I heard Friday from the VP of my office that he didn't think it would work for me to telecommute from Belgium. This was really kind of a blow. It may have been because it's just been an emotional time lately. But the VP's assistant had told me she thought he was leaning towards letting me do it, so I really had my hopes up. It would have made the transition so much easier.
The Fullbright folks have said that it's really difficult to get a work visa in Belgium and that even if you do it's "virtually impossible" to get a job. If anybody has tips for living cheaply in Europe, let us know. Or does anyone have ideas on how I can spend my time since I'll be without a job? This will be really strange for me and I'm finding that I'm nervous about how I will fill my time while Troy is working. I was trying to look into volunteer opportunities but it's been hard to find things like that online.
If any of you know me very well, you know that I really struggle with change. I know that ultimately it will be good for me to experience living in another country but I'm terrified.
Anyone know of telecommuting jobs for an editor/writer? I can also take decent photos and do basic website work.
Troy got home last night from NIME and my aunt and uncle and their 3 kids are coming today to stay with us for a week. It's been a crazy whirlwind around here but it will be really fun to see family. Any ideas for fun activities for teens/pre-teens around C-Ville?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Grief and Disbelief
It's been a rough week and a half for Troy and I. After being at a fun going away BBQ for a friend on Memorial Day, we found out that Brad--one of our oldest, dearest friends from Minnesota passed away.
Brad and Troy had been friends since the 5th grade. We all lived together for several years in college. I've been alternating between shock, sadness, disbelief, and guilt at not having kept in better touch with Brad in recent years.
I'm thankful that we were able to go home for a few days to deal with this roller coaster of emotions. So many good friends came together to make the service particularly special and to grieve together. We looked at old pictures, drank Knob Creek bourbon, had a pie fight (which I mostly hid in the woods from), burned a giant 82, lit off fireworks and sat around a campfire and told stories about Brad.
Many stories are humorous and silly. Brad had an amazing sense of humor. He was also a gentle, kind person and an incredible musician.
There are some great tributes to our friend here: http://www.gonzoscience.com/GonzoUSA/?p=1619
Some stories we heard illustrated the impact Brad had on people's lives. Troy and I realized that it was Brad who brought us together 14 years ago. Brad had a percussion audition at St. Cloud State where I was going to college. Even though we all went to the same high school, I didn't know Troy and Brad that well but they came down to stay with me and my friend and check out the school. I guess you could say that I influenced Troy's decision to go there.
Troy performed the funeral service and gave the eulogy. He did a fantastic job of honoring our friend. I am so very proud of the unbelievable strength he exhibited through this painful process.
It's surreal and strange and it feels wrong to be trying to get back to "normal" life after a loss like this. It really puts into perspective that people are what are important in life.
Brad and Troy had been friends since the 5th grade. We all lived together for several years in college. I've been alternating between shock, sadness, disbelief, and guilt at not having kept in better touch with Brad in recent years.
I'm thankful that we were able to go home for a few days to deal with this roller coaster of emotions. So many good friends came together to make the service particularly special and to grieve together. We looked at old pictures, drank Knob Creek bourbon, had a pie fight (which I mostly hid in the woods from), burned a giant 82, lit off fireworks and sat around a campfire and told stories about Brad.
Many stories are humorous and silly. Brad had an amazing sense of humor. He was also a gentle, kind person and an incredible musician.
There are some great tributes to our friend here: http://www.gonzoscience.com/GonzoUSA/?p=1619
Some stories we heard illustrated the impact Brad had on people's lives. Troy and I realized that it was Brad who brought us together 14 years ago. Brad had a percussion audition at St. Cloud State where I was going to college. Even though we all went to the same high school, I didn't know Troy and Brad that well but they came down to stay with me and my friend and check out the school. I guess you could say that I influenced Troy's decision to go there.
Troy performed the funeral service and gave the eulogy. He did a fantastic job of honoring our friend. I am so very proud of the unbelievable strength he exhibited through this painful process.
It's surreal and strange and it feels wrong to be trying to get back to "normal" life after a loss like this. It really puts into perspective that people are what are important in life.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Perspective
It's all about perspective. Here's a funny illustration of that.
I made some cookies last night to take to work because we've recently decided that Fridays should be "treat day" after a long week is over. Before I went to bed, I left a couple on a plate with a note to Troy that he should eat them.
I woke up this morning to find crumbs and this:
On first glance I was surprised and slightly annoyed that he had torn up my note and left the pieces all over the counter. Then he suggested that I look again and read the pieces.
This really shows how incredibly different our thinking is! I've decided I need to try harder to be more of a "glass half full" kind of gal.
I made some cookies last night to take to work because we've recently decided that Fridays should be "treat day" after a long week is over. Before I went to bed, I left a couple on a plate with a note to Troy that he should eat them.
I woke up this morning to find crumbs and this:
On first glance I was surprised and slightly annoyed that he had torn up my note and left the pieces all over the counter. Then he suggested that I look again and read the pieces.
This really shows how incredibly different our thinking is! I've decided I need to try harder to be more of a "glass half full" kind of gal.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Local Flavor
I ventured again to Flint Hill on Saturday night and enjoyed a fun evening with Courtney, Kevin, and their visiting friend Ryan. Kevin and Ryan are both wonderful chefs--they may be even more food obsessed than me! They cooked a delicious meal for us of grilled steak; asparagus; potatoes that had been boiled, smashed, fried and then sprinkled with crispy fried garlic and salt; and perfectly cooked scallops. I usually dislike scallops, mainly because of the texture, but these were excellent!
On Sunday I drove to meet Troy, Nick, Brooke and her mother Jane at a benefit for the Piedmont Environmental Council. The event was hosted by Locust Hill Farms and featured a variety of yummy local foods. It was an interesting event, but I was a bit put off by the fact that we were likely some of the youngest and poorest attendees (there were lots of people dressed in loafers and blazers). Thankfully, the grass-fed beef sliders made up for it!
Mmmmm... the boys were excited about the sliders.
And so were the girls...
There was also a lovely cucumber soup from the Inn at Meander Plantation and delicious local cheese and strawberries. The scenery was nice too.
We ventured out for a walk around the farm before driving home, which was nice since it didn't really feel much like being on a farm even though we were in a big barn. I didn't see any people who looked like farmers and it hardly smelled like a barn (only caught a couple of whiffs of horse manure, they were immaculately clean stables).
I'm not normally a big horse person but it was really fun to see and pet the beautiful and friendly horses. This one was my favorite.
All and all it was a great weekend. Good people and good food--two of my favorite things.
On Sunday I drove to meet Troy, Nick, Brooke and her mother Jane at a benefit for the Piedmont Environmental Council. The event was hosted by Locust Hill Farms and featured a variety of yummy local foods. It was an interesting event, but I was a bit put off by the fact that we were likely some of the youngest and poorest attendees (there were lots of people dressed in loafers and blazers). Thankfully, the grass-fed beef sliders made up for it!
Mmmmm... the boys were excited about the sliders.
And so were the girls...
There was also a lovely cucumber soup from the Inn at Meander Plantation and delicious local cheese and strawberries. The scenery was nice too.
We ventured out for a walk around the farm before driving home, which was nice since it didn't really feel much like being on a farm even though we were in a big barn. I didn't see any people who looked like farmers and it hardly smelled like a barn (only caught a couple of whiffs of horse manure, they were immaculately clean stables).
I'm not normally a big horse person but it was really fun to see and pet the beautiful and friendly horses. This one was my favorite.
All and all it was a great weekend. Good people and good food--two of my favorite things.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunshine at Long Last!
It's been a really rainy spring here in Charlottesville. Gloomy, depressing darkness and soggy seedlings.
Saturday there was finally a break in the rain and so Courtney and I took advantage of it. We ventured out to the Crozet for an event that was dubbed "Central Virginia's premiere arts & crafts festival." Even though it sounded really grand, we were finished looking at every booth within a half hour. That said, there was some pretty cool stuff. Lots of jewelry, wooden things and various kinds of artwork. Courtney ended up buying a really incredible leather flamingo mask that I need to get a picture of sometime. It will be the perfect Halloween costume. I obviously don't want to acquire any new stuff right now so all I bought was a $5 lemonade and a giant bag of kettle corn that Troy and I have been gorging ourselves on for the past couple of days.
After the festival we stopped at the Shebeen for lunch and daiquiris on the patio. She had mango and I had papaya. Yum! Wish I could do that every afternoon but I don't think I would be very productive!
On Sunday our landlord was in town so Troy and I frantically hurried around to get the house looking good. We also ended up showing our place for the first time to a potential renter. It's finally starting to sink in that we will be leaving. We were hoping to find a subleaser for our place so that we can come back since we love it so much, but I'm doubting that will work out. We are still looking for a caretaker for our kitty too. Lots of details to work out before we embark on our big adventure. Tomorrow I talk to the VP of my office. Cross your fingers for me, I'm hoping he'll let me telecommute part time from Belgium. We shall see.
Late Sunday Troy and I were finally able to get out together for a hike at Ragged Mountain. Last time I was there was with my dad less than a month ago. At that time there were no leaves. Now it's really beautifully greened out. I guess rain is good after all!
We spotted some turtles basking out on a log in the reservoir. I tried to get closer but they were pretty skittish.
P.S. it's raining again! I can't f@#%ing believe it. It was a beautiful day and I was cooped up in the office for all of it. Just when we were about to head out for an evening walk.
Saturday there was finally a break in the rain and so Courtney and I took advantage of it. We ventured out to the Crozet for an event that was dubbed "Central Virginia's premiere arts & crafts festival." Even though it sounded really grand, we were finished looking at every booth within a half hour. That said, there was some pretty cool stuff. Lots of jewelry, wooden things and various kinds of artwork. Courtney ended up buying a really incredible leather flamingo mask that I need to get a picture of sometime. It will be the perfect Halloween costume. I obviously don't want to acquire any new stuff right now so all I bought was a $5 lemonade and a giant bag of kettle corn that Troy and I have been gorging ourselves on for the past couple of days.
After the festival we stopped at the Shebeen for lunch and daiquiris on the patio. She had mango and I had papaya. Yum! Wish I could do that every afternoon but I don't think I would be very productive!
On Sunday our landlord was in town so Troy and I frantically hurried around to get the house looking good. We also ended up showing our place for the first time to a potential renter. It's finally starting to sink in that we will be leaving. We were hoping to find a subleaser for our place so that we can come back since we love it so much, but I'm doubting that will work out. We are still looking for a caretaker for our kitty too. Lots of details to work out before we embark on our big adventure. Tomorrow I talk to the VP of my office. Cross your fingers for me, I'm hoping he'll let me telecommute part time from Belgium. We shall see.
Late Sunday Troy and I were finally able to get out together for a hike at Ragged Mountain. Last time I was there was with my dad less than a month ago. At that time there were no leaves. Now it's really beautifully greened out. I guess rain is good after all!
We spotted some turtles basking out on a log in the reservoir. I tried to get closer but they were pretty skittish.
Enjoying the sunshine and the woods together!
P.S. it's raining again! I can't f@#%ing believe it. It was a beautiful day and I was cooped up in the office for all of it. Just when we were about to head out for an evening walk.
Friday, May 1, 2009
West Virginia Gets a Bad Rap
Last weekend Troy and I celebrated our anniversary. It's hard to believe it (and it makes me old when I say it) but we have now been together for 14 years!
Each year we try to take some time out to commemorate this accomplishment and to get away from it all. We've had some great trips over the years. Most notably, a couple of years in a row at a fantastic "Bed-n-Beach" on the Oregon coast which had a hot tub overlooking the ocean.
For the last two years in Virginia we've gone to Bear Mountain Farm. It's been great but I was looking for something a little less expensive since we have to save for Belgium now. I lucked out and found a Craigslist posting for a reasonably priced little cabin near Franklin, WV.
Unfortunately we had brake trouble on the mountain on the way down (about 15 miles from our destination). It was pretty scary. We pulled over after smelling burning rubber and there was smoke billowing out of the front tire. Having no cell reception, we ended up having to press on to the next town.
We were lucky enough to find a guy at the gas station (pretty much the only business in town) who knew a mechanic down the road. They couldn't reach the mechanic by phone so the guy offered to drive Troy over there. So I sat with the car at a gas station for a while, feeling a bit uncomfortable (kept thinking I was hearing banjos).
Eventually Troy came back and then the mechanic, Dan Pope, (who in the words of my dad ended up being a "helluva guy") drove up on his Harley and took a look at the car. He figured our caliper had seized up on the mountain and would need to be replaced. We set up a time to go to his house (he works out of his front yard) to have it fixed the next day and moved on to the cabin, using engine braking and the e-brake over the next mountain. Yikes.
We finally arrived safely at our destination. It was a really cute cabin with all the comforts of home and a big deck outside. We grilled some food and were thankful--we made it in one piece and some really good people salvaged our weekend.
After we got the car fixed on Saturday, we stopped at a nearby lake. It was hot so we thought about swimming but didn't end up actually going in, just drank a beer by the water.
Because there was some funny business going on...
Later that day I kicked back on the deck with a book and Troy went for a 10 mile bike ride where he had to navigate cattle guards and chicken coops. Each of us has a different way of relaxing I guess.
Troy planned a wonderful dinner on Saturday night. He made a delicious jerk marinade and grilled a pork tenderloin. And then we finished the night by staring up at the stars on the deck while sipping Oregon Pinot Noir.
Here's Troy preparing the grill.
And the final result. Mmmmmm. 
I think the next time we're in West Virginny we'll have to check this place out.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Springtime Visitor
My dad recently drove down from Minnesota to visit us. He got here the Saturday before Easter and stayed for a little over a week. He made it here it what I would consider record time. He left late Thursday evening and was here by 11 a.m. on Saturday. Only Troy's dad has driven faster, one time making it all the way back to MN from C-Ville in one shot despite the fact that it is a 21 hour drive! Pretty hardcore.
On Saturday evening we went to Flint Hill to see Courtney. Her mom happened to be visiting too and our parents know each other so we thought it would be fun for all of us to get together. My dad used to date Courtney's mom back in the day. Courtney and I were 16 at the time and we were scheming to get them together because we thought it would be really cool if we could be sisters! It didn't quite work out as we had planned but our parents have remained friends and so we had a really nice visit. We all enjoyed the pretty drive through rural Virginia.
Courtney happened to be babysitting a little pug puppy for a relative. It was really cute to see the puppy interact with Paisley, Courtney's 9 year old pug. Both Troy and I were ready to take this adorable and ridiculously sweet and cuddly puppy home with us.
On Sunday we took a drive to the Blue Ridge and introduced dad to Turk Mountain. He thought it was a pretty steep hike but in the end agreed that the view was worth it.
And of course no trip to the Blue Ridge is complete without stopping for beer (and this time pizza with brats, caramelized onions and apples) at the Blue Mountain Brewery!
Dad didn't have the greatest weather most of the week while he was here but he walked around town a bunch and got to know some more of C-Ville's restaurants. His favorite breakfast joint still turns out to be the Nook. He also tightened up a few of our dining room chairs and helped Troy fix his bike. Nice to have dads around for things like this!
Dad also brought our Christmas present down, a custom-made cabinet to hold wine glasses and bottles and with a cabinet below for dishes. Since he retired 6 years ago he's really gotten into woodworking. It turned out really great.
Our friend Dave's mom was also visiting while my dad was here. They were nice enough to have us all over for dinner one night. We were treated to his mom's delicious Italian cooking -- yummy lasagna along with fresh roasted peppers and mozzarella.
It seems we did a lot of eating and drinking while my dad was here. One thing my dad can't get enough of is eating or drinking beer alfresco. Over the course of the week we did a lot of this. We sat outside at Blue Mtn Brewery, Beer Run, Escafe, and finally Horse & Hound.
On dad's last night we got to see our friend Joe play some music at Durty Nelly's. Joe especially likes to do Hank Williams tunes. My dad loves Hank Williams--and I grew up listening to him sing Hank songs so they have a special place in my heart too. Dad also gets a kick out of Joe, so we ended up having a really good time. All in all it was a really nice visit.
On Saturday evening we went to Flint Hill to see Courtney. Her mom happened to be visiting too and our parents know each other so we thought it would be fun for all of us to get together. My dad used to date Courtney's mom back in the day. Courtney and I were 16 at the time and we were scheming to get them together because we thought it would be really cool if we could be sisters! It didn't quite work out as we had planned but our parents have remained friends and so we had a really nice visit. We all enjoyed the pretty drive through rural Virginia.
Courtney happened to be babysitting a little pug puppy for a relative. It was really cute to see the puppy interact with Paisley, Courtney's 9 year old pug. Both Troy and I were ready to take this adorable and ridiculously sweet and cuddly puppy home with us.
On Sunday we took a drive to the Blue Ridge and introduced dad to Turk Mountain. He thought it was a pretty steep hike but in the end agreed that the view was worth it.
And of course no trip to the Blue Ridge is complete without stopping for beer (and this time pizza with brats, caramelized onions and apples) at the Blue Mountain Brewery!
Dad didn't have the greatest weather most of the week while he was here but he walked around town a bunch and got to know some more of C-Ville's restaurants. His favorite breakfast joint still turns out to be the Nook. He also tightened up a few of our dining room chairs and helped Troy fix his bike. Nice to have dads around for things like this!
Dad also brought our Christmas present down, a custom-made cabinet to hold wine glasses and bottles and with a cabinet below for dishes. Since he retired 6 years ago he's really gotten into woodworking. It turned out really great.
Our friend Dave's mom was also visiting while my dad was here. They were nice enough to have us all over for dinner one night. We were treated to his mom's delicious Italian cooking -- yummy lasagna along with fresh roasted peppers and mozzarella.
It seems we did a lot of eating and drinking while my dad was here. One thing my dad can't get enough of is eating or drinking beer alfresco. Over the course of the week we did a lot of this. We sat outside at Blue Mtn Brewery, Beer Run, Escafe, and finally Horse & Hound.
On dad's last night we got to see our friend Joe play some music at Durty Nelly's. Joe especially likes to do Hank Williams tunes. My dad loves Hank Williams--and I grew up listening to him sing Hank songs so they have a special place in my heart too. Dad also gets a kick out of Joe, so we ended up having a really good time. All in all it was a really nice visit.
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