My peeps

Lovin on Papa



Sticking her tongue out. Reminds me of a bulldog we once had named Sugar.

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What have I done?!

This is my Saturday:


Truth - I love learning about Afghanistan, now more than ever after my last class. But the work load is unreal. Why did this little bitty think earning a masters in a year would be fun?

Oh - that's right. I'm insane (and increasingly drunk on politics and international affairs).

Though my assignment is due in a week, I have to get done because I have this colossal collection of tomes to navigate:




Yippie.

School is great, and I'm probably going to be a lifelong academic, but what blooooows about school is that reading for pleasure gets kicked to the side. Sad day for Brittany!

I recently ordered "Ghost Wars" (SQUEEL!), "Obama's Wars" (gotta love Bob), and "How to Eat Soup with a Knife". The latter is about the history of counterinsurgency, and I'm now having buyer's remorse after reading it was endorsed by Newt Gingrich. Really? Who would want that endorsement?

But seriously. This whole learning business is taking over my life. Living for Greece!!!

B

Changes

A lot has been going on over here is sleepy 'ole Sembach.  As posted earlier, we adopted a 10 week-year old West Highland Terrier that is keeping us all (Patton included) on our toes.  Isn't Puppydom delightful?

We also, per the use, having been watching documentaries.  A few notables are PBS's pieces on prohibition and Robert E. Lee, but the best was "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead".  It's about an Australian man that comes to the United States to endure a 60 day fast, juicing and making a special friend.  The men change their life by drinking renewing/rebooting juices, clearing their mind, soul, and body.  Fantastic.  Check it out!  Matt and I plan to start one this weekend, as the first two days are rather difficult.  We're amateurs, so we're starting a 5 or 10 day fast.  Check out the website for more information.  If you are interested is safely fasting to improve your mental clarity, compassion, and renew your body, let me know! 

I suggest first watching the film, which gives you the motivation.  I'm not going to lie, I'm terrified.  Matt is more behind this than me, as it was his idea.  I love to cook and absolutely adore food, so this is going to be interesting.  EEK.  Wish us luck!

-B

Snoodle Puppa

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World's Worst Blogger

It's true. I'm terrible.

Alas, I have good news!

Welcome to the family Pace Prudence Cole :)




Pace is a baby girl West Highland Terrier and we finally adopted her today! It was only a 12 hour car trip (wah wah wah).

Her name, Pace (pa-ché, or pa-chay) means "peace" in Italian. Her middle name, Prudence, was picked by Papa Bear and represents one of our favorite bands and songs - "Dear Prudence" by the Beatles.

Here she is with big brother:






Patton being a giant goober, per the usual. It looks like he's going to eat her!

We are elated to have another little lovey in the house, and I'm so glad the male to female ratio is finally 2:2.

I'll try to be better about blogging. Though I'm quite certain it will all be pictures of pups :)

Ciao!

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It's been a while!

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged!  It's embarrassing, really.  Life has gotten crazy, and I haven't kept up like I should.

Why has it been crazy?  Well, Matt's been working like mad.  They keep him so busy.  He takes his job so seriously, and is excellent at what he does.  Unfortunately, he stresses a little too much.  We're working on that.

I've been working with the Kindergarteners during the day, and going to school at night.  If I keep on the projected path, I should be done with classes by December, leaving only the board review and comprehensive exam for Spring 2013.  Looks like I may graduate in May 2013 :)  

What's new with us?  Well, Matt has embraced a vegan lifestyle, and hasn't eaten meat in weeks, maybe months.  I'm so proud of him!  He often comes home to watch "The Big Bang Theory" or "How I Met Your Mother" - two of our favorite shows.  He's also been reading a series of books by the name "I Am Number Four" and so on.  They are Science Fiction and seem quite interesting.  He also keeps Patton busy with snuggling and wrestling.

I've been up to my eyeballs in various books for school, not really getting to read for pleasure :(  However, this has led to my restored love for World War I and II history.  Which is quite perfect, as we live nearly minutes from the Maginot Line and only a short drive from various battlefields.  I have a feeling we will be visiting these sites as our bank account hemorrhages from tuition (sorry, dear).  But when in Rome, right?

Speaking of Rome, we just got back!  I was told it may be one of my favorite places to visit, and to all of those that said that, you were right!  I don't even know where to begin.  We envisioned the sites as they may have been during the reign of the empire, and it gave me chills.  

Here are some pictures :)

 The Colosseum

 Thumbs up, or thumbs down?

 Beautiful setting sun over the Roman Forum.  I call it Eden :)

 My best attempt at pensive and poised on the Spanish Steps

 The Colosseum in Matthew's eyes.  I've never seen something so magnificent.

Nautilus staircase in the Vatican

I took over 700 photos (because I'm a self-proclaimed shutterbug) and have many more if you would wish to peruse them.

When in Rome: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100557653529721.2670938.7017274&type=3&l=695fecdf7c

Rome: A city of ruins, caesars, and hangovers: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100557735585281.2670945.7017274&type=3&l=11faa224f4

Rome was a poem, pressed into service as a city: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100557750066261.2670946.7017274&type=3&l=a56c6ce5b1

Hopefully it won't take me as long to write next time ;)

Cheers!

ps - i miss sarah flory!

Coldplay and Xmas

Matt and I went to see Coldplay in Frankfurt on Tuesday. It. Was. Phenomenal! Christmas came early :)



We have also spent a lot of time with the moms, taking them to Cmas markets and the like.






And don't forget cookies!



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