Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pictures from Home and Today...

New Living room

Stocked Fridge! Obviously in Empty-Nester Denial Mode

Fluffy Butt!


SCHNITZEL!

Spaetzle...MMM

Schnitzel Cook!

Reunion!

No Complainers...

Iides

Maternal Cow...Not. The Farmers Picking Up The Slack Today!

In our Mailbox....Arigope...Harmless to Humans

Mostly She pulled it along by its tail...

Iides

Parfait.

Trail Ride!

Ecu, Boss and Mom :  )


Monday, October 25, 2010

11 Days of Not Posting...

Hi all,

So, I'll admit, it was a completely blissful 9 days home. My flights went smoothly, and I arrived in time to even drop of my dress with Ecu before the rehearsal dinner! Yes, I'm realizing that I don't have nicknames for some of my closest friends because I'm usually far away from them! Anyhow, Kit's rehearsal went smoothly and it was very simple. We went to the groom's parents for a catered/cooked in meal. It was fantastic...along with the open bar. Actually, the most divine aspect was the coconut jumbo shrimp...to die for!

We left relatively early, although Ecu kept me up until 1 or 2 trying to figure out how we were going to do our hair. That sounds incredibly girly. I was pretty much a girl that weekend though, so you'll have to pardon me. We were up bright and early the next morning with Ecu and I working out way to wear our hair (she almost panicked and went to a salon...) and we ended up not going with Kit when she got her hair done. We wouldn't have had time! Ecu did my makeup (see!?!), and she was busy also doing the flower girl's (9 going on 24) nails. We had time for a few quick Bellinis, which made the 3 hour photo shoot seem a lot shorter. After more primping and yanking (depending on how well one's dress was altered...), we were ushered here and there, in and out, for many photos...which I don't possess. But I will soon! (ish).

The wedding itself breezed by (literally, my brothers timed it in at 18 minutes: short and sweet), and soon I was surrounded by the entire family (minus pets). So naturally we now have this Christmas' card picture. We then boarded the stretch Hummer Limo, and I discovered the joy of blueberry hard lemonade. We then took more photos, but more casual ones, so they were fun. We finally ended up back at the hotel where we promenaded in and took our spots at the head table. Fortunately, we got to eat soon, as there'd been quite a few drinks on an empty stomach!

The rest of the evening was a few short speeches, and quite a lot of dancing. And it was only semi-awkward. I got to rock out with all my brothers, and spent a lot of time with the family. It was precious, not knowing the next time that will happen. Makes for a bittersweet memory.

Then next morning I brunched with the family before driving back home with Ecu. We only got semi-lost and I met an interesting potter.

Ok. That's enough of the weekend recap...a quick funny story from today:

An older villager lady: I just went to work..but no one was there!"
Me: "Ah, well, I'm sure they'll be back soon! You can just wait a few minutes there..."
"Why? They weren't there!"
Me "Well, if you don't go back...they might get worried about you..."
"WHY? I'm not worried about them!"

Fair enough.

But she still went back to work.

Hope all is well,
Steph


Thursday, October 14, 2010

I'm Going Home

Hi all,

I can't tell you why I haven't been blogging. It's a combination, I think, of many factors. The need to put myself out there in order to vent has diminished as my familiarity has waxed on village life. I have a better support system now. The house is no longer complete chaos. It's still hard, but you adjust. Also, things aren't new, and so the wonder it takes to inspire me is harder to find. Not that I don't find a lot of joy in the day-to-day things, but I think that would probably bore you all. The trees do look as though they've caught on fire here, the oranges and scarlets are a true wonder to behold. Breathtaking.

I've been busy hounding Wisp to finish altering my darn dress. But it's finished, packed up as neatly as possible in my carry-on and as good as it'll get. I finished the jewelry last weekend. The earrings are super cute, and after the wedding I'll upload some pictures.

I've been busy learning a lot too. We had our first full day of "Seminar" which was a writing workshop. It was weird to have that semi-school feeling again. It was nice, but too long for sitting. Not used to it since high school! We've also been having care courses on Wednesday evenings, which are pretty much a "better late than never" sort of thing for me and Schmee. But it's with the seminar group, and I've been enjoying them as well. There's so many aspects of life here that I've noticed, but not had explained to me.

Anyhow, I need to go to bed now...up early for the plane tomorrow!!!
Hope all is well,
Steph

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

It's Not Much, But it's Something

Hi all,

Things that Irritate Me:

The boot-room being a total mess.
Slick being a typical 17 year old with few social boundaries.
The fact that my dress isn't finished being tailored yet...
The updated blog format...the line breaks are annoying.
OATMEAL. Blah.
Money.
Being a bad blogger.
Neighborhood meetings instead of rest time.
Not knowing what I'll do the first half of Thanksgiving break...
THE RAINNNNNNNNNNNN
(dear god, will it ever stop????)


Things I like:
Feeling a bit more on top of the co-op.
Finishing up on the wedding jewelry...yes, pictures WILL come...
My amazing fellow co-op worker...name to come...
Slick when he's being helpful.
Calvin...he's come so far and is really helping things stick together.
Waking up a few hours before my alarm and getting to snuggle back into the covers!
Crunchy leaves of brilliant autumnal colors.
Getting to start to plan leading the Second half of the Thanksgiving trip.

GETTING READY TO GO HOME!


All in good time,
Hope all is well,
Steph