Angel

Last week was really tough on us. After Shannon's passing, Jason went back to the States to be with Dakota while I stayed here since I had friends coming out on Friday for Oktoberfest in Munich. I was super excited that I had friends coming to visit but I was so torn up about going home. I wanted to honor Shannon (and of course to be with Dakota) by being at the funeral but my friends had bought their tickets 9 months ago and I didn't want to back out on them. Jason and I finally made the decision that I would stay. The three days before my friends arrived, I didn't get any sleep. I couldn't imagine how her parent's must have felt, or Dakota. The last time we were in town, Shannon spent so much time with us- lunches, dinners, boating on the 4th, sleeping over my parent's house. I really grew to love her and was almost certain she would become my daughter-in-law one day. I went through my wedding pictures and she was in the background of nearly every photo. Maybe it's God's way of telling us that we will always have an angel watching over us.

My Heart Hurts

Today was a very rough day for our family, especially for my stepson Dakota. His sweet girlfriend, Shannon, went to be with the Lord last night. I ask you to please keep Dakota and our family in your prayers at this time. She was such a beautiful person inside and out and will be sorely missed by us all.

Dakota, I love you like my own son and wish I could be home to give you a big squeeze and to support you during this difficult time. I can't imagine what you are feeling but just know that we will ALWAYS be here for you no matter what! Love you and miss you!!

RIP Sweet Girl!! XOXO





Die Salzburger Businesslauf 2011 6k

Several months ago, some people at Jason's office were talking about the business run that his company competes in every year--Die Salzburger Businesslauf . It consists of about 1000 teams of 3 (for those that can't do math, 3000 runners total). When we first heard about it, we decided that we both wanted to run. Jason had even made a bet with one of the guys, as to who could run faster. The winner would win a keg of beer. Typical Austria for ya!

Fast forward to two months before the race. As usual, something came up and Jason couldn't make the business run after all, since he would be traveling in Asia for work. Since I don't know the people in his company all that well and hadn't really trained, I told him to cancel for me as well.

Fast forward to the day before the race. I receive a phone call from Barbara, from his office. She asked what time I would be at the office before the race and asked me if I wanted to ride with her. Obviously since they didn't cancel me, I sucked it up and told her I would be there around 3:30pm. Mind you, I hadn't been running in a very long time and was super nervous.

The following day was race day. After the initial shock, anger and anxiety, I decided that I had to go through with the race because I didn't want Jason or I to look bad. A commitment is a commitment, right? Plus, the other two people on my team were counting on me (3 people to each team) and would have to forfeit without me. I arrived at the office on time and Barbara and I rode together to the race.

We arrived a bit early so we could get lockers for the girls running (4 girls and 11 guys). This is when I found out how highly competitive this race is. It's not a "fun" race like the Peachtree. They actually care about their times, places and such. Go figure! Everyone was decked out in crazy race gear and I definitely felt out of place (and out of shape).

Lo and behold it was finally race time. As we stood in place, waiting for the count down for our section to start all of the announcements were in German. Before the race began, a mental coach came over the loud speaker and told people to meditate and think of their inner feelings and such. All I kept thinking was "Is this for real? Let's get on with it already!" Before I knew it, they were counting "drei, zwei, eins..." and it was go time!

Now I realize that I didn't train and that I have plantar fasciitis in my feet but I was still very disappointed in my time. I was the last one in for the company. My goal was under 40 minutes (which I thought I could totally beat) and I came in at 40:20. Total disappointment. Now, the only reason I am telling you this is because by publicly announcing this, it will embarrass me and therefore will make me start running again.

My only complaint during the race was that there were no water stations. None. I think this is another reason why I did so poorly. I am one of those people who always runs with a water bottle but figured they would have water stations along the way. No cigar!

After the race, we had to shower and get to dinner and the awards ceremony. This is where Austrians and Americans are very different...

In the locker room there was just one very big shower area (separate locker rooms for men and women, by the way). No one is modest at all and everyone showers right next to someone else. No bathing suit of course (but I totally thought about it!). I guess it wouldn't have been so bad if I knew I wouldn't be seeing them again but I was with some of Jason's female co-workers, which just made it awkward. Needless to say, I've never showered or changed so fast in my life.

After we were finished getting ready, we headed to dinner where the food was plentiful and the beers were flowing. Did I mention how much these people can drink? If races in Atlanta ended like this, I bet I would run more races... just sayin'!

Overall, I had a good time and I am really glad that I ran. You better believe though, that next year I am going to train my hiney off and be well under 40 minutes! :)

Mom's First Visit To Austria

My Mom finally came to visit us in Austria and boy was it a great time! She was here for 10 days and we took full advantage of our time together.

Here was our itinerary that I came up with:
Friday-Sept. 2: Travel to Budapest
Saturday-Sept. 3: Budapest Bike Tour
Sunday-Sept. 4: Budapest then travel to Salzburg
Monday-Sept. 5: Castle/Monchberg/St. Peter's Cathedral, Cemetary then dinner with the girls
Tuesday-Sept. 6: Sound of Music Tour/tobogganing
Wednesday-Sept.: 7 Lake Konigsee then movie night
Thursday-Sept. 8: Mirabell garden/market then Geisberg then movie at theatre and out for drinks
Friday-Sept. 9: Hallstatt
Saturday-Sept. 10: Travel to Munich and visit the clock
Sunday-Sept. 11: Mom Departs from Munich

I had such a wonderful time showing my Mom around our stomping ground. After our trip to Budapest, Jason had to fly to Asia for work for two weeks so it was also nice to have some company too.

I can't wait to have more family and friends come visit us. I love it!! :)

Memories I'll never forget: Flower gelato, tabogganing, taking pictures in areas you were not allowed to, syphilis physalis, HUGE pretzels, the Rosenheim festival, Jack following Mom everywhere, schnitzel, holy schnapps, karaoke, and so much more. Memories that I will never forget!!

I love you Mom and am so happy you took the time to come visit us. I can't wait until next time!! :)

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning That Septemeber Day?

September 11, 2001. I will never forget. I mean, how could I or anyone else in the world? That was the day that I realized the world is no longer a safe place. I was completely engrossed in the TV and heartbroken that someone could do this to MY country.

That morning started out like any other. I was in 11th grade at Chattahoochee. I was talking in the hall with a friend and was running late to class (surprise, surprise since I'm such a talker). I remember running into Mrs. Johnson's Spanish 2 class after the bell, thinking I was going to get in trouble for being late. I ran to my seat, sat down and noticed a TV in the front of the room with everyone's eyes glued to it. I was excited because we never had movie day in Spanish. I asked my neighbor what movie was playing and she looked at me with tears in her eyes and told me that it wasn't a movie and that we were watching live coverage of a plane that had just hit the World Trade Center. As we all watched in disbelief, several moments later we witnessed the second place hit tower 2. I was in disbelief. The rest of the day was a blur as we moved from class to class after each ring of the bell. We walked into class, sat in front of the TV, and cried. When I got home from school, I immediately turned on the TV. As much as the coverage saddened and angered me, I just couldn't turn it off. I remember being really mad that I had to go to work that night because I didn't want to miss any of the news. I was not disappointed when no one came in the restaurant that night and I got sent home early. It's truly a day that I will never forget.

As you all know, today is the 10th anniversary of that very day. Where does the time go? This year, as I sit in another country that is my temporary residence, I am so very proud to be an AMERICAN. I am so thankful to all of the troops who sacrifice their lives each and every day (especially my cousin Derek and step-daughter Kaitlyn) so that we can be FREE. Although this is a very sad day--especially for those that lost their family and friends and their sense of security--this is also a day that we will forever stand together and be proud.

So I ask you, where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

GOD BLESS AMERICA!! <3

MIA

Sorry I have been MIA. My Mom has been visiting us in Austria and we have been on the go. I promise to post real soon. For now, enjoy these pics...




















We've been having a blast! :)

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Location:Gemeindestiege,Hallstatt,Austria