Belgium: Bruges

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...



...we went to Bruges. And contrary to what Colin Farrell things, it's pretty impressive. It's exactly what you imagine a little European city to look like. Old buildings, narrow streets, and plenty of canals. It's like a dream.

A dream filled with waffles and chocolate. So really, it's like heaven. Heaven in a little UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ryan and I have never been one to follow advice or suggestions when we visit new places. We let our hearts (and stomachs) guide us. But if you're interested...

Here's what I would suggest:

Food: lizzie's wafels and delaney's irish pub
Sights: the beach and windmills
Shops: olivier's chocolate, juliette's, the lace jewel, and the bottle shop

Here's what I would avoid:

Food: frituur snack by the beach
Shops: la belgique gourmande

Thank God it's the Weekend

I can't believe it's been four and a half months since I jumped the pond. As true as it is, it's still super weird to say you're an immigrant. It's weird, right? I mean, expat, immigrant; tomaTO, toMATo. So weird.

Anyway, I am definitely counting down the days until I get to kiss the ground in Newark. Gross? Yes. Needed? Probably not. But it's home (sort of).

In the meantime Ryan and I are steamrolling through these last couple months.

We binged on Master of None over one weekend when that hit Netflix. So, so good.

Which of course turned into us currently slamming through Parks and Rec. Because, hello, Aziz Ansari. I almost gave up on it in the first season, because I thought it was absolutely horrendous, but then there was season two, and three, and we just finished season four. It keeps getting better and BETTER.

For our next binge sesh (yep) I'm going to push for a weekend marathon of Harry Potter. Mainly because I read this article and then the first movie was on tv the next night. IT WAS A SIGN.

Speaking of signs. You know you're old when they do "where are they now" articles about your favorite cartoons growing up. But as a nineties kid, knowing what the Rugrats and Hey Arnold! crowd are doing now completes my life.

Is that bad?

Probably, just not as bad as relating to Spongebob. Honestly though, I think anyone can relate to thirteen. And that second one? THAT'S MY LIFE. EVERY. MORNING. You know, since the sun doesn't come up until like noon.

I'm not sure I'll ever stop laughing about nine. "Oh Neptune."

While I dream about this delicious, cheesy crostini, I'm going to the Haribo Outlet. To help keep my mind off all the things I miss from my kitchen. It's very logical.

After that, Ryan's going to let me run freely through more christmas markets so I can spend my life savings on all the tchotchke things. (And yes, I googled how to spell that.)

Lastly, I'd just like to say that Emily Blunt is one lucky SOB. I'd like to come home to this every day.

Sorry cutie. I still like coming home to your beard though.

Thursday Catch Up

ON LIFE (IN GERMANY)

Whoever said life goes by in the blink of an eye could not have been more right. It's December and I've been here for four months. FOUR MONTHS! Between traveling and running and binging on Netflix life. is. flying. Too fast. But I'm happy it is. Because it means I'm closer to being home. Like HOME, home. Home, in the house I grew up in, home. Home, in the city I'm so used to, home. Home, where my family is and where my in-laws are only four hours away, home. 

Life here is really good though, and sometimes I forget that. Maybe I just need to wait another four months to really appreciate having lived here.

ON GOALS & PLANS

I know I mentioned it already but it bears repeating...I'm officially signed up for my first half marathon! The more I say it, the more excited I get. Maybe by the time it gets here, and I've said it five thousand times, I'll actually want to run it. That and by the time I'm finished with our half marathon training program there'll be no reason NOT to run it. I'm going to completely ignore the fact that we also signed up for three triathlons because they're not until the summer.

But as we work through the program we definitely get encouraged by the improvements we see. Like a new fastest mile (10:05) and a new personal record for the 5K (33:36). Ryan works in a fifth run day every week so he can do speed work since we run together at my slower pace. 

And since I'm a real glutton for punishment, I convinced Ryan to add more exercises on top of that training. You know, for fun. Greatist put out their first challenge since July and I jumped riigghhtt on that band wagon. I would like to mention that it's currently day ten and I fully regret my decision. My entire body is sore. So, so sore. 

Only twenty more days to go!

ON (HOLIDAY) CELEBRATIONS

I saw this card on instagram the other day and it's definitely starting to feel like christmas. I can't say look like, because for one, we still don't have a tree or really any decorations up, and two, it doesn't seem to snow here. Which is a major bummer because snow is my favorite part of the holidays. 

Which is why I could never live in, say, Florida. Frozen States Forever!

Anyway, I'm trying to convince Ryan that we need to get a puppy when we get home. You know, for health reasons. He likes the idea but isn't quite ready to give up his "lack of responsibilities." I think he sees it as his glory days ending. Picking up and going somewhere on a whim is pretty cool. Picking up dog poop of the daily? Not so cool. 

We may not be exchanging big presents this year (unless you count five pound bags of gummy bears big) but we will be visiting each and every christmas market Cologne has to offer. Drinking glühwein all along the way. It's definitely not a bad way to celebrate this adventure we've had.

Top Five | Christmas Songs

Do you ever feel like it's not christmas until one particular song comes on the radio? 

Like it doesn't matter if you've heard all the classic christmas songs. Once that ONE song hits the airwaves, it's CHRISTMAS. You can officially celebrate the season. Break out the mulled wine, wrap all the gifts, and cozy up by the fire.

No? Just me? That's fine. Although, for me, it's like five songs.

And I know A LOT of christmas songs. Like I know so many songs it bothers my husband. A couple years back we were putting up some decorations and listening to holiday music to get us in the spirit. I think after twenty minutes or so of me singing along to the radio, Ryan turned to me and asked if there was "any christmas song you don't know?" The answer to which is, no. Then I was asked if we could just LISTEN to the music. Grinch.

But for me, these five songs are what make my season. Once I hear 'em, the season's officially started. 

Fonts: PWJoyeuxNoel, Santa's Air Mail, and Luna

What's your song? Any one you HAVE to hear before it can be christmas?

Eating to Run or Running to Eat

Three thousand six hundred fifty-nine miles. 

That's how many miles the google tells me we are from home. And that's how many miles I am from all things that remind me of the holidays. But even the gray, rainy skies aren't enough to keep us from celebrating. 

For thanksgiving, we smuggled in bell's seasoning and spent too much on a teeny tiny turkey. I made a pie from scratch, like I always do, but had to improvise with some of my tools. Instead of using my food processor, I blended the dough with a fork. And did you know, empty wine bottles work as great replacements for MIA rolling pins. Just in case rolling pins aren't included your next apartment (#firstworldproblems).

It's kind of sad that there's no more pie leftover for breakfast but, as much as it pains me, it's probably for the best. Even though I'm convinced apple pie is great fuel for running. Because that training schedule hasn't let up. AT. ALL. And Ryan's a sadist...making me run in the cold and rain.

But! We're officially signed up for our first half marathon! So this training better pay off.

My goal is to run the entire race. No stopping. No walking. Just straight running. Even though Ryan thinks I should have a time goal. Like his, which is run it under two hours.  Mine would NOT be two hours. It'd be like two hours forty minutes. So I hope he has fun waiting around at that finish line. There better be a donut at the end.

Because let's face it, I run to eat.

Somehow everything just tastes better after you work your ass off for it. Don't you think?

My Closest, Truest Friend

Yesterday, I celebrated eight years with this guy.

They have been, hands down, the best years of my life. Like with all things, there’ve been ups and downs. There’s been growth and understanding. There’s been shared tears and shared laughter. And I can’t imagine doing it all with anyone else. There’s no better way to spend the next eighty years of my life than by his side.

Happy anniversary, cutie. I love you.

Thirteen Days of Halloween

Can someone explain to me why halloween isn't a thing in Germany?

The stores skipped right over halloween and straight to selling Christmas-themed candy. Not a single kernel of candy corn in sight. It's killing my soul just a little bit. Hater-of-all-things-halloween, Ryan Craig, is loving it. But that's probably more due to the fact that everything on the shelves is now almond flavored. 

I can't even complain about that because it's all so delicious. 

Anyway, the good thing is, I already convinced the hater to a halloween movie marathon. And since he helped pick out the movies he can only complain about half of them. 

So starting tomorrow, here's our plan for...

THIRTEEN DAYS OF HALLOWEEN

  1. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

  2. Halloweentown (1998)

  3. Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001)

  4. Return to Halloweentown (2006)

  5. Hocus Pocus (1993)

  6. Practical Magic (1998)

  7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

  8. The Addams Family (1991)

  9.  Ghostbusters (1984)

10. The Mask (1994)

11. Beetlejuice (1988)

12. Young Frankenstein (1974)

13. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

What would make your list?

Thursday Catch Up

ON LIFE (IN GERMANY)

I want to meet the person who controls the weather in Germany. Because I'd like to register a complaint. In less than a week, the weather has gone from high-fifties to high-thirties. And to top it off, it's been rainy. The dwindling light doesn't need any help from storm clouds. kthxbye.

ON GOALS & PLANS

I'm 99% positive I would never get Ryan to agree to a halloween party unless he was under extreme duress. And I mean, EXTREME DURESS. For whatever reason he hated it growing up and didn't like getting free candy. I know, I know. I married the strangest person ever. 

Anyway, I did convince him to watch halloween movies for the thirteen days leading up to halloween. So I'll consider it a success. 

On Monday we'll start our thirteen days of halloween. Since neither of us are into scary or gory movies, we're watching a good mix of comedy and kid movies. To be fair though, Disney has some pretty awesome halloween movies. I'll share the movie list as we get closer. 

Now all I need is candy corn. 

ON CELEBRATIONS

As we truck along in our half-marathon training, we try to switch up how we attack our scheduled runs. Since tonight was a relatively short two mile run, we made it a "tempo run." Which just means run balls to the wall. And because Ryan is a freaking gazelle and I'm a snail, we ran separately.

Now, something I really struggled with when I started running was getting out of my head. I would run and the only thing I could think about was how much I hurt, how I couldn't breath, or how slow I was going. When I came over here to Germany, I used music to distract me so I could keep running. And then, once Ryan came, we started running together and we always talk about our days. 

Today was the ultimate test, With no one but me, myself, and I to talk to and no music to distract me, I just ran. It was without a doubt one of the best runs I've ever had. While these thoughts have run through my head before, today's were more like this:

"I'm not that far off Ryan."
"Look at those calves."
"He's really picking it up."
"Do not try to catch him, you're not a gazelle."
"Where is he?"
"These kids with scooters!"
"Would it be bad if I pushed one?"
"Focus."
"Avoid the wet leaves."
"Seriously, where is Ryan?"
"Don't look at your watch, don't look at your watch."
"Woo! First mile!"
"I just did what?!"
"Okay, you can do this. You're a gazelle."
"So smooth, so fresh."
"Why do bikers always have to sneak up on you?"
"Come on, people, move it. I'm running here."
"Okay, only half a mile left."
"He must be done by now."
"Wasn't he going to turn around and run back with me?"
"Swing wide on the corner, you don't want to run into Ryan."
"No? He's not there?"
"Seriously, where is he?"
"I'm doing what?! I'm on fire!"
"Light as a feather."
"There he is! Look at him, all surprised."
"Fist bump, because I'm crushing it."
"You got this."
"Run. Run. RUN."
"Sweet Jesus, hallelujah. Two miles."

And with that, I ran my fastest mile ever. Best day ever. Complete with chocolate and cookies. Because how can you not celebrate a personal record? 

Which, in case you're curious, is a 10:28 now. Down 21 seconds from my last PR. 

Thursday Catch Up

ON LIFE (IN GERMANY)

Fall is officially here and I love it. Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. And I'm 99% sure the smell is the best part of it all. You get out of your car at night after a rainy afternoon and it smells so so good. I want to bottle it up and make a candle. 

Now, I know I talked before about the WIDE variety of songs they play, but here, the songs are all played in their original format, profanity included. Imagine my surprise the first time I heard "The Real Slim Shady" uncensored. I'm definitely not in the US anymore. Amazingly enough, though, people aren't crude and everyone's pretty pleasant. So maybe the FCC needs to do some thinking about being such a prude. We can probably handle a little swearing.

One thing that had me swearing this week? My car was towed yesterday morning. The first time I've ever had my car towed and it's in a foreign country. That was a 190€ lesson I won't be forgetting easily. Especially not after Ryan and I had to go to three different companies looking for the damn car at eight in the morning. Seriously, how many Colonia's can there be in one suburb of Cologne? It probably would have helped if we knew just a littttllleee bit more German. Or if we knew that "towed" isn't a word here.

I suppose that if it has to happen once in your life, though, it's better to get towed sooner rather than later. Yay?

ON PLANS & GOALS

Reading this article I want to binge watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Because, hello, Charlie Day. I just want to hug him. When I brought it up to Ryan he was all over it. The Netflix binge, of course, not the hugging. I think we found our weekend plans.

Next weekend though, since being here for such a short time, Ryan and I have been traveling like mad with so many more trips planned. It's funny, considering when we're in the States, we go nowhere. Like, we take zero weekend trips. No close-to-home trips. But in the short month that Ryan's been here, he's come to realize he wants to do more exploring around home. You know, when we do finally get there.  Ryan's started planning some hikes in the Adirondacks and a Finger Lake beer/wine tour. I am super excited. Not only for the long awaited Finger Lake wine tour, but I'm pretty sure I can convince him to show me Niagara Falls. Since I've never been. And I'm also pretty happy because it's about as much wanderlust I can inspire in my self-described homebody husband.

ON CELEBRATIONS

I somehow stumbled upon this shimmery wine/vodka the other day and I cannot wait to try it. It freaking sparkles. I can't wait to celebrate with it. I just need something to celebrate.

The weekend? A long weekend? How about running. Ooo, yes. Let's do running. Because nothing says healthy after running than wine/vodka.

Training for a half is actually pretty fun. And I have the best partner. I'm getting faster and I think my technique is getting better so those are definitely things to celebrate. In moderation of course.

If you're on them, you can follow me with Garmin or Smashrun. 

Germany: Cologne Zoo and Aquarium

I think I've officially tapped out every touristy thing to do in Cologne.

Rounding out the list? A visit to the Cologne Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium.

If you're wondering if the insectarium is as gross as it sounds, you can bet your bottom dollar it is. The first thing you see is an empty butterfly enclosure, followed by a two foot long millipede. As soon as Ryan saw a tarantula the size of his face we NOPED right out of there and headed to the land of all things cuddly and fluffy.

Not that you can actual cuddle with a tiger, but there were cows, chickens, and turkeys you could pet. And those are much more pleasant to look at than a freaking spider. 

It's hard to choose my favorite part of the day. Although it would have been feeding giraffes, if that had been a thing. Ryan attempting to order lunch in German was a thing though. And that was pretty funny.

It was a little chilly when we went so some of the animals were either sleeping or lounging around. We did get to see some of the animals during "feeding" time. That was a treat...

In case you're curious, the bears get fruits and veggies. The lions get cow legs.

Far away from the carnivorous cats, Ryan found his spirit animal. The penguins. I'm not sure whether it's the love of cold weather or their quirky personalities that bond them. I just know that wherever there's pengiuns, Ryan must see them. It's almost too cute, just like these dapper guys! 

We walked around for a good four hours and it was the perfect way to spend a quiet Sunday morning. I'm loving all the animals we saw and I wish I could play with them all day. How awesome would it be to pet these sitatungas?

Besides the penguin enclosure, the zoo had a couple other areas for the birds. One was a giant lake were all the flamingos and ducks hung out. The other was an aviary where storks and cranes played keep away with a stick. 

Do you think they fetch?

In another life I should have been a zoo keeper. But once someone found out I day dreamed about riding Capybaras, I probably would have been fired. Look at them though. Those cute little giant rodents.

A day ticket for the zoo is €17.50 per person. For lunch we spent about €15.00 for a huge basket of fries, chicken nuggets, and a bottle of water. And if you must ask, yes the nuggets were shaped like animals. Hello childhood.

The day was a bit on the expensive side (or is that just me?) but the conversation and company were worth it. 

Thursday Catch Up

ON LIFE (IN GERMANY)

Slowly, but surely, my apartment is falling apart. The washing machine has broken. I've broken a fridge shelf. Ryan's broken a light bulb. The shower head is springing new leaks daily. And in the past two days a smoke alarm started chirping, the heating element in the oven fell out, and the handle on the oven door fell off. Our only tool to fix  them? A hammer. 

You want to know what a hammer can fix? NONE OF THOSE THINGS. Seriously, we can't even figure out how to change the battery in the smoke alarm. 

I promise, I'm an adult.

ON GOALS & PLANS

I've thought about it for years and after reading this article I'm deadset on creating a capsule wardrobe. I love, love, love the idea. What do you think? Could you do it?

Fitness wise, Ryan and I decided before we moved here that we'd strictly train for running. It's my weakest sport (in a triathlon) and I'm super, super slow. Since Ryan has a lot of free time, he's been researching training plans and watching running documentaries. Which, if you have a free half hour watch Wonderland. All this free time also let's him find a crapload of races for use to do next year. So far the list includes: three sprint triathlons (June, July, August), the 10K Turkey Trot (November), the 15K Stockade-athon (November), a half marathon (March), and a full marathon (October). The list doesn't include any other 10K or 5K races we'll "pick up."

And if someone can reassure me that I'm not going to have a heart attack that would be lovely. Either that or tell me how hawt I'm going to look after logging all those miles. Pretty please?

ON CELEBRATIONS

Last Sunday, I celebrated my birthday in Munich. Like actually celebrated. Then again, it's kind of hard not to celebrate during Oktoberfest. But I didn't try to avoid it and pretend the day didn't exist like I always do! I can't believe I've been missing out on enjoying it for the past five years. I need a V8 smack upside the head for that. 

One win for the home team? I'm slowly picking up more and more German. I can almost make my way through dinner at a restaurant. And just the other morning, someone asked a question at work and I understood the entire sentence! By the time I'm conversationally fluent it'll be just in time for me to go back to the States. 

Now, if only I could convince Ryan to have a Halloween party, my fall would be made. Especially considering I have the perfect costume idea.

Thursday Catch Up

Have you ever driven near the Canadian border and searched for music on the radio? You inevitably find a good song and then they switch to the DJ and it turns out the station's in French. Welcome to Germany. Except, it's in German. But you figured that out right? Right.

Every morning I get in the car and listen to my local "pop" channel on the twenty minute drive to work. From what I gather, they tell you the big news stories, about the stop-and-go traffic, and they make prank calls. The best part of my mornings? The random assortment of music. They've played "Lose Yourself" by Eminem and "Sometimes" by Britney Spears. Those brought me riiiggghhhttt back to high school. Thanks, but no thanks.

Anyway. One of the songs on the radio is John Newman's latest single with Charlie Wilson. Have you heard it? I've only heard it about a dozen times and today is the first day I know what he's saying. Tyrant? Tiring?

IT'S TIRING.

You know, in case you were confused too. I cannot be the only one who wasn't sure if it was tyrant or tiring. I know "tyrant game" doesn't really make much sense, but music these days can be very questionable.

In other news, Ryan joined instagram (@rclabarge). He posts daily pictures of the beer he's trying and screenshots of his runs. He's a quick learner, adding about half a dozen #hashtags to every post. His new obsession, besides ogling all the food and craft beer pages, has become seeing how many likes he gets. He's like a needy teenage girl. It's kind of funny. Endearing almost?

When we're not running together or going to the store, our weeknights are pretty relaxed. I finally have time to catch up on my horrendously large inbox and all the unread posts in my RSS feed. The downside? I'm pinning everything. I just looked and I have almost five thousand pins.

FIVE. THOUSAND.

How does that even happen?! Clearly, I've had too much down time. But now I'm thinking about organizing and weeding through them all. Does that make me crazy? I don't even know how I would start attacking a monster like that. Would you do it? Have you done it? Please tell me your secrets. Pretty please?

"Our love is just a tiring game. I'll never give it up, I'll never give it up."

Germany: Cologne Cathedral

Do you know how many 533 stairs is?



Because I know. Oh, I know.

And it's a lot. It's a wholllllleeeeee lot.

It's 332' a lot. It's 30-minutes-of-climbing-the-smallest-set-of-spiral-stairs a lot. It's needing-a-new-pair-of-sneakers-after-climbing-that-many-steps a lot. It's huffing-and-puffing-up-533-goddamn-stairs a lot.

You get the picture, right?

We definitely earned our beer that day.

Once we got up there, the views were pretty fantastic. The cathedral, also known as the Dom, is basically the tallest structure in Cologne. At the top, you can see for miles. Or do I say kilometers?

It's well worth the €4 to climb up to the top. Not only do you get the views, you also get to see the largest free-swinging bell in the world. Even the smallest bell in the menagerie was bigger than us. I don't even want to imagine being in the tower when that sucker rings. You wouldn't be able to hear for a week afterwards.



After sightseeing, we walked back down every. single. step. With this gigantic smile on our faces, laughing a little at the other poor souls who paid for the privilege of walking up the tower.

Because you realize that you just climbed all those goddamn steps. And now those other people are walking up the same steps, complaining just like you were, taking breaks, and wondering where the last freaking step is.

But you know that the freaking climb is so worth it.

Oh, and did you know? You can get dizzy walking down stairs.

Germany: Cologne Botanical Gardens

The Flora in Cologne has got to be my favorite place in the whole city.

Annnndddd, it's practically my backyard. A five minute walk and I'm surrounded by the most gorgeous garden ever. It's like the garden a garden dreams of being. It's like the garden that mansions have out front. AND out back.

It's exactly the type of garden I'm going to make Ryan build me when we buy a house. Poor guy. I've got BIG plans. Big plans.

Germany: Five Realizations, Five Weeks In

It's hard to believe that I've been living in Cologne for five weeks. I know everyone always says time flies. BUT SERIOUSLY. Why do days get shorter the older you get?!

Of course, some days felt like an eternity (you DID NOT want to be around when there was no internet) but overall it's been relatively smooth. Or I've had an aneurysm and forgotten all the truly horrible experiences.

I kid! I kid. Or maybe not. Hey, I wouldn't know, right?

Living in the US my entire life, it's hard not to compare these last few weeks to what I've always known. So here are some realizations I've had these past few weeks.

ONE: EVERYTHING TASTES A LITTLE DIFFERENT - GET OVER IT

The first two weeks I was here, I searched for anything and everything that reminded me of home. I wanted these snippets of flavors to tell me I didn't leave the US behind completely. But when I would eat breakfast or dinner I was constantly left disappointed.

And it was frustrating.

Then I drew a line in the sand. I cooked my favorite recipes. I gave them a chance without immediately writing them off because they tasted different. I embraced these new flavors and the food turned out pretty good!

At restaurants I ordered meals I would never dream about choosing. Most restaurants in Innenstadt (or the city central) have English/German menus. But for those that didn't, I used my limited knowledge of German to figure out what was on the menu. I joked with my boss that I knew enough German to order something I was familiar with, but not enough to discredit a meal entirely. 

TWO: MAKE TIME TO BE ACTIVE

If, after five weeks, I've learned nothing else, exercising and being active helps ground you. Running through my neighborhood makes me so so happy. I get to see my beautiful neighborhood and all those endorphins make me feel great.

With a little over a million people in 156 square miles, walking all around Cologne has made it just a little bit smaller. Most weekends I clock in with 15-20 miles and it's fantastic! Not only do I feel accomplished after clocking so many but I love the sights and sounds. I also love that I've never felt unsafe.

There's always something going on in Cologne and whether I'm running or walking around I always catch something.

THREE: EVERYTHING HAPPENS IN TIME - IT JUST TAKES TIME

In the US, everyone rushes and everything is available at the click of a button. Here, things run on their own timeline.

The first time I used my washing machine, I woke up form a nap to huge splashes coming form the machine. It turns out that a tube coming from the back of the machine disconnected and the water from the inside of the machine was now on the inside of my bathroom. At 7:00pm I had no one I could call.

The only thing I could do was soak up all the water (which was conveniently located behind and under the machine) the best I could. Did I mention the machine is located in a space six inches wider than it? That was fun. And let's just say those machines are built to last (read: heavy as shit).

By the next day, I sent out emails and was reassured it would be fixed by the following morning. And as promised, by the time I got home the next day, the woman who owned the apartment had brought in a repairman, watched him work, and then locked the apartment back up.



FOUR: MAKE A ROUTINE BUT BE FLEXIBLE

I know that some people fly by the seat of their pants. I am NOT one of those people. I live and die by a routine.

For the first four weeks here, I was alone so creating my routine was really easy. I didn't have to consult anyone, I just did whatever felt right. My weekdays looked something like:

06:30     Wake up and catch up on instagram
06:45     Get ready
07:00     Eat breakfast/Make lunch
07:15     Leave for work
07:40     Start work
17:00     Leave for home
17:30     Go for a run or go to the store
18:30     Start dinner
19:30     Eat dinner (seriously, I hate electric)
19:50     Wash the dishes
20:00     Take a bath and get ready for bed

Added in there when possible was talking with Ryan, watching documentaries, and passing the time as quickly as possible.

Weekends were a little more liberal. I ran and explored on one day and then did laundry and household stuff on the other.

This first week with Ryan here has been challenging. Those first few days were actually really hard because he completely upset my well planned out routine. Ass. Buttttt, now we've settled into something that works for both of us. Let's just say he's pretty lucky.

FIVE: EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT - TRUST ME

When moving to another country you undoubtedly feel overwhelmed. You want to cling to anything and everything of what you left behind. But after those initials days (or weeks) you want to just be another one of the locals.

And when in Rome...

No matter how daunting moving might be, it's bound to be fun and exciting. It will be the best experience of your life. There's always ups and downs, you just have to embrace it all on the ride. Eventually you forget the bad (or laugh about it later) and those good times will be cherished forever.

I can't wait to keep making these memories.