Summer Vacation

 The view from Camel's Hump in Vermont.

My Summer vacation home. America. I'm three and a half weeks in. I've done a fabulous job, so far, of doing exactly what one is supposed to do on vacation....spoil myself. This is not to imply that I'm not spoiled by my normal life too. (because I certainly am) There is something about this trip home that feels different to me. I think it is family. My family and close friends enrich my life beyond any way that traveling the world and living in exotic places ever could. As you know, I love Germany. I feel incredibly fortunate for my opportunity to live there. My life in Germany has also given me renewed excitement and appreciation for my own homeland. So I have been using this trip as a chance to make the most of my time home. I've been a lot of cool new places, ate at awesome restaurants, and done some fun stuff. I've been wanting to journal more of my experiences as they happen, but just haven't found the time. It's like, I'd rather be living it than writing it. So I think once things settle down, and I get back to my house, I'll go back and write you some stories. I have been taking notes most of the time.

In a couple of days I leave for Bali. This will come after some time spent in Philadelphia with family and a day in Los Angeles with a friend. (The fun never stops!) I will leave you with this anecdote from today...

I found a quarter on the side of the road this morning while I was running. Anyone that knows me knows that I stopped and picked it up. I would have stopped and picked up a penny. I like to call it "pure profit." There I was, just jogging along, and the Universe offered me money for nothing. Never mind its small amount, that is not the point. I think we all know that pennies add up. My husband used to make fun of me for "pure profit" but now he plays the game too. Once, when he was in boot camp, he found $2 in change while sweeping the barracks. Do you know what he did? Shamelessly, he picked it up and bought a Gatorade with it. Gifts from the Universe are everywhere. You just have to keep your eyes and ears peeled my little bananas.

As I picked up the quarter and jogged on I thought about finding money on the side of the road. I thought, "that would never happen in Germany." For starters, there isn't much trash and debris on the roadside. Secondly, I feel like Germans value money more than Americans and if they dropped coins they would pick them up. I've been doing this a lot. Not a day goes by that I don't hear myself say, "We don't have this in Germany" or "In Germany we do it like this" or "Germans say." It probably annoys whomever I'm with, but I'm just excited to share what I'm learning about a new way of life. When I first moved to Germany I did the opposite. I was always comparing Germany to America. Now, I'm in America comparing it to Germany. Isn't that typical? As a human it is so hard to be one place without thinking about another.

It's a New Year

I think there's a saying that goes something like, "How you ring in the new year sets the tone for your year to come." (eloquent I am not)If this is true, my 2012 is going to be awesome. Phil and I are still moving (a.k.a visiting family for the holidays before we go to Germany)We've been so fortunate to be able to spend tons of time with the ones we love. In a few days we will move to the other side of the globe, so it is a significant time to be solidifying these bonds. My favorite thing to do in Phillytown is the Mummer's Parade on J-1. It blows the pants off any New Year's Eve Party in my opinion. Here are a couple of shots I scored at the celebration.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Philadelphia Mummers this shot is an example of the Level 1 Mummer. It's a guy dressed as a girl, with old sneakers spray painted gold. He is more concerned with cans of beer and cigarettes than anything else. The beginnning of the parade is definitely not for sore eyes.

This is a shot of some Level 2 Mummers. They have better costumes and are accompanied by a band.

But the debauchery continues...

Yes, that is a puddle in the middle of the street from you-know-what. The best part is I am standing right next to a cop as I take this shot.

Oh Philadelphia...you are a lovable city.

Here's me, my cousin, and my brother with a pretty respectical Level 3 Mummer. He, at least was chewing gum.

And just so you don't get the wrong impression of the parade; this is an example of one of the nicer floats. I believe they call these guys "The Fancies". The Fancies and The String Bands are the pride of the parade.

After the parade is when the family gatehrs at the local watering hole. In the case of my family it is at St. Steven's Green, located on 17th and Green St. in Philly. It's got a great menu, for food and beer.

This is not the most awesome shot, but I think you get the idea.

Mummer Lovin'

Who is that sexy beast?

He goes by many names...The Miz...Mizzle...The Baby...Cherry

One thing is for sure. He was born to wear velvet.