2 weeks in Germany

David and I have been in Germany almost 2 weeks.  After a brief return home fromStockholm, we are back in Europe to do preliminary casting for the upcoming Oberhausen production of DD.  It's funny to think that for the last 5 years, we have visited Germany almost once a year, and have already lived in 2 cities.  Who would've thought!  (Sadly, our German has not improved much...)  Last week was packed -- we arrived in Oberhausen, worked 2 days, then traveled by train to Hamburg (which took 8 hours instead of the usual 3 because of track problems); we spent 2 days in Hamburg, and then we went onto Berlin for 48 hours (again, by train), then returning for Hamburg for the final week.  Lots of train travels!

Although exhausted, we enjoyed our time in Germany.  It's lovely to see our German colleagues and friends again.

I can't seem to upload any photos from here (Hamburg), but shall do -- do check out our food blog, which is more frequently updated and will (eventually) have our eating adventures through Germany.

We fly back to New York this Sunday.
xxxx

David at work in Berlin

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Heading home...

In car from airport to our home in Brooklyn. David is understandably knackered after intense work weeks and a long flight... (But still looking adorable ;)

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Invisalign... bottom tray #24

Tonight I put in Tray #24 out of 24 trays for my bottom teeth.  The last of the trays!  I have now completed my originally prescribed sets of braces trays for both top and bottom rows of my teeth.

My Invisalign journey, of course, is not over yet -- I still have to await my "adjustment aligners," which will arrive (hopefully) in the next few weeks, to fine-tune the progress.  It has almost been a year since I began the Invisalign process.  Although it has not been always pleasant or easy, I am glad I did it and look forward to completing the adjustments... hopefully not too long from now (but it probably will take a while still).

Here is a look at my teeth at Tray #2 -- on 6 March 2010:

Here is a look at my teeth tonight, as I embark on Tray #24 for the bottom row -- 3 February 2011:

Still a bit lop-side-y up close, perhaps, but my teeth look great and I can't believe the difference!

Driving into Stockholm...

In taxi from the airport into Stockholm. Morning. Snow-covered. Trees. Beautiful.
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"Snowcalypse"

There's a van in there somewhere...

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Snow-Ice

Our window. Heavy snow last night, stuck to our window panels and turned to ice!

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And still more snow in NY

Flights are being canceled today. I hope our flight on Saturday will be okay... What a snowy, cold winter we're having!

Happy Australia Day in NY, in very unAustralian weather!

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4-Hour Body Diet

David and I have decided to try the 4-Hour Body.  After his knee surgery, David spent months inactive and in recovery mode.  Now that he is able to move around, he goes to the gym daily.  He has bulked up quite a bit all around, but for the first time since I've known him, he has some stubborn weight he'd like to get off his middle (he has always boasted a super-human metabolism).  I, on the other hand, have always wanted to get rid of/tame my "rice belly" -- a little lower tummy paunch that never seems to go anywhere.  Also, these days with long, full work days, I just can't make it to the gym as much as I should -- I just don't have the energy or the inclination.  Recently I have opted to use hand weights to work arms, do squats on a chair, and do abs on a mat while I watch TV, which at least keeps me doing something everyday.  But I've felt like I need more focus and inspiration that are realistic, manageable, and sustainable.

4-Hour Body approach seems very do-able.  More importantly, the approach seems possible when we work abroad and live in a hotel room, eating out all the time.  It's basically gluten-free eating, but allowing for legumes and requiring a "cheat day" once a week.  Tim Ferris outlines various exercises, but recommends twice weekly is plenty; there are exercises that are easily done in a hotel room.  (Useful since many European hotels do not have a gym -- perhaps access to a nearby fitness center, but who treks in the snow to another location to work out during long work days?  Not me.)  Knowing food, I feel pretty confident that we could dine out, make smart choices, and eat within the guidelines of the approach and still enjoy ourselves.

We're pretty excited to have this focus -- a new challenge, a new perspective, a new way of eating and exercising, that seems realistic, not overwhelming.  I will blog our 4-Hour Body eating on my food(ie) blog, Food, Love, Rock & Roll, so do check in if you're curious about how we are eating for this diet.

We're off to Stockholm in a week!  Good thing there's great fish and vegetables other than potatoes in Sweden.

Rock Band ProDrums

David loves playing on his Rock Band ProDrum set (complete with cymbals).   He is very focused.

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More snow over NY

Beautiful fluffy snowflakes descending, like feathers. A look at Central Park right now...

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy 2011, ladies and gentlemen!  We wish you great health, happiness, joy and laughter this year.

David and I rang in the New Year in our new home  -- it seemed the right and most appealing thing for us to do, and we were right.  We had a lovely evening a deux, reflecting on 2010, appreciating our apartment (THE big event of last year), while we ate and drank very well indeed.  We had a front-row balcony view of the fireworks at midnight around the Statue of Liberty, which was spectacularly memorable.  Unfortunately neither our digital camera nor our mobiles take good fireworks photos... so you'll just have to take our word for it, or pop by for 2012.

We rugged up to ring in 2011 on our balcony, taking in the city views and the fireworks.

This year appears to be busier (perhaps) than last.  We are due to travel to Stockholm at the end of this month for 3 weeks, and plans are in the works for us to be Oberhausen (Germany) shortly thereafter, followed by Hamburg.  Ah, dark winter days in Scandinavia, followed by non-Berlin German cities!  (We confess we are a little biased -- Berlin is one of our favorite cities, Hamburg, not so much.)  It's no vacay in the Caribbean, but we are looking forward to traveling again on the casting, show-creating band wagon.  We have never been to Oberhausen before...... at least we know there is delicious food in Stockholm.

Here's to a fabulous 2011!!!

Blizzard 2010

David and I had a wonderful Christmas weekend in Brooklyn.  Our tree looks lovely in our apartment, against the cityscape backdrop.  For more information of our Christmas feast, please check out Food, Love, Rock & Roll, my food(ie) blog!

Yesterday, New York (and many states) experienced this year's major Nor'easter blizzard.  Luckily we have plenty of leftovers and food at home, so we could just stay indoors and enjoy the view as the city became blanketed in powder white.

Yesterday morning, at the start of the blizzard... snow began mounting quite quickly.

We checked out the empty -- and open -- apartment unit across the hall last night.  Here's David on the balcony... in his big goose down jacket over his pajamas.  The other side of our building was more exposed to the elements due to wind.

The apartment across the hall, this morning.  Look at that pile of snow!

Sunset today.  Snow-covered view.  Beautiful.

Christmas Tree 2010

We have selected our first Christmas tree in Brooklyn!
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Invisalign Lower Tray #20

Invisalign tray #20 for my bottom teeth went in yesterday.  I am still awaiting adjustment trays for the upper teeth.  I have 4 more trays for the bottom teeth (for a total of 24 trays).  Come on 2011, let's make it a year without plastic on teeth!

New Food(ie) Blog

I have begun a food(ie) blog, which is public (as opposed to this blog, which is only for close family and friends and I try to keep private).  This new blog is entirely dedicated cooking, dining, drinking -- food and drink events and happenings in our life.   I will keep this blog for our travels and life, but all food-related thoughts and events will be at the new site.  It's called "food, love, rock & roll" and can be found HERE.

Please check it out!

Wine Loot

David neatly lined up our wine acquisition from the weekend... 38 bottles of wine after hitting 21 vineyards...

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Amazing Dinner

(All this blogging is done via my Blackberry so it's in brief! I shall write more time permitting...)

David and I just ate through a fabulous tasting menu at North Fork Table & Inn. The menu is very seasonal, and we picked the right season to taste... One of the courses featured an incredibly delicate black cabbage, roasted mushroom and parmesan lasagna topped with generous portion of WHITE TRUFFLES freshly shaven at the table by the chef himself.  Amazing!  And all of it, all so delicious.  We are really enjoying our weekend. Xoxo

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This Is What We Like to Call GOOD TIMES

David and I are in the "wine country" of Long Island this weekend.  Our first mini-break in a long while... And we're already having major GOOD TIMES.  Just hit Pindar winery where we bought a case...

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Turkey Meatballs

I made turkey meatballs for the first time the other night, and they turned out fabulously!  Definitely shall become part of the repertoire.  After baking them, I cooked the meatballs for a few more minutes in an arrabiata sauce.  We had the meatballs with a side of sald - no pasta - and were very satisfied.

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