Funky February

So, I'll be honest. February has got me in a funk. It's this time of year that I REALLY start to miss home. Cold, icy weather mixed with cold, icy Germans can really bring the American down. I wish I wasn't so intimidated by the language barrier and culture or I would have Miles enrolled in some classes in our little town. Things are just so different here. People never seem to even smile! Maybe they are down about the weather too. What a difference between here and Italy. This time next year we have to go somewhere to avoid this Feb Funk. Just have to. In the meantime, I will work on my mood. I promise. It was actually 40 degrees the other day and it felt AMAZING! Thank goodness February is a short month. Roll on March! I welcome Spring with wide open arms.

Brad and I are about half way through this Philosophy class. Have you ever taken Philosophy before? It's ridiculous some of theories we have to memorize. Right now we're studying epistemology and one of theories is called the 'Evil Demon Hypothesis'. It basically means our brains are in this container somewhere (kind of like the movie, The Matrix) and an evil demon is controlling our lives. Hmmm... ok. Really hard to take this class seriously! Not to mention having to write a paper when the underlying theme is "no one really knows anything."

But, like I said... we're halfway through!

We started hitting the gym again. I forgot how GOOD that feels. I love to push myself until my muscles are burning or to run just 1/2 mile farther than last time.

Miles is working on his A, B, C's and doing great. He knows 8 letters on paper. I love how he says 'W'. He calls it "da da da do." I will try and get a video of it! I've been showing him pictures of family back home. I'm so surprised he can remember so many people! We sure miss all you guys!

Zanzibar

You know you are going insane from winter when you start entertaining a trip to Zanzibar. Where is Zanzibar you ask? It is a small island off the coast of Tanzania. It is 90 degrees, sunny and has crystal white beaches. Sun! Heat! Beaches!... do they still exist??

It's actually one of the countries Brad has had to watch over while working for AFRICOM. As some of you know, the reason we're here in Europe is to support Africa! His job has nothing to do with any European countries, yet we live here in Germany to be closer to the continent.

Anyway... it didn't take much for Brad to convince me that, while it would be sunny, beachy, and wonderful, we would have to get malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, and Hep A shots, endure a 10 hour flight, and could not under any circumstances drink the water or even brush our teeth with water. Ummm.... ok so looks like my dream of a quick fix summer was shot down.

So please hurry up Spring!

5 years ago...

We got a new scanner just in time! Here are some fun wedding pics from 5 years ago (today!)

We were married in Lynchburg, VA. There was an ice storm that day, although Brad and I are laughing at that now because it was nothing compared to here!

We honeymooned on a cruise to the Caribbean. Can't believe that was 5 years ago! Wow.

The pics are in no particular order.

Venice - Part 3

Attack of the Pigeons

So we were in San Marco's Square one afternoon and Miles asked for a snack. I pulled my backpack around and started to fumble around and ALL OF A SUDDEN Pigeons were landing on me left and right. It was straight out of Hitch-cock's Bird movie. It was all over once I finally managed to get Miles snack out. Here are some video and pictures. :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Venice - Part 2

Gondola Ride

So, let's face it. You can't go all the way to Venice and not ride the famous gondolas. It was SO relaxing and really neat to see the back alleys from the water. We did not realize they were 80 Euros a pop (eek!). But we went anyway and it was well worth every penny!
This was our gondola (the one on the right)

Here are some views from the boat:

Here is a video from our ride. Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Venice trip- Part 1

So we're back from Venezia and had a fantastic time. You really can not go wrong going to Italy. Full of beauty and history! The Italians are a friendly, happy people who love to make you happy. Pictures really don't give Venice much idea of how beautiful the city really is so I did take a couple videos. Enjoy!

On top of Venice's Rialto Bridge which sits over the Grand Canal.


This is the balcony in our apartment. Boats had to honk when taking that corner. (fun stuff start at 6am :) )
Some buildings off the Grand Canal. It truly is a city built on water. Not a single car there!

Here is a view of the Rialto Bridge from our water taxi.

This is San Marcos Square. Lots of famous things have happened here but I can't remember what (Ah! How bad is that?) I'll have to ask Brad and update this later. :)

This is the dock inside our apartment. How cool is that?

Here is where you wait for your "water taxi." It basically runs the same as the European train system.

Here is our "Big Fat make-shift Italian family" that we went with. Fun group!

Yum! I won't lie. We ate a pastry every single morning.

Video leaving our apartment

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And we're off!

We are headed to Italy this morning! It should be interesting getting there. Normally Brad and I will pay the extra dollar and travel the most convenient route. But our friend found us some great deals (150 Euros total for the 3 of us to fly!) which requires a lot of extra legs!

We're driving to Frankfurt, Germany this morning, catching a hopper plane to an airport near Venice, driving as far as we can possibly go by car, then catching a "water taxi" to our hotel.

I would have to say I am most looking forward to the food. I plan to big sick of pasta by the time we leave. :)

We're supposed to be out the door in an hour, Brad is not even packed, Miles and I are not dressed, and my hair is in a towel. I can't even tell you why I am sitting here on the computer! Ciao!