The Season of Thanks

The Season of Thanks

The holiday season is hands-down my favorite time of year - this coming from someone who detests cold weather and lack of daylight. For a six week period the cold and darkness don't matter when the streets become aglow with twinkling festive lights, and people stop to think and reflect on the year they are about to leave behind. 

For Americans, the season kicks off with giving thanks. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Who doesn't love a holiday dedicated to black Friday shopping deals family/friends, food and thankfulness. It's a non-religious holiday that everyone gets to participate it. Something amazing happens when you're gathered around a table with people who you love and you stop to think about what it is that you are grateful for. 

This year I get to have my cake and eat it too. Last night I held my 2nd (annual) Thanksgiving for my colleagues, and this week I head to the US to celebrate with my family and see my friends. I had 20 colleagues this year, making it the most elaborate dinner party I've held in my 30 years.

I battled Tom the turkey during the day, and am pleased to report the second turkey I've cooked in my life was a succss, which I consider a huge feat considering the size of my tiny Dutch oven...

It was an amazing night, thanks to the help and support of the group. One of my weaknesses is that I don't always ask for help. Well, actually, I never ask for help. I don't want to burden anyone with my problems when people have so many of their own. But the older I get, the more I realize there is no shame is asking for it. (I can see people who have been telling me that for years rolling their eyes as they read this!)

Anyway, I'm truly thankful for finally coming to that conclusion, because there's no way I could have pulled off last night alone! From lending tables and chairs, to cooking a second turkey, and many amazing other sides to helping clean up, I have nothing but gratitude for this amazing group of colleagues. We all made last night happen! 

We counted there were 9 nationalities at the table: French, Italian, Dutch, American, Turkish, Mexican, Latvian, Belgian, South African. How amazing is that? Like last year, I instituted the traditional Thanksgiving game of "say what you're thankful for," to which I was again met with looks of skepticism and horror. I'm pleased to share that by the end of dinner, everyone had [happily?] shared :-) It's one of those moments living abroad where cultural differences really shine through. 

The menu was plentiful, the stories hilarious (what comes out at the Thanksgiving table, stays at the Thanksgiving table!), and the company fantastic. 

And this sweet bunch even got me a few amazing gifts as a thank you for hosting:

So, what am I thankful for this year? Besides my new Thanksgiving TOMS? 

There's a play I saw a few years ago in NY called "Love, Loss and What I wore," based on the book by the same title. Over the course of 90 minutes four ladies of all different ages recall the highlights and lowlights of their lives up until the current moment, and of course, what they were wearing at the time.

Why mention this? Because I feel like I could write my own version of the play based on this year alone. The truth is, this year was really tough - deaths in the family that will forever leave a void, extremely challenging moments at work, failed relationships, and all the crazy effects stress has on the body. 

But this year was also amazing at the same time. I celebrated my 30th birthday (about 5 times in 4 different countries), deepend friendships here in Amsterdam with people who I would now consider family, traveled to - I can't even count how many - new countries/cities, got to go the US 8 times in 12 months to see family and friends (a little nuts on that one!), received so many of my wonderful friends here in Amsterdam, got to celebrate the weddings of close friends and the births of friends' children, and - did I mention - I am still living the amazing city of Amsterdam!!! 

You might still be asking...what is it that you're thankful for? I guess when I really think about, it's all of the above. The good and the bad. The bad makes us stronger, the good makes us smile as we work hard to overcome the bad.

While I wouldn't wish any of the bad things I've experienced this year on anyone, I do hope this holiday season people take time to do a little reflection of their own. Only then do you realize what it is you are grateful for. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season! 

FALLing in Love with Slovenia

FALLing in Love with Slovenia 

When I mentioned to people I was gong to Slovenia, 75% of the time I was met with ‘why?’ But that other 25%, they knew exactly why. 

I booked the trip with two girlfriends - Jenna and Megan - what seems like ages ago. And after what a rough week at work, on Friday morning we were on our way. 

We arrived in the capital city of Ljubljana just after noon and headed into the old city. Most old cities have small pedestrian areas in the city center, but the  but whole old city is off-limits to cars, which makes it a pedestrian and cyclists’ paradise.

Across Europe this weekend we had the most gorgeous Indian summer weather, so we grabbed a table outside overlooking the river and sat for lunch. With the sun blazing down on our backs, it was a picture perfect way to begin the weekend.

Next up: an afternoon walking tour of the city. Free walking tours have become my favorite thing to do when first arriving in a new city. Not only does it help orient you, it gives you just enough background and history to make you feel like you have gotten to know a place and also helps identify what you want to come back to on your own. 

Our tour did not disappoint. It was the perfect length - 2 hours - and we hit all the hotspots:

Prešeren Square

 


Triple Bridge 

Dragon Bridge 

Central Market 

Congress Square

Robba Fountain 

Ljubljana University 

And saw several other historic and beautiful sites 

Friday night we found a delicious Italian restaurant right in the heart of town. Fun fact: Slovenia borders Italy, so not only is there a high population of Italians living there, the Italian food is AMAZING! And the wine scene? Phenomenal. Local Slovenian wine is high in quality and low in quantity, which is why they aren’t exact the most well known for their wines.

On Friday night we scoped out the local bar scene and settled on a local beer bar along the riverbanks. 

On Saturday we slept in and found a cute cafe for breakfast. We then began the small trek up to Ljubljana Castle, meandering through the quaint shops in the old town along the way. 

Aside from Italian food, Slovenia is well-known for fresh fish, so a visit to the fish market was most definitely in the cards. We shared freshly grilled octopus, devoured amazing salmon soup and tried the famous Slovenian orange wine for lunch part 1.

Our next moving was a relaxing boat cruise down the scenic and calm Ljubljanica River. The fall foliage along the way made for an excellent accessory on this bright, sunny fall day. 

And then it was time for lunch part 2. We just had to try the local specialty - Štruklji. This is a dumpling like food that comes in both savory and sweet varieties. We tried a mushroom and chestnut for the savory and a banana chocolate for the sweet. We chose very well! 

Our bellies full, we rushed off to the open-air produce market to stock up on goodies for our hike the next day. Fresh plums, large avocados, sweet tomatoes, delicious peaches and more! We even popped into a honey specialty store to get a honey spread. Another fun fact: Slovenia is known for honey. When in Rome! 

Our last stop before dinner for the day was a wine tasting at a local wine purveyor. He pulled up a table and three chairs for us so we could watch as the people went by. We tried a red, white and the local orange. 

Our plan for Sunday was to hit the road early, pick up a rental car and head to Lake Bled. If you visit Slovenia, this is a MUST! It totally made the trip. 

Lake Bled is about 45 mins from the city, and a quick and easy drive...well, for Jenna, who was the only one who volunteered to drive. 

We made a pit stop at Vintgar Gorge. It’s about a mile-long hike where each twist and turn led to an even more scenic view. We started on the trail shortly after 9am, so still benefited from the crisp morning mountain air. 

After our successful hike we piled back in the car to drive to our first Lake Bled location - Bled Castle. Pro tip: avoid climbing up the castle and take the path that leads behind the castle to go around and up. We followed a deserted trail until we reach the most stunning views. We then set up shop here for our picnic lunch.

Well, we thought these were the views. Just you wait.

As we drove along the lake, we stopped at the different look-out points as the views got better and better.

Then we came to Mala Osojnica - a steep (and I mean steeeeep) climb. Up we went! 

I cannot recommend Slovenia more highly! The food was delicious, people are super friendly, city sites plentiful and the nature, well, the pictures just don’t even do it justice. You’ll just have to take my word for it ;-)

Until next time...