Europe Revisited

While perusing old photos today, it dawned on me how much I actually miss traveling around Europe. I miss the old world-ness of all the places we visited, the sights and sounds of people walking along the cobblestone paths and the quick tongued French, Italian and German languages being thrown back and forth. Regardless of how small or large the city, there was always a warmth emanating from narrow alley ways, giving you a sense of mystery and wonderment of where they may lead.

I love being in the US. I love finally being able to cook food I am accustomed to and knowing where to find grocery basics to whip up a quick dessert. It is enjoyable to me to know if I go to a restaurant, what I can expect from its food and not have to worry whether I will end up with "girolles" in my meal because I cannot remember what "girolles" means. Travel is quick and easy by car virtually anywhere and I can find great deals on hotels. There is always a gym within a 20 miles radius and if you are not speaking English, you are a minority.

Shock and sadness overwhelmed me this morning, not because I will never have the opportunities I did during my year in France because I will, but because I took all of our travels for granted and I didn't do and see as much as I should have. When I return to Europe, I will be a little older, a little less carefree and a little more money conscious. Looking at these photos, reminds me of what a great life we had in Europe and how lucky we were to experience what many people can only hope and dream.

Overlooking Nice

Milan, Italy

Lake Como, Italy

Paris at New Year's Eve

Munich Germany at Oktoberfest

Zurich

Do you need a knife for that bread?

For those of you who know me, I have become quite the planner the last few years. I plan everything right down to the last "what if." It can drive everyone batty at times but what if you feel sick in the middle of vacation or you make a mess of your clean white shirt within 5 minutes time? What if we randomly decide to pick up fresh fruit from the farmers market and want it now?? (I have a knife and a container for that)! I like well thought out, well planned ideas and I find it difficult to jump in the car and go without a reasonable amount of planning.
Thursday I "accidentally" booked a one night stay in a hotel an hour from where we wanted to be in Cape Cod. "Accidentally" because never in my dreams could I fathom Priceline accepting my bid of $80 for a weekend stay in a Marriott so close to Cape Cod. You know how sometimes you just like to try just to say you exhausted all options and too bad but maybe next time... well I already planned out in my mind a leisurely stay in the Albany area with dinner and a movie Friday night, a long Saturday wandering through the farmer's market in Saratoga and lunch at the little Mexican restaurant on Broadway. Maybe take in some of the world famous Saratoga horse racing and cap off the weekend with a Sunday movie-a-thon. Oh well. We went to Cape Cod for fun in the sun, the sea at our feet and.. SAND in my freshly prepared salsa (there's my travel-a-long knife and container coming in handy!).. yum!. The afternoon was gorgeous, we were too busy enjoying the highway for over 2 hours stuck in traffic (so much for that great $80 deal!) to bask in the morning sunlight.
All in all, while the trip turned out perfect, I am a planner, I like things to go the way I have already thought them out. I like to be prepared and know the outcome. I like the feeling of being in control.

Maybe a cupcake will make it all better...

I have always loved the excitement of traveling. As a child, we were constantly going on family trips; camping, hiking and generally making our way through all the 4 corners of the US and in between so I was destined to continue on as an adult with travels to always find someplace new, a different perspective on how others live their lives. I never imagined myself trapesing all over the world though, from country to country making a home for myself but it has been a wonderful experience, if not a bit challenging and exhausting at times to be away from everything I know, I like, I can relate to... Many people will never understand how difficult it is to not have the familiar things nearby though, to constantly adjust your mindset to the metric system, to try to figure out how to go about substituting your favorites for the not so greats, having to completely relearn where to find the best deals at the best times and never being on the same page as all your friends and family because you are hours out of the way, out of sight, out of mind. Though some of these things may be petty, the culmination of it all is enough to push the most relaxed person over the edge.
Well, we are definitely moving to the UK at the end of our New York/Schenectady rotation and while I always knew it was a strong possibility, I always held out a little hope for 6 more months in the US, 6 more months of knowing my way around, of being able to fly off easily and cheaply to destinations I am familiar with, more time with my family and the time to talk to friends in the same time zone, more time to go to the grocery store and know exactly what they will carry and what I can make with it. More time in general before we permanently move out of the United States. I never realized I would be this sad. I thought we would have more time and I would be able to establish friendships with people who speak the same language as myself (we will move to Turkey 6 months after we arrive in the UK), who don't think its weird when I say "ya'll" or who are always up for finding great Mexican food.
Traveling is a truly wonderful opportunity and I try to soak in as much as I possibly can from everywhere I go and I will never forget the memories I made in each place (with almost 6,700 pictures over the past 3 years I better not!). If it weren't for my best friend and the most wonderful boyfriend (he wanted to surprise me with crepes this morning for breakfast..unfortunately I was already awake but he made them anyway!) holding my hand every step of the way I do not think I could give up all the luxuries I enjoy by being in the familiar. So, everyone get excited! We are moving to the UK, an hour away from London! It will be fun, it will be excitement, it will be a walking city (Hello! New shoes and smaller clothes!). It will be an experience of a lifetime (tons of cheap flights through EasyJet and RyanAir to great European destinations!) and it will be one I am both saddened and happy to take.

Now, time to indulge my emotions and devour the last cupcake.

Tastes like summer.. The beginning of summer cupcakes!

So we have been back in the US for over 2 months now and its been quite a whirlwind. Unpacking, repacking, driving long distances and short and losing luggage, all the exciting things of life! I am finally getting settled in Glenville, NY..a short distance between Saratoga Springs and Albany and am completely shocked at the humid weather we are having! I try to stay indoors as much as possible partly because the moving sidewalk in Denver's airport and I had a bit of an altercation... (the sidewalk won and two weeks later I still have two beautiful blue-purple reminders on both my knees) and mostly because its so humid I mistakened it for Louisiana one day and had to run back inside and try to wake myself up from this miserable dream!
So all traveling and cleaning aside, I am working on baking beautiful and surprising cupcakes. Blogging and cupcakes seem to be the one constant I can do with all this moving around! Everyone likes cakes and sweets no matter what country they are from or language they may speak! With the help of "What's New, Cupcake?" I am becoming inspired and trying to reach into my creative side! So far I have created the Charcoal Cupcakes from "What's New, Cupcake?" (People were left scratching their head as to why I sent them photos of hamburger meat until I finally wondered what was up a few days later, why had no one emailed to say how cool they were??), Ice Cream Cone cupcakes I saw while watching Cupcake Wars and yesterday I made chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow creme filling, green icing and "wind turbines" made from chocolate for the topper for a lunch my boyfriend had at GE today. Now that I am conquering "grass," I am excited to see what else I can do...
I am having a bit of trouble with homemade frosting, mine always tastes like a stick of butter with a little sugar in it, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can start baking every week, that is if I can get my boyfriend past the embarrassment of carrying a cupcake carrier to the office everyday! If anyone has any suggestions on a more "masculine" way to get the cupcakes into the office and in front of those sweet-craving GE employees, please let me know.