I've been away from the computer for a few days due to holiday cheer and all that stuff. Those of you who know me know that I'm a pretty big Scrooge around this time of year-some may even call me miserable. They wouldn't be too far off the mark, actually.
In the last week or two, I have been pondering my next post. Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with something if I am not currently on a trip, or have just completed one. As I logged on today and saw many of my fellow bloggers posts dedicated to retrospect of the year 2010, I decided not to beat them, but to join them and jump on the retrospect bandwagon.
So here goes:
At this time last year, I was even more of a hateful Scrooge than normal. I had just come back from Tanzania, and with no trips planned, no permanent teaching job prospects, and the knowledge that my money would soon not just be mine to spend willy-nilly on overseas adventures, well, misery was my BFF.
Whew! Don't stop reading. It really does end up much happier.
Then wedding planning really kicked into high gear, causing me to question nearly everything in life. Who I was, who he was, what on earth we were doing, and why on earth we were doing it? But then two trips popped up to restore my sanity and my faith in pushing through--The all girls bachelorette trip to Austin, Texas, and the "Of course it's a good idea to go overseas 30 days before my wedding" trip to Turkey.
May 29th came around shortly thereafter and truly, everything did go as planned. It was a happy day-no last minute disasters, fights, or general chaotic moments. And then it was over, just like a raindrop's brief journey from the skies above. All that planning, a big splash, and then nothing left but to clean up the puddles.
We had to thank everyone, find a place to live, plan the honeymoon, go on the honeymoon, combine finances, hope I got a job, move, and work out the kinks of living together all at once. I am exhausted just reading that sentence, and I already lived it.
Everything fell into place (as things usually do) and now 7 months of marriage (tomorrow!) later we are amazed how time is speeding by us. Which brings me to Christmas. For the first time ever, we were able to spend the day together. As per family tradition, I am always in Ohio to celebrate. Conincidentally, this year, I did not encounter but a few shreds of my old Scrooge self. I looked and looked, but I didn't find her. A sap I certainly am not, but I can only attribute it to my wonderful husband and the life we are living together. Yep, there have been some tough moments/weeks/months, but we are learning volumes about life and each other, knowledge that can and has only increased our commitment to one another. Christmas wasn't so, so..... Scroogey with him around this year, and for that, I am grateful.
So there ya have it-a mini review of 2010. Somewhere in there I reached 50 blog posts, started writing for a local magazine, and got a full-time job as a teacher. I love it and that is the truth.
What's next? Well, just got my latest copy of Blue. Spain comes up in just about 7 weeks. Although I won't be going anywhere at all if I don't get the name in my passport changed. Just called the Department of State today and if I get it in the mail TOMORROW, I might have a chance of actually boarding the plane.
Clearly, Scrooge may be gone, but the procrastinator is still very much alive and well.
Up next: I really must change the description of this blog (the paragraph at the top). I have been pushing that off as well. Anyone want to write it for me?!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
I'm a Virgin....."Euro"peanly Speaking
As you already know from my last post, I am headed to Spain for a mini-vacation in a few months. What you don't know is this will be my first foray in the world of the euro.
I hate the euro.
Why?
Two reasons-wait, actually three.
1. At Amsterdam's Schiphol airport last year, I developed a serious need for a McDonald's Filet-o-Fish sandwich. I was on a layover from Tanzania and I had been eating goat and rice for two weeks. However tasty those items may be, I really just wanted tons of tartar sauce slathered atop a hot bun. Total cost of my sandwich, companion's sandwich, bottled water and fries to share? $27 US DOLLARS!! Yeah, I am still pretty miffed about it a year later. WHO SPENDS $27 AT McDONALDS?? Since I am already veeeery frugal by nature, this was an outrageous injustice. I wanted to choke the employee and any other nearby Europeans, but I refrained.
2. I was at a hostel in Beijing when I overheard a conversation between two Europeans (speaking English) in the next room. Actually, it was more squealing and shrieking than conversing. They were fairly giddy over the exchange rate of the yuan to the euro. Phrases like "This was nearly free!" and "This would cost 3x as much at home!" were bandied about and right then and there I knew I was not cut out for Euro spending countries. Granted, I bought my fair share of knock-offs and other important Chinese souvenirs, but the buying process was never without haggling and walking away. On repeat. These girls simply smirked at me when I casually injected myself into their conversation to ask if they had bargained the prices down at all. I took that as a
" Why would we need to do that when we have practically stolen these items to begin with?"
Which brings me to my final reason of hating the Euro.
3. This currency has been the single most preventive reason I have not seen any of the things I dream to see-the Colisseum, a Greek island (any which one will do) the fjords of Norway, the Portuguese coast, or the concentration camps in Germany (is that weird? I will say no since I am a social studies teacher). I can't afford Europe! I was in the Czech Rpublic before it was on the euro and Istanbul last May, while partially in Europe, is still lovingly spending the lira.
I guess I've only been to first base in Europe.
I hate the euro.
Why?
Two reasons-wait, actually three.
1. At Amsterdam's Schiphol airport last year, I developed a serious need for a McDonald's Filet-o-Fish sandwich. I was on a layover from Tanzania and I had been eating goat and rice for two weeks. However tasty those items may be, I really just wanted tons of tartar sauce slathered atop a hot bun. Total cost of my sandwich, companion's sandwich, bottled water and fries to share? $27 US DOLLARS!! Yeah, I am still pretty miffed about it a year later. WHO SPENDS $27 AT McDONALDS?? Since I am already veeeery frugal by nature, this was an outrageous injustice. I wanted to choke the employee and any other nearby Europeans, but I refrained.
2. I was at a hostel in Beijing when I overheard a conversation between two Europeans (speaking English) in the next room. Actually, it was more squealing and shrieking than conversing. They were fairly giddy over the exchange rate of the yuan to the euro. Phrases like "This was nearly free!" and "This would cost 3x as much at home!" were bandied about and right then and there I knew I was not cut out for Euro spending countries. Granted, I bought my fair share of knock-offs and other important Chinese souvenirs, but the buying process was never without haggling and walking away. On repeat. These girls simply smirked at me when I casually injected myself into their conversation to ask if they had bargained the prices down at all. I took that as a
" Why would we need to do that when we have practically stolen these items to begin with?"
Which brings me to my final reason of hating the Euro.
3. This currency has been the single most preventive reason I have not seen any of the things I dream to see-the Colisseum, a Greek island (any which one will do) the fjords of Norway, the Portuguese coast, or the concentration camps in Germany (is that weird? I will say no since I am a social studies teacher). I can't afford Europe! I was in the Czech Rpublic before it was on the euro and Istanbul last May, while partially in Europe, is still lovingly spending the lira.
I guess I've only been to first base in Europe.
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