Bjarni & Dorte machen Wien

Brazilian Generosity

2012-02-10T17:02:00.009+01:00

South west of Vienna, far far away in the tropics of Brazil has a sweet old grandmother made four pairs of soft knitted baby shoes for Silja. I got them earlier this week, when I met with my dear friend Priscilla for lunch. She went back home to do fieldwork in Brazilian prisons over the summer (yeah, forget about my coffee dates with skilled migrants in Vienna...) and the grandmother gave her a bag with more shoes for the friend in Austria, who had a baby. She also provided two pairs when Silja was newborn. Oh well, now they don't fit. In fact we need to go and buy new shoes, because those feet are growing so fast, but we'll save these little ones well, and hopefully the hand-knitted goods from a Brazilian grandmother will eventually fit someone else's tiny feet.

Have a happy weekend!

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Glugga veður

2012-02-05T20:57:00.007+01:00

There's an Icelandic expression that I like, and which fits perfectly to this weekend, where Wien like most of Europe has experienced double digit minus degrees. Brrr! Glugga veður or window weather is when the weather is sunny and beautiful, but only enjoyable from the (warm!) inside looking out. We didn't stay inside the entire time, but the trips outside were minimized and shortened as it was just so freaking cold!

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Break

2012-01-28T22:40:00.008+01:00

When completely stuck in the writing mode, it's good to be dragged outside to see the winter sun, go on the big swing at the play ground and eat cake, and remember it's just a long university paper after all and not something the entire world depend on. Now I'm back, ouzo in hand (not a big fan though), and ready with the outline for a rearranged final chapter. As oppose to earlier today I can see an end to this. Yay.

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Moving Schizophrenia

2012-01-23T14:11:00.007+01:00

As we are getting closer to leaving and things slowly fall into place I get into this standard moving schizophrenia mode. I say standard because I know this is a completely normal reaction to a move (of course it's called something else), and I have tried it before, and I know all will work out in the end. It's just a phase...

Nevertheless this is the time - for me at least - of fluctuating between feeling invigorated and optimistic about new beginnings, a fresh start, and new adventures in one moment and sad and nostalgic the next about leaving behind the safe base we have built up here over the last two and half years.

We cannot take all our stuff with us when we move, it's simply just to expensive and honestly a lot of the stuff are not even worth shipping all that way. So, we will bring all our personal belongings, but we will leave behind almost all our furniture. The other day we got an email from the owners of the apartment saying they would like to buy it all: tables, chairs, TV, bed, couch, closets. Everything! Do you know how much trouble that saves us?! It basically means we can just pack everything else up in boxes, scrub the place down and when the time comes,

just get up and leave like were we just going to run to the super market and be back five minutes later. But it also means that we are literary leaving our home behind us. Things we have carefully selected even before we moved in together, and things that for us have a history. So while I can't wait to get a new sofa, because the one we have is totally uncomfortable and I've been dying to replace it for a loong time, it is still the sofa we bought, when we got out first apartment together. To cut the ties to these material things all at once suddenly feels more difficult than anticipated, although I know that a lot would slowly be replaced if we were to stay put. Now it's like ripping of a band-aid all at once -- rhiiipp -- and then plunge into a whole new start - along with a crib and boxes full of clothes, and books, and toys and all that other moveable stuff that lucky also has a history and significance for us.

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Busy, but

2012-01-20T19:40:00.005+01:00

when they call from day care and ask you to come and pick up a little one, who is sitting with a red swollen eye (allergic reaction?), you of course don't care about the abstract meta-theoretical texts you are reading, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense anyway. And when the little one wakes up after her nap, the swollen-ness gone, you of course suck the marrow out of that afternoon with apple/cinnamon buns, somersault in the bed and drawings of shoes (go) and cats (mao), which is all the little one cares about, when it comes to drawing.

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Just Busy

2012-01-15T19:51:00.002+01:00

Dreikönigsfest

2012-01-06T21:05:00.007+01:00

Well, turns out today is Epiphany, which in Austria is a public holiday: No work, no Kindergarten... A whole day off and a long weekend! Thank you. I realized it late last night, and was surprised how it was all of sudden weekend already. I will miss all these public holidays that are conveniently spread out over the year, when we leave Austria, but then there will be Memorial Day, Labor Day and so on.

We went for a sunny but freezing walk in the park, and came back for hot chocolate and house searching in Boston. We are in the middle of quite big logistic puzzle that requires long lists and a cool overview, and sweet Bjarni is so on top of it!

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Prosit Neujahr!

2012-01-01T19:07:00.005+01:00

This was our first new year celebration in Vienna, and turns out we were pretty clueless on Austrian new year's traditions. We went for a walk in the city center at noon to find the city full of Silvester stalls, where the most prominent items were pigs in all shapes and sizes, apparently a symbol of fortune and wealth. We spent the evening at home, dressed to the best and lots of great food lined up; unfortunately I have been down with the flu since coming back from Denmark, which sadly made all the food and Bjarni's killer margaritas less appealing. I ended up back in my PJs under a blanket, where I could giggle at Silja, who woke up again before midnight from all the fire crackers, dancing around with Bjarni to DJ Ötzi (remember him?!) that was on the Austrian national channel. It's just not a proper new year's party without some dancing...

A happy and prosperous 2012 to you!

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Jul

2011-12-28T20:00:00.009+01:00

We spent Christmas in Denmark, and it went by way too fast, the way it often is with vacations. Silja had a blast hanging out with all her many big and small cousins, and I suppose that was the greatest gift for me this time around. Somebody need to invent a travel machine, so it's possible to go instantly back and forth between places: Snap we are Vienna, snap checking in for coffee in Fredericia and snap dinner with the grand parents in Reykjavik... Imagine that. Till that is taken care of, we'll continue to treasure those kinds of moments with extra care as they are long in between for us.

Due to the upcoming craziness of thesis deadline, packing and moving us and our stuff halfway across the world, this trip was more quiet than usual (I didn't see any old friends as I normally do, but we are coming back in April on our way to Boston, and count me in for a date then if you happen to read this!) but it was great with a little breather.

We came back to Wien late last night with a little one who started throwing up in the middle of the night, a messy apartment, a library late fee and stacks of papers waiting to be 'dealt with'. Bvaah. Every day life again -- which is not that bad after all, it's just the transition from fun days together with dear ones to that everyday jumble. We have spent the day scrubbing the place down, which all of a sudden has a strange temporary feel to it now that we are past Christmas. We got three months left in Vienna.

A very belated merry Christmas to you. Glædelig jul/Gleðileg Jól!

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Advent Calender

2011-12-16T16:19:00.004+01:00

Isn't it lovely? We got one work day left on Monday, and then it's vacation time, and boy are we counting down!

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Punsch oder Melange?

2011-12-12T22:59:00.007+01:00

Vienna is absolutely stunning at Christmas time. We walked through the city center Saturday afternoon and opted for the less crowded side streets and ended up in a local coffee house with music and cake and melange. So very Viennese!

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Nein

2011-12-05T21:00:00.003+01:00

Last week our little Wiener kid said her first word in German: Nein!

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Freitag, Samstag

2011-12-03T21:22:00.003+01:00

Watching Elf Friday night and two little half Danes making cookies Saturday afternoon. This weekend is oozing of Christmas, and it's an awfully nice end to a busy week.

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And so it begins

2011-11-27T20:04:00.005+01:00

My christmas mood has steadily been building up over the past couple of weeks, and although it's a bit sooner than when I usually allow myself to start, I pulled the box with Christmas decorations out this weekend, and welcomed little nisser, angels and glitter to our home. And my Christmas happy self was very pleased to attend the Swedish Christmas bazaar this weekend, where we enjoyed Glögg and the Lucia procession with beautiful Swedish music in company with new Danish/German friends. (I love the Swedish language, and wish I was not so hopelessly bad in understanding it).

Happy first of advent.

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People and Cafes

2011-11-19T11:55:00.007+01:00

Some of the people whom I met with this week included an American behavioral therapist, a French campaign manager and a Greek researcher. They had asked me to meet them at different cafes in town, so that I could interview them on issues related to my thesis. All three places were new to me and completely different in style and atmosphere. Weidinger Cafe is an old smoky coffee house, which interior (and clientele?) hasn't changed for the past 30 years or more. It was like stepping into a time warp. I took a picture on my phone because I was so stunned. The following day I went to Cafe Gaga:rin, which played loud electronics and served a lunch plate with vegan, organic food based on the pay as you wish principle (and it was goood!). The third meeting happened on the more mainstream Point of Sale near Naschmarkt.

I know very little about the people I meet beforehand, but to sit there and wait for them at places they have suggested I suppose say a great deal of them already. People and cafes could totally be an anthropological study on its own. And that of course also made me think which cafe I would suggest if I were in that situation. I probably would choose this one... Which cafe [are] you?

Judging people based on their choice of cafe is obviously quite simplistic. I think all three selected the place because of its proximity to either work or home. Nevertheless the city is full of coffeehouse, cafes and bars, so why those particular ones? I'm intrigued.

I still need to find one more man to interview. If you happen to know someone, perhaps you can pass the information on. I'd be happy to pick the cafe, or just show up without being too judgmental. I promise.

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...

2011-11-15T22:29:00.005+01:00

"There is no better way to understand just how amazing humans are than the front row seat a child gives you to observe it all unfold from scratch each and every day, from literal square zero. Children give the first four years of your life back to you."

Currently phones and hats (in various forms) are hot hot stuff...

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First Glühwein

2011-11-13T22:45:00.003+01:00

It's the season for steaming Glühwein and toasted chestnuts, and it's uuhh so cozy. The first Christkindlmarkts opened today, and we stopped by the one at Altes AKH and snacked our way through brezerls, samosas, amazing Tyrollean pastry (which name I forgot) and toasted in Glühwein and hot chocolate to stay warm. You might as well make the most of it, when you're there... (And I had a carrot for dessert when we came home.)

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Colors

2011-11-07T21:51:00.006+01:00

Today is a good day. I finished my oral exam (which involuntarily got postponed by a week), and can now focus on getting this thesis done. A splash of color to celebrate. These days I'm drinking a lot of coffee with the nicest, most interesting expats and listen to their stories of living in Vienna. It gives me a lot reflect upon in terms of our own current and future situation.

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Türkenschanzpark

2011-11-01T21:06:00.005+01:00

Today is a national holiday in Austria, and so this afternoon we packed a bag with bread for the ducks, home-made peanut butter cookies and tea for us and ventured out to my favorite park in Vienna out in the 18th district, Türkenschanzpark. If you are in Vienna, and have not already been there you need to go! I love the hilly landscape and all the different trees, which looks spectacular all together during fall.

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Family and Fall

2011-10-28T19:22:00.009+02:00

Just a real quick post about the latest here. Silja thankfully recovered quite quickly, and Bjarni was able to change his return flight and came back five days before planned (relief!). He was celebrated with balloons, strawberry cake, and two happy family members who had missed him, upon his return.

Having our little unit complete again and not dealing with all that dissertation craziness, things are returning to normal, which is GREAT! I am currently trying to catch up on my studies, preparing for next week's exam, while the other two are having a laid back time; I came back the other afternoon to a completely quiet apartment. I suppose jetlag goes well with a little one, who is still a little more tired than usual after being sick.

****

On a different note fall in Vienna is looking its most beautiful at the moment. Despite the gloomy weather all the different colors are absolutely stunning.

That's it for now. Happy Weekend!

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Frauen Power

2011-10-23T19:53:00.004+02:00

I came across the Frauen Power tea in a store recently, and bought it sort of jokingly to be prepared for two weeks home alone, while Bjarni is in LA. We got another week to go, and it's gone pretty smooth thus far, except today Silja is sick. Again. Ugh! This is the 3rd time in two months. Last time was otitis, and now it seems like some virus is being passed around in Kindergarten. Poor little kid! She's been tied to my hip today. We tried to make a collage with the free stickers you now get at the local grocery store, when I ran out of other hip- and fever friendly things to do. It turned out to be a project more for the mommy though (who nevertheless got into it..)

When not ill, she is currently busy finding and trying on her cousins' pink shoes that have been handed down to her. They almost fit now. I hope she's into pink shoes again tomorrow; otherwise I definitely need more Frauen Power.

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Dr. Vilhjalmsson

2011-10-19T20:23:00.006+02:00

After five years and a LOT of hard work, Bjarni defended his dissertation at USC yesterday. Because of our move to Austria he has not and will not participate in the university's commencement ceremony, which is a darn shame, but if he would it would look something like this.

(This is actually our good friend Rehana a couple of years back, which explains the sort of long hair on Bjarni...)

Two weeks of single parenting, preparing for an oral exam and doing thesis related fieldwork all at once is not giving me much time to reflect on this mile stone in his and our lives, but it has been a strange turning point in our lives for the past couple of years and I feel strange not to address that briefly now that this "chapter" comes to an end.

It was the PhD that made me leave my home country and embark on a life style abroad, which I have grown to appreciate immensely. Moving to the US additionally resulted in us getting married way sooner than I would otherwise have anticipated. Obviously a PhD is a document and a title, which is the fruit of Bjarni's hard labor -- and I'm truly amazed by the effort and commitment it has taken on his part -- and I suppose in addition to that, on a more personal level, it has been a process of lots of very big decisions between the two of us, and managing new lives in US and Austria having mainly each other to rely on. And so I'm a woman with a lot more experience and insight (and possibly a few grey hairs?) thanks to this fancy new title of my husband.

I remember when I in 2006 got my passport back from the American embassy in Denmark with a visa valid till 2011, and that seemed so far away in the future. Well, here we are now. Closing this chapter and starting a new one.

Cheers to my clever and admiringly ambitious husband!

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Lately (according to my phone)

2011-10-10T14:35:00.012+02:00

Sometimes at night when we take a break from working/studying, we end up searching for apartments in Boston. Mostly to get a feel for the different neighborhoods, and what apartments in our price range look like. Bjarni can get subsumed in Google maps/Google Earth, and have to show me bike trails, playgrounds, distances from here to there and what not. Three minutes into the map explorations I'm lost, and start doing other things, like playing around with my phone and Instagram (pretending I'm still paying attention..). Although I'm not the most dedicated person to examine and prepare for a new place in that way, it's kind of crazy how one can prepare. We can for example find an apartment ad online with an address, go to Google street view and "walk down" the street to see how the surroundings look like in that particular area, although we are practically sitting on the other side of the world. Pretty neat, I think.

****

Today was proof-reading of Bjarni's dissertation and tending to a kid with fever. Again. She was put to bed tonight fever-free, so fingers crossed, it'll stay that way tonight and tomorrow.

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Silja. In Motion.

2011-10-03T21:23:00.009+02:00

I was filming Silja a little bit throughout the day yesterday, initially to show my sister Helle her walking around, but got a little carried away when I was sitting with all the little pieces at the computer, and decided to combine them all, so that our families in both Denmark and Iceland can get a feel for her current state of being, since it's going so super fast. So here she is, 14 months and on a constant move.

http://vimeo.com/29927467

(Music by Mae: A melody, a memory)

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Impromptu Picnic

2011-10-01T20:20:00.005+02:00

Bjarni's dissertation writing mode has gone into its final week of craziness. Oh, and are we all counting down for this to be done with now. For a while we have been on a tight and calculated schedule of you-take-the-kid-so-I-can-get-this-done and vice versa, leaving very limited time for all of us to do something together. So when Bjarni called yesterday, to see if we should pick up Silja together that was a sure yes from my side, and resulted in an impromptu picnic on our way home, on her little napping blanket, we were bringing home to wash. Half an hour together by the Donau Kanal with cakes and a happy kid and I think we are good to go for this last week. Bring it on!

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Inside Outside

2011-09-26T21:31:00.005+02:00

Pictures from the weekend that started out with a sick kid with fever, which resulted in staying indoors and an Italian cake baking project with fresh figs that turned out amaazing, and ended with a healthy baby (yay!) and a trip to the park.

And PS. I'm still dreaming of hammocks... We are currently discussing whether or not the hammock project would work in Boston. To ship or not ship a hammock?

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Cheers to New Adventures!

2011-09-21T20:51:00.011+02:00

We have made up our minds, and are moving to Boston early next year! It was not an easy decision, but it feels so good now that it's settled. Uncertainty about where we would go to after Vienna has been a stress factor for about a year, giving way to questions like: where do we want to go, what are our individual goals and what are our family plans? And in the end it completely depended on where it was possible for us to (read: where Bjarni would get job offers). We were privileged to have several choices, which was great, but also difficult, as they had different advantages.

Finally we figured Harvard and Boston was an irresistible opportunity, and now we are excited for all that awaits. Hopefully our time in California will have a positive influence on our expectations and adjustment. I'm excited about all the stuff I miss from the US, and which I never expected I would return to.

This move should also be our second last. I know this might seem early to talk about at this point, but thinking further ahead has been part of the whole deciding process we have been through. While I admire those who can keep moving around, I know I am not capable of that in the long run, and it is not what I wish for my family. I need to settle down and be like "normal people". I still feel the US is too far from everyone dear to me back in Denmark to be the place we settle for good. Having said that I embrace this new adventure completely, and am excited to spend two years on the American East Coast.

Our big decision called for a proper celebration, which we did in the beginning of the week. Silja toasted in smoothie being utterly unaware of the changes that are going to happen and that she will end up talking like an Amerrricaan.

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Oh Beejarney! (A Story about my Husband)

2011-09-17T20:28:00.005+02:00

My favorite Icelander went to Boston last week. He had packed lightly as he was just going to stay a few days. On the plane, he had a beer (or several, I don't know), which he accidentally spilled on the only pair of pants he carried with him. The following day he had a job interview at Harvard, and figured stinking pants wouldn't make the best impression, so off he went to the conservative old university wearing shorts and a hoodie. And apparently that didn't matter, because he was offered a postdoc position.

We now have to choose between Southern Germany, Denmark and Boston. It was supposed to be an easy decision as we had already secretly made up our minds, but that was before Harvard entered the scene.

Oh Bjarni, you make my life (too) interesting!

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Road-tripping with Morfar

2011-09-12T20:31:00.008+02:00

My dad and Karen stopped by Vienna this past week during their vacation, and over the weekend, after Bjarni had left for the US, Silja and myself got to go on a little road-trip with them, which was absolutely amazing, considering my desire to explore more of Austria. We went to Wachau and to Rust and Mörbisch by Neusiedler See, and you got to excuse me for the overload of pictures, but family combined with new adventures and good weather is doomed to be that way. They were harvesting the wine by Neusidler See, and I wish I would have been able to get a proper picture of them driving away with the big containers full of grapes. It looked so appealing. Anyhow, exploring Austria with the two of them was great fun, and I hope we'll get to see them again soon. Tak for besøg!

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She's got it!

2011-09-11T22:09:00.006+02:00

She has been walking around with her little push cart for months, took her first solo steps three weeks ago, and this weekend she let go of the hands, didn't rely on any encouragement, and I could peak into the living room and see her walking around all by herself. Oh, are we proud!

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Breakfast Treat

2011-09-04T11:35:00.007+02:00

Pancakes for breakfast because its the last day of our little holiday, and because next week is back to normal. Sort of. Bjarni is heading to Germany and Boston for job interviews, and we have a granddad arriving from Denmark. All very exciting. Hopefully the upcoming travels will bring some much needed clarity on what will happen next for us. I find this in-between stage of being open to a range of potential possibilities incredibly stressful as the process drags out, and I can't wait to put uncertainty aside and start planning for what's next.

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Ozean

2011-09-02T23:06:00.005+02:00

We finally made it to the Ozean exhibition at the kid's musuem at MQ. Next time we'll drag Bjarni along. I think he will like it too.

Bliss

2011-08-29T21:56:00.006+02:00

Day care is shut down for a week for maintenance purposes, which means I got a good excuse to put my studies on stand by for a little bit and hang out with Silja full time. So I am currently the mommy strolling through the sunshine with a coffee in hand and lots of time to stop and explore all the things that catch those little curious eyes. It's the greatest! Bjarni, who is green with envy of our vacation mode, compensated tonight by a large pitcher of Sangria. I'm sure that makes for some great research.

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Hot hot hot!

2011-08-23T20:05:00.006+02:00

Today was one of those days, where everything seem to happen at a slower pace due to the weather. 36 degrees. That's HOT for Northern European like us. It was too late, too hot and presumably too crowded to head to the public swimming pools after returning from day care, so what to do then? We ran to the nearest spot in the shade in the park with a washing tup with cold water, which made it out for our own teeny little kiddie pool. Silja was entertained, and I got to lay down and close my eyes for a little bit. Not bad at all!

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Mundane Weekend

2011-08-14T22:48:00.006+02:00

This weekend was a trip to the market, to the library, and to the park.

It was a brunch date with a friend and a beer late at night.

It was a mom who spelled her name in kids blocks and a dad, who put the teddies to sleep.

It was a husband writing dissertation, and a cooking-cleaning-baby-entertaining-not-enough-studying, but-its-okay-wife.

It was nothing in particular, but it was good!

Tomorrow is a holiday in Austria, so our weekend-mode continues.

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International Matters

2011-08-04T21:40:00.010+02:00

Yesterday on the way home from Kinderstube a shop owner came out the door of his shop, stopped us and handed me this little ball for no apparent reason. I asked why, but he just smiled and went inside again. That was very sweet. And it's not just any little ball -- it's a little globe. Weeh!!

Anyhow, I wanted to mention the Expat Center here in Vienna. I don't know who follows this blog, but I do know a few stop by via Expat Blog. I had a meeting with them today, because of my thesis, and they were so friendly. They provide free consultancy to expats or expats-to-be on all sorts of practicalities related to moving to and living in Vienna. I should perhaps also say that their definition of expat is very loose, so international students, foreigners who themselves move to Vienna because of a job, foreigners who have lived in Vienna for years and years, spouses etc. They all fit the category. -- So, just a reference if needed.

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Yellow & Red

2011-08-02T18:45:00.007+02:00

3rd picture is reaaally nice Colombian handmade hammock I got for my birthday. We drilled a BIG hole in the ceiling to hang it up in our apartment only to realize the ceiling couldn't carry all that wait, which has put the hammock project on indefinite hold. Now we just have to figure out how to cover up that hole for the landlord...

The thing on Silja's head is an (Austrian?) birthday crown, she got when celebrating her birthday in day care.

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One

2011-07-27T19:34:00.006+02:00

Earlier this week our little Anna Silja turned one. She has gone from a helpless little bundle to a little person with her own way of being, her own will and preferences (which is expressed quite clearly at times despite the lack of verbal skills!) Some of her current favorites include dogs, her own toes, blueberries, eating with a fork, books (she loooves books), pigeons, standing without support, snuggling and dancing.

She seems to respond equally well to both Icelandic and Danish (German I don't know), but is still saying just a couple of words (in Danish). We are having a lot of fun with the baby sign language, which she has been actively using the last three months.

This past year has been what I expected beforehand in terms sleep deprivation, stinky diapers, piles of laundry and endless love and admiration for this little being that is ours. Even though I guess it's all more intense than you can prepare for. What is still surprising (even though you hear it all the time) is how crazy fast time goes by with a child. That and to experience the drive such a little human has to learn and acquire new skills. Sure we are there to provide support along the away, but the turning around, sitting up, crawling and walking all happens by itself. That's pretty damn amazing!

We are so happy for our little big girl, who is perfect just the way she is.

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Uni Wien

2011-07-17T21:01:00.006+02:00

University of Vienna has a beautiful old main building, which I only make my way to when picking up or returning books at the main library. It's worth a peek inside the old buildings even if one is not affiliated with the university. My own institute (Institut für Kultur- & Sozialanthropologie) is located in far less spectacular surroundings (typical for social sciences it seems), and even though I'm not there much at the moment, I am busy at home or at cafes around town, plotting out my master thesis - though I must admit it's not the easiest thing to keep focus on at the moment, when the majority of Vienna seems to be in vacation mode and the sun is shining.

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Finally out of Vienna

2011-07-10T11:47:00.005+02:00

... On a day trip that is. I think it is next week we reach the two year mark of our stay in Austria, and finally finally we made it outside of Vienna. We have hot and humid weather at the moment and none of us could stand the thought of staying in the city the entire weekend, so off we went on a train to the region of Wachau, where we enjoyed the scenic view and a nice breeze down the Danube from Melk to Krems. We also made a stop in the monastry in Melk, where our little Duracell bunny could burn off some energy in the shade.

Today is a lazy day. We are waiting for the heat to go down slightly so we can venture outside for ice cream. Meanwhile I am dreaming of my own yard with a kiddie pool and a hammock in the shade. Did you hear that Bjarni?

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30

2011-07-04T20:22:00.007+02:00

I turned 30 this past Friday and had the most fantastic day. I had to take Silja for a check-up and a vaccination at the pediatrician in the morning, and when we came back an hour later I was surprised by my sisters, my dad and Karen, who were standing outside our front door singing and waving flags. They had come by plane early in the morning and neither Bjarni nor I had any clue they were going to casually "stop by". Talk about a (GOOD) surprise! In the evening friends came over for homemade sushi, and I enjoyed having a lot of people over, something that happens (too) rarely now because of a baby. Saturday was spent in the city showing my family as much as possible of Vienna, before they traveled back home again. Today - three days later - I still receive the sweetest birthday surprises in the mail from Denmark with funny old pictures and cool presents. I'm one lucky lady, and there are no painful feelings connected to entering a new decade. I'm right where I want to be in life with those I love, and I can't wait to see what this new decade will bring to me and to us. Cheers to the 30's!

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Little Tornado

2011-06-26T10:00:00.008+02:00

This little tornado is now all over the place, leaving behind trails of mess. As soon as she's eyeing an open closet, drawers, or the dish washer she speed crawls to explore what is hidden inside, before it is closed again. Many of them she has already figured out to open by herself. I'm too busy to keep a regular schedule with the gym at the moment, but following behind in those trails I suppose is keeping me in some form of shape as they are repeated several times a day...

Today she is 11 months, and it seems so surreal we will celebrate her first birthday in just a month. What happened to our teeny tiny baby?

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Visiting Home

2011-06-22T20:47:00.007+02:00

Denmark this time around was lots of strawberries, sweet cousins, old friends, dinner dates, summer rain, colorful art, salty licorice and a job interview; the last one resulting in much reflection about living in Denmark. Having lived away from home the past five years, going back on a visit like this one is a strange mix of feelings of fitting right in and feeling strangely out of place. I suppose it is unavoidable when developing ties to more than one place, combined with being out of the daily loop of one specific place in terms of all those big and small changes that are continually taking place. Nevertheless fingers crossed that things in Aarhus pan out...

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Amma & Afi in Vienna

2011-06-13T21:20:00.008+02:00

We had to skip the planned trip to Budapest due to study overload/job interview preparations, and instead welcomed Bjarni's parents to Vienna for the weekend. It was great to have them here, and together we ate a lot of good food, talked and celebrated our 5th (!) wedding anniversary. Silja took a serious liking to her afi, who was full of fun and never-ending tricks.

They brought along a nice colorful candle holder, which is looking pretty now on the table where both of us are working. Tomorrow we are flying to Denmark, and I can't wait to see some of my old friends, whom I haven't seen for ages. Yibiii!

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Hello June

2011-06-07T22:15:00.004+02:00

It's hot and humid in Wien. Time for summer thunder storms, Milchkaffee geeist and flowers from the market. Mmmm!

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What would Freud say?

2011-05-29T20:28:00.006+02:00

We were sipping iced lattes in the shade at Sigmund Freud-Park this afternoon and were amused by the peculiarity of the huge poster on Votiv Kirche! And speaking of Dr. Freud, we passed by his house on the way back to our 20th district. Still haven't made it inside (to what is now a museum).

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Vacationing in Deutschland

2011-05-26T21:40:00.006+02:00

... that is sort of what we did last week, when traveling to Northern Germany to spend the long weekend (holiday in DK) with my family. It was great to see everybody again and to enjoy the seaside. Geez, I miss the ocean here in Central Europe! The brown river of Danube is just not the same. And hanging out for those late summer sun sets near a beach is the best! Ahh! Four great days away from the daily routine were over in snap. We are back in sunny Wien, which is not bad either.

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Balance

2011-05-16T20:58:00.011+02:00

Today has been quiet and unproductive. We got a bit of a crazy (but fun) schedule ahead of us with trips to Germany, Hungary and Denmark spread out over the next five weeks, which coincide with the spring semester going into intensive mode. I could use a little more time to balance it all out, but I'm ready to roll with it and will focus on all the sweet people we are soon to see again rather than paper deadlines, thesis proposal and exams.

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Outside

2011-05-11T20:49:00.000+02:00

This week is sunny and warm, and we, like a lot of the locals, are enjoying afternoons in the park and dinner outside. We met up with good friends yesterday, who unfortunately will be moving to Bangkok soon. We will miss them! When not enjoying the great weather, there are lots and lots to do with school, so I apologize for being more absent than usual in here...

I hope you are enjoying the great weather too!

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Wednesday

2011-05-04T21:41:00.004+02:00

Morning: Studying | Midday: Class | Afternoon: Playing | Evening: Zzz'ing

Schönbrunn Again

2011-04-25T21:05:00.004+02:00

We have had an amazingly relaxed Easter with lots of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather, eating lamb Sólvallagata-style and putting together those little toys of Kinder Überraschung, which made for the Easter eggs this year. As we have started to discuss and semi-plan in more concrete terms what will happen after our stay in Vienna, I suddenly find myself being nostalgic about all the things I have come to cherish here and all those things I/we still haven't done (which is a lot!). I should make a list!

Pictures from today's trip out to Schönbrunn

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Easter Market

2011-04-21T15:13:00.008+02:00

Pictures from last weekend, when we visited the Easter market at Freyung to check out the stalls with pretty and not-so-pretty Easter decorations, listen to a little bit of Schlager and to have a Curry Wurst & Bio Bier. I like like like the tradition with these seasonal markets in Austria, and the Easter markets beats in my opinion the Christmas markets, because the weather (the past two years when we have been here) has been sunny and warm over Easter, which makes it so nice to stroll around and take in what to me feels like a very Austrian atmosphere. Prost und frohe Ostern!

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Recharging

2011-04-19T21:54:00.005+02:00

Because of Easter I currently got two wonderful weeks off from university. This morning when Silja and Bjarni had gone to Kindergarten/work, I left behind piles of laundry, a backlog of required readings and a bunch of other practicalities and ventured off to the 3rd district (to this great bakery/cafe) to eat breakfast, stare out the window and read my book, which has been collecting dust since courses started again. A little quiet moment just to myself, which felt oh so good.

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Having fun (at home!)

2011-04-15T08:42:00.007+02:00

Laughing from Dorte Pedersen on Vimeo.

Sometimes you think you do something really funny in order to make the kid laugh (so much so that you are silently laughing on the inside of your own wittiness), and she is just sitting there, starring at you as if thinking: "why the heck is she doing that now?" Completely unimpressed. And other times you do something unintentional, which cracks her up.

This week Kindergarten has been NO fun. All of a sudden Silja realized that we are leaving her with a bunch of other kids and three strange women, and not even the most interesting moving, glittering, noisy toy can distract her from the sadness and anxiety that creates. Ouch! I hope it SOON gets better.

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....Y~N(0,\sigma_g K + \sigma_e I)....

2011-04-14T20:28:00.009+02:00

The scientist of the household is crazy crazy busy, and all concentration seems to be directed towards the preparations for an important meeting tomorrow. So much so that things here end up in the strangest places.

(And just for record I did not come up with the title for this post... Obviously.)

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This Little Head

2011-04-07T19:40:00.006+02:00

This week our little girl started day care, which seems to be going quite OK so far. (I think it's harder on the mama.. But that's better than the other way around, right?) With the beginning of day care a third language is introduced to this little head: Our common language here at home is Danish, Bjarni speaks to her in Icelandic, and now German in Kindergarten. She is still so small that multiple languages don't really matter, and I know through friends and acquaintances that children are very much capable of being not only bilingual but also multilingual (those small brains are sponges!), but still I couldn't help feeling a glimpse of guilt the first day, when she was sitting in a circle with all the other small kids, and the teachers were singing songs I didn't get a clue of, which made me think about all the new things she will be taught there in German. Now, I am aware of all the benefits that comes with growing up with several languages and I'm excited of our embarkment on this "thing" of being a bilingual family. Whether or not there will be a third language in the long run, I don't know at this point. So even if it shouldn't be a matter of concern right now when she is so young, or if the benefits outweigh the guilt and concern, then I suppose worry is a natural element of parenthood. And perhaps this is a common one, when living abroad?

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Summer?

2011-04-03T20:28:00.005+02:00

All of sudden the weather turned all summerlike. This has not been the most productive weekend study-wise, but who can sit still inside, when it is all of sudden so beautiful outside.

Today we headed for the park to hang out, blow bubbles and eat ice cream.

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Lieblings Straße

2011-03-30T21:34:00.004+02:00

Servitengasse over in the 9th district is my favorite street in all of Vienna! It's not very long, but the narrow cobblestoned street is home to a couple of eateries, an amazing toy store (the picture doesn't really do it justice), a fancy chocolate store that is also hosting workshops on making confectionary, and a typical Austrian catholic church.

These pictures are from a cold Sunday a couple of weeks back. These days are perfectly sunny. The ice cream places are again open, and today we ate early dinner OUTSIDE. Woop woop!

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Store Signs

2011-03-26T20:51:00.007+01:00

I'm in love with the first one, which reminds me of Scrabble pieces. :)

Home Again

2011-03-26T20:44:00.003+01:00

We are home again. It's GOOD and we are extra thankful for having a happy healthy baby.

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...away...

2011-03-24T14:14:00.002+01:00

It's been a little quiet in here. First I got swamped with school work, and then came an unexpected stay at St Anna Kinderspital with our little girl. This is our 3rd day here, and hopefully we are allowed to go home tomorrow. We are here for observation for epileptic seizures. Yes, quite a scare! But after lots of tests all luckily looks good and it seems like Silja was bopping her head in strange ways over the weekend for other non-dramatic reasons.
Even though a hospital stay is never fun, the staff here is so sweet. I'm especially fond of 'die gelbe Tante' (the yellow aunt), who is (obviously!) dressed in yellow and available to keep a baby entertained while mommy eats, showers etc. We haven't needed her assistance though, as Bjarni is stopping by regularly to help out and hang out.

Anyhow, just wanted to check in. Will be back soon.

Weekly Brunch

2011-03-13T21:20:00.013+01:00

Way back (it seems like ages ago now) when living in L.A. we would usually go out for breakfast/brunch over the weekend. It is such a gooood way to start the weekend I think.

For some reason we've never gone much out to eat here in Vienna, even before Silja arrived. And now -- how do you even do those kinds of things with a baby?!

Well, I realized when meeting over lunch with our baby group at our regular kids' cafe that it is very much doable to eat out - for both parts. Silja seems super excited to be eating elsewhere, where there are lots of things to look at. So now we are trying to resume our weekly brunch tradition. Last week she was sleeping, while we were enjoying breakfast at one of the markets. Wee! It was almost like a date! This weekend she was playing with her toys, and when it was time for her lunch, we popped one of those to-go jars of baby food, and voila. (By the way without a highchair one must be quick to avoid potato/spinach on the seat, but we managed...) Anyhow, I'm so happy we can do this, and hope the little one behaves well enough, so we can continue with this onwards.

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"New" Study Space

2011-03-10T09:29:00.007+01:00

Admiring baby toes, playing backgammon and rearranging part of the bed room in order to get a comfortable study space (note to self: enjoy the uncluttered table as long as it lasts..) plus more floor space for our little "floor pusher". There is not really much happening here. Just every day life, where one day is taking over there other with crazy speed. Spring has arrived, which feels so good!

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Instagram

2011-03-02T09:44:00.007+01:00

A little dose of snapshots via (my latest obsession) instagram. Do you know it? So much easier I think than dragging around the big camera.

I'm going back to university today, and is actually looking forward to getting some intellectual input. Fingers crossed for a stress-free semester. Please.

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Texas Treats

2011-02-27T14:49:00.009+01:00

Crunchy old style peanut butter, armadillo magnet, baby laptop, and the best lip balm in

the world! Ah, it's good to have Bjarni back, and small souvenirs from far away places are

the best. I already ate way too many of those margarita taffies, but they are chewy and

dangerously good.

My week of solo parenting went much better than expected. Phew! Having said that though

I'm very happy Bjarni is now back. Things simply goes smoother with four rather than two hands.

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Wonders of Modern Technology

2011-02-22T16:53:00.008+01:00

This week Bjarni is in Texas for a conference. And even though he is so far away (and we miss him!), it does sort of feel like he is just around the corner thanks to the wonders of modern technology.

Skyping:

(Silja is excited Bjarni is now in the computer. The computer is interesting enough in the first place, but to see someone she knows in there is ... wuahh..)

Texting:

B: I'm at Target. Do you want anything from here?

D: Listerine [mouthwash] with vanilla.

...

B: They don't have vanilla?!

D: Then nevermind. How about some Burt's Bees. A lip balm...

B: OK

(I think my wishes are quite modest considering all the good things one can get at Target! Come to think if it though, I do realize mouthwash of all things is a little strange...)

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Growing Growing

2011-02-17T20:36:00.008+01:00

Those baby chuckles are the sweetest.

Not crawling yet, but trying to get up on all fours. She is moving around now by pushing herself backwards.

Still no teeth, but she has a toothbrush she is playing with, and which she loves dearly...

At night time before getting on her PJs, she likes to have her own little party in our bed without any clothes on. Tons of fun!

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Propaganda

2011-02-13T20:45:00.007+01:00

Bjarni has for a while tried to convince me to be open to the possibility of moving back to the US/California after we are done in Vienna. He has lots of convincing arguments lined up, but I still stand firm on my wish to stay somewhere in Europe. Now, somehow, the weather forecast of Los Angeles has been added to my phone. And while I must admit that such a weather forecast looks incredibly tempting on a day, where it is snowing - again (#%$&!!), I still prefer central Europe over California.

(By the way - in case anybody is reading from the US - my choice of Europe over the US is solely connected to me wanting to live in proximity to my family back home. That's the super short argument to a rather complex discussion of ours trying to figure out where to live in the long run. Ayy.. If only one could have the best of both worlds...)

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Sonne

2011-02-08T20:18:00.004+01:00

My longing for spring was fulfilled yesterday, when the temperature reached 15 (!!) wonderful degrees. We went to the park and hung out near the play ground. The Icelander even took of his jacket, claiming it felt like an Icelandic summer day!

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Cafe Central - Again.

2011-01-31T21:08:00.007+01:00

It's been a while. Last time was during the heat wave in July, when I had passed my due date and was hanging out in the air-conditioned cafe in order to not go crazy outside or at home. Ah, those crazy hot days seem so far away at the moment. Check out my "cake" - white chocolate mouse with raspberries. It was just as good as it looks!

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Ice Skating with Penguins

2011-01-31T20:48:00.003+01:00

These penguin ice-skating aids are just the cutest. From Wiener Eistraum in front of Rathaus.

Six Months

2011-01-26T10:30:00.009+01:00

She is six months today! Weeeh. My six months of experience with the incredible world of motherhood tells me it's the most exciting, challenging, fun, rewarding and nerve-wracking thing ever. I am willing to do anything for this sweet little soul, and I suppose that's what motherhood is all about. ♥♥

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Faces

2011-01-24T10:59:00.004+01:00

Pictures from a Sunday stroll along the Danube canal. We were enjoying a little bit of sun, even though it was freeezing cold. Today is also sunny, but different from yesterday there's snow too. Booh! I want spring.

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Rainbow

2011-01-18T21:26:00.000+01:00

Do you see it?

Empty Bowls

2011-01-13T15:36:00.004+01:00

So far the transition to porridge and mashed vegetables is going swell. A lot is ending up other places than the mouth, but she definitely seem to like it. We have started using baby sign language, so far just a few signs like eat, more, milk, which are put to use frequently (by us, obviously) during meal time. I hope we can stick to it. I was inspired by a friend of mine in LA, who was using it with her son, and it was incredible to see how he could communicate before he was able to speak. And if this can help her in our multi-linguistic environment (Danish, Icelandic, German) then it's even better.

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Liebe für die Wände

2011-01-13T15:02:00.009+01:00

The other day one of my Christmas presents arrived in the mail. Yay!! Three illustrations by Blanca Gomez. I have been dying to replace the old and gloomy painting in our living room with something brighter, and these illustrations will provide a much needed change. Me and Silja went to IKEA yesterday to buy frames, but the ones we brought back didn't fit quite right. Instead they went well with the prints from Studio Violet I bought a while back, which now look even better in a frame. Today I got other frames for the first three, and can't wait to drill some holes and put everything up!

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Home Sweet Home

2011-01-06T12:57:00.005+01:00

We are back in Vienna, and boy is it nice! As great as it is to go back to Denmark and Iceland to see everyone again, just as great is it to come back to our own place. We had a smooth journey back and were pleasantly surprised by how well the little one handled the rather long trip from Iceland with a brief layover in Denmark to Austria (which aside from two flights include a 50 min drive to the airport in Iceland and two train rides here in Austria). She is turning into a master traveler! Let's hope that continues.

Back in Vienna we have now unpacked, including all those great presents, and resumed to normal routines, which among other things include healthy eating (uuf, I was so done with sweets and junk food after stuffing myself over the holidays). As a new milestone Silja has started solids. Jeez, it's going fast!

I now got less than two months left of my maternity leave, and I plan enjoy every single minute of my remaining time off, before it's time to resume to university.

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Happy New Year from Iceland

2011-01-02T11:40:00.006+01:00

I hope you entered 2011 with proper celebration. We spent the night at Bjarni's parents, who always throw a big new year's party for friends and relatives.

Our trip is soon coming to an end and we are enjoying a couple of quiet days before traveling back to Vienna. We made it up north to the grandparents, met old friends, had the obligatory hot dogs from this place, as well Icelandic lamb and fish. What is still missing is my favorite ice cream (bragðarefur!) and some paper work for Silja, who by the way is her usual content and happy self up here, so we take that as a sign that she likes Iceland.

The past weeks' traveling and a baby have not given much time to reminisce about 2010, but of course this past year stands out from any other, because of the arrival of our sweet little girl. I feel extremely and overwhelmingly lucky and happy because of that! 2011 will for us continue to be in Vienna and what will happen after that is completely up in the air. But no need to worry too much about that just yet. There is so much to enjoy right now. First off is the ice-cream...

Gleðilegt nytt ár / happy New Year!

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Christmas in Denmark

2010-12-29T13:44:00.005+01:00

We had a wonderful WHITE Christmas in Denmark. As usual time went by way too fast, and I did not manage to see all of those I was hoping to see. Nevertheless it was great to hang out with the family, play with the nieces and nephews and eat a lot of (Danish) food. We left Denmark with even heavier suitcases than when we arrived, and are currently R E L A X I N G in Northern Iceland. We are on an equally tight schedule in Iceland, but Bjarni is down with a stomach flu, which has resulted in a small but much needed breather.

Pictures from our Danish Christmas days:

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Count Down

2010-12-18T13:58:00.003+01:00

The countdown has begun for our holiday back home. We leave on Monday (the weather better behave!!) and can't wait to see everyone again. First stop is Denmark for the Christmas days, and then off to Iceland for New Years. This will be Silja's first trip to the land of ice and fire, and I know Bjarni can't wait to finally show her to relatives and friends up there.

Until Monday we will be busy with old friends visiting from Denmark. They were suppose to arrive two hours ago, but are currently waiting in transit due the crazy winter weather. So let's hope they are able to get here soon. I have been looking forward to their visit for long.

Some pictures from the past week, where the cosy Christmas gatherings and the stressful shopping really kicked in.

1. Christmas party with the Baby Club

2. Drinking Glühmost with sweet Kerry at the Christmas Market (Altes AKH)

3. Wrapping up presents (Little Miss Curious were done playing by herself and had to partake in the activities by the table.)

4. And this where I'm at right now: trying to figure out how the heck we are going to fit all our warm winter clothes, baby stuff and family Christmas presents into two suitcases and not exceed 2x20kg. Hmmm...

I'm not sure I will be able to post more in the following days. If not then HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Baaah

2010-12-13T20:29:00.004+01:00

Found this little fellow at one of the Christmas markets and had to take it home with me.

Peekaboo

2010-12-09T21:08:00.005+01:00

At the moment nothing beats the fun of removing a piece of cloth from the head. :)

I took Silja to the swimming pool today for the first time (at Terme Wien by the way, what a great place!), which was a lot of fun. We haven't heard a single peep from the crib after putting her to bed at 18.30. ZZzzz...

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Christmas Spirit

2010-12-06T21:45:00.011+01:00

Lots of snow prevented us from going anywhere this past Friday, so I made a bunch of Christmas cookies and admired the advent calendar I found at one of Christmas markets in town. I'm enjoying this month with all the Christmas preparations more than I have for years.

PS. Look! Bjarni made it snow in here too... :)

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Cafe Phil

2010-12-01T13:09:00.005+01:00

Hanging out with Venezuelan and Brazilian friends at Phil, my all time favorite cafe in Vienna.

Happy 1st of december! Here it has been snowing since morning.

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A Weekend of Celebrations

2010-11-29T16:50:00.006+01:00

We had a super busy, but very nice weekend with good friends and LOTS of food. Saturday Michelle & Alex hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, where we stuffed ourselves with all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Good stuff! Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday, and I'm happy and thankful we got to celebrate it even though we are now back in Europe.

Sunday was Bjarni's birthday and the first Sunday of Advent, so we invited his colleagues + spouses and kids over to celebrate both with waffles and glögg (mulled wine, Scandinavian style). When people left it had started snowing... Ayy, and that fits right into my growing Christmas mood.

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Mobile

2010-11-25T20:03:00.006+01:00

I have for long been meaning to make a mobile to hang by the changing table, but couldn't figure out how to hang it from our very high ceiling (it is out of reach). I ended up going for something I could simply hang on the wall, and made this cloud mobile (inspired by these beauties) out of some of the felt I got to make for Silja's Halloween costume.

Next sewing project will be a sock monkey... Let's see how that goes.

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Friday Night

2010-11-20T12:03:00.005+01:00

Playing with Silja and finally watching the old British movie The Third Man, which takes place in post-war Vienna. One of the best things about fall and winter is candles! It's a Scandinavian must during the dark seasons and oh so cosy.

The blog got a much needed face lift. I hope you like it.

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Italy II

2010-11-16T09:58:00.005+01:00

It's a bit messy, but wanted to post the pictures all at once

Morning walk along one of the shopping street in Viterbo

Saint Peter's Church in Vatican City; Silja checking out her own reflection in the big mirrors of the hotel and the BEST tiramisu we had in Rome (take away as was the rest of our dinner that night from a nearby restaurant so the princess could get her beauty sleep...)

Cappuccino break

Finding peace and tranquility in Villa Borghese. Ahhh...

and finally Bjarni throwing a coin in Trevi fountain to make sure we come back some other time.

(Note to self: Remember a picture with all three of us in it next time...)

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Müesli

2010-11-11T09:05:00.007+01:00

I am sooo enjoying my maternity leave, and the fall weather fits perfectly with reading good books and trying out new recipes. After last week's Italian adventure it feels great to take it slow here at home.

Yesterday I made my own müesli, which turned out really good. (The recipe can be found here - English version in the bottom..)

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Italy I

2010-11-08T15:06:00.014+01:00

We are back in Vienna after six days in Italy, which was mostly sunny, relaxed and charming but at times and to no surprise also challenging with a small baby. We spent 4 days in the small historic town Viterbo north of Rome, where Bjarni participated in a workshop, and Silja and myself enjoyed the change of scenery with lots of walks in cute old cobblestoned streets and lots of naps back at the hotel (yep, naps for both of us!). After Bjarni finished the workshop, we headed to Rome for one and a half day before flying back to Vienna. Rome was too chaotic and noisy for little Silja (and the mommy, who cares a great deal about those naps that are necessary in order to avoid a cranky baby). Also it was surprisingly difficult to get around with a stroller.

Anyhow, it was my first time in Italy, and I'd love to come back to explore more of the country some other time. I took so many pictures so more will be posted here as I try to organize them.

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Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T09:42:00.006+01:00

A picture from yesterday before heading to the big Halloween party with the baby club. There were sooo many adorable baby costumes. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures.

In a little bit we are leaving for Italy. Arrivederci Vienna. Hello tiramisu, cappuccinos, pelligrino and pizza (- and by the way, I hope that when we return my knowledge on Italian cuisine is bit more nuanced..)

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Baby Update: 3 Months

2010-10-28T09:53:00.005+02:00

Yep, Silja has hit the three month mark. She is now full of smiles and funny sounds. She is holding her head quite steady even though it is still a bit wobbly. She is (sometimes?) rolling from stomach to back, though it seems to happen more by coincidence than intention. She got her first vaccine (Seeing the doctor was lots of fun until she gave the injections - then the fun was gone. Completely.) Dangling toys are way more fun than those laying next to her, and hanging out in other people's arms and looking at their faces is very interesting!

Our sweet little girl will venture out on her 2nd trip outside of Austria this weekend, when all three of us are heading to Rome, where Bjarni is to participate in a conference.

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Offline Fun

2010-10-27T21:45:00.005+02:00

We have been without internet for an entire week! Yikes... A technician is supposed to come and fix the connection tomorrow, but now the damn thing is strangely working again all by itself.

Without online access we have had to turn to other means of entertainment, and it has been surprisingly nice! Whenever Silja has been sleeping and I'm done with my other Hausfrau (!) chores, I have been fumbling with a big puzzle while catching up on my favorite podcasts. Ausgezeichnet!

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Saturday is Market Day

2010-10-17T13:42:00.010+02:00

I love the markets in Vienna! Here are a few glimpses from our local Hannover Markt on a Saturday, where we stocked up on fresh produce and bought the sweet and sparkling wine Sturm (currently in season) to later enjoy with friends. Prost!

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Meeting the Family

2010-10-12T22:01:00.007+02:00

We are back in Wien after five great days in Denmark. It was the first time Silja was introduced to most of her close relatives. Also it was the first time the Danish and Icelandic families met (Yes, we have been married for four and half years and our families still had not met. Crazy, I know.)

Anyhow we have been so busy over these past few days hanging out with everybody that we didn't take that many pictures. We did remember the camera on Sunday though for the baptism celebration. It was a great day with perfect weather, a well behaved little girl and the company of our dear families.

Silja handled the traveling surprisingly well, and it was more than great to share her with her grandparents, aunts, little cousins etc. Luckily we will see all of them again quite soon for Christmas and New Years.

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...

2010-10-06T17:40:00.002+02:00

When you are spending a lot of time alone together weird things starts happening.

We are flying to Denmark tomorrow, and are so very excited to see both our families for Silja's baptism.

Schönes Herbst

2010-10-01T11:27:00.004+02:00

Fall has arrived, but on sunny days it still feels a bit like summer in Augarten.

The Baby Club

2010-09-27T15:01:00.004+02:00

Due to the large number of expats living in Vienna, there is luckily also a big and very active association connecting new international mothers: Vienna Babies Club. I joined the club early spring, and have been meeting other women, who were due around the same time as myself, once a week at different restaurants and cafes in Vienna (- and did people stare by the way, when 8-15 very pregnant ladies were sitting together at one table with huge bellies...).

Now that all the babies are here the weekly meetings continues, but instead of dinner we meet for coffee or lunch, movies or other fun stuff that is doable with a lot of strollers and a lot of babies.

A few weeks back we went to a paint-your-own ceramics store and had the tiny baby feet printed on coffee mugs. There's a Halloween party coming up, and I'm trying to figure out what heck a 3 month old can be dressed up as?! Any good ideas?

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Tichy Eis

2010-09-16T22:28:00.004+02:00

We met up with LA-Alex for ice cream this past Sunday at the old but very popular Tichy Eiscafe. While the two computational biologists were busy talking (... geek alert!) and Silja was sleeping, I was playing around with the camera. Most ice cream places will soon be closing due to the change of season, which is a little bit sad. We need to go for one huge ice cream before it's over!

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Grey Eyes

2010-09-16T21:50:00.004+02:00

- that might turn brown at some point?