Guest Post: The Twelve Days of Weihnachten

Guest author: My brother, Jaren, who is a medical student in DC, came out to visit us over the break. As our first transatlantic visitor, he won the best prize imaginable: a guest post on the Meldrumhaus! Thanks, Jaren, both for the content and for the trip. And for other potential transatlantic visitors, you never know what a trip the the Haus may win you. 

Christmas in Europe was so incredible, I have nothing to say. . . so. . . I will sing it! Here is one last cliché rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas to round out the 2011 holiday season:

On the first day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
One awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!



On the second day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!





On the third day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!



On the fourth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

[Insert the entirety of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany here]

On the fifth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

Note the smiles.

On the sixth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!













On the seventh day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsmarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!



On the eighth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Eight new ways to wear a scarf;
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsmarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

Due to intellectual property rights, only one is pictured. Note the trendy scarf “nubbin.”

On the ninth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Nine family members skyping across the globe (including Berkeley the dog);
Eight new ways to wear a scarf;
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

Home team: Team Germany

Also represented: Teams Denver (left) and Chuuk (Federated States of Micronesia, right)

On the tenth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Ten new identity crises;
Nine family members skyping across the globe (including Berkeley the dog);
Eight new ways to wear a scarf;
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsmarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

This is not a baguette. I am not René Magritte. Aaaagh!!! What am I!?!?!?

On the eleventh day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Eleven chocolate waffles from Elizabeth chocolatiers;
Ten new identity crises;
Nine family members skyping across the globe (including Berkeley the dog);
Eight new ways to wear a scarf;
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsmarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!

On the twelfth day of Weihnachten, Ty and Sara gave to me:
Twelve thousand steps to the top of Dom Köln.
Eleven chocolate waffles from Elizabeth chocolatiers;
Ten new identity crises;
Nine family members skyping across the globe (including Berkeley the dog);
Eight new ways to wear a scarf;
Seven(ty?) hours at the Weihnachtsmarkt;
Six really, really old cathedrals to ogle;
Five new pounds of fat (dramatic pause!);
Four new European countries to visit;
Three hats that are almost like stockings;
Two sophisticated, wacky boob pics;
And one awesome trip to France to see the Louvre!



Thanks so much for the unforgettable Christmas memories! You guys are the best!