One holiday down and one to go

There was a really beautiful snowfall a few weeks back, so here are some pics from it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29860485@N03/sets/72157611852638970/show/.

Vienna was fabulous :) Here are the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29860485@N03/sets/72157611852629096/show/.

Rachel and I arrived early Thursday evening (Christmas) and walked around, doing a little window shopping and sight seeing, since everything was closed (BTW...Europeans celebrate Christmas on 12/24-26, so everything is closed for 3 days as these are national holidays). On Friday we went downtown and took in a few sights, went on a guided tour of Vienna's famous sights, and had some amazing food throughout the day. Then, on Saturday we went to the Schonbrunn Palace and the Belvedere Palace and then watched a performance of the Nutcracker at the Vienna Opera House. We got up early Sunday morning and headed to the Imperial Palace's Church, where we listened to mass and the Vienna Boys Choir. It was all really nice...but it didn't feel like Christmas. I wasn't surrounded by family and noise and chaos...man, I can't wait for next Christmas :)

I'm headed to Vienna!!

I'll be spending this Christmas in Vienna (yippee!) :) I'm headed to a party on Christmas Eve, then I'll chat (via webcam) with the family on early Christmas morning, and then head to Vienna for Christmas (Dec. 25-28). Rachel, one of the other trainees, asked this morning if I'd like to go, so we're making a vacation of it :) We're both away from our families for the first time, and don't want to spend the holidays doing nothing, so we're making the best of it. I'm so excited!!

Happy Holidays!!

It's that time of year again :) The smell of fresh baked cookies, the Christmas lights that line the streets, the sound of families rushing to and from holiday parties...ahhhh :) Such a joyous time of year. This is the first Christmas that I'll be away from my family, so to all those that have the opportunity to spend some time with their loved ones...enjoy it...savor it...for you never know what the future holds. Christmas was both of my grandpa's favorite holiday, which was passed down to me. Christmas is about families and friends spending time with each other, giving unto others and sharing, and celebrating all of the joys (and sorrows) of the past year. It's a wonderful, beautiful time of year, no matter where you are. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here in Germany and wouldn't trade it for the world. It's opened my eyes to new cultures, a different set of people, and reminds me how blessed I am. So, in short...Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! God Bless!

I'm not very good at this blogging thing...

Yeah...it looks like I'm not very good at remembering to post on my blog...sorry about that. I just got back from the states a few days ago, so I'm still a little jet-lagged. I was in San Antonio for about a week and half for a conference and training, which was really fun. I also got to see my family and friends while I was there, so that was great too :) We had an early mini-Christmas the first night I was there and then the last night I was there we had dinner with some family friends. Overall, it was a great time and I truly enjoyed seeing everyone and spending time with them.

Long needed updates

Good evening :) I finally got internet at my apartment, so I'm finally updating my blog (sorry for the huge lag time). Here are some pics of my trip to Baltimore for NRPA: http://flickr.com/photos/29860485@N03/sets/72157608986057342/show/. And some pics of my apartment: http://flickr.com/photos/29860485@N03/sets/72157608989879358/show/.

My time in the states was really great. I met some amazing people, learned a TON, and got to do a little shopping :) I'm headed back at the end of Nov for another conference and training, which is in San Antonio, so I'll get to see my family and friends and have an early Christmas (yippee!!).

It's officially winter here in Germany (well, maybe late fall). The time has changed, the leaves are off the trees, and it's definitely cooled off. I can't wait to see what Christmas will hold for me, since this will be the first year I'm away from my family. I plan on going to a few Christmas markets in the area (and possibly one in Berlin), so that should be plenty fun, plus I might even go skiing the weekend before Christmas (wahoo!!). All-in-all, it should be interesting this year.

My truck should be arriving next week, which means that I'll have real transportation (no more waiting for the bus in the cold) and will get to do some shopping for my apartment. Right now the apt is pretty bare, but I'm trying to remedy that ASAP. My christmas present to myself is a couch this year, and I'll probably get some storage/cabinets and a desk before that. Ahhh...I can't wait until it's all comfy cozy :)

It might be a little while before another post....

Hey hey! Just wanted everyone to know that it might be another week before I post again b/c I won't have any internet (or phone service) at my apartment until after Nov. 4th. After that....it's all good :) I finally moved into my apartment and am working on getting furniture and other things...man, it's nice to have a place to call home! Alrighty...gotta get back to work :)

Orlando

Orlando was....sunny :) 2 weeks is a really long time to hard-core study special events...BUT, I learned a TON, met some really great people, and have some good ideas to take back to Bamberg. Sooo....here's some of the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29860485@N03/sets/72157607969742863/show/. Hope y'all enjoy!