Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Panic of Joy

When Carolyn and I went down to the Christmas market for the first time last week, I said the silliest thing. We came though a little tunnel connecting the streets and all the little wooden booths were being set up, there was a massive Christmas tree in the middle of the street and I was so over come by it all that I exclaimed, "I'm having a...panic...of...joy!"

Extreme, yes, but I think that is probably the best way to describe how happy I am here. Its like being in a snow globe, a living story book!  There is so much to do and to see, but I'm not rushed. I have all the time in the world!

This Tuesday, Bryn and I took the train downtown to an exclusive little botique and she bought the most beautiful wedding gown. She looks (and feels!) like a princess in it. It wasn't even all the way zipped up when she squealed, "This is it! This is my dress!"
Upon arrival, we lounged in these Alice in Wonderland-esque chairs and were served still water in little glass tumblers.

After she had made the decision, which really wasn't a decision at all, we walked down to a little Mexican place called Chico's and had amazing chicken quesadillas and chips with guac. It was yummy! Then she headed off to pick up the precious boys she nannys for and I stayed downtown to do a little Christmas shopping. 

The view from Chico's

Later in the afternoon, I met up with some friends from work, Rey and Catie, and we did a little window shopping, drank some yummy gluewein, and went ice skating! None of us fell, and we were completely impressed with ourselves!

The skating rink is set up in the middle of the Christmas Market, which is by the schlossplatz. I thought the color of the sky was incredible. And I still can't believe this is what I get to see on a regular basis!

When we were skated out, with aching feet and sore lower backs and freezing cold hands and cherry red noses, we split up and headed our separate ways home. I hopped on the train and then realized that I had no house key and would be locked out for at least an hour before someone was back at the apartment! Being the clever girl that I am, I got off the train in Vaihingen, which is a short taxi ride away from the base I work on, hailed a taxi, and walked the rest of the way once on post to the Patch Shopette, where I surprised Carolyn by knocking on her door! I told her all about my adventures of the day and then we headed home together at 7:00!

Of course, there are time when I feel like crying, like last night at work when I royally screwed some paper work up and almost burst into tears in front of two boys I work with, my manager, and a store full of customers, but I didn't! And we got everything worked out and the boys were being so sweet, telling me about times when they had screwed something up big time and my manager gave me a shoulder pat and showed me the right way to do it and told me his tricks for remembering it correctly. Good people up at the Shopette, lemme tell ya!

Now that I know how much of the world there is left for me to see and discover, I'm not sure if Siloam Springs can contain me, or I, Siloam Springs! We shall see what the future, and the Lord, has for me! In the words of Dr. Seuss, I feel like I'm starting to happen:

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.



Sunday, November 28, 2010

Imibis-Inn

So Bryn, Carolyn, and I have discovered the best burger place in the entire world. Seriously. Better than Inn-n-Out. Its dang good!! Tonight after work, Carolyn and I drove over there for dinner. Fries and Chegg Burgers. YUMMY! I can't wait till Paul comes out here, I have a feeling we'll be eating at this little place a lot!

The Chegg Burger.
Cheese and Egg on the burger.
YUMMY!

The Imibis-Inn.
The best burger place in the whole world!!

Friday, November 26, 2010

It Totally Snowed A Lot Last Night!

Isn't my little town quaint?
Happy Black Friday...I'm so glad that doesn't exist here!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Silver Bells...Silver Bells...Its Christmas Time in the City!

So yesterday, Carolyn and I both had the day off from work.
We bundled up.
We wore hats and felt sort of silly, but we were warm!
We walked about half a mile and hopped on a train headed downtown!

We had the whole day to wander the streets of Stuttgart, shopping, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking a wonderful German concoction called Gluewein.
I've written about that before.
Its so yummy..Hot Spiced Red Wine.

A lot of Christmas decorations were up in windows.
But the real surprise was when we turned a corner, looking for the MarktHalle.
And there was a WHOLE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE being set up.
It was so cute!
I took lots and lots of pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Carolyn said that what had been set up wasn't even the half of it!
So I'm really excited to go back downtown again soon!

I got a few Christmas presents...but we mostly just walked and talked.
It was a lovely day.

After it got dark, we hit up an inside mall and got a delish hot dog.
Mayo and Fried Onions is where its at, y'all!
Then we walked across the way to the Schlossplatz where there was an ice skating rink set up amidst the Christmas Village! Thats where we had the Gluewein.
We both made a few long distances phone calls.
Not that we were bragging or anything...haha.

Magical.
Thats the best word I can use to describe our day out yesterday.
Better than Disneyland magical!
And thats supposed to be the most magical place on Earth, right?!

The first Christmas "Haus" we saw.

Hullo, Mr. Nutcracker! I thought you were a Russian?

Decorating and Stocking

Seriously? This is just so cute!

BIG Christmas Tree!

Santa's workshop in front of the Church

They had magnets in the shape of fried eggs!

Dad, I doubt you're reading this.
But if you are...this is a fine tobacco shoppe.
And by fine, I mean, you'd love it!
I tried to pick some winners, if you know what I mean!!

Gluewein/Pastry Stand

Prost, y'all!
(That means Cheers, for all you non-German speakers reading this. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of you!)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Orange Sky, Alexi Murdoch

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky 
Yes I had a dream 
I stood beneath an orange sky 
With my brother standing by 
With my brother standing by 
I said brother, you know you know 
It's a long road we've been walking on 
Brother you know it is, you know it is 
Such a long road we've been walking on 

And I had a dream 
I stood beneath an orange sky 
With my sister standing by 
With my sister standing by 
I said sister, here is what I know now 
Here is what I know now 
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, in your love, in your love 

But sister you know I'm so weary 
And you know sister 
My hearts been broken 
Sometimes, sometimes 
My mind is too strong to carry on 
Too strong to carry on 

When I am alone 
When I've thrown off the weight of this crazy stone 
When I've lost all care for the things I own 
That's when I miss you, that's when I miss you, that's when I miss you 
You who are my home 
You who are my home 
And here is what I know now 
Here is what I know now 
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, my salvation lies 
In your love, in your love, in your love 

Well I had a dream 
I stood beneath an orange sky 
Yes I had a dream 
I stood beneath an orange sky 
With my brother and my sister standing by 
With my brother and my sister standing by 
With my brother and my sister standing by

SNOW!

It started snowing today!
I think I'm the only person in the whole city of Stuttgart who's excited!
But man, I felt like a little kid when I saw those little white flakes flurring down from the gray sky!
I'll admit it, I screamed,
SNOW!
The girls and guys I work with grumbled.
But then, this is my first big winter I think I've ever had!
And possibly ever will have, but who knows the future?
I just realized that there is no hint of snow in this picture. 
But this is the base where I work.
So, ya know, just image you can see the snow.
Cause I promise you, it really did (is!)
Not me!

I have the day off tomorrow and I'm getting excited!
Carolyn and I are going to do some Christmas shopping and we're going to get the rest of the ingredients we need for our Thanksgiving feast we're cooking on Saturday.
Because we're both working on Thursday.
Double Pay.
Oh Yeah!

I'm in charge of sweet potato fluff, green bean casserole, creamy dreamy apple pie (compliments of PW's lovely pie week recipes!) , and pumpkin pie. I'm also going to make a relish tray, because it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving to me without the pickles, olives, and (hopefully!?!) okra before the meal! Yummy! Carolyn is making the turkey, stuffing, gravy, and homemade cranberry relish that is apparently the stuff turkeys dream of! And she's in charge of the drinkage...I heard a rumor that champagne will be on our menu! Bryn (but really Nate!) is making mashed potatoes and rolls. Our friends Brandon and Crystall are coming over, too! I'm excited!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Mittwoch Menu

Done with "no carbs" and good riddance!
Big bowl of cereal (see above!)
Good work day
Library! :)
Thai Food Take Out
MILKA chocolate
Package from the Grandparents! (thank you!)
stressing about the puppies (you know you want one!)
soooooo sleeepy!