EXPATS AGAIN

EXPATS AGAIN! Experiencing other cultures while enriching our global view.

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Munich, Germany
I am married to the love of my life and am finally able to shower him with all of the attention he deserves. I am now retired and living the life here in Europe. I am an American, he is an Australian, and this is our second overseas address. The first was Shanghai, China and now Munich, Germany. Come along and live the life with us as we continue our adventure of discovering all Europe has to offer.

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Thursday, December 2, 2010

WEDNESDAY"S HODGEPODGE



1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?


This is a difficult question because our lives have become unbelievably full of new experiences.  I guess I would have to say Paris, with my husband, when he won the 2010 Innovation Award for his company.  It was very interesting because for four days our lives were transformed into the lives of the "Rich and Famous."


The company paid all expenses for flights and everything else. They arranged spectacular and unique venues for us to enjoy.  We were served the best champagne, stayed at a five star hotel on the Champs Elysee, and were treated as royalty. 


 For these reasons, I would say that living a life so different from our day-to-day life was the most interesting thing we did this year.  Coming back down to reality wasn't so interesting though.

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?


First, thanks for this question.  I rarely think of what we possess that might fall into the family heirloom category.  I have had to take some time to mentally search closets, drawers, and safes to find one. 


 Finally, I remembered that I have kept silver dollar coins given to me by my great-grandfather.  I was a tot when he owned a grocery and each time I went to the store with my parents, he would give me a silver dollar. 


 I still have them and I would guess them to be over 50 years old.  Probably worth something, but I will give them to my sons one day.  Maybe they will be able to find value in them.


3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.


Now you're talking my language.  We are in Europe and close to many of these events.  I'm thinking the champagne festival in France.  Anyone interested in joining us?


4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?


Today we have over 8 inches in Munich.  I can't describe how lovely it is.  Just imagine a Thomas Kinkade painting and you get the image.  Who could not love snow when they are living within 30 minutes of the Alps??


                            www.thomaskinkade.com


                           www.thomaskinkade.com




5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?


I haven't had the pleasure.  (I have snowboarded and will never attempt it again.)


  This is my year to learn.  I hear cross country skiing is a good workout.  I may ask Santa for a pair.  


Here are some photos I took of the Alps down the road apiece...














Do you see the paraglider who jumped off Zugspitze at 3,000 meters at minus 12 up above sailing through the two peaks?  We watched him, up close an personal,  take off and sail away between the alps. What a remarkable experience for us.













This photo below, where people were watching as the paraglider took off, gives you a better idea of how high up we were in the Alps.  The paraglider is directly below the viewing platform.   




6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?


I read this question aloud to my husband and asked him, what do you think I should write?  


His answer, "My patience."  


As for my answer?  I would say his uncanny ability to live in a parallel universe to mine.  We simply don't share the same reality.


I think you can tell, it's his sense of humor.


7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.


We have two homes, one in the U.S. and one in Munich.  Here in Munich it is a corner off the lounge room that gets heaps of sunlight.  I have a two cushioned sofa there with a faux fur throw tossed over the back of the sofa.  I love to curl up there with a coffee and a good book.




Our sofa (minus the throw in this photo).




Sometimes a coffee just won't do.... a lot of times a coffee just won't do.  (Do you see a pattern here?  Wine, champagne?)






8. Insert your own random thought here.


    Ben Roethlisberger is an awesome athlete who may go down as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.  My prediction...:-D


Enjoy your week wherever you happen to be!!

17 comments:

Shannon said...

I would just love a glamorous Paris trip like that! Very cool. I saw a bunch of heli-skiers when we were in the alps... not something I think I'll be trying no matter how good at skiing I get. Amazing pictures though!

Joyce said...

I only hope that lovely snow doesn't make it too difficult for me to make my connection at Heathrow. They are not as adept at dealing with it as the Germans are.

Mocha with Linda said...

My exchange "daughter" is from just outside Munich.

Great pics but they made me cold!

Milly said...

Love the photos of the Alps! Would love to be closer to them :)

Unknown said...

Wow! Those pictures are amazing. And your trip to Paris sounds spectacular! A once in a lifetime experience--at least for most of us!

Expats Again said...

Joyce, you are probably still sleeping as I post this at 7:37 a.m. Munich time, but they just announced on CNN that Heathrow is closed today. Say a little prayer that the snow leaves before you arrive.

Expats Again said...

Mocha, whereabouts is she from? I'm thinking a village nearby?

Expats Again said...

Shannon, I assumed the correct term for the photo I took was a paraglider. What is a heli-skiier? What type of apparatus do they use?

Expats Again said...

C, thank you. The Alps are lovely to see. I hope our next place is higher up so I can see them more often.

Bev, you are so right! I doubt we will ever have an opportunity like that ever again. Having said that, I've already challenged my husband to step up and exceed last years goal--no pressure or anything. :-D

headbang8 said...

"Lounge room"?

You've adopted your husband's Australian lingo!

Expats Again said...

Headbang, OMG, I have! It didn't even occur to me when I typed it. I know I use the word "loo! a lot because it is so much shorter & convenient, but I didn't realize I've adapted lounge room until you brought it to my attention. For Americans, it's the living room.

honeypiehorse said...

Oh, my, stunning alps photos!

Maribeth said...

I love Munich! My first dachshund came from a city just west of Munich called Landshut, and my Hubby lived in Berg for three years. We still have friends in Aufkirchen and Landshut.

KBeau said...

Beautiful pictures. I guess y'all call the Alps "The Backyard." I'm jealous.

Liz Mays said...

I like the parallel universe thing actually!

Jul said...

Good luck with the skiing this year! It's a skill I never really managed to master, but it still makes a great excuse to go hang out on some snowy Alps.

swenglishexpat said...

I like champagne, but that paragliding business, I'm not so sure!