Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch!

In front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! It has been fun experiencing the holidays in another way this year. When you spend Christmas in Germany, the first thing you notice are the Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas Markets) that pop up all over the city. I think we went to a different one every weekend this month, until we were Christmas-marketed out....and there were still dozens more to see! We learned which ones were good, and which ones to avoid. At the more traditional markets, craftsmen set up booths (these adorable little log-cabin looking things) and peddle the classic wooden figures that the Germans are known for making. Many people attend these markets for the delicious bratwurst or for a warm mug of Glüwein (a mulled wine full of aromatic spices...mmm). The ambiance at these markets is something to experience, and it really does put you in the Christmas spirit.

At a Christmas Market with some new friends...Admir, Emina, Marion and Jens

The weather here has been cold and dreary, but we are thankful for the cozy and warm cafes in our neighborhood that have helped us survive our first real winter in 5 years. The German word Gemütlichkeit means coziness and comfort, and we have read that many cafes here try to compete to be the most Gemütlichkeit(ish) of them all. The idea is that when you enter, you are able to leave your worries and troubles at the door because you have entered a place that is not only warm and cozy, but also accepting and welcoming. What a great reason to compete, and we have been reaping the benefits. Often after dinner, we will seek out one of these places in our neighborhood and we are always excited to find one more that we never noticed before. It's may not be the warm sunshine of California, but it is a welcomed retreat from the chilly weather here in Berlin!

I've enjoyed one too many of these!

Jong, Matt and Admir at Jong's Christmas dinner

New Years.......While Matt is in Boston visiting his family before going to a conference, I will be ringing in the new year with my favorite ladies...my mom and sister! More pictures to follow, I can assure you!

Giving thanks in Germany

Happy Thanksgiving! We were lucky enough to have not one, but two turkey dinners during this first Thanksgiving in Germany. On the actual day of Thanksgiving we were invited to have dinner at my wonderful new boss' house. There were 20 other people there, all Americans, all from my new school. It was a warm and welcoming group and really helped to ease that missing-family feeling. A few days later, we challenged ourselves by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner of our own (see pics below!). We wanted to thank those that were so very helpful in getting us settled here in this foreign city. And what better a way than to have them over for a Thanksgiving feast?? We had to scramble a bit for all of the foods and ingredients (who knew that corn starch for the gravy would be such a challenge to find??) but in the end it all came together and everyone enjoyed 2nds (and 3rds!). No leftovers at this Thanksgiving dinner! We have much to be thankful for and it was so to be able to share these traditions with some of our new German friends.

Waiting for the turkey to finish cooking....

Jutta and baby Leto...they lived in our apartment before us!

Burnt the turkey..whoops. Still tasted good though!

Ready to eat their first Thanksgiving dinner!

The spread