little sketches of us…

We went to Romania! It was Cristian’s first time home since coming here five years ago and my first time outside the country (besides a short jaunt to Tijuana). The trip was amazing! Romania is so beautiful, and we felt like there was so much to do that we definitely have to return again soon. We went to the countryside where Cristian’s father grew up, hiking in the mountains, to plays and parks in the city, and to the seaside.

Rosiori

Sinaia si Busteni

Biserica, Brasov, si Sigisoara

 

Bucaresti

  

Constanta

 

a sad good-bye…

Adventures Away from the Farm

As we all know, DHI originally stood for Dairy Herdsmen Incorporated? Dairy Helpers Indoors? Dairy testers Handling all of your In-herd needs? Maybe it was Diary of Healthy Industries related to cattle? Dedicated Heifers Included? Dietary Honest Input about milk production? Dealing with 4:00am chores Happily and Ingeniously?

Anyway, with the expansion to several new and versatile fields, it’s important for us all to remember our roots and the truths inexplicably connected to them. Today, I have time only to address one of the many pieces of our past with which it is necessary to remain in touch. Thus, I will make an effort to set forth the facts connected with the tradition of Cow Tipping.

1. Cows are not really that big. I mean, even though the average human is around 6 times less massive—like 1,200 lbs to 200 lbs—it is possible to shove her over if you have a running start, the wind is working in your favor, your big brother Bubba is helping, and the tractor is nearby. Besides, she is asleep and cows sometimes suddenly lose balance in their sleep even though they have four hoofs firmly planted on the earth.
2. Cows always sleep on their feet. They don’t have to rest their legs like the rest of us. Or their heads. Or their backs. Everything just kind of suspends in the air so people can come and push it over whenever they feel like it. Also, cows don’t seem to like stalls, sheds, or other inventions that farmers make for them; they actually prefer to hang out there in the middle of a field standing up.
3. Cows can’t see you. People may be surprised to find out that cows will let you come right up to them without noticing. (When cattle run at rodeos it’s because they’ve been trained to do it). The normal cow is deaf, blind, and doesn’t use her feet or tail for defense. She won’t even turn her head towards you if you approach in a group of ten laughing, crazy teenagers from the city. Warning: don’t wear red because cows are instinctively afraid of this one color.
4. At the climax of the fun, when the cow actually falls over, she will defy all the laws of physics and her own physical nature by sticking all four legs out to the vertical and remaining on her side while wildly trying to get up. At this point, the farmer—and the cow—might confuse this experience with the devastating signs of bloat. Thereafter, the cow may not be able to get up and will die! If you are found on the scene of this crime, the farmer may shoot you.

Now that everyone is properly informed, Don’t Holler If you get pooped on.

Hello,

Cristian and Heidi wanted to let you know that they are alive and happy. We hope you are too.

Life has been treating us very well. My wife, Heidi got a new job. She is a Technical Writer for a company called DHI. I still work at CID and create most beautiful designs. I am also taking a lot of classes, and Heidi says I am doing well in them. I am trying to graduate so I can support my family soon. I will graduate as a Spanish Teaching major and I want to teach at the university later on.

We bought our first Christmas tree together this year. It is great. I have never had such a full tree, being used in Romania to the “molid” (stick Christmas tree). We decorated it and sang to it carols (a Romanian tradition).

We are grateful for your friendship and we hope you have a Happy Christmas and lots of joy in the coming year.

We have attached a picture of us at Yellowstone.

Love, Cristian and Heidi

P.S. We are sending you the O Christmas Tree song in Romanian so you can sing it to your tree.

O, brad frumos

O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Cu cetina tot verde.
Tu esti copacul credincios,
Ce frunza nu si-o pierde,
O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Cu cetina tot verde.

O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Verdeata ta imi place.
Cand o revad sunt bucuros
Si vesel ea ma face.
O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Verdeata ta imi place.

O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Cu frunza neschimbata.
Ma mangai si ma faci voios
Si ma-ntaresti indata.
O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Cu frunza neschimbata.

O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Tu-nchipui pomul vietii,
Ce ni la dus din Rai Hristos
Cum au vestit profetii.
O, brad frumos, o brad frumos,
Tu-nchipui pomul vietii.

Two weeks ago, my wife and I went golfing with her company. The golf tournament was super fun. I took the pictures. My pictures were taken with an disposable camera so that’s why they are not super in focus. We didn’t win, but we had fun.

I thought a proper introduction to us would be to start with a few pictures. Here is the first day of Mr. and Mrs. Icleanu.