My apologies...

I have been a very bad blogger lately. A couple weeks without a sweaty Saturday post and this post still isn't one. I'm sorry for not writing, but I am not sorry for why I haven't wrote. We've been pretty busy living life that I just hadn't had the time! So, I'm going to rewind in my head and fast forward through the last few weeks for you. This is what has been happening in Hamburg lately:

-Had a cookie decorating afternoon with the ladies and kids

What a spread!

-Horst and Gale came into town, Freezers won their game that night

-Attended a surprise neon-themed birthday party for one of the girls

-Hosted a late Thanksgiving feast for the Scherenbergs (I have no pictures, sadly)

-Worked

-Attended another Freezers win

-Went to Lübeck for some more Christmas market festivities

 

-Went to some German classes, skipped some too

-Took part in some of the Scherenberg family photos, although Bea is making me wait until Christmas to see them! I did get a preview though.

so sweet!

-Freezers won again, Kevin with a goal, team moved into second place

After Kev's goal

-Had some good runs, had some crummy runs, had some average runs

-Went to the Christmas markets downtown again, happened to see a parade while we were there

-Freezers lost and moved back into third place

-Horst and Gale flew back to Canada

-Attended the team Christmas dinner

-Worked some more

-Got our Christmas tree

-Started Christmas shopping way too late

-Did a corny photo shoot with Kev for the paper and was interviewed about my marathon training

"Hamburg's Sportiest Couple: Love, Ice, and Marathon"

-Almost finished Christmas shopping

That is where we are at these days! There have been no hockey games since December 9th and it has been a nice break for the boys. Play resumes on Tuesday at home against Ingolstadt. This week doesn't get any less busier as I have some Christmas things to finish, a girls' Christmas party on Wednesday, and we need to get ready for our next visitors. Kevin's friend from home, Justin, and his girlfriend, Jocelyn will be spending Christmas and New Year's with us and we are very much looking forward to it! I hope your holiday season has been off to a great, stress-free start! Tschüss!!

Happy Thanksgiving

This is an exchange between myself and the only other American girl on the team today. It definitely doesn't seem like Thanksgiving here in our parts! I don't smell the turkey cooking, there is no NFL on our German TV, and I definitely won't be participating in the Black Friday shopping madness (bring it on, cyber Monday!). It does, however, really bother me that some stores are opening as early as 8 p.m. tonight. It was a fun shopping tradition when the stores opened at midnight or later on Friday, but in typical consumer driven American style, we are now allowing the need to find good deals for material things outweigh the importance of a day to spend with our families.

Although it doesn't feel like thanksgiving, I think I should keep the real reason we have Thanksgiving alive and give thanks. A few things I'm thankful for these days:

My family and friends back home: Those that are back in the states and Canada, you know who you are. I think about you often, miss you, am thankful that you're a part of my life, and look forward to seeing you soon! I'm a big fan of the phrase, "It's not goodbye, It's see ya later."

My hockey family and friends: Although this family can change year to year, I am blessed to meet amazing people and with them, celebrate our traditions and share many of life's ups and downs.

My health: Although I am currently battling a congested head, overall I am extremely lucky to have good health and that's something I don't take for granted. 

The Sun: It sounds silly, but living in a city where overcast days seem to be the norm, I am really grateful every time the sun peeks through. I can't think of a better way to start the day than to wake up to the sun shining through the blinds. 

Running: I am thankful for my ability to run and to have running be a part of my life. Even though it frustrates me many times, I am grateful for the times it also allows me to just think and relax.

Technology: While living abroad, things like skype, Facebook, this blog, and smart-phone apps are what keeps me in the loop and in touch with those I miss back home. I love being able to watch my goddaughter grow up by the photos I see on facebook and to be able to constantly message in a group chat with my hometown girlfriends. 

In the midst of eating turkey, drinking wine, and celebrating together, I hope all of you back home are able to take some time to count your blessings and remember what Thanksgiving is really about!

And then get your butts out into the cold and buy lots of stuff. Tschüss!