bit of stress :)

So the past week has been a little stressful.  Sometimes living in a foreign country isn't all sunshine and lollypops.  However, there are pretty flowers here!

But no, basically we found out we have a mold problem in our little old house and that it's really not safe to be living here.  Christian is out flying so bahhh... just a bit of stress.  We have been talking about moving this summer for awhile now anyway but now there is just a sense of urgency.

Apartment hunting in Copenhagen is really not anything like I would expect.  Here is just one of those culture shock things.  To rent an apartment is very competitive and tricky.  Most people buy or buy into co-ops but now that there are many people unable to loan money it makes the renters market even more competitive.  

Firstly, there is no such thing as a realtor for rentals here.  God I hated paying realtor fees back in Boston but at least they did the leg work for you and well with a bit of money you could find a place fairly easily.  So it's a lot of website cruising on our end.  Then you usually have to pay to get the contact information on these apartment listings.  Which is fine, I guess.  Apartments usually go within 1-2 days of being listed... so with Christian gone I can't act fast enough.

The other biggie that we're facing is my stupid residency Visa extension.  I have to be on lease with 3 years minimum from when we apply for my extension (Nov/Dec this year).  These leases are VERY hard to come by.  So yeah bum bum bum what to do what to do.

So just feeling like I'm facing a bit of adversity plus a bit of culture shock at the same time.  Just not able to grab the reins and take control (we know I like control...).

I've calmed down a lot but would still like to get this sorted asap.  Keep you all posted.  I can't wait to be a city girl again!

Last Sunday I made brunch for the family as a Mother's day gift to Christian's mom and grandmother, great success.  At least it received good reviews :)

Menu:

Fruit Salad: blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, bananas, and pears in vanilla yogurt

Scrammbled Egg Bake: 8 large eggs, 6 slices white bread, a bunch of bacon, chopped peppers and onions, bunch of cheddar cheese > sit over night> into the oven at 325F for 45 min

French Toast Bake: 3/4 loaf white bread, 8 large eggs, apple slices, 2 cups milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, sugar > sit over night> make topping with brown sugar, 2 sticks butter, 2 tbsp corn syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg> into the oven at 325 for 45 min

Breads & Cheese spread

Champagne and strawberries

Delicious food, good company, great weather!

Just really hoping this weather holds out for when my grandparents get here.  It got a little chillier this weekend so fingers crossed!

})i({

easter in denmark

I had my first official Easter in Denmark and well... it couldn't have been better!  Danes get Thursday, Friday before and the following Monday after Easter off from work - SCORE!

The sun shined the entire break, nearly 75 degrees every day.  Totally incredible.  Nothing I could have dreamed of in April in Denmark.  Got my sportsbra tan rocking already and a bit of color on my cheeks, happy days.

Every year Christian's family gets together for Easter for food and the egg hunt.  However this is no ordinary egg hunt where you try to find as many small eggs as you can.  Here each grandchild gets a big egg with lots of things in it.  Same concept as Easter baskets back home I guess!  So a bit of a combination.

This year Farmor wasn't going to do Easter eggs and a big deal because of her 80th birthday bash on Easter Monday.  However I pulled out my pouty lip and said "oh but I've never been here for Easter before I was so looking forward to getting an egg" HAHAHA.  I am such a brat and I really didn't mean much about it but then Farmor just said, well yep we'll do it for Jill. We had Easter Saturday together as a family.

So I suppose it wasn't a surprise that my egg was also the biggest, haha. (Okay I'm a  big brat!) But no, it was because Christian went in on it with Farmor. He was out flying so it was kind of nice to get presents as a supplement!  He contributed the necklace/jewelry tree and Farmor got me this super hip coloring book from Christian's uncle's store in Norway.  Yes I'm 26 and I still love to color. :P

It was an awesome day, though.  Almost the whole family was there and we grilled and hung out and then I stole all the grand kids to go for a walk and take their pictures for Farmor's birthday present as a collective gift from the grand kids.

Also decided that to be less of a brat I could make sure Farmor also got an egg.  She was confused but very happy for it!  Fantastic day, though!  Lots of family time which was great.

Easter Sunday we dug up Farmor's front yard/driveway area that has been overgrown for years with random projects half started.  It was 8 of us and it took 2.5 hours but it was like a night and day project afterwards.  I was sore for several days (shovelling is hard work) but it was worth it!

Easter Monday we headed to Sweden for Farmor's 80th birthday party.  That will get a separate post! :)

Hope you all had fantastic Easters!

})i({

where's the craic?

Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!  I am very nostalgic today.  Living in Boston and of course in Dublin spoiled the 1/2 part Irishy stuff in me!  In Boston we never felt too old to find ourselves in Faneuil Hall or on Boylston St to celebrate in a very collegiate style.  I'm pretty sure at age 24 I was at Lir after work wearing my Irish flag as a cape... it's fine?

This picture is from when Lizzie and Toni came to visit me for St. Patrick's Day weekend in Dublin.  We started the day at the parade, watched some rugby and ended up dancing the night away until some absurd hour of the morning at a club in Dublin.  Brilliant craic.

This year I will be going home after work only to sign into a remote meeting with my US colleagues (9 hours behind me so at least I can safely guess they won't be drinking yet) and then who knows... dinner with grandma? Watch Friends?  My life is pathetic but I love it just the same. :)

On second thought... albeit Danish, the Irish drink a TON of Carlsberg... I'm sure I could drink one or two in honor of them tonight! ;)

})i({

less than three

I am officially renaming my blog to less than three.  I need to find my original psd graphic with the butterfly but it's coming.  Any guess as to what it means?  My creative pops gave the me idea.

I have been ridiculously MIA from my blog.  The good news is that I've been busy visiting with all my favorite readers instead.  That has to be better no?

How were your holidays?  Ours were just fantastic.  I have tons of pics from the new cam that I have admittedly not completely learned yet... here are a few favs that have actually been transferred to this computer (Christmas only so far).

Happy 2011 everyone!  Resolutions and more pictures from our vacation to come!

})i({ <3

happy belated st. patrick's day

I was very nostalgic of my time in Ireland this week.  It was an incredible experience; I wish I could relive it all over again.  When the sun shines in Ireland... it's breath taking.  Check out some of my favorite photos from when I was living in Ireland.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of MoherCliffs of Moher

Dingle Peninsula

Ring of Kerry with DeannaWest CoastWest CoastHowthHowthCroke Park Hurling MatchThe BurrenThe Liffy in DublinGuinness Brewery Dublin

Slàinte!

This St. Patrick's Day was not nearly as crazy as in years past, but I am totally okay with that.  When you work all day and it's sunny for the first time in ages you feel like it is a true little Irish blessing in itself.  I couldn't resist the urge to run with Gail and soak in the warm atmosphere.  Definitely had a beer with my salad for dinner, though! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

})i({