theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • running
  • Recipes
  • NaBloPoMO
  • Contact
  • Privacy
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy policy

Currently | February

February 21, 2019 filed under: currently

SAVORING | the first cup of coffee in the morning.

FEELING | frustrated with some communications at work. Why can’t some people just be clear in their writing and straight-forward in their message, for the love of all Germans? Are you the native speaker, or am I?

WEARING | my dusky pink corduroy pants. They don’t make them like they used to.

WONDERING | if I start getting forgetful, because I was just about to sign up for the San Francisco Half Marathon this week, when I realized that I am already registered. How did that slip my mind? I dropped a non-trivial amount of money on that registration.

READING |  Becoming by Michelle Obama. It finally became available through the library, just when I finished my last book. Great timing!

EATING | more bread, because #breadisnottheenemy.

DRINKING | Odwalla fruit smoothie. The Mo’Beta reminds me of multivitamin juice from Germany. It’s not something you should drink every day or in large quantities (because of the fruit sugar content, which of course is still not as bad as added sugar, of which this smoothie has none), but it’s so good!

FINISHED | our tax return. Get it out of the way, people. It feels so good to get it done. Especially when you’re expecting a refund.

LOVING | the blue and cloudy skies this time of year!

CONTEMPLATING | running the first race of the year in March. I haven’t signed up yet and while I’ve been running, I haven’t followed a training plan in the last few months. I guess there is a little more time to think about it.

ENJOYING | my afternoon tea. I’ve been bringing a thermos to work and it’s been life-changing (if you want me to be a bit dramatic) but seriously, if it wasn’t for tea, I’d probably be severely dehydrated most of the time.

LOOKING FORWARD TO | my birthday month. Everybody should celebrate their birthday all month long and I am planning to do just that.

What’s up with you currently?

11

Currently | January

January 28, 2019 filed under: currently

EXCITED | to be back at work (at least temporarily, as it seems) after 5 weeks of furlough. Not going to lie though, it was hard to get up this morning. It’s amazing how fast your body adapts to a different wake-up time.

GRATEFUL | that we were able to weather the shutdown-storm and have felt less of an impact than a lot of other federal workers and contractors.

EATING | this absolutely delicious European bread that I found at the International Market. It’s really more of an Asian Market (I’d say 70% of the store is Asian foods), but they have a decent selection of other international groceries. I will continue to bake at home, but OMG, it is nice to have found a place again where you can buy a decent loaf of bread.

DRINKING | coffee. Looking forward to it every single morning.

WATCHING |  Salt Fat Acid Heat with Samin Nosrat. I came across this four-part documentary on Netflix by accident, but it’s super-intriguing (if you’re into cooking, which I am). I recommend you check it out. Samin also wrote a book with the same title that I am dying to read now.

READING | This is the way the world ends: How Droughts and Die-offs, Heat Waves and Hurricanes Are Converging on America by Jeff Nesbit. You guys, I haven’t finish this one yet, but everybody needs to read this. Science is real.

LOVING | the Californian winter. Cool, but not freezing, temperatures and blue skies! It’s the perfect season to run (when it’s not raining, ha).

WORKING |on my bullet journal.

PREPARING | for a potential work trip to Denver (which was canceled because of the shutdown, but now might be back on. I’ll find out in the next few days).

WISHING | I could be with my friend who is going through a hard time right now. Distance sucks, especially in these kinds of situations.

What’s going on with you currently? 

12

23: Currently | November

November 23, 2018 filed under: currently, NaBloPoMo

REMINDING YOU | that today is the last day to sign up for the Secret Santa Mug Swap 2018. If you want to participate, sign up here by the end of today!

WATCHING | Friends.

EATING | freshly baked bread. I can’t get enough right now.

DRINKING | hot tea most days. I am one of those weird people who prefer hot over cold drinks and I drink tea all fall and winter long (after my morning coffee, of course).

REMEMBERING | that November, 22nd was the day I officially “immigrated” to the United States in 2006. There is some random piece of trivia for you.

READING | Wish you were here by Renee Carlino.

ENJOYING | the cooler weather and first rain here in Northern California. We needed this rain so bad to help with the fires and clean up the air! We can finally breathe again.

CRINGING | my way through Trump’s visit to the wildfire area here in NorCal and how he called the town of Paradise, CA “Pleasure”. TWICE. 

LOVING | the smell of the Apple Cider Cinnamon Candle I got from Target. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO | the holiday season. I know it’s going to be over again before we know it.

What’s up with you currently?

4

Currently | October

October 25, 2018 filed under: currently

FEELING | a little all over the place lately. Lots going on and I haven’t had proper time (and brain power) to blog much, but I am planning to keep up my annual tradition of blogging my way through November by participating in NaBloPoMo. Do or die, friends. Who’s with me?

WEARING | my fleece jacket more often because it’s been cooling down (appropriately for fall). I would lie if I said I didn’t like it. Give me all the seasons!

EXCITED ABOUT | voting. I hope you are too.

READING | Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance.

EATING | zucchini-cheddar scones. I bought one from the local Co-op the other week (it’s what happens when you go grocery shopping hungry!) and then decided that I had to bake my own (which I did last weekend). Recipe will be posted soon.

DRINKING | tea.

WATCHING | the World Series! The Red Sox made it to the WS this year and J and I couldn’t be more excited. They’re playing the LA Dodgers and are currently leading the series 2-0.

MAKING | homemade bread!

ENJOYING | visits from our neighborhood cat. It’s so cute because whenever I pull up with the car, he basically sprints from wherever he’s been to our front steps and (loudly) insists on a nice, thorough head scratch. He snuck into the house twice recently and has been taking strolls through every room before turning around and running back outside. Haha.

LOOKING FORWARD TO | Halloween. I hope we get some trick-or-treaters again. J wants to watch the new Halloween movie but I am not sure yet if I can muster up the courage. We’ll see. 

LISTENING TO |  the Soundscapes channel.

TRYING | to get back into my gym routine. I realize that sometimes life happens and you have to adjust your schedule for a bit, but man, it’s always so hard to get back into your regular routine.

What’s up with you currently?

8

Currently | September

September 20, 2018 filed under: currently

HANGING OUT | in the Mojave Desert for work. NBD. If you follow me on Instagram, keep your eyes out. I hope to post a few pictures there.

FEELING | a little rushed right now with two field trips back to back. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting out of the office, but two week-long field trips back to back can be, well, long and exhausting.

WEARING | my new running shoes. Did I mention that I won another pair of running shoes through an Instagram giveaway? Best timing ever, as I was looking to get new shoes soon anyway.

EXCITED ABOUT | leaving the windows open and shutting off the AC more! It’s been so, so nice around here. Warm during the day, cool at night and I love it.

READING | Turtles all the way down by John Green.

EATING |  raw almonds. I go through phases, but I am into them right now.

DRINKING | Vanilla Honey Chamomile Tea. It’s not quite fall here yet (when I will start drinking huge amounts of tea!), but a cup of chamomile tea in the evening helps to calm me down before bed.

(always) LOOKING FORWARD TO | seeing my giraffe friends on my runs!

ENJOYING | my 20-minute morning workouts. I am planning to write a post about my experience with the 20-day fitness challenge, because it’s been really good.

TRYING | hard to keep up the good new habits that I formed over the last 2 1/2 weeks!

LISTENING TO |   Pod Save America. I’ll never be an avid podcast listener, but I’ve been listening to episodes of this podcast on and off lately. Maybe because it’s an easier way for me to stay on top of the news without actually following the news.

What’s up with you currently?

7

Currently | August

August 22, 2018 filed under: currently

(still) USING | my bullet journal. And I realized that what I love most about bullet journaling is all the space I have to write down things other than weekly appointments or tasks (e.g. lists, brain-storming sessions, etc.)

WEARING | my wishbone-necklace again. I had forgotten about it for a while and then I found it cleaning up in my jewelry box the other day.

READING | The story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg. Such a sweet, sweet story.

WATCHING | my water intake, because most days I do ok, but some days I go the whole day without touching my water bottle and then I think I have to pound 64 oz before bedtime. Stupid idea.

MAKING | scrambled eggs. I like them browned and well done. How do you like your scrambled eggs?

LOOKING FORWARD TO | the long labor-day weekend!

EATING |  granola with yogurt.

DRINKING | ice-cold chocolate milk (after my weekend run).

THINKING | lots of thoughts these days. Why can’t my brain ever shut up?

ENJOYING | the cleaner air. Man, you don’t appreciate the clean air as much as you should unless it’s been taken away for a little while. The smoke and haze from the wildfires around us was nasty, but I am so glad we’re (mostly) back to blue skies. I hope that will be the case for other fire-stricken areas as well.

(and also) EXCITED | about slightly cooler temperatures this week. It’s been so nice outside.

LISTENING TO | NPR.

TRYING | to be present and content in the here and now. Why do so many people (me included) linger in the past or keep contemplating the future most of time?  GAH.

What’s up with you currently?

12

Currently | July

July 23, 2018 filed under: currently

EXCITED ABOUT | seeing my giraffe friends on my weekend runs around the neighborhood. I run by our local zoo and the giraffes always peek over the fence and it just makes my day.

READING | A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

LOVING | the opportunity to run with my friend Susi this month.

WEARING | my Birkenstock sandals. All day, every day.

EATING |  Perfect Bars* (well, really just 2-3x per week). I love these protein bars so much. I’ve tried many, but these are the best by far. What are your favorites?

DRINKING | Iced water. I am usually not a big fan of iced water (I prefer room-temperature), but I got this cool new ice-cube tray that makes these humongous ice cubes and it cools down the water just enough for it to be refreshing, but not hurt my throat when I am drinking it.

WATCHING | 90-day fiancé*. Oh boy, I just need something to distract myself from the misery that is the news these days. This show is miserable, too, but in a different, more entertaining, less depressing way. Haha.

MAKING | space by taking stuff to the consignment store and Goodwill. I made some progress in my closet and 2nd bedroom and it feels good to get rid off some stuff. Can this still be considered spring cleaning? No? Ok, fine.

ENJOYING | evening walks with J at the park.

THINKING | that I’d really love it if summer breaks were mandatory for adults, too!

LOOKING FORWARD TO | the SF marathon*. (Well, I’ll be running the half, but still.) I can’t believe it’s that time again. It’s going to be fun!

TRYING | free items at the supermarket. Do you use the Safeway app*? They offer free items to try every once in a while and last week, I got $6 guac for free.

What’s up with you currently?


* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

14

Currently | June

June 21, 2018 filed under: currently

FEELING | exhausted by the news and everything going on in this country. If you haven’t read my post from yesterday, consider going back to read (and take action). It’s important.

EATING | grilled everything. Now that we finally have an operating BBQ grill, I’ll see a lot more grilling in our future. (Do I sound like a broken record?)

DRINKING | Radler (beer with sparkling soda). It’s so refreshing. Mountain Dew was a backup option, I usually prefer it with Sprite.

READING | Did you ever have a family by Bill Clegg.

LISTENING TO | Pod Save America. I am trying podcasts again. I’ve listened to this one before, because this is “A political podcast for people not yet ready to give up or go insane.“ That’s where I am at in my life, friends. The last week has had me on the edge. How do you guys cope with everything that is happening?

WATCHING | the FIFA World Cup!

HOPING | that the German football team (we call it football in our house, not soccer!) will win the second group game against Sweden on Saturday. The match against Mexico last Sunday was just a warm-up, because I know they can do better.

ANTICIPATING | the sprouting of the flowers I planted a couple of weeks ago in a couple of pots around the backyard (poppies, cosmos, and marigolds). I hope I wasn’t too late in the season. I will let you know how it goes.

LOVING | all the cute card designs at Trader Joe’s. I sometimes can’t get over the beauty of these illustrations and all at $0.99 per pop. Do you also stock up on cards at Trader Joe’s?

ENJOYING | the moderate temperatures (while they last — not for very long, I hear) and running along the river. Last weekend was perfection and I hope I get a few more moderately temperate days like that before the sweltering summer heat sets in for good.

LOOKING FORWARD TO | the weekend. What else is new?

TRYING | new, easy weeknight recipes. As I do. I instagrammed this Trader Joe’s Dinner Hack recipe yesterday that we tried out and it was so, so good. Please do yourself a favor and give this a try.

What’s up with you currently?

21

Currently | May

May 21, 2018 filed under: currently

eating granola with yogurt and fresh fruit. So good.

drinking Nuun before and after my workouts, and sometimes just because. What’s your favorite flavor?

watching Red Sox baseball. (Almost) all day, (almost) every day.

loving the coverage of the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I didn’t think I really cared, but when I turned on the TV on Saturday afternoon and saw the replay of earlier that morning, I couldn’t peel myself away from the screen. It was kinda nice to be distracted from all the other (mostly horrible) news that is running on repeat on TV. I mean, if this kiss doesn’t melt your jaded heart then I don’t know what will.

excited that I am almost finished with my knitting project and ready to start something new! 

working on getting my blog compliant with the GDPR guidelines. If you haven’t looked into this, NOW might be a good time. The General Data Protection Regulation comes fully into force on May, 25th. That’s this Friday!  

playing around with my blog design, in case you haven’t noticed. I am still using the same theme, but I’ve been playing around with some elements. Not sure if this is the final version (it is for now), but let me know if I broke something and something isn’t working correctly). 

going to Washington, D.C. next weekend for the wedding I mentioned earlier this month. I am so excited.

reading Educated by Tara Westover. 

looking forward to the FIFA World Cup in June. Will you be watching? I can’t believe that the US failed to qualify,  but neither did Italy and the Netherlands. Gasp.

What’s up with you currently?

16

Currently | April

April 19, 2018 filed under: currently

listening to a podcast. Gasp. I know. But only because one of my best friends is podcasting from her job as a foreign correspondent in New Delhi. And yes, it’s in German. I am sorry.

watching all the baseball. The Red Sox are a joy to watch this season. Ok, for me they’re a joy to watch any season, but they had such a good start. (I can’t shut up about it. Sorry, not sorry.)

eating asada burritos from our favorite taqueria. It’s our go-to take-out food and we usually get it once a week. It’s affordable and it always ends up being dinner + next day’s lunch for me (the burritos are huge), which is always a plus. What’s your favorite take-out?

drinking decaf coffee. I am not really affected by caffeine (I think), but J is and since we both had cravings for afternoon/evening coffees lately (for me, it’s really a comfort drink), we’ve tried some decaf and it works.

feeling kinda blah right now. And I can’t even tell you why. Hate that feeling.

looking forward to some girl time with my friend Susi in May. I am so overdue, I can’t even tell you.

going on a work trip to Sonoma Valley soon. I agree, it could be a lot worse. Haha. I am actually looking forward to it.

reading The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker. I like it so far (I am only a few chapters in). I think this is a book I originally got for free through BookBub. I must admit, when their email comes,  I always just look if the free books interest me, otherwise I’ll try to get the books at the library.

kinda loving puzzles right now. As if I needed one more competing leisure time activity. (My MIL brought a puzzle when she visited and we finished it together and it was so much fun. I am suspecting that it’s probably just going to be a phase though. As much as I like puzzles, I know myself and I think I will end up choosing something more “productive”  – or, if I am honest, something where I can multitask – over doing a puzzle most times.)

stoked that a new Michaels store has opened closer to where I live. It’s the little things, people!

going to a meet-the-baby-shower this weekend. The parents requested new or cherished favorite books to add to the baby’s library and I was thrilled to find a translated version of a German children’s book, The Rainbow Fish, which is a super-cute book with beautiful illustrations. I am fairly certain nobody else will gift this book.

What’s up with you currently?

16

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 9
  • Next Page »

Hi, I am San – German native, dual-citizen living in beautiful Northern California. Runner. Knitter. Crafter. Reader. Writer. Proud aunt, sister, and friend.

I’ve been blogging since 2004 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. If you are looking for personal content and making a  genuine connection, you’ve come to the right place.

Shop

Disclosure + Privacy

All content, unless otherwise specified, is original content written and created by me. Stealing is rude. If you want to use any photos or other content, just send me a note and maybe we can work something out. Be sure to credit and link back, if you do take any information from this blog and post it somewhere else. Thank you!

Now, let’s be friends!

Please check out my disclosure + privacy policies.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Archives

  • ▼2021 (6)
    • ▼January (6)
      • Tuesday Topics | What I learned about myself during the pandemic
      • January Link List
      • One Little Word® for 2021: Trust
      • Tuesday Topics | My favorite book(s) of 2020
      • Things I wanted to do in 2020
      • Goodbye 2020, hello 2021.
  • ►2020 (118)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (8)
    • ►September (10)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (7)
    • ►June (6)
    • ►May (5)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (5)
    • ►February (10)
    • ►January (13)
  • ►2019 (142)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (10)
    • ►September (11)
    • ►August (10)
    • ►July (13)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (8)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (10)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (12)
  • ►2018 (145)
    • ►December (8)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (8)
    • ►September (7)
    • ►August (12)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (13)
    • ►March (12)
    • ►February (12)
    • ►January (13)
  • ►2017 (152)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (12)
    • ►September (10)
    • ►August (13)
    • ►July (12)
    • ►June (13)
    • ►May (12)
    • ►April (9)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (12)
  • ►2016 (153)
    • ►December (18)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (11)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (10)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (13)
    • ►April (12)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (11)
    • ►January (7)
  • ►2015 (141)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (10)
    • ►September (12)
    • ►August (12)
    • ►July (10)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (13)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (6)
  • ►2014 (198)
    • ►December (19)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (18)
    • ►September (12)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (14)
    • ►June (17)
    • ►May (13)
    • ►April (17)
    • ►March (18)
    • ►February (15)
    • ►January (14)
  • ►2013 (162)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (15)
    • ►September (15)
    • ►August (7)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (13)
    • ►March (21)
    • ►February (14)
    • ►January (6)
  • ►2012 (211)
    • ►December (12)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (17)
    • ►September (14)
    • ►August (13)
    • ►July (14)
    • ►June (19)
    • ►May (18)
    • ►April (18)
    • ►March (20)
    • ►February (22)
    • ►January (14)
  • ►2011 (187)
    • ►December (16)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (19)
    • ►September (20)
    • ►August (7)
    • ►July (19)
    • ►June (19)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (12)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (13)
    • ►January (12)
  • ►2010 (140)
    • ►December (13)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (11)
    • ►September (12)
    • ►August (5)
    • ►July (8)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (14)
    • ►February (12)
    • ►January (12)
  • ►2009 (139)
    • ►December (12)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (8)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (6)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (12)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (13)
    • ►February (12)
    • ►January (11)
  • ►2008 (138)
    • ►December (12)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (7)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (10)
    • ►July (8)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (14)
    • ►April (13)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (7)
  • ►2007 (145)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (13)
    • ►September (10)
    • ►August (9)
    • ►July (10)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (14)
    • ►April (12)
    • ►March (10)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (8)
  • ►2006 (152)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (30)
    • ►October (16)
    • ►September (14)
    • ►August (17)
    • ►July (13)
    • ►June (10)
    • ►May (2)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (12)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2005 (150)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (16)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (15)
    • ►August (16)
    • ►July (10)
    • ►June (14)
    • ►May (16)
    • ►April (13)
    • ►March (16)
    • ►February (10)
    • ►January (13)
  • ►2004 (29)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (2)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (5)
    • ►April (6)
…

All Rights Reserved ©theinbetweenismine.com 2004-2021

Copyright © 2021 · Wildflower on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok