The History of the Germany Christmas Market

Heidelberg's Christmas market extends over no fewer than five squares: Kornmarkt, Marktplatz, Universitätsplatz, Anatomiegarten and Bismarckplatz. It is great for a leisurely browse and has stunning views of the castle and the old quarter with its beautiful Christmas decorations. A wide array of crafts and tasty regional delicacies all add to the Christmas spirit in the historic town of Heidelberg.

A new attraction at the Heidelberg Christmas market is “Christmas on Ice” situated on Karlsplatz. With a spectacular view of the Castle and surrounded by trees glistening with hundreds of stars, residents and guests can skate round the open-air ice rink to the accompaniment of Christmas music. I have YET to go there, but I'm an super excited too...when we have the time...and a babysitter :)

Another premiere and fascinating experience will be the Art-Advent Calendar at Heidelberg Castle, which has already decorated the Vienna City Hall and will be seen, for the very first time in Germany, here in Heidelberg.

From 1st to 24th December, the windows of the English building serve as a multidimensional advent calendar from behind which the works of prominent personalities will appear. From original works, backlit duplicates are produced and tailor-made to be integrated into the facade of the Heidelberg Castle.

Each year Christmas Markets spring up around Germany in the weeks before the Christmas holidays, signalling the beginning of Advent.

The centuries-old tradition reaches back to a time when regular seasonal markets took place throughout the year. Christmas Markets were a welcome occurrence during cold-weather months. They were joyful occasions for weary villagers and added a bit of light to long winter nights.

The first Christmas Markets were little more than winter markets that lasted a couple of days. Instead of the cosy stands that line Christmas Market alleys today, traders in some cities laid their goods out in the streets.

Today, German Christmas Markets serve much the same function that they have for centuries — as a festive meeting place for locals and a market for homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations.

Some of the most traditional German handicrafts can be found here in the weeks before Christmas — from nutcrackers, wooden figurines, straw stars and smokers, to cookie tins, glass balls, toys, and tin tree ornaments.

Despite the widespread belief that Christmas has only recently developed into a feast of commercialism, it may be shocking to find out that, as early as the 17th century, gift-buying at Christmas Markets had already become a main pre-holiday activity that was started by a priest in Nürnberg in 1616. He complained that he could not hold the afternoon service on Christmas Eve because no one attended. So what did he do? He decided that the Christmas Markets would draw more visitors to the church, especially if they held it RIGHT NEXT TO THE CHURCH. Before Luther, the exchanging of presents took place on the saint days of St. Nicholas, December 6, or of St. Martin, on November 11. It was Luther who suggested that children receive presents from “the Christ child,” hence the name “Christkindlsmarkt,” a popular name for many Christmas Markets especially in the south of Germany. 

Now who would not love history???? But the effect that the priest "wanted" it to have....did not work for me. I was in no way enticed to visit the Catholic church while browsing outside of it's tall thick doors. LOL.

:)

Secret Santa Amongst Soldiers…

…and amongst a pathetic excuse for an army wife. Everyone knows I’m a rebel. I’m sorry I don’t act, talk, or dress like an army wife. But regardless, lately I’ve been enjoying my husband’s unit events. I’ve enjoyed many conversations with his Commander and his wife during the potlucks and events. It’s so nice that they talk to me at an equal level. I don’t get that much, so it was a relief, but perhaps because they found out about my education and that’s what started the conversation about universities around the states and how we enjoyed the college years during different decades. Nonetheless, last week they had a Secret Santa Potluck. The SGT Major’s wife and me were the only wives there.

The game started out by person #1 picking OUR PRESENT first. He opened it to find the new Wii Sports Resort Edition Wii Game. He was in awe and really quite amazed that “someone” would purchase this for a gift exchange game. Clearly ours would be the best gift on the table. However, little did everyone know there was actually only a $20 gift card hidden inside the box. I glanced over at Zed when the group started to talk amongst themselves and gave him a “OMG they think it’s the game!” kind of look. He has a huge grin, which I scorned because someone might notice it and think something was up. Of course we wanted to tell them that it was NOT the game, but then we didn’t want to give it away that it was US who got that particular gift (you’re suppose to keep it secret until the very end!). 

So we watched as the game continued. We watched our disguised gift card get taken twice until it secured itself with the Major who was ecstatic, “My children will love this!” I felt HORRIBLE. Zed just grinned.

The game finally ended and people started to disperse. Zed pulled aside a couple of his friends/fellow soldiers and told them what was really inside the box. They ALL started laughing and decided to keep it secret until the Major opened it back at the office. I shook my head in disapproval from afar as I watched them laugh amongst each other. “I hope he makes you drop!” I told my husband while we were driving to the Finance office to take care of a few things before I dropped him back off at his office (work).

Later that day when my husband got home, I heard the rest of the Secret Santa story and how it ended:

My husband walked into his office and was pulled aside by a few soldiers who were beside themselves with laughter. They said that everything was quiet in the office. Everyone was working, doing their thing, and then suddenly they hear, “I’VE BEEN GYPPED!!!!!!!” The Major yells this from his separated office corner. Everyone that knew about the disguised gift card started busting out laughing. Thankfully even the Major was laughing. He didn’t drop my husband, but I wouldn’t have blamed him if he did. My husband walked in to come clean, said he WOULD have told him if it wasn’t for the whole “secret santa” rule. All was well, but it made a good laugh for the office that day.

We totally owe the Major a Wii Spots Resort Edition Wii Game.

QUOTES

“If everyone is thinking alike, than somebody isn’t thinking.”

General George S. Patton

My eldest brother has some amazing insights and a lot of wisdom. HERE is a link to a resent post of his, listing most of his quotes. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

“You keep the company of fools and you are likely to become one. You associate yourself with the goal orientated and you will reach your own goals.”

“Takes hard work to make powerful friends and keep them, but when the time of need comes you’ll find this was a simple price to pay.”

“Never place someone greater than you in your life. The day you do you become a servant or a victim to the one who is greater.”

“If you want to be the greatest than become close to the great. Learn from their mistakes, and take what they do right and do it better.”

Alvarez Photoshoot

A few shots of a resent photoshoot I did the other day.

Really came out great : )




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Saving Space Ideas

Part One:

I had this dilemma: shelves everywhere. I'm a book reader. I LOVE BOOKS! Just like my husband collects video games, I collect books. Therefore, I have TONS OF SHELVES, short shelves mind you. This idea came to me because I saw tons of wall space above each short shelf, so I decided to do this...

I drilled these two shelves together at the middle so they stay connected [a black DVD shelf and a black book shelf]. I also drilled it to the wall so it wouldn't topple over when my crazy toddler knocks into it after her running session around the living room. This SAVED ME SPACE. This little home project helped to open a bit more space in my main room, and this is only ONE PROJECT.

Part Two:

Dressers are freaking expensive. We have money, but I'm a penny-pincher still. I don't like spending more on something that I could make if I had the time and it turn out cheaper then what the store is asking for it (in a cheaply made version). Even at the Thrift Store they ask more than $50 for a dresser. Retarded! So instead of buying a dresser or taking time to make one, I decided to do this....

For someone who has TONS OF SHELVES, this was easy to pull off. Simply buy fabric boxes (target.com, amazon.com, walmart.com) and place them in her shelf. Those two princess fabric boxes are in my daughter's room and they hold socks, tights, and t-shirts. This project I am still in the middle of doing, but this gives you the general idea. This proves to be less than 25% of the cost for a dresser. Of course I already have most of these items so I didn't have to spend any money...so far. But if you shop for sales you'll find these boxes for around $5 each, and at IKEA shelves can run easily around $20 in the states. With THIS SHELF you can fit [6] boxes. That's good enough for me, or my daughter in this case. Moreover, these are light. She can put her clothes away herself.

Just two ideas that saved me money and opened up more space in my flat here in Germany.

Keeping Things Simple: Clutter Free

I had no idea that so many people enjoyed my boring, honest, and blunt blog; therefore, after many emails I have decided to come back to blogging earlier than planned, BUT I am keeping my personal life in the closet along with all those skeletons. I’ll still keep my famous honest and blunt self-attitude through my writings, but I will remain above reproach for the sake of my family’s (mainly husband’s) reputation considering we are in the military. We’re classified….Ooooo, awesome (saying that, I'm amazed at how many people take what I say literally....). Anyway, it feels nice coming back. I’ve had a few weeks to pond over myself and everything that makes up who I am. It’s not easy having someone whom you love, someone so close, go through a deadly disease and not being able to be there for them during that time, but IT’S LIFE, and as always I tend to face it head on instead of lurking in the shadows pretending it’s not there (“THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!”). Alas, here is my new post keeping it simple….

Clutter:

Now, who would think that clutter would affect someone’s sense of emotion like peace and calmness? Did I mention that I was claustrophobic? Well, I am. I hate crowds. I hate crowded things. So go figure that a crowded home would be very uncomforted for me. I need wide open spaces, and my toddler greatly benefits from this considering she is full of energy and would otherwise bash into everything if I had my sofa positioned nicely in the middle of the living room like normal people. Nonetheless, I personally believe that the things that people surround themselves with affect their lives more than they think. Bad company, etc-- sure, we all know that one. But what about our homes? I did not think about this until I returned from CA. The city is so closed in. I'm still used to it, but yet it still annoys the crap out of me. My road rage resurfaced again. No surprise there. My parents weren't surprised either while I screamed out my window and muttered insults under my breath so my younger brothers couldn't hear. I told my mother that even though the plainness of Kansas annoyed me too, it was better than the crazy city life. Now here in Germany, I'm back to crazy drivers, but yet....these crazy drivers actually KNOW how to drive. Sure they drive crazy, but they drive GOOD. And of course this is just what I have observed based on my driving experience.

Ok, so back to houses--- here is one of many articles that can back up what I'm saying in more simple terms:

All that clutter you’ve dismissed as nothing more than a nuisance…is actually harmful to your health.

This is so not good news for me as I jockey around mounds of papers and magazines to get at my keyboard each day (job hazards. Oy.) But what the experts are saying makes sense. Take a look:

• Getting organized helps reduce the risk for falls
• Cleaning up helps eliminate germs
• Decluttering makes it easier to find medications, exercise equipment, and other gear imperative to your good health

Thankfully, the ever-on-top-of-things medical field has identified clutter as a big obstacle in a lot of people’s quest for health, and while “chronic disorganization” is not yet a medical diagnosis, some doctors are “prescribing” professional organizers to help patients out. The thought is that if a patient decides to let go of some “stuff”, they may decide to let go of some other things currently not working in their lives – such as smoking, excess weight, or unhealthy eating habits.

Case in point: one doc prescribed a clean-up of her patient’s garage and home. The patient did as she was told - and was 50 lbs lighter afterwards!

So if getting organized is one of your New Year’s resolutions, now you’ve got even more reason to stick with it – for your health.

This pretty much sums up what I have to say today. Declutter! Sure it's not spring, but it's Christmas and I want that cozy comfortable feeling while cuddled in my armchair, wrapped up and reading a good book while knowing that everything is organized which means I will not be having a roaming husband tearing through things, trying to find the video game he just bought last week. It is nicely shelved--I would prefer burnt, but oh well.

On Hold For A While

I am putting my blogging on hold for a while. I don't think I have anything interesting to say now a days. Aside from not wanting to be misconstrued, I really don't have that much to say. I'm sure my life is not that interesting to follow (Family and friends will receive email updates : ). I'm not much into the blog world in the first place. Dear So and So is the only one I find entertaining. I will always write. I'm a writer. Creative Writing was the minor I took in college. I'm addicted to writing, but public writing? Somethings should remain personal. Others are not very interesting to display; and a few can be looked at as bickering and complaining--and who likes reading that? So sarcastically I ask, what is blogging for then? Bragging or bickering??? My point exactly.

Since my mother got sick, cancer spreading abnormally fast, I've taken a hard look at my life. My mother is not even 50 yet. She has always eaten healthy, organic, holistic, natural, Whole Foods shopper, etc. Her age alone makes her case far from normal, let alone her healthy habits. I find that I have been wasting my life in a lot of areas. My eating habits, attitude in life, wasting energy on pathetic shallow people instead of just ignoring them, etc. I'm pathetic through and through. I've had people who stopped being my friend because I reminded them of themselves. Wow. That says a lot about how we perceive ourselves. I don't want to be like that. I want to like who I am, strengthen who I am, and be who I am. Sure my life is filled with countless adventures and happenings that no random person could believe. I could write about my life all day, about the awesome things I do/did, the tea parties I have with my daughter, and post picture after picture of the places I've been--but in the end...it doesn't get me anywhere. What do I want? People to say, "Wow, you are a very interesting person! Your life is so amazing that I want to read about it daily as if it was a "self-help" book online that's always being updated!"

Seriously, I love writing, but there is only so much that I can say without bringing myself right up to the borderline of boring-ness. Like I mentioned above somewhere in this post, I will send emails to friends and family and update them (you) with that every few months or so.

You can call this post/attitude depression from watching my mom get worse and worse with each passing day while I am far apart from my husband and depressed about spending Thanksgiving without him while he's by himself back home in Germany. Call it whatever you want. Certain people have maturely used my blog against me in the past as well, so you can blame it on their shallowness too. But seriously, I just am no longing in "the mood" anymore. I don't feel the desire to write about my life. It keeps getting too depressing, and no matter how much I learn from those depressing times, blogging to the world about them will never do me any good. I will only ever have to answer to ONE person, and it's hard enough living up to what that person expects from me. I don't need the world watching those life-spanking moments : )

Over and out.

Our Upcoming Christmas

Would it be surprising if I told you that my favorite holiday is Christmas? Probably not considering most people would say the same thing. Nonetheless, my Christmas planning has been pushed back because of coming to California to be with my parents while my mother goes through chemo. I will be coming home (to Germany) at the end of November. I will still be home for Christmas, but all the plans I had will have to be moved to next year. I, however, purchased a nice Christmas tree that is being delivered to our base in Germany as we speak. It is all white and absolutely gorgeous. I am SO anti artificial Christmas tree! However, considering the circumstances, I think certain neighbors would not appreciate us hawling up a REAL tree while tracking in tons of pine needles all of the three flights of stairs. We would be even MORE hated and talked about, LOL, especially if we didn't properly cut up the tree after Christmas and place it in the correct spot near the dumpster. SIGH. So this year I decided to avoid that drama and just purchase a nice pretty, non-smelling, fake tree. HWALLA!


Pretty, pretty, pretty. I hope I get home before it does because I don't want my husband trying to put it up without me! And yes, we are the losers who decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving : )

A "Back" Story

I have always had problems with my lower back, but only for the past year or so have I had problems with my upper back, and of course flying off a skateboard from a ramp, landing smack on my back didn't help much either. Regardless of anything, back issues are very common for me and sense being here, working hard, my back has been KILLING me. Yesterday, late afternoon, and asked my mom to break my back. She looked at me with that cute, innocent, shocking expression. "Are you serious?" she asked me. "NOT LITERALLY, Mom! Geese. Just crack it up my spine." So I laid down on the freaking cold wood floor. My mom leaned down and started cracking it from the bottom up. It literally cracked over 15 times! Boy did it need it and boy did I feel awesome afterwards, but still, it was stiff, but much better than before.

I ran out with my parents huge Dodge Ram to pick up my 12 year old brother from Youth Group at church. This is a church that I grew up in since I was a kid. Thousands of people go here. It's very big. I walked into the gym and spotted my brother playing 4-square. I eyed him, which meant "Time to go, hurry up!" He brushed me aside and continued playing. I sighed deeply and stood there glancing around me, seeing if I could recognize anyone around. Some of the youth looked like kids I would teach in PETRA, but I wasn't about to ask them flat out, "Hey, are you that kid from PETRA. Remember me? I was your teacher!" Yeah, these are teenagers, remember.

Suddenly a girl walked behind me and started massaging my back like REALLY GOOD, as if she knew exactly what to do. I glanced over my shoulder to see who in the world would randomly come up to me and massage my back. Like seriously, most of these people can't recognize me. I'm 50 pounds more overweight and I dress in disguise. Ok, well that part is my fault, but this. I was shocked that someone recognized me and starting massaging me without going, "Hey, is that you Shaunna!? Wow! Long time no see!"

Anyway, I glanced around and saw Ariel, a daughter of a family friend. I was like, "Hey." She was like, "Hey Shaunna, how are you doing? How's your mom?" I just smiled and answered all her questions while we caught up on our lives and while I enjoyed a nice long massage. Daniel glanced my way and started heading over to leave, but I quickly waved him away and back to his game. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to playing.

"How did you know my back was killing me?" I finally asked her.

She laughed, "Just felt you needed it."

I almost started to cry like a freaking sissy girl! "Thank you," was all I could manage to say.

Needless to say, I will miss my church so much. We are one big huge family. Many mission trips together, many youth outings, many potlucks, a lot of fun memories. No wonder I fell away from church after I moved and married. I could never find another one of them. I tried, but I gave up. I ended up comparing every single church to Valley. Nonetheless, my back felt so relaxed afterwards and I finally had a good night's sleep that night.

It's so funny how moments like these come, moments where I put very little effort in to get exactly what I needed.

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Another book review, but much different from Mr. Darcy, A Vampyre. This one is for young adults and boy am I a huge fan of young adult fiction considering Harry Potter is of this genre. The book is called Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. Below is a beautifully put-together synopsis of the book/series:

Frankly, I'm not fond of surprises, as the ones around here tend to be rather wicked." There are surprises aplenty in LaFevers's spirited debut, a sort of Indiana Jones for girls and a perfect blend of mystery and humor. Set in turn-of-the-20th-century London, it involves 11-year-old Theodosia Throckmorton, who "assists" her parents in their Museum of Legends and Antiquities. But Theo is the only one who can tell when ancient artifacts arriving at the museum bear a curse—and as new acquisitions arrive, she makes it her business to secretly remove any lingering curses by using recipes she finds in her constant research. Her mother returns home from a dig with the Heart of Egypt, a scarab amulet that was used as a death marker for the Pharaohs. When the amulet goes missing, Theo's search for it leads her to Lord Wigmere, the leader of an underground society that watches for magical artifacts entering England. The Heart of Egypt, it turns out, possesses a particularly nasty curse, "designed to weaken a nation, to make it easy to conquer." Crops begin to fail and a flu epidemic overtakes the nation. To break the curse, the Heart must be returned to the tomb from which it was taken—and, of course, it falls to Theo to recover the Heart. Loads of evocative Egyptian history and an oh-so-plucky, resourceful narrator make this the first volume in a series to watch.

I am a quarter of the way through this book. Thus far I find it to be very entertaining, not as good as Harry Potter of course, but if you fancy Egyptian history and alchemy (complete fantasy/fiction then you should enjoy this book as well--one of more to come in the series.

Alas, here is another book I recommend to read to your children or your spouse, LOL. Zed really does enjoy being read too but is many times too lazy to read himself. Typical.