WTH December?!

Well, I am still alive in kicking in (non-snowy!) Finland! I don't know about ya'll, but I cannot believe that December is already here. Every year just seems to slip by quicker and quicker, and this year was no exception.

I know there is still 29 days left until New Year's, but I am already reflecting on what a wonderful year 2011. I am so very lucky and blessed that I am somehow happier and happier each year. I never take this for granted, and truly appreciate what it means in my life.

2011 was a year of really fun hockey (remember this?!), and of vacations ranging from France to Austria to Latvia (and one more fun one coming up I have to tell you about in a sec). Yes, I realize all those sound like luxurious trips, but those countries are closer to us than some Texas towns are when we are back at home! Also, I realize I am kind of spoiled ;)

It was also a year of new beginnings as we packed up our home in Germany and headed north to Finland. We both had no idea what to expect in Finland, and now I know neither of us can imagine our lives without the fun Finnish adventures we've had thus far.

It has been an amazing year 'meeting' all of you. I really can't stress this enough. I wasn't even blogging this time last year (or technically, hadn't re-started up my blog from 3 years ago). I don't know what 2011 would have been like without all the amazing people I have grown to know and really enjoy in bloggyland. I know, I'm a blogging nerd, but I am proud of it.

And lastly, it was a year of realizations that our home will always be where we make it. While our life doesn't always sound like the easiest to manage, it is what the hubs and I know together. It is ALL we know together.  I honestly can't imagine not living in three countries a year. I think I would get bored! lol. Each new location brings new experiences, new friends and always fun new times.

While the hockey season will always have its ups and downs, we always have each other and a great new country to live in. I am so very thankful for it all.

AND I am very thankful for the kick ass Finnish hockey season schedule. Most other leagues in the world capitalize on the holidays and have games surrounding Christmas Day. It was not unusual in Germany to have a game on December 23rd and then the 26th.  Games at home are often played right on Christmas. The team here has a 18 flippin' day break from games from December 9th to the 27th. While the hubs will still have practice, there are a few consecutive days off right around Christmas. Because of this, we will be having a FELIZ NAVIDAD in BARCELONA!!! EEEE! I am so excited. I'm excited because we have not been to Spain yet. I am excited that we are taking advantage of the break and getting out of town. I'm excited because the weather will be much nicer in Spain than it will be here by that time. AND I might be just a tad excited for wine and tapas :)

Yes please! (source)

Anyone every been to Barcelona? Any tips or suggestions? I'm all ears!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and a smooth ride into December. I'm pretty sure that if I were to have eaten one more bite of Green Bean Casserole, I would have turned into one. Our make-shift American Thanksgiving last weekend was perfect. Even if they non-Americans were wondering why the Sweet Potato Casserole was on the dinner table and not the dessert. They didn't get the whole marshmallows on top thing, haha.

I haven't been great with blogging lately, but I promise to stick around a bit longer. Hope every has a nice start to the weekend, and relax it up a bit!

My Winter Strategy

So, no joke, the sun is currently setting at 3:30 pm. And with a full coverage of clouds all day long, it has been a dreary end to November. I'm so weirded out by how early it gets dark here. We would complain in Texas when it started to get dark around 5:30pm or 6:00pm, but this is a whole 'nother ball game. And we are still a month away from the winter solstice! Sheesh, think I should just go into hibernation now??

Maybe I could build a nest out of blankets and pillows, hmmm... (source)

Actually, I have come up with a sneaky little plan to get the most out of these 'short' days. I'm calling it my "Maximize Winter Days" strategy. Here's how it works. Wake up with the sun, currently around 8:00am, and do everything you need to do in those 'daylight' hours. Daylight is in quotes because it has been mostly gray. Then, around sunset (did I mention this is at 3:30pm!), take a quick little nap. Once you wake up, it will be dark, but the night time will feel so long, it will be like you get two full days in one. So by strategically napping, I feel like I get twice as much time. One full day, and one really long night.

Genius, or detrimental to my health?? Who cares. I'm probably throwing off my inner clock so badly, but oh well. And no, I really don't nap everyday. I can't do that, I've never been a napper. But it's fun to try.

That looks familiar, except no snow, suckers!! (source)

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of the Thanksgiving week! At least those of you in the U.S. We are having a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday after the home game. I am the only American here again, but pretty much make all the imports celebrate it whether they want to or not. Really, though, who can resist turkey and gravy!?!

I've posted a quick, but really neat, video over at Nobody Need Wait, my other neglected blog. It's a cool story about a guy finding a roll of camera film in Central Park and hunting down its owners. Very well done, and I think you will like it.

Have a great holiday (and eat lots of pumpkin pie for me, the one thing I can't get here), or for those non-Thanksgivingers, have a good rest of the week!

Because there aren't enough instances to use 'Capricious'

 Settle in for some random thoughts.

I guess Riga is close enough to Russia for Babushka Dolls (also known as Russian Nesting Dolls, or  Matryoshka Dolls) to be a popular souvenir. Booths lining the streets displayed mass amounts of the wooden keepsakes in every possible shape, size and decor. The hubs thought I was really weird because I was fascinated with the Michael Jackson dolls. Among other random celebrities, like Madonna, Lionel Messi, Bono and The Beatles, MJ's face was quite popular on many of the figurines. Not that I am a huge fan of his or anything, but I just couldn't believe that people would buy this crap.

I wouldn't kid around with something as serious as this. For reals. (source)

Although, I was curious to open one up. I have a theory that the smallest, most inner doll was a tiny little boy. OH! That is so wrong. I went there, I sure did.

Sticking with the cheestastic theme in Riga, the hubs and I went to the corniest/awesomist (a word) Burlesque show in the history of Burlesque shows. Now, I can assure you that this venue, which was more 'cabaret' style than anything, was completely PG. There were dancing girls, some of which were most likely trannies. A magician whose tricks kept going wrong. And not on purpose. A creepster singer, male, who kept eyeing the hubs. I was dying. And this guy, the host for the evening, was by far the most enthusiastic person in the entire Baltic States that evening.

I'm not going to lie, it was one of the more fun nights we've had in a long time. Talk about having the giggles throughout the entire show! If ever in Riga, and down for a different night out, I suggest you check out the newly opened Burlesque. Even if just for a good laugh.

On another note, are 40 year old women serious when they say they can't wait for the new Twilight movie to come out? Is anyone serious when they say this?? Gulp, just felt my followers box get a tad lighter. HA! I ALREADY LOST A TWIHARD TODAY, hahaha. Sorry guys, it's true, I don't get what anyone sees in these movies or books. Sure, Robert Pattinson is a good looking guy, but George Clooney is also a sex symbol, and by no means would I be excited to see the oh-so-horrible Batman and Robin again. Different strokes for different folks, right?! But even if you are a TwiHard, please do yourself a favor and try to refrain from what this granny did to herself. You are not going to believe the picture below.

I really like how the cellulite accents Edwards bone structure. WHO DOES THIS! (source)

And just remembered I had mentioned something about Storytellers this weekend....but I guess that's not going to happen. Next weekend will be crazy with the holiday, so why not say the first weekend in December!? I promise this time!

Last, but certainly not least, is one of my all time favorite videos. My goal in life is to wake every morning and feel half as good as this guy. I cannot get enough of this, and it is so worth the quick one minute watch.

If your Friday didn't start off great, I don't see how you are feeling down after that video!