You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman

My friend Kelley Geris held a beautiful CONGRATS party for my pregnancy complete with confetti cake, chocolate peanut butter pretzels, meatballs, baked brie, white chocolate popcorn, pumpkin cookies, veggie pizzas, white trash, a manicure/pedicure station, and BABY MAMA on the TV!

It was really fantastic... I look forward to adding pictures as soon as I make time ;).

Zyyyyyperrrrrn - CYPRUS

It did not go as I expected.
Not at all.
Was it me? [the problem]
Probably.
Was it me? [the resort]
Definitely not.
Everyone was in heaven.
I was confused that I didn't feel the joy.

My whole idea and expectation flew out the window.
I had prepared to remain positive and make it for me despite the obvious.
I was not able to do so.

No one would have understood a word had I tried to explain.
She's pregnant.
She's Debbie Downer.
She should be this and she should be that.

Yes, I am pregnant. No, I cannot do all the things I once imagined.

My intention was to:
Go scuba diving.
Sip alcohol filled cocktails.
Jump off of cliffs.
Try random foods (unprocessed and unpasteurized) foods on the side of the road.
Feel positively about myself.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Go water skiing.
Do not let being told what to do and given a schedule to arrive somewhere too early bother me.
Do not let really loud voices bother me.
Be kind.

It did not happen that way.

I had forgotten that most people that go to all-inclusive resorts were there for a reason. They enjoy them. It is their ideal vacation. They do not mind paying for shitty food or skipping the already paid for shitty food and going out somewhere else. Off the beaten path is not their thing. They are there to unwind, relax, take it easy. AND THAT IS OKAY and THAT IS GOOD. It is only different.

I don't pay for things I don't use.
I don't relax.
I need to be active.
I need an unsterilized view.
I need to see the real part of a country.

Over the previous week, I had researched the internet and my own memory banks, to come up with a plan to see the true identity of Cyprus. I had highlighted and researched and eliminated and highlighted more and researched more, over and over until I was satisfied. I knew from this plan that no matter what this resort was like, I could make this vacation my own.

It was more difficult than I thought.
I didn't want to take away from Billy's vacation. 
I felt bad leaving the group.
I kept putting my plans off - I just knew the next day would be better. I would be FUN and positive and the group would forgive my shitty attitude. I would forget that I hated resorts. I would forget that I had spent an inabsorbant amount of money on a place I did not want to be. I would forget the things I couldn't do. I would focus on the people I was with and the warm weather and the blue blue water.

But then we went fishing...
I met Agas. He was real Cyprus. We didn't catch anything but I enjoyed his stories, views on the middle east, and his pork and humami sandwich more than anything thus far.

Billy knew I was unhappy. He only desired to make me happy. I am spoiled. He told me we must take a day to truly see Cyprus.

As a result, an already pared down version of my original plan had to be edited further to make it one day... but it didn't matter to me. I was so satisfied. I was so excited.

We found the deserted white rock beach and got naked. We saw Aphrodite's rock. We traveled to the west coast and the small fishing villages. We swam in the Baths of Adonis. We went off road. We saw real people. We sang. We loved.

I learned:
1. No matter what, I must remain positive and kind, despite my nature to be exactly as I feel.
2. I will always attempt to see the authentic parts of a country, if only for a day.
3. I will never do a resort/all-inclusive again.
4. My husband loves me more than I know.
5. My personality needs a lot of improvement.

Next time, I will do it differently.

This time I will be ready.
This time I will make a point of reaching out to connect.
This time I will be kind.

Will I be able to do it?
Will I strengthen my soul?

I hope so.

off the beaten path white beach

baths of adonis

boat cruise

2012 Halftime Analysis

2012 Halftime Analysis

As noticed, I have not done as well keeping up with my blog in 2012. It is, however, extremely nice to be able to review what we have done while we have been in Germany, so I would like to do my best to recap the first half of 2012.

Kebabs Galore
We kicked off 2012 with a trip to Istanbul, Turkey. We traveled via Turkish Airlines, and it was by far one of the best, if not the best, airline I have flown with. It felt almost as though we had flown first class... comfortable seats, menu choices, kind airline attendants, etc. We stayed at a FANTASTIC hostel, Agora Guesthouse and Hostel, in the Sultanahmet area. We hit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Spice Market, Grand Bahzaar, walked around the Topkapi Palace, shopped in Taksim and Orakoy, and visited a turkish harem. We ate amazing food and really soaked in the strange mix of eastern and western influences.

The highlights definitely included the food (we found one tourist spot that we thoroughly enjoyed and one completely off the beaten path, hole in the wall, hangover mecca), the prices (finally NON EU!), the markets, and the Orakoy area.

We spent our final night drinking raki and smoking a hookah with a Jordanian and a Turkish man discussing cultures and politics. This confirmed my belief in the importance in not only staying in hostels and away from over priced hotels, but also in meeting people and conversating with people in order to understand cultural differences. Our Jordanian friend was essentially a Palestinian refugee, and as Americans we definitely get an Israeli point of view. It was fascinating to hear his version and it only served to confirm my belief that at the core of any conflict is miscommunication, fault on both sides, and misguided religious pursuits.

Skiing the Bavarian Forest
We bought a Groupon for an all-inclusive ski weekend in the Bavarian Forest. We traveled with four of our friends to the eastern border of Germany with the Czech Republic. We took off in a huge mercedes van during the biggest snow of the season. Thanks to the boys and some careful manuevering, we safely made it to the hotel and only had to push three times.

We took off that evening for some night skiing and it was topped off with shots of schnapps with the owners of the ski rental shop. We were definitely not in an area frequented by tourists and especially not Americans so they were fascinated by us.

The second day we got in some intense skiing and Billy did AMAZING! He got to use his new board and picked up snow boarding completely. I am so excited to be able to experience the slopes with him in the future!

Fasching Party
I think that I discussed Fasching last year around this time, and this year we spent it at a fabulous party hosted by our friends, the Smalls (Shelby and Anna). Billy was a giant condom, and I went as "whatever I can find in my closet" / Lady Gaga.

Prague
Anna Small, Kelley Geris, Brooke Forth decided that a girl's trip was in order, and I was thankful to be invited (regardless of whether I was supposed to be or not... ohh the things that come out when people are drinking...). There is no way that I could ever completely tell this story in written words.

It started with a three hour bus ride full of wine and a great "welcome gift" from Kelley, an "I'm So Pretty" pouch filled with mini wine bottles, chocolate, toiletries, etc. (Purposely left out the part about us getting extremely too loud and yelled at)

It continued with a poor decision by Kelley and me to part from the group when we couldn't find our key to the room, attend a bar crawl geared towards people 5-10 years younger than us, and return to our apartment at the end of the night without a key in record freezing temperatures.

We may or may not have said and done the following:
"Face it girls, we are older, have bigger credit lines, and better insurance."
Falling down while making fun of someone and getting a huge bruise down my left side
Screaming and ringing doorbells to let us in
Kicking panels out of a door
Calling Jesse in the Netherlands at 3am
Riding in the back of a police car (no arrests)
Crying while wearing an 'I am Awesome' tshirt
Trying to walk in to another bar with beer from the previous bar
Yelling at a short Asian man and getting hit in the face
Being woken up the next morning by the owner of the apartment
Paying for the door
Considering running and lying

However the second night we had the most amazing dinner at Buddha Bar, and had great laughs at an Irish Pub ('How did I lose?', 'WE KNOW YOU UNDERSTAND US', ETC).

We finished the trip with a car ride 30 minutes away from the train station we needed to go to, Brooke about to tuck and roll, me singing a Whitney tribute in the train station, Kelley wearing sun glasses inside, and Anna awwing at puppies and flowers.

I have to say that despite all that went wrong, I had an absolute blast.


Barbara and Kelley's Birthday Party
In honor of two of my closest friends in Germany, we threw a 40th and 25th bday party for Barbara and Kelley. It started off really fantastic... I had found blow up air guitars, neon sunglasses, confetti and glow sticks to decorate. Sara John turned my cake ideas into reality and we kicked the night off with a bang. Unfortunately Billy's blood pressure got the best of him by the end of the night (inside the bar we rented out, it had to be over 85 degrees) and he passed out walking down concrete steps. He split his chin and lost two teeth. Thankfully he is ok. He is a very lucky man. This lead to a night in the emergency room and a trip home for extensive tests and a huge doctor bill.

Basketball (AREVA and CVJM)
I completed my season on the Damen II team. I was really thrilled for the opportunity and thankful that they welcomed me like they did. Of course I am not so sure they were as thrilled by the end of the season when my overly competitive nature had kicked back into high gear... you know, yelling, kicking basketballs out of the gym, crying over losses, punching walls... just typical girl stuff.

I also had the opportunity to play in a coed tournament with AREVA employees in March. The Bamberg professional team puts on a tournament every year for the local companies to participate in. We were up at 6am every Tuesday and Thursday for a month to train, and we played FIVE games one Saturday at the end of March. It concluded with a big buffet dinner and unlimited beer! Definitely a day to remember... I made many friends from playing on that team as well.

Trip Home
We decided on a last minute trip home in April so Billy could get some tests run after passing out at the birthday and to aid our extreme homesickness that hit with a vengeance as warm temperatures swept the Carolinas but the clouds and cold refused to leave Germany. We were fortunate that it coincided with many of Billy's family activities, and we were able to stay with my mom a few nights in her new home in Pittsboro.

On a side note, I am so thankful that my mother does not put guilt trips on me regarding time spent with my family and phone calls. It is very difficult to balance two families in different cities, and my mom is SO understanding. I cannot say that about everyone we must balance...

 

Sara's Baby Shower
My good friend Sara John found out at Christmas that she was expecting her first child, so we threw a baby shower for her before she returned to the US.

Walberla
Walberla is a special, special event. I am not sure if you can truly appreciate it unless you have spent extensive time in Germany. It is a small beerfest on top of a small mountain. There is something about being with special friends and looking out at some of the most beautiful landscape that is magical. Germany's landscape is so basic, but I find it to be one of my favorites. We drank amazing beer and annoyed the boys by refusing to leave.

Antwerp
Due to my current project, I have spent considerable time in Antwerp Belgium. I have to say Belgium is one of my favorite places... it has my favorite beers, my favorite food, and the people just exude "I don't care"ness, which makes them infinitely more cooler than me in a very fascinating, not envious, way.

Billy's Family Trip
Billy's best friend and two of his cousins came to visit us in May. It was our first visitors in over a year, so we went to work early planning every detail.

The day they arrived was a German holiday, and I was playing in a charity soccer tournament to support the local motorcycle club. I am not a soccer player, but I really enjoyed my time practicing with the women leading up to the big game. The game went into penalty kicks and I made mine!!!!

The next day we headed off to Neuschwanstein and then traveled east to the Bavarian Forest to finish up our two day road trip.

Billy had a game in Frankfurt on Sunday, so the group took off without me to watch Billy's game and then continue onto Amsterdam. I had to travel to Belgium for work and could not join them.

When they returned, we had a girl's and guy's night out, and the girl's night out turned out to be a complete bust. The art gallery was the pits (great space, just not much to show) and our pottery class felt like 5th grade art class. Luckily I booked the guys a dinner at one of our favorite German restaurants and they got to enjoyed Schaufele and Schnapps!

The next day we spent the evening at Bergkichweih - always eventful and a blast!

We tried to go to Bayreuth's Volksfest, and we made it there... but tough hangovers made it difficult to enjoy.

Sunday we went to Billy's game in Nürnberg, visited the Documentation Center, and ate dinner at a beer garden.

Our final day was spent at a local sauna, pool, waterpark area.

Coburg
The day after Billy's family left, we got some exciting news, so we took a day later in the week to spent together in the romantic town of Coberg.

Beerfests

Germans know how to do Christmas right!!!!

Ok, to be honest for a minute (and hopefully there are not too many Germans reading my blog), Germans have their quirks. They get bent out of shape and pissed off over minute details, have a million rules of which only 5% make sense, overcook their meat, do not know how to wait in line, and could use a stylist - HOWEVER - there are several things the Germans do that no one else in the world can match... beer, beerfests, cars, medical devices, loyalty, and CHRISTMAS! While I missed my family tremendously over the past month, I know that for the rest of my life there will be a longing for Germany every December.

After Brussels and Paris, we spent November working, playing basketball, starting football training again, celebrating Thanksgiving, watching the Ice Tigers, and spending time with friends.

In December we continued our sports, but threw in many Christmas market excursions, a ski trip to the Austrian and German Alps, a Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert, Christmas parties, and relaxing with each other.

2011 Hurricanes

1) DRINKING BUDDY OF THE YEAR
KG - Kelley Geris

2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)
Megan Sosne & Sarah Keagy
I do not really remember many of my birthdays growing up. I know I had one at Jungle Rapids at some point and Alana Bullers gave me an awesome Trapper Keeper, and I remember having one at the skating rink. However, my 4th grade birthday sticks out like it was yesterday. My mom packed up the new conversion van and took my two best friends and me to Raleigh for a Boyz II Men, TLC, and MC Hammer concert. We watched Rocketeer on the way home. Through Facebook, I have remained connected to Megan and Sarah, and over the past year we have spoken regularly and I got to spend some time with Sarah in October. I am so thankful to have them both in my life.

3) NEWCOMER AWARD - MOST AMAZING NEW ADDITION IN MY LIFE
This is tough, really tough. I have met two girls over the past year that I know I will remain friends with for a long time, and connected with another that had previously only been an acquaintance. Kelley and Sara definitely take the cake, but I have to add Barbara in here because I never spent much time with her in Charlotte.

3) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR
I have done so many amazing things over the past year, but I think getting to watch Billy play football was my highlight. He doesn't have much that is all his... that he created, that he is a part of, that he loves, that doesn't involve me. However football is all Billy - he did it, he loves it, he puts 100% into it - and it makes me so happy.

4) LOW POINT OF THE YEAR
Summer - Homesickness, culture shock, exhaustion, etc. hit us this summer, but thankfully it let up eventually.

5) BEST HOLIDAY
Beerfest (is that a holiday?) Our karwa in Kraftshof was my favorite celebration.

6) SONGS FOR 2011

ALL ADELE
Hair - Lady Gaga
RHCP - Monarchy of Roses, Brendan's Death Song, Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Foster the People - Pumped up Kicks
Young the Giant - My Body
Jimmy Eat World - Here You Me

7) MOVIES FOR 2011
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
I fell asleep through most movies this year...

8) VALENTINE of 2011
Salzburg!

9) BEST RELATIONSHIP of 2011
Probably Mags again

10) BEST FLING of 2011
I think I am going to have to delete this one for next year.

11) HALLOWEEN COSTUME of 2011
I was in Paris, so I didn't really celebrate Halloween - although I was a version of Lady Gaga for Fasching

12) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Döner Imbisses everywhere - and Irrainstuben at the end of our street

13) BOOK OF THE YEAR
More Nelson DeMille

14) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR
Our home - without this location we would not have made three really, really great friends

15) PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
Beach vacations... Croatia, Malta, Andalucia

16) MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK in 2011
ugh, I said so many things I regret... however walking home from Hirsch was probably the worst... and missing the Bamberg train

17) TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
Modern Family

18) MOST LOYAL FRIEND of 2011
Our neighbors... they have helped us out more times than we can count


19) BIGGEST CHANGE OF 2011
Germany

20) BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG AWARD
he who shall not be named

21) NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Marathon & keep it real

22) MOST HUMOROUS EVENT OF 2011
The Stand Comedy Club in Scotland

23) BIGGEST PURCHASE OF 2011
Vacations...

24) DA MISS YA AWARD
My Brother

25) THE COACH K AWARD FOR BIGGEST INFLUENCE/ROLE MODEL IN 2011
In retrospect, the fact that I do not have a recipient for this award explains a lot to me. I cannot say that I am exactly proud of my 2011. I do not feel like I accomplished much or served others or benefited society in any way other than spending money money to help boost the economy - and I think this may be a reason why. I just didn't have any real inspiration or motivation or someone kicking me in the ass.

26) THE MAGGIE AUSTIN GENIUS AWARD MOMENT
One day getting on the wrong bus three times in a row

27) GREATEST GIFT OF 2011
yellow purse?

28) CW AUSTIN AWARD FOR BIGGEST IMPACT
Expat friends - they have set an example and standard for the type of friend I want to be

Ballin'

I am famous!!!!!!! Check me out here. Greatest fans EVER!

Also, check out my stats!!! 

Whooooooop! It's time to live, it's time to represent, JTH what time is it???

I wanna waffle!

I found plane tickets to Paris for super cheap a few months back, and luckily Mom came up with more vacation time and Maggie joined in for an (almost) Austin family vacay. The day before we left Billy headed up to Würzberg (what up, Dirk!) with a group of spouses for an explore Germany day. Some of the pictures he captured are below - very, very beautiful place.

Onto Paris....

So Maggie and Mom arrived early Thursday morning, and we had planned on meeting up with them at the hotel that evening. Originally we were going to go from there to a real Parisian "After Work", but we were too late. So instead we headed to the Latin Quarter for dinner and wine. We had a fabulous wine and organic pasta meal and turned in for the night. The next morning we were up early for a fabulous breakfast at the hotel and then onto the Louvre. Mom and I took a tour while Mags and Billy spent quality time wandering around outside in the gardens outside. While the tour took us to the highlights of the Louvre, I did want to remember my favorites:

• The Coronation of the Emperor Napoleon I and the Crowning of the Empress Joséphine in Notre-Dame Cathedral on December 2, 1804. The tour guide pointed out the light and darkness, as well as while it depicted a true scene, several aspects were not true... such as Josephine was actually around 40, but the artist showed her in her 20s. Napoleon looks like a Greek God, when he was actually quite puny. Finally, the mother is shown above when she did not even attend.
• Crown of Louis XV &  “Charlemagne” crown made for the coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame de Paris on December 2, 1804.

• Four Seasons (Arcimboldo) 

• Aphrodite, known as the “Venus de Milo” and may represent the goddess of love, Aphrodite (Venus in Latin), or Amphitrite. 

• July 28. Liberty Leading the People... "I’ve embarked on a modern subject—a barricade. And if I haven’t fought for my country at least I’ll paint for her," Delacroix wrote to his brother. A.K.A. Les Mis Painting... the artist was creating a modern allegory that was so powerful and original that it ended up becoming the image of Liberty on the move to most imaginations.
• The ancient Greeks had the delightful idea of representing Victory as a young woman with wings, an image given particularly awe-inspiring form in the “Winged Victory of Samothrace” behind Mom below.

My absolute favorite though was The Raft of the Medusa, an oil painting by Géricault. Completed when the he was 27, it depicts a moment from the aftermath of the wreck of the French naval frigate Méduse, which ran aground off the coast of today's Mauritania in 1816. At least 147 people were set adrift on a hurriedly constructed raft; all but 15 died in the 13 days before their rescue, and those who survived endured starvation, dehydration, cannibalism and madness. The event and painting became an international scandal.

  

I also saw this female hunter as we were walking past. Did Greek women hunt? Awesome!

After the Lourve, we set out to wonder along the Seine...

We made a pit stop for champagne in a park...

Skipped passed the Notre Dame...

Stopped into Shakespeare & Co.

Made our way to Père Lachaise Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the city of Paris. It is here that Sarah Berndhardt, Chopin, Jacques-Louis David, Joseph Fourier (shout out to the electrical engineers), Molière, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, and of course Jim Morrison are buried!!

Ate a fantastic meal with Foie Gras, Escargot, and Tartar...

And then took the party from the hotel room to the Eiffel Tower...

The second day we went through a few markets, parks, and took a train to Brussels, Belgium.

After some confusion, we arrived around midnight at our hotel in Brussels... the amazing Hotel Bloom! We had an amazing night's sleep, and popped up early to hit flea markets, waffle stands, and drink some beer!

HOTEL BLOOM!

Spinster

Billy in a true Belgium beer store where he purchased his Pauwel Kwak

Rock Paper Scissors in Delirium

Delirium

More RPS!!!

On our last day, we headed out for the typical waffle, and then went out to Atomium.

ATOMIUM!

ATOMIUM!

We finished the day with a tour and tasting at Cantillon.

Brewery Tour Cantillon

Beer tasting at Cantillon

Billy's spot

HOPS!!!

Family

We had to return to Paris to fly out, so on our last night we enjoyed wine in Montmartre by the Sacre Coeur.