But I don't wanna go back to reality!

The honeymoon, as predicted, was paradise.  The food was great, it was very relaxing, we only looked at the clock for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It was wonderful getting that time with my husband without any of the every day distractions.  Even schoolwork was at a minimum, because I took my finals ahead of time.

I will post a couple of pictures here, but plan on writing more about this magical place over time.  It really was fantastic, and I suggest to anyone that can to take a honeymoon, late or not, because I never knew how good this special time together could truly be.

The view during our daily swim.

Our home for the week.

The perfect end to each day.

Blizzard Blog Hop!

Hi!  I am so excited to do the Blizzard Blog Hop!  Thanks for stopping by.  My name is Kristen, and this is my blog!

I am newly married to my husband, Joel, who I met while working in Germany, where I have lived for the past (almost seven years.  He is in the United States Air Force, and because of him, I will (sadly) be leaving Germany this summer.  I don’t know where yet, but we should find out next month!

I love to travel, read, and experience, well…life!  I have become a wine lover since moving to Germany, and even went after a degree in History due to my fascination of all of the traveling I have done.  I am starting to try and do the domestic thing, often trying new recipes out and testing them on my friends.  So far so good!

I also have a love of animals.  I have a wonderful old pug named Pugsley who I adopted when I lived back in my hometown in Indiana, and a cat who thinks he’s a dog named Jaeger, thanks to my new home in Germany.  They act like real life brothers, and I just love them to pieces.  I hope to add a new doggy baby to my family once I move back to the good ole USA.  I also plan on starting my Master’s in Education, as I hope to teach Special Education.  My sister is special needs, and I have always felt sort of called to help more in that area.  I think teaching just might be it!

I am just a down home Hoosier that tries to make the best out of life.  I am pretty casual, very silly at times, and very loyal!  It was very nice to "meet" all of you!

I've got...two tickets to Paradise!

No, seriously.  I do.  I am leaving for my dream honeymoon tomorrow!  So, sorry in advance for the lack of posting for a week, but I hope you stick with me, because I think that the pictures will be worth it!

We are going to the Maldives.  If you have no idea where this is, please google it.  It is amazingly beautiful, at least in pictures.  Think "Couples Retreat."

What makes it more paradise than the scenery is that for a whole week, I will not have to set an alarm, or in fact even look at my watch.  I have no phone calls that I have to wait for, or errands that need run.  I will have no papers due or finals to study for.  For one whole week, all I will need to worry about is being with my husband on our private bungalow on the beach.  Nothing else will matter.  And to me, THAT is paradise!

A Christmas story, Part II

Happy New Year!  Yes, I realize that this isn't the New Year's post (yet!) but, I wanted to finish up Christmas, and I realized that if I skip the posts that I want to do, well...I never really get back to doing them.  Bad blogger!

Anyways, Christmas was great!  I really enjoyed spending our first Christmas as a married couple in our house together.  In keeping with my Christmas traditions this year, versus Joel's last year, I cooked a big Christmas Eve dinner consisting of a honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, sweet rolls, homemade mac and cheese, and veggies.  I always snack on cheese and crackers throughout the day while I am cooking, eat dinner, and then open presents...and this year was great fun.  My family is German, so that is why we keep with the Christmas Eve gift tradition.  I don't think Joel was *too* disappointed.

(Joel and his new iTouch!)

Christmas day was a mixture of traditions.  Joel's parents always do a big spread of bagels, meats, and cheeses for Christmas day.  Whereas the Midwestern family I had cooked a big fatty, yummy breakfast with pancakes, eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy.  So, we compromised and had breakfast in our jammy jams (courtesy of my traditions) and had pancakes and bagels.  Definitely a win-win!

On 26 January we took a trip with my Goddaughter and her parents, who are close friends of mine, and we headed to Strasbourg, France for their Christmas market.  While the gluhwein wasn't as good, it was a beautiful market where we came away with many French Christmas items!

(Me freezing in France)

(The church overlooking the market)