Sunday at the Krupunder See

Let's be honest--"cold" does not do justice to the recent weather here in Hamburg. For the past two weeks, the average temperature hovered between zero and minus seven.

The upshot of living in an icebox is that snow sticks to the ground and lakes freeze. And when it's a sunny Sunday, everyone in Hamburg flocks to the local lake for an afternoon of merriment.

We decided to walk to the Krupunder See, our little local lake. We were not alone, for nearly 200 people were playing on the ice. Granted, there were signs posted saying that activity on the ice was prohibited, but try enforcing that to a 10 year-old with a new pair of ice skates or a grandma with a soccer ball. Hockey games were in full swing, several mountain bikers cruised the lake, an ice-wind-surfer glided across the middle of the lake. It was unbelievably fun.

Before anyone calls Child Protective Services, rest assured that we weren't the only ones with a stroller on the ice! Ok, maybe we had the youngest little one, but we were only following local custom and tradition. What kind of mother would I be to deny my child a truly German experience of playing on a frozen lake?

We threaded our way between skaters and walkers to slide on the ice. Whee!! Sophie practiced for the 2025 Olympics in the new sport of Ice Buggying. You can check out her debut on this video: youtube Sophie on the ice


Someone recognized a grand business opportunity and offered Gluhwine, hot chocolate and juice.

However, we didn't get a chance to sip the sweet treats as the police came by and gently but firmly announced that we all needed to get off the ice: Achtung, bitte--it was verboten to play on the frozen lake. :-(

About 100 of us slunk to the shore while the other 100 or so continued frolicking on the See. The police car drove away, then some of the crowd ebbed back to the frozen playground and warm refreshment stand. We headed home; Sophie would be getting hungry soon, and our hearts were full of childlike joy.

New Year's Day at Timmendorfer Strand

Frohes Neues Jahr! Happy New Year!

At the stroke of midnight, my parents, Sophie, Dan and I welcomed in 2009. After a small toast, Dan and I joined the celebration on our street. We lit fireworks, greeted scores of tipsy neighbors, and shrieked with delight at the colorful pyrotechnics show in our (usually calm) country lane. There is something thrilling about shooting off a rocket or firework fountain at one's house, especially when everyone else is lighting them, too. I haven't had this much fun with fireworks since Telluride.

In Germany, it's legal to set off fireworks from midnight to 4m as part of a New Year's celebration. Naturally, many kids were "practicing" hours, even days, earlier--I guess they needed to make sure that those sparklers really do work before the Big Show. What better way than to throw small fireworks at the passing S-Bahn train? :-) The idea of having a window of time for fireworks is great--it lets everyone cut loose, but with parameters. Sehr Deutsch (very German)! Much healthier than prohibiting the fun and slapping a fine on any ne'er do well who dares to light a wimpy Roman candle.

My parents, being from Southern California, yearned to go to the beach. I can't blame them--there's nothing like the sound of waves or the smell of the sea. We drove to the beautiful Timmendorfer Strand on the Ostsee. Wow! The sand was the palest yellow, nearly white. The sea was tranquil, like a mirror. Small waves lapped at our boots. I've never been so happy to see a seagull.

However, being that it was January 1 in northern Germany, the weather was cold. The aptly named Strandkorb BIRR summed up the climate. Fortunately, we found a beach hut that sold hot chocolate under heating lamps.

I love being at the ocean. The few hours at Timmendorfer Strand were magical and filled me with a deep peace. As I watched the crescent moon rise over the trees and hover above the sand, I felt deliciously alive. It was as if the waves were saying, "all is well in the world, you are blessed."

Soon we became hungry and made our way to a local Chinese restaurant. It was great! I usually prefer Thai or Japanese to Chinese cuisine, but the flavors proved interesting and tasty. Sophie became fascinated by the colorful lights and balloons.

Looking forward to our next trip to this beautiful spot on the Baltic Sea.

She's here!!!!!

She's here!

On December 8, 2008, at 9:08 pm, our beautiful daughter was born. Welcome to the world, Sophia Marie Rolles. We are so glad that you are here.

Already our lives have changed in the most wonderful ways. Sophie is the center of our world. I remember that we had a delicious life before her birth, but that life seems long ago. Things like swimming, salsa dancing, and spending endless time on work related projects are distant memories. My new reality entails naps with Sophie on my chest, listening for coos or cries in the night, 3 AM feedings. Dan is an expert diaper changer, and I'm learning the art of breast feeding. Sophie enjoys the gentle rumble of the stroller, and we've gone for a walk or two nearly every day.

Certainly there are challenges. What to do when Sophie's tummy hurts? How do Dan and I make time for each other, especially when we are sleep deprived? What do those different cries mean?

Yet, somehow, we're learning. Sophie teaches us, we teach her, together we grow. Today's lessons: even the smallest baby needs some time to stare at the teddy bear print in her cradle, and never underestimate the power of a good burp. As I type this, she rests in the crook of my left arm. I love her so much, and wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

We made two albums, one with our own pictures of Sophie's adventures during her first month:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=b44whfjf.9c0ra397&x=0&y=-2wr5ha&localeid=en_US

and one with pictures taken by a professional photographer (our Christmas present for the Grandparents):
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=b44whfjf.ansa68y3&x=0&y=d8a3u0&localeid=en_US

A song that I made up for her:
There is no one in the world like our precious baby girl
There is no one in the world like Sophia
We're so glad you're in the world, darling baby girl
We love you so much, Sophia.