Loving London

Kelly: London is a comfortable Paris.
Paris is massive. London is massive.
Paris is fashionable. London is fashionable.
Paris has amazing food. London has amazing food.
Paris has amazing history and architecture. London has amazing history and architecture.
Despite the similarities, London seems much more doable. Perhaps the reason is that the language barrier doesn't exist. Although, some of the words like, "bobbies" and "aubergine" could be another language! We found Londoners to be very welcoming and willing to take time to explain directions or to check on food ingredients.

We stayed with a lovely English woman who had lived in England all of her life, spending most of her time in London, summering in Somerset and France. How amazing does that sound! She lived in an adorable, historic rowhome near Holland Park. Matt and I quickly came to feel at home in this residential neighborhood just west of Notting Hill. We ate so well, which was a joy for me given that I'd been struggling with the newly diagnosed food allergies. Matt found cider and became inspired to brew his own when we return to the states. We walked about 14 miles the first day and didn't even scratch the surface. So, with Rick Steves' blessing and the encouragement of our proper English hostess, we bit the bullet and hopped on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It served the purpose of moving us from one tourist destination to another. We detoured and spent a few hours at the Tate Modern where Matt awoke, both literally with the help of a stellar latte and figuratively with the lofty space inspiring new creative ideas for living.

And now, we are back in cloudy, cold Germany. If you couldn't tell, I'm not looking forward to work tomorrow....

Fresh Mountain Air

Kelly: I'm spending a few days in Garmisch, Germany at the foot of the Alps, for a Resiliency Training. I won't bore you with the details of the training, but attending has made me realize that I certainly have the skills required to pursue CEU/CME workshops on self-care! Nuf said. The weather has been rainy and cold...not so much fun, except that cold and rain at sea level means a view of snow-covered peaks from my balcony. I've met some cool people and have seen several people get hooked on yoga after one session!

The part of this trip that has been the most difficult for me is certainly the food, or lack thereof. The nice young man in the lunch buffet line (the only restaurant available to us at the conference center is the buffet, unless I want to eat pub food, which won't happen) assured me that yesterday's vegetable soup was gluten free. The knots in my stomach at 2:00 PM told me otherwise. Ugh. I found a health food store where I was able to stock up on some fruit and gluten-free snacks such as rice cakes, pretzels, and dried coconut. However, I don't like consuming so much processed crap and my body feels sluggish and tired after doing so. I'm already ready to return to fresh veggies and simple fish. Simple. I'm also looking forward to seeing my honey who will be home shortly before I return, assuming traffic isn't a nightmare tomorrow.

I'm going to tuck myself in for my last night of sleeping at the foot of the Alps breathing pristine, mountain air :)

Stateside

Kelly: I spent an amazing weekend in Austin, TX with a great friend. I swam in Barton Springs pool which was on my life list of things to do. It was amazing...cool and refreshing for two very sweaty pals :) We ate amazing food at Whole Foods, shopped but didn't buy at Anthropologie, drank Konbucha, walked along the lake, and had great conversation. A simultaneously relaxing and energizing weekend. Oh, and I wore dangley earrings (gasp!). Thanks for sharing the weekend with me, MA!

The parental visit

Kelly: Wow, what a whirlwind of a visit. Mom and Dad arrived on a rainy, cold Thursday. We took the train to a cool, cloudy Paris, explored the streets, climbed the Eiffel Tower, and ate really great Parisian food and wine. Quote of the trip was from Dad, "My self esteem goes up when I stop reading!" in response to his difficulty reading French words and our subsequent hysterically laughter...the kind where you get the ugly face because you can barely breathe because you are laughing so hard!

Then back home long enough to wash our clothes before venturing off through Switzerland and Lake Como. Switerland was breathtakingly beautiful, and Lake Como was top notch. Mom loved loved loved both the gelato and the views in the Lake Como area. We stayed at a slightly out-of-the-way small hotel with a great buffet breakfast and even better views of the wind-surfers who filled our end of the lake from 6-8 am and provided us with "interesting" views during breakfast...let's just say that mom and I enjoyed the views more than the boys :) Then, it was off to Rome but when we found Lucca and Tuscancy, our plans took a detour. The Tourist Information office booked us a night at an agriturismo (working Italian farm that hosts guests) and we drank wine from the barrel, picnicked by the pool on top of the hill overlooking vineyards, and slept in rustic but comfortable and quiet rooms. Ahhh....so relaxing. We jumped back in the car the next morning and headed to an Italian Riviera town called Sestri Levante. We walked on the pebbly beach, stuck our feet in the water, and climbed out on some massive rocks. Dad almost lost his shoe to the Med, but luckily rescued it no thanks to Mom and me laughing hysterically up the beach. We dined at a cute outdoor cafe where Dad learned that he liked Italian beer, that antipasta salad doesn't mean that you get lettuce, and that pizza comes at the very very end of the meal. We packed back in to the car and headed north. Our goal (okay, my goal) was to make it into southern Germany where our dollar went farther than in Switzerland to the south. Switzerland was breath-taking and Samantha's "time-saving" detour showed us the neat-as-a-pin Swiss villages filled with modern architecture at the foot of the most rugged and beautiful mountains I have yet to see. We took Rick Steve's advice yet again and headed for a Gasthaus (German Inn) in the reportedly charming town of Staufen in the black forest. Given Samantha's route through tiny towns in Switzerland, I didn't doubt her accuracy as we navigated swtichbacks and hair-pin turns through the black forest, until we arrived at the inn in Staufen only to find the owner smiling and telling us he had no rooms and that we were really looking for a different in with the same name in a town named Staufen, 70 km from our current location. So, at 8:00 PM, we drove on though more of the black forest to arrive at the second Staufen. Even though darkness was setting in, we were utterly delighted with the story-book flavor of the sweet town and even more so the kindness of the host who graciously kept the kitchen open well past closing to make sure we had plenty to eat. Our rooms were traditional and comfortable, and the breakfast buffet was the best I've ever had...coffee (free refills much to Dad's delight), eggs, yogurt, fresh berries, breads, jams, tomatoes, and more. After breakfast we waddled to the cobblestone streets for some shopping. Dad discovered a sports store and found a new love named Jack Wolfskin...don't be alarmed, Mr. Wolfskin is a very famous German outdoor store. Mom and I delighted in a super-cute thrift store where she got a fab pair of red leather sandals and I scored a black German bag. We met up with the boys who had joined in their own favorite activity...cafe sitting and coffee drinking. We reluctantly packed the car and headed to Baden Baden. Although it wasn't what I had pictured, we still enjoyed our time there and had a lovely lunch outdoors in the perfect weather. The traffic on the way home was not-so-perfect. Many hours and detours later, we arrived back in rainy Ramstein. We recovered the next day with a trip to the farmer's market and then more shopping in Ktown. Mom found great gifts for my sisters and Matt found a 700 euro bag, which he did not buy but dreamed about the rest of the day. We spent the remainder of the weekend working on the lawn (Mom and Dad doing most of the work), playing beanbags and cards.

It was an awesome trip filled with great food, laughter, and memories that will last our lifetime. I love you Mom and Dad!

A love affair...and my husband knows about it

Kelly: This weekend we took a roadtrip to France. We drove to Lyon, which was actually quite charming. Lyon is a restaurant mecca. We enjoyed tasty food at one of the many cafes. We dined on the cobblestoned street, watching the business people and tourists mix as they shopped for a restaurant. We stayed in a woman's flat on the fifth floor....good thing I've converted to an ultra-light packer! We rose early the next morning, and it took both of us to figure out how to use the Nescafe coffee maker. After a quick espresso, we headed south. Unfortunately, we weren't going to make it to the Arles Saturday market by closing time, so instead we stopped in Avingon (not impressed) and then on to Aix-on-Provence (impressed). Aix (as the locals refer to it) is a charming cosmopolitan town replete with art and money...how could that be a bad thing? We then made our way to our home base for the night...Arles. We had gathered picnic fare in Aix and after checking in to our tiny but modern room, we picnicked by a Roman arena. Crazy. Then we strolled the streets for a gelato shop, stumbled across a local music fest complete with sod (in the middle of the city), and then made our way home...tipsy on wine and exhausted from a day on the road. Arles was an interesting mix of working class meets cutey shops meets tons of history. It falls into the category of "nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there" which falls in sharp contrast to our destination the next morning...Cassis, which fills the category "nice place to visit, don't want to leave, and how can I possibly live here?" It was a clean as a whistle glamorous fishing village nestled between some amazing glacier-formed cliffs. The Mediterrnaean was amazing...blue/green/clear all at the same time. I'm not a big beachy person, but I loved this beach. Cool breezes, no tourists plastered to cigarette butt covered sand...just white sand and small pebbles in a rugged but calm setting. Did I say I liked this place yet? Alas, we had more to see. We decided to forego the 2+ hour ride to Nice given that we really wouldn't have time to explore it well and still return home. So, we had to "settle" for wine-tasting in Provence. Bummer (dripping in sarcasm). We ended up in Gigondas...a delightful spec of a town with cute cafes and charming flower-box laden homes stacked on the hillside. We were disappointed to learn that the recommended cafe was closed for a party and the other alternatives had only daily menus that contained glutenous fare. But, all was not lost, as we left with two amazing bottles of wine (one of which is from Chateau du Montmirail and has caused me to believe there truly is a difference between 2 euro Aldi wine and this amazing grape blend). So, onward we venture, Samantha (our GPS) sent us the "short" way to the highway...one way streets, cow paths, and...lavendar fields...not quite in bloom (I will return one day to see that). After Sam finally led us to the highway, we stopped at a rest stop for lunch. You might be thinking "ugh...gross"...not so in France. I had a beautiful salad with local basil-infused olive oil. Matt had a chef's salad with the best smoked bacon he had ever tasted....at least the hefty tolls we were paying to drive on the roads were funding amazing food. As we neared Germany, the temperature dropped and the clouds rolled in...too predictable. The at-times torrential rainfall gave way to the most beautiful full rainbow we had ever seen. We returned tired and happy...eager to live in Europe but not Germany!

Madrid Standard Time

Kelly: We arrived back from Madrid at about 1:oo AM this morning. It would've been worse if we hadn't experienced Madrid Standard Time (MST). MST meant leaving for drinks at 9:00 PM, finding a restaurant maybe by 10-10:30...putting food in my mouth by 11:30, 12:00 and returning to our hotel by 1:00AM. So, you can see why this morning's early arrival wasn't too unsettling. What is more unsettling is that it it now 10:18, and I am not sleepy, despite the fact that I have to work tomorrow and have to sound perky for a radio interview.

Madrid was interesting. It was great to see friends from home. It made me miss being able to see them without three months of coordination and a hit to my bank account. It also made me appreciate being able to hop on a plane in the afternoon and be in Madrid by evening. Madrid was messy. Graffiti, trash, dirt, no sense of order (i.e., waiting in lines was futile). The people were not that friendly. In Germany, there isn't much customer service. Germans don't go out of their way to smile or be polite or make smalltalk. My experience of customer service in Madrid was that they went out of their way to be rude....eye rolls when we struggled with the language, ignoring us when we tried to ask for reservations, etc. The food (excepting the Sangria) was underwhelming which could explain why Matt and I both ate a house tonight.

Okay, time for bed. This girl won't have a chance for siesta tomorrow!

Volksmarching!

Kelly: Matt and I participated in our first Volksmarch last weekend. We boarded a bus with 30 other members of the local Volksmarch Club and arrived 2 hours later in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We had an amazingly sunny day. The Start Hall was filled with walkers of all levels and sizes from many countries. We had a little trouble finding the first Kontroll Center where we got our ticket stamped, but we weren't alone...plenty of veteran Volksmarchers also had difficulties. We completed a 6K outside the city. We had hoped for the 11K but because it took us about 3K to find the first stop, we got a late start and were ready for lunch at the end of the 6K. The city was a charming mideval walled city. We ate at an authentic German restaurant off the beaten path. The grandmotherish server knew little English. Fortunately, the chef was younger and knew English well enough for me to ask if the baked fish contained gluten. It didn't, and it was tastey! Matt had baked chicken with a delish salad. We explored shops, walked up on the ramparts, which was a really cool experience, and then stopped for coffee and tea at a modern, hip coffee shop before boarding the bus for the ride home. The DODs teachers in front of us were very chatty on the way home. Matt can tell you all about Mille's cat!

We'll laugh about this...someday

Kelly: Here are the highlights (!) and low-lights (-) from our trip to the states
1. My luggage was lost on the way to San Antonio (-)
2. Matt's flight left Frankfurt on time (!)
3. Matt got stranded in Charlotte, NC on his way to BWI (-)
4. Matt made it in to BWI on the following day (!)
5. Matt had to wait at the airport for several hours while his parents dug out their driveway because they didn't think he would get in (-)
6. Matt's meetings went really well (!)
7. Matt picked me up at the airport and we ate at Edo (!)
8. We scored a kitchen table at Volt and had an incredible lunch (!)
9. We had a great time with my family and my adorable niece (who looked like a cutie patootie in the sweater that I gave her) (!)
10. We found out that my sister sold her house (!)
11. I had great conversations with both of my sisters (!) which made me miss being away from them (-)
12. My parents FINALLY cashed in their Christmas gift from years' past and purchased beautiful new flooring to cover their retro linoleum (!)
13. Our niece had a stomach virus (-)
14. We visited our old neighbors on the way back to Matt's parents (!)
15. I got sick during the 10 minutes we spent with our neighbors (-)
16. My adorable niece passed her virus to EVERY member of the family (-) How could someone so cute spread such a horrid virus???
17. I continued to get sick so we had to stop at a hotel for the night (-)
18. I was sick for 8 hours and Matt was sick for about 5 (-)
19. We still felt like death the next day and had to spend another night at the hotel to avoid passing the virus to Matt's parents (-)
20. We were stable enough to fly back on schedule (!)
21. We didn't get to spend any time with Matt's parents (-)
22. Matt and I had to take different flights back to Frankfurt (-)
23. Neither mine or Matt's video player or light worked on our respective flights (-)
24. Matt was very grumpy and yelled at me when he first saw me at the Frankfurt airport (-)
25. I had to go directly to work from the airport for two hellish days (-)
26. Our kitty was healthy and happy to see us (!)

What a trip!

We are happier to be back than we thought we would be. We realized many things on our trip and perhaps have a healthier outlook now.

All American

Kelly: I have managed to cram many "American" experiences into my short stay in TX.
1. I shopped at an overpriced, gourmet, American grocery store
2. I spent way too much time (but not money thanks to the limits on what will fit in m suitcase) in Target, Ross, and World Market (ironic)
3. I shopped at an outlet mall
4. I saw many many obese individuals, most with fast food in their hands
5. I ate at a chain restaurant (not my choice)
6. I've driven by miles of strip malls
7. I've channel surfed for at least 30 minutes without actually watching anything

That sums it up...thankfully, I have a few more days in my beloved US of A, so more to come :)

To the States

Kelly: After a 23 hour trip with confusing ticketing, poor airport signage, and lost luggage, I made it to Texas. I've visited San Antonio for work twice, so I know enough about it to know that I wanted to spend my one free, sleep-deprived day outside of an Antonio. I drove to Austin and did my favorite Austin activities--visiting Barton Springs Pool, walking on the Zilker Park Trail, watching the rowers on Town Lake, eating at the ginormous Whole Foods, and strolling by cute shops. Traveling to new places is exciting because of the novelty and the challenge. Traveling to a favorite destination is equally exciting because of the familiarity and the chance to re-experience a loved activity with new life experiences, making the once familiar, slightly different. During the walk today, I encountered bleached blond soccer moms who came to the trail to escape thier children but could do nothing but talk about them; harmonica playing men perched on the hills cheering the runners on, new couples who strode together carried by thier fresh love, dogs who are as fit as their owners, and dogs who did not seem to agree with their master's new year's fitness resolution. It was a great day!

Therapeutic Laughter and Home

Kelly: What a week...much of the week was spent trying to ensure the safety of my high-risk patient...multiple appointments with me and coordination of care with other docs. It is the first time I have had the main responsibility for such a high-risk person. So, today, after a provider told me she was very worried and asked if I could see him, he came to my office. What was the intervention: laughter. I didn't intend for it to be that way, but he smiled, and that was my in...I poked fun at him, he poked back, and we kept going and laughing and smiling. Treatment there is very serious and very heavy and this was an instance where a simple "normal"
interaction did more than all the CBT I could therapize :)

We invited our new cat-sitter over for dinner last night. I loved her, and I knew Matt would, too. We chatted and feasted on salmon, beans, rice, and lots of cheap red wine which could explain my reluctancy to get out of bed this morning. What is the reason we need a cat sitter? I am going home. Home is a tricky location. Our German house doesn't feel like home yet. Maryland, in general feels like home, but I won't be returning to our townhome. I'll be visiting family in PA, which will always be home...like the comfortable sweater that never goes out of style. So, after a week in Texas, I'll be stopping in MD before heading to PA...I am so excited!

We've been trying to get reservations at Volt with no luck and finally realized that we'll be in MD over Valentine's Weekend, hence not a reservation to be found...bummer. The good news is that we just made friends with a woman who is tight with the famed Top Chef/owner at Volt. Super!

So, I'm off to pack my bags (very lightly because my thrift shopping obsession has not been exercised for 4 months and I plan to come back with many bargain finds). I've really been admiring vintage blouses lately. With any luck, I'll find one in Austin, or just some cowboy boots. Enough procrastinating...

A weekend in France

Kelly: I love France. There is a palpable difference in the vibe between Germany and France, even though we were no more than 50 miles from the German border. France feels friendlier and more approachable...evidenced from facial expressions to architecture. I loved the "common" stores such as the Cora, which is the French equivalent of a Super Walmart, complete with wine bar and patisserie at the entrance. See, how could you not love France??? And, Monoprix, the smart and chic department store selling everything from fabric softener to bamboo bowls.

We spent the night at Hotel Gutenberg in Strasbourg, France. It was a charming old hotel in the center of town...translation...amazing location with no parking and tiny accomodations for our budget-conscious rate. We had a nice time strolling around the city with intermittent stops back at the teeny, tiny but warm room so that I could regain feeling in my limbs. We ate dinner at a local place...I had salmon...Matt had beef stew (after they sold out of his first choice roasted chicken). Both meals were good. We went to bed early, only to awaken to the sounds of shouting drunk men, reminding us that we were a stone's throw from the vibrant university scene. We woke this morning and Matt decided that my idea of spending 3.5 hours at the spa wasn't such a good idea after he learned that he'd have to be naked for the whole time amongst other naked folks...not to say that I am comfortable with the idea either, but I think it is a once in a lifetime experience. So, I'll be going back...alone. Instead of sitting in a sauna, we sat in the Corolla on the freeways and backroad in France exploring Nancy (an industrial, shabby city) and Metz (a gem with parks and trees). Unfortunately, as in Germany, everything was closed on Sunday, so we will return to explore the shops and cafes.

We went for a walk when we returned, enjoying the sliver of sunlight that poked through the clouds just before the sun set at an astonishingly late 5:05 PM...it is headed in the right direction!

Paralyzed by Possibilities

Kelly: It is no secret that I am not the most decisive person. It is easy to see the genetic link...no offense mom and sister(s) :) Now that I'm in the middle of Europe, I'm like a kid in a candy store...so many destinations...how do I choose...where do I begin? When I realized that I have a three-day weekend in January, Matt and I decided we'd better start planning a trip, but where? I want to maximize every moment and use all of the time...Matt is more rational and has concerns about the weather and logistics. I'm thinking maybe Berlin. Matt was thinking more local like Rothenburg and Strasbourg. After 30 minutes of increasingly frustrating travel talk, we called it a day.

Life Lessons

Kelly: I’ve been seeing clients on a regular basis for the past two weeks and have a new perspective on life, love, and the military.

LIFE: I’m continually surprised that individuals here don’t want to travel and experience Europe. Instead, they dwell on the gloomy weather and the rules that prohibit everything from shopping on Sundays to driving. What is it that makes some yearn to travel while others yearn to keep their feet as firmly planted as possible? Genetics…not so much. I have been bitten by the travel bug and have engineered ways to see the country and now the world (or Greater Europe at the very least). My sisters are both happy to hold their ties close to home and have both made successful careers and lives for themselves near where we were born and raised. Matt and his sister are travel opposites, too. So, if it is not genetics, then the environment? Am I searching for something that my sisters have already found?

LOVE: I take so much for granted in my relationship with my family and with my husband. Love, nurturing, and a safe environment…not too much to ask, or so I thought. It is amazing what happens in the absence of love, nurturance, and safety.

MILITARY: The military does amazing things for some…providing support, stability, structure, and a chance to be independent. Some excel and thrive, creating amazing experiences and mentoring the aforementioned love-devoid young recruits. Others crumble under the rigidity, rules, and limitations.

What I’m learning is that life is about finding your niche. It is about pushing yourself in the areas that are primed for expansion. Life is about learning. Without learning about yourself, happiness remains an illusion..a branch just out of reach…the hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. More importantly, life isn’t only about reaching the next branch of finding the gold-filled pot, it is about the process of finding your niche. If you can’t see the joy in the journey, there is no light in life.

Why I'm here: A reminder

Kelly: I'm back in Vilseck, fondly recalling our time in Prague. This trip to Prague reminded me one of the reasons why I took the job here...I...love...travel...plain and simple. I feel more creative, alive, and love the thrill of learning on my feet (even when it feels really difficult at the time). The benefits of travel are many. I also learned a downside this weekend...finding gluten free food to eat during the Christmas holidays in a foreign country where I can't read any ingredients. Because of that difficulty, I've resolved to bring more gluten free snacks with me. As I was looking for inspiration for gluten free snack recipes, I came across Elanas Pantry. Elana offers lots of great recipe ideas for meals, snacks, and baked goods made with almond flour, without the need for all of those pesky ingredients like guar gum, xanthan gum, and other difficult to pronounce and use thickeners and leaveners. I like the plain and simple recipes...wholesome ingredients and gluten free. I can't wait to return to our kitchen and experiment.

Christmas Eve in Prague

Kelly: We left sleepy, sleety Vilseck and arrived in Prague this afternoon. Our hotel Aparthotel City 5 is great. The owner is so kind, friendly, and genuine. We spent two hours exploring the city...such an interesting place. The buildings are amazing...baroque and oozing with history but very cold and harsh, too. We encountered international travelers and heard at least half a dozen languages in a short period of time. We took respite from the cold in a cozy cafe appropriately named Cafe Cafe. We had a great dinner and yummy tea (and coffee with Baileys for Matt). I was actually tempted to smoke a cigarette...everyone here smokes and they are so glamorous. Sitting in the cafe, I inhaled enough smoke to equal smoking a few, so I quickly changed my mind, much to Matt's chagrin.

As we strolled the streets, I was struck by how my heritage was evident in the faces of those we passed. Even though I'm far from home, seeing the similarities in the faces of those here makes it a little easier. I still can't believe that I am in the Czech Republic. Crazy! I'm grateful for the opportunity to see more of the world.

We're planning to visit the Palace tomorrow and a tea shop (if we can find one that is open). Matt is on a quest for Absinthe...we'll see if we can track down the green fairy.

One monthiversary

Kelly: We've been in Europe for one month. It seems longer. I met a social worker last week who told me that it takes about 6 months to feel settled here. She had lived all over the world including Korea, Europe (prior to this trip), Iraq, Korea, and the states, and said that Germany was the most difficult and longest adjustment because everything happens so s..l..o..w..l..y. Five more months to go until we feel settled, I suppose.

We celebrated our one monithversary and my birthday with a trip to Brugge, Belgium. We went as part of a USO tour which had its good and its bad points.
The good: We didn't have to think. It was cheap.
The bad: We had no control over the timing of events... left at 0400 on Saturday and didn't get back until 1:00 AM Sunday (today). The bus was really uncomfortable, especially for Matt. We had to watch two really bad movies.
All in all, it was a good day. The weather was nice (50s and partly cloudy). We were able to find the little cafe that we visited two years ago in Brugge. I found a delightful tea shop, and I bought rose like I found in the Spice Store in Philly when SWS lived there. I brewed a big pot for breakfast this morning...yum. We are both dragging today.

Earlier in the week, I found a natural grocery store in Kaiserslautern (15 minutes away) and even more excited that the store was open on Sunday. So, Matt and I headed to Alnatura today with our new GPS only to find that it is closed! How disappointing. It looks really cute, too. So, maybe we'll try one evening this week after work. The no-store-anywhere is open on Sunday thing is very frustrating!

On an unrelated note, I love the comments! Thanks :)