You Can’t Handle the Truth!

Well…I’m trying to handle it. The time has come for me to say good-bye. I’m sad my European adventures and time with my Love is ending, but I know I was blessed and appreciate the opportunity. We’ve explored so many places within Germany and Europe that we’ve tracked our walks and they totaled approximately 210 miles since January 9. I’ve been pretty proud of our footage. Here’s a recap of the journeys we took over the past 5 months: (Germany) Hattingen, Essen, Monschau, Plettenberg, Bochum, Krefeld-Lynn, Wuppertal, Munster, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund, Kempen, Schloss Burg, Altenberg; (Luxembourg) Luxembourg; (Scotland) Edinburgh, (England) Windsor, (Spain) Roses, Cadaques, Figueres, Barcelona, Girona, Banyoles, Besalu; (Belgium) Brugge; (Holland) Amsterdam, Venlo, Domburg, Zoutelande; (Italy) Lake Garda, Verona, Bologna; and (Sweden) Stockholm, Trosa, Nykoping. I want to thank you all for following us in our travels.

As an update to my “I Got Your Back” post, I haven’t shed my weight like Germany shed the snow, but I haven’t gained either. See how I made that a positive. ;) At the present time, I am unable to sell my condo due to unforeseen matters. Once those unforeseen matters are cleared up, I will put it on the market. For anyone looking for a condo on the south side of Chicago in a historic part of town, and within walking distance to the train, shoot me an email and maybe we can work something out.

At the present time, my Love has not found a teaching position in the U.S. What this means is that he will be coming to the U.S. with me through the month of April for his spring break and student exchange excursion, but will return to Germany in May. I will look for a job, hopefully freelance or within the Chicago downtown area, while he finishes out his school year in Germany. If he still doesn’t have a teaching position in the U.S. by summer, he will come in July during his summer break and then return to Germany at the end of August—another year of separation.

It will be a tough year for us, so I ask you to send good thoughts our way…or a job. LOL! Anyhow, this will be my last post before I leave for the States on Friday. I wish you all a safe and awesome week.

 
Bea, who is looking forward to a shower without a hunched ceiling.

I Got Your Back

My friend, June made this t-shirt for me.

 

Happy New Year! I’m back! We finally arrived in Germany yesterday, but pretty much slept until noon today since our travels lasted 24 hours. During the holidays, I enjoyed my time with family and friends, and now I’m prepared to take on my list of good intentions and challenges this year.

First, I hope to shed weight like part of Germany had shed the snow. Over the past decade, weight seems to top my list, especially since I quit smoking. Hopefully this year it won’t just be an early year want and fade into an end of the year blues. Another challenge is to sell my condo. The real estate market is horrid, and unless I plan on waiting it out for a few years, I’ll be extremely lucky to break even. BUT—I decided to sell and move on. If you’re looking for a condo, or know someone else is looking, just shoot me an email and maybe we can work something out. *smiles and crosses fingers*

Two more huge challenges are for my Love to find a teaching job, or another type of job somewhere in the United States, and for me to get at least ONE of my writings published. We both already started pursuing these challenges, so with a bit of luck something might come out of it. *smiles and crosses toes*

What about you? Are there any big challenges you face this year?

*raises glass* I wish you all a great year. May you keep company with happiness and good health. Remember—when times get tough, there’s always someone out there who’s got your back.

A Fitness Sensation!

After a year and four months of non-smoking along with many extra pounds, I decided to sign up for an after work dance class. In my younger years, I took three years of ballet, two years of jazz and one year of modern dance, and always enjoyed dancing. Well, ballet was a little too structured for me, but it taught me discipline. LOL! Who am I kidding?! I wouldn’t have the extra poundage if I had discipline.

In my quest for the perfect day and time for a dance class, I came across a few listed pole dancing classes. Before you gasp and utter words of disgrace, I must say that pole dancing gets a bad rap by people who haven't tried it. Pole dancing is a combination of dancing and gymnastics performed around a vertical pole. It strengthens and increases flexibility. *wink* It’s become a popular form of fitness, changing the name to “pole fitness,” and many women have purchased their own poles for their homes. You can even find some forms of pole dancing in Cirque du Soleil.

After reading about pole dancing, I decided to sign up for a class starting in September. Okay, stop laughing… I can still hear you laughing. With this extra activity and good eating, I hope to reduce the pounds and strengthen my muscles along with the possibility of finding out I have a little bit of sensuality.

Have a great week!