Do you really need 70 rooms?

This was our last day in Germany. We drove through the Alps to a castle built on an island. This was a spectacular drive! The Alps are beautiful!

Once we arrived. We had to take a boat across a lake. The castle was well worth it! Herrencheimsee was build by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He set out to build 4 castles. Three were started and only one was completed. This is one was not complete. Only 20 of the 70 rooms were finished. After seeing the castle, I have to wonder what you could possibly have in the other 50 rooms that could not go in the original 20? Guess we will never know.

After leaving Herrencheimsee, we went back to Schleissheim to see the garden.

The time soon came to leave Germany :( So, we caught our overnight train to Rome! This was pretty neat. Our sleeping compartment was tiny (about 4'x6'), we didn't sleep well, and the coffee wasn't worth drinking...but it was an experience!

Our train compartment

All my pictures are...where else...facebook!

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

The question of the day...do you speak English? Today I ventured into Freising, alone. And being the friendly people of Germany, they all tried to talk to me. While I can say good day, please, thank you, and get a table for two, that is the extent of my German. Other than asking if someone speaks English, and typically they do. I'm glad the friendly people of Freising take pitty on this dumb American.

I had a great time exploring the city and taking pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

View of the valley from the monastery

Freisinger Dom (Freising Church)

We went to Dachau, specifically the former concentration camp. This is always an overwhelming visit. I have been before, so I knew what to expect, but it is still amazing how someone could treat a fellow human in this way. My dad's boss, Major Stuckey, said it best "some soldiers, even today, just like to kill."

The main train entrance. On the left is remnants of the platform, and the building on the right is the former commodore's residence.

Guard Tower along the perimeter fence. When this was a functioning camp, entrance into the grassy area was reason to be shot.

Inside the barracks


The main gate

We went to dinner at Schleissheim Palace. There is a Biergarten there with delicious food. A state dinner was happening at the palace an in the garden, so we didn't get to tour.

After dinner we walked up to the overlook at Freisinger Dom, while enjoying some ice cream.

We ended the day with a trip to Weihestephaner, the oldest continuing running brewery in the world. It was founded in 1040 and was a monastery. The monks were responsible for brewing the beer, until the government took it over. In Germany, beer used to be the safest thing to drink, since the water was contaminated. Fermentation killed the bacteria. Likely story, Germany.

Today was another great day! We are starting to recover from jet lag. Tomorrow is our last day in Germany. And, as always, you can see all my pictures on my facebook!

Germany or Bust!

Dad and I left July 11, headed to Germany! And let me tell you, this was the easiest flight I have ever taken. We left Atlanta an hour early, arrived in Germany early, and both of our suitcases got here!

Dad and I leaving from Huntsville

Padre at his finest

If you have ever traveled overseas, you know what I am about to talk about. But if you haven't, let me explain every travelers arch nemesis, JET LAG! The best way I can explain jet lag is the it is like staying up all day, all night, then having to walk a marathon the next day. You are exhausted, your feet don't want to move, and your eyes are barely open. We have learned it's best to fight the urge to sleep and keep busy. The first day stinks, but it helps you come out of it better. So in our attempt to keep ourselves from sleeping the day away, we did some sightseeing! And for those who think we are jet lag champions, don't be fooled. We did take some short cat-naps during the day.

We are staying in a little town outside of Munich, called Freising. It is such a quaint place full of friendly people. Part of our day was spent wandering around Freising.

This afternoon we took the train into Munich. This is probably my favorite city in the world! The city hall is my favorite building. I think it looks so interesting and can be recognized as traditionally Munich!

City Hall

Dinner was, where else, at a German beer hall. The Hofbrauhaus is most famously known as the location where Hitler was voted by his peers to lead a revolt. Now it's know for its authentic German food. Yum!
I will be posting TONS of pictures on my facebook so be sure to check it out!

EXCITING!!!!

The best phone call I have gotten recently came in around 1:30 this afternoon! My wonderful, dear, special friend is engaged!!! I met Ally in nursing school and we became fast friends. Now she is marrying a wonderful man. I am so happy for you Ally! I wish you and Kenneth the best!

Recent happenings

Well, now that I am graduated I thought things would slow down...WRONG! But it's that good kind of busy. The kind that makes you feel important.

I was offered a job at my grandparent's church for the summer as their children's director. I am working with some wonderful families and one of my friends I have known for years, but never really known. He is the youth director, and I am the children's director, but really we have formed one super team! This is a very small church composed of mainly older people, but there is a need for something to be done with the young people. I am really excited what God is going to do through me and to me! I have a feeling I am going to learn a whole lot about myself, and possibly why God hasn't sent a nursing job my way. While I am not working as an RN, I am still advocating and caring for people.

A big emphasis we are focusing on this summer is mission work. If anyone has any ideas of projects or organizations that could use some hard working youth, let me know!

On a side note, I have been able to do some wedding planning! I am really enjoying preparing for mine and Eric's wedding day. I can't wait to be married to him!

New Title: RN, BSN, BAMA ALUM!!!

I have DONE IT! On May 8, 2010, I became a proud graduate of The University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing! Four long years culminated in a two hour ceremony...but it was worth ever second!

I am so excited to be graduated and move on to the next phase of my life, a full time career. I am still looking for a job. I am certain that God is trying to teach me a lesson in patience and how to lean not on my own understanding. Let me tell you, I am very uncomfortable with the unknown, and not so great with patience. So now I am just waiting...and waiting...and waiting...and, oh yeah, waiting. Luckily I have parents who have let me come home to live. I don't have any bills to pay or dependents to support. Keep me in your prayers as I am looking for a job.

Before graduation, my nursing friends and I took some pictures around campus. These are some of my favorites! These ladies are so special to me and I can't wait to continue growing up with them!

What a wild, wonderful, stressful, fantastic experience I had at The University of Alabama!
ROLL TIDE!

An overdue update

As I was thoroughly engulfed in my preceptorship, I didn't have much time to update. But now, I AM FINISHED! The experience that I gained in the emergency room is beyond value. I will take things I learned there with me through my career. It was in the past 6 weeks that I really got my feet wet and feel that maybe I can be a nurse without someone holding my hand. And now the only thing that stands between me and graduation is 13 days and one presentation!

I did have some fun. The spring A-Day game was a blast! My sister, brother, and brother's girlfriend drove down for the weekend. We had a great time at the game. This was the last time I will watch my TIDE play as a student!

Three Pearce Kids

Anna-Leigh, Whitney, and I have taken a picture in front of this bush almost every home game!

Jen's first Bama experience as a student

Pearce kids plus Mallory!

In two weeks, I will be a college graduate! I am still in the process of searching for a job. I have a few seemingly-promising leads, but nothing to get too excited about yet. I know that God will take me where He has me to go. If I have learned anything, anxiety does nothing except make me more anxious, so that's about enough of that. All that is left are prayers for guidance. I will be a nurse!