Yve

Setting The Stage

2011-03-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

San Fran 2011

2011-03-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

New House Old House

2011-03-08T01:40:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been dreaming of an old house. My first flat in Europe was in an old beautiful villa and I just adored it. Luckily, my husband has a habit of making my dreams come true.

The big project of 2011 will be restoring and styling a villa from 1886. The house is just magical and I can't wait to make it our home. Many photos to come and I would love any ideas for beautiful bathrooms.

Happy New Year

2011-01-10T05:24:00.001-08:00

From the sunny Arizona mountains. Thank you Wan Ting and Chris for coming to visit us all the way from Japan. What a wonderful way to end 2010.

Missing That Face

2010-12-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Newlyweds in Greece!

2010-12-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays

2010-12-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

Still enjoying the sun. An early morning hike, breakfast with girlfriends and then way too much fun at Lululemon. Each day is better than the last around here.

My Other Life

2010-12-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

I do miss you Winter. See you in January... Until then, please be nice to my friends and my cute little dog. Today I wore short sleeves and summer shoes. All of my scarfs, sweaters and boots are just begging for me to get back to you.

Thanks for the photo Steph! I totally stole it from your blog. Our little city looks beautiful all covered in snow.

Yoga in the Park

2010-12-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

I love Sundays around here. Laying in the park feeling exhausted, my mind began to wander. It wandered back four years ago when the sun was not shining so bright. Then I looked up and saw the American flag flying above me. Yoga in the park, the American flag flying overhead and Saks peaking through behind the flag. I love where I am.

Merry Christmas Erika

2010-12-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

From my family and yours, we miss you and come home soon.

Behind The Scenes

2010-12-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Making it Ours

2010-12-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

This was OUR wedding and it felt right, 30 foot orange carpet and all. The inspiration you ask? our FLAT and our LIFE.

**Please notice the cute brown dog sleeping on the sofa.

The Bridesmaids

2010-12-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

Three blonds and one brunette. One missing and four with smiles on their faces and in their hearts. One with child, two with husbands and all with decades of friendship in our past.

These are the girls who signed my yearbooks, whipped my tears when I cried over boys and loved me as if I were part of their families. On this day, my wedding day, what a wonderful way to spend it; with the girls of my past. Girls who have grown-up into beautiful women who I am so lucky to have in my life. As I move onto a new chapter, I know you will all have starring roles. To the future, remembering the past, and loving the story.

And Then There Was Greece

2010-12-06T21:23:00.000-08:00

Scenes From A Fairytale

2010-12-05T19:40:00.001-08:00

And that was just the beginning...

A Civil Wedding

2010-12-02T19:59:00.001-08:00

Bachelorette Party

2010-05-13T06:38:00.001-07:00

Thank you ladies!!!

XOXO Yve Elyse

Desert Days

2009-07-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Good Life

2009-07-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

Today Annie sent me the following note.

Lizard chaser, high rise foreman, yellow snow lover, travel guru, and converted farmhand....that little guy sure lived the good life and will be greatly missed.

I love the way she described his life....the only thing she forgot to say was....the FASTEST dog in the PARK.....

I love my little speedracer.

Best Friends

2009-07-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

Our HEARTS are BREAKING.

Sherman

2009-07-05T02:11:00.000-07:00

My Sherman is sick. Very, very sick.... This is a photo of him when he was still feeling OK. He is scheduled for emergency surgery in the morning.

Shabbat Shalom

2009-06-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

Shabbat Shalom....this was said to me many times as I walked in and out of stores lining the old streets in Israel. And I in return would let "Shabbat Shalom" roll off my tounge like I had been saying it for years every Friday rather than a mear handful of times my entire life in temple.

Anyway the point of the story is that while I blend in apperance wise in Israel my Amercian accent immediatly identifies me as a Westener. And so each time I proudly said, mumbled or sang Shabbat Shalom, the local shop keepers eyes would light up and they would say....(every time mind you)..."No more Michael Jackson???" It was like they believed my American accent translated into me being the keeper of all answers to the mystery of Michael Jackson, his life and of course his death. And while I hate to disappoint and love to be an expert on any topic, the truth is that the lady in the first store this morning was the one to tell me the news....right before she tried to set me up with her son.

One Year

2009-06-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

It has been one year since I packed Sherman up and moved to Europe.

Who comes up with these CRAZY ideas??

To Market To Market

2009-05-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday morning I hit the local market. I carry my little "city bag" and load it up with fresh produce. My list this week....

Fruit with quark...

Biobakery treats....

And a husband....

OOPS, I mean bagel sandwich!

But seriously, you can EVEN get a HUSBAND at my market. How great is that!?

Flashback First Date

2009-05-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

After SIX months of spending evenings with my girlfriends and countless chick lit books, I met him... A man worthy of the effort it takes to get a mani/pedi, color, cut and brow wax within 36 hours.

After one trip to my favorite boutique and an evening spent in Saks with Erika, it was offical... I was ready for my FIRST date as a single girl and on a plane to NYC!

Weekends a la Villa Horowitz

2009-05-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

Love Love Love This

2009-05-02T03:41:00.000-07:00

My Baby

2009-04-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Season Six

2009-04-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

Remember Carrie Bradshaw in the Oscar de la Renta dress?

Flashback

2009-04-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Vancouver 2007 with Erika. This is where my love story began. Tim and I met on my last night in the city.
I miss those shoes!!!

But not the braces...

I Miss This

2009-04-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

Honest Mothers

2009-04-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight on the train I met a nice family from North Carolina. The mother was so excited about my life. Her words were, enjoy this time because before you know it you will be married with four kids. Her eyes said, these are the days you will remember.

I can picture myself on the street outside the very house I sit in now. Ten maybe twenty years older, surrounded by children. I am pointing up to the beautiful stained glass winter garden windows. These are good days.

Happy Birthday Tine

2009-03-31T10:36:00.001-07:00

If you were living a dream life and moved to a new city, you would of course meet the perfect group of girls to hang out with. In my dream life Tine is the leader of the pack. She uses her cute little German/English speaking and kissing and laughing self to organize everything you could ever want or need in a big city. Roof-top yoga, spa days, party after party and wonderful nights in... If only she would start reminding me to wear make-up! (See the photo above)

Happy Birthday to you Tine, you truly are the life of the party and a dream of a friend.

P.S. I am excited for yoga tomorrow and dinner on Tuesday... And I could hardly work today after seeing out new Summer roof-top hang out...

XOXO

Yve

Ski Switzerland

2009-03-30T11:23:00.001-07:00

Final Score: SIX days on the slopes and ZERO injuries.

Slumber Party

2009-03-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

I'll be on the couch!

Luck

2009-03-04T10:06:00.001-08:00

Today someone called me lucky. I guess I am. But to be honest I have had my jaw and my heart broken.

I spent six years earning two degress and a few more working in an office without a window.

Is anyone feeling bad for me yet?

Now everything seems perfect. But then it always does from the outside. The lucky part is that I can relax. I can smile and laugh. I can stay out late or spend the day in my pajamas. The lucky part of my life is that I am living it. Oh and let's be honest, winter is OVER!!!!

Spring has arrived and we are fast friends. We seem to have the same fashion sense... Oh the ideas I have. I love you closet. Can you even imagine how much better it is about to get? OK, I am lucky... AAHH, thank goodness it all worked out so well. Now I am going to sleep. Waking up on March 1st is like magic. The birds are singing and the sun (which I was convinced had moved to Arizona for good) is shining. And I can wear anything I want...

Magic

2009-03-01T03:40:00.000-08:00

After the prince asked me to be his bride and gave me the sparkly ring came the next suprise. I can have the wedding anywhere I want. He spends hours showing me castles and beautiful ballrooms. The problem? I don't know where it should be? London? Germany? Scottsdale? Italy? Austria? If you could have your dream wedding anywhere....where would it be?

Celebration

2009-02-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

I so wish my ring was showing!!!!

I Believe In

2009-02-16T00:55:00.000-08:00

Fairytales...
And Diamond Rings...

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T03:31:00.000-08:00

I was out on my couch this morning feeling sad. I was wondering how long this would last and what I could do to make it go away. Then I remembered that Tim was sleeping in the other room. I crept through the dark flat and opened the bedroom door. I walked to the side of the bed he was on, lifted his arm and squeezed in next to him for a snuggle. I was warm, safe and asleep immediately. When I woke hours later the world looked better.

What a View!

2009-02-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

The view from my office window. Thanks boys!

Cool Kids

2009-02-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

This is me pretending to be cool. When I grow up, I want to be European.

Ciao Bella

2009-02-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the fun memories Naples...

TROUBLE

2009-01-24T04:08:00.000-08:00

Coco is coming for the summer. I can't wait.

Mine, Mine, All Mine

2009-01-19T00:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Tim uttered four words that everyone has an opinion on. "Let's move in together." My opinion on the topic? Totally mixed. I have lived with somone before and it was wonderful; but now I live alone and it is kind of my thing. I love having wardrobes full of MY clothes. I love having the washing machine to myself, pink pillows on the couch and a sideboard filled with my workout clothes instead of dishes. I love having bookselves filled with boots and cluthes. I am sure I could keep all of those things if Tim were to move in; but what frightens me is his stuff coming into my space. Seriously I did give him a basket in the bathroom and a section of one of my wardrobes! But that might not totally count because I took the wardrobe space back after a few months.

The problem is not his taste or the style of his stuff, it is just the sheer amount. He has so many books and dvds and cds and clothes and ski gear and bikes and a grand piano! The amount of stuff this man has is probaly normal but I am an extreme minimilist. I do not buy cds (Itunes, thank you very much). I do not buy dvds; who wants to watch a movie more than once and they just take up room. Room that I need to be empty.

The man I lived with before had the same philosophy on stuff. We did not buy anything except clothes and kitchen items that would fit in out cabinets. All books were given away after reading. Photos, music and paperwork were kept digitally only. And so when we broke up, we very easily divided up our megear amount of stuff. Tim's stuff is another story. I fear his stuff would take over and grow and mutliply. It is like a third roomate.

I totally thought I had bought myself another year or two of living alone with the proclamation of my ugly rug addiction. But no, not even that could scare the man off.

Bye Bye Brown

2009-01-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with these rugs. Which is totally crazy since I spent the first 10 years of my adult life surrounded in a sea of brown, tan and cream. Now I just need to pick a few to add to my perfect little girly flat. Poor Tim... Any ideas on which ones to pick?

AtOne

2009-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

Oh how I miss AtOne Yoga. I just attended a German Yoga class and it had none of the essential addicting elements. There were no sweating feet on slipping yoga mats. No handstands and blarring music. No cramming 50 people into a small 90F studio and then losing yourself into the music and ryhmatic flow of energy. And of course this class was sans hot tattooed instructors with Southern accents and tanned skin.

These daily sessions of bending and strengting both mind and body were such an important part of my daily routine in Phoenix. The time spent at the studio was mine to be selfish and recover and build a new life.

Next week I will try a new studio and hope to find my balance and flow in this new home I am creating.

Me at Lunch

2009-01-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

Me: I got honked at today by a tractor driver.

The Guys: Are you sure?

Me: Yes, I a swear. And the best part was that I was totally covered up. I had a hat, gloves, scarf, big huge jacket and winter boots.

The Guys: And you got honked at by a guy on a tractor?

Me: YES!

Oh, hey do snow plows look like tractors...all big and yellow?

The Guys: Yes. And did you have a Starbucks??

Me: Umm..yeah, it was a snow plow and he was probably admiring my hot cup of coffee.

The Guys: Yep...

Comfort and Joy

2009-01-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

The BEST part of a new city....

The FRIENDS waiting there for you.

Two Years and Counting

2009-01-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

So now it has been two years and I am fine. Really, seriously fine like the whole broken heart bit never happened. When did I get better? I don't know... Like every challenge I have taken, I was too busy enjoying the process to notice. And now it has been two years and the pain is gone. It would be nice to know exactly how long it took so I could make a little calendar for my next friend with a broken heart. One of those daily rip a page off kind. It could have a task for the day. Something like, invite a friend to yoga...a good workout and one hour when you will not feel crazy or cry (452 days to go). Or buy a new book...reading is a much better midnight activity than text messaging your ex (435 days to go).

Tea Party

2009-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Further proof of Sherman's full recovery.

For all of you that are getting bored of dog photos, I will be traveling again soon. You will just love where I am going...

And good thing it will be warm there (hint). My jacket is broken. Seriously, it is negative 12 here and I had it zipped way up to my chin and then nothing. The zipper would not budge. So, I started to panic and then I had the brilliant idea to pull the thing off over my head. Not as simple as it sounds. Also, about half-way I changed my mind and decided the chance of smothering myself with the big thick cashmere scarf wraped around my neck was too great. And what a way to die right? Remember I live alone and this was all happening in my flur (translation...foyer). AAHH, by the time I wrestled the thing off I had a huge red mark on my forhead from the aforementioned zipper.

Bliss

2009-01-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

This just happens to be my best mail day EVER! Thank you Amazon. You are the giver of much joy. I should have started sending myself care packages months ago. In fact I am tempted to publish my address just so I can get more crap TV show DVDs and decorating magazines, English only please. Just kidding. But seriously, you might not hear from me for awhile. I have already spent the entire night binging on season one of the Real Housewives; which happens to be a totally entertaining show. Come on, I can't be the only one who loves it. There are four seasons! During the crap TV marathon (first episiode) I flipped through all four magazines. Forget the whole savor business from my earlier post. Then I broke into the workout DVDs. The yoga was perfect so I decided to forge on with the 30 day shred. Now I can barely move (seriously it hurts to type) and I am pretty sure I am in trouble with Mrs. Mehren, my downstairs neighbor. Is it rude to do jumping jacks in a 100 year old creaky house?

And how is Sherman, you ask? Barking his ears off at me as we speak....

Roommates

2009-01-05T13:26:00.001-08:00

I am going to buy an expensive pair of boots. I have been visiting them for days. They live in a little shop on Willienstrasse. But I can just picture them as my new roomates. I think we would be a perfect match. How do they look, you ask? Black and sleek...but a little rough. The leather is pinched just enough to differentiate them from all the other smooth finishes out there. It is more about what I just know they will feel like when I slip them on. I have already been introduced to expensive boots and I don't think it will be easy to explain what it feels like to slide your feet into these pieces of artwork. They glide past your foot and ankle and grab onto your claves like a perfectly smooth and confident man's handshake. Not too tight but enough to make you meet his eyes as you feel the corners of your mouth turn up. Then there is the way you feel strutting around town with these indulgent fabrics supporting and protecting you as you make your way. You meet the eyes of each man passing you and smile confidently at the women admiring your style. Best of all, when you pass a mirror you stare for an extra second trying to place the familiar looking girl in the glass... Oh yeah, that is me in my dream world...boots included.

Round Two

2009-01-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

What we love...
A beautiful winter view

and a nap in front of an old radiator.

Nesting

2009-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

I just did this! I am an accountant; which means I have zero decorating skills. However, I am really enjoying making my old European villa a cozy home. This doorway was closed off sometime over the past 100 years, resulting in a wierd closed off doorway in my dressing room. I have been dying to turn it into a shoe rack. With Sherman sick all weekend, I had a perfect excuse to miss a few dinner parties and make this beauty.

Poor Shermie

2009-01-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Sherman has been sick all weekend.

Nurse Ellie is on call...

I Love This Story!!

2009-01-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

A year ago I cried because I was alone.

Now I savor my time alone.

A lot has changed in a year. I can't wait to write the next chapter...

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, with love from Germany.

Kids

2009-01-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

These kids are in my living room! Now I feel like the rest of the world.... The youngest threw up on my couch and then they left.

Wondering What Was in the Bag?

2008-12-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

7 PM

2008-12-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

It is 19:00 (7 PM) and very dark out. Not to mention 5 degrees (40 F). I really need and want to start running everyday. But seriously it is dark out and cold! I was planning to go to the yoga studio but it is closed for two weeks! And finally, I could do a home workout video, right? Oh boy this is the best part. After an hour spent looking through Saturn (the German Best Buy), the only dvd I found in English was Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease. Seriously?!?! The three volume set includes one actual workout titled, "fit to stip". Not that I bought it or anything...

Then there is the problem of jelly beans. This is a battle I have been fighting for the past 15 years. Seriously, who still eats jelly beans at my age?

OK, I think I convinced myself to go for a run...

More London Photos

2008-12-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

London Tower Bridge
Buckingham Palace

Covenant Garden

More exciting than my kitchen, right? Although, right now it is 10 PM and what am I doing? Making pasta. I think I need some new really easy meals to make.

Oh, and how much are we loving the "winter" coat? Seriously, who wants to walk around wrapped in a blanket. Although I must admit, it seems totally normal to me now. I just realized how ugly these coats are when I saw the photo.

Cooking

2008-12-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

I have been cooking a bit. So far I can boil water and melt a little butter for pasta. I keep thinking I am going to start a fire by leaving the pasta box on the stove. I just checked; it is a safe foot away from the flame.

Mr. Elliot Scott

2008-12-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

What a life!

London

2008-12-14T21:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday Morning

2008-12-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday mornings are always the same around here, packing.

What I am packing....

What I wish I was packing....

Maybe if I taxi everywhere?

The Truth

2008-12-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

Winter is so mean. No, actually winter is beautiful and kind and exciting and fills me with child-like enery each snow filled morning. But fall is such a tease that it makes a beautiful woman like winter seem like a lot of work. Fall with her carefree tempatures that allow you to forget your coat or bundle up with a purple scarf just because you had an extra five minutes to accessorize. Fall with her store windows full of boots and coats that you just know you will look smashing in for months to come. Fall that is crisp and orange and filled with the promise of a glam winter wordrobe that will check the bill of you finally becoming a true sophisticated woman. It was fall that I put my flip flops away for. Fall that I traded my heels into flats for. FALL that I spent all my money on boots for!!!!! And now she is gone. And will she ever even come back? Can spring take her place? Surely my boots will look great in spring I tell myself as I pull on my "winter" boots and zip up my "winter" coat.

Not His Type

2008-12-03T10:53:00.001-08:00

Not his type. That is what one of my friends said to me today. Right before he asked me for the third time in ten minutes if I was intrested in going on a date, having an office romance or both. My answer was consistent....No. That is until the third time when he added the interesting tid bit about me and what "type" I was. Well he did not say what type I was, but he sure seemed to have a opinion. That is what was so interesting to me. REally interesting let me tell you. Which is unfortunate on two accounts. First, I was at work under a pile of audit reports and looming deadlines which were beginning to suffer even futher now that I was distracted and interested. And second, he finally had my attention and thus control of the interaction. I like to be in charge especially....well, always. So I asked him for details about me. I mean seriously, why would I ask this guy who barely knows me to tell me about myself. Yet I did, matched his three atempts before I finally got the guy to crack. I think I might have even had to mention something about how I would go on a date with him if a: we did not work together b: he did not have a girlfriend (classy, huh?) and c: he could explain in excrutiating detail (ok just explain) what "type" I am. This is what I got, "It is you and it is hot and all but guys pay for things for you and that is a total turn off." WHAT?!?! How can what someone else does make me a type?! He continued (without prodding this time) digging the hole which would seal the fate of us never going on a date had one of us (him) gotten fired, dumped his girlfriend and sent all of the snow pilled up on the roof of my car to freeze the place of no angels, that he liked how I was independent and took care of myself and all but just would never buy a girl a plane ticket or pay for two dinners in a row. And that is when I got it. It was about him, not me. OK, well maybe it was a little bit about me and I did ask right? And the warning label was there although in my defense it takes some time to translate , "If you are not interested in me than it is irrelevent" into the true meaning....brace yourself, this might hurt. But the truth always does, or usually does. Sometimes hurts? What do they say? Anyway, it did hurt. So I decided to thank him and move on. Wondering where to send my mail from now on? (Which seriously don't you think the Egypt pics are comment worthy? There are only one of the 7 wonders of the world and all! I am getting tempted to post some old shots of the grand canyon just to see if 2/7 of the world's wonders would be comment worthy.) OK, I am not. But I bet the man who received my invitation to share a pizza after work, "since I still owe him dinner and all" is wondering what "type" of girl I am. Not that I am asking!!! Thank you very much...

Umm....SNOW

2008-12-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

After wondering for a few minutes how I was ever going to get to the office; I called a taxi. So the day was a success, one resourceful beginning and a wonderful walk home through the snow with my new friend B.

What You Don't Know...

2008-12-01T12:14:00.001-08:00

1. I throw up on planes. Great for a girl who pretends to be a jet setter.
2. I am hearing impaired. You can not tell unless I do. However, I am and it makes walking in traffic, talking on the phone, ordering in a loud restaurant and working difficult. But don't feel sorry for me....I am fine.
3. I passed the CPA Exam on my first try. Most people need a little practice.
4. I had braces at 26. Not to straighten my teeth but because I broke my jaw surfing.
5. I have completed 1 full marathon and 6 half marathons.
6. I have traveled the world alone and never driven a rental car. Too afraid!
7. If I was not a CPA I would be a tax attorney or a dolphin trainer.
8. I am horriable swimmer. (Which explains why I am not a dolphin trainer!) My last apartment had a roof top pool. I dreamed of being a graceful after work swimmer. It never happened.
9. Sherman wakes me up in the middle of the night on a regular basis.
10. I had a big phone fight with a girl a few months ago. I thought she might have won. Now I know I did.
11. My family calls me Yvie.
12. I will spend any amount of money on something that I love. But I only buy things that I love. I hate clutter and am a fierce believer in the concept of fashion amortization. Hence the Rolex, but no trendy costume jewlery.
13. I worked as a nanny while I was a student.
I4. I usually have no clue what I am doing and am comfortable with that.
15. I can speak Spanish and am learning German.
16. I am deathly afraid of skiing, but keep taking lessons.
17. I have a beautiful new mercedes but take the bus. I love the freedom of being able to just hop on and off without parking or planning ahead.
18. I was a perfectionist and control freak until my perfect life spun out of control.

Running Pals

2008-11-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

I am training for a marathon in Paris in the Spring. I have been a runner for years but my usual marathon training pals are back in the states. So these days Sherman and Ellie come along for the ride. The other day when we got to the woods I let them both off the leash. First Ellie turned around and started running home! Seriously everyone was laughing at us. But finally we were off and running smoothly along the trail. We had a good 30 minute stretch where I was enjoying the music and the orange leaves above our heads and below our feet. Then Sherman took off. I chased him uphill for a good five minutes. Later in the run I let him off the leash again. People are changing around here these days.

Wondering Where I Have Been?

2008-11-29T03:08:00.001-08:00

Easy....I am Trying to Mend a Broken Heart Over Here!

2008-11-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

I got my feelings hurt today. I will spare you the details. If only I knew the graceful way (the perfect way) to react to hurt feelings. I did react. Was that "right" or not? Why do I care. I think it is fine. I mean who cares anyway. I had the hurt feelings and I did not want to carry them around forever. So why not share them with the guilty party.

My Flat in Europe

2008-11-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

A Brand New Day!

2008-11-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

Today I got my flat cleaned!!! As if that was not enough, I have hired a dog walker. She will take the boys out while I am at work. I decided it was finally time to ask for a bit of help. Now, I will post pics of the snazzy new flat.

Last week I was sitting on the couch with my boyfriend (yep, I've got one! ) and I asked him if this was how he pictured me in Europe. His response was "kind of". When I asked him to give some details. He said he pictured some things different. Like my flat; which he pictured much cleaner!!! :-) In my defense I travel A LOT and I have anemia.

I actually just returned from a week long business trip in Switzerland. It was beautiful and it snowed!!! Yes, I have some pictures.

Best Friends

2008-10-21T09:35:00.001-07:00

These are mine.

Time

2008-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I woke up yesterday and realized that i am living my dream life. Eveything is not perfect but it is what I would pick for myself. I am not sure how I got here but I am proud of myself for not giving up or settleing along the way.

A year ago I was suffering from a broken heart. I can remember just wanting to "get better". I constantly harrased my friends, neghbors and complete strangers for advice on how to make my sadness go away and return to my normal life and self. Everyone gave me the same response, "time". Time, time, time. It just takes time. If another person would have told me this whole time business I probably would have cired or laughed or screamed. I just could not believe that by just doing nothing and allowing myself to stay in this sad sleepless nightmare that my life would magically change into one of the chick lit stories I was reading in the middle of my tearful sleepless nights. Also, this was my first breakup and being a bit of a perfectionist I needed details on time. How much time would it take? How do I know if my time is here? Am I progessing though a breakup in the correct amount of time? And my favorite, how do I make it take less time?

Now it has been a year and I am "all better". In addition to being "better", I am different. I am more patient (you should have seen me before), relaxed and balanced. I have fallen in love with yoga and decorated my first home. I have traveled the world and moved overseas. I have become independent and trusting. I have learned how to ski, become comfortable asking for help and forgoten the past.

I spend more time with my family and friends. I allow myself time to just do nothing. I spend more time in the park with my dogs. As I was filling up my days trying to speed up time I found a way to slow down and become better. I am greatful for the time when my heart was broken to pieces because although the pieces of the puzzle looked pretty good from a distance, they were not right up close. Now I have taken the time to put the pieces back together myself. I like this version of the puzzle; it fits and is beautiful.

American Sunday Night

2008-10-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

I bought a TV. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the first one I have ever purchased. And after months of the only English I hear being CNN in hotel rooms; I was ready for a day on the couch with some DVDs. So it looks great and I am enjoying watching DVDs of crap tv shows and eating Ben and Jerry's ice cream. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday night in my flat above the orange leaves.

Prague

2008-10-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend in Prague. Yes, those are PICTURES!!!!! Amazing, I know. I bought a new camera today and finally got my home internet connection working.

Funny, if you are not me!

2008-10-11T08:29:00.001-07:00

Sherman was barking at me like crazy. I was telling him over and over again to "stop, I already feed you 2 cans of dog food this morning!" The solution to the barking problem was not the third can of dog food that I gave him!!!! AAHH!!!!

Tired

2008-10-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

Well I hate to complain, but I have been tired for weeks. Not normal tired. Tired like I can sleep for 12 hours and still feel exhausted. Now I can only walk around for a few minutes without resting. I am really hoping I don't have mono. I should have the results from my labs on Monday.

On a brighter note, I spent last weekend in Prauge. It was beautiful and the weekend before that I took my mom to Paris. She was here visiting me for two weeks. The week before that I was working in Naples, Italy. That was a great time. I guess it is no wonder that I am tired.

aaahh...

2008-09-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am alive! And even more importantly, I am happy. I love it here. I finally feel like my life is moving at the right pace and in the correct direction. I have struggled with this a lot of the past couple or years. Actually most of my adult life I have felt that things were moving too fast or towards a dead end. Now I can relax and breath (even when I am not in a yoga studio). I am in the right place and each day is exciting and exactly how it should be.

I am not sure why I had to move across the world to get my balance back....but I did and it worked.

I have been taking pictures and I will post them soon... I have already been to Norway, Munich and Hamburg. In the next couple of months I will visit Italy, France, Prauge, Switzerland and Egypt. The boys (Sherman and Ellie) stay at a dog kennel that is on a little farm. Sherman gets so excited about the chickens.

Going Away Party!

2008-05-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

I promise to start blogging again as soon as I am all packed up and moved. I leave in 3 weeks and you would not believe how many things you have to take care of before you move overseas. It has been very exciting and time consuming. I also promise to post a ton of pictures from my new city.

My parents are making me a going away party. If anyone is interested in going, please send me your e-mails. The party will be on May 31st at 7PM. I saw that Natalie posted a similar blog entry about her baby shower. Sorry, I missed it! I read the post after the shower had taken place. The pictures were great...

Moving...Again!

2008-04-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

I just accepted a job offer in Europe. I am moving in June!!!

My New Place

2008-03-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

I LOVE it! Enough said...

Kids

2008-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

After looking at Easter blogs for the past few minutes, I decided I must be the only person in the world without kids. KIDS, plural... How did everyone have time to have three or four children?? And how are we old enough to have kids that are 9 years old???

My Poor Little Ear

2008-03-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like I should have been blogging for the past few years, and now I need to get all caught up. So one thing that is very important to me and each day of my life is my ear. Readers Digest version of the story, I got hurt surfing and now I am deaf. Not completely...well completely on my right side. Good thing we are born with two ears. However, we are born with two ears because you NEED two. Each day I face not being able to order in a noisy restaurant, and people giving me dirty looks because they think I am ignoring them....when actually I did not even hear them.... Anyway, I have had four surgeries and the three surgeons who have operated on me have run out of options. So for now, I am deaf....just on the right side. People get used to it. My friends always let me sit on the inside of the booth at restaurants and my wonderful running pals have a fancy little figure eight we do at each dead end in the path....allowing me to seamlessly loop to the outside right edge of the group and keep up with the conversation. I don't really mind it now that I am used to it. I forget most of the time until I notice someone looking at me waiting for an answer to a question I did not hear. I usually just nod and hope I am getting what I intended....or at least not something weird and expensive. OK, readers digest did not really happen..... The important thing here is that I am a nicer person because of my hearing impairment. The accident and injury are a part of me, not just something that happend to me.

I Sold It!!!!

2008-03-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

I just accepted an offer for the house I wrote about in my blog yesterday!!! These are some of my favorite pictures taken at the house....when it was my home. Don't worry, my new place is better....very different but a much better fit for me. This place was great for lizard hunting...so Sherman will miss it, but he likes the city and having a view.

My Home

2008-03-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

My house has offically been on the market for one year. Not only has it been on the market, but it has been empty. It is so stressful. Each month I pay the mortgage and my new house expenses and get so stressed out thinking it will never end. I lived in this house for six years and it was my first home. It was really difficult to make the decison to move out. Now I just want to sell the place and get on with my future. I feel like I can not move on officially until this place is sold. I am praying for a miracle.

Power Yoga

2008-03-19T20:40:00.001-07:00

I just attended my first power yoga class. It was difficult and hot. They turn the room up to 90 degrees!! I only go because I am so jealous of all the people who can do handstands and crazy arm balance poses. They make it look so easy...and it is NOT! I can do everything put the inversion poses. I can barely do the crow....and I broke my jaw (surfing...not in yoga class) so I just know that when I do fall, my poor little face will just break apart again. But I really am jealous...so I will keep going.

My Florist

2008-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I just went to lunch at a restaurant that I have only been to a couple of times, over four years ago. This restaurant is in a neighborhood that I never go to...the avenues and I am stick to the streets...being an East valley girl at heart. Anyway, I was obviously in a very random location. My lunch date was a friend that I have known since kindergarten. She is one of the people who knows me best in the world. Then the weirdest thing happened, my next door neighbor walked in. And I live in a high rise building....so picture a hotel and we have hotel rooms next to each other. I know who he is dating (she was with him), I know he goes to work at 7 AM and he wears blue scrubs (we share an elevator) and that he loves to eat takeout pizza from dive Italian restaurants and works out without his glasses on the elliptical trainer three times a week. OK, so now I am thinking....if I know this much about this guy (although strangely enough....I can't recall his name) imagine what he would tell you about me!! So now I am in the random restaurant with one of my best friends and neighbor....and in walks my BROTHER!!! Seriously....how weird! So here I am surrounded by three people who know more about me than anyone else in the world....and I am sitting down at the computer wondering who I am and what I have to write today? Maybe I should have asked them.... Or maybe not....since that is one of my favorite parts of being single; finding out what my life looks like when I am the only one making the decisions.

Directions...

2008-03-15T18:39:00.001-07:00

I just realized that the things I often feel like I need a break from are the same things I miss the most when they are gone. For instance, 6 AM Saturday morning long runs. During running season I get into a routine of drinking extra water and going to bed early on Friday nights, but always think that what I really need is a break from my routine. Well I have had over a month without a single early morning Saturday run and today I realized that it is what I am missing. It is the reason I feel a bit off. Probably the reason my jeans are a little tight too! This happens with people too, especially people you are dating. Sometimes a little alone time sounds so wonderful. Then after a week or so, you end up wanting nothing more than that same person to come home. The weird part is that I never seem to see this coming. In fact, I don't think you can predict this feeling....you just have to relax and go with how you feel. Then when you realize you were heading in the wrong direction, you can adjust your path with the confidence that you are making the correct decision.

A Year of Travel

2008-03-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

I am excited to have a place to capture and share all of my travels. This past year....I was recovering from a broken heart. I have always loved to travel....and so I decided that would be a great way to get on with my life. My plan did not really work...but I have some amazing pictures to share!! By the way, a broken heart follows you wherever you go. But as everyone has told me (at least ten times)...time does heal all.

Ten years....Two dogs

2008-03-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

I was invited to view a friend's blog yesterday. After spending more time than I would like to admit (this is addicting) looking at pictures of my old friends' new children...I decided it was my turn to start a blog. At first I was not sure what I could possibly write about...but I am sure I have something to say. I do not have children, although I would love to someday. I just need to meet their dad first! I have spent the past ten years either in school or pursuing my career. I am a CPA and I work a lot. I love having a career and being able to travel and spend time with my friends. This is my first year living alone...and I love it....and I have found the perfect spot for me and my boys....two min pins...Sherman and Elliot. I will post pictures; as soon as I figure out how! If anyone reads this....please give me some tips on how this works and what I need to do to give my blog some personality.