Concluding 2012...

Luxembourg

Okay, okay, I know, I know, I’ve been seriously slacking on this whole blog thing.  Instead of calling me a blogging failure however, let’s put our euphemistic socks on and say I’m saving both you and me time AND energy by blogging not monthly, not quarterly, but YES, only TWO times per year. That’s TWO times for the price of one, and now with this special offer you will also receive.....sorry, silliness is the only way I will get through this blog post in one mental piece/peace.

Regardless of the whys behind the absence, I now find myself with the very daunting task of updating you on the last six months, which have been epic. I would be lying if I said I remember even half the occurrences at this point. As such, I will be referring to my handy (and oh so dandy) iPhone camera roll to remind me when we were where, why we were there and who we were with.

Since I am an organized (okay, maybe partially anal-retentive) ‘category’ girl, for whom new office supplies and organizational devices bring great joy and expansive bursts of energy, I will continue forth thusly...with categories.

Ahem....

TRAVEL

There’s simply no other place to start. If travel was what we wanted when we moved to Europe, then travel is what we GOT. In spades (and hearts and diamonds and clubs for that matter). I went to 16 countries in 2012 and Jeff went to roughly the same, though the exact countries differ. 

Strasbourg, France

Since June I’ve been on business trips to Washington D.C., Melbourne, Australia, and Doha, Qatar. Jeff and I have traveled to Berchtesgaden Bavaria (See fun and quick video here: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=e3gECsmObbk), Austria, Latvia, and a bunch of big and little cities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France. At much risk to life and limb, Jeff and Mathew “The Maff” Wilkins explored an abandoned former Soviet nuclear missile/tank base near Berlin. I also went back to Oregon for a few weeks in the summer and Jeff made a trip to California for his sister’s wedding in October (congrats Meghan and Nick!). 

Our friend Sommer came to visit and she and Jeff went to Estonia and Finland together, Jeff’s sister Meghan and brother-in-law Nick came to visit for part of their honeymoon, Jeff’s Aunt Linzel and her friend Jo came to visit after that, and to wrap up the year, Jeff’s Dad John and his step-mom Susan are now here for the holidays. We spent Christmas in Switzerland touring the Alps, and are now back in Germany with day trips planned all over western Europe.

Now...you may have noticed that most of the above visitors are on the McBride side of the family.  C’mon Knox/Gilbert/Goodman clan...PONY UP!!!

The ease of travel in Europe is still one of my favorite things about living here. It’s easy and cheap to get everywhere.  I imagine the rest of our remaining years in Europe will be just as traveled.  2013 is already shaping up to be another Doozy. See you here?

WORK

Doha, Qatar

Is still work. My department has been restructured for 2013. What effect that will have is still unknown, but I do have hope things will change for the better in the areas of leadership, organization and strategic planning (imagine that). Sadly, one of my best mates here in Germany has moved on to bigger and better things, so she leaves our team at work a little smaller and a lot drearier. The absence may provide me an opportunity for a promotion in 2013, but I would still rather have her on our team and in Bonn. Kaylois, you will be MOST missed. I still visit your empty office daily...RIP La’ Wonda. In good news, work IS providing quite a lot of travel opportunities, so I can’t complain too much or very loudly before Jeff bops me on the head and reminds me how good we have it.  And...he’s right.

Jeff is still working primarily for Copan, the Italian medical supply company. He finished a couple big videos for them in the end of 2012 (Check them out here http://vimeo.com/44525460 and here http://vimeo.com/55965348) While he didn’t travel to Italy as much in the later part of this year, his work load was steady without being taxing. By taxing I mean more than 10 hours a week. Jeff heartily believes in a life/life balance.

SCHOOL

Switzerland

I completed my 1st class towards an MSc in Strategic Public Relations from Stirling University in Scotland, and have just started my 2nd class.  Going back to school has been like going back to the gym after a long absence. Lots of reteaching the muscles how to work properly, followed by muscle pains and a lot of complaining. Thankfully this program is designed for professionals who have been in the field for awhile, so they were kind in the first class. AP-style-citation-say-wa?  So far it is A LOT of theory, which I’m struggling with, but I know is necessary. Just seven more classes and one dissertation to go.

(Warning...shmoop alert!)

At this point I MUST give a BIG shout out to my wonderful, fantastic, magical hubby who has been so supportive.  Most nights I come home from work and dinner is ready or being cooked, the house is clean, the laundry is done, and there’s food in the fridge. It’s such a luxury to not have to worry about anything but study. Thanks hun. You are a rock star and I couldn’t do this without you. 

(Okay, shmoop done)

OTHER

La Roche en Ardenne, Belgium

As Kaylois up and left her posse in Bonn, we decided to nick her fantastic flat.  As of 1 February, we will have a new place to call home. While we do NOT look forward to the move, we DO look forward to more space, an adult-sized fridge, two balconies, a real kitchen and a washing machine. Sayonara laundromat...sayOnara. Photos coming after the move.

Overall, things with the McBride clan in Germany are positive. It’s hard to believe we’ve been here for 15 months already.  We still don’t speak German, we still have some issues with culture shock and irritability on occasion, and I still dream of eventually living in warmer climes, but all in all, life is gut. COME VISIT!!!

I’ll endeavor to keep up the posting a bit more regularly in 2013, but I do depend on inspiration, which has been in short supply with work and study.  Perhaps next time I’ll just post my latest MSc essay...that is SURE to make you stop reading ;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR and all our best for a fantastic 2013.

Love and hugs,

Jeff and Hillary