theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

Archives for 2008

Family Christmas

filed under: family, holidays, my so-called life, photography

The last week, and especially Christmas, was just wonderful  and so busy, hence the lack of posts.
The greatest gift was to spend the holidays with my family. Christmas Eve is always very special. In the morning, I set up my Mom’s beautiful new Nativity Set.

My Mom's new Nativity Set

Then, my sister (and Greta!) came over and we decorated the Christmas tree together (doesn’t this photo look very much like last year’s?? You know, we like to keep our traditions :))

Our Christmas tree

We set the dinner table and at 6:30 p.m. our guests came over. We were 10 (= 1/2) people – my parents, my sister, her husband and Greta, my Granddad, my Great-aunt, my aunt and my cousin Basti, J and I.

Christmas dinner

The menu

The 6-course dinner that my Mom and Dad prepared was delicious again.  Contrary to all the other traditions that we keep in our family, we don’t have a traditional Christmas dinner. My parents come up with a new dinner every year and it’s always very good! :)

We exchanged presents after the main course, had dessert afterwards and I think we went to bed around 2 a.m. – If I’d had my way, the night wouldn’t have ended at all :)

Santa was really good to me again this year. I received a beautiful calendar with pictures of Greta (from Nina and Dirk), a beautiful caroler figurine (from my parents), a gift certificate for ESPRIT (from Sanni! :)),  and a Forever Friends Calender (from Cathy!) and some money from my parents, my Granddad and my Great-aunt. I hate to “ask for” money for Christmas, but since luggage space is limited, it’s always easier to buy something in the US when I return. I can’t deny that I am looking forward to a little shopping spree :)

In Germany, we have two days off for Christmas (the 25th and 26th!) and even though Christmas Eve is the most celebrated Christmas holiday, we usually see other family members on Christmas Day I and II.
We saw my godmother on Thursday afternoon and my Dad’s brother and his wife came over to Nina’s place on Friday. It was nice to see all of them this holiday season…. and that I got to spend much more time with Greta, of course :)

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful and blessed as mine.

Check out more photos on my flickr photostream.

Medieval Christmas Market

filed under: family, food, friends, holidays, my so-called life

Last Sunday, we met my uncle in Köln for a stroll at the medieval Christmas Market. I had no idea that it existed and was very intrigued.

It was a very interesting market with people in medieval costumes and many different stands. We walked around, looked at all the different things that were offered and finally, when we were all cold, had some mulled wine and hot grape juice (for my sister) and J also tried the “Ritterspieß” (meat skewer) at one of the many food stands. We paid in “Thaler”, not in “Euro” :)
Greta spent the day with us, of course, and was very happy being carried around by her Mom.

Medieval Christmas Market

Later we went over to my uncle’s apartment, where my aunt had prepared “Kaiserschmarrn” while we were gone. We sat down at the beautifully decorated table and had a very nice afternoon.

Christmas afternoon

Kaiserschmarrn

On Monday morning, I ran errands with my Mom and in the evening J and I went to Düsseldorf to walk on the Rhine and have some food at the Christmas Market in the “Altstadt”. We had “Reibekuchen” (potato pancakes) and later a waffle with hot cherries and whipped cream. Isn’t Christmas all about the food?? :)

On Tuesday, we hung out around the house. In the early evening, we went to Oberhausen to meet Sanni und Sebi, two of our friends, at the Christmas Market there. Even though there has been no snow, it’s been getting colder. Just perfect for a visit at the Christmas Market :) and there’s no better way to spend Christmas than surrounded by wonderful friends and family!

Merry Christmas

filed under: family, holidays

xmas_main

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones
and all the best for the new year!

Good times.

filed under: about me, family, home, my so-called life, travel

Finally, I have a few minutes (before heading to bed) to give you a quick update.
I don’t even know where to start. I am so happy to be here.

J and I arrived safely on Wednesday morning. The flights were smooth and time went by quickly. We even managed to get quite a bit of sleep on the way over here, which made the adjustment that much easier. When we finally arrived in Düsseldorf with just about 20 minutes delay, I was dying to finally hug my sister and little Greta.
Unfortunately, we were kept in suspense for a little longer, because first it took a while to gather two out of three pieces of our luggage and then we realized that the third one of our suitcases was missing (of course the one with all my clothes and all the gifts). We finally submitted a missing suitcase report with the airline and headed home.
Fortunately, the suitcase had just been left behind in Paris and was delivered to my parents’ house later in the evening.

We finally left the terminal and were greeted by my sister, Greta, my cousin Nicki, her husband and (my godchild) Luca. It was so, so great to see them. Especially little Greta. She’s the little shining star of this vacation, of course. (Pictures to come. Lots of them.) I can’t take my eyes (and hands and nose) of her. She’s such a beautiful and relaxed baby (except for when she’s hungry) and I could cuddle with her all day. I have really no idea why my sister objected when I mentioned that I would like to take her back to California in a few weeks ;)

Besides the somewhat annoying weather (continuous drizzle and no snow), we’re having a very lovely time. J says I’ve been running around with a fat and constant grin on my face. I think he’s exaggerating, but what do I know?! ;) He’s definitely having as good of a time as I do!

I spent all day with Nina and Greta on Thursday. In the morning, we had a meeting with the pastor regarding Greta’s baptism and in the afternoon we went grocery shopping with our great-aunt and had “coffee and cake” afterward. Sigh. Doesn’t that sound so very typically German? I love it :)

J and I spent some time at a Christmas market on Friday and went to a soccer game in the late afternoon. My brother-in-law got us tickets for a game and we went there with a friend. Those of you who know me are aware that I am not the biggest soccer fan (I’ve only been at a stadium a handful of times), but we had a fun time. Although the match itself was not worth mentioning, we had bundled up (I even brought a blanket!), I had Bratwurst and hot chocolate. That’s pretty much as good as it gets for me :)

Today I ran errands with my Mom. Saturday mornings are always reserved for a run downtown where we visit the local farmer’s market, have coffee with some of my Mom’s friends and colleagues at a small café and get some shopping done. I love Saturday mornings with my Mom!

In the afternoon, my sister came over again. She, my Mom, my aunt and I drank tea and baked some more Christmas cookies, all the while we were competing for Greta’s attention. Nina was most successful, of course, since she’s providing the “treats” when Greta is hungry *g*

I am really enjoying every minute that I am here.
More later :)

We made it!

filed under: family, home

We’re home with my family after two very pleasant, uneventful domestic and transatlantic flights, a slighty delayed connection to DUS and a missing piece of luggage upon arrival. Hmpf.
But don’t you worry – it was just left behind in Paris and was finally delivered to my parent’s doorstep around 10 p.m.

We had visitors all day – I guess around 11 or so, yes, I am so popular – and I think I am ready to hit the hay now. We had a very long day.

Top 10 Tuesday (minus one): My Make Up Bag

filed under: about me, lists!

I am going on a cross-Atlantic trip tomorrow in about 7 hours, I am not almost finished packing and I have the nerve to sit down and do the “Top 10 Tuesday: My Make Up Bag’ list seen over at alleyesonjenny.com.

My Top Ten (minus one): Make up

Oh well, why not, right? :)

1. What can I say? I got hooked on “Bare Minerals Foundation” about a year ago. I had very sensitive skin before that would react to any kind of liquid make up or compact powder. I could never figure out which it was, but it was annoying. With the “Bare Minerals” Foundation and Mineral Veil, I don’t need any other foundation underneath  (and it has SPF 15) and my skin is so much better (= less breakouts).

2. Maybelline Cover Stick. I am actually using the “yellow” one right now (for dark circles and other blemishes) and it works great.

3.  Sephora’s Ultra Shine Lip Gloss. I hate lipstick. Hate it. I think it feels really “weird” when I wear lip stick. But Lip Gloss I can do. Actually, I love this one. It’s super-lightweight and my favorite color is “06” (copper).

4. Cotton Swabs. Every Make Up Bag needs Cotton Swabs. They clean up every little mess and are so useful for so many things: smudging and softening, in place of a eyeshadow brush or even for applying gloss.

5. Maybelline Eye Liner. I’ve tried so many eye liners, believe you me. It’s either I have an unsteady hand or I am just too stupid to apply liquid eye liner. With this eye liner though, I am doing a somewhat decent job. I still need the above mentioned cotton swab to help out, but it’s the only eye liner that doesn’t make a complete mess (or let’s rephrase: that I don’t make a complete mess with).

6. Lancôme Juciy Tubes. These come in really handy if I don’t want to use much color (in which case I go for the Sephora Lip Gloss). Juicy Tubes give a nice shimmer and natural plumer for your lips.

7. Sephora Enchanted Eye Palette. I just bought this recently, because it was recommended to me at the store since the colors go so well with my brown hair and hazel eyes. I am on the search of the forever-perfect eye shadow for me, because I have a hard time finding colors that will be “visible”, but not look too colorful.

8. Maybelline Sky High Curves Mascara. That is the mascara I happen to use right now. I am switching back and forth between mascaras and have yet to find one that absolutely satisfies me so much that I don’t ever want to use another mascara ever again.

9. Bare Minerals Blush. I never thought that blush would do anything for me, but it actually accentuates the cheeks pretty nicely. I just use a tiny little bit, brushed on very lightly on the apples of the cheeks.

So, that is my current Make Up Bag. What does yours look like?

“Crazy” is my middle name

filed under: FYI

It’s Sunday night, 8:45 pm.
Take a wild guess where I am.

At the office.

I must have completely lost my mind.

I always promise to get things done when I should KNOW that I won’t be able to finish them in said time. I just can’t help thinking that I am Miss Genius and will make it work. Magically.
That’s why I am in the office. Working. On a Sunday, when I should be preparing for my trip.

Argh.

SPF: Something red

filed under: holidays

SPF button 

For this week’s SPF, Kristine asks for “something you own that is red or green”.
Well, I don’t technically “own” the Christmas market in Cologne with its red-roofed booths, but it is a) the perfect picture for the holiday season (don’t you agree?) and b) is strongly connected to me feeling “home”… so the feeling that it gives me, I definitely own! :)

Cologne Christmas Market 

I can’t wait to stroll around the Christmas market and have a glass of hot cocoa!
Happy Holidays!

Did you play?

At the check-out

filed under: cracks me up, my so-called life

I went to TJ’s after work to pick up some chocolate and a bottle of wine to give to my co-workers for Christmas. When I walked up to the check-out, the following conversation unfolded.

Clerk: May I see proper documentation for the legal purchase of alcohol? (Translate: ID, please!)

Me: Yes, here you go!

C: (Looks once. Looks twice.) Oh. (Pause.) You know, you should get rid off your fake ID when you turn 21 and get a real one.

Me: Thanks for the advice. I guess, I need to do that then.

C: Oh, and also, you don’t have to make yourself older than 25 on your fake ID either.

Me: Really?

I walked out giggling. It always cracks me up when that happens.
I wonder how long I can get away with it.

In which I am a tiny bit stressed out, but in a good way.

filed under: excitement, holidays, my so-called life, travel

I didn’t think I would say this this year, but I am a little stressed out. Hence the lack of posts. The sh*tload of work I have to do at work is not helping either.
Do you know the feeling when you’re counting down the days to a certain date and you cannot wait for the final day to be there and a couple of days beforehand, you’re thinking… “Woah, slow down. This is going way too fast. There is so much to do and so little time left”.

That’s exactly the way I feel right now.
With only a week to go until we’re off to Germany, my schedule is packed!

Don’t get me wrong though. I love the feeling of giddy excitement and most of the things on my list, I LOVE and look forward to… (except for item #5 and #6).

#1 Appointment with my hair dresser today after work.
#2 Write my 50+ Christmas cards.
#3 Do some last minute shopping for a couple of items that I need to take to Germany.
#4 Mail some packages.
#5 Laundry.
#6 Clean up our place before we leave (so that we don’t come back to a hell hole).

I am sure I am forgetting something,…and before you suggest it, I made a list. In fact, I made three lists and I am constantly jumping back and forth between them. Usually, I also keep a fourth list in my head. Just in case, you know.
But please feel free to remind me of anything that comes to your mind, because it might be what I think I am forgetting.

Despite the organizational chaos, I am really getting into a festive mood. We have beautiful winter weather (yeah, I know it’s not technically winter yet, but…) with cold, crisp temperatures and beautiful sunshine. We had our Christmas potluck lunch at work yesterday (which is always very nice with way too much food, and even more desserts to follow), we have one more Christmas party on Friday and now, that it is December, I actually enjoy the Christmas music that you hear everywhere.

Ah, I am feeling so christmassy already!