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Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Just catching up
Tuesday morning and I have already been back to the US for over a week now. I really don't even know anymore where the time goes. It's officially fall now and I think today we are actually getting a bit of rain and a cold front coming through which will push the temps down into the 60ies (16C) compared to the 70ies (22C) we have been having. Supposed to get sunny again after today though I think. I actually really do like fall/autumn. The colors changing, leaves blowing around, crunching underfoot, crisp blue skies, being able to wear sweaters. Of course it never seems to last too long, the actual beautiful fall weather. But I can hope that we'll have a beautiful fall, right?
Anyway my flight back last Monday was fine. It was a tiring long day since my car pickup from the house was at 3.45am. Then had my flight to London from Vienna, had to collect my bags and recheck again at Heathrow, go through security again and then board my Jet Blue flight to New York. All went well all in all, was just tiring, standing in line, waiting, more standing in line, more waiting, all of that. The rest of the work week went by in a blur. Between the jetlag and just trying to catch up from being away for 2 weeks, it was a bit crazy. I am still not in great shape this week and still trying to catch up but I suppose I will get there. Always do right?
The weekend was filled with beautiful weather so that worked out well. On Saturday we went for a hike at Devil's Den, first time we had been there. Beautiful place and well maintained but super rocky so there was a lot of up and down which was a bit exhausting but still a fun way to get exercise. Afterwards we had lunch at Rizzuto's and later hung out at J. Lawrence with some friends. On Sunday we took advantage of another beautiful day and went to Wallingford to hang out at the two wineries there. Picked up some sandwiches at Jersey Mike's beforehand. First time we went there and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. So was fun to sit outside, eat our food and drink some delicious wine. Definitely a great day.
And well here we are another week. Nothing too eventful to report from yesterday, Monday. Another busy day at work. For dinner we tried out a Mexican place we hadn't tried before - Avocado. Was really happy with the quality of the food and the margaritas. We shared beef empanadas and a shrimp dish in a garlic wine sauce with rice and beans. All so delicious. Will definitely have to go back and try more things. Anyway for now it's Tuesday and off to work in a bit.
Mail Update: No letters at the moment - all caught up :)
Posted by Hanna at 06:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Europe it's been a pleasure - till next time
And here we are, another week gone by. It's Sunday early afternoon and my flight back to the US is tomorrow,
Monday. I really don't know where the time has gone. When all is said and done I will have been away for 15 days but I have no idea how the time flew by so fast. But then I guess it's nothing new, always happens more or less. The car service picks me up at 3.45am tomorrow so a very early start ahead. I have my Austrian flight to London at 6.50am. Need to go through passport control, collect my luggage and then re-check it for the Jet Blue flight to New York. The NY flight isn't till 2.05pm so as long as all goes according to plan I should have plenty of time. But of course you never know these days with Covid restrictions/paperwork checks, flight delays and whatnot. But fingers crossed all goes well.
This past week was filled with various appointments such as my mom's hair appointment, my own hair appointment, meeting with the lawyer handling my dad's estate (yes that's still dragging on, guess everything is just delayed these days) and whatnot.
Tuesday afternoon I also went into Vienna again to meet up with my friend Andrea. Was nice to catch up. Wednesday we had a lovely lunch with my aunt, my mom and our neighbors Helga & Franz at the Seedose, lovely lunch by the lake. And the weather was nice as well. Since then it has cooled off quite a bit and become a lot more fall like. But can't complain too much. Had gorgeous late summer weather for most of my stay and even now the fall weather isn't terrible, just cooler and more seasonable I suppose.
Yesterday we went to a local Chinese restaurant for lunch and in the afternoon I went into St. Poelten for my negative Covid test as I do need one to get to the UK as well as the US. No line thankfully and all went quick and without any issues. Can't ask for more. Well, just had lunch now and my mom is taking her afternoon nap. Will probably use the time to get started on my packing so I am ready and set and can just relax for the rest of the day.
Mail Update: Letters have been written/were mailed this past Tuesday to: Carmen/Malta, Eunice/Malta, Celia/MA, Nina/WA, Tiffany/OK and Kimber/Canada.
Posted by Hanna at 07:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Monday, September 13, 2021
Heurigen (Vineyard) Lunch, Vienna, Salzburg and more
H
appy Monday again. Not sure how a whole week has already passed. But then that is what tends to happen when
you are away from home right?
The weather has been great the whole week so no complaints there at all. Been spending time with my mom, helping with every day chores and helping out with decluttering the house some more. On Wednesday we went to a Heurigen (vineyard) and had a lovely lunch. On Thursday a phone technician stopped by as we were having some issues with the landline. Luckily they were able to get it all fixed pretty quickly.
And the weekend was busy with a visit to Vienna and Salzburg. On Saturday I took the train to Vienna and met my friend Claudia for brunch at Castelleto. Was great to see her again and to catch up. After that I met up with Lydia at "Viva La Mama". We ordered way too much food but everything was delicious and we had a great meal. Hung out for a while chatting and catching up. And eventually decided to walk around some more and had a few more drinks at a bar/restaurant in the Bermuda Triangle. From there caught the subway back to the train station. Train ended up being delayed by almost 30 min which was kind of annoying but what can you do?
Sunday was also a fun day. Headed to Salzburg and Helga, our neighbor, also accompanied me on the train ride as she is originally from Salzburg and still has relatives there.
Gerti, my dad's cousin, picked me up from the train and we headed for lunch at a neat rustic restaurant. Had a great lunch with her and her two kids Kathrin and Florian (plus his family) Had fun catching up and eventually I went back with Gerti to her apartment. Had some drinks on her balcony where eventually also my friend Anneliese joined us (as a small world will have it - they live in the same building)
Then went with Anneliese for a bit of a walk around the city, had some great Gelato and a drink at a lovely bar. Then made my way back to the train station where I met up with Helga again so we could catch the train back.
Today we worked around the house a little more. And took advantage of the nice weather by sitting outside. Tomorrow my mom has a hair apt at 8.30am and I am going to head into Vienna again in the afternoon to meet my friend Andrea.
The rest of the week is filled with various appointments and things to do as well so I am sure the time will just fly by. And I will be on a plane back home a week from today which will come sooner than I know I am sure.
Mail Update: Letters have been written/just need to figure out where/when to mail) to: Carmen/Malta, Eunice/Malta, Celia/MA, Nina/WA, Tiffany/OK and Kimber/Canada.
Posted by Hanna at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Monday, September 06, 2021
Hello September ... Hello Europe
Monday night, my mostly usual night to update. Happy Labor Day to everyone in the US. It really hasn't been on my mind too much since I am actually in Europe though. :)
The last few days have been somewhat of a whirlwind. I worked all week and had a super busy week of course trying to prepare for vacation and being away. Headed to the airport Friday late afternoon for my evening flight. Got to London Saturday morning. Was supposed to meet up briefly with my friend but plans kind of derailed unfortunately last minute due to a family emergency. Sometimes even the best planned plans don't work out. Just is what it is. I still made my best of my layover and left Heathrow again Sunday morning to head to Vienna. Got to Vienna a bit after noon and caught the train to St. Poelten. My aunt picked me up from the train station and brought me to my parent's house. Was nice to see my mom of course. We hung out sitting outside in the garden for a while as the weather was really nice. And in evening our neighbor invited us over for grilling.
Today, Monday, my aunt came back over and we spent some time. And later worked for a few hours and then sat outside in the garden again taking in the late afternoon and evening sun. And eventually made our way back inside to watch some TV. No huge plans for tomorrow. Need to untangle some wires and figure out what stuff can be thrown out/given away near my dad's computer desk. On Wednesday we have plans to head to the Heurigen (vineyard) for lunch.
And on the weekend I will be pretty busy. Heading to Vienna on Saturday to meet up with friends and also going to Salzburg on Sunday to meet some friends and relatives there. The weather so far has been absolutely gorgeous while here so really can't complain. Have also had some yummy food and all in all just been enjoying being away from work. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy my job but sometimes we all need a break. RIght?
Mail Update: Received a letter from/owe a response to: Carmen/Malta, Celia/MA, Nina/WA, Tiffany/OK and Kimber/Canada.
Posted by Hanna at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)