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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Lazy weekend
Decided to have a nice lazy relaxing weekend this weekend and didn't do too much. Slept in late yesterday, then went grocery shopping and spent the rest of the day on the couch catching up with some of our recorded TV programs. It was a nice relaxed day. The cats enjoyed sitting with us while we were watching TV as you can see in the picture. :)
Today wasn't too different. Slept late again, then caught up with a few things/chores (laundry, dishes, garbage/recycling, ..) around the house, wrote some emails, etc. In a little bit we will probably watch some more TV and then the Oscar's a little later. Looking forward to that.
Before I forget to mention it, also booked my flights to Austria for the summer. Booked early with airmiles and was able to get good flights and only had to pay $160 in fees/taxes. Not bad at all for a flight to Europe during peak summer travel season. Looking forward to it but of course it's still 5 months away.
Mail Update: Received letters from: Celia/MA, Lotte/Denmark, Nina/WA, Sarah/Canada and Carmen/Malta.
Posted by Hanna at 04:47 PM in Austria | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Monday, February 21, 2011
Busy week and weekend
The end of this past week and the weekend definitely flew by. Thursday was trivia night, Friday Mike's birthday (we went to TK'sw with a few friends) and Saturday was the David Garrett concert and our friend Kim's birthday. Everything went off without a hitch. I took the train to New Jersey to catch the show which was a hike but worked out ok. Had dinner and then headed to the theater. Also met up with another member of the David Garrett fan forum which was neat. The show was absolutely incredible, really loved every minute of it and of course it went by way too quick. One of my favorite things he played was a take on Beethoven's 5th symphony (you can see it here on You Tube) and lots of other cool stuff.
After the show I decided since I was by myself to hang out for a bit and stood out in the freezing cold (and wow was it cold & super windy) waiting by the stage door with a bunch of other people. After standing there for a while shivering we were rewarded by seeing David come by and walk to his tour bus. He said hello and even signed some things etc. I was so close to him, if I had stretched out my hand I could have easily touched him, but I think I was so star struck I couldn't even say a single word. But regardless it was still a fun experience and nice to see him so up close. :)
Mike & Tim had a good time at Kim's birthday too and Sunday they came to pick me up in New Jersey and we went to the Museum of Modern Art to check out the new Picasso exhibit there. Afterwards we had dinner at Cafe Steinhof (Austrian restaurant) in Brooklyn. Super yummy schnitzel.
Now back to work and regular every day stuff. Had more snow today too, ugh. After some nice days last week I really wasn't in the mood for more snow. I am so ready for a nice spring. The sooner the better.
Short Mail Update: Wrote letters to (should mail them tomorrow hopefully): Caroline/Scotland and Charles/TN. Received letters from: Lotte/Denmark, Nina/WA, Sarah/Canada and Carmen/Malta.
Posted by Hanna at 03:24 PM in Music, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Welcome back to reality
So back to every day life, work and reality. Sorry it's been a little while since the last post but it's taken some time to fall back into a routine, catch up with work, etc.
Our trip to Australia was definitely very cool. Since we have been back we have been very busy too. February is always a busy month for us. February 10th was our wedding anniversary (10 years - can you believe it? I still can't *g*), February 14th Valentine's Day and tomorrow, the 18th, is Mike's birthday. And then the day after that, the 19th, is Kim's birthday (John & Kim are good friends of ours, John was the best man at our wedding). And also the same day I have tickets for a show to see David Garrett in New Jersey. So we decided to go to TK's Friday night for Mike's birthday, then on Saturday we will split up. I will take the train out to NJ, see the show and stay overnight there and Mike & our friend Tim will hang out with John & Kim at TKs. Then Sunday Mike & Tim will come to NJ and pick me up there and we will spend the rest of the day in NYC, checking out a Picasso exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art and a late lunch/early dinner at Cafe Steinhof (Austrian restaurant in Brooklyn). So yeah, BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. And that doesn't even include everything at work. But hey, you only live once right? :)
Hope all of you are doing well. Let me know if I missed anything. I know Nicki's and Damien's honeymoon in Europe is probably coming to an end now but from everything I have seen on LJ and Facebook it seems like they had a great time. I am so happy for you guys. :)
Short Mail Update: Received letters from: Lotte/Denmark, Charles/TN, Caroline/Scotland and Carmen/Malta.
Posted by Hanna at 11:14 AM in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Friday, February 04, 2011
Time flies ....
... when you are having fun. Can't believe today is already our last day here in Australia. Tomorrow it's back on the plane and another crazy long flight back to the US. I don't think I am ready for that just yet. :(
We definitely had a great time on this trip though. Nicki and Damien's wedding was absolutely beautiful. The day after they started their 3 week Europe honeymoon (even though I am on vacation myself slightly jealous *g*) Monday Mike & I went on a long walk along the cliffs, all the way from Coogee Beach where we were staying into Sydney. Saw some gorgeous views. Then Tuesday we went to the zoo which was also great. Sooo hot on both days though. But I can't complain too much. Seems like we missed three major snowstorms so far since we have been gone.
Wednesday we left for the Gold Coast, about 11 hours of driving. Was a nice drive though, interesting to see some more rural areas. I was excited to see koala and kangaroo crossing signs and we also spotted some kangaroos by the side of the road under a tree. Very cool. :) Surfer's Paradise was a cool area, very laid back with a great vacation feel to it. Our hotel room was on the 20th floor with a balcony so we could sit outside at night with some wine, watch the hustle and bustle below, the beach just a few blocks away. Very cool.
Now we are back in Sydney. Went to a cool wine bar for dinner last night. Today we are going to walk around some more, another HOT day. Going to the art museum and also plan on walking through the Botanical Gardens. Should all be fun.
Mail update: Letters went out on Thursday to: Emilia/Finland, Celia/MA, Becki/KY. Also wrote a letter to Jetta/Finland which I will mail as soon as we get back to the US. Received letters from/still owe replies to: ALL caught up (well until we get home and I get more mail)Posted by Hanna at 06:15 PM in Beach, Food and Drink, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack