Monday, March 25, 2013

Has it been a year already?


Oh What a year

One year ago on March 26th, Ryan and I embarked on quite the Journey.
BWI airport

talk about baggage


We packed up our lives in Tampa, said goodbye for now to our friends and family and flew across the pond to Germany.  I remember being a wreck the weekend we flew out.  We were staying with Ryan’s parents and visiting family for a fast and furious sendoff.  Trying to enjoy everything “American” before we left…Starbucks, Mexican, Nordstrom’s and professional sports.  Little did we know what a tricky transition it would be: more so for me then Ryan.


My experience in being a military spouse was minimal at this point.  So the cattle call at the AMC terminal at Baltimore was slightly traumatic.  My identity no longer mattered, I was still trying to memorize Ryan’s social security number as my own, while showing four different types of identification along with our PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders and marriage certificate.  I am surprised they didn’t draw blood and finger print me.  Needless to say, the military rotator plane that flew us to Germany was very nice.  I am flying Lufthansa in a week so I will do a full, unfair comparison at a later time.

Oh hi, will you date me?  Oh hey, will you marry me?  Oh and by the way...let's move to Germany.


I was trying to get inspired to write this blog to think back and reflect as to what I have learned, what I would have done different and what I would/wouldn’t have stressed about so much.  I have summed up a few thoughts.

One…TARGET!!!!  If I knew my selections would be limited to Globus/Cora (not that they are awful…I will get to that), but I fully miss the opportunity to just browse and walk down aisles at Target.  The options of OPI nailpolish colors, the inexpensive yet trendy shoes for great prices, the house ware department and the holiday décor section on permanent display…how can you beat that?  Not to mention the dollar bins up at the front of the store.  Total Awesomeness.

Two…STARBUCKS!!!!  To all you jerks who drank your pumpkin spiced lattes this fall while I was left to the fake stuff over here, when it wasn’t sold out on base…I am still healing and licking my wounds.  Yes, Starbucks is overpriced yuppy coffee, but the point is…it is easily accessible and coffee shops here in our region are NOT!  Coffee is considered as important as dessert, it is a late course in a meal that you have to wrap up the dining experience.  Often served with a cookie packet, creamer (the good stuff), sugar (even better) and a fancy whipped frothy design.  There is no such thing as straight black coffee.  They pride themselves on Mochacinos, Macchiatos, and Milche Café.  Fancy smancy.  My mom and mother-in-law would be in heaven with this experience.  I am more of a get it now and go.  I have a remedy, which I will also share later.

Three…Ease of Communication.  The one thing I was worried about right away was how to “phone home”.  Communication is something I would like to think that I no longer take for granted.  My lapses in it have caused loss of wonderful friendships and I refuse to go down that road again.  However, with the ease of buying cell phones, wifi and such…I have still felt the tension of not communicating as much with the people I love back home.  I hope that I make a good enough effort with phone-calls, postcards, gifts, blogs, emails and streaming.  I know it is hard with the time difference.  With people having busy lives, but I can’t help but think that some people just don’t make the time either.  Kind of annoying to always be the one to do the initiating.  No one is perfect and it requires effort on everyone’s part. 


Yes, I am a total brat for complaining about not having Target, Starbucks and my nearest and dearest friends/family, but I assure you…living here has not been all that bad in the last year.  There have been many journeys, laughs, cries and additions to our life.  I will parallel my top three to the above now so you can see my balance.

One…CORA!!!!  Cora is a French version of a super Target.  It is AWESOME in every way.  Just a short drive over the border…yes, I can drive to a different Country to get groceries…jealous?  You should be.  Cora is a trip in itself.  You walk in and the smell of freshly caught seafood smacks you in the face.  Do not be afraid, it is worth every whiff.  The tea/coffee aisle, the biscuit/cookie aisle, HECK…the butters oh the butters…amazing!!!!!!!  But that is just the tip of the iceberg.  Head back to the bakery, deli and seafood section and you will never look at Meijer (Michigan Grocery Store) the same.  EVER.  Ryan and I bought a lobster (just caught in the Atlantic the day before) and also bought 2lbs of fresh mussels from Holland that were also caught the day before.  FRESH FRESH FRESH.  Fresh salmon, cod, seabass, you name it, they have it.  You can even sample oysters from different regions and countries to see what you prefer.  It makes a Saturday at Costco look like child’s play. 

Thank You Cora!!!  2lbs of fresh mussels from Holland.


Two…WASGAU.  So, Starbucks is out.  The closest legit one is in Heidelberg or Frankfurt Int’l airport.  I am not that obsessed.  Wasgau is a wonderful void filler.  They are a small (on base that is) little coffee and pastry shop.  They have full markets in many villages around us, but I often go to the one in our “mall” since I tutor my students there.  Wasgau makes a mean hot chocolate or caramel macchiato.  They sprinkle real chocolate powder on top and freshly steam milk to a frothy deliciousness.  You can tell it is true chocolate, not oiled down substitute.  I love going there.  I am happy there and relaxed.  There is often a line out the door all day long for their schnitzel sandwiches, their cheese pretzels, donuts and black forest cake slices.  My favorite is a flaky pastry twist stuffed with speck (ham) and cheese and then baked.  melt in your mouth goodness.  They also have donuts with marshmallow frosting and smarty (same is m&m’s) sprinkles on the top.  Starbucks has competition here folks.

Three…HOTEL HYATT.  Ryan knew that when we were taking this assignment that we would very likely be a stopping point for friends and family on their European adventures.  Not as many people have jumped at the opportunity as we thought they might…but while we are still here, the door is open.  We have had friends coming through on deployments who have been able to bypass the base accommodations and been able to sit around the fire pit and relax with us.  Family has come to give European stick-driving lessons, golf-lessons, 
take local volksmarches with us and enjoy the local cuisine.  We hope to have more family come, especially with the delivery and arrival of baby Hyatt in late summer.  Besides being easy to get to for people traveling in Europe, we have also found it very convenient for us to travel from where we live.  People say that the train is the way to go, but we have found many of our trips have been automobile friendly.  We have driven to Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland (twice in a car and once in a bus), Italy by plane, Paris by train and Lichtenstein by fluke.  We hope to drive and take the Chunnel to the UK this spring, which will be quite the adventure.  I also hope to show my parents our Bavarian roots down in Southern Germany when they come over…if I can even move by then.  They may not stamp passports as you travel through European Union Countries, but we have certainly collected enough pictures and memories to make up for that.

We used to have local wildlife...but they seem to have gone "missing."


Ryan and I have always had a crazy unpredictable path in which we travel.  We have been able to balance and ground each other every step of the way.  Giving up control on many things and just accepting our fate toward our future.  We are thankful we have family and friends who support us and our wild endeavors.  We are blessed to learn from each other every day so we can be the best we can be for each other and for our future child. 
Future child is going to be a handful

Ryan's first time driving on autobahn

honeymoon in Lucerne, CH


I am not sure I would go back and change much at this point.  I might lower expectations, be more reasonable on my hopes for a teaching job and stop beating myself up with such a big time of change in my life…New marriage, foreign country, BIG first military move and no job…and let’s throw in a first time baby to raise the bar.  It has been a eye-opening experience that I will never forget. 


Case in point:

I saw the Mona Lisa and about cried.

I watched the Eiffel Tour sparkle on New Year’s Eve with my husband.

I skied the Alps in 4 countries in less then 3 months.

I have taken the Audi on the autobahn at over 150mph.

I met a friend for lunch in France (she was on vacation from the US).

Ryan took me on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy.

Ryan and I were chased by swans on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland on our honeymoon.

We went to Oktoberfest and dressed in traditional garb, drank liters of beer and danced on tables to a German band.





I took a tour of Cinderella's REAL castle.


I got bangs for the first time in two decades.





Mussels and Waffles in Belgium


Had a truly awesome time during wine-fest season...



Dodged five lanes of traffic just like my mom and nana did many years ago.





I have lived in Germany.  That is worth a thousand words right there and I did it in 5 with that sentence.

If you ever get the chance to live abroad…take it.  Know that it won’t be easy, but the adventures and stories you will tell will last a lifetime. 


Tschuss,

Frau Hyatt




Monday, February 18, 2013

Surviving the First Trimester




Girl meets boy.  Girl marries boy.  Girl gets to travel the world with boy.  Oh wait, you thought we would automatically insert…girl gets knocked-up by boy?  No, this is not the case with Ryan and I.  We have spent the last 11 months enjoying the journeys that Europe has provided for us.  Time to learn even more about each other, to tackle life events thrown our way and that goes with a fresh marriage.  After speaking with some friends about the miracle of pregnancy and how lucky of an opportunity it really is, we became more open to the idea of trying sooner rather then later.  One thing I have to say is I don’t like when people ask “Were you trying?”  Kind of personal.  We are mature adults in our 30’s, what do you think?  DUH!  Let’s just say, we wanted to take the pressure/edge off of the whole TRYING, heck, we executed!  Anyways, one thing I do love and probably won’t ever forget is the timing of the whole realization that I was in fact pregnant. 

Ryan and I spent our Christmas down in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, our/MY favorite place in Germany.  After eating like a bird over the fabulous Bavarian meals and feeling different…I had an idea that something was up.  Ryan could even feel my vibe was a little off.  I kept pushing the idea out of my head until we got home the day after Christmas.  I didn’t even unload the car…I ran up the stairs and immediately came back with a positive pregnancy test.  I am so shocked that I didn’t scream with excitement; instead I ran down the stairs and let Ryan know that I forgot one last gift for him.  The ULTIMATE gift!  Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to us.  We both were excited but immediately humble to the thought of it knowing the risks at this point in a pregnancy.  I went the next day and had it confirmed by the lab.  I was 5 weeks pregnant at that point and as I write this I am 8 weeks. (Jan. 19th). 



Ryan and I had our first consultation at the OBGYN that went over our medical history and labs.  The labs were funny because two things happened.  One, I had to get 12 vials of blood drawn which was ridiculous.  Mr. Airmen didn’t double label the vials to take less blood; so instead, I blacked out and threw up all over him, the lab and myself.  Not my finest moment, but that is the only time I have been sick thus far.  Also, I found out that I have never had the chicken pox.  In second grade I missed a field trip to the Hands on Museum in Ann Arbor because my parents thought they spotted the itchy specks all over me…I even thought I had them.  So…anyone with specked kids…stay away from me from now until Sept. 1.  The nurse reassured us that everything from the labs looked fantastic and that we were on the right track.  We still wanted to move forward and get through the infamous first trimester to have a little piece of mind.  We had a wonderful time with the nurse and she was able to answer all of our questions and then some.  We are going to aim to deliver there, but we have the option of the German hospital although rumor has it that they do not look highly on anesthesia.  I want that option…no tree holding for me.  (Inside joke…watch Pregnant In Heels). 




10 Weeks exactly today.

In a week we will have our first ultrasound and full-up appointment.  We will be able to hear the heartbeat and find out the actual size, and a more exact due date.  We are ecstatic.  Ryan has been fabulous… Completely supportive, curious and willing to learn with this whole process.  He has kept me very grounded and yet lifts me up with positive energy.  I couldn’t have picked a better baby-daddy!

A few weeks have passed now and since then Ryan and I have had our first Dr.’s appointment.  There is nothing quite like hearing the sound of your baby’s heartbeat for the first time or seeing the shape of a lima bean.  It happened so fast we both were not even sure what we were seeing or hearing…plus the image did not come out as clear as we hoped.  The 20-week ultra sound is more focused on the appearance of the baby (measurements, limbs, anatomical make-up and so on) and will also be when we find out if we are having a boy or girl.

Later in the week Ryan and I announced to friends about our exciting news.  Ryan played a huge role in the idea for our announcement taking it to a music/rap related style.  It was actually quite catchy and well thought out.  The day after we told friends, we had an extra special thing happen.  A friend of mine administers mammograms to women at the hospital in radiology.  She informed me that I could get a crisper picture of our little one the day I met her for lunch…so I was blessed with a quick additional snap-shot of Lil’ Hyatt that was much more clear.  An unexpected thing happened while I was lying there, and that was seeing the arms actually flutter and the legs kick.  I look forward to the actual feeling of movement in there.    

We continue to remain humble through the next few weeks but are happy that everyone remains healthy now.

We are officially at 3 months yesterday (Feb. 17th) and still feeling good.  People have stated saying that I am slightly showing…I guess I am not aware of it yet or waiting for the big pop to come.  Since the last update, Ryan and I  have had one major Dr.’s appointment.  We elected to do the first trimester screen to look for certain genetic/chromosomal defects that could be seen through ultrasound and blood work and also by age.  The Dr. did not see anything through ultrasound and is confident that all should be fine.  However, we did not expect him to deliver us other news.  While our ultrasound tech (who was wonderful by the way…able to pick up in banter between Ryan and I) detected a mass (fibroid) within my uterine wall.  Asking I had ever seen or known about this before, I responded with a NO!  She said they are very common and typically do not interfere with the pregnancy, but assured us that the Dr. would be in to speak to us about the subject; and he did.  Unbelievably it is the size of a softball and taking up quite a bit of space.  We were informed that it will most likely shrink in size after the pregnancy and should not complicated matters during.  However, if it continues to grow it could cause issues such as preterm labor, affect the placenta and significant pain to me.  It is not surprising that I have one now during pregnancy he said because of the additional hormones in that area.  Between 30-80% of pregnant women have them and most often they are just an annoyance.  Because of the size of this THING, I now am going back to the high risk department of OBGYN to do my 20 week ultrasound (which is when we find out if it is a Lil’ Girl or Lil’ Boy) and they will then take measurements of the fibroid hoping that it will have stayed the same or shrunk.    If it  grows, then I will continue to see them and we will start taking steps to make sure that mama and Lil’ Hyatt are safe and healthy for remainder of pregnancy.  I was a little thrown for all of this, as I just wasn’t expecting it.  It was not end of the world news and all of us to still look good and seem healthy.  In fact, all during the screening ultrasound baby Hyatt was already dancing, crossing it’s legs, being a drama queen with its’ hand over its forehead and many other hilarious things.  At one point the tech had to literally rattle my tummy with the ultrasound wand to probe Lil’ Hyatt who was taking a nap in an inconvenient position.  It is funny to wonder what personalities our offspring will gain from each of us…will it be my stubbornness and positive energy or Ryan’s perseverance and desire to try all things good and bad.  We won’t know until we meet our little addition. 




I hope that you have enjoyed our journey thus far into the ups and downs of this adventure.  We are so excited to see what else comes our way.




Saturday, January 5, 2013

Bonne Annee


Bonne Annee (Happy New Year) from our ICE train (high speed train) to Paris on the morning of NYE 2012-2013.  Ryan and I continued to maximize his minimal work schedule over winter break and headed for Paris.  Every girl dreams of going there, at least many that I know of, so to go with Ryan was that much more special.

We booked a room at the CNA which is the French Officer's Club through their Army.  Ryan stayed there when he was a little boy so it was like taking a step back in history for me.  It is a simple hotel, the rooms aren't super fussy, but it was centrally located and right off the metro stop.  Check out our view of the Eiffel Tower from our window.

While experiencing this vacation, I reflected about the type of traveler I have become.  Once a list maker, itinerary follower...I am now a fly by the seat of your pants and just go with it girl.  I guess I was so happy to just be in the city and absorb the energy of the culture that I didn't feel like I had to be here or there.    Ryan and I remained flexible to all things to see and do...a lot just fell into our lap!  


Les Invalides.  It was a huge piece of property.  The golden dome is where Napoleon was laid to rest.  I hear that it is very immaculate inside.


Ryan at the gate of Les Invalides.

After an early arrival and lugging our bags through the Paris Metro (which was FABULOUS) we decided to rest up for the late night ahead of us.  We strolled to Les Invalides which is the Army/Military museum and home to Napoleon Bonapartes burial chamber.  Although we did not go or return to visit it as we had planned (maybe in the spring), it was still a beautiful landscape.  One thing I have heard about the French, is that they take great pride in the cemetaries/memorials of all soldiers from WWI and WWII wars.  

After walking around there, we strolled down toward the Seine and found ourselves near the Grand Palace and the Louvre.  It was so beautiful to see the Eiffel tower lit up and the holiday season still in full swing with small Christmas Markets dotting the streets.
Miniature Arc de Triomphe near Louvre. Half the size of the later built one

I can just imagine Tom Hanks running through this area...

Ponte Alexandre III Bridge

Happy New Year!!!

Ryan and I had every intention of staying up till midnight and ringing in the new year...but we ended up back in our hotel room after walking around for about 4-5 hours. We were beat tired and perfectly happy popping open a bottle of bubbly in the room.  I woke at midnight to hear fireworks and looked on to see the Eiffel Tower lit up like a giant Sparkler.  Dayna told me how beautiful it was and she couldn't have been more right.  I got a little choked up watching it.  

The next morning and took off for a walk while Ryan watched recaps of football.  I found a Parisian version of Harrods or as I call it MECCA.  Haussmann blvd was amazing for window shopping.  The below are videos and pictures of some of their displays which were UNREAL!  The videos are not wanting to cooperate at this time but I will try again later  :(




Christian Dior sponsored the window decorations from the elaborate Couture outfits to the motorized puppet dolls that ice skated and danced.

Galleris Lafayette....dangerous!!!!!!  Any designer, item you could imagine...they had.

Some creepy french guy brought his rat out shopping with him and then posed him for photos...

Saint Augustin church...just next to our hotel...so pretty.

CNA, French Officers Club...highly recommend staying there is you are in Paris and are military sponsored.



Sacre Coeur which is symbolic in being sacred heart of Jesus Christ.  It is located in Montmarte which stands for Mountain of Martyr's which makes sense considering how many saints are laid to rest with it's walls.  It was breathtaking.  


Lido Cabaret.  Ryan spoiled me with a cabaret and dinner show off the Champs Elysees.  It was all things glamorous with classy showgirls, ice skating pairs, elephants, horses and a pyramid.  It was fantastic.  

Champs Elysees via the Arc de Triomphe.  I got my second wind and as Ryan said "high on Paris" at this point.  It was around midnight-1 am and I was wide awake and ready to to see more sights.  

Diamonds are a girls best friend.  

Oh so famous Avenue in Paris...by far the best people watching

Qatari consulate on the end of the Champs Elysees sitting on the edge of the Arc de Tromphe.  I find it ironic that they had such good real estate RIGHT there in the center of everything...hmpf!

Qatari consulate

Need I say more....I got tears in my eyes when I saw it...so beautiful and grand.

I followed suite from my mom and dodge 5 lanes of traffic to get to the center since the tunnel was locked for the night.


Tomb of unknown soldiers from WWI

Beautiful details inside.  Iy was engraved with cities the Napoleon conquered.

Champs Elysees from the Arc.

Eiffel Tower at midnight all sparkly.

Peugeot store


It had a line wrapped around the corner...we didn't go in because I was afraid I would have to walk out with something.

Famous restaurant the French Fighter would go and have drinks at to celebrate their victories post war.  It was super fancy...but observe below...

They had the BEST french onion soup I have ever had...

Inverted pyramid at the Louvre...it was the central area to the whole museum

I could feel that we were close to the room that she was in...I started shaking...so very neat to see her up close.

Napolean's coronation ceremony.  I had just been reading up on him before this trip and remember coming across this image.

Augustus Ceasar

Jupiter and Venus

Ceiling of the Greek Artifacts room...well actually one of the rooms

Venus de Milo

info on her below


Sphynx



Old portion of the Louvre

Cliche but a must

This area was packed with people and the lines were insane...

Joan of Arc



Paris was such a sight to see.  We spent fast and furious time seeing the museum sights and what have you...but more importantly, Ryan and I got to immerse ourselves in the culture and vibe of the people.  We spent an evening at dinner talking with a waiter who was well versed in politics and what not of Paris.  He was so friendly and informative.  We rarely encountered rude people...if anything it was the tourists that were "rude."  

I most likely will come back to Paris in the spring to see Les Invalides and Versailles.  It was such an easy trip to get to and fro from Germany.  The metro, hotel and area was a piece of cake to navigate.  There were many things I may have missed, but I am still happy to have gone there with Ryan and had some special time alone without the chaos of life bitting at our heals.