Budapest

I pulled Bjarni's arm Friday night as we pushed a suitcase and the stroller through the central train station in Budapest, and exclaimed: I'm SO happy we came! We were just about to cancel, when I went to bed with a fever the night before. Earlier in the week Silja had been home two days because of a stomach bug, the whole packing ordeal had turned our apartment into chaos and my last exam/thesis defense was lurking around the corner, and I had not spent enough time preparing for it. There were plenty of reasons to stay home and catch up on the to-do list, but this was the weekend to go, if we wanted to see Budapest before we leave. It's a 2,5 hour train ride from Vienna, non of us had been before, and the forecast said sun and up to 20 degrees. And so of course we went! And it was great and energizing. I got (lots!) pictures to prove it. Go if you are in Vienna, and hasn't already been.

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Vacationing in Deutschland

... 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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Wonders of Modern Technology

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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Home Sweet Home

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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Count Down

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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Italy II

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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Italy I

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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LAX - CDG - VIE - CPH - VIE

The last few days have been a lot of traveling. We left L.A. Thursday evening, came back to Vienna (via Paris) for one night and flew to Denmark for an extended weekend and came back today. I was playing around with the camera in all the different airports to make time pass. After spending great times with friends and family it is now good to be back home -- and now no more airports nor flying for while, thanks.

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Stepping into an Old Pair of Shoes

We're here! In L.A. and it's G.R.E.A.T. To new readers I should probably mention that we left Los Angeles in June 2009 after three years studying and working here.

Coming back can best be described as stepping into an old and comfortable pair of shoes: Seeing familiar faces (even those you don't know personally), knowing your way around town as well as being familiar with social codes of communication make up a smooth navigation through daily activities. I guess recognizability is much more important in terms of feeling at ease in place than I have previously been aware of; and now comparing our level of "recognizability" here in LA with that of Vienna, it seems like we still have a good way to go in the land of Wienerschnitzel and Apfelstrudel. And besides, who knows maybe some places you naturally fit into more easily than others?

Alright, before I get lost in my own thoughts about resettling abroad, let me explain some of the things we have been up to after arriving. Anna, Bjarni's sister flew in from DC to spend a couple of days with us, Bjarni attended his committee meeting (which was the reason for coming back in the first place) and I was invited for a group baby-shower along with six other pregnant friends! (they're all due before me, and looked much more pregnant than me!).

It's so good to reunite with everybody again. We have the most generous friends in the world: Joyce and Kjong handed us their spare car, we have been provided with a vacant apartment and a US cell phone free of charge by other good friends, and last but not least a lot of baby presents have come our way. It's so sweet and I hope I can pass on the same kind of hospitality and generosity.

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Goodbye Snow -- Hello Sun!

We are flying back to LA on Sunday and are crazy excited to spend a little over two weeks in warmer temperatures among friends, taco stands, palm trees, and frozen yogurts. Will keep you posted...

Weather forecast: Vienna -- Los Angeles

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Christmas Lights

Both of us are missing sunny California and the peeps there dearly (god knows how long that will last?!), but noone can deny that Vienna is absolutely stunning at Christmas time.

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A Quick Trip Home

What's great about living in Vienna, is the fact that I can jump on a plane and be back home within an hour and a half! It's so ridiculously easy compared with the pain of traveling from the American west coast to Scandinavia. So, Friday I went back home for the first time after moving to Austria to meet my new nephew and to spent some time with the whole family for two and half intense days. It was GREAT to be see everybody again, and reflect a bit on life in Vienna from a distance. Weather was great and the fall colors amazing. Vienna is not so colorful - yet.
I am definitely going to take advantage of the fairly cheap air fares again, so I can visit soooon.

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