Settling

Well, it's been 2 weeks, and I finally feel like I'm settling in to life here...

I've officially been on German time for at least a week now, and I'm definitely (mostly) comfortable driving everywhere (be it the autobahn or the tiny itty-bitty streets in town). I'm getting into a routine. I'm drinking tea and cider while wearing wool socks and three shirts to keep warm in my fairly chilly home. Photos are being hung on the walls and the organizing has begun in full force.

Job hunting is not so much going super fantastically, but I did have one interview last week (woot!). While I'm waiting to hear on that, I've been working on my next project... quilting.

I've completed one quilt since being here, and I'm currently working on my second. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this in the near future...

Now, since no post is complete without a picture, Gneville presents Our Balcony View:

Well, it's official... I now live in Germany.

The past few months were some of the best I've ever had. Living with this girl...

was completely fantastic. Staying in the states for an extra few months gave me time to not only work/save some extra money, but also a chance to really go out big. I really took the time to make memories that I will cherish. From the beach weekend in Virginia Beach to the Hurriquake party, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.

Of course, my time there culminated with the party of the century at Jen & Dan's wedding.

Seriously, all the time and energy that went in to that shindig was TOTALLY worth it (in my opinion!). I'm so happy for my wonderful friends and pray that their love continues to strengthen them.

When the candles were all blown out and the gifts were all packed in the cars, then it came time to think about moving. The wedding was Saturday and I flew out Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday nights were (of course!) going away gatherings. After all was said and done, though, Steph drove me to the airport where my new adventure began. To help me tell this part of the tale, I'd like to introduce Gneville, my Gnome away from Home...

I got the airport ready for a long flight (mini-reese's? check!)

After checking both of my barely-under weight suitcases (thanks Lufthansa lady for giving me that second one for free!!!), and making it through security, I made it to my gate.

Once there, I was promptly informed that my flight would be delayed due to a bird flying into one of the engines of my plane on its last descent. So I did the only thing conceivable, I got a good-bye dinner at Chipotle.

Then I waited.

Once on board, the flight was pretty smooth. I had a window, so I actually slept for a good portion of the flight.

Our friend Lesli picked me up in Frankfurt, and drove me home. Once I got to the house, I emailed everyone to let them know I'd made it ok, and then I crashed for close to 5 hours.

After five days here and MANY cups of tea and coffee (it's COLD in my house!!!), I'm still having trouble getting used to the time change. I'm sure I'll get there soon, though :)



Though all of this is good, the one thing that's keeping me down is having Josh so far away. We had a plan. He was supposed to be here when I got here, and he's not, and that's tough. I suppose it'll just make our reunion that much better.

Happies

The last few months have been pretty stuffed full of random pieces of awesome that I definitely want to remember. So... here are my happies to remember:

• waking up to bake muffins for Easter sunrise communion by the Potomac
• watching the Royal wedding with a gaggle of girls before heading to work
• Josh picking me up from work and bringing cupcakes
• matching zombie shirts for Josh and me from friends
• massive movie parties
• sleeping in
• yellow swim suits and beach towels
• grouting tiles for a massive mosaic with my friends
• walking down the street to 7-11 for slurpees and ice cream
• laying by the pool reading Harry Potter (again)
• garden gnome drive-by
• party plotting
• chocolate covered banana honey popsicles from Buzz
• painting my toes while on the phone with Josh
• cooking without kitchen appliances/gadgets
• leaving the windows open
• going for a run in the rain before the sun comes up
• spending a foggy cloudy day at the beach with friends
• stealing mint from friends' gardens
• takeout and Redbox movie night

Wordless Wednesday

Wonderland

I've been feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland recently.

As though I've fallen down a rabbit hole and things are passing by me very quickly. I'm also quite sure to see and experience some rather fantastical things once I land.



We're moving... fairly soon (at least Josh is). He's been accepted to the program for flight nursing and must report to his new base by July 15.

His new base being Ramstein AFB in Germany.



I'm excited, most certainly, but I'm not entirely sure what we're getting into. I feel as though I have all the time in the world (I won't be permanently joining him until early October), yet at the same time it's as though I just got to DC and I'm not quite sure where the time is going.

I need to learn German. In between packing. And seeing all the places we were supposed to see while stationed in the national capital region. And doing all the things that I want to do in the district. And working. And job hunting. And all of the million other things that are going into this.



I'm absolutely positive that I am simply seeing a curve in the road of this rather extraordinary adventure that I find myself on. So it's definitely good.

Simply a little like Wonderland.

Urban S'Mores

. 

Sometimes I have cravings for random things... generally desserts. The other night, all I wanted was a s'more. 

One graham cracker, some Hershey's mini morsels, a handful of baby marshmallows and a couple minutes under the broiler later... I had a lovely urban s'more. It lacked that special camp fire flavor... but it definitely hit the spot.

The next day, I made one with Nutella instead of mini chips. I will never be able to go back to just Hershey's again.