Annelise's Adventures on Earth

Congratulations Astrid & Manny!

2009-01-26T12:00:00.001-08:00

Me with Setina (and half of my sister Carley), my cousin Astrid's new adopted baby from Ethiopia! It was so great to get to meet her!

Annelise & her niece Maija

2008-12-02T09:56:00.002-08:00

Maija helps celebrate her auntie's birthday with the family at Girardi's in Edmonds.

Oct. 15, 2008

Jonell & Chris Lee Reception - Salty's at Alki Sept. 6, 2008

2008-09-18T14:46:00.011-07:00

The bride & groom - Jonell & Chris

The view of downtown Seattle from Salty's on Alki.

Annelise's chocolate fountain drenching!

Yumi's delicate plate of chocolate dipped goodies - so artistic.

Jenn, Annelise & Yumi

The gift to those who attended the wedding reception was a caricature drawing! Here I am as the little Mermaid!

Caricature of Tina & Adam

Caricature of Patty & Conrad

Caricature of Katie & David

Annelise meets Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg

2008-08-10T16:48:00.003-07:00

Countess Alexandra & Commoner Annelise meet in Seattle, August 6, 2008

Annelise's Royal Encounter!

2008-08-07T11:15:00.005-07:00

I had an exciting evening last night!! The Danish National Girls Choir was in Seattle last night and performed along with theNorthwest Girl choir at the Unitarian Church close to the university. Joining the choir on the start of their tour was Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, former princess of Denmark! (She was married to the Queen of Denmark's youngest son, Prince Joachim, but was divorced a few years ago. They had two sons together, Prince Nikolaj and Prince Felix. Alexandra has since re-married to Martin Jørgensen).

When Countess Alexandra entered the church everyone rose as she walked to her seat in the front row. Then after the concert, she spent some time in the reception after the concert. She was talking to two people I knew, so I stood there and snuck my way into their conversation when after a little while, one of the ladies presented me to her and then we shook hands! Alexandra has a very strong hand shake! I spoke to her in Danish and I told her that it was an honor to meet her. She exclaimed right away that I spoke wonderful Danish (which is a compliment, but on the other hand she could tell I was an American by my accent...). I told her I had studied at the same language school she had studied at in Copenhagen. She asked if I had lived in Denmark and I told her about studying as an exchange student through the Universityof Washington and Københavns Universitet and then again in Aalborg for a few years.

I continued to tell her how much I loved Denmark and she asked me what I liked so much about it. I told her it was the whole country, the whole culture, the fact that every Dane could sing the same songs, like the one written by Hans Christian Andersen "I Danmark er jeg født". Alexandra asked me what kind of connections I had to Denmark and I told her how my grandfather was born on Fanø, that we had a summer house there, and that my Dad's cousin still lived on the island. She was quite impressed that I still had family there and had contact with them. I told her I always keep my eyes open for jobs in Denmark, because I would really love to live there, but that it is a bit difficult as a foreigner to get a job there. She disagreed and said that Denmark wants foreigners who can speak English, and I told her that I will keep trying. Alexandra then asked me if I was married. When I told her no, she said I had to find a Danish guy and move to Denmark! I told her I had already tried twice, but she said there are a lot more Danish guys out there!

I asked Alexandra how she liked Seattle and she said she loved the hills, how green it was and all the water, but she hadn't been in town that long. I asked her if she had flown in that day, and she said no, they had sailed in from Victoria, BC to Port Angeles and then drove to Kingston. I got excited and told her that I lived inEdmonds right where the ferry sailed to! Unfortunately, she is leaving today, so I told her I hoped that she got a chance to explore some of the city before her flight back to Copenhagen. She said she loves big cities and I couldn't help but think to myself that that was one of the reasons why she left Prince Joachim - she didn't like living in the country, so far away from everything...at least, that is what I read in the gossip magazines.

Then I ended our conversation by saying it was a pleasure to see her again and I told her that I had seen her for the first time at the opening of the DGI-byen(swimming center) in Copenhagen. She was surprised and said that that was about 10 years ago! I told her it was only 8...and she said, at the very least 8. But I could remember the date as I was living in Copenhagen from 2000 to 2001, so it was during that time. I had also seen her a second time after that when the Queen's mother had died, but I didn't mention that. :-)

So, our conversation ended there and that was that! It was great! She was so nice and personable, such a warm smile. She is very, very petite, so I was huge next to her, but she is beautiful. Alexandra's father is from Hong Kong and her mother is Austrian, so that is why she has an Asian look to her. In the picture I attached, she is the one in red. The lady she is talking to is Birthe and we are on the Northwest Danish Foundation program committee together. :-) Birthe's son has a picture of me shaking hands and talking to Alexandra, so I'm waiting to get those from him soon!

Annelise in Sedona, Arizona

2008-04-23T12:07:00.003-07:00

The Red Rocks of Sedona - April 20, 2008

The view this Monday, January 28

2008-02-03T11:47:00.001-08:00

This past Monday, Western Washington awoke to a layer of white. I was fortunate to have a two-hour late start at work, and enjoyed sleeping in a bit more! :) Here was the breath taking view from my living room when I opened my blinds that wintry morning!

The Edmonds ferry making it's way to Kingston on the Olympic Peninsula.

Annelise's New Apartment - Edmonds, 98020

2008-02-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

My parents over for their first dinner at my place, Saturday February 2nd. We had carrot & bacon soup, which Irene had made in Denmark last year and it was so delicious!

My dining area and entry way (door to the left).

My living room and my new green couch! I love it! :) When the weather is nice, I have a view of the mountains and water through these windows.

The right side of my living room and my fire place (entry door to the right).

My tiny little kitchen. No dishwasher or disposal, but I love it! Hopefully I get a microwave soon! :)

The hall way down down to my bedroom at the end, office/guest room on the left, bathroom on the right and my pink over on the left there, too!

My bathroom with a pink tub and sink. Purple and green really looks great in my bathroom!

Band Meme

2008-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

I got this from my friend Kelli's blog...

Band meme:

Rules
1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

My results:

Band Name: David Albert
Album Title: ...than to be fascinating.
Cover Art:

(This is the New London Ledge Lighthouse off the New London Connecticut coast.)

Danish Camp 2007

2008-01-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

The continuation of my blog catch-up continues. At the end of June, Carley and I went to Corbett, Oregon for another wonderful year as counselors at Himmelbjerget Danish Camp.

The counselors meet in the barn before the campers arrive for pre-camp meetings and preparations.

This year's theme at camp was travels through Denmark or "Rejser i Danmark". The camp t-shirt was designed by yours truly...me!

Campers must get their bags checked in customs before they are allowed to enter "Denmark".

Counselor Jake and our wonderful camp coordinator Melony.

Campers getting their passports stamped in cusoms.

Each family group has a mailbox where inter-camp mail is placed and distrubted during family group.

Garrett mixing cement to make a stepping stone.

One of the evening's snacks was homemade æbleskiver! Yum!

Camp is lucky to have nightly guest appearances by strange characters...

One of my Intermediate Danish classes.

My family group - our area of Denmark focused on Fyn and the surrounding islands.

My second Intermediate Danish class.

We love to dance at camp. Here we sing "Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica! Vi danser hele natten på Jamiaca!"

Butik! Here campers (and counselors, too) can buy Danish candy and pop!

Our Danish counselor this year was directly imported at the last minute. Karen and I actually studied together at Aalborg University in Denmark!

Lowering the flag during our last evening at camp.

Folk dancing for the parents on the last day.

All our wonderful campers on the last day.

The greatest people of all! The counselors!

After the campers have gone home with their parents, the counselors have a final meal before packing up camp!

Some of the campers are still around waiting for a ride to the train or for parents to finally arrive! It has been a fun week!

A little catching up...Carley & Chad's graduation in June

2008-01-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

Back in June, we drove 300 miles east to Cheney, Washington. Carley and Chad were finally getting their bachelors degree from Eastern Washington University. Along the way, the sites of eastern Washington's landscapes reveal the true beauty of America...

A pituresque barn surrounded by the rolling hills of Ellensberg.

An old gas station in Ellensberg converted to a delicious burger joint.

Chief Sitting Bull? Is that who he is? Popping up among the weeds in Ellensberg.

A very tanned David wearing a "loin cloth" outside of Spokane on the side of I-90.

Let me tell you a story about a big bull...and a turtle.

A rusty mailbox along Interstate 90.

Presenting America's colors, the state flag and the flag of Eastern WA U at the graduation ceremony.

Dad looking for Carley among the many graduates.

Carley in the middle.

Chad & Carley with their diploma covers...the real diploma comes in the mail.

An EWU water tower.

Some farm equipment abandoned in the fields of eastern Washington.

The upper class student housing primarily found in the areas of Pullman in eastern Washington.

Paul's birthday at the RAM

2007-11-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

Paul's 33rd birthday was on November 7th, so we went to the new RAM at the Northgate Mall in Seattle for dinner. When it's your birthday, you get a free Mile High Mud Pie! That's the delicious dish Paul is eyeing between his two sisters Carley and Annelise! This was also Maija's first outing to a restaurant and she slept through the whole thing! What a good baby!

I'm an Auntie!

2007-11-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not posting for a while. I'm a slacker. . . and I know it! I still have a bunch of pictures from the summer that I would like to post, but in the mean time, I have been a little busy updating the blog of my brand new niece, Maija Hazel Hammond, who was born October 30th! We are very excited to have her in our family and her mommy and daddy are doing a great job getting used to and caring for their brand new daughter. Check out her blog at: http://maijahazel.blogspot.com/

To Buy or Not to Buy

2007-10-02T14:53:00.001-07:00

Anyone who has access to BBC1 should tune in this Thursday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m. to watch the show To Buy or Not to Buy. My good friends Anne and David (see my visit to Birmingham, England in January 2007) are going to be featured on it in their search for a new home! I wish I could see it, too, but unfortunately America doesn't broadcast that station! Booo!

Congrats to Anne & David in their BBC appearance! Put it on YouTube if you get a chance!

My New Car

2007-09-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Here, finally, is my new baby...my black lover! ;) My 2007 Ford Focus SE 4-door hatchback.

The front of my new car taken in the Skagit Valley.

The rear of my new car taken at Volunteer Park in Seattle.

Pictures from May

2007-09-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit of a slacker at updating pictures. I knew I could just throw things in, but wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out.

For Memorial Day weekend, the family went camping up at Rocky Point on Whidbey Island. It was so windy, but the sun came out a little bit to shine on the silver slabs of drift wood and reveal some of the southern San Juan Islands to the north.

Pretty purple flowers among the drift wood on the beach.

Seagulls in deep conversation.

Dad and Chad being men and working on the barbeque.

The spring and summer time is parade season, so the Kamiak Show Band (which I was a member of 10+ years ago) marched through the neighborhoods close to the high schohol to practice for their events. I believe at this time, they were headed to Victoria, Canada for Victoria Day.

It was Bunco night at Jenn and Max's and we got to meet Jenn's little Hedgehog Nestle. She is so cute!

In the process of saving money for the Husky Band, we broke our backs to lay the port-o-floor for the Toast to the Northwest wine tasting fundraising event in the Dempsey Indoor. It is usually the gymnastics team that lays it in a few short hours, but us amateurs...it took us quite a while. I think we all agreed we wouldn't do that again!

End of summer update

2007-08-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

I got behind on my blog again. I still have a ton of pictures to put up, but I usually forget once I get home to my computer after work. I will try to remember to do that soon.

Life is doing pretty well right now. I recently purchased my new lover, as I like to say. A trusty companion that I will likely have for the next 10 or more years. No, it is not a dog, although that would be nice, too. I have purchased my first car...a new one, too. I bought a nice, deep black Ford Focus 4-door hatchback (picture coming soon). I know everyone and their mother has this car, but I thought about it a lot and the price and the mileage were what I was looking for. It feels and looks European to me, and I like that. It has a 6-CD player, which currently holds 2 ABBA cd's, Dolly Parton, and the very best of E.L.O. I think the other two slots will be something Danish...I need to keep the language fresh in my mind! :) Anyway, I have had the car since August 15th and we are having a great time together. We have been to two weddings in one day, golfing at Washington National in Auburn, camping in the mountains, and of course our daily drive to work. It is definitely time for her (his?) first bath and we are both looking forward to the start of football season! We will have to choose our Husky bumper sticker wisely. A DK sticker will be put up shortly!

In other news, I will be planning a trip to Poland next summer to attend the wedding of my dear friends Gosia and Hector! Congratulations to them on their recent engagement! Maybe I will have to crash the Mexican wedding, too! I am hoping to do some site seeing in the southern areas of Poland and Krakow and then definitely spend a few days in Denmark visiting friends and family, too. I know the visit will be way too short and I will become homesick for Euro life once again. I wonder how much it would cost to ship my car to Europe if I were to move back....

My good friends Kelli and Ricky were just married a little over a week ago. It was quite an experience! The day started with a traditional Sikh wedding in a temple in Kent (only 2 minutes from where my ex boyfriend Martin lived!) It was very interesting to follow their traditions of removing shoes before going in the temple and then covering your head throughout the ceremony. Kelli looked beautiful in her red and gold-bead-trimmed bridal costume and Ricky looked amazing in his white costume and turban with a sword...think: Aladdin! We were treated to delicious Indian food before and after the ceremony and blessed porridge, too.

Kelli and Ricky's "western" wedding took place at the Seattle Asian Art Museum at Volunteer Park on Capital Hill. It was a perfect setting for a wedding, and fortunately, it only sprinkled and never full-out rained during the evening. The reception took place down by the amphitheater under party tents with cozy lit tea lights and bright Gerber daisies as the center pieces. The food was delicious! Wonderful salad, salmon, chicken skewers and rustic breads! If I ever get married, I will remember them as a possible caterer!

The day after that wedding I was up early for the Husky Band Alumni Golf Classic at Washington National golf course in Auburn. It was a long drive with rain the whole way, but my little lover handled it like a charm! :) I played a best-ball round in the rain with an HMB alumni from the late 80's and his buddy from college. Together we shot a 4 over par...with the help of several $5 mulligans which benefit the HMBAA scholarship fund. We returned to the club house to the sounds of a Husky pep band and enjoyed some of the old tunes I know so well, and some of the new ones I have never heard before. There was a silent auction after our barbecue lunch, which was hosted by none other than the man under the mask of Captain Husky! :) Former Husky coach Jim Lambright was there golfing with his daughter, too! It was a great event and for a very good cause (HMBAA awarded me with a scholarship back in '98) and I look forward to next year!

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom who turns 60 today!! I hope I look as young as she does at that age! It must be her good kids! :) I love you, Mom!

Husky football starts Friday against Syracuse in New York! Go Dawgs! The first home game is September 8th! I can't wait! No marching for me! Just HMBAA! :)

The best to you all! Pictures to follow very soon!

Danish Camp Planning Meeting

2007-08-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

On May 5th we held the scheduled Danish Camp Planning Meeting where we finalize the plans and activities for camp and figure out who is doing what and bring what to camp in June. We had the meeting at Maren's parent's house in Milwaukee, Oregon. It was a nice day with 'aebleskiver' for breakfast and a visit to the chicken coup for fresh organic eggs!

Maren holding fresh gathered eggs in her shirt.

The chickens on the Frick-Wright farm!

Sisters Annelise & Carley

Camp counselors (L-R): Jake, Maren, Ruth (mormor), and Greg.

More counselors: Carley and Cassy (our director) in back, Joyce and Scott on the right.

Greg's awesome "hygge" tatoo that he designed. "Hygge" is a Danish word that really means a lot to the Danish people. It is always difficult to translate, because it can mean a lot of things, like coziness, warmth, friends, good food, candlelight, friends, happiness, and love...all in one.

Homemade Danish aebleskiver frying in the pan. They look beautiful!

Maren, the expert aebleskiver maker!

Chris & Emily's wedding in April

2007-08-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I left Denmark when I did was to make it to Chris and Emily's wedding in Seattle on April 27th. Chris and I have known each other since junior high school where we both played clarinet, again in high school, and then in Husky Band. I met Emily before Chris as she auditioned for me for a spot in the Husky Band clarinet section back in 1999. I had set her up with Chris in my mind way back then and sure enough! they did get together and now their married! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Brown at the reception.

My assigned seat at the "Pisa" table. There was an Italian theme as the newlyweds were headed to Italy for their honeymoon.

Their beautiful cake.

Emily and Chris freshly married and walking up the aisle after their vows. The church was beautiful and the acoustics were amazing while the choir sang.

Happy 1st of August

2007-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was July 31st, which everyone knows was Harry Potter's birthday, and after reading (and finishing last night at 1:09 a.m) the final book I know that he would be 27 years old. My family celebrated in a slight way by eating Shephards Pie and rhubarb crisp with custard sauce, both dishes mentioned in the H.P. books. If it is not already in process, a Harry Potter cookbook should be on it's way. I would love to be able to make some treacle tarts for his next birthday! ;)

It's been a while since I posted and I have so many pictures I want to share, but since I am at work right now, I don't have the pictures on my computer to do that. Most of my free time in the evenings has gone to re-reading Harry Potter and preparing myself for the last book of the series. Now that that is done...I guess I really should be finishing my thesis...I don't want to talk about it.

Yes, I finally have a job and I have been working at a pretty nice company not too far from home since June 11. It is so great to receive a paycheck once more, although my job starts out at temp to hire, which means I don't get paid all that much until I have worked 90 days to fulfill my obligation to the company who is contracting me to this company. This company has promised that I will be hired on permanently at the end of that time, so I have something to look forward to in the middle of October...beyond that of my 30th birthday and the arrival of my first niece or nephew. I am not working in my desired field, which would be something like international communication, but I am glad to have experience anywhere, which can only improve my chances of that dream job one day. Considering I am writing this post while I am at work means that I am not always that busy. In fact, most of my time here I have been doing mostly nothing. I have actually been getting paid to read Harry Potter. They promise me things will pick up, so I am actually forward to those days when I will actually be working at work.

It is alright being back in the States, but I am having some pretty severe withdrawals from Denmark. I have to catch myself sometimes and try not to be too overly critical of Americans and the way they live. I don't mean to be critical or offend anyone, it's just that you notice things so much more after spending such a long time in another country. Although, Denmark is by no means perfect. There are many things there that they could definitely improve on. It isn't any easy situation to be in, because in so many regards I sometimes can't figure out where I belong anymore. I am stretched between two continents and only time will tell where I end up in the end. I know I will always be an American, but I will never be able to get away from my passion of Denmark.

A few weeks ago I had my very good friend Marieke visiting from Munich. We had a great time while she was here and I have lots of pictures to share, which I will try to post soon. I really love having friends from Europe come to visit. So all of my friends who I have met through living in Aalborg and Copenhagen should know that my home here in the Seattle area is always open to you! Although I am still living with my parents, as soon as I have a place of my own, there will always be a couch or floor for you to rest upon! :)

Well, I better get back to acting like I am working. I will try to keep updating this blog regularly like I used to while in DK. For some reason my life in Seattle doesn't seem as exciting to post about, but I will try to improve on that and start sharing more of my adventures on this side of the globe!

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

2007-06-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

I love tulips! Now that I was back in Washington, I was itching to see some Northwest culture! I went up to Mt. Vernon with my aunt Maren and her friend Carol to check out the beautiful blooming tulips in the fields of the Skagit Valley.

Rows of pink tulips in full bloom.

More pink tulips.

Multi-colored, yellow and red tulips.

An old, dirty school bus next to the tulip fields.

A field of red tulips with a sign to keep out of the fields.

Capturing the long shadows of the tulips in the sun.

The Dutch inspired windmill of the Roosengarten tulip farm.

A garden of black, pink, red, yellow and purple tulips glowing in the sun.

Bunches of beautiful tulips for sale. The 2007 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival poster.

Views from above

2007-06-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

On my flight back to Seattle, I was placed in the very back corner of the plane where I ended up with some fantastic views of the world below.

An hour or two into the flight, the pilot came over the loud speaker to announce that we were nearing this small island above the arctic circle in the seas between Iceland and Norway. This island, consisting of mainly a volcanic cone-shaped mountain, is called Jan Mayen and belongs to Norway. The captain said it was very rarely seen so visibly as it was that day, as it is usually covered with clouds.

Zooming in on the crators on Jan Mayen.

Jan Mayen

Another view of Jan Mayen.

The glacial mountains of Greenland.

Looking down over the Shoreline area with Lake Ballinger in the upper left corner and Interstate 5 snaking along the right. This is the area where my dad grew up. (Nov. 8 - As I look at this picture again, I realized you can see where I work in this picture. There are 4 buildings situated together in the upper left hand corner of the picture and that is where I work! Click on the picture for a bigger view!)

A view of north Lake Washington.

A view of Lake Washington and the 520 floating bridge. I was hoping for a view of Husky Stadium, but this picture was the closest I could get as we were flying right above the University of Washington.

Vejers Strandhotel, Last day in Denmark

2007-06-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Danish "exchange" family invited me to a very nice going away dinner at the Vejers Strandhotel the day before my departure. It was probably a celebration that I was finally leaving! J/K!! The food and the company were supberb! Thank you Petersens! (April 16, 2007)

The view of the dunes from where I sat in the restaurant.

Christian, Niels and Christina

Carsten

Annelise and Irene

Michael with his girlfriend, Christina.

My last sunset in Denmark for that 25 øre!

Blåvand, Danmark

2007-06-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

In my last days in Oksbøl, I was able to visit with an old friend and take a short drive to the beautiful Blåvand on the Danish west coast. (April 14, 2007)

The Blåvand Lighthouse

Annelise and looking down the middle of the lighthouse.

The view to the south of the lighthouse with the huge bunker beach horses in the distance.

Looking to the west out to sea and the farm of windmills in the water.

The shadow of the lighthouse far below us.

One of the old WWII bunkers decorated with a touch of art to represent a horse. I had seen postcards of the bunkers in Oksbøl and had wanted to see them before I left DK.

The bunker horses and Blåvand Lighthouse.

Another bunker horse.

Living in Oksbøl

2007-04-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

The road signs marking all cities you enter in Denmark. Here, we find us in Oksbøl!

Aal kirke in Oksbøl. This is quite a famous church, because of the very, very old chalk drawings on the walls inside.

Inside Aal kirke.

Some of the religious carvings inside the church.

Walking in the beautiful nature around Oksbøl. This is Præstesøen (Preast Lake).

Præstesøen

A German immigrant cemetary in Oksbøl. The area was once home to many German refugees.

The German immigrant cemetary

The beach in Hvide Strand and the North Sea. We have found many nice pieces of amber along this beach.

When Carsten finds amber, he keeps it in his mouth until he can spit it out into a pile on the table in the van.

This is my pile of amber I found that day! The pieces look bigger than they actually are!

After admiring the amber we found, we enjoyed some hot coffee and homemade coffee bread!

A fishing boat of the coast from Børsmose strand.

Irene and I biked 10 kilometers out to Børsmose strand and 10 kilometers back to Oksbøl in head wind! I found 2 pieces of amber on this beach!

A Visit to Aalborg

2007-04-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

In March, Irene, Christian and I drove up to Aalborg to celebrate our Danish camp friend Nick's 20th birthday. He is the guy who is part of the Watermark church band that is traveling through Denmark! We surprised him good!

Christian and Irene outside the building where Nick was staying in Aalborg.

Irene waving the Danish flags as we sing the Danish birthday song! HURRA HURRA HURRA!

Nick and his chocolate egg he got from his band friends for his birthday.

Nick blows out the candles in the "kagemand"... a traditional Danish birthday cake...especially for kids! :)

After visiting with Nick, I spent some time visiting with old Aalborg friends. Igi was in town from England to defend her thesis and Gosia is back in Aalborg living there with Hector while he gets his PhD!

Igi and Annelise in Klostertorvet where they are tearing down the ice skating rink behind us.

At Hector and Gosias for dinner! Yummy soup!

A visit to Aalborg is not complete without a visit to the Irish House. Igi and I with an Irish Coffee!

Gosia and a beer at the Irish House!

Knitting Fanatic!

2007-03-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

When I am unmotivated to write my thesis, I knit! Irene has re-taught me how to knit and helped me make something more than just a scarf! I have made 3 caps! So now, I am addicted to checking out the second hand shops for cheap knitting needles!

My first knit cap. Irene helped me a lot, but I'm proud. I measured from the wrong point, so it turned out longer than it should be, so I started folding it up and now it looks great!

This is actually my third cap made with the same pattern as the one above, but with thinner yarn. I think I will add some braids to this one for a bit more character.

My second cap with two colors. This pattern was picked out by Jan and made especially for him. He just received it today and it fits perfectly and he is happy to have it! Exs can be nice to each other! :)

Tøsen, the cat

2007-03-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

During the day, while I am writing my thesis, I have the company of Christian's cat Tøsen. She can be a wild one, but definitely likes company during the day.

Tøsen helping me write my thesis.

Tøsen sleeping on my bed (on the quilt mom made for me).

First Weekend in Oksboel

2007-03-17T02:59:00.000-08:00

The first weekend in Oksboel was great. It was like being with family again! After we were in Odense that Thursday, Joyce called on Friday and said her husband Paul and daughter Morgan would like to come visit, so they took the train over to Esbjerg and stayed until Saturday. We had a fun visiting, laughing, eating Danish food, drinking Danish drinks, seeing the Danish coast, and having a great time!

Dinner at the Petersen's. (Clockwise L to R) Christian, Michael, Irene, Carsten, Paul, Joyce, Morgan and me.

Morgan presents a drink invented by her friend, Chicken Dinner. It is called Ginoca, and is a fresh combination of gin and Binoca breath freshener.

Morgan takes a shot of a Ginoca.

On Saturday, Carsten drove us through the military training camp where we saw a graveyard of old tanks and jeeps that had been bombed or very well used in the Middle East.

We headed out on a short drive to the west coast to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Unfortunately it was very windy and very cold. There was actually still snow in the dunes and ice on the beach!

Annelise on the beach. (...almost like "sex on the beach"! ;)

We drove to another beach where we were excited to find several pieces of amber!

This is all amber, except for the two larger rocks close to the foreground.

Unfortunately, it was time for our Danish Camp friends to go home again. Before Denmark, they had been in Africa for a few weeks, so they were ready to get back home to Portland, Oregon.

Watermark on tour

2007-03-17T02:44:00.000-08:00

After arriving in Oksboel from Hammel the day I moved, we drove to Odense to see a Danish Camp friend perform in a traveling church band through the organization, Youth Encounters. This band, dedicates their lives for a year in spreading the gospal, or the word of God to youth all around Denmark. Because I am not religious, it was a bit awkward to be around God and Jesus talk, but these kids are talented and I was very proud to know Nick and see him perform.

Nick performing with the band Watermark.

Watermark accepts their applause from a group of young Danes in Odense.

The Danish Camp group, Annelise, Joyce, Irene, Christian, Morgan and Nick.

Watermark t-shirts and CD's were available for purchase.

The Sounds of Oksboel

2007-02-16T03:19:00.000-08:00

Last week, I moved away from beautiful Hammel to a new, smaller town called Oksboel. It is located near the west coast of Denmark, just north of Esbjerg. One thing that I am usually first aware of in my new surroundings are the sounds of the environment...

1. Behind the house where I now live, there is a green belt of trees that when the wind blows, sounds like the break of the waves on the beach.

2. Right up the street, is the local church, built in the late 1700's. Several times during the day, and especially on Sunday, the church bells ring. It sounds like the meal bell at Danish Camp! It makes me hungry! hehe...

3. There is a little train that comes through town. Every so often, I hear the peep of the whistle as it arrives or leaves the station.

4. Oksboel is the home of a military training camp. In fact, my "host dad" is an Army captain who works there. Every so often, the house shakes from the firing of a missile from a tank or training weapon. The first time I heard and felt the shake, I thought it was Christian and his friend being rowdy in his room. I wondered why Irene didn't say anything, and then she explained that it was the firing of a missile from the camp. I was half shocked to realize what it was, although not surprised, because I knew the training camp was there. But with the Iraq war going on, it puts a notch of reality in the noggin realizing what it must sound like to be a soldier in the war.

It's great being here. Another adventure for Annelise!

Finally! We got snow, too!

2007-01-25T02:35:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 22, we woke up to a beautiful layer of snow! It quickly cleared up to blue skies and sunshine. Here are some images of the morning with snow...

Looking towards the 'rundkoeresel' (round about) in Hammel.

This dude isn't very smart. He should have spent a little more time clearing the snow off his car.

Snow covered trees in the woods.

On the road towards Aarhus.

Snow in the woods.

The red barn of Frjiesenborg.

Frjiesenborg Castle...just up the street.

A Trip to Birmingham, England

2007-01-21T07:34:00.000-08:00

Ryanair was having a fantastic special back in December on flights around Europe. I found a special of 1 kroner (not including tax) for a flight to London Stansted from Aarhus! So, I decided it was time for a visit to Birmingham to see my ol' friends Anne and Dave from the Copenhagen days! I left January 11th and took the night bus back to Stansted early the 15th. I had a great trip!

After a 4 hour bus ride from Stansted to Birmingham, Anne met me at the bus station and we took a Black cab back to her place not far from the center.

Just like when we lived in Copenhagen, Anne was great at whipping something together with the ingredients she had in the kitchen. She put together a cous cous salad with sateed zucchini, blue cheese, walnuts, salad, and a lot more! It was yummy!

Yum! I nice cool Strongbow and a Cadbury creme egg. Birmingham is the home of Cadbury, unfortunately, the tour center was closed while I was there. But, I enjoyed an egg even though it wasn't easter! They have these eggs in the stores all year round!

After dinner we changed into our comfy clothes and played a few rounds of Scrabble. Although I had some good words on the board, it was a tough competition with the a native Dutch speaker and the Brit!

Our first round of Scrabble was filled with lots of fun and naughty words! The second phase of Scrabble should be to use all the words in a story or Mad Libs...that would be funny!

A Friday in Birmingham

2007-01-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

Friday morning, I went with Anne to the University of Birmingham. She was busy in classes, while I hung out around campus and explored the bookstore, drank coffee, wrote some postcards, and walked through the Barbar Art Musuem.

You are here. Anne points at the map of the University campus.

Looking down through campus.

This picture was taken for Kelli. She told me to enjoy beans on toast while I was in England, but although I didn't partake in this 'apotizing' cuisine, I kindly asked to take a picture to preserve the memory of just how great the English are at fine foods...and I meant that sarcastically.

Just as good as the English are at fine cuisine, they are as good at fine fashion. I felt like the many Dames and Ladies who attented the Prince Charles and Camilla wedding a few years back.

Ah, a bit of America. Inside the Bullring shopping mall was a full-sized Krispy Kremes...I didn't even have a taste!

More American imports...these producs were way too expensive to buy, and my stock of Hershey's syrup is doing fine at the moment!

A view of the Bullring from the outside. Quite the modern architecture, eh'?!

More Friday in Birmingham

2007-01-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

I would like to be commissioned by Starbucks to create a book that is called "The views from Starbucks around the Globe". Then I could travel to all the Starbucks around the world and drink coffee for free and take pictures! :) This is the view from inside one of the many Birmingham Starbucks. I got a chai tea latte for 2.80 pounds...looks normal if it was $, but the exchange rate is about $2 to 1 pound, so it was an expensive drink, but much enjoyed!

The big bull in the Bullring shopping area in Birmingham.

Pretty fountain in Birmingham. I was being experimental with the manual feature on my camera...notice the movement of the water & background people, then the focused statue and buildings!
Dr. Who? Me and a British phone booth. I went in one of them and it smelled like piss. Thank goodness for mobile phones.

A Birmingham monument.

Along the canal in B'ham.

A truly British car in Britain!

Annelise and an "Old Speckled Hen" suggested by Dave as an appropriate local drink. It was served warm...and with an interesting flavor. Dave and I went on a "date", while Anne went to band practise where she is a back-up singer! We enjoyed gourmet burgers, the pub scene, and a hilarious movie in the theaters: A Night in the Museum. I definitely recommend everyone should see that movie! It was a hoot!

The beer tap.

Saturday morning in Birmingham

2007-01-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

It was a wonderfully lazy Saturday morning where we no one was interested in moving very fast. But I was suddenly inspired by the many cooking shows on the teley and decided to whip together some big, flat pancakes, similar to the Swedish ones my mom makes, but without the cardamom. They were enjoyed by Anne and Dave with fillings such as peanut butter, lemon curd (which I later bought a jar of), bacon and syrup.

I had a feeling I wouldn't be served beans on toast at Anne and Daves, and wasn't surprised to find this typical Dutch breakfast sprinkles on the table. I had actually tasted it a few years earlier while visiting Marieke in Aarhus!

After breakfast, we headed into town where we visited the Ikon museum. It had several exhibits of modern art that were more and less enjoyable than each other. This shows some of the exterior (yet enclosed in the glass addition) of the museum building.

One of the exhibits included a game that involved the use of words and language. Anne got the point quickly being the linguistics expert she is. I liked the look of the green chalkboards and the neat writing of words in many languages on the boards.

Walking along the canals in Birmingham...the same one that goes by Anne's university! This is a very nice area of the city!

We ate lunch at this fine restaurant called Pennyblacks. Anne and Dave show their public displays of affection! :)

More Birmingham...

2007-01-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

On our little Saturday outing, we stopped into a cheese shop in a very upscale shopping center called The Mailbox. Anne is a cheese fanatic, and should know a little about it considering she is from Edam and has worked in a cheese factory before as a tour guide!

Some of the fancy, up-scale places to dine along the canal in Birmingham.

Dave made a delicious Indian dish, that was amazing! We had nahn to go with it, too, and lots of rice! It was nearly as good as what I have got at Chutney's in Seattle!

After great Indian food, we got dressed up and ready to go out! Anne had a collegue who was celebrating her 30th birthday with a big party at her place. We took a taxi therer, who couldn't find the place and had to back-track, and then I left my wallet in the back seat and noticed that it was missing just as it drove off! Dave was quick and called the company to let them know, so a few minutes later, I had my wallet safely back in my hands! What an idiot I was! Agh!

One of the crazy Irish lassies at the party! She was thoroughly drunk and spilled several drinks before we got our taxi back home...but she was very nice to talk to.

I don't know why more bathrooms in the rest of the world don't have one of these contraptions. It is connected to the shower and the temperature is adjusted to where you want it and you just press the start button and on the shower goes! It saves so much time and water! I will defintely install one in my bath as soon as I can afford one!

This is where Anne and Dave live in Birmingham...the top floor to the left! It was very cute and cozy! I had a room to myself and a very comfortable bed! I also found out that I was guest number 13...this couple is definitely a popular one to visit, and I am not surprised why! They are very wonderful hosts. I felt more myself with them than I had felt in many months.

America has taken Britain by storm with such powerful stores as Wal-Mart. I actually was quite overwhelmed to be inside it with all those long aisles of food! I have gotten way too used to the tiny grocery stores here in Denmark, like Netto, Fakta, & Rema 1000.

A day in Tamworth

2007-01-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, we took a little trip to the English countryside! Just outside of Birmingham about 30 km, is the town of Tamworth, which is where David grew up and where his parents live. So, I got the chance to see a real British home and enjoy a nice Sunday with some very wonderful people.

As a little gift for Anne and Dave for being my host while in Birmingham, I gave them the mixings for chocolate chip cookies with real chocolate chips. We brought the ingredients to his parents where we mixed them together and baked the cookies in his parent's new oven. Dave did a great job taking directions and mixing everything together!

Anne takes a picture of me, Dave, his dad Richard and his mom Penny and the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies that were a great hit! Yummy!

To work off some of the cookies we ate, we took a walk out to a local forest, which I forgot the name of, to see the Tamworth pigs. According to Penny, these aren't "the" Tamworth pigs, but we saw some very entertaining pigs anyway!

Some of the pigs enjoying some dinner time hay in the muddy fields.

A few pigs enjoying a "roll in the hay" in the muddy fields! This was a very entertaining couple and they went on for a couple rounds! It was a hoot to enjoy nature in action! :)

The outline of English trees in the twilight sky.

The very same canal that goes by Anne and Dave's place and the University right here in Tamworth!
Annelise and Anne enjoying a Pimm's and Lemonade at The Tame Otter in Tamworth.

Dinner at the Brophys! Dave's parents were awesome and very hospitable. It was nice to be around folks that were a lot like my own family. Penny prepaired some good English food for my last night in England. Then later that night, I took the bus from Birmingham at 00.30 back to Stansted airport to catch my 7.30 flight back to Aarhus. It was a long trip and I was exhuasted by the time I got home, but it was worth it. I had a fantastic time in England and really enjoyed seeing Dave and Anne again!

Happy New 2007!

2007-01-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

For New Years Eve, Jan and I invited our good friends Henrik and John over for a gourmet, homemade meal. We had a very nice, relaxing evening as the rain pounded against the window and wind howled through the trees. We were not at all upset that we didn't waste several hundred kroner on fireworks during that kind of weather! We were entertained enough by those who did!

Henrik and John wait patiently for permission to start the first course: a delicious shrimp cocktail/salad. Our main course included a very delicious and tender pork tenderloin that had been marinated a few hours and then heated up on the stove. We had potatoes that had been baked to perfection with a layer of garlic butter, spices, and a dab of honey as a nice finishing glaze. Then, I made a light whiskey sauce that went well with the meat and potatoes. It was superb!

For dessert, I made an orange chocolate mousse that was to die for. The orange flavor really cuts the sweetness of the chocolate and makes it a very nice finish to such a great meal. I was proud of the presentation...chilled in my avacodo dishes I got from Bodil, a 1/4 of an orange and a dollop of whipped cream and a shaking of chocolate powder (what you use to make chocolate milk). :)

The table, ready for toasting of champagne, a bit of kransekage (as is the Danish tradition) and some homemade cookies and chocolates. I was also really crazy about my nice table runner I found half price after Xmas and my newly polished candlesticks.

Happy New Year! A picture of some fireworks (and rescue flairs) that were lit off behind our building. It was pouring down rain and the wind was blowing right into the camera...a great way to start the year!

Christmas Eve in Denmark

2007-01-08T04:09:00.000-08:00

After being ill a couple days before Christmas, I managed to gain enough strength to partake in Christmas Eve dinner at Jan's mom's place. In Denmark, and many other countries in Europe, the biggest part of Christmas is Christmas Eve...not Xmas morning like for the Americans. Growing up with the American tradition of opening packages Christmas morning, I find that there lacks the same excitement and anticipation when the gifts are opened Xmas eve, but when in Rome...er, Denmark...

Before arriving at Jan's mom's (Anette) place, we took a quick tour through Hinnerup to see the festively decorated houses in this neighborhood. Apparently, it is well known for its Christmas decorations each year.
Christmas Eve dinner around the table. We had roast duck, roast pork, red cabbage, potatoes, candied potatoes and sauce! It was yummy...my stomach stayed strong to handle the delicious Xmas food.
The little Christmas tree at Anette and Joergens and few gifts for everyone. I was sure to save some gifts for Santa to put under our tree the next morning...so, there was twice the excitement...at least for me. Mom and Dad sent a box with goodies from home. I got the Eddie Bauer down jacket that was on my wish list and I LOVE it! I also got some clothes from my brother and his girlfriend, a Washington calendar, Tully's coffee, and some chocolate chips! :)

Solo Santa Claus Cookie Making

2006-12-20T08:36:00.000-08:00

It had been a couple years since I had last made Santa cookies, and since I had my mold with me here in Denmark, I figured I should have the tradition spread to the other side of the globe. It took me three days and probably about 5 hours time spent making the cookies.

The cookies have been pressed in the mold and carefully pulled out and layed on the pan. Raisin eyes are slivered and placed carefully into the dough before baking.

The cookies cool on the rack before they are decorated any further. At this point, I put them in Tupperware and got to them the next day.

And the next day, I start by painting all the lips. Then, I painted all the cheeks and noses. Then, I paint and sugar all the caps.
Then, it is time for the frosting! First, I take my professional pastry tube and decorate the tip of the cap, the rim of the cap, the eyebrows and then the mustaches.
Then, it is time for the beards. I smear frosting on the beards and then pat it with shredded coconut!
And voila! A final Santa cookie!

Christmas Cookies!

2006-12-18T04:54:00.000-08:00

This is a honningkage, or a honey cake, covered in chocolate and then stamped with a Victorian Santa picture. I am crazy about these cakes, mostly, I think, because they remind me of Christmas at home and the traditional "Nanna Bars" that my mom makes every year. We call them Nanna bars, because the recipe comes from an old Danish friend named Nanna. After being in Denmark around the holidays, I discovered that Nanna bars were actually honey cakes and a traditional Danish Christmas treat.

Hammel Tree Lighting

2006-12-18T04:42:00.000-08:00

Michael and I walked to the center of town to catch the excitement of seeing the Julemand, or Santa Claus light the town tree. A huge crowd with lots of kids were there to be sure they got their bag of candy from Santa. (Nov. 30)

A young band performs music for the crowd.

Hammel's Christmas Tree

Santa passing out candy...from a shopping cart!

Michael, who looks like he has drunk too much glogg, shows his sugary loot. But it was the adults who got a free cup of glogg and a few aebleskiver! Oh! Christmas is great!

The Boy from ARoS museum

2006-12-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

Since the museum opened not too long ago, I had been very interested in seeing this Boy in real life! I was so amazed by the details of this sculpture. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the artist, but I saw a book on more of his works, which are of the same size, and they are incredible. I definitely recommend a visit to ARoS in Aarhus to see this monster!

Fast Cars at ARoS Museum in Aarhus

2006-12-18T04:17:00.000-08:00

Late last month, Jan took Michael and me to ARoS, the new art museum in Aarhus. Jan, being a car enthusiast...actually, anything-with-a-motor enthusiast, was very interested in seeing some racing cars that he had grown up seeing on tv. It was a pretty interesting exhibit on race cars as art.

Jan with the Le Mans car that won with the Danish driver Tom Christensen.

Two oldies! ;)

A trip to Fanoe in early November

2006-12-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Back in the beginning of November, my Aunt Kisser (Kirsten) invited Jan and I to Fanoe for the weekend. Unfortunately, Jan couldn't make it, but I really, really wanted to go and see some family and spend a few days at our family's new summer house. So, I took the train and about 3 and a half hours later I was "home" again! It is actually quite nice not living all the way in northern Jutland anymore, because it is just so frickin' far to travel anywhere from there.

This is the silouette of the fore fathers of my family. My parents have this portrait in their entry way, as well as my aunt and uncle in their house. I have run into this portrait in so many homes, that when I see it, I know I am with family...no matter how distantly they are related!

A view from inside the summer house looking across the dining table over towards the living room and the view of the dunes outside the window. Rob lit the wood stove several nights while I was there and it really gave the house a very cozy feel. It is definitely not just a *summer* house, but a vacation home.

Looking from the living room towards the entry, the kitchen, and the utility room.

This is where I slept. I was excited to get my own bed this time. When my family and I stayed the first time at the summer house last summer, there wasn't enough room for me, so I had to sleep on a blow-up mattress in the middle of the living room. This bed was so comfortable, I slept like a dream! I can't wait to come back and spend a week some day!

A view of the grasses out near Paelebjerg on Fanoe.

The beach of Fanoe and the North Sea. We drove out to Paelebjerg after a really late lunch and walked out to the beach. We caught a beautiful sunset.. one with no wind at all. I don't think I have ever been on the beach on Fanoe where there has been no wind. It was a treat, and a great time to catch the reflections of the sky in the water below.

A trip to Fanoe continued...

2006-12-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

Kisser and I drove to Nordby on Saturday to check out some of the shops that were still open. It is a lot of fun to see the small shops and walk along the main street with all its quaint character.

A blue door of a restaurant in Nordby.

An old fashioned styled lamp on the wall of one of the shops in Nordby.

After our little trip to Nordby, we drove back to Soenderho and went to Bodil's house where we were invited for a traditional, local lunch with herring and other good stuff.

Bodil, Kisser and Rob at the table in Bodil's cozy, old Soenderhonian house.

And that is me with a salted, baked fish...it's called something like bakskuld...I have no idea how to spell it. It was a whole fish minus the head. It tasted great. This is also the last picture of me with my long hair. That night, Kisser attempted to cut it and it ended up a little shorter than planned. She ended up giving me some money before I left to get it professionally cut. Now, I won't need to get another haircut for at least a year!

A Visit to Fanoe, cont'd...

2006-12-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Bodil uses her Bedstemors little glass that was specifically used when making kaffepunch...akvavit and coffee.

The little nisse (Xmas eleves) are teasing the beer bottles. Here are three different variations of the Christmas Carl's beer label.

Saturday night after we were at Bodil's, we drove up to Nordby and took part in the Julebryg at the Hjoernekroen. Rob and Kisser say Skaal!

Rob with grandma's cousin Tove and her husband Peer.

Sunday night, Rob and Kisser invited a cousin of my grandmother and her family for dinner. Rob serves ice water to Maria, Jane and Christina.

Rob put out a couple traps in the outside storage room and caught yet another mouse that had taken refuge inside there.

The view of the rear of the summer house.
The front of the summer house before Kisser drove to the ferry.

Jan's Birthday

2006-12-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

A little over a week after my birthday, it was Jan's birthday. We invited his mom and her husband Joergen over for apple pie and coffee!

Jan and Michael.

My beautiful apple pie that I made completely from scratch. I always dread making pies, because I don't like making the crust, but this crust turned out so delicious! And I added pretty leaves for decoration. I was quite proud of myself! Everyone enjoyed it!

Celebrating my birthday in Nordjylland

2006-12-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

Back in October, I celebrated my birthday by spending the eve of my birthday on the northwest coast of Jutland. Jan's mom has a vacation condo near a popular summer turist town called, Loekken. It has a reputation for some wild nights, but it also has a nice small village charm and is well known for its beaches and hard candy!

We drove the whole way from Groenhoej to Loekken on the beach. Here's the view from the "bitch" seat.

The yellow buildings of Loekken.

We were present for the making of a batch of corporate hard candies (bolcher) at the local and famous Bolcheriet. Here, they are taking the plain sugar mix and lopping it on the hook, which adds oxygen to the sugar and makes it a white-white, instead that of the yellow color as seen on the work table.

The bolcher makers have colored and flavored the mix and divide the pieces to make a particular design.

After all that work, the big blobs of sugar are stretched down into tiny pieces that are now ready to be bagged and delivered to the company that ordered this batch of bolcher!

One of the best parts of my day was finding Annelisevej on a map of Loekken! A dead-end road in a summer house area is where you will find the beautiful setting of the most wonderful road in all the land!

Pictures taken during some scooter rides in the area!

2006-11-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

As an early birthday present, Jan got me a Piaggio Typhoon scooter! We were sure to take several scooters rides around the area before the weather became too wet and cold for joy rides.

An old, rustic sign giving directions to a local farm or an area that once had more importance.

On old house that is connected to a larger manor house. It is practically a castle, and is still lived in today. They own the land around which we were riding our scooters.

The skies above the old manor house.

A dead tree with blue sky, white clouds, and green field.

Poet Moelle...this place can be rented out for special occasions and sometimes you can go there for food...I haven't tried it yet, but hope to some day.

Signs leading bikers and drivers in the appropriate direction.

Some pictures from September....

2006-11-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks after I got back from Seattle, I went up to Aalborg to visit some friends and make a trip to the library. While walking downtown, I came across this lovely ad for a daily newspaper about them "becoming bigger"... I just thought it was an absolutely beautifully huge condom!
That evening, we had dinner at Gosia, Hectors, Monica and Alejandros apartment in Aalborg. Martina was in town to deliver her thesis and we were all able to meet up and say hello again!
I spent the night at the apartment and Hector made me a delicious Mexican style scrambled eggs for breakfast while Gosia was at work teaching a Danish guy Polish! :) Yum!

University of Washington Husky Marching Band 6th Quarter Pepband

2006-11-29T15:09:00.000-08:00


Oh, the opportunities with Google video! I decided to upload my own video that I took after the first home game this season (2006). This is the Husky Band's unofficial 6th Quarter Pep Band performing for the tailgaters. It is the same song as the one in the video below, plus a Bow Little. Go Dawgs!

I'm a slacker...

2006-11-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while. The bottom line is that I am a slacker. I still haven't finished my thesis and I don't have a job. Well, I guess I have a little job...I am helping two Danish girls with their English homework a couple times a week. That provides a bit of extra cash each week that I am glad to have! And I think I will call about the house cleaning help for a family in a village near by...

Otherwise, life in Denmark is moving right along. It is amazing to think that I have almost been back for nearly 3 months! ...and it is almost Christmas! I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a party of 3 (Jan, Michael and I) with a roast turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce and of course, pumpkin pie for dessert. I actually created that feeling for myself that I was really celebrating the holiday and, although I was far away from family, I was able to capture the spirit!

I have been keeping an eye on the weather back in Seattle and they have been pounded with snow and freezing weather! My mom hasn't been to school since before Thanksgiving! Here in Denmark, we are having spring like weather! I took a wonderful walk this past Sunday through the local forest. I nearly got homesick with the smell of the pine trees and the fresh forest air. I could have imagined I was back again on a cool day at Troublesome Creek campground! I plan to go on as many walks as possible while the weather is so nice. It's great for the soul...and my big butt!

Well, let us hope that when I write the next time that I will have accomplished a great deal on my thesis and that some promising job prospects are in my near future.

University of Washington Husky Marching Band- "Walk this Way/ Dream on"

2006-11-29T14:27:00.000-08:00

My mom forwarded me the link to this video found on Google. It is of the Husky Marching Band! Yeah! Go Dawgs! I am going to guess that it is from the 2006 Spring Football Game in Husky Stadium. I was not there, but I have played at the games in past. The song they are performing, too, is not one from my generation, so whenever I have played with the Varsity band, I have to not play or find some music fast! It's become a band and fan favorite!

Funny Arnold

2006-10-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

I am not a cat person, but when it comes to Arnold, I think he is the best cat on Earth. Arnold found the cozy nest of Dad's laptop case that was open on the dining room table. I think if I was a cat, too...I would probably curl up in the same place!

C & C Open Wedding Gifts

2006-10-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

The day after the Husky Game, mom made a big brunch and invited Carley's in-laws over to watch Carley and Chad open all their wedding gifts. They were very patient to wait until after their honeymoon and until the brunch to open their gifts. It was a lot like Christmas for them!

Carley and Chad show off some of their nice gifts.

Carley and Chad openings packages!

Husky Football Home Opener!

2006-10-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Annelise dances with her clarinet along with the rest of the Husky Alumni Band before the football game.

Carley, the tuba on the left, marches in the pre-game show.
The Husky Band holds the American Flag for the National Anthem. When I was in Husky Band, I held the flag, too!
Touchdown Washington!! After every touchdown, the Helmet Car drives along the track to cheer and hep up the crowd!
After the game, I was burned to a crisp, but it was a perfect time to relax and enjoy some tailgating after a victory! We celebrated my uncle Ron's birthday, and then I was lucky to get an early birthday present from my aunt Maren, too!
Uncle Ron, cousin Bryn and Carley eating some grub while tailgating at my parent's 5th wheel camper. That is Patty's mom in the background.

Mom's birthday dinner @ Ivar's

2006-10-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, Carley and Chad were on their honeymoon, but the rest of the family enjoyed celebrating mom's birthday on August 28th at Ivar's Boathouse right on the water in downtown Mukilteo. They make great crab bisque and steamed clams in a garlic and white wine sauce! I had been craving a dinner at Ivar's for months!

To Idaho to visit Grandma

2006-10-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

The weekend after Carley's wedding, I really wanted to go visit Grandma in Bonners Ferry, Idaho before I headed back to Denmark. So, we drove the long trek across Eastern Washington to Idaho and spent a few days in the hot Idaho sun.

A mountain flower found near Snoqualmie Pass

Grandma's house and the view beyond.

Annelise and Grandma with Molly behind the house in the woods.

The ever-faithful and kind border collie, Molly, that watches over the house and Grandma.

Cousin Bryn fires a rifle as Uncle Eric gives some tips.

The dirt road by Grandma's house.

Dinner at Grandma's with Uncle Eric, cousin Bryn, Aunt Maren and my mom.

Bryn and her boyfriend look at the bright stars in the Idaho night sky.

The whole group on Grandma's front porch.

Carley and Chad get married!!

2006-10-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

2006-10-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Carley checks her wedding gown in the mirror of the dressing room at the wedding location.

2006-10-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

Annelise, the maid of honor before the wedding.

2006-10-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

Chad, the groom.
Our brother Paul, the usher.

Paul walking his mom, the mother of the bride, down the aisle.

Annelise, the maid of honor, walking down the aisle.

Carley and Chad at the alter.

The wedding cakes! A traditional Danish kransekage and a marsipan covered cake.

Carley signing the certificates and making it all official!

The get-away car!

The newlyweds, Carley and Chad Hammond.

Carley and Chad's rehearsal and dinner

2006-10-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Friday before the wedding, August 18th, the wedding rehearsal took place at the Country Location. Afterwords, we went to the Hammond's for the traditional rehearsal dinner. It was after the dinner that we went to the batchelorette party.

The father of the bride and bride practise walking down the isle.

Chad and Carley practise standing before the officient at the rehearsal.

In the backyard of the Hammond's for the rehearsal dinner barbeque.

Everyone enjoying the rehearsal dinner.

Carley's pre-wedding parties!

2006-10-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

For Carley's batchelorette party, we went to the Market Theater at the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. Here, we enjoyed an entertaining round of theater sports and they were good to embarrass the two batchelorettes that were in the house! :)

Carley in full batchelorette gear...penis head bands galore!

Annelise won a voodoo doll and two free tickets to theater sports for giving a good suggestion. The judges liked the personality flaw I provided: perfectionism.

The batchelorette gals!

Carley poses with her marcipan penis cake.

Carley shows off her gold panties she received as a gift at a shower hosted by the Swanson gals!

Husky Picture Day 2006

2006-10-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

Every year before Husky football season officially starts, the fans get a chance to hang out in Husky Stadium and get their pictures taken with their favorite players, coaches, or in this case...Captain Husky!

Annelise with Captain Husky

Brandon, my brother-in-law's brother gets his picture taken with the head Coach Willingham.

The Husky mascot, actually an Alaskan Malumut, cools off in the shade.

Troublesome Creek, Index, Washington

2006-10-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

For many years, it was a tradition to camp with the whole Holmquist side of the family at the Troublesome Creek Campround outside of Index. It wasn't possible this summer, but we managed to drive up and have a picnic and enjoy the river for a few hours the week before Carley's wedding. The weather was gourgeous and it was great to hear the roar of the flowing water of Troublesome Creek and the North Fork of the Skykomish River again.

Troublesome Creek

Carley and Annelise

Rocks in the North Fork of the Skykomish River

Uncle Ron in flight as he positions for a cannon ball drop from the cliffs of the favorite swimming hole. The water is freezing here and I have yet to build enough courage to jump into this one!

A favorite view looking up the river.

It wouldn't be a trip to Troublesome Creek if there aren't any rock sculptures being made! This is the work of Aunt Maren and Uncle Ron!

My cousin Fritz got married!!

2006-10-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

More wedding fun!

This summer has been crazy with weddings! After my cousin Astrid got married in June, we had a month free in July, and then August got crazy. The day after the Seafair Parade, my mom hosted a shower for Fritz and my future cousin-in-law, Alana. The theme was "camping", so we had some traditional camping food, like s'mores in the backyard and my dad barbequed some delicious salmon! Here are Alana and Fritz playing a game where they had to finish the the lyrics of what we thought were some well known campfire songs.

Guests of the shower gather around the campfire we made in my parent's backyard to roast some s'mores. Would you believe that it was the first time some people had ever made s'mores?! The people are counter clockwise: Alana's mom, one of Alana's bridesmaids, my dad, Alana's brothers girlfriend, Alana's dad, my cousin Bryn, Alana, Alana's brother Jamie.

Saturday, August 5, 2006 at the Seattle Tennis Club on Lake Washington. Here I am with the complimentary sun'brellas enjoying the beautiful occasion before the start of the wedding.

The beautiful bride and groom, Alana and Fritz, listen to a vocalist during their wedding ceremony.
My cousin Taage, the best man, raises his head in prayer during the ceremony with Mt. Rainier in the background.

My cousin Britta's daughter Lyvia and husband Marco after the ceremony.

Sisters Carley and Annelise at the reception.

My dad, Ken, and me at the reception.

Seattle Seafair Torchlight Parade 2006

2006-09-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

Annelise and Carley on the bus on our way to the Torchlight Parade in downtown Seattle.

The Husky Cheer Squad and Harry the Husky Mascot in front of the Husky helmet car before the parade.

It was great to meet up with old friends at the Seafair parade. Here is Corey, who was drumming with the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline. We were both in Husky Band together and were art majors together for a while.

The Blue Thunder Drumline

Old Clarinet friend, Yumi, at the Seafair Parade.

Harry the Husky and Annelise before the Seafair Parade.

2006-08-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

In Patty and Conrad's living room, from right to left it is Emily, Jenn, Max, Chris, and Patty.

2006-08-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

Conrad slicing his famous lasagne! It's so Yummy!

2006-08-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

I was invited to Patty and Conrad's new house in Seattle for a lasagne dinner with some of my old friends from band! It was such a nice night and really good lasagne!

2006-08-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is how paranoid America is about germs. In our local grocery store, they supply disinfecting wipes that customers can use to clean the handles of their shopping cart. Sure, I can understand the logic behind it, but how are we supposed to build up our immune systems if we are not exposed to any germs? Our bodies need to learn to fight them off. I say Yes! to germs! :) (some).

2006-08-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

When I got home from Port Ludlow, there was a little tree frog that decided to spend a few days in our garbage disposal. Not a habitat that I would recommend for anything that is living. Chad had warned me a few days before, but I was surprised to see it still around. I helped it outside again, so it did not have to suffer death by garbage disposal.

2006-08-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

After the bike ride, I was ready for a swim in the cool Puget Sound. While down at the beach, I came across a message in a bottle! I was so excited! The message inside had been sent 5 days before by a group of 4th of July partiers on Whidbey Island, not that far away. The message was difficult to read, but was legible enough to make out this not: "Send help! Need beer and pussy. July 4...." What a disappointing message.

2006-08-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

I brought my bike with me and Mary and I biked around Ludlow Bay. They live right on the other side of the water, so we had a nice ride around the bay with skinny shoulders and road work.

2006-08-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

Jens helping his neighbor put together their new barbeque.

2006-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Looking south on the ferry, Mt. Rainier is visible along with the skyline of downtown Seattle, including the Seattle Space Needle.

2006-08-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

Looking north while on the ferry, Mt. Baker is visible along the north-eastern horizon.

2006-08-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

A view of the Olympic Mountains through the main deck of the ferry as we sail towards Kingston. It's only about a 25 minute ferry ride. The weather was beautiful this day, so there were a lot of motorcyclists, which you can see standing there between the cars by their bikes.

2006-08-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 8th, I headed over to Port Ludlow to visit my friends Jens and Mary. I got a pretty late start in the morning and managed to have a little bit of luck by being the last car to drive onto this ferry! Here is a view of the butt of my car and the rear of the ferry as it leaves the terminal in Edmonds.

2006-08-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

A view of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound from my aunt and uncle's back deck.

2006-08-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

When my parents were still at the Oregon Coast, my aunt and uncle invited me over for a belated Julefrokost with the Broback family. We enjoyed shrimp sandwiches, several types of herring, salmon, fruit salad and red pudding!

2006-08-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

My mom and I were in Anacortes visiting some quilt shops and then we drove down Whidbey Island and stopped at Deception Pass where I am standing in the foreground. This was taken back in June.

Road Rage!!!

2006-08-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

American drivers are really getting on my nerves!! I come in contact with so many slow drivers in the left lane!! What are they doing there and why don't they stay right when traffic signs say "SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT!" UGGGHHH!! It is so frustrating! It's not up to the slow drivers to monitor my speed! That is my responsibility! It is as if they do that purposely to annoy me and other drivers that respect the rules of the road by keeping right unless to pass. I miss driving the Autobahn where drivers follow the rules of the road!

Missing Denmark....

2006-08-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

It has been so nice being home and doing things with the family and my friends again. It means a lot to be a part of activities that I have missed out on over the past couple years. But....I can tell you, when there is someone back in Denmark who I love and miss so much, I realize where I need and want to be and that (as I heard at a wedding I was just recently at) it is time to take flight from the roots that are planted in the USA and to spread them back to Denmark and to my wonderful boyfriend Jan and his sweet son, Michael.

Annelise & Jan, Easter 2006

Michael and Annelise, March 2006

Jan playing out in the Danish fields with his friend Kaare and their scooters. Look at the fun he is having without me! But when I get back to Denmark again, I have a scooter waiting for me to ride!! So very European, don't you think?!

The weather has been extremely HOT in Denmark. Michael was so sweet to suggest to his grandmother to pack a cooler with cold drinks for his Dad and Kaare and drive out on his little crosser out in the fields to where his dad was waiting.

Oregon Coast 4th of July!

2006-08-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

4th of July fireworks.

2006-08-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

4th of July fireworks.

2006-08-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Fireworks over the beach of Manzanita.

2006-08-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

Elsa, Mom and Annelise on the beach to watch the 4th of July firework show.

2006-08-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

After dinner on the 4th, we drove down to the beach to watch the firework show put on by the city of Manzanita. Many groups of people had lit fires in the sand and were lighting off their own fireworks. It was an awesome site to see the flying fire on the 4th of July.

2006-08-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Old Glory peaking above the trees at the Nehalem Bay campground. That is mom and dad's flag flying from their flag pole that they take with them camping and tailgating! :)

2006-08-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

A view from the State Park looking south along the Oregon Coast where large sea stacks jut up along the coast.

2006-08-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Artistic grass shot on the Oregon Coast.

2006-08-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dad, Elsa and Mom eating 4th of July hamburgers for dinner in the campground after the parade!

2006-08-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Our stinky dog Sofie camping on the Oregon Coast.

2006-08-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

Seagull art on the tops of the garbage containers on the main street in Manzanita.

2006-08-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

More vintage cars in the parade dressed patriotically!

2006-08-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Vintage American trucks decked in red, white, and blue for Independence Day!