1t_sYNNyjYA0cfzP/s400/548155_3993953241530_103287615_n.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
finally arrived and got settled in. We loved Kima's accommodations.
The camp was in the middle of the city, but you would never know. It
was back off the street and hidden by walls and jungle. We would
spend the week in the top floor of a house. We had our own room,
bathroom, and balcony upstairs. We shared an open air living room,
dining room, kitchen, patio, and yard with another couple.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
camp had its own restaurant, with lounge, television and game area,
and a pool. This spot was called <i>The Green Room; </i>it's
open to the public but basically enjoyed by guests. The food
served was excellent and reasonably priced, the beers were cold, and
you could plug your own ipod in for musical entertainment. There was
always a crowd at <i>The Green Room</i>, no matter the time of day or
night. It was a comfortable, friendly, relaxed atmosphere; exactly
what you would expect from a bunch of surf campers.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
spent our first day at the camp getting equipment, learning
procedures, familiarizing ourselves with a couple of local waves,
checking the tides, and meeting the staff. Everyone was very nice,
and accommodating. As we met more staff, and campers, throughout the
day we begun to notice a pattern. There were an amazing amount of
Germans, Austrians, and Europeans. A lot of the camp staff was German
too. In fact, we were the only Americans. Then a light bulb went off.
I had researched for the camp from my Internet...in Germany. No
wonder my payment confirmation came in German...and when we arrived
they were surprised that we were American. It was (some what) a camp
for Germans - by Germans. We decided to have dinner that first night
down the street, at <i>Santa Fe</i>. We had tall coconut drinks and
flautas; and laughed at our circumstance of leaving Germany for a
vacation and ending up in a little German village in the center of
Kuta, Bali.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
way camp worked was that we had five days of instruction and two days
on our own with the rental boards. Ideally you'd get your five
instruction days under your belt and then go off on your own. We did
the opposite. Sunday and Monday were Muslim holidays and most (all)
of the surf instructors had off. Monday was a solo day for us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
walked with our surf boards to a beach breaking wave, at the end of
the street that our camp was on. We surfed. Well, Phil surfed and I
paddled and got pounded. I crapped out after 45 minutes. As Phil
continued to catch fun wave after fun wave, I stared up and down the
beach. It was crowded, but not packed. There were a significant
number of surfers in the water, but it wasn't competitive. It was
mostly tourists like us, and surf guides showing off on their boards.
It's great to watch how naturally a proficient surfer can catch a
wave and just enjoy it. If I am ever lucky enough to catch a wave I
am focused too much on <i>staying</i> on it to enjoy <i>being</i> on
it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After
our morning surf session it became apparent that I was going to need
a wetsuit if I was going to continue surfing everyday. We combed
Kuta's surf-outlet strip until we finally found a suit that would
work for me. In doing so we worked up a bit of an appetite. For lunch
we stopped at a local <i>warung</i>. <i>Warung </i>is
the name given to small restaurants, usually serving local fare. This
particular warung looked a bit rustic, but any guide book will tell
you that this is where the best food can lie. So despite it's outward
appearance we gave it a go. We ordered beers and Babi Gulung. I'd
read many times that Babi Gulung is delicious; so naturally it was on
my to-eat list. After a week in Bali we were long overdue to try
some. We were served a couple of plates each, and a bowl of soup. Our
lunch consisted of crispy pig skin, pig fat, pulled pork, pork rinds,
greens, bone soup, and peanuts. We ate it, but I don't think I ever
could order the same meal again. (For the record, Phil ordered Babi
Gulung at a different restaurant later that week and said it was way
more awesome than in this instance.) After lunch I need to use the
restroom. I was lucky; this restaurant had one. I had to walk behind
the counter and through the kitchen to use it, but it was there. If
that wasn't interesting enough; there was no toilet paper. It wasn't
the first time I had found myself in this situation, and it wasn't
the last. After this lunch experience was over I (kinda) felt like
Anthony Bordain.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then
we visited the local supermarket. It was a supermarket and a gift
shop. All of the stores in Kuta have a gift shop section. I guess
they'd be dumb not to sell flower hair clips, penis shaped bottle
openers and incense. We spent a bit of time cruising the isles. I
picked up every other item on the shelf and excitedly proclaimed,
“hey, look at this!” until Phil was ready to shake me. Once we
miraculously made it to the check out, with me still alive, we had
handmade soap, incense, and a thirty pack of beers for our fridge. I
found the beer purchase amusing. A case of beer is something you buy
at home, not on vacation on the other side of the world. It's like
cooking fish and chips at home. You can do, but it just doesn't feel
right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbzVxbPj25pLLWmlx45vn9kRPjiPS3w5xEEZHxGtrGjFScC-K81qLq4vc516U5JSdTUMJ0TPqYMt7gR_hPmwiEUCOw8vlkwNVollSvSpZOJfV82sxRB-eBy0yEZ7Z82jrFXFLwEMU89nR/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbzVxbPj25pLLWmlx45vn9kRPjiPS3w5xEEZHxGtrGjFScC-K81qLq4vc516U5JSdTUMJ0TPqYMt7gR_hPmwiEUCOw8vlkwNVollSvSpZOJfV82sxRB-eBy0yEZ7Z82jrFXFLwEMU89nR/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On
Tuesday we surfed at a spot called Batu Bolong. Like all of Bali's
surf spots, it's famous. Batu Bolong is so famous that Jack Johnson
apparently mentioned it in one of his songs. The song lyrics have
something to do with banana pancakes. So every (one of us) tourists
that surfs at Batu Bolong has to stop at the surf-side warung and
order their pancakes. I'm glad I like bananas. A day doesn't go by in
Bali that you don't eat at least one. After my beer and pancakes I
needed to pee. Guess what. No bathroom. How can these guys work all
day and not need a bathroom? Do they walk home and come back? Is
everyone peeing in the water? I guess so. Does that mean that I maybe
peed in the same ocean water as Jack Johnson?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our
morning surf session really wiped us out, so for the first time yet
this vacation we took a nap. Then we woke up and surfed again; for
the afternoon it was back to the beach break at Gado Gado. After this
time in the water I had been surfing for two days and not caught a
great wave. I was beginning to get disheartened. Phil, on the other
hand, was not.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday
was the best and worst day I had in Bali, yet. I woke up quite early
in the morning needing to run to the bathroom. Let's just say I had a
mini case of what might be known as <i>Bali-Belly.</i>
(not sever and pretty common) Unluckily, this was an early surf
morning. I did my best to <i>get right</i>
before we left for our session. I was successful. I can't imagine
what you would do if you would <i>get the urge</i>
in the middle of the ocean...in a wetsuit. ( I apologize for any
inappropriate imagery this has brought to your mind.) </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
morning surf session was followed by lunch and an afternoon surf
session. Planning all of this surfing can get tricky; between tides,
weather, current, and wave size. You spend a decent amount of time
each day researching, discussing, and formulating a plan. In a surf
camp environment you also have to add in a factor of each individual
surfer's ability in the group when choosing a destination. Wednesday
afternoon we drove to a place called Alam Kulkul, but there wasn't
much of a wave so we went to Sixty Six.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sixty
Six was my first time in the water with an instructor and a class. I
had a blast. I caught a ton of waves! Actually, I think I caught
eight to ten waves; but considering it was day three at the camp I
felt like it was a ton. I think I was more relaxed being in the water
with people that knew the wave. Being around other beginner surfers
also gave me a bit more confidence, as opposed to just surfing with
Phil. And I also have to confess; the instructors pushed my surfboard
into 75% of the waves I rode. At first I felt a bit silly about this.
Then I figured, screw it, it's what I paid for and it's fun. These
pushes from the instructors actually gave me the excitement I needed
to paddle into a few of my own. I had all the adrenaline, and cheer,
that I needed to keep surfing and surfing, and not want to get out of
the water. It was during this session that the instructors helped me
work on identification of the waves, lining up with the waves,
keeping my legs closed, and perfecting my paddle. The current was
insane and we had to paddle constantly to stay in place. It was
pretty exhausting. I'd paddle forever to hold my position and just as
I'd sit up to rest the instructor would say, “This is your wave.
Go. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle.” I'd say “no.” They'd say, “yes.”
And I would say “shit” and do what they told me despite my
inability to move my arms.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
didn't realize it at the time, but the most annoying part of my day
happened an hour and a half into surfing that afternoon. I scraped my
foot on the fin of my surfboard. During one of my attempts of
wave-catching I was about to go tail over head in a crashing wave.
Instinctively I grab the tail of my board by wrapping my feet around
it. The fins of a surfboard are sharp, and deadly. The force of the
water rushing over the fin, and my foot, influenced the fin to slice
a bit of the soft, thin, tender skin on the top of my foot. I felt
the cut, but I didn't think it was serious. It wasn't bleeding. I
kept on surfing. When our session was over I got out of the water and
started walking back to our van. This is when the cut really split
open and started to bleed. As I would soon learn, even the smallest
cut, bleeding or not, is a big deal in the Bali ocean. No one told me
this ahead of time, but the water in Bali is not clean, and (in Bali
in general) things like cuts can get infected pretty badly, pretty
quickly. In the surf camp's desire that my medical situation not
escalate I ended up in the one place you don't want to end up on
vacation in Bali...the hospital.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
hospital was small, but nicer than I had expected from what I read. I
was seen quickly by the doctor and she was nice. Thank goodness I did
not need stitches; just a couple of glorified bandaids and five days
worth of oral antibiotics. This however, did also come with a
recommendation of no ocean for a T.B.D. amount of time. The doctor
recommended 5 days, but the camp <i>professionals</i>
said I'd be good after two or three days. Either way, what I was
looking at was maybe not surfing for the rest of our time at camp. I
felt really stupid.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyNf43iZf6kLalkA4fNRe_WPPfWD-fSktCY42OI9yeYC38HULjD3_O3WP0EWpvtzXPoPi1B2J8XvL4g5ngBda-_TOT8vWiZLs0UiO_mUDuyuJDW3QLEWr2tAwGlaxK8zJWHEON3nGVezn/s1600/Photo1-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyNf43iZf6kLalkA4fNRe_WPPfWD-fSktCY42OI9yeYC38HULjD3_O3WP0EWpvtzXPoPi1B2J8XvL4g5ngBda-_TOT8vWiZLs0UiO_mUDuyuJDW3QLEWr2tAwGlaxK8zJWHEON3nGVezn/s400/Photo1-11.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil,
on the other hand, had one of the sweetest Wednesdays his life may
have ever known. He signed up for a trip to Balian. Luckily, no one
else had signed up for this trip. It was just him and the instructor,
Mari. Everyone at camp was speculating about how lucky Phil was for
this. They were all picturing the scenario as just two people in the
water with wave upon wave for their surfing pleasure. Phil and Mari
had fun, but they did not have the break to themselves. It was the
two of them, and around fifty Australians. There were more bodies
than there were waves. But that is not uncommon in surfing;
especially at a world-class location. They surfed for as long as they
could and when there were no more waves to be had they went ashore
for lunch.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mari
is from a town near the area where he and Phil were surfing. He
brought them to an awesome lunch spot. This is where Phil had Babi
Gulung again. As I mentioned, this second time around it was
delicious. The two of them ate fat for under $10. Phil was stoked. It
was off the radar and delicious. Mari had hooked him up with great
surfing and great food. After lunch waves still had not returned back
to Balian. Phil and Mari decided to leave it in hopes of finding some
surf at another spot. While en route Phil requested that they make a
pit stop for espresso. If there is one thing that Phil loves more
than his morning coffee, it is his afternoon espresso. This
particular afternoon espresso was Mari's first. Phil was surprised,
Mari was delighted, and for once that day the tables had been turned.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After
Wednesday Phil and Mari became great friends. I think Phil was lucky
to find someone on this trip that he could talk to, get to know, and
be offered insight into the life of one local. They shared a lot of
stories and laughs with one another. What's it like living in Bali?
I'm sure I still don't know, but Mari has a great sense of humor
about it. If you ask Mari why he's never had an espresso he'll tell
you it's because they don't have espresso in the jungle. They only
have rice.</span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-63220383897226958422012-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:002012-12-28T07:00:07.480-08:00Army Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h_xTGGJwCA1HWiTmJNrOKt0NfGgGQh7S2fvgNuyNOUofHkAjeQHvdX_2DKXd9qFSU9G-Zv1OFgZDwQ0NfNHOAi0MDbIc1M_unSq2zgshRqxXrG56hubvtM7j_6C1Hy9J9nsWWmDdLUE9/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h_xTGGJwCA1HWiTmJNrOKt0NfGgGQh7S2fvgNuyNOUofHkAjeQHvdX_2DKXd9qFSU9G-Zv1OFgZDwQ0NfNHOAi0MDbIc1M_unSq2zgshRqxXrG56hubvtM7j_6C1Hy9J9nsWWmDdLUE9/s400/DSC_0066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It isn't often that my world and my husband's world collide. I'm an Artist. He's in the Army. I'm a Painter. He's a Pilot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think Paula Abdul said it best.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And because my husband's lifestyle affords me my lifestyle; I'm on the team.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I completed a commission painting. It was designed as a gift for a Commander, as he will be changing command soon. Because he is leaving this particular Company for another gifts are in order.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What better gift than a commemorative painting?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the Work of Art from start to finish. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8-Na1d7oP0A4f7KnzdvwxgV9xOtr45J1OaLQTBUvNlx0Rt160s5QCEw9z80aJr2xkPTSVHq1_cQly1SBHc3utnDPWw1uOI1ePgAmckRlMYe8Ath-Q5Z1aylzi0l67Jr_xUnsPSTs5sBI/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8-Na1d7oP0A4f7KnzdvwxgV9xOtr45J1OaLQTBUvNlx0Rt160s5QCEw9z80aJr2xkPTSVHq1_cQly1SBHc3utnDPWw1uOI1ePgAmckRlMYe8Ath-Q5Z1aylzi0l67Jr_xUnsPSTs5sBI/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2ALx0noBxl6SPeSkyA3REkFocz7cWtqgIBfK_XuXAvC2-CjjbVwFbna5UtBYXUUm0RgGUh_b_F3WvBiyv35ghMyK-evandeVi3jy4EviUPOOE-MwbgklQrBOPs4RCqg_bJwSANfILy4_/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2ALx0noBxl6SPeSkyA3REkFocz7cWtqgIBfK_XuXAvC2-CjjbVwFbna5UtBYXUUm0RgGUh_b_F3WvBiyv35ghMyK-evandeVi3jy4EviUPOOE-MwbgklQrBOPs4RCqg_bJwSANfILy4_/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9yY8CyPXYWjCQPfRscpeiItNTx9ozehxN1n5MZt7cmgoYM3vxUN_uHv_ry58fd0BIWWOCQfkW6wpSDx3rLxdbwZUNdjVV7FWo3C-qe5eRkTlWOJ_5npfHcc_kdqRCSux-mAqDa6JLrU0/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9yY8CyPXYWjCQPfRscpeiItNTx9ozehxN1n5MZt7cmgoYM3vxUN_uHv_ry58fd0BIWWOCQfkW6wpSDx3rLxdbwZUNdjVV7FWo3C-qe5eRkTlWOJ_5npfHcc_kdqRCSux-mAqDa6JLrU0/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVMLsu-PRa1PE3JMnzhuJTayhttgd_fBUDK8r2YP1qgSKga83np96yRABe6rOBvXoMYOGb25BIpdGmtBfkYLZHZwAc33_Kkv7IuWATNC2gTRCMC9JM7EMnUY7HPvzsobNOiJuZ1iVrzhA/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVMLsu-PRa1PE3JMnzhuJTayhttgd_fBUDK8r2YP1qgSKga83np96yRABe6rOBvXoMYOGb25BIpdGmtBfkYLZHZwAc33_Kkv7IuWATNC2gTRCMC9JM7EMnUY7HPvzsobNOiJuZ1iVrzhA/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57KR5IvD90HFS1IHbA134ZTKZ-xhKUKlmssmdcsDJwWsBAvh_cO2T0f3xFXilPUv9Ng_GivNJxdpiyiIdZ2S2hlO34DEp1A4qrTFZu2ztuwl92X1B4-yQkzvA4g57z_dRSMUbsoIJpdB1/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57KR5IvD90HFS1IHbA134ZTKZ-xhKUKlmssmdcsDJwWsBAvh_cO2T0f3xFXilPUv9Ng_GivNJxdpiyiIdZ2S2hlO34DEp1A4qrTFZu2ztuwl92X1B4-yQkzvA4g57z_dRSMUbsoIJpdB1/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf98ZtlAK7feigc5275nfhZtXo-0ZuOqu22esodtCsGyktgJiZjwhYKNktJdbw1ZS2GbF5StdQFwoNoRb88-QQm66_J0-WR6ZyTFmicSQUNF0KLn0r7aYh6ujDqLMyKnrBnjYHn52M9YW9/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf98ZtlAK7feigc5275nfhZtXo-0ZuOqu22esodtCsGyktgJiZjwhYKNktJdbw1ZS2GbF5StdQFwoNoRb88-QQm66_J0-WR6ZyTFmicSQUNF0KLn0r7aYh6ujDqLMyKnrBnjYHn52M9YW9/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatVvLNrgEm-eLt53pTC6JgNcNq3nVHNDhfb_OFLKGitKf8yvwICJe12WQxOS7oXRs47nSewpVwzK4jqugzGnmWwBsBIPjmzfK0IggEMlbXtDseY1DmYbiBMSqJFEV08AbaEKnIf-1fwD-/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatVvLNrgEm-eLt53pTC6JgNcNq3nVHNDhfb_OFLKGitKf8yvwICJe12WQxOS7oXRs47nSewpVwzK4jqugzGnmWwBsBIPjmzfK0IggEMlbXtDseY1DmYbiBMSqJFEV08AbaEKnIf-1fwD-/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWPyDAjR0tkgAgaQtcyv0q9HLHYLUi-NRO8M4PiW3s-jCE5uOLAyRAts6XRZT236Ee8UUcxJ-ciwrMM3OacEdYI4xhieEY6o-SUepnvo4Kay5wdiHQht1a2csfVkd9DqAeZnsvFABw1J/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWPyDAjR0tkgAgaQtcyv0q9HLHYLUi-NRO8M4PiW3s-jCE5uOLAyRAts6XRZT236Ee8UUcxJ-ciwrMM3OacEdYI4xhieEY6o-SUepnvo4Kay5wdiHQht1a2csfVkd9DqAeZnsvFABw1J/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQXN85gEwqMojMnwg_ypieb_Hgq0d3A_bbBK0Wp6EY7b_MD2SYFbFXewRnoYp1evGTLum6rPppQphsQTO_L6QyveeI3jYczsQQUicMcn-GV8OrgGZIE2pysqE5O8LYWHMZn4RjRxz6Vzp/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQXN85gEwqMojMnwg_ypieb_Hgq0d3A_bbBK0Wp6EY7b_MD2SYFbFXewRnoYp1evGTLum6rPppQphsQTO_L6QyveeI3jYczsQQUicMcn-GV8OrgGZIE2pysqE5O8LYWHMZn4RjRxz6Vzp/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4IuIdVGL5JVdDFR4QMHP1H8S6lMqsicKQ4md7YTCdgxvx4As2e7yjCSSVXjQ1VNhHEwQPRkXRzCmNhJVsTqJKjVp2dEuAeXPCOjfYhc6ra9cv1vDtKp0Qfi8hW11Z3MkaouxdAmCt8GK/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4IuIdVGL5JVdDFR4QMHP1H8S6lMqsicKQ4md7YTCdgxvx4As2e7yjCSSVXjQ1VNhHEwQPRkXRzCmNhJVsTqJKjVp2dEuAeXPCOjfYhc6ra9cv1vDtKp0Qfi8hW11Z3MkaouxdAmCt8GK/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-14221768988605474382012-12-26T09:13:00.001-08:002012-12-26T09:13:07.644-08:00It's Still a Merry Christmas...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS_n5q_Q86sQXTD1xg0Lpqpau33rAwrqPMV5n-Hlv99p8mYePUhFH3-3ksYOZpAtcBdvkZgk3aQDb6_24TP-tHn1cQgvWoa-jjFJ02vJVOC1NTM_gdHojCkTfiXQ538k_x4668Nzqy67C/s1600/Photo1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS_n5q_Q86sQXTD1xg0Lpqpau33rAwrqPMV5n-Hlv99p8mYePUhFH3-3ksYOZpAtcBdvkZgk3aQDb6_24TP-tHn1cQgvWoa-jjFJ02vJVOC1NTM_gdHojCkTfiXQ538k_x4668Nzqy67C/s320/Photo1-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cats are so predictable.</div>
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<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">My Christmas in Germany.</a></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-49563079186187117502012-12-23T11:55:00.000-08:002012-12-23T11:55:07.789-08:00Santa is on His Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ5EfXBIe3GZ_ZNj7f5hhzHes0zNqxRqU2gwGWZltkQCfnDXF2OiZZth6GZMgG7RMPVV-kwf7YiayFBwFKsfGBP2-6Nt_dOdNmkt10a9a3MzPaasD1S2HTUKdE9DtH8Cj2_THvz3iJW0-/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ5EfXBIe3GZ_ZNj7f5hhzHes0zNqxRqU2gwGWZltkQCfnDXF2OiZZth6GZMgG7RMPVV-kwf7YiayFBwFKsfGBP2-6Nt_dOdNmkt10a9a3MzPaasD1S2HTUKdE9DtH8Cj2_THvz3iJW0-/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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All of the snow has definitely melted. It's raining. If it wasn't for the wind, the weather would almost feel warm. The photo below may be the closest I get to a snowflake. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5WK8yBWCs_x3YjQ6ZmBxMezehHSikLw-pPfERtPhsQW6atj8lWerU499bzPqvNYcdjttFWSOGxLVkgCqhQbmQVvQ9HWOWCKMtMhDcsOAJs9b2HWo1ieB5SsyKxUGkwVgw4Jo5GoRtXkd/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5WK8yBWCs_x3YjQ6ZmBxMezehHSikLw-pPfERtPhsQW6atj8lWerU499bzPqvNYcdjttFWSOGxLVkgCqhQbmQVvQ9HWOWCKMtMhDcsOAJs9b2HWo1ieB5SsyKxUGkwVgw4Jo5GoRtXkd/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh well. </div>
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White, or not, there are more important aspects of Christmas than the weather.</div>
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So I would like to take this moment to wish everyone the happiest of holidays...ever.</div>
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I hope you are with the ones you love, or lovin' the ones you're with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOjtPo7x-rQNCgySYDKLWLGwJN6DANjuU7B-g3COw5cCuKtpFNFnv4jZEutGZwgNLEiqzMr_SfB6PSTC8OBPpjaJgK4IJgxGIE11TkIa3mPWlwXKtWs1Url59skRhqXStHnc2XcdVxbKi/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOjtPo7x-rQNCgySYDKLWLGwJN6DANjuU7B-g3COw5cCuKtpFNFnv4jZEutGZwgNLEiqzMr_SfB6PSTC8OBPpjaJgK4IJgxGIE11TkIa3mPWlwXKtWs1Url59skRhqXStHnc2XcdVxbKi/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you're drinking Egg Nog, eating Gingerbread Cookies, playing a Board Game, singing Carols, and cooking a Big Dinner; all at the same time. It's not Christmas if you don't go overboard.</div>
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Much Love.</div>
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And Happiness.</div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-20192948090827205702012-12-20T11:52:00.000-08:002012-12-20T11:52:27.830-08:00Christmas Market Number Six... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwAjCOaBNZxGgJZStmnVdOj9lr-bcArsJ4xUY_yyJ3f_EveKjAr8i6_ccaLAQspUNaOezrIA81LBxMwrVKL3Q6xE1JxQ_2Qx6xB9ruPFBgwUSEfmwAN0Y8eeZAEViS3PEue4Ers6A1bQa/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwAjCOaBNZxGgJZStmnVdOj9lr-bcArsJ4xUY_yyJ3f_EveKjAr8i6_ccaLAQspUNaOezrIA81LBxMwrVKL3Q6xE1JxQ_2Qx6xB9ruPFBgwUSEfmwAN0Y8eeZAEViS3PEue4Ers6A1bQa/s400/DSC_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and to commemorate I bought a 6-pack. This is purely coincidental.</div>
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<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Read it here.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAsyoYaMiOmyXr8PdnqASaWctQp0V-PnyJA0zVNv-Sl2XmXFaoPJx3OXwOV_ZVE2FOe3vMuwELZT-T7GHUKK3Y_fyMj3PAjVD5aG3sdomddvOtuMH64-n_axSznfuc3ktkSo4mfooJ8bg/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAsyoYaMiOmyXr8PdnqASaWctQp0V-PnyJA0zVNv-Sl2XmXFaoPJx3OXwOV_ZVE2FOe3vMuwELZT-T7GHUKK3Y_fyMj3PAjVD5aG3sdomddvOtuMH64-n_axSznfuc3ktkSo4mfooJ8bg/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm liking these photos I'm taking; of the gingerbread and candy stands.</div>
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One day, if I ever get around to it, it will make a great painting.</div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-24572399981498256712012-12-18T12:27:00.000-08:002012-12-18T12:27:11.609-08:00Ludwig's Approval<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n-VBY2zJZOvail9UeUK_570xNT9jwdkr9cmjz7AWHR-i4OBvoagLyUABjQm_Poxy9hwDZI0TWkvOp9nFb7q77wGEI3w62Tn7FFoGM_x9UsmncGfeTqGDZgPNOZpbbShT-C1vjgI6RzZ8/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n-VBY2zJZOvail9UeUK_570xNT9jwdkr9cmjz7AWHR-i4OBvoagLyUABjQm_Poxy9hwDZI0TWkvOp9nFb7q77wGEI3w62Tn7FFoGM_x9UsmncGfeTqGDZgPNOZpbbShT-C1vjgI6RzZ8/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have become quite confident about the fact that I enjoy fur; and Florida Scarf enjoys fur. As I explained yesterday; it's cold in Germany and we're outside a lot. Fur is the perfect accessory for temperature control. This is the newest fur I have purchased for the company. I brought it to Ludwig today to see what his opinion of it was. He gave it five stars. I can now, again with confidence, say that this fur was worth it. Ludwig says the region it came from is known for it's quality, and the way the leather was treated, on the reverse side, is quite a lot of work. The guys who I bought it from do a fine job. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ludwig says in order to have fur this soft, and clean and nice, the rabbit is raised for it. His name is <i>King</i>.....<i>Rex</i> in German. This fur is the equivalent to Kobe beef; if you'd be speaking of cows. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I write this I am surprised that fur scarves are the latest chapter in the journey of my small business. It was never a medium I had intended to work with. As I find myself in this new world however, exploring and embracing its culture and traditions, I like it. If I was in America, or at least New Jersey, I wouldn't be afforded the same opportunities. I need to seize them. Every other place I have been I seek out traditional materials to use for my scarves and hoods. When I lived in St. Augustine, FL, I took advantage of the vintage culture. When I lived in Alabama I bought houndstooth... I also met a girl who was from Ecuador and she sold me Tagua Nut buttons. When I was recently in Bali I bought fabric; hand woven, hand dyed, and batiked. While in New Jersey lots of my buttons were handmade by my mom. Now I'm in Germany, still finding handmade clay buttons, but also finding fur.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while Ludwig hunts, rabbit and boar and deer and such. It is expensive to tan the hides. He doesn't pay to do it anymore. This is why I have to buy it from someone else. After today however, Ludwig has begun to needle me to purchase the rest of his furs from him. He still has a few that he has not gifted to me. I'm sure I will buy them. I visited with him and Katharina today and gave them their Christmas basket....Oh and I got my feet wet in the tax office.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Read the Rest Here.</a></span></div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-72414853121831498922012-12-17T09:15:00.000-08:002012-12-17T09:16:10.281-08:00Christmas Shopping for the Company<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Christmas markets have been in full swing for three weeks now. With
eight trips under my belt; one could say I've been taking full
advantage of the season.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
amazes me how much time Germans spend out of doors. Weather is,
absolutely, not a factor. I am outside all of the time; for long
periods of time. It's the only way to absorb the culture...and fresh
air. It could be 10 degrees Celsius and raining; and there will still
be crowds perched outside coffee shops enjoying a beverage (and
perhaps a cigarette) at a table. They may be under a blanket; but
that just makes the dedication even more apparent.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily,
I've got plenty of outdoor clothing. It is of the greatest necessity
to always carry with you a hat, gloves, scarf and an umbrella. It
doesn't matter what month, day, or time of day it is; in Germany you must be prepared for it to be cold and/or rainy. Being the cold freak that
I am; I also carry two sets of Hot Hands. Sometimes I need more than
Glühwein to encourage my blood to continuously circulate. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
Christmas less than 10 days away I've definitely begun to hear the
phrase, “You've seen one Christmas market, then you've seen them
all. While in general I find this opinion a bit boring, I also found
a Christmas market this Sunday to put that opinion to shame. (Try to
stay with me here.) I attended a two-day Christmas market at Gut
Wolfgangshof (an old farm estate, in Anwanden, hosted by the Schloss
Hexenagger group. The website is <a href="http://www.winterzauberland.de/">www.winterzauberland.de</a> </span>You
might want to bookmark it for next year. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mD1up2uf3qWw5BIh5L36fWybo_ktHR3gYx8MJ2sADJ-LldwQhr9L-ozX2_pS78kZ3lhEZIdEkHma08koFZrU9D3vINwTHKh6viZZ4DDQIyjla1HhbR5vLY9PSErsf6RrDw7JH4jOc3qt/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mD1up2uf3qWw5BIh5L36fWybo_ktHR3gYx8MJ2sADJ-LldwQhr9L-ozX2_pS78kZ3lhEZIdEkHma08koFZrU9D3vINwTHKh6viZZ4DDQIyjla1HhbR5vLY9PSErsf6RrDw7JH4jOc3qt/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was not your typical
Christmas market. Yes, they had Glühwein and Lebkuchen. Yes, they had
chocolate and bratwurst. But they also had organic, farm raised, lamb
sausage with a most fantastic paprika seasoning. (and I don't even
like lamb) They had lots of vendors from farms with fresh eggs,
meats, pelts, preserves, jams, and jellies....so much of the land's
bounty. Yes, many vendors there were selling Christmas ornaments and
candles. But the ornaments were hand carved and the candles
hand-dipped beeswax. I am also in love with how the Germans have not
let the simple traditions of craftsmanship fall to the wayside. There
was even a blacksmith present. He was doing demonstrations, but also
letting children practice as well. It was cool. Even better; there
was a camel. You could ride it. I didn't. Kids did.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since
the market was on a farm estate, the barn was full of crafters and
vendors too. I found many beauty products I would have loved to
purchase.There was a guy selling lotion made from potatoes (cool)
and I couldn't keep from tripping over millions of delicious smelling
soaps. On the ground floor of the barn they had a exhibit of the
traditional biscuit ornaments. The biscuits are hand made in molds,
then baked, then painted. Here you could buy them and paint them
yourself. I bought two, of course, but I brought them home to paint with my own paint. I'm going to give them to my neighbors and landlords as gifts. There were also many
fabulous jewelers present at this market. My sights and senses were
overwhelmed with all of the beautiful possibilities of jewelry. I always take jewelers' business cards in hopes of contacting them and asking them to make me incredible buttons. Here, in Germany, I think I'm going to have great luck with that. The jewelers I have met so far seem quite personable and interested in custom work. For instance, wouldn't it be awesome to have buttons from this artist?...www.erdwind.de...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZiZUogG3v6lGmfKdFV9m_5wB-IKUN5Vnhy4ZYU0kyIP7SlEybBrzG9kvwwTQb3qmJ_InH5N5XhpRY6l7LAEYcW1wMxMn5QGcviELy5LLzzfk1s2LxbSfQM2lviaoyIkIapok8RYp1EXd/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZiZUogG3v6lGmfKdFV9m_5wB-IKUN5Vnhy4ZYU0kyIP7SlEybBrzG9kvwwTQb3qmJ_InH5N5XhpRY6l7LAEYcW1wMxMn5QGcviELy5LLzzfk1s2LxbSfQM2lviaoyIkIapok8RYp1EXd/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
what did I buy? Nothing for myself; I must admit. I bought more fur
for Florida Scarf. I met these awesome dudes, from Leipzig. They
traveled quite far with their outstanding collection. They had so
many interesting, beautiful, high quality pieces. I wanted to buy
them all. I chose to purchase the softest rabbit pelt I could find; just one. I don't want to go overboard with any one style. Florida Scarf, in fur, has been a hit here in Europe though. Seeing how much
time we are all spending outside; now I understand. Fur keeps you
incredibly comfortable and warm.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KfgWLbiUJeM5eeuyRHlgGytce7iHqFi9oNLx0rZs3KDnirOd3BalvNxW95h62bcsnZGD_MtogE0ILvBV4doS-sGOVVtBpQD0qsHvB2ymLT4mKMhC3r2MLlT40Mzwfr84eQ6Wpj0tjHt5/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KfgWLbiUJeM5eeuyRHlgGytce7iHqFi9oNLx0rZs3KDnirOd3BalvNxW95h62bcsnZGD_MtogE0ILvBV4doS-sGOVVtBpQD0qsHvB2ymLT4mKMhC3r2MLlT40Mzwfr84eQ6Wpj0tjHt5/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
could ramble on about my enchanting Sunday afternoon, at the Magic
Winter Market that was terribly gorgeous and enchanting, and cold,
and rainy, and muddy; but you would get bored and fall asleep, and it
would leave me no time to mention Saturday.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday
was another cold and rainy (typical) day in Germany. I rode the train
to Nürnberg and went to the Winterkiosk (<a href="http://www.winterkiosk.de/">www.winterkiosk.de</a>)
at the Kunsthaus (Art House) across the street from the train
station. It was three floors of handmade wares, repurposed clothing,
vegan food, glühwein, recycling, books, and basically everything else
for the modern hippie. It was fun; but with an extremely different
flair than the market on Sunday. Saturday was fun, and funky. I am
happy to report that I found some buttons for Flo Sca on Saturday. I
am slowly building an army of supplies born and bred in Deutschland. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After
the Winterkiosk I made another stop at the Nuremberg Christmas
market. (I couldn't be in the city and not drop by) That place is
crazy! On a Saturday. Crazy! In a good way. I really enjoy shopping once all of my normal Christmas shopping is over with. Like this weekend; the only people I bought things for were (technically me, but also for) Flo Sca customers...and I don't even know them yet. This means there is no pressure, and I get to hang on to the items for a while. I will use them (myself) to make the scarf with, then they will be purchased. It's like a double gift. Initially it makes me happy. Then, later, it makes another person happy.</span></div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-16629877350335589072012-12-11T12:11:00.001-08:002012-12-11T12:11:24.809-08:00Movie Monday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomAh857OvkHNScETj3i82mZude-TfkinUwuJ52MvCm0-dY7CN1YGF9s2zwVepe27DRHQXXaxBIk4espBm53SzJYZBmwTE9_vlzBu_irktovHAFpIeWXSzTgT3m7nJIeKm-MYZcsATazZG/s1600/Photo1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomAh857OvkHNScETj3i82mZude-TfkinUwuJ52MvCm0-dY7CN1YGF9s2zwVepe27DRHQXXaxBIk4espBm53SzJYZBmwTE9_vlzBu_irktovHAFpIeWXSzTgT3m7nJIeKm-MYZcsATazZG/s320/Photo1-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Yes, that's me snuggled up to a giant inflatable.<br />
No, I am not at the zoo.<br />
<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">The Scoop.</a><br />
<br />
European Outdoor Film Tour....www.eoft.eu....it's in English.<br />
<br />
P.S. Real kayakers don't wear nose plugs, and they light the back of the kayak on fire.</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-41940880044440494342012-12-09T10:27:00.002-08:002012-12-09T10:38:30.368-08:00Shopping A Hip German Bazaar...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPOPGuYAPo8fWx059oKPGvFOCTMCMw2rTkoNrAyqyP9uhhpPCZ2-MsJsTvzCxJ6JbWB3CJkOtU6tF59vU1j2CHXZ5Y9gSBOsRUw8V64_0IggZxcg72MpZG5FvHSFuY-HMITwtf6l2fsLl/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPOPGuYAPo8fWx059oKPGvFOCTMCMw2rTkoNrAyqyP9uhhpPCZ2-MsJsTvzCxJ6JbWB3CJkOtU6tF59vU1j2CHXZ5Y9gSBOsRUw8V64_0IggZxcg72MpZG5FvHSFuY-HMITwtf6l2fsLl/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today
is my sister's birthday. I'm excited for her. I love birthdays and
holidays. They give me a crazy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I
get so excited on my birthday-morning, in anticipation of all the
fabulousness that the day will contain. It's as if the world is open
to you, (on your birthday) nothing is impossible, you know you
deserve everything you want, and you are incapable of any wrong. It's
a pretty similar feeling to the “Christmas Morning” feeling.
Today I think to myself that people should wake up every morning and
feel like that. It shouldn't be mentally reserved for enjoyment only
on Christmas and birthdays.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
have had quite a few days in Europe that have felt like a birthday,
even when they are not. I want to try harder to have those days, most
days; that will unfold with one reward after another....<i>an oysters and pearls kinda thing.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday
was a day that continued to come alive in new and satisfying ways. It
started with a Christmas themed brunch. It was me, and about 200 of
my closest Army acquaintances. (In writing that I am only being coy. I
didn't host the party and I didn't know very many people there.) I
had a nice time though. Santa was there, and it is always inspiring
to see how excited children get for Santa. The children on Saturday
got their photos taken with Santa and he gave them a gift. I talked
to one little boy and I asked him which he preferred, opening the
gift and tearing the wrapping, or playing with the gift. His answer
was unwrapping. I think that would be true for most of us. He claims
that, on Saturday at the brunch, it is the fastest he's ever opened a
gift....and he was pretty pumped for what was inside.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">After
the brunch...I mean after the candy, crepes, cookies, and hot
chocolate with extra marshmallows I went to a bazaar in Fürth. It was
the Oscar Selbesgemacht bazaar; maybe you remember me mentioning it.
I didn't sell anything there. I just went to scope it out for next
year. It was, definitely, a cool bazaar. I'd say there were about 30
vendors, all German. There were painters, photographers, jewelry
makers, sewers, knitters, and musicians. I walked into the event at
the time that a German Bosa Nova band was playing. There was a
stand-up base and everything; it was cool. I was glad I had a tie on.
The craft fair was on two levels. There was a lot to see, and
potentially purchase. I did what every customer does at a craft fair. I
walked around and did a single (all encompassing loop) without
committing to anything. It was interesting to turn the table on
myself. It's been a while since I've walked around a small bazaar and
didn't have to get back to my own booth. I took my time and savored the delightful feelings of a shopper; as compared to the anxious feelings that I can create as a seller. I saw a mini kimono I
wanted. I even tried it on. It was beautiful, soft, silky, unique, and reversible. It was exactly what I look for in fashion accessories. I didn't buy it. It spoke to me on the hanger, but my reflection while wearing it didn't speak to me. I hate when that happens, but making a purchase (for me) is an intricate action. I settled instead for one pin, a
couple of cards, and postcards. The pin is the hat with the feather featured above. It says </span><i>dirndl chaser</i>. A<i> dirndl </i>is the traditional dress worn by a German girl. I don't really chase dirndls, obviously. I just really liked the hat.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I have peaked your interest in shopping at a hip, German handmade market there is still time. Here is a flyer for next weekend.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.winterkiosk.de/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXytbhrSahBO32LiFHPedWJP-4xvZcwpbg3dEot4MLne-w-uoWYQtqB5YSZO-lBj66hwdC3waWhDCJ-AgbMlc0TkQtaeg5T2PMs_ErlplA1MekI5HOr2kO39LMkgRDUH8WAUG26jMMgzeN/s640/Scan+28.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to read about the rest of my day in Germany, <a href="http://www.floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">visit the journal</a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-4913678066134884032012-12-07T13:05:00.001-08:002012-12-07T13:05:50.310-08:00Some Beer in Bamberg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_gIGFVRZ2n1Ku5PnvMOz6EBwyT9FF4cb1CUS6kq5b0Ze5VOG1CLUfPtueg9y1n19HrRXJymdNm3Q8l5bcs5CeVOTr0M46OTKEz_CUv1xAYvVrwp6FP6w4fHErwISkA6h411Zko68R22h/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_gIGFVRZ2n1Ku5PnvMOz6EBwyT9FF4cb1CUS6kq5b0Ze5VOG1CLUfPtueg9y1n19HrRXJymdNm3Q8l5bcs5CeVOTr0M46OTKEz_CUv1xAYvVrwp6FP6w4fHErwISkA6h411Zko68R22h/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Some beer in Bamberg.</a></div>
</div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-40172306549321342812012-12-04T12:05:00.001-08:002012-12-04T12:05:11.703-08:00Painting. Sculpture. Glitter. Pinterest.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRA9OqkNUl8o1EByiWPcUGWeaIcya06owlbAgHWVzaQa3XNwh1mbEAhdAPFGiXdvGlL0dVCWxnbXNYTMM58Qwmjd3U5KzRy2sWPzOQjYojY-Fvq-iEqpjQqG9Wa-CD6omDWHnmS0_Wmxla/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRA9OqkNUl8o1EByiWPcUGWeaIcya06owlbAgHWVzaQa3XNwh1mbEAhdAPFGiXdvGlL0dVCWxnbXNYTMM58Qwmjd3U5KzRy2sWPzOQjYojY-Fvq-iEqpjQqG9Wa-CD6omDWHnmS0_Wmxla/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have
been painting recently. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I haven't taken up graffiti in Ansbach...and my tag name isn't Smoke.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, not painting a canvas. There is still a lonely, half-finished landscape waiting for me at the easel. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alas, I have, been
painting handmade buttons for some of my scarves. I got a fun special
order this year...Santa Hoods. I can not yet reveal what they look
like, as they are being gifted this weekend. I'll show you next week.
I will, however, show you a picture representing the manual labor
that goes into every detail. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMNXKEN60EvaTNla1yM9n4jW4ReKi2udGAPiuCJtktzfZ9MaW7CUjwNNr4mxSuqGsyCxR-LW3VKk6r_JICu7o5-CEwADpzuFyTlgdeBvLNtNKfB7t1_ZgAYVFpYYdcFBIkl6c-Hd7gN_U/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMNXKEN60EvaTNla1yM9n4jW4ReKi2udGAPiuCJtktzfZ9MaW7CUjwNNr4mxSuqGsyCxR-LW3VKk6r_JICu7o5-CEwADpzuFyTlgdeBvLNtNKfB7t1_ZgAYVFpYYdcFBIkl6c-Hd7gN_U/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting, right?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrong. It isn't pretty, or glamorous, or
cool....but it sure is fun.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Here's where else my brain has been recently...</a></span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-7969544333139780862012-12-02T10:42:00.000-08:002012-12-02T10:51:23.013-08:00Winter & Christmas Markets....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXMWN-S2PFt_Bec90YY3hLnTQeUkopZlphHaEosISTmIHYghcPCCzI5H32VMEon92X3W1TDBcaUNKsKPeJkZjdpWCRy2BXZ-ML2XYpz8E0FqsL0ZLAf2PHIufB-zfRUQuDjZfPFGDCHjV/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXMWN-S2PFt_Bec90YY3hLnTQeUkopZlphHaEosISTmIHYghcPCCzI5H32VMEon92X3W1TDBcaUNKsKPeJkZjdpWCRy2BXZ-ML2XYpz8E0FqsL0ZLAf2PHIufB-zfRUQuDjZfPFGDCHjV/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
wish I could've taken a video of my backyard this afternoon and
shared it. It's definitely Winter, but I find it alive and beautiful.
I could stare out the window for hours, just watching.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah_J_CvJxcBQA67P7qG-03NVedVit08xA588N1Ej5M5KClGPzMEdmR3YXfUlEKQJc_dWc9dRwFNWn_gk9OO0eEkFbWGIZrZcV7YKaGWIHVdoQF-_m9Xk06bYExSa9zxUc_E-cKRpy2_J1/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah_J_CvJxcBQA67P7qG-03NVedVit08xA588N1Ej5M5KClGPzMEdmR3YXfUlEKQJc_dWc9dRwFNWn_gk9OO0eEkFbWGIZrZcV7YKaGWIHVdoQF-_m9Xk06bYExSa9zxUc_E-cKRpy2_J1/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why
has Winter always been associated with death and solitude? My
backyard has an energy I can see and feel. It is a brilliant, bright
white. Big red juicy berries grow on a snow capped tree. There is
green, hunter green, navy, brown, and white; and that is just the
trees. The birds add a completely new level of colorful wonder. They
bounce from tree to tree (along with the squirrels) singing, and
making merry. This is due, in huge thanks, to Ludwig for feeding them.
Every single morning he goes out and makes sure all of our bird houses
have seeds in them. Our yard continues to be a delight for us all. </span>I
took some photos. They never do it justice. While photographing I
make sure I am absorbing my experience with my soul as well as my
eyes. The snowflakes are falling fierce. They are big and plump like
the berries on the tree. I hope they fall forever. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Back inside, the classical
music on the German radio station is a good accompaniment to Winter's
activity. On days like today I love sewing in my studio. I work, and
listen, and dream out the window; all at the same time. Currently I
have some (really fun) special order projects going. It's all coming
together to keep me in the spirit of the holiday. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Holiday
spirit however, is not hard to come by in Germany. And I must admit that even the hardest working Christmas Elf needs a day off at the Christmas Market...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIR0BN-Ebr49aHJ_26nB4bjyPSts9IcfzIbQUggVxez_gu6ZPmsvzEbkcDGqEt9BsQ_m4DnUS8vb7HxLnTUnhHwo0PzC-oirkU_c_72qE_ShyphenhyphenBinPmDChygy-rQ-WkESnrzGA94wbOa00/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIR0BN-Ebr49aHJ_26nB4bjyPSts9IcfzIbQUggVxez_gu6ZPmsvzEbkcDGqEt9BsQ_m4DnUS8vb7HxLnTUnhHwo0PzC-oirkU_c_72qE_ShyphenhyphenBinPmDChygy-rQ-WkESnrzGA94wbOa00/s320/DSC_0190.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iVQ0xGVpD21zr_ZHhC88aNRrsg5mSwCHBx3ofrjOy2aIY71vr0PI1Uzu_rJM919m8AfZFtos85fSCH8QsyK8ruUIlb2GK5W0LYzGqaWkvc22KTZCSpBJjiy9MoRTuo78YGCZwNR6mP4L/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iVQ0xGVpD21zr_ZHhC88aNRrsg5mSwCHBx3ofrjOy2aIY71vr0PI1Uzu_rJM919m8AfZFtos85fSCH8QsyK8ruUIlb2GK5W0LYzGqaWkvc22KTZCSpBJjiy9MoRTuo78YGCZwNR6mP4L/s320/DSC_0194.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZygCRivN-lVTQjW01pMIbn-HqgAc-07oXhbLUwrwDovlnkaQoyM5iG9ewHSGh8ODGvPBRNMKCa3YQ7VGAILXbz19uV6iE-L9DpBxVNRsyHrKsxPSklIXPMvm9CbXSjTphjwx0B-pbAAU5/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZygCRivN-lVTQjW01pMIbn-HqgAc-07oXhbLUwrwDovlnkaQoyM5iG9ewHSGh8ODGvPBRNMKCa3YQ7VGAILXbz19uV6iE-L9DpBxVNRsyHrKsxPSklIXPMvm9CbXSjTphjwx0B-pbAAU5/s320/DSC_0192.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Every town gets dressed up for Christmas. <a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Read it here.</a></span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-67640996899896748112012-11-27T12:26:00.000-08:002012-11-27T12:26:14.487-08:00Zahnarzt...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObNKqhyphenhyphenCV17vUikeLqRmx2w5Gwlsskyagy0XI08s6xjyqFBUx-5GutRRRniOnMieHkrHIIZaTHDJp81HRteL4P5D0C7ClJMPBNlXlPrIiywGYK8eSPajbillLL7KPAlXogrC0TLK9GEJ4/s1600/Photo1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObNKqhyphenhyphenCV17vUikeLqRmx2w5Gwlsskyagy0XI08s6xjyqFBUx-5GutRRRniOnMieHkrHIIZaTHDJp81HRteL4P5D0C7ClJMPBNlXlPrIiywGYK8eSPajbillLL7KPAlXogrC0TLK9GEJ4/s320/Photo1-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes my friends. It is the German word for dentist. I went. How trippy is the waiting room? I felt right at home there; which is more than I can say for the hygienist's chair....<a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">Read it.</a></span></div>
Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-6475039851111396232012-11-24T11:09:00.001-08:002012-11-24T11:16:27.521-08:00All In A Saturday's Work...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRvxPCJtQWbL7bRqcMcQWW2fvkUn_Z6JyOQZuETGSdB9MUNpLvzHTT5u4Jliw42dcQNN4ZYR6zZw5Wt0SCM5Dp1_cjlLshLvTCkJ9jfMpYdRrV7ulb6V4pVw-eatYALBwYoI1Ujw_VNoM/s1600/Scan+16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRvxPCJtQWbL7bRqcMcQWW2fvkUn_Z6JyOQZuETGSdB9MUNpLvzHTT5u4Jliw42dcQNN4ZYR6zZw5Wt0SCM5Dp1_cjlLshLvTCkJ9jfMpYdRrV7ulb6V4pVw-eatYALBwYoI1Ujw_VNoM/s320/Scan+16.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make. Make. Make.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk. Talk. Talk.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sell. Sell. Sell.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shop. Shop. Shop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Holidays can be so predictable. Luckily, they are only once a year. I miss them when they are not around. I try to take full advantage of them when they arrive. The best way to do this is with an early start. (Man, this sounds like a bad pitch for Black Friday...or Cyber Monday...)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not changing the subject here, but it is going to sound like I am......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What
do police, riots, and soccer rivalries have in common with an
artist's market? Nothing. Why do I ask? Because not only was today my
first German bazaar in Fürth, but it was also the day (long time) soccer rivals Fürth and Nürnberg went toe-to-toe. As luck would have
it; there is a violent history there, and the streets of Fürth were barricaded
just in time for our market to open. The buzz around the bazaar was
that the soccer game, or the avoidance of the soccer crowd, was going
to influence attendance at the artist's market, severely.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
bazaar was in the Volkshochschule in Fürth. A Volkshochschule is a
building of continuing education. Adults go there and take classes
on anything from language, to cooking, to yoga. This school plays an
active role in its city's community. So it would only make sense for
the school to host a bazaar during the Christmas shopping season.
Normally the event is well sought, and has many shoppers. In the
past the vendors have benefited greatly. Today I think it was a bit
different. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For
me it was obviously a victory, as it has been a priority of mine to
sell in a German bazaar. (It ranks up there with <i>while we live
in Germany I want to ski in the Alps, see Paris, and shop in Italy</i>)
I did it. It happened much sooner than I thought it was going to. The whole scenario was pretty normal; despite what I
was anticipating. I had no trouble finding the venue; thanks to the
GPS. Parking was annoying because it was in the city, but that is to
be expected. I am happy it was as close as it was. I only had to
schlep my merchandise two blocks. Many of the other vendors were
chatty. This was great for getting more (culturally) familiar with my
peers. I sold a handful of scarves too; not many, but a few. Could
this have been better? Yes. I think my sales would have benefited
from a better knowledge of the language. As you know, Katharina came
with me, and she seems to differ in this opinion. She seems to think
many Germans do not want to be engaged in conversation. They just
want to look, and if they have a question they will ask. Maybe
Americans like to shop more, and want to be convinced of their purchase. (or wooed)
Whatever the case, I believe it was a great start to a relationship
between me and the German <i>handmade</i> consumer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My
knowledge of the language got me farther than I thought it would. I
spoke to almost everyone that stopped by the table. If I got confused Katharina was there to back me up. Do Germans love Florida? Yes. Have
they been to Florida? Yes. Do they make the same joke that Americans
do...that Florida is too warm for scarves? Yes. Do they, despite that
fact think that my work is lovely, and fun, and colorful, and unique,
and awesome anyway? Yes. I think my little scarf business is still in
good company here in Deutschland.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received two other invitations to participate in more handmade markets. I
think I will refrain from anymore last-minute sales opportunities. I
would love to get more settled in the culture, and more acquainted
with the language, and then “sell my socks off.” (as my father in
law would say)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Actually,
now that I mention it. I did <i>sell my hoodie off</i> today. That hasn't
happened in a while, but it is quite customary for someone to like
what I am wearing so much, that they ask to buy it off my neck. I am
always surprised, but I always say yes. So anyone that was familiar
with my current hoodie (the blue one lined with the bright floral
print, with sweater on one side and a fake flower brooch) It's gone,
but not lost. It is owned by a lovely vendor from the bazaar who made
very cute items herself (including little knitted rings with shiny
buttons for gems.) Her work was pretty adorable. I hope I see her
again at another market.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If
anyone in this area is interested, there is something called the
<i>Oscar Selbstgemacht. Oscar Selbstgemacht </i>is
(obviously) a character that makes all of his wares himself, by hand.
This character heads up a one-day, indoor, artist market that tours a
couple of cities. It will be in Fürth on 12/8 and in Nurmberg in the
Hauptbahnhof 12/15 and 12/16. You can find information at
<a href="http://www.oscar-selbstgemacht.blogspot.de/">www.oscar-selbstgemacht.blogspot.</a>com</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
flyer is featured above.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lots
of people today were talking about <a href="http://www.dewanda.de/">www.dawanda.de</a>.
It is a place, on the German Internet for small businesses to set up
shop. I don't know if my German is ready for this. But my point was
to pass the info along to you, my German-American community, in the event you
would like to check it out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I continue to ramble on, about Germany, <a href="http://www.floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-23014617363291306292012-11-21T05:48:00.000-08:002012-11-21T05:48:13.337-08:00Thanksgiving...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VlxDoRtayqYo1fTC904bgUl7NWxKIrxrZ_CHuIFUg7ipTTXmJQi1KvGBH87PlA5MXTJC9fVw__-UsZWY5RtzBxiEB0wUuaDxmttzAPny1eLbRcUfR8dmw7DJxae79SrG-HgRnfCHAuWJ/s1600/381007_10150419317747074_323939916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VlxDoRtayqYo1fTC904bgUl7NWxKIrxrZ_CHuIFUg7ipTTXmJQi1KvGBH87PlA5MXTJC9fVw__-UsZWY5RtzBxiEB0wUuaDxmttzAPny1eLbRcUfR8dmw7DJxae79SrG-HgRnfCHAuWJ/s400/381007_10150419317747074_323939916_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
is looking back on a Thanksgiving past; just last year as a matter of
fact. It is my husband Phil's tradition to grill the turkey. He loves
it because it is an excuse for us to invite our friends over early;
thus extending the festivities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
holiday season is a time for family. If you are not living around the
family you've always known, then I believe it is customary to build
one. When we lived in Alabama we did just that. We had a six person
family. (only the men appear in the photo) We were relatively
inseparable for about a year, then the Army split us up. Two of us
went to Germany, two to Alaska, and two to Japan. At the moment there
is only one of us in Germany and I miss the other five like the
Dickens. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Relationships
that Army families build with one another is truly impressive. Just
last week I taught a class called <i>Expectations and the Impact of
the Army on Family Life</i>. (It is a class in the Army's AFTB
program) It's quite an interesting and in-depth topic, one that could
be covered for far longer than the 60 minutes I had. None the less,
in the lesson <i>traits of a successful Army family</i> are covered.
Words like <i>Patriotic, Adaptable</i>, and <i>Sense of Humor </i>are
highlighted. At the end of this portion of the class we share some of
our own words. Mine changes every time. I mention this because today
I change my word again. It is now <i>Helpful</i>. It's not a
groundbreaking word, but it means a lot. Everyone that I have met in
the Army, so far, is incredibly helpful and supportive. I think we
all know what it's like to need something whether it be advice, a
ride, a tissue, a meal, a dog walked, a beer; the list is endless. I
find that my community is never at a loss for people with helping
hands. We have all needed assistance, and we are all happy to pay it
forward.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More
specifically, recently I needed a Christmas tree. Without boring you
with the details I'll say it was an emergency situation and leave it
at that. Guess how long it took me to get a tree. Less than five
minutes; no kidding. I had a friend donate her tree to my cause,
deployed soldiers, and asked for nothing in return. Describing it as
plainly as I have; it may seem inconsequential. I however, was saved
by it . I am still impressed with how quickly my situation turned
from being a problem, to being a blessing. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm
sure there are a lot of communities out there that are like mine.
From the bottom of my heart; I hope you've got one. I see lots of
people posting things on the FB that they are thankful for. As cliché
as it sounds; I am thankful for my Army community. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That
being said, I will (obviously) not be spending this holiday season
with typical loved ones. I have been invited to celebrate with a new
family of friends; who I am sure will be just as wonderful as my
last. I am looking forward to experiencing their new traditions and
sharing one (or two) of my own. Yes Sarah Jackson, I will be bringing
your Bourbon Balls tomorrow. I am sad to report however, that I do
not see any Hand Pies in my future.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: ArialMT, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For
some reason this particular holiday has me reflecting more on my
life, and friends and family, and being American, than any has before
it. I have been finding it equally as rejuvenating to look back on
how I've gotten to my current position in life, and remember to use
it as a tool to enjoy now. If you are interested in a few amusing
anecdotes from the now,<a href="http://www.floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html"> click here</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508938546024181047.post-32175235712606506842012-11-18T12:32:00.006-08:002012-11-18T12:32:44.879-08:00KLAVIER...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://floridascarf.blogspot.de/p/germany.html">It's German for <i>Piano</i>.</a></span></div>
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Sarah C. Geracihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05764935886279051007noreply@blogger.com0