Tagged by Caro

My good friend Caro over at this blog tagged me to answer some questions. I always find this amusing and informing. 1. You have to think a bit about yourself. 2. Others might learn things about you they didn't know before.

Here we go. (Btw, she asked in German, but I will translate and answer in English.)

1. Wie stehst du zu Falten, grauen Haaren und Co.? 

1. What do you think about wrinkles, gray hair and co.?

There are worse things in life. I'd like to age with grace as they say. Wrinkles, like scars, tell stories and gray hair, well what can you do? I have no intention of using special creams though I admit I like to colour my hair. (But not to cover up gray.)

 

2. Guilty Pleasures: Von welcher TV-Sendung, Serie o.ä. lässt du dich insgeheim gern berieseln, auch wenn es dir eigentlich peinlich ist?

2. Guilty Pleasures: which TV show do you watch on the side though it's a bit embarrassing?

I love food shows, especially when I am running, which is odd and I guess a bit embarrassing. I also like Star Trek and a lot people find that weird. Most shows I watch these days I watch because I want to see it. I don't really turn the TV just to have it on.

3. Welches Tier jagt dich Stühle oder Bäume rauf?

3. Which animals will drive you up the wall (or chairs)?

I am not a fan of spiders, especially when it's a surprise visit on my arm. And I am not a fan of fish or jellyfish when swimming in a lake or ocean. 

Conversation

Seriously Andrea? A full month and 11 days since you last post? What are you doing? What's going on with you? Are you no more fun? No more stories to tell? Did you finally grow up and became boring?

Oh blog, I am sorry! I really am. But life is happening to me so much that I barely have the time. You should ask my baking blog. He's feeling it too. *sigh* I am sorry, I promise to do better.

Wait! You said the same darn thing last time. And look what happened to me! NOTHING! Nada! Niente, uhm, I don't even know how to spell that. But girl, that's how I feel like.

*sobs* But I really want to take care of you. Really do! But lately I have been distracted by other things, and by lack of energy. I can't be bothered. Dude, I haven't even sorted my October pictures yet.

Wow! What? Those October pictures? You mean your Germany trip? Your going home, seeing awesome people trip?

Yup.

Shame on you! How dare you! You used to be so good with all that. When you took pictures you got them off the camera right away and sorted them. Posting and all. What's wrong?

As I said, life happens. I got busy, with other things. Like Christmas preparations and helping with fundraising and then new years. There was some January blues and February lack, and March was Easter and my marathon training started. Now it's April and I have a Food Blogger's Conference.

Gee, I hope she will post those pictures to me....

Shoo Baking in Saskatoon, it's my time to rant here.

Uh, I was also on lent.

Well, you could have written about that. No?! How did that go anyway?

Oh well, it wasn't half as bad. But I broke lent.

Really?!

Yeah, I know. I really tried and most of the time it worked. But "no chocolate and dessert" lent is tricky, especially when you have things at work and such. However, in general it went really well and I felt pretty good.

And since then?

Errr, Easter, loads of chocolate from mommy, filled with liquor...Ask my father in law, he can tell you how awesome those are.

Yeah, I figured. What else? Oh right, marathon. Are you nuts? 42 km, that's like, far.

Haha, I know. But I figured last year was half, might as well do a full on this year. Before I started I went and bought new shoes. That was pretty fun cause the sales guy, Harvey, was really nice, and knowledgeable. This year I am also using gels to train.

Gross! 

Naha, it's energy gels that help you to run longer. It's pretty cool cause the have loads of flavours. Unfortunately, I like the chocolate ones the best. And peanut butter.

You are so German.

I know, I know. Husband says the same. But the Tri-Berry one is good. Haven't tried the Banana-Strawberry one yet though. Well, anyway, it's going pretty good. I get faster and I do my cross training...

And you skip once in a while.

Gee, you know everything, don't you?

Eh, I'm your blog. I am you, I know what you know.

Sigh, you do. You know me well. So far though, it's been only 3 skips and that was due to bad weather, like blowing winds and terrible snow fall and just yucky stuff. And the second time I don't remember and the third on my tummy was not happy. I will miss some more due to that blogger conference.

And you will eat a lot.

Probably.

Feeling bad already?

I try not to. Besides, I will take your buddy the Fitness App with me. He should keep me on track and I will try to restrain myself. I'm also going to shuffle that workout schedule around a bit so that I can do my runs.

Alright, alright, you try. I can see that.

Yep.

For the future though, get your butt over here more. You have stuff to talk about, your friends like to check once in a while to know what going on with you. It's not that hard to fine like 30 min for me. Otherwise I feel lonely, and sad, and...

I will! I promise.

Schitkram

To use a German word my grandma uses once in a while: Schitkram! Actually, I am not sure if there is a correct spelling but roll with me here.

I haven't posted for a full month. Why? Uhm, I don't even have a valid excuse. I am busy I guess.

Frankly, I have been going back to the gym more regularly. Mr. is coming along too, which is fun. (See last post for that.) This results in less time in the evening though. I barely have made anything in my kitchen either because of it.

Ergo, I need to pick it up. Like big time!

Do you remember when I told you I want to be more organized, more workout, more of everything. That energy got left behind a bit bit I really should pick up on it again. I know I can do it.

But when I get home I am more like: nap, now, then, lets me creative, lets clean the bathroom, lets organized the freezer. *sigh*

Anyway, I promise to be better, really. Stick with me, ok?!

Better together

It's been almost three years since I move to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The official month is August but I thought I'd talk a bit about this before we actually hit the date. It's not so much about those three years, it's more about the guy I spent them with.

Yep, here is an ode to my hubby, partner in crime, my lovely husband.

I've noticed it lately: we are better together. Like really good.

That shouldn't be a surprise, I mean, we got married after all. But lets be honest, the first year or so living together wasn't a walk in the park. Probably because we had to get used to each other and find those little weird things people do on an every day basis that you won't know until you live with them. 

There are some things that do annoy me, him talking to himself for example. It confuses the heck out of me cause I never know if he talks to me. I am sure he's not too thrilled about me inquiring about things all the time. Yes, I am a curious person. Ask my mother!

He snores when the room temperature is too cold, which wakes me and I hate to push him to make him stop. It disturbs his sleep and it's bad enough if one of us doesn't sleep so well. On the other hand, I'd like to have some me-sleep-time. I can spread across the bed and don't need to worry about bumping into him.

Yeah, this are the funny little things you don't know about until you are there.

So, how are we better together? I am not really sure to be honest, it's nothing I can pinpoint and say "This is it!" It's rather the everyday life that feels good. I am centered sort of and I know I can count on him no matter was comes our way. We have those funny moments when we think the same without even try or talking about it previously. For example, we get home, separately, and both say we want to see a movie.

I know that we teas each other quite a bit too and that it can be entertaining, especially for our family. But I also see that as a better together sign to be honest with you. Just like the roles we have in our house hold and who is doing what. Here I have to admit that my beloved husband is doing probably, no, very likely, more than I do and I love him for it.

3 years of living together will roll around this August, 4 years of marriage as well and 10 years of being together (at least mentally). It's quite something.

New Year's Resolution and trying to keep them

We all know how it goes down: New Year's Eve or even New Year's Day and you are all fired up and have good intentions. Eat less, work out more, more time with the kids, more time for creativity, better food on the plate, be better organized...you name it. A week or so later half of those resolutions are out the window and rest follows shortly after.

This year it will be all different. AND I MEAN IT!

Seriously! I am tackling this thing will full force and energy. Basically on the 1st of January I was slouching on my couch and thought: "No, this has to change! You can do it! You did it before! Why not again?" That was that!

First step, get a planner that you like and will use. *done* I even got little stickers that remind me of birthdays, school stuff (I am teaching) and appointments. So there lazy me! I wrote down all the birthdays and added little stickers and I will write cards for each, though they might not arrive in time they very likely will not arrive in time.

Check the blog here.

Besides that I am following "The Household Organization Diet", which means each month we tackle a specific area of the house. I admit, I am slightly behind but will see that I can catch up this week. It's not that tricky. I am provided with a checklist and someone tells me what we will do today. All I need to do is actually do it. 

Also, I will print out a "To Do" list for each week and write down what we actually need to do, besides cleaning that is.

So much for the organizing part. On to the "taking care of me" part, which also includes beloved husband of course. We both can use it, loosing weight that is. I had a gym membership for over a year and I used it on a more or less regular basis as well. However, food portions and going out are not helpful. 

We don't look like that, yet.

We both are going to the gym now, at least three times a week, if not more. Going together is supporting, if I don't feel like it he says we should go. Or I remind him we should go. I am also working on a food plan, which means I am trying to plan our suppers/lunches. For me, warm lunches work much better than cold ones. So, when cooking in the evening I will make enough to last me for the next lunch. The plan is not completely implemented yet, but I am trying.

Taking care of me also means to get enough sleep, which still doesn't happen on a regular basis as much as I like. It also means doing little things, like using body lotion after each shower. I am lazy that way but I am doing my best to change then. My skin surely will thank me for it too.

Yeah! Healthy food!

So there you have it: loose weight, eat less/more healthy, be better organized. Those are the things that I'd like to keep up for the next year. Am I gonna be perfect with that? Nope! Will I try to keep it up? Yes! Can you do it too? For sure!

Look back on 2012

Oho, it's the last day of 2012 and I am about to go to a party. But before I leave I thought I write a bit about the last year. Share my thoughts and all that since I haven't done that in a while. Yes, I've been bad with posting but gee December was busy. 

I will re-use the TAG post from last year. It's nice and easy and puts the thoughts straight out there.

How would you describe your 2012?

Oh, it was pretty good. I would say with very little lows, like tiny lows. I made more friends, I got more comfortable with the city, the people, life in general.

Your best moment? 

I have two best moments: finishing a half marathon was quiet an accomplishment, and going back to Germany was pretty awesome as well. It was nice to be back home.

Worst moment? 

It's not really a bad moment in my life but hurting for a week after that half marathon wasn't peachy. Not fun at all.

A-ha moment? 

I need to plan my work out better. I get so easily distracted by other things. As my hubby would say: "Less baking." To which I can only say: "Sure, I'd like to stop working so I can bake and do my workout without a problem." A day only has 24 hours. *sigh*

Moment of success?

Finishing that half marathon in 2 hours 24 min or so. Wow! That was something.

A new discovery? 

Nothing life changing I guess.

A friendship?

Friends from home are still sticking with me. Contacting and talking to them is a bit more problematic since most of them are finished with university are busy. But seeing them in October was awesome and I felt like I've never left their side.
Also, deepening those friendships I have made here. It's helpful and makes life better.

Vacation destination?

The trip back to Germany was a big and important one in 2012. It was nice to be back, some things have changed but generally it felt like I was never away. My husband felt more comfortable as well, German is not an easy language but he gets the hang of it.

Would you like to experience 2012 again?

Yes, it was a good year. Everything is more settled.

Your wishes and resolutions for 2012?

I really should make a resolution. I want to go to my workout at least 3 times a week, more often if possible. I also like to do a meal plan for us and to plan things much better. Not the big ones, but the little ones, like craft things and such. Distractions and laziness like to get in the way.

While the last year was not perfect it was pretty darn good. I hope the next year will be equally good, maybe better. With some surprises and fun times. 

Love to all you guys out there, to friends far away and close by, to family who love and support us, far and near as they are, and to anyone who needs a good thought. Have a good new year, stay positive and enjoy what you have.

I'm sorry...

I have to apologize: I have neglected this blog for over month now. Not on purpose, of course not. But you all know how life can get crazy and busy and just weird.

That's pretty much what happened over the last month. Not the weird part but the crazy and busy one for sure.

We really enjoyed out vacation in Germany and I so need to post pictures and tell tales and all that. After we got back I got busy with work and volunteering and cultural events and baking and all that. Heck, even my baking blog doesn't see all to many posts, mainly because I am baking what I already did last year. 

So, while life gets crazy other things fall behind. Blogging here, because I also want to show you pictures but I have little time to sort them or edit them. That means I am not writing because I don't have pictures, which is kind of silly.

Anyway, here a tiny update:

- I am in a German baking and cooking club and we had two more events through November and December. Both went very well though there was one casualty: my marble rolling bin broke.

- The same club helps another group to raise some funds, which means I am baking a lot for them.

- More on the baking front: I had a cookie exchange and need 15 dozen cookies. That's a total of 180, just in case you don't know.

- I've also been to two cultural events in Regina: a German Christmas Market and a Christmas Concert. Both were wonderful and delightful and Christmas-y. 

- Work, of course I had to work too.

- A bunch of snow fell in November and December. I think most people complain, driving is a bit trickier and all that. I find it awesome.

- I am working on loosing some kilos or pounds, well, weight. Working out in the gym doesn't happen that much but I am trying to implement a meal plan. It's not going so bad. 5 more kilos until I am back to me pre-Canada weight.

- Christmas is getting closer, I should write a bunch of Christmas card...time is an issue again. Btw, if you like to get one, let me know. (You might receive it in January or so but I am sure you don't mind that.)

Uhmm, yeah! I think that's pretty much it. Oh wait! I decorated the house. I even painted my wooden Christmas calendar and hubby likes it. *phew*

I'll be on the radio again this weekend, that's December 9 and also December 23. So if you like to hear me talking about Christmas stuff and wish for a song, tune in! (For Saskatoon residents that's 90.5FM and for international residents that's www.cfcr.ca.) If you and I are friends on Facebook you can drop me a line there and I play the song you like.

Yeah! I think that's that. Cheers to all, happy December, enjoy the time and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy/Merry Whatever-you-celebrate.