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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
Wishing everyone a fun Halloween. Happy Haunting. :) We were invited to a party by some friends but won't be able to make it now after all since Mike caught the flu and has been in bed since Thursday. Too bad because it sounded like a fun party. But can you do? So I guess we will just take it easy this weekend. Maybe I can catch up on some things around the house while Mike recovers.
It was great to have my parents here this past week. Managed to take a few days off as well which was nice. We did some sightseeing around New York City (the Botanical Gardens, Transit Museum, Natural History Museum, Central Park) and went out to Long Island to the North Fork wine-tasting. My parents also went to the South Fork of Long Island one day and to Mystic another day. My birthday was a lot of fun as well. My parents cooked a traditional Austrian soup (beef broth with sliced crepes ... I know it sounds weird but it's delicious) for me from scratch and my mom even brought a homemade Sachertorte (traditional Austrian chocolate cake) from Austria for me. At night we went to TK's for free birthday wings and drinks. The week flew by so fast but definitely lots of fun.
Lots of lovely birthday gifts as well. Tea, gingerbread, chocolates, a picture frame, a candle, a pink robe, a very cool teapot and a meat slicer. I know a meat slicer is a very weird birthday gift but I have wanted one for quite some time so I can buy Hungarian salami and other meats like that in bulk cheaper and slice them at home. Plus the German bread from the German deli keeps fresh longer as well if you slice it yourself.
Mail update: Letters went out on Tuesday to: Jessica/DE and Charles/TN. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Celia/MA, Emilia/Finland, Tiffany/OK, Sarah/Canada and David/IN.
Posted by Hanna at 02:20 PM in Austria , Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Birthday Surprise
Just a quick post before heading off to work. I honestly had the biggest surprise on Tuesday and I am still amazed at how many people were in on this and nobody let a word slip at all. My 30th birthday is this coming Saturday. On Tuesday Mike and I went out to dinner under the pretense of meeting some friends at the restaurant. As we were waiting for them to show up and I am looking over my menu, not thinking anything at all, my dad and mom walk in. I was in complete shock. Ha ha. I think it took me a good ten seconds to actually realize and register what was going on.
So yes definitely a good birthday surprise to have them here. They flew in on Tuesday from Austria and are staying until Wednesday next week. So they will be here for a full week which is nice. I managed to take the day off from work yesterday and we went to the North Fork of Long Island wine tasting, walking around the cute villages and all the way out to Orient Point State Park. A really nice day.
Today I have to be at work again but my parents will probably drive out to Long Island again and this time visit the South Fork, The Hamptons, Montauk Lighthouse, etc. I am sure they will have a good day. I will try to take one more day off while they are here, possibly Monday. And I have the weekend off too so that works out well.
Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Celia/MA, Jessica/DE, Emilia/Finland, Tiffany/OK and Charles/TN.
Posted by Hanna at 07:54 AM in Austria , Memories, Wine | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Snow in October .. so very very weird
Yes it actually snowed on Thursday and Friday this week. It didn’t stick to the roads luckily but it was enough to cover the windshields of the cars and be messy and annoying. It has barely reached 40F most days lately. Not the kind of weather that is normal for mid October. Ok, enough complaining.
Not too much else new really. Had to work today but am getting out at 2pm. Need to go grocery shopping. No other plans for the rest of the weekend. It’s supposed to pour all day tomorrow so it will be a good “stay at home catch up on TV” day I think. I am looking forward to sleeping in and just being lazy in general.
Next week the weather is supposed to get a little more normal I think. I hope that’s true. I don’t want it to snow on my birthday. Can’t believe my birthday is already next week Saturday. Time flies.
Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Tiffany/OK and Charles/TN.
Posted by Hanna at 01:46 PM in Random Thoughts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Autumn ... why is it so cold already?
Sorry, it seems like it's been ages since my last post. Work is still busy as usual. Been working lots of Saturdays but at least these past two weeks I had a day off during the week which was good.
Had the day off today and was able to meet up with my friend Sharon and her little daughter Leiana. Amazing how fast time flies, she will already be one year old at the end of November. It was really nice to see Sharon again and to catch up.
I finished the newest Diana Gabaldon book today. Lots and lots of loose ends and it will be hard to wait for years until the next book comes out to get it all resolved but I am not as upset as a lot of other fans. I think it's good in a way because it means there is a lot of material for the next book. Will definitely keep things interesting to say the least.
Not too much else new really. It's been really cold, especially in the mornings, hovering around 32F (0C). Brrr. I am not sure I am used to that yet. I do love fall but not the fact that winter is following so closely. My parents just spent a lovely week in Corsica. I would love to be somewhere warm right now. :)
Mail update: A letter went out on Tues to Celia/MA. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN.
Posted by Hanna at 05:50 PM in Books, Random Thoughts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Fall Thoughts
Fall has definitely arrived. I can't believe it's October already. Time definitely flies. Before we know it it will be Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. :) We have had some really nice fall-like days. Today it's rainy and very dreary but tomorrow it's supposed to be ok again.
Work has been busy as usual. Worked till 1:30pm today, then went grocery shopping, caught up with a few things around the house and now going to catch up with some of our recorded shows on TiVo. Tomorrow we will probably go down to NYC to eat at Cafe Steinhof (Austrian cafe in Brooklyn) Feels like we haven't been there in ages so that should be fun. I think I will bring my book along so I can read in the car and on the subway. :)
October also means that my 30th birthday is pretty much around the corner. I have a hard time believing that I will really be turning 30. I just don't feel that age at all. :) But I guess it's just a number and I suppose looking back I have accomplished quite a bit so far. Moved to a different continent, established a life for myself here with a house and a managment position. And I guess what matters most: I am happy. :)
Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN and Celia/MA.
Posted by Hanna at 05:22 PM in Food and Drink, Memories, Random Thoughts | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack