Wiebke and Paul

Family News! August 18, 2008

No, we’re not pregnant! But we are happy to share the wonderful news about my sister’s wedding with you.

Some of you may remember the handsome guy my sister Meike brought to our wedding in Monterey, CA a year ago. Robert and Meike finally decided to stop living in sin (wink!, wink!) and got hitched on August 2nd, 2008 on the beautiful island of Ruegen, Germany.

Paul and I were blessed to join them for their celebration as part of our recent Germany vacation.

It was a beautiful wedding, my sister looked stunning, Robert and her were so absolutely in love and they served food all day - from breakfast over a 4-course dinner to wedding cake and midnight snacks. (By the way, that stretched my tummy so much that I can’t stop eating anymore!)

We started off the wedding celebration with a “rehearsal dinner” at the castle (http://www.schloss-spyker.de/) where we were all staying for the weekend. It was great to meet the family again. Especially, my 96-year old Grandma who I hadn’t seen in over 2 years.

The next morning, we met for a delicious breakfast. Then fixed up the bride. Her make-up kept running over her face. Geez, Meike just couldn’t stop crying! :-) We headed over to a lighthouse for the civil ceremony. It was such a cute location! Next, the church ceremony in a small chapel. The message was just beautiful!

After the “official” part was over - the bridal couple invited everyone back to the castle for a picnic in the park. While we were enjoying tasty canapes and Prosecco, mosquitos were enjoying sucking our blood. Yikes! My poor Stepdad ended up with a huge mosquito bite on his forehead. Nevertheless, the picnic was a wonderful idea!

The wedding celebration concluded with dinner and dance after a change of wardrobe. Yup, Meike and Robert got hitched in style!

Overall, it was just an amazing wedding weekend and we want to thank the couple for all their hard work in making it so beautiful for all their guests! Thank you!

These two people are just perfect for each other and I believe that their marriage is a match made in heaven. I know that God had a serious hand in this relationship and I am very grateful to see my sister in such good hands with Robert.

By the way, she actually beat me in becoming a mom. Robert has an 8-year old son. Danny is adorable, amazingly well behaved and told everyone at the wedding that Meike is not his stepmom but his second mom. He really loves her a lot!

Congratulation again on your wedding day, you two!

Bring your dog to work day! June 20, 2008

Today was Bring Your Dog to Work Day. All the dogs present at the office threw their best pose for the camera.

Go Germany! June 19, 2008

I love Cristiano Rinaldo, once my second favorite ManU player (after Ruud Van Nistelrooy). But I’m even more excited about Germany’s victory over Rinaldo’s national team - Portugal.

I still haven’t found the perfect (working?) live video streaming for all the Euro 2008 matches. Seriously, a major downside of living in the U.S. - lack of excitement for (European) soccer and news coverage thereof!

Well, Germany scored 3:2 over Portugal. Basta! Ole, ole, ole, ole! Wir sind im Halbfinale, meine Herrschaften!

Un Lion D’Or De Cyber, Sil Vouz Plais. June 18, 2008

Yeah! We’ve just been informed this morning that we won a gold Lion in Cannes for the Interactive category (”Cyber Lion”). You don’t know what that is and why I am so thrilled about these news??? Well, let me explain - courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival (IAF) is generally regarded as the most prestigious international advertising festival. The five to seven day festival is held annually in the city of Cannes, France (that’s in Europe), usually in the third week of June. Although the festival also features seminars, workshops and social events (!) for people in the advertising industry, the primary purpose of the festival is to present the Lion awards for the advertisements and advertising campaigns adjudged the best of the year (and to “connect” with folks in the industry on various levels…).

Lions are awarded in a number of categories, including cinema/television, print marketing, outdoor advertising and direct marketing. The festival introduced an award category for online media in 1998, known as the “Cyber Lion”. Curiously, the festival only created a category for radio advertising in 2005. In 2006 “Promo Lions” were added and in 2007 “Integrated Lions” will be added.

This is huge for our agency, the team…and, frankly, for me as the Account Supervisor on this project. If I was a bitter person, I could go on a rampage now and throw a fit about the lack of acknowledgment of the efforts, cleverness, enthusiasm, persistence, experience, vision, diligence, excitement, strategic thinking, you name it, that we contribute to selling excellent creative ideas. (Can I get an “Amen” from all you other Client Service peeps out there?) But luckily, I am not bitter. I am a very gracious person who will remain humble and stoked about being part of such an amazing creative team here at Hal Riney. (Insert: Dominic Goldman, I miss you and your endless endeavors to push our creative product to the most highest level!Love always!)

My First Time. June 13, 2008

I am so excited. Ever since my husband and I met, he promised me to take me to an American sports game. About 1 1/2 years later, we’re finally going. Yeah! Next Tuesday, I’ll be cheering for the Giants when they play the Detroit Tigers at AT&T Park. Go Giants!

Meike, We’re On Our Way! June 9, 2008

Great news were awaiting me when I came home from work today: My I-512L - otherwise known as “Authorization for Parole of an Alien Into the United States” - had been approved. In short:

I am allowed to travel abroad and our trip to Germany in July for my sister’s wedding is not in jeopardy any more!

Just this morning, Paul and I were talking about the status of my Green Card application and were wondering when we would hear back from the Department of Homeland Security about the approval of my travel authorization. And there it is! Praise God!

My Beautiful Sister. May 28, 2008

I saw some photos of my sister’s bridal dress fitting. She looks stunning in her gown! Obviously, I’d love to post the photos here but what if Robert sees them? Nope, bad idea.

What a blessing to see your little sister getting ready to marry a wonderful man…and finally stop living in sin! ;-)

Seriously, Meike, you’re such a beautiful bride! I cannot wait for your wedding, Wurmfuss!

Love always,
-Wiebwi

Griffin Rockin’ TV Again!

Check this out - another live video blog about Dogster. And, of course, Griffin got a couple of close ups. Watch him eat carrots or play with his lady friend Moxie:

http://qik.com/video/87977/dogster

Great job on the interview, Tedster! Lookin’ good on TV, yo!

They’re Back! May 16, 2008

Step by step

Gonna get to you girl…remember?

New Kids on the Block are back together. After 14 years, they are back with new songs, a tour, new tattoos, and a bit more facial hair. I bet I still have their dance routines down!

http://nkotb.com/

Hm, Delicious! May 11, 2008

This is not just another ice cream flavor. This is heavenly…

The first bite is a creamy mixture of fruity pomegranate, sweet cranberries and grapes. Then, you’ll taste the melting chunks of intense dark chocolate. And you wish that one scoop of ice cream would last forever…

What a creation!