Working Woman

I'm pretty sure this will be me on Monday.

My 9 months vacation of not working comes to an end on Monday.  That means I have to be up, ready, and out of the house by 7:30 AM.  This is going to be a hard one for me considering I've spent the last 7 months of my life staying up until 1:00 AM and sleeping until at least 9:00 AM (sometimes 11:00 AM).  Now that I'm in Springfield, my sleeping habits still aren't any better.  This is all going to change though now that I'm a working woman. 

Busy Little Bee!

I know it has been forever since I last posted on the blog, but things have been hectic since Kevin and I got back to the States.  We had a pretty uneventful travel day and everything went smoothly with passport control at the airport.  Since I had overstayed my 90 days, they questioned me a little longer than I would have liked, but since I had all the paperwork showing we've been going through the visa process since August, they let me go through without any problems. 

I was only able to stay in Pittsburgh for a few days because I had to get back to Springfield quickly.  Luckily, I got to spend some good quality time with Kevin's parents and our niece and nephew.  Since I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to on this visit, I'm trying to find time in the near future to get down there to see them soon.

My rush back to Springfield was due to the fact that my grandfather was going to a nursing home.  I wanted to see him, in his house, one last time before he went.  He has dementia and has progressively gotten worse over the last few years.  My family had to make this decisions since he now requires full-time care.  Luckily, he is really dealing with the transition well.  My mom and I were able to drive down there Friday and we were very happy with his accommodations, nurses, and the care he was receiving.  My mom and my aunt also went down a few days ago and he had already made friends and really seemed happy.  Of course, this makes him being there a lot easier.

Grandpa and I enjoying some time together Friday.  I love this man!  

This Saturday I drove down to St. Louis for my cousin's bachelorette party.  It was such an amazing time and I was so happy to see her and everyone else there.  We attended a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Lemp Mansion.  Then we headed out for a night on the town.  Feeling like garbage the next day was totally worth it. 

The beautiful bachelorette, Steph. 

Sig Kap Girls! 

Yesterday, I got together with the family I will be working for this summer.  Two summers ago I worked with the three kids and I am so happy to be a part of their summer again.  My first day is on Monday and I can't wait. 

Today is Kevin and my first wedding anniversary.  It seems crazy that we've been married a year already.  "Normal" couples would spend this day together and eat their cake, but we don't play by the same rules as "normal" couples.  Due to my hectic schedule and Kevin starting work, we are apart, but we will see each other in a few weeks and celebrate then. 

One year of wedding bliss, many more to go!

    

Home

In less than 12 hours we will be heading to the airport.  It is hard to believe that the time has come for us to go home.  We are both super-excited to see our friends, families, and dogs.  But there are a few other things we cannot wait to get home for.

1. Food- We already know that our first stop in Pittsburgh will be to Chipolte.  I can already taste the pork tacos.  I'm going to eat all three of them and a whole bag of chips and guacamole...and I'm not going to feel bad about it at all.  Kevin and I have been talking about "American food" for months now.  He can't wait for ribs, chicken wings, steak, and sandwich shops.  I just want cottage cheese (the kind here is disgusting), pulled pork, hot dogs, and hummus.  I'm giving myself until June 1 to indulge in all my favorites and then I'll clean up my act for the summer.  I do have a bridesmaid's dress I have to fit into.

2. Internet- I cannot wait to have the internet at all times, uninterrupted.  Our internet connection in Vipiteno was the only thing that almost made me lose my shit this year. 

3. Phone calls- For 6 months no one has called my cell phone except for Kevin and Debbie.  And Debbie's been gone for a month now so my phone's probably only rang twice in that time.  I cannot wait to get home so I can text and call people whenever I want.  Be prepared friends, there are some long conversations in my future.

4. Clothes- I just want my clothes.  Kevin says I'm crazy, but I'm serious.  I hate wearing the same thing constantly.  Rotating the same 20 things for the last 6 months has taken a toll on me.  If I had it my way, I would just throw out everything I've worn this year and start fresh because that is how much I hate my clothes here.

5. TV- The fact that I will be able to turn on the TV and understand what people are saying excites me beyond belief.  The only English channels we get in Vipiteno are BBC and CNN.  And I can watch the music stations because most the songs are in English.  Granted, we have the Slingbox, but when our internet is out, we can't watch it.   
 

Food Coma

Kevin received a gift card from one of his goalie's parents at the end of the season.  Things have been so crazy with visitors and traveling that we never had time to use it until today.  We figured we go to lunch, head into town to run some last minute errands, and then come home and do some packing.  Well, we ended up eating and then heading straight home for a nap. 

The gift card stated that it was good for "two complete lunches with beverages and wine".  I usually don't drink wine at lunch, but if it's free, I'm not going to object.  Then again, I don't usually eat a 5-course meal for lunch either. 

When we arrived at the restaurant/hotel, we showed them the gift card and it took two people to figure out what it was for (since it was written in English).  They gave us our menu, which was all in German, and told us we could have anything we wanted.  Kevin and I were a bit puzzled, but we got right to our menus and started making decisions.  Kevin was going to go with the filet and I was going to have Spätzle (small spinach gnocchi in a cheese sauce). 

Then a new waiter (who spoke English) came over and turned our world upside down.  He asked us if we had any questions about the menu or what anything was.  Kevin asked the waiter how the gift card worked.  Were we supposed to have a first course and second course (like traditional Italian/German meals)?  Or just anything we wanted?  The waiter answered "Naturally, you should have your pasta dish and then your meat dish."  So, we did the natural thing and ordered two meals instead of one.

First, they brought out our 1/2 bottle of red wine and 1L of water.  We also got rolls and some weird butter put on our table. 

We didn't know this was butter until we tasted it.

Then, we had the soup and salad bar.  Kevin opted for nothing but a meat salad and potato salad...2 helpings of both.  I had a salad and potato salad.  But neither of us could do the soup.  We wanted to save room for everything else.  

The potato salad was amazing!

Kevin's second helping of meat salad and potato salad.  I told him not to do it. 

For the pasta dish, Kevin had the Tris (3 different types of pasta) and I had the Spätzle.  It was delicious, but both of us were already full.  I couldn't even finish mine because I was already miserable.

How is a girl supposed to eat this and a whole other plate of food?

Tris...the ravioli was delicious.

Next came the meat course.  I'm not a big meat person.  I usually stick to chicken, but decided to think out of the box and got a steak today.  It was smothered in onions and gravy and came with a rice pilaf.  Kevin got the ox filet with potato pancakes and mixed vegetables.  We both enjoyed our dishes, but about half way through we were in shambles.  I was at the point where I thought if I put anything else in my body, it was all going to come back up.  Kevin was a trooper and finished off his filet and even took a few bites of mine.

Kevin's ox filet

Yes, there is a steak under all those onions and gravy.

When our waiter came to our table and asked if we wanted dessert or coffee, all I could muster up was a "no".  Kevin went for it though and had a piece of cake.  I didn't get a picture of it because my brain quit working after all the food.

After Kevin finished off his cake, I had to get out of the restaurant.  I needed fresh air and a walk.  Luckily, we made it home before our food coma set in.  But once I opened the door to our apartment, I headed straight to the bedroom, changed into my sweatpants, and hit the bed.  We ended up sleeping for a good hour and had to skip right over dinner after our 8,000 calorie lunch.  
  

 

2 Week Countdown!

We are at the two week mark!  The countdown has started and I'm getting excited about getting home.  But first things first.  We have a trip to take!

Kevin and I are leaving on an overnight train tonight to Rome.  It's our first overnight train so I'm interested to see how it goes and what our set-up looks like.  Getting the tickets proved a bit difficult so I'm hoping it was all worth it.  Initially, we went to our train station in Vipiteno on Monday to get the tickets and the machine was broken and there wasn't a teller working.  So we went to Innsbruck to buy them yesterday, but the lady there told us we couldn't buy them from her because it was an inner-Italy trip.  I know this is nonsense because we always get our inner-Italy tickets from Innsbruck (because they speak better English there than in Vipiteno).  We thought we'd try the machine in Brennero on the way home and it turned out their machine was broken too.  Since today was our last chance to get tickets, we woke up bright and early and headed to the train station.  The machine was still broken, but the teller was there and was super helpful in getting us our tickets even with our broken German and his broken English.

We get into Rome tomorrow morning at 6:08AM and are going to spend the day and night there.  Saturday, we are heading to Sorrento for three days/two nights.  In those three days, we will also check out Pompeii, Capri, and Naples.  Everything was booked through a tour group, Viator, which we have used a few different times and the nice thing is all transportation, meals, tours, and accommodations are included....one less thing to worry about.

Once we leave Sorrento, we are going back to Rome for 2 days/nights.  We want to check out Palatine Hill and the Roman Forums, visit the catacombs of San Callisto, take a tour of the Jewish Ghetto, and do some people watching in Piazza Navona.  The last time we were in Rome, we got engaged so I'm not sure this trip can top that, but I'm holding out hope.

After we leave Rome, we are going to Florence for 2 days.  Last time we were in Florence, we didn't get to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David so we definitely want to do that.  We are also thinking about taking a Chianti tour and visiting Siena, but nothing has been booked yet.  One things for sure, we are eating more Jersey Shore pizza. 

Once we get back to Vipiteno, the countdown will be at 6 days.  In between packing and cleaning, I'll be sure to post pictures and an update of our trip. 

Wrapping Up Our Time Here In Italy

Kevin got home on Saturday and we've been busy since the minute he walked in the door.  We're trying to plan one last trip before we leave, get everything squared away back home before we get there (insurance, jobs), clean and pack up the apartment, and get all our loose ends tied up here.

One of the first things we needed to figure out was our flights home.  When Kevin came to Italy, the team booked him a return flight for May 3.  But when we booked my flight, we booked me returning on May 17.  Obviously, we realized we would have to change one, depending on how long Kevin ended up working.  Since Kevin went away with the National Team and we really haven't had a chance to travel by ourselves, we decided we would switch his flight to the same day my flight was on.

Yesterday morning, Kevin called US Airways to try to arrange everything and was told that all the flights on May 17 were sold out, but he could fly on the 16th or 18th.  His other option was to fly Lufthansa (a partner of US Airways), but the change fee, along with the difference in fare would be $2600!  The person Kevin was talking to was less than helpful and basically told him these were his only two options.  On that note, Kevin hung up and we started brainstorming. 

1.  We could change my flight to May 3 (which had open seats) and not travel.  Neither of us were fans of this option because part of the reason Kevin works in Europe is so we can travel. 

2.  Kevin could fly out on May 16 and I would just stay the night in Munich and fly out on May 17.   For me, this was not an option because it would require we to go through Passport Control by myself without any proof as to why I was in Italy for 100 days over my allowed time.  Just thinking about it gives me anxiety.

3.  We could change both of our flight to May 16.  Last night, we decided on this option.  Yes, it was going to cost us about $700, but it was really the only option that made sense.

First thing this morning, Kevin called US Airways.  The first thing he did was ask if there were any open seats on my flight on May 17, but nothing had opened up.  Luckily, the guy who Kevin was talking to was actually helpful.  After 40 minutes on the phone, he had found a flight that would require Kevin to have two connections instead of one, but would have us both leaving on May 17 and arriving in Pittsburgh within 2 hours of each other.  Obviously, flying 11 hours home separately isn't what we want to do, but this solution is the most logical.

Instead of dwelling on the 11 hours we'll spend by ourselves on the plane home, we moved onto our next task..planning one last trip.  Due to my visa (or lack thereof) issues, we can only travel by car or train.  We haven't booked anything, but we think we have decided to go to Rome, Sorrento, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, and Florence.  We've been to both Rome and Florence, but don't feel like we've seen everything they have to offer.  And we can't wait to see some new places.  Make sure to check back in the next week or so to read about our trip. 

I Am Officially 30!

Yes, today is my birthday.  I have left my 20's and have entered my 30's.  It's a bit scary, but I'm ready to see what they have to offer.   

Yesterday, I was checking my email and MSN had an article "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30" on their homepage.  With my impending birthday, I decided to take a look at it and I have to say I agree with a lot of the author's ideas, but think there are a few important things that have been left off.  I thought about making my own list and posting it.  But instead I will reflect back on my 20's and list the "20 Things I Learned in my 20's."

I've learned...

1. What it means to be in love.

It's hard to believe we've been together for over 12 year already.

2. It is never a good idea to smoke a cigarette on a drunk night out with the girls.  I'm always going to regret it in the morning.

3. Being organized makes life easier.

4. What it feels like to lose some of the most important people in my life. 

5. That the saying "you meet your best friends in college" is true.

My best friends since freshman year of college.  Love these girls! 

6. I'm ready for kids.  I officially have the "baby itch."

7. I cannot stress over things I cannot change.

8. Eating whatever I want and not working out, without gaining a pound doesn't last forever.  Once I hit 25, I got what I like to call my "woman body."

9. All things don't happen for a reason.  I would like to punch the person who first said this in the face. 

10. How to pack up my life and move within a few days...sometimes hours.

Packing really is a skill and I think I've mastered it.

11. How to drink red wine without ice cubes. 

12. Tanning beds are not my friends and nothing good comes from them.  That is unless you think wrinkles, premature aging, skin cancer, and dry skin are good things. 

13. Moisturizers, vitamins, water, and sunblock are my friends. 

14. To live each day with no regrets. 

15. To never buy cheap toilet paper, paper towels, or garbage bags.

16. How to shoot a gun, bait my own hook, drive a golf ball, and drive a manual.  

Don't worry, no animals were injured. 

17. I'm a pretty good cook.  I know Kevin and my Daddy would agree with me.

18. I have to do what makes me happy.  

19. That reading is fun. 

20. McDonalds is not healthy regardless of what I order.