White Week = Vacation!!

It was a nice few days in Amsterdam. I think, for the most part, we've did many of the things this city has to offer. Perhaps if I go back with some beer drinkers, the Heineken factory will be on my to do list.

Sites covered: the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrant House, the Red Light District, and I think I've seen just about every canal...multiple times!

Seemed like a good place to rest!

We did everything on foot and my feets were tired!!

Highlights? Seeing the small annex of the Anne Frank house. While it's difficult to think about the challenges the Frank family and others faced during their time there, it is a special experience to actually be in that same space. There is no furniture, but you can still see where Mr. Frank noted Anne and her sister's height on the wall, and where Anne pasted magazine pictures on the wall as well. I'm really glad I went.

I also enjoyed the museums of Amsterdam. I've never been much for museums in the past, but, overall, the ones in Amsterdam kept me entertained. I saw another version of Van Gogh's Sunflowers in addition to so many others. At the Rembrandt House, Kate and I watched a woman demonstrate the different etching and printing techniques that were used by Rembrandt himself. It was really cool!

My favorite part of Amsterdam though was probably the window shopping. In Italy most shops have metal doors that cover their shop windows so you can't just walk down the street and peruse the goods. In Amsterdam you could see in all the windows and think about the purchases you'd like to make...they sell a lot of diamonds in Amsterdam! Don't think I wasn't tempted!!

We took a side trip to Haarlem before leaving Amsterdam. It's a small town about 15 minutes outside the city. There we did a tour of the Corrie Ten Boom house, where many Jewish people were hidden during the war. Here they let you see the 'hiding place' that was built into the house to conceal their guests.

After our time in Amsterdam, Kate and I hopped a train to Paris. It was nice because we saw the countryside of The Netherlands and Belgium, which included some old school, stereotypical windmills you'd picture seeing in The Netherlands. I must admit, whatever French countryside there was to be seen, I totally missed since I fell asleep. I must have been really tired, because those who know me well, know that I have the hardest time sleeping when anything is not normal!

Our trip in Paris went so quickly. Which, maybe was a good thing, since Kate and I did not love the hotel where we stayed. I spent the days by myself, doing the tourist thing, and not being able to make the turnstiles of the Paris metro system work. Whatever! It was such a pain...

One of my favorite pics from Paris,
with Notre Dame in the background.

Anyways, I spent my first day in the Louvre visiting Mona Lisa. (The rest of the museum I made time for didn't do a whole lot for me.) That afternoon I followed Rick Steves' Paris Historical Walk and visited Notre Dame, the Left Bank and several other important sites. I next day I went to the Orsay (another art museum), climbed the Arc de Triomphe, and walked the Champs-Elysees. The weather in Paris was gray and drizzly; I almost felt as if it suited the city's personality. I liked Paris, but didn't love it. I think it is an acquired taste.

But, the food was a highlight of Paris so I feel it deserves it own paragraph. Two of our three nights Kate and I dined with people she knew living in Paris, so I got more of an authentic dining experience than you might get finding places on your own. The first night we ate at Pramil, seemingly a little more sophisticated than my culinary palate is used to eating. It was three courses for €30, so we went for it. I had a pumpkin soup (you know how I love pumpkin) with foie gras ice cream. This was the most "Top Chef" dish I had ever eaten, but I figured I would go for it. The soup was amazing. The ice cream? Eh...it was okay. Let's just say I didn't work too hard at encouraging the ice cream to melt. For the second course I had veal with potato puree (delicious) and for dessert I had a raspberry and apple puff pastry with bell peppers. Different, yes. Did I eat it all? Yup. There are some pictures of their food at the Trip Advisor link for the restaurant, though I haven't found a site maintained by the restaurant itself. (Someone posted pics of their food...pic #2 was my dessert, and #11 was my main course.) Kate was adventurous and tried this salad (pic #4) with greens that were called "ficoide glacial". We're still trying to figure out exactly what it is or how it's grown, but while its flavor was okay, the texture was a bit odd.


The desserts in Paris were a highlight for me. I love to bake, so sweet treats have a special place in my heart and stomach!! I visited a crepe stand and had a nutella and whipped cream crepe. Amazing. I had a freshly made waffle with salted caramel and chocolate gelato and whipped cream. Double Amazing. I had macaroons in four different flavors from Laduree. Triple Amazing! In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die!"

Laduree's macaroons: Coffee and Raspberry

Amorino's waffle with gelato.

Au revoir for now! I put a pile of postcards in the mail on Tuesday, so many of you will be getting a little note from one of these beautiful cities in a few short weeks. (I'd like to say days, but I don't have that much faith in the mail system!) In about 5 weeks I'm on Spring Break! Who's coming to visit? I'm still making my plans!

My Challenge for You!

As Lent begins this week, I'd like to issue a challenge to my American friends.

Give up your microwave. 

I won't ask you to give up your car and rely solely on public transportation, just give up your microwave for Lent, or even a week. Can you do it? 

I don't think I realized how much more complicated things are without a microwave. It is, perhaps, one of the most underestimated inventions. 

When I make tea, I have to heat the water in a nice little pan on my stove. I've burnt myself twice in recent weeks. So. Much. Fun. 

When I have leftovers, I must find a way to recook them, and not just reheat them. Hmmmm....this has proven an interesting challenge. 

When you just don't feel like cooking and want to just "throw something in the microwave"...well, there is no such option for me right now.

You say, Carrie, "Go buy a microwave!" 

"Okay!" I reply. "Where should I plug it in when I buy one?" I have no outlet in my kitchen, and the nearest outlet, in the dining room, has the size 10 plugs and I'm guessing most microwaves have the size 16 plugs. The joys of life in Italy. It's not all pretty. So, I suppose I could put it in the bathroom and plug it in there. 

And, a new microwave costs no less than €99, which when I know I can get one in the US for $30 US dollars, I have a hard time paying five times that. 

Anyways, there's my challenge for you. Give up your microwave. Will you take my challenge?

Pic from http://www.universetoday.com/19244/extracting-water-from-the-moon-with-basic-home-appliances/

London...Trip #2. Let's Rehash.

Well, I loved London the first time around and figured that I would feel the same in the future. And I did. I'm not bubbling quite with the excitement I had the first time around; I think the nasty cold I had dampened my spirits a bit, but, nonetheless, I love London.

The city has an amazing energy about it. And even though English is the predominant language I've never heard a larger variety of languages than I did on the streets of London.

Kyle and I outside Apollo Victoria Theatre

This trip had one real reason. WICKED! Of course. I have wanted to see Wicked in London or New York for a long time. (New York...I'm coming for you soon!) All the other performances I've seen have been traveling shows that remain in cities for only a few weeks at a time and while many of these have been fantastic, I've been desperate for a viewing in a permanent location!

It did not disappoint.

There were a few differences throughout the show. (Once you've seen it a few times you start to notice these things!) There was an occasional wording difference or slight staging change, probably due more to it's London location and having a permanent stage to work with.

Elphaba was played by Rachel Tucker, whose raspy, but powerful voice with, of course, an English accent, made for an interesting change in the usual role.

See...those are some serious tats for Fiyero.

The other notable performance of the night belonged to Fiyero, played by Matt Willis. According to the bio in the program he was part of a British pop rock band called Busted. But, what made it notable was the full sleeve tattoos visible on both arms when Fiyero wore short sleeves. Now, I love a good tattoo (or two or three) but I was totally distracted by this character and his tattoos! His performance was okay, but the character of Fiyero is always given the silliest dance steps and I always wish they were just a little more "manly" and a little less "theatre". Hmmmm....but what do I know? Anyways...

While in London we also strolled down Portobello Road in Notting Hill and wandered the shops. It was a pretty cool area. Being sick might have been a good thing- I felt too bad to spend any of my money. Kyle was on a hunt for as many orders of fish and chips as a weekend would allow, so two lunch stops filled that desire. Fish and chips are okay, but I wouldn't want that to be the main cuisine of my hometown. I'll stick with the Skyline, thank you.

A few cider beers rounded out the quick trip. Nice to be back home. And now I must pack for Amsterdam and Paris. Life is rough.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope today and every day is a great one!

Pic of Matt Willis from http://www.geton.co.uk/Matt-Willis-Brightona  

Pics from the Snow

I'm posting my latest Animoto video here in case you didn't see it on Facebook.



Try our slideshow creator at Animoto.


Last Thursday we had a snow day, my first in over 10 years, and I trudged down to the local park and water station to refill my water bottles. Along the way I took several pictures of Opera in the snow.

Not something you see much of in Savannah!

What a month it will be!

.

This month is shaping up to be a busy, yet exciting month.

Next week I am starting coursework to earn a CoETaIL certificate. You say, "What is that?" It stands for Certificate of Educational Technology and Information Literacy. It is a program run by two tech specialists from  the International School of Bangkok and Yokohama International School. I am excited to see what they are doing and learn from their experience. But, it does mean that I am back in school AGAIN! Really, I thought I'd had enough. The courses are all online and open only to international educators. If I want, I can use the credit hours towards a Master's degree from SUNY-Buffalo. However, I think three degrees is enough. Anyways, the better news is that for the first time, I don't have to pay for the courses! I submitted an application to the Professional Development committee at ASM and my request was approved to cover the expenses of these graduate level courses. If any of my international teaching friends are interested in this program, they are looking for 10-15 more people to fill in another cohort. Go to the website or email me for details.

This weekend an international math competition for high school students is being held at ASM. I hate to racially profile anyone or anything, but the registration list is like a who's who of high school students with Asian backgrounds. I'm curious to see what this competition looks like and Kate and I volunteered to help out. (Aren't we so nice!) We get to crunch numbers to see how the kids are stacking up against each other...reminds me of plugging away recruitment numbers in the Penthouse of Alpha Phi to select the girls for the next round.

And, then the real good stuff begins.





Wicked. London. February 11. 10th row. BANANAS!

I know, I hear the whispers..."Zimmer, haven't you seen it like a zillion times already?"

Yes, yes, I have. And, I'll see it a zillion more!








Then a week of school and it's White Week. White Week, what? Oh, yes, the Europeans like to have their time to go skiing. Well, I may not be headed out to ski, but Kate and I have made plans to fly to Amsterdam that Saturday and stay until Wednesday. Then we'll take the train to Paris and stay until the following Saturday. I will cross my fingers that we can avoid any public transportation strikes, and I will take good notes on all the best places for my niece, Melissa, since she is planning a five week class in Paris this summer.

Amsterdam...

Paris...

London, Amsterdam, and Paris...what an exciting month!

It wasn't built in a day...

Roma...una citta bellissima! If my Italian is on track it means "a beautiful city." Kate, Kyle, Jeff and I spent this past weekend in Italy's capital. Kate, as you know is my neighbor. Kyle is the Lower School PE teacher and her husband, Jeff, teaches English in the Upper School.

They say Rome wasn't built in a day, and you certainly can't see all it has to offer in that amount of time either, but we did our best to take in several of the most famous sites. We were only briefly detained by yet another strike amongst transportation workers, this time the taxi drivers. We had arrived at the airport late Friday night, truly Saturday morning, and had missed any buses into the city. Taxis were nowhere to be found. We made several phone calls, and think several of "our"cabs arrived, only to be snagged by other desperate victims of the strike. Thankfully, we were staying in a fancy, schmancy hotel, courtesy of my sister's Starwood discount, and I doubt they would be compelled to leave guests of theirs sitting in the parking lot of the local airport. I spoke with the concierge, who politely told me that although there was a strike, he would see what he could do. A few minutes later, he called back to say that a cab was on its way. By this time, it was about 1:30 in the morning and we were starting to wonder what a night in Ciampino's parking lot might look like. I'm glad I didn't have to find out.

Saturday morning we ventured out and headed down the Spanish steps and over to the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica. It is interesting to note that you do see quite a few religious individuals mulling about...priests, nuns, etc. Perhaps they, too, are hoping for an audience with the Pope.

Me, on the Spanish steps

The Vatican Museum is monstrous. I had no idea it would be so large and that every surface in the building is in its own right a work of art. Every floor, every ceiling, every surface seems decorated to the fullest capacity. I loved the ceilings, so much geometry. Perhaps the next time I get to paint my own place I can do the ceiling too. Just call me the next Michelangelo!

One of the ceilings in the Vatican Museum

My only complaint about the Vatican Museum was that they allow photos to be taken. While this allows you to take some great shots, it is a hassle maneuvering around cameras at every turn. The only room you can't take pictures in is the Sistine Chapel, but security is so lax everywhere else they seem to have a hard time enforcing the rules. Here is how hard the security guard was working in the Octagonal Garden.

Hey buddy- don't forget to text your wife you'll be home in time for dinner.

Anyways, the museum is really something else and the Sistine Chapel was made even better by the free audio guide you can download from Rick Steves. So nice if you're traveling in Europe-- put that expensive iPod to good use. After lunch, Kate and I headed to St. Peter's Basilica. Once again, you can take pictures inside, which I find a little strange for a church, but if the Pope says it's okay, who am I to argue. The church is really huge and once again I was so thankful for the audio guide that pointed out all the interesting details about the interior...and how everything was made to make it feel smaller than it really is. While we were there mass was getting ready to start. If we had more time on our hands, I would have been inclined to stay. I'm sure mass there, in Italian, would be quite the experience. There's always next time. (See, don't you all want to come work in Europe?)

Outside in St. Peter's square, the Pope (or his many assistants) like to leave the light on in his study to make you feel like you're only an arm's reach away from him when you visit.

They say the top floor, far right window is the Pope's bedroom
and the next windows belong to his study.

Sunday morning we headed out for a quick jaunt to the Colosseum. I found the outside rather impressive. The inside excited me less, but perhaps a date with Russell Crowe as "The Gladiator" would change my opinion. We'll see. However, the trip to this historic site was capped off by a gypsy teenager playing an accordian on the metro. Only in Italy, I say, only in Italy. 

Nancy, look at all the famous places
your cowl has been!

Trying a new site...

Many of you may have tried Animoto before. It is a simple video making website. The free version allows you to create 30 second videos using their templates and designs. Here is my first attempt using some of the pictures from my trip to Munich in December!



Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.