Trick or Treat

Well, I made it to Frankfurt, and I’m happy to report that I feel GREAT! This trip was very different from the last one. The 8½ hour flight seemed to go by much more quickly. Of course, the plane wasn’t full and there were no crying babies this time. Also, the donut-shaped neck pillow is incredible. I recommend investing in one of these if you’re taking a long trip where you have to sleep sitting up. That thing definitely helped me sleep comfortably.

While on the plane, I began to read the new book that I bought just for this trip, Ken Follett’s World Without End. I’ve been waiting for it to come out in paperback and so when I saw it, I knew it was the perfect book for this 30 day assignment. It’s a 1000 page book, and I’m already almost 100 pages in. It’s so good. To any readers out there who are looking for a good book: I recommend its prequel, The Pillars of the Earth. I’ll probably be recommending World Without End when I’m finished too.

The first thing I did when I got to the hotel was – get this – go to the gym. That’s right! After about 8 weeks of no exercise, I actually got myself there today. A friend had told me that she finds that getting to the gym as soon as possible helps to reset her internal clock. Other friends told me to just stay awake until 9-10pm (Germany time) to get myself on the different time schedule. I sort of took their advice. I did take a 3 hour nap after the gym, but made myself get up and will stay up till 9 or 10. All I have to say is that I feel so much better right now than I did last time upon arriving here. I think it’s a combination of being able to sleep on the plane and getting the workout. Anyway, after 40 minutes on the elliptical machine, I got on the floor to do some crunches, but while resting after that first set, I almost fell asleep, so I decided crunches were not in the plan for me today. Maybe tomorrow…

Speaking of tomorrow – That’s when my 8 hour orientation happens. I’m not really looking forward to it. What the heck are they going to tell us in 8 hours?? I do know that they are serving breakfast and lunch, so I will be grateful, because the cost of food at this hotel is outrageous. Speaking of food & this hotel: I don’t know how I missed this the last time, but they have a coffee shop in the lobby! Maybe it was closed the last time I was here, or maybe I was just so out of it from the flight that I didn’t see it. Anyway, I was pleased to be able to sit in the lobby with a well-made cappuccino (They do cappuccinos right in Europe!!) and enjoy the ½ hour of free internet that the hotel provides to guests every day. (This is new since the last time I was here too.) I am such a junkie, though. A half hour of internet access flew by for me.

I’m beginning to get more excited about this assignment. I think that a big part of my problem was that I was not looking forward to the jet lag. Last time, I had it for the whole first week I was here and then I was sick while I was here and when I got home. I'm hoping that doesn't happen again. I'll keep you posted.

Monday Mayhem

Today, I stood in line at the court house for 4 1/2 hours, so that I could vote early. Can you believe it? I still cannot believe it took that long! I am so glad that's over. I guess that was a small price to pay to exercise my right to vote.


As you probably guessed, I voted early because I will be in Germany on 11/4. I leave on Thursday - 2 1/2 short days from now. I'm a little bit more excited that I was last week, especially since I found out where I will be going. I'll be in Hohenfels for 30 days. Hohenfels is in the eastern part of the country, 1 1/2 hours north of Munich. I'm excited about going to a different part of Germany. I also learned that I'll be staying in the hotel on the Army base where I'll be working. A little bit disappointed about that, but I'm sure it will have it's benefits too.



On a different note, we had a great time at Fara's shower on Saturday. So many wonderful friends and family members drove a distance to show up and gift Fara! I was pleased with the party. I have to post at least one picture but will spare you and not post all 75 that were taken. The darling gifts have only caused me to feel more excited about my soon-to-be-born niece or nephew. The baby is due just 2 days after I get back from Germany. I'm hoping he or she doesn't decide to enter this world early. I'm sure Fara would disagree with me on that ;)

And, since this is my blog, I had to post the pic of Fara holding up the bear I brought the baby from Luxembourg (notice the Luxembourg flag on it's scarf).

Counting Down... Again!

Well, I've begun another count down. This time, I'm counting the days until I leave to go back to Germany. 12 days. I'm not sure what's gotten into me, but I'm not terribly excited about leaving this time. In fact, I'm kind of wishing I were going to an assignment someplace closer. I'm not looking forward to the jet lag or adjusting to the time change. Of course, I haven't received my Task Order yet, so I'm wondering if they're going to pull me at the last minute. I don't think I would mind, except for the lack of pay :-)

Anyway, also counting down to Fara's shower date - 7 more days. Then , I guess we'll start counting down to delivery. I can't wait to be an aunt! I wonder if I'll ever want to leave for an assignment again...

Fara, Mom & Me

12 OCT 08: Doesn't Fara look precious at 7 1/2 months?

Picnic & Beignets

I had a great time with Carmen and the girls yesterday. We took a picnic lunch and ate in Jackson Square, walked around the Square a bit and went to Cafe Du Monde for beignets. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day!

Navy Ball

I had the privelege of going with Kevin to the Navy's Birthday Ball on Saturday night. the event was fun, but I only took one not-so-good picture during the entire evening. I have to post it anyway, because Kevin looks handsome even though I'm blurry. Maybe we can get a couple more pictures from another guy who took a few as well...

Homeward Bound

I've fallen behind a bit on my blogging. I didn't do anything exciting during the past weekend, because I was sick with some virus the kids were spreading around! I'm feeling much better now and am really looking forward to going home in 3 short days. We welcomed the new consultants today and will be busy orienting them tomorrow. Off to Frankfurt on Thursday and then headed to New Orleans on Friday!!

Belgium

It's Sunday evening and I've just returned from a weekend in Brussels. I had a good time, but my countdown has definitely begun. I go home in 12 days! I've had a great time exploring some of Europe, but I'm definitely ready to head back to NOLA, my home and to see friends & family.

I've posted a few pictures from "Europe's Capitol City", as they call it - the land of beer, chocolate (and, as I learned...), tapestries and lace. I saw some beautiful tapestries! Good thing I have to think about how I'm getting this stuff home - that has stopped me from buying many things. I've posted some pictures of Brussels' Grand Place, the city's major square. The cobblestone streets are enchanting. The square is lined with houses from the 17th century, which are ornately decorated - I could not take my eyes off of them! You could gaze for hours at the detail on those buildings!

Another picture that I'm posting is of a small statue of a boy peeing. There are several stories about this little boy but no one seems to know the real reason why he gets to be immortalized in this way. What is known is that the original statue dates back to at least the 1400's. The statue that's there now is a replica. Anyway, this statue is a very popular tourist attraction and there are souveniers everywherewith this little peeing boy on them. Those items all just seemed crude to me, cut I guess people go for them because they are everywhere, as are chocolate shops. I enjoyed this little extra. Most of them will give you a sample, so I just wandered in and out of several of them, sampling along the way!

Riquewihr & Bernkastel-Kues

Until today, you’ve probably never heard of these two towns. You probably didn’t even realize they were the names of towns. Those are the places where I spent this weekend. Yesterday, I drove through the vineyards of the Alsace Region of France to visit the picturesque town of Riquewihr. It was a delightful little village, but it rained most of the day and my day was somewhat uneventful. I did a lot of driving, since Riquewihr is 2½ hours from my hotel, so I had planned to take it easy today, finish the novel I’ve been reading and maybe visit Kusel, a small town near by which was having a festival this weekend.

I headed down to the hotel lobby for breakfast and ran into two co-workers who told me that they were leaving in 15 minutes to go to the Weinfest der Mittelmosel (wine festival of the middle Mosel) in Bernkastel-Kues, which is about an hour drive from our hotel and is in the middle of the Mosel wine region in Germany (on the Mosel River). I almost didn’t go, but decided “you only live once” and opted to check out the wine festival with them. I am so glad that I did! The town was delightful, and the festival seemed to be a big deal, judging by the number of people in attendance. The town is surrounded by vineyards, which produce mostly Riesling wines. There was a parade that lasted 2+ hours and which was dedicated to celebrating wine, numerous booths selling wine and bratwurst (you can expect this EVERYWHERE), and many of the stores in the town were open. Throughout the day, small bands walked around playing their tunes and stopping in front of one of the weinstubes (wine bars) or biergartens (beer gardens) to play for the crowd and then receive free drinks. Good food, good wine, good music and a festive atmosphere. When the end of the day came, none of us wanted to leave.

On another note, I heard from my renter on Friday and he told me that he was back at the house and that it looks good. He said that it looks like the only damage is one board down on the fence line! I’m so excited about this news, especially since it’s the first news I’ve gotten about my house since Gustav hit. Of course, power is still out and I’m sure I have a stinky frig, but I have some great friends who offered to clean it out for me! Now, let’s brace ourselves for the possibility of Ike…

Gustav & The Rhine River

Today, I took a drive along part of the Rhine River. Very pretty. I had to get out of this apartment partly to get my mind off of Gustav and worries that I would lose a second home to a hurricane. I returned to what seems to be some pleasant news: He downgraded to a Cat. 2 and doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot of damage. Of course, we're not out of the woods yet, but I'm hopeful.

The Rhine is a very pretty body of water lined with multiple vineyards and dotted with some charming German towns. Unfortunately, I'm too tired to write about my day or post pictures right now. I may do that later.