So, it is ridiculously hot. It's pretty much all I can think about. The heat and humidity was way worse in Dubai, but we lived in our air conditioned bubble so it was manageable. Here there is just no place to escape!I was trying to figure out
The weekend was great, Steph and I walked from Grinzing up to Kahlenberg on Saturday morning, went to another friends for a Mexican feast, got up early for a long bike ride and then went and had a great salad for lunch. All part of my new "active lifestyle" vs. training. Work is work, super hot, kids are nice, crazy start, but it should be fine. Back to more interesting things... I am going to try an "active lifestyle" instead of training, but, it's hard because I don't feel very motivated. I've been running an hour or more pretty much every day, no swimming and a few long bike rides, and I can do it all, but, it just doesn't feel good. Ugh. I'm hoping it gets better! I don't want to feel like this for long. May need to sign up for another race so I have some sort of goal in sight!
I just pulled out my spiral notebook of things I want to do in my life, I finally get to cross off Ironman, which was written in with a question mark because I wasn't sure I wanted to do one. Well, I did it. I'm going to look through and see if there is anything else I can cross off, or anything I should add.
I've been reviewing my finances and should really cut back on traveling, but I just LOVE it. I really want to buy a scooter too, the commute is making me crazy. I wanted to take public and get to school early for the first week, but after a terrible commute on Friday and another awful commute on Tuesday, involving broken tram lines, a 45 minute walk and then a 12 Euro cab ride... something has to be done. Until I figure out what to do, I'll just have to take the school bus.
Since I'm melting and can't do much more than sit still with a fan blowing on me I have gone back to my Friday Night Lights addiction. I'm still on the first season, but loving it.
So happy tomorrow is Friday.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back to life, back to reality...
Back to work, and real life. I just about went CRAZY getting to work on Friday, took just under two hours and I was hot and sweaty and miserable. I never really recovered and was in a bad mood all day. Basically sprinted out the door at 3:15.
But... my last week or so at home was awesome!
My mom's birthday party was really fun. My Aunt did a great job planning and cooking. She also bought the most beautiful cake from a local bakery, fancier than a wedding cake, and there were peanut m and m's everywhere, so of course I was thrilled. And, my friend Amy, who was in Nice with us this summer came, and that was really fun! It was the only time I saw some of my family. Time just seems too short!
The next day we had a BBQ at my brother's house, he does the best chicken! My dad came over too, which was nice. He seemed to enjoy himself. Gavin was hilarious, using scissors to "mow" the lawn. It was really relaxing and fun.
I went and visited the Lam Family after, which was AMAZING! I miss them so much and only was able to see them twice this time home. I was just going to stay for a little bit and then head out to the beach, but I couldn't leave and ended up going out to dinner with them and then driving to the beach much later than anticipated, but it was so great to see them!
We had a great time at the beach, it was totally relaxing and I love all the time I can spend just hanging out and relaxing. The drive over was a bit scary, the road was so dark and windy and I was pretty convince that a deer was going to jump out at any given second. It felt a little like a video game till I realized, wait this is real... As always, the beach was one of the best parts of my trip home, beach time, McMenamins, Cannon Beach (and the best pizza ever), walks to Pacific Way Cafe, runs on the beach, hanging out at the house just relaxing, it was just great! I had to say my goodbyes, Ella always says something that just breaks, my heart, as I was leaving this time, she just gave me a hug and said, it's just so sad when you have to leave, there's never enough time to do everything. She's so right!
I drove to Marisa's and she arranged it so that we could drive down to Troy's wedding in Sisters together, which was AWESOME! We had lots of time to talk about everything and I don't feel like we always have that, so it was perfect and the drive flew by. We settled into the hotel, opened a bottle of wine and relaxed until it was time to go and see everyone else at this place in Sisters. It was so great to see Troy, his family, friends from high school and college and just have tons of fun! The night ended with me flagging down a police officer and asking for a ride home. Unfortunately he didn't think my idea of turning on the sirens to scare Marisa was such a good idea, but he did stop and pick her up too, so we didn't have to walk home. The wedding the next day was absolutely perfect. The house it was at could have been, and actually I think was, written up in Architcectural Digest, or some other magazine. It looked like a movie, set, so beautiful, amazing views, gorgeous decorations, and many of the things weren't just there for the wedding, but were part of the house all the time. Jill looked amazing and everything seemed perfect. It was an amazing wedding and super fun to see everyone.
We had to get up early and drive to Portland so I could catch my flight back to Vienna, which I barely made. Bridgepedal, this great Portland biking event... just about made me crazy! I did make it, but it was pretty stressful and close, I barely made the 60 minute checked baggage rule... but I did make it, so that was good!
Being back in Vienna has actually been great. Seeing Steve was great, I really missed him and am realizing being gone for 3 or 4 weeks is just too long. It's hard because I want to be home longer, but don't want to be away for that long. As usual, the life abroad, wanting things that you just can't have... Work is work. I had to go back right away and time is just flying by. I have a zillion things to do and am having a bit of trouble organizing it all and my time. I have also decided that I want a more "active lifestyle" and not do any race specific training, so Steph and I walked to Kahlenberg (up this long hill) yesterday and a few of us are going on a bike ride to lunch and back this afternoon. Steph said we were turning into "nerds" and I said, no, we're just turning into Austrians...
But... my last week or so at home was awesome!
My mom's birthday party was really fun. My Aunt did a great job planning and cooking. She also bought the most beautiful cake from a local bakery, fancier than a wedding cake, and there were peanut m and m's everywhere, so of course I was thrilled. And, my friend Amy, who was in Nice with us this summer came, and that was really fun! It was the only time I saw some of my family. Time just seems too short!
The next day we had a BBQ at my brother's house, he does the best chicken! My dad came over too, which was nice. He seemed to enjoy himself. Gavin was hilarious, using scissors to "mow" the lawn. It was really relaxing and fun.
I went and visited the Lam Family after, which was AMAZING! I miss them so much and only was able to see them twice this time home. I was just going to stay for a little bit and then head out to the beach, but I couldn't leave and ended up going out to dinner with them and then driving to the beach much later than anticipated, but it was so great to see them!
We had a great time at the beach, it was totally relaxing and I love all the time I can spend just hanging out and relaxing. The drive over was a bit scary, the road was so dark and windy and I was pretty convince that a deer was going to jump out at any given second. It felt a little like a video game till I realized, wait this is real... As always, the beach was one of the best parts of my trip home, beach time, McMenamins, Cannon Beach (and the best pizza ever), walks to Pacific Way Cafe, runs on the beach, hanging out at the house just relaxing, it was just great! I had to say my goodbyes, Ella always says something that just breaks, my heart, as I was leaving this time, she just gave me a hug and said, it's just so sad when you have to leave, there's never enough time to do everything. She's so right!
I drove to Marisa's and she arranged it so that we could drive down to Troy's wedding in Sisters together, which was AWESOME! We had lots of time to talk about everything and I don't feel like we always have that, so it was perfect and the drive flew by. We settled into the hotel, opened a bottle of wine and relaxed until it was time to go and see everyone else at this place in Sisters. It was so great to see Troy, his family, friends from high school and college and just have tons of fun! The night ended with me flagging down a police officer and asking for a ride home. Unfortunately he didn't think my idea of turning on the sirens to scare Marisa was such a good idea, but he did stop and pick her up too, so we didn't have to walk home. The wedding the next day was absolutely perfect. The house it was at could have been, and actually I think was, written up in Architcectural Digest, or some other magazine. It looked like a movie, set, so beautiful, amazing views, gorgeous decorations, and many of the things weren't just there for the wedding, but were part of the house all the time. Jill looked amazing and everything seemed perfect. It was an amazing wedding and super fun to see everyone.
We had to get up early and drive to Portland so I could catch my flight back to Vienna, which I barely made. Bridgepedal, this great Portland biking event... just about made me crazy! I did make it, but it was pretty stressful and close, I barely made the 60 minute checked baggage rule... but I did make it, so that was good!
Being back in Vienna has actually been great. Seeing Steve was great, I really missed him and am realizing being gone for 3 or 4 weeks is just too long. It's hard because I want to be home longer, but don't want to be away for that long. As usual, the life abroad, wanting things that you just can't have... Work is work. I had to go back right away and time is just flying by. I have a zillion things to do and am having a bit of trouble organizing it all and my time. I have also decided that I want a more "active lifestyle" and not do any race specific training, so Steph and I walked to Kahlenberg (up this long hill) yesterday and a few of us are going on a bike ride to lunch and back this afternoon. Steph said we were turning into "nerds" and I said, no, we're just turning into Austrians...
Thursday, August 4, 2011
10 days and counting....
I am SO glad that I decided to come home early. This has been by far my most relaxing summer home since I started living abroad four years ago. I guess it just takes some time to accept that you can't see and do it all in three or four weeks. I have just had the best time seeing my friends and family. I've managed to do some big group things, which are totally fun, but also had 1:1 time with so many different girlfriends that I don't always get a chance to see. I have met three more new babies/toddlers and loved every second of it! I'm watching Tilly right now, and, it could not be any easier. She is the most precious little thing ever!
So, let's see, what have I done since I've been home... went over to my friend Erin's and meet her little girl, drank delicious French wine at Noble Rot, spent time relaxing at my Mom's house, was up at my sister's house and had the best time ever with the kids and had so much fun one night drinking wine and eating Trader Joe snacks (the one store I would import to Vienna, well that and Nordstrom), lunch dates with girlfriends, happy hours, went out to HR and saw some friends from Vienna and a few friends from HR, I stayed with Linds and I had to laugh because we were discussing all the different hiking options and we just decided to do "the bench" which was literally across the street from her house, and, it was AMAZING, some of the best views of Mt. Hood ever. What a life... I love that place, if I ever move back to the states, that is where I would want to live, so beautiful. I went out to lunch with my brother and his girlfriend for his birthday yesterday, it was so delicious I never wanted the food to end! And, I still have plenty of fun things to look forward to in the next 10 days, although, I am getting to that nervous, oh no! I won't have time to see everyone do everything panic, but I guess I just have to realize that's the way it goes.
I am SUPER excited to see the famiy that I used to work for here for lunch tomorrow, and meet up with a girl I used to work with in Dubai for coffee, then I am heading up to my sister's house for the weekend. I am hoping to see some friends from Vienna and also a girlfriend from college and her familly but I don't have the details worked out yet. We'll have to wait and see. Then it's my mom's birthday party, my brother is going to BBQ and have my Dad over, then the beach house for the week and a wedding the next weekend in Sisters, then back to Vienna...
and, back to work... summer is going by too fast!
So, let's see, what have I done since I've been home... went over to my friend Erin's and meet her little girl, drank delicious French wine at Noble Rot, spent time relaxing at my Mom's house, was up at my sister's house and had the best time ever with the kids and had so much fun one night drinking wine and eating Trader Joe snacks (the one store I would import to Vienna, well that and Nordstrom), lunch dates with girlfriends, happy hours, went out to HR and saw some friends from Vienna and a few friends from HR, I stayed with Linds and I had to laugh because we were discussing all the different hiking options and we just decided to do "the bench" which was literally across the street from her house, and, it was AMAZING, some of the best views of Mt. Hood ever. What a life... I love that place, if I ever move back to the states, that is where I would want to live, so beautiful. I went out to lunch with my brother and his girlfriend for his birthday yesterday, it was so delicious I never wanted the food to end! And, I still have plenty of fun things to look forward to in the next 10 days, although, I am getting to that nervous, oh no! I won't have time to see everyone do everything panic, but I guess I just have to realize that's the way it goes.
I am SUPER excited to see the famiy that I used to work for here for lunch tomorrow, and meet up with a girl I used to work with in Dubai for coffee, then I am heading up to my sister's house for the weekend. I am hoping to see some friends from Vienna and also a girlfriend from college and her familly but I don't have the details worked out yet. We'll have to wait and see. Then it's my mom's birthday party, my brother is going to BBQ and have my Dad over, then the beach house for the week and a wedding the next weekend in Sisters, then back to Vienna...
and, back to work... summer is going by too fast!
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