Thursday, January 31, 2013

Catching Up On Days Gone By

Well, hello. Long time no see. 

I've been neglecting you. Thinking of you often, but neglecting you nonetheless. 

I've missed writing, but have been having  a hard time deciding what to write about. With plenty of choices since (gasp!) November, I could tell you all about my Thanksgiving here with friends, my trip to Vienna, Austria for work, Christmas in California, and my lonely birthday as a sick girl who baked an entire cake only to have 1 piece and then throw it away. 

For now, I'll give you a glimpse into all of those things, but I'll have to elaborate in other posts at a later date or this post will go on for ages. 

I don't seem to have a picture of Thanksgiving, but let me tell ya, it was delightful. The food was delicious and it turned into a great party. 

At the end of November, I went to Vienna, Austria for workshop on Play Based Learning. The workshop was good, but the city was great! I was there just in time to see my first glimpse of the Christmas markets. The place was charming and I had a lovely time shopping. 




Shortly after my trip to Vienna, I got on another plane to California. I had been looking forward to this trip since we bought the tickets at the beginning of August - I missed home! 
It was perfectly warm in Los Angeles. I didn't have to wear a jacket, I got to see the beach, and I enjoyed eating on the patio with a $5 mimosa in hand (30 NOK). I'll post more about this later, but here's a few pictures: 

Manhattan Beach (my mom's picture!)

Santa Monica Pier

Patio lunch: spectacular salad and mimosa (note the sunshine). 

Most importantly, I got to spend time with my family (and combine it with eating out at some of my favorite restaurants). 

Me, younger brother, older brother, older sister

That brings us to the present. I know it's been said that this year's flu has been one of the worst - I think I have to agree. I've been sick and out of work for over a week now, but finally starting to feel better. Yesterday was my birthday, but sadly had to celebrate it on my own because the husband is away for work and I don't want to spread my germs to others....especially people I like. ;) So, after deciding there's only so much tv a girl can watch on her birthday, I decided to bake myself a cake. 

Tada! : 



While I was tempted to put candles on and sing to myself, I decided that maybe I should just eat some instead. So I had a slice and then went to bed, only to throw it all away the next morning (because who wants to eat a cake that a girl who's been sick with an ugly virus for almost 10 days made?) In any case, it kept me busy for a few hours. 

So, I know it's belated, but I want to wish you: a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Sorry I've been MIA for so long, but I'll get back in the habit of writing again!