Bockwurst and Wine Flowers

Dianna and I were fortunate enough to spend 6 days in Berlin and other parts of Germany. I titled this entry Bockwurst and Wine Flowers because it captures some (not all) of the exquisite experiences we had. Bockwurst - simply stated - I ate a lot of it while I was there. The bakeries were amazing as well. Wine flowers is the term Dianna's cousin used when she was trying to think of the English word for grape vines. I thought that was so descriptive.

This photo of the Victory Column, commemorating Prussian victories between 1864 and 1871, was taken from the taxi on our way from the airport to our hotel.

This is the entry lobby of the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin. The hotel was amazing. I ate a variety of German sausage for breakfast each morning at the breakfast buffet. You can see a theme developing here.

After we arrived we wandered out of our hotel to see what we could just see by walking in the vicinity of our hotel. Our first stop was dinner. We stopped in a deli and I had, you guessed it, bockwurst. Dianna had soup which was very comforting considering the temperature never rose above 2 degrees celcius while we were there. Here Dianna is standing on the line the marks where the Berlin wall used to be. Behind her is the famous Brandenburg Gate and to her left is the Holocaust Memorial. Dianna is facing the direction of our hotel.

This photo is taken across the top of the Holocaust Memorial. The contrast of the warm sunlit columns and the cool shaded columns seemed to speak the words that cannot be found to describe a place like this.

The most famous landmark in Berlin, the Brandenberg Gate. We felt so fortunate to be there as the sun was setting to get this striking image. It's not hard to imagine the processions of Prussians, Nazis, and Allied troops that marched through those columns. What an amazing piece of history. The Victory Column is just beyond the gate. It is blocked from view by the columns.

I couldn't resist this photo op for 2 euros. The lady looks very Russian but I'm not sure the guy looked like the typical American officer. I had a navy hat, there were no American Air Force hats.

As we were walking about, the sun went down and it got really cold really fast. We were in Berlin's most expensive shopping district looking for hats, gloves and scarves. We couldn't afford the expensive brands. We got Dianna's hat from a souviner shop. I think she looks great in it. It was hard to spend any money on winter clothing knowing we had closets and drawers full of them at home in Utah. When leaving home for Doha we just didn't pack many winter clothes.

This is a shot down the street of the most expensive shopping district. We went into a mall to look for some scarves and gloves to find that the mall was an indoor auto mall. It had three levels of some of Germany's finest automobiles. They were displayed in shops and behind glass like anything else you would find in a mall. We knew we were out of our league.

While I was in my conference Dianna went on a bus tour of Berlin. Then while she was traveling to Castrop-Rauxel I took the same tour. The historic architecture of Berlin is absolutely breath-taking. It is another thing I don't think I could describe. This is a picture Dianna took of the Reichstag building. The original construction was completed in 1894. The inscription over the building, Dem Deutschen Volke, translates to "To the German People". It was the seat of the freely elected government. It is just on the west side of where the Berlin Wall was. It was damaged by fire and by the Red Army. The restored and adapted building is once again the seat of government for a free Germany.

This building is the most intreiging one to me. I'm not completely sure why but it seems to say a lot about the history of Berlin and Germany. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was damaged by a bomb in World War II. To me it is a story - a story of time, of place and of people. This picture was taken from the tour buss.


I downloaded a better picture from a google search.


Here it is in it's original condition.

I don't remember the name of the square but this is where the Nazi book burning took place.

A momument to Friedrich the Great. We visited his palace in Postdam a few days later.

This image above and the images below are from Dianna's trip to Castrop-Rauxel. Even though I didn't go I loved these images. This is the oldest building in Castrop built in the 19th Century.

Dianna is standing in front of a remnant of the original Berlin Wall. This is just outside our hotel. Although it is the original wall and it is located on the original location, this part of the wall was put here after the plaza was reconstructed. On our last day we visited the only spot where the original wall stands.

This shot was taken in Postdam. Potsdam is where the summer palaces of the Prussian kings, including Friedrich the Great, are located. We felt like we were in a winter wonderland.

Another shot in Postdam.

This is Sanssouci Palace, summer home of Friedrich the Great. We saw the chair he died in.

We decided to walk from the palaces to the train station. We were so glad we did because we saw some amazing things. We called this our gift for that day.

In one of the chapels we came across a replica of the Christus - definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

I loved this image of the shadow of the head of Christ framed in the archway as it rested on the wall behind it.

We also found a shop filled with the handmade wooden things Dianna's father loved - Cuckoo Clocks. . .

. . . and Christmas pyramids to name a few. We bought some Noah's ark animals for Abbey here.

This shot was taken on the same street. I think I will have this one enlarged and framed.

On our last full day in Germany we traveled by train to the Freiberg Temple. If you are ever in Germany and want to travel by train to Freiberg be certain you pronounce it correctly or you might find youself in Freiburg. The pronunciation between the two is subtle for the American ear but they are in completely different parts of Germany. Fortunately, our train tickets were for Frieberg. This is a shot from the train.

. . . as is this one.

The absolute highlight was being in the Freiberg Temple. Not only was it important to us because there is not a temple in the Middle East but it is significant because of its history. I want to read President Monson's book that talks about the building of this temple in Communist East Germany. We were filled with emotion.

On our taxi ride from the hotel back to the airport we stopped at the only originally standing part of the Berlin Wall.

As you can imagine it was an amazing trip. We missed Abbey terribly and are glad she was so brave.

What made the trip most meaningful was the connections to our family and the church. What an amazing world we live in. And what is most amazing are the people that are in it. The places are a record of history of the people who lived there. What a history Berlin and Germany has. For more on our trip, see Dianna's blog.

Kenneth J Kearney

A tribute to Kenneth J Kearney

I remember the photograph of dad with the long striped 1920's retro swimming suit. He would only do something like that for mom.

I remember the time he laughed so hard when I asked him a question a young boy would ask. I asked if he brushed his teeth when he was little like George Washington had. I had just learned that George Washington had brushed his teeth by chewing on a stick to make it soft and then using that stick for a toothbrush. I had never before, nor have I since, heard my dad laugh so hard.

I remember the time when I was about 16 or 17 when he gave me one of the many preisthood blessings I had received, and was to receive from him. That was the first time I had felt close to him since he and my mom were married.

I remember seeing the creative, fulfilled Ken Kearney in his advertising office leaning over his drawing board, with scraps of paper all over the floor and a desk filled with art supplies.

I remember a discourged and probably depressed Ken Kearney after moving to St. George and trying his best at Real Estate.

I remember the delicious homemade bread he made. He used his mother's recipe. He sold his bread to the retired, snowbird community in Washington, Utah. I'm sure that helped him maitain some of his dignity while he struggled with his career in St. George.

I remember that the one thing that dad did consistantly for as long as I have known him. He was constantly driving his children places they needed to go. He did that until just a few years ago when he finally was forced to slow down.

I remember the unique and special bond he had with my younger sister Sommer. Sommer, as most of you know, was our blessing from heaven. She was severly handicapped with Down's Syndrom. She had a special love for her dad.'

I remember the very few times when Dad was able to pursue the interests he enjoyed - painting and golf. I hope he is doing lots of both of those things now.

I remember that Dad's life revolved around his family. Yes, he could be grumpy and most often was. But he raised two families and came from an era when you just got things done and didn't complain about it.

He served as a bishop, he served his country in the World War II. His life was literally spared many times. He touched many lives.

I am proud to be his name sake - Kenneth Brett Kearney. I am proud of my natural father, Kenneth Roy McLean and am fortunate to have two wonderful fathers who I know love me and my family.

I heard Dad say one time that his favorite hymn was "I Need The Every Hour." What I will remember most about Dad is that although he was imperfect he understood the Lord's plan of happiness. He knew he needed the Lord's help to raise and provide for his family. He knew he needed the Lord's help during the war and while serving as Bishop. I'm glad that he taught me that I don't need to be perfect to obtain the Lord's blessings - I just have to try.

I love you Kenneth J Kearney. Thank you for accepting me as one of your own.

Dianna

Dianna is in Utah for her dad's (Grandpa Drawe's) funeral. Abbey and I are rediscovering how much she means to us. Abbey and I were invited to a New Years Eve Party by one of the families in our ward. We showed up at the right time and the right place to discover the party was the night before. This kind of thing doesn't usually happen when Dianna is here. So, as a tribute to Dianna below is a list of some of the things I love and appreciate about her.

She knows where, what time, and what day we need to be to places.

She is always thinking about the needs of others.

She makes our house a home.

She has a simple and elegant way of saying things - I love her writing.


She knows just the right thing to say to make Abbey feel better when she is sad.

Her cooking is fantastic.

Her presence is soothing to me.

I can "really" talk to her.

Her kisses really send me.

I love you Dianna

Daddy Daughter Talk

This morning I wanted to have a heart to heart talk with Abbey. Dianna and I have been very concerned about how difficult it is here for Abbey to play with her friends. Unlike home, she can't just run out the door and go over to a friend's house. Anytime she wants to play with a friend we have to call parents and make arrangements then take what can be as long as a half hour trip through Doha traffic. It is important for little girls to have best friends.

Using my best caring-parent-voice I asked Abbey to come sit on the chair facing me so we could talk. I assumed that by inviting her this way she would know that I wanted to have a special and meaningful talk. She hopped up on the chair and said, "Yeah, bro?" This really set the tone for our little talk. I poured my heart out telling her how concerned I was about the friend situation. I told her how important I thought it was for little girls to have a best friend. I explained that if she was having difficulty with this that would be reason enough for us not return to Doha next year. I was very sincere and caring and half expected a very emotional response from her - maybe even some tears. She looked at me and said, "I want to come back next year."

Abbey's social development was one of the top considerations in our decision to come here. We felt very good about her ability to make friends and be socially well-adjusted. That has proven to be very true. She has made a lot of friends at school. She has a lot of fun playing with them there.

I'll try not to worry about her so much any more. It is a blessing to have children to worry about.

Jordan

We just spent an amazing seven days in Jordan. We saw some spectacular sites, ate some local cuisine, and experienced the culture first hand.

We were greeted at the airport in Amman by Ahmad (right) and Abed. Ahmed is the brother of one of my co-workers. He was a very gracious host. He speaks pretty good English, but we did have some difficult moments trying to communicate. Abed was our driver. He speaks only a few words in English. At one point Ahmed turned to us to translate what Abed had just said. He started speaking in Russian. After a few phrases you could see in his face the realization he was not speaking to us in English. That was a funny moment. This picture was taken overlooking the valley just outside of Jerash.

We spent the second morning in the Roman ruins of Jerash. I have to say that as an architect it was a thrilling experience. Honestly I was close to tears. In school we studied the masterful proportions of the Greeks and Romans. But to be in the actual spaces was spectacular.

Here we are standing at Hadrian's Arch (shown above). This is the gateway to the city.

It was a perfect day to be there. The temperature was perfect and the sun and the clouds were making a play of light across the city. Here Dianna and Abbey are standing at the entry of the Oval Plaza.

We listened to a Crazy Jordanian Scottish Pipe Band in the South Theatre. The acoustics were amazing.

Abbey standing in front of one of the largest columns gives some perspective of the size. Abbey had a lot of fun here.

This picture was taken in the outer perimeter of the North Theatre.

This is the same spot looking into the Theatre. The acoustics are incredible. Dianna sat near the entry here and Abbey stood on the stage near where the man in the picture is. She could hear us whisper from there.

For two of the six nights we stayed at the Movenpic Hotel and Resort at the Dead Sea. That is the most luxurious place we have ever stayed. This is one of the 4 pools at the resort. The gardens were very refreshing as well.

From our hotel balcony you could look across the Dead Sea and see Jerusalem on the top of the mountain on the other side. That was stunning.

Here we are at the River Jordan near the spot where they believe Jesus was baptized. Across the river is the Israeli visitors' center. They have an armed guard on the Jordanian side and the Israeli border patrol comes to the other side every few hours.

Our next stop was the lost city of Petra. You may recognize this from the Indiana Jones movie. We rode camels around the opening in front of the most famous building in Petra. That was definitely a highlight.

Even though the Bedouins don't live inside Petra anymore there was enough activity to sense a little bit of what it must have been like not too long ago.

This is a picture out of our hotel window in Amman. I thought of Amman as a rolling sea of white buildings. There are very few modern buildings. This kind of landscape goes on for miles and miles.

Even though there were some very unpleasant moments on our trip we had a fantastic time. We are so glad we were able to go.