Happy New Year (in 25 minutes)

No pictures, no links to fun you-tube videos, no graphics whatsoever. Just an end-of-the-year post from Claudia.

Right now we are in Bloomington with Karl and Emily. We were going to go home and have dinner with friends, but we ended up staying here because Ed is helping Karl put new tile around the shower in his bathroom, and the project is taking a long time. As a matter of fact, poor Karl and Emily will be without a shower for about another two weeks (maybe one week--we'll see).

We got back on Sunday from seeing Edward, Meridth and Uschi in Monterey over Christmas. We had Christmas twice this year, once with Betsey, Richard, Nora, Karl and Emily on December 20th, and again with Edward, Meridth and Uschi on the real Christmas. For those we didn't see, (Ryan, Casey and the girls, Margie and Brandon, Stacey and Dave and the kids, and Teressa and Tom and their two boys) we hope to see you soon in 2010!

Rusty, I'm reminding you to post pictures of our California adventures. The Monterey area is incredibly beautiful, but watching sweet baby Uschi's personality grow before our eyes was spectacular! The rest of the family needs to see more of her. Of course, we know right now that you are in Pasadena to see the Rose Bowl Parade tomorrow, so we'll wait until you get back home.

Anyway, to all my family, I love you beyond measure! How can I ever describe the joy you give to me and to Ed. You are all great! Have a happy celebration where ever you are!

Chloe lost her first tooth today!!!

Nora's Two!!

Dear Nora,

Happy happy happiest belated birthday. I had the best time when I saw you in San Francisco. I think you're pretty neat, and really fun.

Love Uschi ps. Sorry guys for the belated post I've had internet problems here in down under and being that I'm not using my computer I had to snag a pic from your video. (I loved the grandparents singing Nora happy birthday. You two really are the cutest parents).

For Emily...

Nora and me in San Francisco, outside the Urban.

The second rule of Fight Club? Figure out how to post two videos in one post.

Knuckle Sandwich on Rye

A few months ago, I started training in the Army hand-to-hand fighting system. That's right, as a part of my training out here, I've elected to come to work a 5am thrice a week to roll around on a mat with sweaty dudes.

It's a blend of Brazilian ju-jitsu and wrestling and focuses on ground fighting as opposed to the punches and kicks you see in the movies. It's pretty basic at this level and it emphasizes three basics. First you have to close the distance between you and your enemy, meaning you have to aggressively engage him and get as close as you can to him thus nullifying his punches and kicks, and ideally, taking him to the ground. Then you have to fight for position, meaning you have to be in a dominate body position and you get there by using you strength and technique and using his weight and imbalance against him. Once in a dominant position you can proceed to finish the fight using chokes and submissions (at least at this level.) Anyway, as a part of our certification process and to test our mettle, we were required to be choked into unconsciousness. It's important for us to recognize how our bodies (indeed, how we ourselves) react in such a situation. Anyway, here's me getting choked out:

I was also required to close in on one of the instructors who would punch us full-force. My job was to avoid/absorb the blows and put him in a standing position where he's off balance.

Anyway, the whole thing was actually a lot of fun and the workout was great. I thought I had endurance before, but seven minutes of fighting drills and "ll be sweating like I just got out of the shower.

Anyway, on that note...

Miss you guys.