A few of my favorite things:
My dogs- Lance and Ripley. They are the light of my life. Lance is a 6 year old Weimaraner. He is a nervous, needy, lanky bundle of love. Ripley is a 5 year old Beagle/Lab mix. He is the most easy going, happy go lucky dog. They are currently living with my parents. They would not be happy here in the Philippines. They need space and grass and constant attention. We are so thankful to my parents for providing that for them this year. I miss them everyday.
Tea, as in hot tea with cream and sugar- well 2% milk and truvia- but I do love it with cream and sugar when I'm having tea out at places. I love just having a cup of tea. Granted, I don't have as much now because it is so hot here in the Philippines, but I do still have several cups a week. In fact, I'm having a cup right now. I especially loving having high tea. One of my favorite memories is having high tea in London with my mom and sister at the Savoy.
Running. Running is my release. I'm having a bit of a hard time now with my running and unfortunately that affects every part of my life. I usually would run with my boys but since they are in Alabama that is a no go. I have ran 3 half marathons with my fastest time being 2 hours 7 minutes. I like to run a half every year for my birthday. Crazy, right? It won't happen for 33 but maybe once I get back to the states, I can run one for my half birthday in the fall. I've been running on the treadmill since arriving in the Philippines because its hot and smoggy. After moving into our condo, I've been trying to run outside. Since its been so long since I've really ran, I'm struggling. I just really started running outside again this past week. I have to get up early to beat the heat and the smog and I don't like getting up early.
Traveling. Traveling is one of the greatest things my husband's job has offered us. When we first were told we were moving to Italy, I was nervous and excited. At that point in my life I had already visited 5 foreign countries and knew that I loved traveling. After being in Europe for almost 4 years, I knew there was nothing like traveling. I love visiting foreign places and experiencing other cultures. I feel that is one of the most valuable experiences I've had in all my life. While in Europe, we increased our foreign countries visited to 14 countries. Now, living in the Philippines, we've been blessed again and get to experience another part of the world neither of us have previously visited. I also love that my family comes to visit us where ever we live, though they've politely declined coming to the Philippines. But, not to worry, my mom, sister and I are already planning a trip for next fall :-) I'm grateful to my mother and Opa for instilling in me the love of traveling.
Interesting facts about me:
I'm missing 2 organs- appendix and thyroid. When I was a young teenager my appendix ruptured. When we were living in Germany, I had my thyroid removed. Life has been much better since.
I have the most sensitive skin! I can't change anything up- laundry detergent, dryer sheets, body wash, lotion. Nothing. In fact, I had an allergic reaction to something yesterday :-/ I'm thinking it was the chlorine in the pool- I started swimming laps again :-).
I have lived in 3 foreign countries. Italy twice- once when I was a little thing (my little sister was born there), and again with my husband, Germany and now the Philippines. I try not to compare the places because they are all so different. We've been married 7 years and moved 5 times. I'm a bit overwhelmed and exhausted with moving but the countdown has already begun for the next move. We will move again next year- in less than 9 months.
Other tidbits:
Huge Alabama fan. Graduated with my masters in social work from there in '05 and got to have my graduation ceremony on the football field.
I LOVE my little sister to the moon and back. When we were younger we didn't get along so well. There aren't many things I'm more grateful for than my relationship with her.
I have amazing best friends. Not sure how I would survive all these moves without Addie and Gretchen.
I LOVE food. I used to be a picky eater, not sure how my parents put up with that for so many years. But now, I will try most things. I do draw the line at some things.
Favorite movie is Love Actually and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Favorite book...Can't pick.
Favorite tv shows....Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Criminal Minds. I'm loving Sleepy Hollow and Dracula that just started this season. And my new guilty habits: House Hunters International and Pickers. Plus, I love watching Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern- probably because they combine traveling and food!
WINE! I love wine...all colors, all flavors, unless of course it really isn't good.
Beer- never thought I'd say I like beer but I have Germany to thank for that as well as our time in Monterey. There are some amazing craft breweries in Cali.
Well, I think that's all folks. Unless, any of my friends can point out something that I've missed. We start traveling soon. So, stay tuned :-)
