Away We Go

Chain Bridge View of Buda on one side and Pest on the other...

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:08:04 -0400

Chain Bridge View of Buda on one side and Pest on the other #kandmoinvienna #awaywegotobudapest

Probably never leaving Budapest #kandmoinvienna...

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:03:24 -0400

Probably never leaving Budapest #kandmoinvienna #awaywegotobudapest

Train to Budapest #kandmoinvienna #awaywegotobudapest

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:02:04 -0400

Train to Budapest #kandmoinvienna #awaywegotobudapest

"People say she’s crazy She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes Well that’s one way to..."

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:50:00 -0400

“People say she’s crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that’s one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes”

- Paul Simon

heard this song the other day and was reminded that you can’t hear it and not instantly be in a good mood

Off to the Ottakringer Brewery Tour because… It is Friday. Mo and I already done with work....

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:38:20 -0400

Off to the Ottakringer Brewery Tour because…

It is Friday. Mo and I already done with work. And the weather claims it may rain - so we figured this was a good rainy day indoor activity.

So today we visited someone’s summer home. Apparently we...

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:22:00 -0400

So today we visited someone’s summer home. Apparently we need to step up our real estate game #kandmoinvienna

Each day when I venture out to go and sight see, walk around,...

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:52:00 -0400

Each day when I venture out to go and sight see, walk around, read a book in the park, consume an entire pizza at Vapianos (see post about starting to run), or just enjoy a latte, a book and some people watching at a little cafe, I am always stunned by how big of a smile spreads across my face when I return to our home tram stop.

Every day but Sunday there are rows and rows of gorgeous fresh fruit and vegetables. I love walking through and seeing what looks good, talking (in my very limited German) with the sellers, and deciding right there what will be a great snack or accompany dinner for the evening. Each day its different and each day no matter how much I grab, it is always less than two euros.

I think that is what I have enjoyed the most about Vienna so far. The little things that have become familiar things. The public transportation, remembering to bring bags when I leave the house in case I want to stop by the grocery store. Needing no less than three keys to get in to our building. Hearing the sounds of guitar, cello, flute and violin coming from the flat on the first floor where they give lessons. Having windows that open completely inward so you can basically stick half your body outside and assess the weather for the day. My constantly second guessing myself about which milk to buy (each time I purchase one, it is different than the last and I still have no idea what the percentage of fat is in any of them. There is even a strong chance I have been purchasing goats milk for us. I honestly could not tell you).

And of course this fresh outdoor market. It really is the little things.

A note on running

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:51:20 -0400

Apparently it takes me being in another country to pick up this activity. (or the lack of a Pure Barre studio, spinning studio, really any other form of exercise). But somehow I have. However, it should be noted that there is a special place in hell for people who feed birds along what is clearly marked as a running/biking path. I have enough obstacles to overcome where running is concerned (mental will to do it for instance) without you throwing BAGS FULL of breadcrumbs for any and every creature that descends from the sky to dive bomb at my eyes and feet.

GTFO with that.

Do you see that genuinely overjoyed smile on the right? That’s...

Sun, 12 May 2013 05:28:12 -0400

Do you see that genuinely overjoyed smile on the right? That’s my mom. That is a woman that LOVES her kids. Makes no apologies. Will do anything for any one one of us. Biggest heart I know, just loves.

And that love isn’t just for my sister and me. Watching my mom be a grandmother to Presley and Perry has been the most extraordinary thing for me. To see the love that I know I received for so long tirelessly repeated is awe-inspiring. She is even kind enough to extend that love to the puggle (yup, he counts as a grandchild).

I read something the other day on Tumblr about being a mom and it really struck a cord with me. You never stop. 2 years old, 22 years old.. 32 years old.. You never stop worrying. You never stop being their mom.

At 32 years old I can tell you, my mom is still my go to. Those times when it feels like things are falling apart or there is every reason to celebrate - she is the one I want to call. She will celebrate my victories with me, and she will give me a HUGE hug and a glass of wine in those tough times. She just knows what I need, without having to even ask a question, she just knows. She’s my mom.

I love you so much mom! I know thank you will never be enough - but thank you for everything.

Same snacks. Different country. #kandmoinvienna

Sat, 11 May 2013 14:46:17 -0400

Same snacks. Different country. #kandmoinvienna

We found the Heurigen! Also known as where the wine is in...

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:16:30 -0400

We found the Heurigen! Also known as where the wine is in Vienna. Things are looking up #kandmoinvienna

Personal pity post.. Living across the country is tough. I’ve had many friends get married,...

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:47:00 -0400

Personal pity post..

Living across the country is tough. I’ve had many friends get married, celebrate birthdays, have anniversaries, house warmings, etc and unfortunately I can’t go. Flying back and forth is tough and expensive and Mo just really isn’t buying off on my idea of the purchase of a jet (you can put those on lay away, right?)

But the toughest of all these things is my friends having kids. I can pick up and go back to CA and see my closest friends and in all fairness it can really be like no time has passed. We all are busy, we work, we play, we do fun things, but we can have some wine and laugh and joke and pick up right where we were.

But now that there are these adorable little people involved, it is so different. And I would be lying if I (selfishly) said it wasn’t hard. These little humans grow up so fast and get so big and change so quickly and it just breaks my heart that I am not there for every single one of those moments to hug my friends and smile at them and tell them how amazing that little person is that they brought into this world!

Two of my close friends had little boys this week. Such an exciting and amazing moment!! So beyond happy for them and their perfect little families!

And yes i am having a little pity party because not only am I across the country, I’m in a different country all together. And I have never missed my friends more.

Today’s battle: K versus the washing machine...

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:58:30 -0400

Today’s battle: K versus the washing machine #kandmoinvienna

Happy Happy Birthday!! @lauralongswan Cheers to you! I hope this...

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:15:42 -0400

Happy Happy Birthday!! @lauralongswan Cheers to you! I hope this is your best year yet and here’s to many more years of celebrations and dancing on tables! Xoxo

Week One in Vienna Recap: Feel free to scroll on past, I just...

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:45:00 -0400

Week One in Vienna Recap:

Feel free to scroll on past, I just figured I would try and recap things so Mo and I could have a little diary of events and remember some of the fun (and not so fun) things that happened while we were in Vienna.

The trip got off to a rocky start. Our flight was delayed for two hours, then four, then cancelled. Awesome. We got rescheduled on a flight the next day, however we couldn’t get our luggage back. I should’ve heard the warning bells then.

When we boarded our first flight the next day (fresh in our same clothes and feeling like it was ground hogs day) at the last minute an airline attendant came scurrying on our plane and provided us with updated baggage tickets. Hallelujah, bring on the wine.

After a layover in London and then a quick flight to Vienna, we landed safely, to find that only ONE of our bags had made it. Mo’s bag arrived. My bag and our mutual bag did not (Jesus take the wheel how does this always happen to me?)

Finally 48 some odd hours later (maybe longer?) I finally got my bags and was able to change clothes (Praise Beyonce). From there things had no where to go but up. (It’s amazing what clean clothes will do for your attitude).

Our apartment is quite adorable (albeit tiny) and it is located where a lot of the Vienna locals live, right next to the Danube River. It is the perfect place to go for long walks, bike rides, pack and picnic and just relax in the sun. Mo and I are learning how to cook in our tiny two burner kitchen, and work, eat and sleep all within the same 25ft by 25 ft space.

This last week we did a lot of exploring. We figured out the public transit system, which is fantastic. You can get any where in the city within 20 mins of hopping a tram, U-line, or subway. I have definitely confused myself more than once with the German names of each of the stops, but surprisingly have found my way each time.

We got to explore some of the outdoor gardens (my photos don’t do it justice), we found our first beer festival, made some friends, learned about a local drinking game that involves swinging the skinnier end of the hammer at a nail head on a tree stump (can entertain you for hours). We made some friends that were kind enough to buy us some beers, show us some local spots, and offer to be tour guides while we are here. We’ve explored the Museum Quarter, the old city, and our little area in the 22nd district. We are planning on attending an outdoor concert this week and hopefully checking out a few of the museums.

This first week has been quite a whirlwind, but in the best way. Mo’s work schedule hasn’t been too hectic so we have had a lot of time to explore, catch up on books we have wanted to read, and get comfortable in our surroundings for the next four weeks.

Now if my German could just magically kick into gear, we would be cruising.

Cinco de Mayo last year with my favorites and one photo of this...

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:18:16 -0400

Cinco de Mayo last year with my favorites and one photo of this year. Which consisted of a lot of tequila and a shot of lime juice. Probably should’ve seen that coming when they delivered my margarita in a martini glass @carot1231 @kateejoy

I have a new appreciation for New Yorkers. Or, well, anyone who walks to a grocery store and...

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:47:00 -0400

I have a new appreciation for New Yorkers. Or, well, anyone who walks to a grocery store and therefore has to VERY carefully think out what they will purchase and then how they will carry it home.

My wine intake alone makes this a (very) daunting (and heavy) task.

Apparently I have found my cardio option in Vienna.

May Day! Stiegl Ambulanz #kandmoinvienna

Thu, 02 May 2013 05:30:07 -0400

May Day! Stiegl Ambulanz #kandmoinvienna

We made it! #kandmoinvienna

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:51:07 -0400

We made it! #kandmoinvienna

On things happening

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:31:00 -0400

since basically around January a lot of things have been up in the air. and i am learning as much as i believe i am a “go with the flow” kind of person, i don’t always handle uncertainty so well.

on monday mo took his boards. HUGE. i felt like i was on my death bed (he says allergies, i threw out SARS, strep throat, and yellow fever) i am still on the mend and can’t wait to see how my sinus pressure handles a long flight on friday evening. but since i could barely breathe on monday, i decided on tuesday to pull myself together and get a celebration in order (taking a nine hour test definitely deserves one). i bought balloons, a banner, cupcakes, champagne and when mo came home he was greeted by a very excited puggle and a very proud wife. he still has till june before he is done with residency, but somewhere in his eyes i could see relief, like most of the hurdles have been cleared and we are so close.

there have been some shifts with my job as well. a few that definitely gave me A LOT of anxiety. and while there have been some changes, some that have still left some things lingering in the air; i feel like the lines are starting to smooth out and a new chapter is beginning.

we head out to Vienna tomorrow and will be gone for five weeks. when we come back we immediately have a good friend’s wedding events, family coming in to town for mo graduating, the lease is up on our place, and we are considering another cross country drive to spend the summer with family and friends in california. nothing is necessarily getting easier with some of these milestones behind us and a few others clearly in sight, but we are getting better at jumping over the hurdles and handling the curve balls. and in between all of that having an adventure (or two) certainly never hurts. 24 hours till we are on our way….