Archives for 2009

Goodbye 2009 , Hello 2010

December 30, 2009 filed under: about me, marriage

Another year has passed. My goodness.

As I feel a little indifferent about this past year, because it wasn’t the greatest year, though not the worst either, I’ll refrain to recap, but will talk about what changes I’d like to make in the new year.
Although I am not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions, because nobody ever sticks to them, if we are brutally honest, I do have some goals for 2010.

I’d really like to go on more trips with my husband. I’ve (permanently, as a “legal resident”) lived in California with him for three years now, but besides short weekend-trips (I am talking one-nighters) we have not seen much of the state that I call home now, let alone any other states surrounding us. For heaven’s sake, we haven’t even been to Hawaii yet (hello SUPER-BELATED honeymoon?!). Many of my friends back in Germany swoon about the fact that I live in California (= vacation land), but life is still life, people, regardless of where you live, and if you don’t make an effort to take advantage of your surroundings -you know when daily life gets in the way -, then you can easily forget that you have prime vacation spots on your proverbial door step.

I also want to get back into a workout routine. I have seriously been slacking off those last few months, I didn’t even dare to tell you that I – having really been into sports my whole life – could not get myself to go to the gym for almost 6 months. It is getting to a point where I think it is just ridiculous. I don’t even understand it myself, because for God’s sake, I usually LIKE working out, but when I get home after 6 p.m. these days (and the winter gloom doesn’t help a bit!), I just don’t feel the energy to spend another hour of my already short and precious evenings at the gym. But this has to change.

I am very fortunate that I have never really had a struggle with my weight and even though I didn’t work out, I didn’t gain any significant amount of weight. In fact, I think I only gained a pound or two, if at all, and I would argue that this is still within the area of normal fluctuation. Obviously my metabolism is still good enough to keep up with my food intake. I did realize though that my whole body felt “softer”, not as toned as it used to be or could be and that really bothers me. There definitely is a difference between a slim body and a toned slim body ;) I prefer the latter. So back to the gym it is – at least 2-3x per week.

In the new year, I want to cook more organic, healthy food. I consider my diet fairly healthy as it is, but I know that I can do better. I cook at home almost every night, which I am proud to say. J and I have made it a goal to not eat out as much, not (only but also) because of the money, but because a) take-out food is usually not that great and b) most of the things that we can whip up at home are and taste so much better. I really only like to go out for food that I cannot easily make at home (like sushi or Thai). If you have good and tasty recipes, using fresh and unprocessed ingredients, please pass them along. I’ll happily do the same.

After having recovered my crafting mojo during the Christmas season, I seriously want to work on some crafting projects this coming year. As soon as I finish the cross-stitching project for the arrival of my sister’s second baby, I am planning to make a matching baby-quilt for her as well. I really believe there is nothing more personal than a handmade gift for your nieces and nephews, which will be passed on to their kids and then grand-kids (oh sweet delusion!). I am also planning on making all my birthday cards this year myself and possibly some other odds and ends that I cannot think of right now.

I want to become more active in the blogging community, which mainly translates into connecting to and meeting more of the lovely ladies that I’ve met through my blog. Some of you, I met at a blogger meeting in ’08 and it was a wonderful experience, which I’m just dying to have again. Others have repeatedly invited me to come and visit and I seriously want to take you up on that offer. I also want to reach out and let some of you know that I think you’re beautiful, creative, lovely people and that I’d like to get to know you better. If you’re up for a real-life hug, just let me know. I am in dire need of more girl time this coming year!!

Happy New Year, everyone!
May it bring only good things to you and yours!

Oh and yes, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary!
J and I got hitched in Vegas exactly four years ago.

On some Christmas activities

December 23, 2009 filed under: friends, good times, holidays, my so-called life

For me, the pre-Christmas time is almost more precious than Christmas itself. Ok, that is not entirely true, because when we celebrate Christmas with my family, Christmas Eve is pretty much my favorite day of the year, but for this year it is definitely true. Knowing that we wouldn’t go back to Germany for Christmas, we really tried to enjoy the Christmas season as much as possible.

As you recall, we met with the German Group at the German Christkindlmarket at the beginning of the month, I spent quite some time with my friend S drinking copious amounts of tea, eating Christmas cookies and crafting handmade Christmas cards and I decorated our apartment (a wee bit – we unfortunately don’t really have enough space for a tree). Also, Christmas shopping is kind of fun for me – if I a) start planning early and b) avoid the mall on the weekends!

Last week, we also had a little Christmas get-together with my (German) friend and her husband and we made Raclette.
Raclette does not seem to be too well-known in the US and I had to explain to some people, including J, what it is.

A “raclette grill” is an electric table-top grill with small pans, known as coupelles , which are used to heat slices of raclette cheese and other foods. Most raclette grills have a griddle top which can be used to brown bread or meat. You serve boiled or steamed potatoes, other vegetables, salami, or anything else you can think of. Each person then creates their own small servings of food by cooking small amounts of meat and vegetables on the griddle, which are then topped with cheese in the small, wedge-shaped pans that are placed under the grill to melt and brown the cheese. The accent in raclette dining is on relaxed and sociable eating and drinking, the meal often running to several hours.

We bought a shitload of different ingredients (that S and I neatly sliced and diced) and then started our feast. There was really everything imaginable on the table: four different kinds of cheese, bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrots, apple slices, salami, corn, kidney beans, broccoli, beef, baby potatoes, cornichons, olives, pickled peppers, herb butter, baguette, … etc.
We also made our own Glühwein (mulled wine).
It was absolutely delicious and we really had a hell of a good time!

Friday and Saturday, I ran my last Christmas errands and mailed of my last Christmas cards. Fortunately I had bought stamps and such way in advance, because the line at the post office, where I dropped of my letters, was insanely long. I mean, out-of-the-mailroom-into-the-parking-lot-long!
Why can’t people plan a tiny bid ahead? And moreover, why does the post office only employ two clerks on the last Saturday before Christmas?
(That’s at least what it felt like.)

Sunday we went to see our friend Alicia and her husband. We spent the whole day (and evening) with them. Alicia and I got into a real baking frenzy and spent 8 hours baking 7 different kinds of Christmas goodies.

We made (more!) Glühwein (I think I might have acquired a taste for it!), had bagels with cream cheese and salmon (Alicia totally spoiled us), J and Alicia’s husband played Wii and watched some movies and we got a whole lot of catching up done. I am really glad we’re getting close with her (and her husband) again, because we’ve known Alicia for several years now (since college) and we always got along splendidly, we just hadn’t been in touch much the last two years due to different personal circumstances.
It’s a blessing that we happen to live so close to each other again and are able to spend time together.

Now, that Christmas Eve (traditionally the most important day of the Christmas holidays in Germany) is upon us, I am just looking forward to this:
hanging out in my PJ’s tomorrow, having a webchat with my family in the late morning when they’re getting ready for their Christmas Eve dinner, preparing a delicious Christmas dinner for J and I with “German Apple Strudel” as dessert and having a few quiet and peaceful days, watching movies and drinking hot cocoa. Oh, and possibly more Glühwein.

Yeah, that sounds about right.
And with that; Merry Christmas & peace out!

Protected: Awkwardness

December 22, 2009 filed under: my so-called life

Best of 09: New Person

December 20, 2009 filed under: friends

I seriously can say that I have many amazing people in my life, and I feel quite lucky in that regard. The newest addition to this circle of people that I like to surround myself with, is my new (German) friend S.

With most of my friends living many, many hundreds of miles away, she came into my life at a time when I really needed a friend locally. A friend to talk to, hang out with, have coffee with, laugh with.

I’ve pretty much said it all in this post last month, but I wanted to take the opportunity again to mention this in the course of the Best of 09 challenge. Because she definitely has been the best new person that came into my life this year!

Best of 09: Tea

December 16, 2009 filed under: about me, good things

This is my little tea pot. I am a huge tea drinker (when I am not drinking coffee with lots of milk!). Especially in the winter, I basically get all my hydration from (herbal) tea. I hardly drink any cold beverages during the winter months. When I get home these days, the first thing I do is put on a pot of tea.

Usually I am all for loose leaf tea – and I have quite a few flavors to chose from – and milk or lemon juice and honey or rock sugar and if I am at home, I’ll take the time and celebrate every cup of tea like it’s my own little creation.

However, when I am on the go, I need something more convenient and the best tea, that I can even drink without sugar, and which I can just take to work with me, because it’s conveniently sold in tea bags is Meßmer’s Oase der Entspannung (Oasis of relaxation).

Yes, it’s a German tea brand and yes, it has to be imported.
Thank God I have a lovely friend who sends me a steady supply every time before I run out.

Best of 09: Best packaging

December 15, 2009 filed under: about me

I am taking this whole “best packaging” prompt and twist the meaning a little bit, but I hope you don’t mind, because I have to share my excitement about my new boots that I got for myself.
I am absolutely in love.

I blogged about my crush on these boots here before, but I wasn’t willing to pay the money that was asked for them. I know that a huge chunk of the price is paying for the name.

However, I was patient and kept and eye on Ebay over the last few weeks and eventually found them (and got them) for 40% off from the original price. Now, $120 I can justify for a pair of nice suede boots fully lined with sheepskin.

They’re superwarm and so comfortable. It’s like walking on cotton balls.

They make a pretty nice “packaging” for my ever-so-cold feet this winter as well :)

Best of 09: The best change I made to the place I live

December 13, 2009 filed under: home

This picture might seem familiar – I posted it a couple of weeks ago to show you some little improvements around our apartment. Last time, I was raving about our new curtains and how much they tie the bedroom together. I am still thrilled about them.

However, let the tiny white arrow direct your attention to the very best change I made to our apartment this year: our new (Tempurpedic memory foam) bed.

We had been sleeping on an Ikea sofa bed for the last 18 months and even though I personally can pretty much sleep on anything without a problem, J was complaining about back pain and restless sleep. We needed to invest into a good bed, a real bed; and I think we deserved it, too.
A good comfortable bed should be the most important investment when you move into a new place. There is nothing more important than a good night’s sleep and I am glad I finally shelled out the money for this. It’s been high time.

I might want to add: Even though I didn’t (think that I) sleep miserably on the sofa bed, I definitely sleep like a baby on the foam mattress. OMG! It’s like sleeping on clouds.

What was the best change to your place this year?

Best of 09: Album of the year

December 10, 2009 filed under: about me, love, music

If you know me at all, then you know that Pearl Jam is – hands down – my all time favorite band. If you know their music at all, then you might have picked up that my blog title is a line of their song “I am mine”.
You see, I am a grunge girl at heart and Pearl Jam really speaks to me. I don’t just love their music, but I agree with them on an emotional level.
Eddie Vedder is my personal hero.

Of course, the album of the year for me is Pearl Jam’s 9th studio album, Backspacer, which was released in September.

I don’t even have to listen to their albums before I buy them anymore, because I know that they won’t disappoint me.

I love that they’re different. They’re not about money and fame, but about love and appreciation for music, about sending out a message. When I was younger, I didn’t quite understand why they didn’t make any music videos, had hardly any merchandise, went only on a few tours – compared to most other popular bands at the time. In retrospect, I can appreciate the fact that they didn’t sell out, but tried to stay true to themselves and their work. I love that they stay on their own path, regardless of what the music industry tries to dictate.

Even though they of course are a world famous rock band, they still were able to maintain the image of being an “insider’s tip”, an “open secret”.

Go. Check it out.

Gay or straight – why does it matter?

December 9, 2009 filed under: this and that

Ok, I really don’t know if that is a topic that you want to talk about, but I promise, even your opinion differs from mine, I still love you.
Has anybody watched the Rachel Maddow Show last night? Specifically the part where Rachel interviewed Richard Cohen, the author of the book “Coming out straight”? He claims that ‘being homosexual’ is a choice and that everybody who doesn’t want to be gay, can turn their life around and become straight.

I think this statement is ridiculous. To discuss something like this with Rachel, who is openly gay, suggesting that she “doesn’t have to be gay, if she doesn’t want to be” is ridiculous. Usually I wouldn’t even take a guy like this seriously.

It has to be taken seriously though, if you heard that his book and beliefs are used by a proponent of a proposed law in Uganda that debates the death penalty for homosexuals. I mean, are you freakin’ kidding me? The death penalty for being homosexual? That is pretty much the insanest thing I’ve ever heard – but you know, a lot of things exist in this world that I find insane and nobody cares. I wonder why.

Ok, so I might believe that you can talk someone into leading a “heterosexual” life, but I don’t think that you can be converted from homosexual to heterosexual or vice versa.

I know this is a touchy subject; I don’t even know my exact standpoint on the issues, because for me there are a lot of “open questions”. However, I do believe that people are born homosexual. I don’t believe that any psychological factors or your upbringing determine your inner sexuality. Obviously, it’s not purely hereditary, because otherwise how could someone with straight parents turn out to be gay? Right? However, I think that there genetic factors that contribute. Call it a “freak of nature”. There is homosexuality in the animal world. How does that respond to psychological factors being the cause? But then again, it’s beyond belief what some people think about the causes of homosexuality.

My personal opinion is that a) nobody “decides” consciously to be homosexual, b) it is just “who you are” and c) that there is nothing to be done to change your sexual orientation (though I don’t argue that there are a lot of in between stages along a continuum between homosexuality and heterosexuality that can vary over time).

Just out of curiosity, where do you stand on this?

Happy Nikolaus!

December 6, 2009 filed under: Germany, holidays, my so-called life, USA

Also, today is the second Sunday of Advent. I am planning to stay at home, light some candles and prepare my Christmas mail which I want to send out ASAP (especially the mail that’s going overseas).

We went to the Christkindlmarket with the German Group yesterday. Besides the fact that a) the Christkindlmarket was indoors, b) it wasn’t really cold enough for Glühwein and c) there was no hot chocolate anywhere, we had a great time.

We strolled around the market that was set up in the downstairs area. We even got to buy some German foods from the German Butcher Shop, who set up a booth at the Christkindlmarket (Erdnussflips and German style liver wurst). Later we all gathered upstairs at the “Kaffeehaus”, had some not-so-authentic German Cheesecake (oh well!) and had some quite interesting conversations about the differences between German and American culture. It’s hilarious and entertaining time and time again, and although a lot of cliches are mentioned, there is always a little bit of truth in it as well.

Surprisingly, there are more guys in our Meetup Group than girls. Kind of curious, don’t you think?

Have a great Sunday everyone!