Coffee and blog

Coffee and blog

I'm rubbing the sleep from my eyes and drinking a cup of hot, strong, American drip coffee.  I don't usually run right to my computer upon awakening, although I will admit that I sometimes have to force myself not to (dang email and Facebook addiction).  This morning, though, I feel an overwhelming desire to sit and write a bit.  It is Sunday and it is a holiday weekend, which means I was off yesterday, I'm off today, and I have all day tomorrow to myself as well.  All is leisurely....

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#1 City, #1 Thought

#1 City, #1 Thought

Vienna Tops World's Best Cities Survey It would almost be silly of me to NOT post this story with an accompanying..."see, THIS is why we want to move to Vienna!!!"  wouldn't it.  But, really, what I love about it something a little different.   What I love is that a friend posted this link on my Facebook page before I even saw it this morning.  A friend that I don't even see or speak with that often.  Which means that there are people out there, people outside my family...

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Translate This

Translate This

I love Google Chrome. I haven't always loved Google Chrome.  I've been a devoted Firefox user for years and I will admit to using Internet Explorer, but only on the job because many of my work-related reports don't function properly in Firefox. I've never imagined myself professing my love for a browser.  Or a technology.  Or anything computer-related, really.  It's always there and it helps me get through my day, but my emotions don't get particularly piqued by technologies...

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The Turning Point

The Turning Point

Yup, she did it again!  For those who have been reading An American Girl for a bit, you'll know that this is the second layout change I've made since the blog's creation.  And for those of you who have recently found me, there's my admission ~ this is the second layout change I've made since the blog's creation! WHY, you ask?  Or, maybe you don't really care, but I'm going to explain anyway.  It'll make me feel better. As interesting and colorful as the most recent layout was,...

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Down, but not quite out

Down, but not quite out

Please forgive the radio silence.  I suppose it should be "blog silence" but that doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? I may have avoided jet lag, but I got someone's stinky cold.  I've been making it through work each day this week, but mornings and evenings are no longer periods of motivation, creativity or productivity.  More like periods of hacking and sneezing, sniffling and sleeping.  But not writing.  Not blogging.  Lots of thinking, though.  My...

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No Comparison

No Comparison

One of my readers made a great comment to the last post about not judging a new environment by a set of norms based on another place (thank you, Michelle). Hard to do, for sure, but she has a very good point. The whole point of moving, for me, is to experience a different culture, a non-US culture, to take myself out of the environment in which I've lived for 30 some-odd years and try something new.  I will undoubtedly fall back on making comparisons at times but the goal is to recognize...

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An American Girl's Impressions of Vienna

An American Girl's Impressions of Vienna

Okay, so here's the quick and dirty ~ a few impressions of Vienna to be expounded upon in upcoming days, but something to get the complex, swirling, morphing thoughts and feelings about the city and the move out of my head and onto "paper."   Truth is, it wasn't love at first sight.  I didn't LOVE Vienna the way I was hoping to LOVE Vienna.  I never had the "This is THE city for me and feels like home already" experience that would have made the decision to move there a no-brainer....

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Back in the U.S.A.

Back in the U.S.A.

16 hours of travel, several planes and trains (but no automobiles), and we're back in California.  It's good to be home because I'm exhausted and ready to sit still for a few days, but it is also sad to be home because I/we were just getting the hang of Vienna when it was time to turn around and come back. You'll forgive me for not writing much this evening.  I have to force myself to stay up for another couple hours to go to bed at regular California bedtime, but my brain isn't functioning...

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Politeness, Pudding, Pubs and a Prime Minister

Politeness, Pudding, Pubs and a Prime Minister

A few observations thus far.... Politeness ~ "Lovely, thank you."  With the exception of one rather rude sales clerk at the local Sainsbury's grocery, the British have been the epitome of politeness.  In the shops, in restaurants...driving.  Who knew that people gave way rather than blocking, waved you on rather than making other, not so friendly, hand gestures.  It's just lovely.  And that word, "lovely."  It's always been a favorite of mine and I've heard it more...

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Ready to go!

Ready to go!

....ready to go!  Auf Wiedersehen, everyo...

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Meet up in Vienna - details

Meet up in Vienna - details

Well, today is the big day!  Some final cleaning, packing, saying goodbye to the kitties and we're off across the pond!  England is the first stop and then, Hello Wien! And for any and all of you who would like to meet and greet ~ the day/time/location has been set (and thank you to those who helped). Sunday ~ May 9, 2:00 - 4:00 at the MuseumsQuartier Main Entrance (or 14:00 - 16:00, whichever is the right way to write it).  In front of the gift shop ~ vis a vis...

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To blog or not to blog....

To blog or not to blog....

that is the question.   I haven't yet decided if I'll be blogging while on our trip, but I have decided to not make the decision until I'm there.  If it makes sense, if it fits in the flow of things, I shall.  If it becomes a task with that "must do" air about it, I shan't. Truth is, I'm hoping for the former.  I'm hoping that there is a natural break, a natural down-time for reflecting, writing, sharing the experience.  I love reading about other people's experiences...

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