New adventures

Wow... it's been awhile since I last posted - nearly a year! 
The highlights of the last year? Well, I was unemployed until August, which was stressful and then I I was hired for a position in my field that really is a great fit! It's a contract position though... *fingers crossed that something comes out of it* I'm enjoying it and learning a lot, which is awesome.

I can't believe it's been over a year since we got home from our Eurotrip adventure - time sure flies when you're having fun, I guess!  We still talk about it often and smile at memories and stories we find ourselves rehashing.  Around Christmas time, for example, we went into a popular upscale bistro/grocery store/market place in town and found a whole ton of products that we saw all over Europe... it made us laugh and reminisce.  We saw the Mozart chocolate balls from Austria, the awful cookies we had in Germany at the Haus Reinbeck, the Italian chocolates in the pretty blue wrapper... Pretty neat to see it all together in one store - IN TOWN!

I often reminisce about my travels and find myself wondering about the people that I've met around the world. I thought of the girls we met in Portugal who introduced us to the chocolate cookie, Tim Tams, that we found in our local Zehrs market - it made me smile at the memory of having dinner with them in Lisbon at the hostel.

When it snows, I often think about my host family in Ghana - wondering how they are doing and what life looks like 5 years since I've seen them.  I've emailed Pops a few times lately but haven't heard anything from him.  I fear the worst and that I won't hear from him again - I wonder if it's inevitable after so much time.  It makes me sad to think it.  At the very least, his son, Godwin, is on my facebook page (thank you Mark Zuckerberg - inventor of facebook), so at least we can still be in touch.

As for our current plans, Jeff and I have decided not only to join three of our friends on a relaxing, vacation to Cuba in Feburary, but we are also on an adventure to marriage!  The biggest adventure of my life I would guess (ask me in 60 years!).   He asked on Christmas day and it was sweet and funny - the way it should be coming from him.  I'm a lucky lady.  We're excited to be planning a great event to celebrate so many years together - 2014 will be here before we know it.

So, for our fabulous February vacation to Cuba, we're going to the Melia Cayo Santa Maria.  Aside from the 116 km drive from the airport, it's got everything the group of us were looking for; beachfront, swim up bar (a must), a la carte options, disco, international drinks... you know, all the important stuff!

It may not be a big adventure but it sure feels like a necessary trip!  We're very excited to be getting away on a vacation.  The holidays were busy and with the engagement and wedding planning, I feel a little bit like a spinning top! Not to mention my birthday is coming up soon - it's a busy time of season for us (essentially, all winter!).  It'll be nice to lay by the pool and the beach, with a cold drink and a good book.  I'm looking forward to the recharge.

Anyway - that's essentially the update for now - lots going on and yet not a whole heck of a lot to report on :)   Our next adventure may be our honeymoon! We'll have to start thinking about that one! Maybe another overseas adventure?  The possibilities are endless :)