Parting Has Such Sweet Sorrow

I made it back to the states safe and sound. I had a nice layover in Arizona to see my grandparents, I spent a day with my parents in Eugene, now I am in the mountains for a week, and then up to Seattle. As you can see, no matter where I am there is never a dull moment.

Wrapping it up before the holidays

Sorry I have been MIA, missing in action, on the blog scene this last month. I would like to say that it is because I have been working on a really important project but honestly I’ve been doing what I do best – goofing around.

My hanging out in the last month spanned three countries. My first stop was Warsaw to visit my friends Agata and Kaja. As most of my friends here in Berlin are dudes, I was really longing for girl time so I jumped on a train heading east. I am sorry to report that I don’t have any pictures of our time together. But I can say that it was great and Central European hospitality cannot be beat. Ms. Dukaczewska, Agata and Kaja’s mom, also invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner number one. Yum.

After a stopover in Berlin, I then went to Spain for Thanksgiving #2. Leif, my friend that I visit all over the place, is back in Spain this year teaching English. He went crazy on Thanksgiving bringing over tins of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie mix from the states. I had a really nice weekend with him and his attractive, I mean friendly, roommates. We of course danced our pants off every night and didn’t wake up until after noon. Viva Espana!

The following weekend after Thanksgiving Kriszti, a sweet friend from Hungary, came to visit me. It was so fun to show her Berlin and catch up on life. It was her first trip to Germany and I think she enjoyed it. She also provided some much needed moral support for my singing career. I do in fact have a video of my performance now. Oh yes. But, I am hoping to get a better quality recording at my farewell show on Saturday.

I will be leaving Germany in a bit over a week. It’s sad because I don’t really know when or if I will be coming back. For the time being I am still working on my German, pretending to be a rockstar, visiting Christmas markets like it is my job, eating lots of chocolate – thank you advent calendars, going on dates this cute boy named Robert, getting excited to go skiing in Oregon for Christmas, and doing my job application thing. As always, hopefully the next blog will include an exciting job announcement and a bit about my plans for the New Year.

One of these things is not like the other

This picture is supposed to fit in below with the pictures of me in Spain. But, I added it in a little late. Anywho, these are Leif's roommies - Victor (nickname Lycra), Antonio (nickname Janto), and Jesus (I don't remember his nickname but he told me that his name is Jesus because he was conceived on Christmas. There is a fun fact for ya')

Classic Brandenburger Tur - Classic dorky tourists

Here's a picture where you can see us...

Kriszti and me at my friend Chris's apartment.

Bucket O Sangria

No Spanish Thanksgiving would be complete without a bucket of Sangria and Leif looking like a lepracon while serving it. You will note that the bucket is in fact plastic but we over compensated by drinking Sangria out of silver challises (see below).

The Thanksgiving Party

In attendance: 3 US Americans, 1 Italian, 2 Brits, 8 Spaniards.

Three more reasons why I love Thanksgiving

The middle cake is a traditional Spanish Chocolate torte - the kind a Spanish grandma would make. I had the honor of helping Jesus make this baby. Yum. It's the perfect dish for the baking incompetent - like me. :) Leif made the traditional apple and pumpkin pie.

Beautiful Extramadura Scenery

Don't try this at home.