November 11-20

Nate, Christof, Hamid, and Tyler before lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Because of the language barrier, we're not quite sure who are the home teachers and who are the home-teachees in this group, but Christof is just coming back in to activity after about 10 years of being away. Hamid, who is a chef at a Persian restaurant, made lots of food for everyone.

It was Christof's birthday - 11/11! - so I made lots of dessert. Death By Chocolate Cake and Carrot Cake Cookies (with cream cheese frosting!)

He was so excited and surprised when we sang Happy Birthday :)

Christof said it was the first time in many years that someone had made him a cake for his birthday! And since I don't like cake that much, I didn't think it was a big deal. He was so happy, and had three slices! 

On our way to see the Warren Miller ski film "Flow State" in Dusseldorf

:)

Love this man!

I realized in September that it was almost Warren Miller season, and I have a very happy memory of going on a date to see the movie last year with Nate! So I went to their website, and found out that they tour all over the US and Canada, as welllll as Germany and the UK! So I surprised Nate with tickets.

The movie was in English, with German subtitles.

The crowd, at intermission. Around 60% of the people there were conservatively dressed and older than 30, unlike the Utah crowd. 

One of my favorite pictures, from an 80's Warren Miller film, of observers at a ski race.

Another 80's relic, ski dancing, was featured. The Germans loved it.

During this part, Nate leaned over to me and said, "Does this look enjoyable at all to you?" I said "No! But it's a pretty amazing shot!" That's how I feel about most of the skiing and locations in the Warren Miller films. Fun to watch and learn about, but not a culture that I ever want to live.

Christmas anticipation from Mother Dearest :)