Take me out to the Mariners + Berlin Softball

I could give a f%*# about baseball, but Ian does. A lot. Somehow I have found myself at multiple Seattle Mariners games and am now spending my Saturdays in Berlin at softball games. Ah, marriage. At least baseball often comes with friends and beer. That I can deal with.

Seattle Mariners Baseball

Back when we were visiting the States in June and the Mariners had a prayer of living up to their potential, we went to a game. My mom, my dad, my visiting nephew from Texas (younger brother of our Berlin visitor), Ian & I went to a baseball game and it pure Americana. Ian has always enjoyed talking about sports with my dad (in cliche fashion, his dad just isn't into it) and my dad has dealt with his ladies general apathy for most things sports throughout the years and it was  a treat to have two enthusiastic guys to talk about the game with.

Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Alki Point

FACT: Seattle has one of the best skylines in the world.

Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Salumi Artisan Cured Meats

I spent many hours dreaming of Salumi's before I ever stepped foot in the place. At this point, I've only been there twice but it is still somewhere I feel confident recommending.

Salumi was founded by Armandino Batali (Principal Salumist), the father of New York chef Mario Batali. Armandino actually retired from Boeing to focus on meat and it is still family-run. Like Rogacki in Berlin, this place is Anthony Bourdain reviewed & approved.

Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Archie McPhee

Do you like the tacky, the bizarre, the tasteless, the incredible? No?! Suck it up because when you are in Seattle, a trip isn't complete until you've visited Archie McPhee.

Seattle Brewery Tour - Love from Afar

In yet another of this-would-never-happen-in-Seattle moments, Ian has formed a friendship with one of the parent's at the Kita over his first love - no, not me - BEER. After receiving the gift of a nice ale, there has formed a reciprocal relationship of beer love.

Hometown Love

Before I wax too poetic about Berlin (because we've had some pretty unbelievably good weekends of late), it's important to look at our recent trip to the States and our favorite corner - Seattle.

Space Needle

USA, USA, USA - An Expat Return home

We're back!

Back in the land of big coffees, big American breakfasts, big cars, vast lands, Mexican food, livestock, childhood friends, homesteads, driving, BBQs, Oscars, TV, and FREEDOM. We are back in American & couldn't be happier.

747!

"Germans sure know how to Blow Shit Up"

My dad recently joined Facebook (which is all kinds of funny) and the title of this post is the comment he left on this video of Berlin's New Years. Well played Daddio.

It's true, Berlin's Silvester celebration is not only like nothing I've ever seen before, but like nothing I've ever even seen in my dreams. It's madness. It's excitement incarnate. It's magic. I've written about it 1, 2, 3 times before, but this year was the best of them all.

This year we hurried back from Paris on December 31st to enjoy our 3rd New Years in Berlin, this time with our Berlin friends that actually stayed in town. We ended up on a rooftop for midnight and I can say - without hesitation - this was the best New Years celebration I have ever enjoyed.

We're Going Home!

We have been teasing our friends & family with plans for a Seattle visit for months now. Now the rumors can die as we have something even better:

Plane tickets!

We are flying to NYC for the first time and will fit in as much hot dog/pizza/bagel/deli eating, Broadway shows, comedy, art and pictures as possible. I've got a happy little NYC Pinterest board together gathering all the info of things I want to see & do (please feel free to give us tips, we're flying blind). No joke, we're excited. 

Karaoke

For a while there we got pretty into Karaoke. At the height of our addiction, we went 3 times in a weekend. We were not, however, any good (with the possible exception of Mr. Porter).

What follows here is a crime against music, good taste, and a video camera in a bar.

Happy Anniversary to US



Brandy, Emily, Crystal, ebe

One year ago today I was running around with my ladies taking pictures around Seattle and quietly freaking out.

Today Ian & I are visiting my aunt & uncle in Etna,CA enjoying homemade pizza, awesome potato gun, and sharing a glass of champagne.

I couldn't be happier.

Oktoberfest!

On our last stint in Europe we managed to make Oktoberfest twice. Congrats to us (although there is nothing to be too proud of considering our Oktoberfest tips).

Beard

I never thought I would like some beard, but those things are downright hispter nowadays. (That's why you are rockin one, right Ian?) Seeing how the fabulous Dave Ball has always rocked the facial hair, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Herr Baechler found this lovely blog dedicated completely to hair of the face. 

http://www.imadeyouabeard.com/

Enjoy:

Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Dick's

Mind out of the gutter! This is Seattle's (or at least my) favorite fast food chain. It is the oldest, continuously operating fast food restaurant. They give out scholarships to their full-time workers, are deeply rooted in the community, and serve delicious fries, sundaes shakes, and burgers (my favs in that order).

In short - we're fans. It is a must go anytime we're home. Thus, two days into our visit Stateside, there we were again.

Things to know

• All Dick's burgers are made with 100% REAL beef, delivered fresh and never frozen
  Our locally made buns are delivered fresh each day
• Cash only (ATMs usually on-site)
• Menus here: http://www.ddir.com/menu. Sundaes are better than shakes, especially chocolate ice cream & blackberry syrup. Get fries! Extra sauce like tartar are .25
• Open 7 Days a week; 10:30 - 2:00
• Though prices are reasonable now, when Dick's opened in 1954 Burger's were .19, fries were .11, and Shakes were .21. That makes a meal for about .50! Though no longer that cheap, it is exceedingly affordable.
  

Dicks's

Queen Anne (500 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109; (206) 285-5155) - Clearly the nicest with indoor, Seattle themes seating
Capitol Hill (115 Broadway Ave. East , Seattle, WA 98102; (206) 323-1300) - Best for late night munchies in the party kiez
Wallingford (111 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105; (206) 632-5125) - The oldest location and closest to University of Washington
Lake City (12325 30th Ave North East, Seattle, WA 98125; (206) 363-7777)
Holman Road (9208 Holman Road NW, Seattle, WA 98117; (206) 783-5233)

Edmonds (21910 HWY 99, Edmonds, WA 98026; (425) 775-4243) - Opened by popular vote in Northern suburb of  Edmonds in 2011.

___________________________

More Seattle?

Missing Seattle
I'm Going to Miss this Place...
Seattle Brewery Tour - Love from Afar
Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Alki Beach

Offbeat Seattle Attraction: Archie McPhee
Offbeat Washington: Spokane
Pics of Seattle Loving

Little Spaces

I love the efficiency and modern design of European spaces. The sleek cabintry, clearly defined spaces, and bright colors! Swoon.
Here is someone in Seattle truly making a tiny space work:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012595209_pacificpnwl22.html?cmpid

Thanks Roxanne for the find!

Oh Seattle, the Beautiful

You are so beautiful. Really. Gorgeous.

Spent the day at the arboretum. So freakin beautiful. We swam out from the beach and watched in awe as yachts, kayaks, canoes, sailboats, and rust buckets, sailed by. Seattle folk love the good weather and I feel the common guilt if you spend the day indoors.

Tomorrow we are heading to Colman Pool- another jewel of Seattle summer. Salt water, sunshine, and sound breezes.

Also- guide for Oslo is in. Life is good.

I Quit

95 days till we take off and not one second I don't dream of quitting my receptionist gig. It hasn't been all that bad, but I am actually going to be writing full time- sweet! Hopefully we will make ends meet and  all will be good with the heavy costs of health insurance & loans weighing us down. But those are worries for the future. Now is the time of imagining glorious "I Quit!"scenarios.

Like this girl:

Def one of the most inspirational stories of someone quitting ever. Please let it be true.

http://thechive.com/2010/08/10/girl-quits-her-job-on-dry-erase-board-emails-entire-office-33-photos/

Update: It's wasn't :(

A Proper Wedding Prost

Less then a month left and we are running to get it all done! Every day another thing gets crossed off the list...so why does it keep getting longer?


The last 2 Oktoberfests were spent at the real Oktoberfest in Munich, but this year we are celebrating Fremont style.

Less Oktoberfest-y then huge beer festival, we are happy to return. And one thing seems the same- the rain :(.


 Last night we volunteered at the fest & were regaled with all the sorts of drunk that Seattle can pull out! Impressive. This is possibly the greatest people watching experience ever as we pulled taps, took tokens, and chatted with Oktoberfest's finest!

Who knows what tonight will bring, (ok- we have some idea: drinking, laughing, drinking, lederhosen-wearing, drinking MADNESS) but this does bring up the issue of Prost!

German for "Cheers", we plan to have a lot of clinking of glasses at the wedding. Only a few people are forced to make a speech (here's looking at you Matt!), but for anyone who wants to say a few words- please go ahead. We would love to hear all the nice things you have to say to us!


To toast properly, try doing it German style. Germans are serious about Prost-ing. To do it right, you must shout "Prost!", look the others in the in the eye as you clink glases, and take a gulp of your beer. And when they say look in the eye- they're serious. To miss this means 7 years bad sex - something no German we met was willing to risk.

So at the wedding, please feel free to raise a glass, say a few words, look us in the eye, and PROST!

To read more about the real Oktoberfest in Munich

What NOT To Do at Oktoberfest 
or other Oktoberfest Festivals

Home at Last

Last day in Berlin

Free at last free at last! Ok, not completely. We are living at home with the parents and while we don't have the repressive curfew or dress code, it is odd to bum money off of them and live with their way of life again. On the plus side- free room and board! That means a lot after a year of poverty in Berlin and 3o some days of living on the lamb across Europe. Thanks p's!

This is IT

In less then a week we are on the airplane heading to Amsterdam. We're so excited- and so nervous. To leave everything we know and love behind is terrifying! W e are heading for an unknown post in a city with which we have no familiarity. We are trading the Space Needle for the TV tower, the ferries for the U-Bahn, our work as servers to probably work as dishwashers, and our friends and families for strangers.

With that said, I know this is going to be an experience of a lifetime. When I was a little girl I told my parents I was going to live in Europe. They were bemused with my stubborn assertions, but since then my plans have never varied. This is fulfilling my ultimate dream and I am incredibly thankful I have someone as amazing as Ian to share the adventure with. I want to thank everyone for their contribution to our lives. I never imagined it would be quite this hard to leave and that's thanks to all the wonderful people we have gotten to know. So thanks...

Our next post will be after we've made a 91/2 flight, met Yon (a friendly Amsterdam resident that is willing to put us up for 2 nights), and started to fulfill our far- flung dreams. I urge all of you to travel and expand your cultural and societal boundaries.

"Travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys. If something's not to your liking, change your liking. Travel is addicting. It can make you a happier American, as well as a citizen of the world. Our Earth is home to nearly six billion equally important people. It's humbling to travel and find that people don't envy Americans. They like us, but with all due respect, they wouldn't trade passports." 

Like usual, the debonair Rick Steves said it best