I Love Chipotle

If you didn't figure it out from the title I safely landed in the United States and made it to Chipotle. If you don't know what it is you are missing out on a small piece of heaven here on earth. But seriously if you still haven't heard of Chipotle climb out of your cave. You don't have to take it personally its not your fault, but it is your fault now if you don't go check it out now. Nothing like giving a free plug to a company. If you need someone to go with I will be more than welcome to explain the intricacies of this fine restaurant establishment to you.

My Thoughts Right Now

Kane, my college housemate, picked me up from the airport a few hours ago and now he is off at work. Perfect time for me to do a little writing. For starters if you have never taken a flight on Air India you must do it at least once in your life. It is definitely a culture shock. I was clearly in the severe minority on this flight. I found it very interesting to look around the aircraft and see the cultural evolution. I saw the very old traditional Indian people and then the new more modern dressed ones. I had a nice highly curry laden lamb dish for my meal and I noticed that most were getting vegetarian dishes. Definitely an interesting plane ride. Nothing like one more cultural experience to finish off the first year.

Basketball Update
First off, its good to be back in the States where a gym is readily available to me. I will probably go put up a bunch of shots tonight simply because I can. Its nice to be able to get in a gym whenever I want. I might kiss the first wood floor I see.

I think the last time I talked about basketball I hadn't been to any try-outs yet. I am extremely happy to announce that I did get a couple looks after the last blog. I traveled to Langen (near Frankfurt) for a two-day try-out there. It was a great experience. The guys on that team were very nice. I actually spent one of the evenings relaxing at the Americans' house just watching tv. Basketball wise I think the try-out went really well. My shot was a little rusty because of not being in a gym for a couple weeks but what can you do. I played solid, not outstanding but not poorly. Since this was a Pro A team, 3 leagues higher than where I played, I didn't know what to expect right away. This level of basketball is a much better fit for me and is where I need to be to really improve. Langen as a team is very team orientated. They only have a few foreign players and they have a strong focus on developing their younger players. Very nice management and okay facilities.

I had another try-out last night before I left with Essen, a city near Dusseldorf. Marko and Goran accompanied me to the try-out which was really nice. This try-out was much different than Langen. Essen has a bunch of Americans who were extremely athletic. The style of play here was more 1 v 1 and breaking down one's defender then kicking to open shooters. Even with the added athleticism I felt I fit right in. Again I played solid and speaking with the coaches afterward they liked how I played. Hopefully this will lead to some opportunity in the future.

Overall, I think the try-outs were very successful and I am happy I spent the extra three weeks in Germany to do it. The more I am in this business the more I find out how important networking is. I also have found how important character is to coaches. The game can be taught to someone who is willing to learn but the game is hard to teach to someone who already knows it all. The player is only part of the equation, character can many times be a deciding factor.

The Rest of My Life

I will be back in MN this Sunday around 2 pm. We are planning on heading to the cheesecake factory after I land. Anyone and everyone is welcome. If you would like to join us shoot me an email or give my mom a call. I cant wait to see everyone again in MN. First things first though -- college house reunion in Chicago.

I would also like to make a public thanks to Marko and his father for putting me up in their apartment for three weeks.

Also thanks to Marc, Timo, Jana, and Maggie for stopping Dusseldorf to give us a final farewell

The Windy City Awaits
TJW

p.s. I wrote this yesterday but forgot to post it so pretend you read this yesterday

MS Ride 150 - Jim's Jammin' Juicers

I want to start by thanking Liz, my wonerful cousin, for adding Jammin' to our team name. I really think it really completes the name and embodies everything our team is about.

I finally got my act together and everything is set for my first annual MS Ride from Duluth to Minneapolis. The event will take place on June 12-14. Right now I am looking for people to join my team and help me raise $3000 for the MS Society. This is a great excuse to get back on that bike and get back in shape. There is nothing like a 150 mile ride to get one motivated to start exercising again. The best part about this event is that we will be riding as a group. Depending on how big our team gets I would love to organize some training rides this spring and would even be willing to set-up a training plan for anyone interested.

If you cannot ride with me another way for you to help out is to give a donation. The MS society has made it as easy as ever to donate. You can donate electronically online or simply send a check to me made out to the MS Society and I will get it safely delivered. (All of this and easy access to links is explained again below in the letter) If you are looking for some tax breaks for next year this is a great chance as all donations are tax deductible. I have receipts and papers to make sure you get those deductions. I would love to send an email to everyone but I dont have very many email addresses and I know a more diverse group reads my blog.

Here is the email I would send to you if I had your email address:

Dear Friends and Family,

Consider a pledge to end multiple sclerosis and support me during Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride 2009.

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. Please help by making a donation — large or small — to move closer to a world free of MS. Or, why not join me on the event? Become a participant and side by side, as teammates, we will move together to raise the funds that make a difference.

Whatever you can give will help. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,
Trevor Wittwer

Click here to visit my personal page and make a secure, online donation.

To send a donation:

Make all checks payable to:
The National MS Society
Please note my name and Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride 2009 on your check.

Mail to:
Trevor Wittwer : 30487 County Hwy 1 : Redwood Falls, MN 56283-2802

Finally if you want to find out a little more about my story dealing with MS check out my personal website for this ride. Also, if you are interested in supporting the cause or would like to hear more about the journey over the next 50+ days post your email address as a comment and I will add you to our email list.

Quick Update

Guten Morgen Alle

It has been way too long I know so since I have some free time today I thought I would sit down and chat a bit. Pull up a chair we got some talking to do. The weather here has been great the past few days but looking out the window right now it is extremely foggy. Interesting! I can´t even see the Dusseldorf tower which is only a few kilometers away.

My Thoughts Right Now

Since I have had more free time than normal I am currently reading a book called "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." I recommend this book for anyone and everyone if you have not read it yet. I dont care how much you know or what stage of your life you are in. Everyone can take something from this book and become a better human being. I am only on the first principle and I am already suggesting it.

Don´t let the title fool you. This is not your normal self-help, if I just put on the right facade for everyone then everyone like me book. It really looks at funadmental principles in character and values rather than quick fix circus acts. It teaches about paradigms and how we look at the world and situations in it. We do have a great deal of control and are not dicatated as people by our external influences. I don´t want to get into the philosophy right now so just check it out.

I dont know if it is just me or simply coinscience that I am reading a series of books with very similar themes and principles. All these books are coming from different places and different people so I find these similarities very intriguing. I am seeing common themes arise in this book that I found in other books such as "The Secret," "The Alchemsit," and "A New Earth." All books from very different people in various situations in life. Maybe they are on to something here. It has me thinking at least, which is a good thing (I think).

No matter what stage we are in our lives, I think as humans we need to continue to learn and improve (for lack of better words). Experience is a great way but I think the best may be through the experiences of others. This is where reading and networking comes into play. This applies to all aspects of life, personal or business. This just popped into my head but I may come back and expand on it at a later date.

Basketball Update

Well I havn´t actually had any official basketball tryouts since my arrival here in Dusseldorf, very disappointing I know. Or is it? I may not be playing basketball but networking in this game may be even more important than skill. I have been blessed with running into and getting to know some very influential people in the basketball world. A week ago Marko and his dad introduced me to a friend of theirs living here in Dusseldorf. It just so happens that this guy knows almost every Serbian or Ex-Yugoslavian coach here in the world. He is man with a ton of influence and contacts. He is also very willing to help me find a job for next year. Honestly, he can do more for me than my agency can right now. Its crazy how things like this happen.

On another front it looks like Marko is heading to the United States to play basketball. I contacted a bunch of schools around MN for him and Northern State seems to be very interested. Marko and them have been in constant conversation and it sounds like they are excited for him to come over. I had a long conversation with Coach Meyer, Northern State Head Coach, the other day as well and at the end he gave me the name of a Denver Nuggest Scout over here in Germany. Hopefully I will be able to get a hold of him and maybe he can help a little guy from Gustavus get a job.

Well, thats about all I have today. This week I hope to try out with one team near Dusseldorf then head to Frankfurt to try out with a couple teams. I will keep everyone posted but as of right now it seems that I will be heading back to the states a week from Wednesday. I plan on flying into Chicago to meet some college buddies for a weekend of fun. Chi-town look out because the Nassau crew is back together.

Random Note

If anyone is into music check out this guy named Milow. He is from Belgium and has a great sound. I think even the older than me population will appreciate his music. I dont know if he has exploded in the states yet but give it time. Here is one of my favorite songs: You Dont Know.

Smile; Life is Great :)
TJW

Let there be Sunshine

This might be a new record for nice days in a row since I have been in Germany. I think the count is at four. I even changed cities and its continues to be nice. I think when the weather is nice people seem happier too. I have written previously about how sometimes I feel people are cold (not in a bad sense but rather simply as a social descriptor) here in Germany and it makes me think that it is because the weather is so dreary much of the time. Today I was proven wrong by the German people. There is nothing like a little sunshine to brighten up your day. Plus, the sun is really good for you as well, more to come on that later. Ever wonder why so many people get sick during the winter? Do you realize how little quality sun exposure people get in the winter? Is disease and lack of sun simply a coincidence? Research is starting to say NO. If you are interested in this topic and especially that of Vitamin D check out Dr. Mercola and search sunlight or vitamin D. This will provide reading for hours if you so choose, and do take your computer on the sunshine deck to read.

Well I had some free time today and I just decided I was going to write and let it take me where it will. Probably not the most productive way of attacking things but I dont have a lot to do so why not. My creative juices are flowing so I think I am going to just get to it. It turns out my babble in the beginning has sparked my next fitness/health tip: SUNLIGHT.

Lets start by talking about a major stimulus of sunlight that is essential to our existence on this earth as humans, vitamin D. Vitamin D is beginning to emerge in the lay community as an essential component to health. Reasearch is beginning to pile up on its ability to both combat and prevent disease. The main function taught in textbooks for Vitamin D is to help regulate normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It aids in the absorption of calcium to form and maintain strong, healthy bones.

As more research is done Vitamin D is beginning to emerge as a key player in many other processes in the body not simply the optimization of bone health. Not only has this vitamin been shown to combat cancer but also correlated to the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Arthritis
• Infertility and PMS
• Fatigue, Depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Obesity
• Syndrome X

(reference: Mercola.com)

If you think that by drinking milk (if you want to hear a rant ask me my thoughts about mainstream milk) and simply taking your vitamins that you are safe, think again. The type of vitamin in these substances or supplements is usually Vitamin D2 which is synthetic. It is not as potent as the Vitamin D3 you recieve from sunlight or natural foods such as cod liver oil. D3 is what is made by your body when it is exposed to sunlight.

The easiest and probably tastiest way (cod liver oil is no pina colada) to get your Vitamin D to optimal levels and improve your health is simply get some sunlight. Humans may think they know a lot but Mother Nature has been around for much longer than we have and it seems that all we need to do is step into the light.

°°sorry for no pictures, I am not on my own computer

Its Back

By it I mean my computer but I am not fully back yet because I cannot stay long for a chat. I just woke up and must clean the house and finish packing for my move to Dusseldforf today. Hopefully once I get moved in in Dusseldorf I will have a little more time to sit down and write. I have a lot to write about as it has been a crazy last few days with all the good-byes and BBQs. I will miss everybody here in Werne very much and its weird my 7 month stay here is pretty much over. The people here have been great to me. I just wanna take a second to thank everyone from Germany that reads my blog and has made this an amazing experience. I don't know if I will experience anything like the love from Werne but I guess only time will tell.

Seee you in Dusseldorf
TJW