theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

Archives for May 2012

12 changes: May review

filed under: 12 in 2012, goals

As you might recall, for May, I decided to spend some time on decluttering my home. I have to admit, May was a little busy – especially the weekends – and therefore I didn’t get quite as much done as I was hoping for. Nevertheless, I made some progress.

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Look at the difference I made on this table! I filed a whole bunch of bills, receipts, statements and other paperwork that you need to keep organized and also cleared up almost half of the table top. There is still some work to do (I am thinking I have to come up with some sort of organizational system, some extra boxes, shelves or something), but there is actually some space on the table that I can use for something else than just piling stuff.
I really want to turn this into my crafting table, where I can just sit – do stuff – walk away – come back – keep working. I wish I had a spare room for that (because obviously it’s not a very organized sight when your crafting table is in the dining room, but oh well, you gotta work with the space that you have).

I haven’t really gotten around to cleaning out my dresser/closet, so I guess that this will be a goal for another month (not June).

How did May go for you? Did you achieve your goal?

 

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Come join us over at 12 changes in 2012

 

 

Anniversary trip to Napa

filed under: love, marriage, photography

I don’t know how this topic came up, but  a couple of weeks ago I asked J if he had been to the Old Faithful Geyser and he said “isn’t that the one in Yellow Stone NP? No, I haven’t been there”. I knew that there was a geyser in Yellow Stone NP, but I meant the one ‘in our backyard’, the one in Calistoga, CA. When J told me that he had never been to the that one either, I instantly knew where I wanted to go for our anniversary.  I mean, I – science geek that I am – have been there (only) twice, but I made sure to take my parents and Basti there last summer. To think that I had never taken a trip there with J seemed, somewhat, impossible.

The geyser  is one of three geysers in the world with the designation “old faithful”, which means that they perform at regular intervals. About every 15 minutes,  there is an eruption of steam and scalding water spraying 60 to 100 feet in the air. The eruptions are recorded and monitored and a change in the eruption pattern usually foreshadows an earthquake. The eruptions last about 5 minutes and it’s a really fun thing to watch. I mean, it’s like a show put on by mother nature, you know?

@ Old Faithful Geyser of Calistoga

@ Old Faithful Geyser of Calistoga

St. Helena

It was a really beautiful day and there were a lot of people out and about (naturally). We had fun driving through St. Helena, a little town in the heart of Napa Valley. Well, and there is also this:

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Proscutti @ Dean & DeLuca

Salame @ Dean & DeLuca

@ Dean & DeLuca

Wine @ Dean & DeLuca

Olives @ Dean & DeLuca

Antipasti @ Dean & DeLuca

Cheese @ Dean & DeLuca

Cheese @ Dean & DeLuca

I know, right? That store alone is a reason to drive out to Napa. So, you can imagine, J was easily convinced to spend our anniversary there.

I think we spent at least an hour at Dean & DeLuca. J and I love good food, we enjoy shopping for good food and they have hands-down the best selection of Italian meats, antipasti and cheese. Also, coffee.

Iced coffee & sunshine.

After leaving a substantial amount of money at this store (and we could have spent more!), we headed out to a picnic spot with iced coffee, baguette, salami and proscutto, cheese, antipasti and drinks. Best anniversary dinner ever – if you ask me. And we had a beautiful view. Can’t beat that.

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The giant grape crusher

Napa Valley

We were lucky that our anniversary fell on the long weekend this year and we’re also very lucky that we live so close to awesome destinations here in California.  It was nice to spend a day in wine country (without drinking wine, mind you!) and still have another day to hang out together.

Did you do anything fun this Memorial Day weekend?

What we’ve learned

filed under: about me, marriage, nostalgia

Yesterday was J’s and my anniversary. I can’t believe we’ve been married for 6 years. Sometimes, it feels like we just got married yesterday, in many ways it seems much, much longer than 6 years. We took a little day trip to wine country (hooray! More on that later!) and just enjoyed some quality time together.

Inspired by these posts of two other bloggers, I decided to do a similar post about the stuff we’ve learned in 6 years of marriage.

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There is a German saying that pretty much sums up life (in general):

Erstens kommt es anders und zweitens als man denkt.

(a. you never know, and b. how things turn out.)

So very true.

If there is one thing that you can’t really predict for the future, it is what’s going to happen after you say “I do”. Of course, you have dreams and aspirations, you make plans and set goals, but in the end, regardless how diligently you plot and plan, there are often situations that are outside of your control and you have to learn to just try and hit the curveballs that might be thrown your way. J and I definitely had our fair share of curveballs, but they taught us a lot for sure.

 

We learned that…

+ communication is key.

+ even though I am a planner at heart, I can’t plan everything.

+ J is a night owl, I am a morning person.

+ through thick and thin can really mean through thick and thin.

+ I will never understand why guys have to pee standing up.

+ J will never understand my need to take pictures of ALL THE THINGS (but at least he doesn’t care too much and let’s me).

+ Baseball > Football.

+ we both love salty snacks > sweet snacks.

+ Chocolate Chip ice-cream is still pretty awesome.

+ J doesn’t believe in cards/gifts for special occasions, but prefers to generously give on ordinary days, and that

+ I still think it’s very important to send cards and gifts for special occasions. (Double win?)

+ marriage is not always a picnic-in-the-park, but still worth every effort.

+ we can not watch (political) news without pausing every 5 minutes and discussing it. Luckily, we’re pretty much on the same page on all issues, so it doesn’t compromise our relationship.

+ the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

+ you have to stick together when shit hits the fan.

+ cooking > eating out (most days).

+ opposites attract. (He’s always hot, I am always cold.)

+ we both like the water (J likes the ocean, I like the snow. Well, I like the ocean, too.)

+ we agree on (most) music.

+ I’m the tech person of the two of us.

+ nothing is more important than being able to be ridiculously silly around each other.

Things I love Thursday

filed under: love, TILT

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I haven’t done a proper TILT post in 3 months, so I guess it’s time to round up a few of the things I’ve been loving lately.

I’m loving…

… that there is a 4-day weekend coming up (and it’s our anniversary weekend, too). Weeee!

… my little blooming cactus.

… 90’s music. I don’t know if it’s the nature of getting older and getting stuck in the music genre that you loved in your late teens and early 20’s, but part of me can’t get on board with the music of today. You can make me happy with anything alternative rock from back in the days. I think it’s safe to say that Pearl Jam’s “Ten” is still my favorite album, ever!

… evenings on our little balcony. It’s so nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy the cooler air after the sun goes down.

… a weekend at the beach in SoCal (obviously).

… Instagram. It’s just such a fun way to share photos.

… my Erin Condren Planner. I was reluctant to buy it because of the steep price tag, but decided to get a 9-months-reduced-price version to see how I like it. And boy, do I like it!

… all the BiSC recaps, which I vicariously live through and which at the same time also give me the sads for not having been able to be there this year. 2013 for sure.

… painted toe nails.

… stamps. That’s no news, really. I seem to have acquired a little addiction.

… turning some online acquaintances into online friends and turning some online friends into IRL friends. It’s always lovely to see how easy the transition is (in most cases).

… feeling understood.

… being able to live in my sandals for the rest of the summer.

… my nook, although I never thought I would say that, but last weekend definitely proved how convenient an e-reader is for traveling.

… the trip to the East Coast that J and I are dreaming up right now. Flights are booked, but details are still in the works. 5 weeks to go!

 

What are you loving right now?