Real Madrid

Who goes to Madrid for Christmas?...We do! Actually looking back, it was bad timing. Everything was closed. But leave it to us to enjoy ourselves. Madrid's architecture is amazing, not in the overused American* since of the word, but in the true essence of the word. The food we had wasn't that great, but since many establishments were closed I don't think we can fairly judge the gastro scene. We ran into a protest, for fair housing- I think, which is always a good sign. Use your right to protest people!
I wanted to march with them, but Chris wasn't having it. He's such a Debbie Downer sometimes ;)
We managed to keep our tradition of seeing the Nutcracker too. The hotel hooked us up with information about a Community College rendition of the ballet. The male lead of the show clearly stuffed his "cup", it was hilarious and my eyes followed that huge thing everywhere. Even funnier is someone must have complained because "it" wasn't there in the second half on the show. Even more funnier, Chris does this great impression of the dancer..okay so sometimes my husband is super fun Please ask Chris to do this impression if you see him. 

Beautiful Madrid...aha! you thought I was going to post a pic of the "Nutcracker" didn't you

*As an ex-pat (I'm not sure if we actually fall into that category, but I like referring to myself as one) I'm starting to notice  ways of the USA and Americans that aren't so flattering. But do not get me wrong, I love my country flaws and all.

Christmas Markets!

How did I not know about these delightful little markets before? German Christmas markets are one of my favorite things about Germany. This weekend we took the train to Hamburg. Did you know? Residents of Hamburgs are called Hamburgers.

Not the best photo of the market, but you get the idea.We had Gluvine and I tried to kill Chris (yet again) by having him taste my yummy soup filled with mushrooms. I thought it was some type of meat, it was so meaty, Chris is allergic to the fungi. I'm learning on German menus mushrooms are not list simply by Champignon (mushroom) but by the mushroom type. Confusing!

Christmas Market in the background and my GQ man in the foreground

Look at my lil' purple book bag! oh will I ever grow up?

Another nice one. In front of a gorgeous Hamburg building (I really should pay more attention, the building is a museum or something).

Did you know? Before the Beatles were famous they played hours and hours at Hamburg music festivals and therefore perfected their craft.  See: 10,000 hours theory

Foggy London town

Now THIS is why I'm excited about living in Europe. travel, travel, travel. We took the crazy-fast train to Foggy London town. Chris loves trains and I am growing fonder of them as time goes on. A part of me wants to just get there - airplanes are so much faster. But, I did enjoy having someone else "drive" while I drink wine, eat, relax, and look. The train is not cheap though, not cheap folks. This is our first trip to London which is a dynamic city, food (yay), luxury shopping (boo), museums, shows (double yay!). Chris is officially banded from being our travel coordinator, this guy had me walking at night, in heels, in the rain, for 10 blocks to our hotel. And the hotel, hmpf! Fired!

We did the tourist thing and throughly enjoyed the pub scene.

I never saw any fog oh yeah Happy Thanksgiving

New Nephew

We're uncle and auntie.

First two weeks...not so exciting

Jet lag is a b!t©h. I slept the first week I was here in my new city and sweet, sweet Chris let me slumber away. I started work and it seems ok, it will do since I am 1. employed and 2. living in GERMANY. 

So, why am I writing a blog you ask. Let me list the ways:
1. While reading a great great blog I realized "hey, my life is just as interesting and I want to share it"
2. Creativity, a hobby if you will... I don't have any real hobbies after all
3. uhh, that's all I got

So, what is blog actually about you ask. I think it's about travel and about "just doing stuff", but IDK and I reserve my right to write about whateva I want. I'll try to keep it interesting ;)

Heidelberg castle on "fire".

I flew to Germany last May to attend a Ball in Heidelberg castle. The Ball happened to be on the same night of the Castle Illumination which commemorates the destruction of the castles by French troops in 1688 (that's from Wikipedia and I'm exhausted so take the information for what it's worth). Heidelberg castle is symbolically set alight three time a year. I love the word "alight".

I'm moving to Germany

That's right folks, I'm moving across the Atlantic. Technically, since half my heart is already in Germany I've been living in Germany for 6 months now (Chris moved there in May). I am super excited! I would have moved there earlier, but I really wanted to secure a job first. Well...Success! I start work a week after on arrive. Best of all I get to live with my husband again, it has been 15 months after all. We'll be living in Heidelberg - Heidelberg is lovely university city with a population of approx. 140,000 people. I'm so excited! Did I say that already?!

This is where I live now...I'm so excited!