I have an official logo! How cool am I, huh? Thanks, Hassan!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
One of the Best
South Africa still remains at the top of my favorite destinations! I hate that someone had to miss her wonderful trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, but I'm so glad I got to go in her place! Thanks again, Delta scheduling!
Johannesburg looks a lot like Capetown. It has more buildings and less mountains, but still beautiful! The city itself is pretty dangerous, but we stay outside the city in one of its townships. If Johannesburg is northside Birmingham after dark, then we stay in Mountain Brook. :)
After the 14hr flight to get to there we went out to dinner at Lekgotla, a restaurant with an array of traditional African foods.
Why does food in a picture never look as amazingly delicious as it tasted? Ostrich fillet, chakalaka (vegetable stew), and garlic naan. Perfect meal.
Yeah, shamelessly stuffing my face!
Onto dessert!:
Iced Marula fruit pastry.
I don't even know how to describe Marula! Or Amarula, the liqueur made from the fruit. It tastes like Bailey's without the coffee flavor.. if that can be imagined.
The down and dirty aftermath. It was one of those times that you regret that licking your plate in public is considered heathen activity, even if you are in the Cradle of Civilization.
The restaurant also had a group playing steel drums! No one could keep themselves from moving with the beat, clapping along, and dancing with the guys. It was the funnest dinner I've had in a long time!!
Nelson Mandela Square
complete with a 15ft statue of the man himself!
Although Capetown is better (and safer), I still love South Africa and everything it has to offer. I can't wait to spend more time there! And I can't wait to share it with someone I love! I always have fun going out with the crew, and I enjoy my layovers, but it's still people you've just met and will probably never see again. It's always a blast, but it's different. I can't wait to visit South Africa in a different context! One day.
I guess the only other thing going on that's newsworthy is that the house was christened with its first official party! I think that the house enjoyed it very much. I know we did!
The rest of those pictures can be found on the almighty Facebook!
Johannesburg looks a lot like Capetown. It has more buildings and less mountains, but still beautiful! The city itself is pretty dangerous, but we stay outside the city in one of its townships. If Johannesburg is northside Birmingham after dark, then we stay in Mountain Brook. :)
After the 14hr flight to get to there we went out to dinner at Lekgotla, a restaurant with an array of traditional African foods.
Why does food in a picture never look as amazingly delicious as it tasted? Ostrich fillet, chakalaka (vegetable stew), and garlic naan. Perfect meal.
Yeah, shamelessly stuffing my face!
Onto dessert!:
Iced Marula fruit pastry.
I don't even know how to describe Marula! Or Amarula, the liqueur made from the fruit. It tastes like Bailey's without the coffee flavor.. if that can be imagined.
The down and dirty aftermath. It was one of those times that you regret that licking your plate in public is considered heathen activity, even if you are in the Cradle of Civilization.
The restaurant also had a group playing steel drums! No one could keep themselves from moving with the beat, clapping along, and dancing with the guys. It was the funnest dinner I've had in a long time!!
Nelson Mandela Square
complete with a 15ft statue of the man himself!
Although Capetown is better (and safer), I still love South Africa and everything it has to offer. I can't wait to spend more time there! And I can't wait to share it with someone I love! I always have fun going out with the crew, and I enjoy my layovers, but it's still people you've just met and will probably never see again. It's always a blast, but it's different. I can't wait to visit South Africa in a different context! One day.
I guess the only other thing going on that's newsworthy is that the house was christened with its first official party! I think that the house enjoyed it very much. I know we did!
The rest of those pictures can be found on the almighty Facebook!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
New Locals
It's been over a month since the last update! But it actually took that long to get into the new house. There was 5 weeks of back-and-forths with the mortgage company, the FHA mortgage brokers, then a governmental audit of the entire deal. But we finally were able to sign for the house officially and start work!
There was a large closet off of the bedroom.. actually it was through the other little closet.. no matter, we ripped it up! My dad and his crew came in and fashioned an entire master bathroom in the space. It's a tight fit, but definitely worth it.
Other than the house, I haven't had much to report! I've been able to hold a "steady" schedule at work (mainly working weekends, down to Guadalajara and back) which has been a little bit of a relief. Though at the same time it's made my job seem more like a job.. And the two winter storms were a fun time for all, but at least that's over! Hopefully Spring will be arriving soon (I'm crossing my fingers for early instead of fashionably late).
An admission: The house isn't home. There's nothing inside of it that makes it feel like home every time I walk in. I can't decide if it's my work=lifestyle beginning to weigh on me or if something just isn't living up to my expectations. The house is just a place to keep my things, a place to sleep, something to work on.. it's just a place on a map. Home to me is something much less tangible.
There was a large closet off of the bedroom.. actually it was through the other little closet.. no matter, we ripped it up! My dad and his crew came in and fashioned an entire master bathroom in the space. It's a tight fit, but definitely worth it.
Other than the house, I haven't had much to report! I've been able to hold a "steady" schedule at work (mainly working weekends, down to Guadalajara and back) which has been a little bit of a relief. Though at the same time it's made my job seem more like a job.. And the two winter storms were a fun time for all, but at least that's over! Hopefully Spring will be arriving soon (I'm crossing my fingers for early instead of fashionably late).
An admission: The house isn't home. There's nothing inside of it that makes it feel like home every time I walk in. I can't decide if it's my work=lifestyle beginning to weigh on me or if something just isn't living up to my expectations. The house is just a place to keep my things, a place to sleep, something to work on.. it's just a place on a map. Home to me is something much less tangible.
The computer I'm updating from (I still don't have internet, arg) is having trouble with the audio.. I hope it works for y'all!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Mi Casa Su Casa
Well, the update with work is nothing exciting unfortunately. We did get stuck snowed-in in Rochester for 3 days which was fun! At least we had a great crew - we went out to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for dinner every night (pretty famous joint, though I can't say better than Jim-N-Nick's). But the other life update is that I'm getting a house!!
A real house.
My own place.
Terrifying yet way-too-exciting-to-even-think-twice-about-it!
And the mortgage payment is cheaper (by a couple hundred) than the monthly rent at the up-to-my-standards apartments I looked at. That just seems.. indecent. But I'm glad it worked out that way!
It's a one-bedroom in Birmingham. My favorite thing about it is that my next door neighbor actually grew up in this house. He came over while we were working one day to introduce himself - he knows everything about that house, and could recall some great stories. It gives the house so much more spirit! There's also a huge pecan tree in the back. Who's makin' pie?
A real house.
My own place.
Terrifying yet way-too-exciting-to-even-think-twice-about-it!
And the mortgage payment is cheaper (by a couple hundred) than the monthly rent at the up-to-my-standards apartments I looked at. That just seems.. indecent. But I'm glad it worked out that way!
It's a one-bedroom in Birmingham. My favorite thing about it is that my next door neighbor actually grew up in this house. He came over while we were working one day to introduce himself - he knows everything about that house, and could recall some great stories. It gives the house so much more spirit! There's also a huge pecan tree in the back. Who's makin' pie?
Friday, December 11, 2009
All Work and a little Play
Work work work. Airlines at the Holidays = even busier than usual! Unfortunately this also means less-fun trips, at least for blog purposes.
A layover in Georgetown, Washington DC
A house where Robert E Lee stayed during the War
Then a great layover in Charleston! A good friend from UGA lives there so we got to catch up!
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Andrew and Cori - Mexican food, movies, friends, and homemade gourmet slices of cake at Kaminsky's (um, Heaven). What more could you ask for?!
Then trip to London-town with Miss Jeanne Danielle!
Harrod's, complete with Christmas decorations!
Pies! I love pies.
The big Harrod's Bear!
A Christmas Market was set up in Hyde Park with games, rides, vendors, great food, and
mulled wine!
A layover in Georgetown, Washington DC
A house where Robert E Lee stayed during the War
Then a great layover in Charleston! A good friend from UGA lives there so we got to catch up!
.jpg)
Andrew and Cori - Mexican food, movies, friends, and homemade gourmet slices of cake at Kaminsky's (um, Heaven). What more could you ask for?!
Then trip to London-town with Miss Jeanne Danielle!
Harrod's, complete with Christmas decorations!
Pies! I love pies.
The big Harrod's Bear!
A Christmas Market was set up in Hyde Park with games, rides, vendors, great food, and
mulled wine!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
À Paris
Christmas shopping in Paris! This was a dream layover. Our hotel is maybe 2 blocks from the Eiffel Tower...
View from the hotel
Along the Seine; the bridge leading to Hôtel des Invalides (Napolean's tomb).
I decided to go straight out when I got in to Paris instead of taking a nap. It's a 3 mile walk down the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the next stop, Notre Dame!
Along the walk
Notre Dame, always breathtaking.
View from the hotel
Along the Seine; the bridge leading to Hôtel des Invalides (Napolean's tomb).
I decided to go straight out when I got in to Paris instead of taking a nap. It's a 3 mile walk down the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the next stop, Notre Dame!
Along the walk
Notre Dame, always breathtaking.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
German, French, and Italian
German food, French wine, and the Italian lifestyle.. push 'em all together, and the sensational outcome is Switzerland. My karma points must be running pretty high: I got 2 days in Zurich, Switzerland!
Downtown Zurich
More downtown
About half the crew, dinner at Raclette Stube!
Of course the food!
The fondue at this place was out of this world amazing! The fondue cheese was half Raclette and half Gruyère. Then pears, pineapples, sweet onions, pickles, and a mountain of bread for dipping. Something is wrong if you leave hungry...
The following day a few of us took the train down to Luzern, a smaller city south of Zurich.
The old water tower of Luzern, apparently one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland.
Also near Luzern is Mount Pilatus, one of the smaller pre-Alps mountains. Head up to the top via the steepest Cog Wheel track in the world? Yes, please!
Cog Wheel Car
The view around 5000ft
The top had a few cave/tunnels you could walk through. Very Lonely Mountain, just waiting for Smaug around every corner!
We spent at least 3 and half minutes debating how anyone got to this little church. We never came to any conclusive decision...
And the view from 7000ft!
The wonderful girls who took me around the city :)
Verdict: Zurich is definitely in my top 3 favorite places, behind The Netherlands and Capetown. Also I've added a bulletin to my bucket list: have a safety deposit box at a Swiss bank. Why, yes, I am an international spy.
Downtown Zurich
More downtown
About half the crew, dinner at Raclette Stube!
Of course the food!
The fondue at this place was out of this world amazing! The fondue cheese was half Raclette and half Gruyère. Then pears, pineapples, sweet onions, pickles, and a mountain of bread for dipping. Something is wrong if you leave hungry...
The following day a few of us took the train down to Luzern, a smaller city south of Zurich.
The old water tower of Luzern, apparently one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland.
Also near Luzern is Mount Pilatus, one of the smaller pre-Alps mountains. Head up to the top via the steepest Cog Wheel track in the world? Yes, please!
Cog Wheel Car
The view around 5000ft
The top had a few cave/tunnels you could walk through. Very Lonely Mountain, just waiting for Smaug around every corner!
We spent at least 3 and half minutes debating how anyone got to this little church. We never came to any conclusive decision...
And the view from 7000ft!
The wonderful girls who took me around the city :)
Verdict: Zurich is definitely in my top 3 favorite places, behind The Netherlands and Capetown. Also I've added a bulletin to my bucket list: have a safety deposit box at a Swiss bank. Why, yes, I am an international spy.
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