VICTORY

I received paperwork about a month ago telling me that my visa was ready to be picked up and I finally went and got it. My first attempt to get it was last Monday but the hours on my paperwork and the actual hours did not correspond. Today I went again and took a number and when my number was called I was told I was missing paperwork. This wouldn't be much of a problem except they couldn't tell me what I was missing because they don't speak english and I speak very little German. I went back to my apartment brought my binder full of all the paperwork I have received since my arrival and headed back. I was told that I still didn't have the correct paperwork but they ended up figuring it out after a few minutes and I was given my visa and sent on my way. I am so happy to finally have it. 


I am the first person from the school to get their visa. Everyone else is still waiting for theirs and time is running out. Our temporary visas were only valid for 3 months and that ends this week/next week. I just hope that everyone gets theirs so nobody has problems traveling. 


This past week was pretty busy with school work and what not. Thursday I went to the Thanksgiving Gala dinner and it was a lot of fun. It was obviously different than being home with family and friends enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving feast but it was as good as it could get living in a foreign country. We didn't get done with the dinner until midnight but I had agreed to go out to the club so I went home to change shoes and skype for a few minutes before heading out with the girls for the night. 


The rest of the weekend was pretty boring I skyped, studied, did homework, read, and went to the movies. I went to see Breaking Dawn in Köln with some friends. We had a great time and I was able to get my ticket, a drink and popcorn for 10 euros. Talk about a cheap date! 


Monday I spent a lot of time on Amazon looking at the cyber Monday deals! I bought some DVD's, presents, ordered my kindle touch and bought some books for my kindle. 


This week I have a lot of work to do. Friday I have an assignment due in Public Relations. My destination management class decided to take our final during mid-terms because our class finished this week so I have that exam on Monday. I have a group project due Tuesday. A big project due Wednesday. Our marketing research project is due on the 21st and we still have so much work to do on it.  The Christmas Market on campus is next week and I am super excited for it. Some of us are planning on taking a trip to Maastricht, Holland Dec 10th-11th. Just a short trip to all get away together however it might be too expensive to go for just one day so I haven't made my mind up yet. 


I can't believe tomorrow is the beginning of December and Friday will mark 3 months since I arrived in Germany. Time has flown by, before I know it I will be heading back to Buffalo for a visit. I miss everyone back home so much. It will be very weird to be away for Christmas but I will be home for a visit soon after. 


Well that is all for now. Hope to hear from you all soon. 

Thanksgiving week

Thanksgiving is here! I love Thanksgiving! What could be better than celebrating with the four F's family, friends, food, and football? I am so bummed that I won't be home but I am lucky enough to be going to the Thanksgiving gala dinner at school that night! 


Thanksgiving also brings Black Friday. I am not a Black Friday shopper unless there is something I really need or has a great discount. I've bought cameras, a GPS, movies, books, and shoes on Black Friday but I do not go out at midnight or earlier to shop. Once I start making money and have a family I may give it a try but for right now I don't have that many presents to buy so I am content going and relaxing instead of stressing about being able to get it and deal with crowds. 


Here are a few links for those of you who are planning on doing some Black Friday shopping but haven't done much research. 


http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/142099/37/Black-Friday-Stock-Lists--Doorbusters-for-47-Stores


http://www.theblackfriday.com/


http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/142102/37/Black-Friday-Store-Maps-Where-The-Deals-Are


If you have any helpful links please post them in the comment section. 


So this weekend I got a great care package from my parents! It was HUGE and had so much good stuff in it. I got Homemade Pumpkin Cookies, Franks Hot Sauce, Kraft Greek Dressing, Ken's Caesar Dressing, Mini Hersey's Cookies & Cream Chocolate Bars, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Sponge Candy and so much more! I was SO excited! I just love getting care packages! I finally dug into the Cheez-Its Bob's mom sent a few weeks ago and they were so good. I ate them slowly and enjoyed every one because I knew once they were gone I couldn't just go to the store and get more. 


I am a junk food lover and it has been tough living without it but SO much better for my body. I have lost a few pounds since I got here and I am working hard at getting toned. Today I made a 3 egg omelet with mushrooms and red peppers. It was so delicious. It was just as enjoyable as junk food but much healthier. I always feel so much better about myself when I eat something healthy. I am hoping to continue down this healthy path when I get back to the states. Bob might not be thrilled at first but since I do all the cooking & grocery shopping he will have to learn to like it! (Love you babe ;) 


Well readers that is all for now I have a running date to head off to so that is all for today. 


Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving if i don't write again before Thursday. Good luck to all you Black Friday shoppers too, get me something good! haha

I'm back!

So I took a little break from writing but it wasn't on purpose. At first I was waiting to write about the Penn State scandal that broke last week and then the internet on campus decided not to work on a nightly basis. I think the internet is back up and working again so I hope to be posting more frequently. 


The past two weeks have been crazy! Let me start at last week! 


Monday - Thursday was my regular schedule of going to classes, doing homework, doing group projects, and going to LEO Club. Wednesday was insanely busy with classes & meetings.  I drank coffee for the first time since I got to Europe and had 2 red bulls. (Sorry Mom!) 


Friday is a different story. Friday was the start of Karneval. Karneval is a mix between Mardi Gras and Halloween. Crazy costumes, lots of drinking, singing, and partying in the streets. I had class in the morning so I missed the official kick of at 11:11 on 11/11/11 but I went to Köln later in the afternoon. By the time I got there EVERYONE was drunk. I was not drinking so it was kind of annoying to be around a lot of drunk people but also quite entertaining. I ended up seeing some friends who were going shopping. I ended up leaving the drunks behind and going shopping and out to dinner. It was a great night. I had a lot of fun! 


Saturday and Sunday I was very lazy and didn't do anything other than homework and read. Monday I was very busy trying to finish a project that is worth 30% of my grade. We had the presentation for the project on Tuesday morning. It went really well. 


I have finally figured out what I am doing for Christmas. I am going to IRELAND! I am going with two of the exchange students from Northern Arizona University. Deborah one of the girls I am going with has an Aunt that lives in Belfast. We will be flying from Frankfurt to Dublin on December 23rd. From Dublin we will take the train to Belfast until the 27th. On the 27th we will go back to Dublin until the 29th. We fly back to Frankfurt early on the 29th. I am so excited to go to Ireland! :) 


I have also signed up to go to the Gala dinner next Thursday. There is a Gala Dinner every month and it is a different theme each month. This month is American Thanksgiving! I am super excited to go hang out with friends and eat a meal similar to one that will be served at my families Thanksgiving dinner. 


Well that is it for now! I will hopefully post again soon! 

Food Addiction

I have a real addiction to food. I am ALWAYS eating. Sometimes it is a full meal other times its just snacking but you can almost always guarantee I have a snack with me wherever I go. God only knows why I am not 300 lbs. I really should be from my lack of exercise and love of food. 


I have been reading about food prices in WNY skyrocketing and decided today would be dedicated to food. I have a few links to share that will hopefully be helpful. 


This first link I just found yesterday but it is amazing. 
https://secure.dinnertool.com/
Join DinnerTool to make mealtimes easier for you and your family! Find, store and even upload your favorite recipes and create and save shopping lists and weekly meal plans in your account. Never struggle with the question of "What's for Dinner?" again by searching our thousands of recipes. Make quick, easy and healthy meals for your family with help from DinnerTool!


This second link is to a tumblr.com account this very inspirational girl writes 
http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/
Be sure to check out all of her tabs on there. She has great advice on everything. 


Goodhousekeeping.com 
Good Housekeeping has great information about recipes, eating healthy, dieting, and everything for your home. I find their website to be extremely helpful.


Today I made a delicious meal for dinner and it was very healthy.  
I cooked up some penne pasta. 
Heated a little bit of olive oil in a pan. 
Chopped up some fresh garlic and put it in the pan with the olive oil. 
Next I diced up a tomato and put the tomato in the pan. 
After about a minute I added the penne in and stirred. 


I put it all in a bowl and put some fresh parmesan cheese on it. 
YUM! You can also dice up some zucchini with the garlic and cook those together. 
It was super quick & easy. 


When I am home I love to use my crockpot! You can make so many great things in them! One of my favorites is a pot roast. 


Buy a chuck roast that is going to feed everyone you are serving. I like to buy one a little bigger so I have leftovers for the next day. 


Put the chuck roast in the crock pot. 
Add baby carrots and chunks of potato. 
Add 1 or 2 cans of french onion soup. 
Pour a bottle of your favorite beer over it all. 


Put the lid on and cook it on low for about 8 hours. I like to turn the meat over 4 hours into it just to make sure it is cooked all the way through. 


Take the roast, potatoes, and carrots out of the crock pot. I put them in a container that is oven friendly and turn the oven to about 200 degrees to keep the food warm. 


Then I put the juices from the crock pot in a pan and make gravy. 


Add a salad and a loaf of bread to the table and you have a whole meal and not a lot of work. 




What's your favorite recipe? 

Random

Today I am writing about some stories I have read online. Feel free to comment on any of the articles! 

First up Ryan Fitzpatrick's decision to wear his wedding ring while playing football. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/sports/football/quarterbacks-unusual-call-wearing-his-wedding-band.html?hp
I first noticed this last year and thought it was a great thing. If he wants to wear his wedding ring to show that he is a loving and devoted husband then he should. I don't think people should find it odd since it obviously doesn't impact his ability to play football. I understand why he wears it but I understand why other players do not. It is risky to wear a ring when playing a sport. There are so many things that could happen, you can lose it, you could get it stuck on your finger, and you can ding it up pretty bad. 


Next up is Rude Trick or Treaters
http://www.parenting.com/blogs/parenting-post/erin-zammett-ruddy/halloween-etiquette-did-your-kids-have-any-last-night?src=soc&dom=tw
I obviously was not home for Halloween this year but spent the night on skype with my boyfriend since it was his birthday. He had bought candy to hand out and was greeted by some nice & polite trick or treaters, some rude trick or treaters and some kids who didn't really wear costumes. I understand that as kids grow into teenagers their interest in dressing up can diminish however if you are going out trick or treating you have to at least dress up. One girl wore a stuffed panda around her neck and said she was Panda Express. Rarely did I hear a kid say thank you and when I did it was usually coaxed out of them by parents. 


Then there were parents driving around in their cars. From what my boyfriend told me it was sprinkling out but the fact that the parents were too lazy to walk around the neighborhood is ridiculous. I say get an umbrella and walk around with your kids. It is all part of the experience. I wouldn't want my kids to remember halloween as walking around the neighborhood while I drive in the car. 

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/11/02/rather-than-the-freshman-15-the-college-creep/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=blogmod
I never stayed on a college campus until this year so my freshman year was no different than any other year. I don't think I gained any weight but I know a lot of people who were worried about gaining weight once they headed off to college. I think this is a great article for self conscious people afraid of gaining the dreaded freshman 15. 

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/11/02/reader-consult-how-much-would-you-pay-for-a-pets-medical-care/
This is a hard subject to touch on. My boyfriend and I have the greatest dog named Manny. I would do almost anything for that little guy. I would spend as much money as I could on medical bills but I can't see myself putting myself in debt over him. He is an amazing companion and I love him but if his medical bills are going to cost more than I have, I just don't know if I would be able to do it. I guess it all depends on how old he is when something happens and what it is. I was a nanny last year and the family I worked for had a terrible accident with one of their dogs. They had the dog from when she was a puppy and for 12 years she had stayed away from the car when it was moving. One day last winter she stood next to the car where the dad couldn't see her and he ran over part of her hip & leg. They couldn't lose her especially when the husband was the one who hit her. They spent a lot of money on medical bills but would do it all again. I say I would do as much as I could afford but I guess I wouldn't really know until I was put in the position, which *knock on wood* I hope never happens. 


http://wyrk.com/a-real-man-never-hits-a-woman/
I know this has passed already but I thought I would share this with everyone. It is a real problem in America. I know people who have been abused in a relationship and it is a scary thing. I urge anyone who is being abused physically or mentally to get help. You DO NOT deserve to be treated that way. 

Getting in shape

I always say that I am going to get in shape and I never do. I just can't stand the thought of working out. I get bored and no motivation to do it. I've tried to get my boyfriend to exercise and get in shape with me but he has no motivation either. Neither of us are fat but we aren't toned and in shape. I just want to be able to look and feel good in my clothes. I don't want to sit there and worry about my "muffin top"  when I am at school, work or just out in public.

Today I decided to really start exercising. I didn't last that long about 30 minutes or so but at least I tried. I always feel great after a work out! I have been running once a week with a friend but we skipped last week and this week so I am going to have to start going by myself to keep it up.

I found two good websites that are good for working out in a dorm or a small space. My apartment is pretty small so dorm workouts work best for me. Below are two links with some good exercises if you want to work out inside.

http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/01/10/100-easy-and-awesome-exercises-you-can-do-in-your-dorm/

http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/dorm-room-workout-routines?page=2

I like to take a run then come home and work out a little before stretching and cooling down. The one exercise I can't do are crunches or any variation of crunches. My lower back problems really act up when I do them. Today I did planks, jumping jacks, push ups, and squats. I felt great after! I am excited to continue tomorrow!

Let me know what your favorite exercise is! I am always willing to try a new type of exercise.

Until tomorrow my friends!