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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Parlez-vous français?


The thing about the hockey world is there is so much unknown it’s hard to plan anything. We thought this would be our last year abroad; that we’d finally be heading home for good to set up shop so to speak. Well, plans change. We started thinking about all of our options and decided to go abroad again. So it’s official, we are heading to France next season. Specifically, a little ski village called Morzine in the French Alps.

With Scott’s MBA commitments going until July here and the start of next season in August, it only leaves us with a month at home. Of course, this isn’t ideal but it’s part of the life we chose. We try and roll with the punches. Actually, no, who am I kidding, I suck at rolling with the punches. I’d much rather lay out a set plan and stick to it. Either way we have no choice in the matter so we are going to try and cram in as many visits with friends and family during that month as we can.

Even though our trip home is a much shorter one, it will be so nice to really enjoy that time rather than stressing over what to do and where to go. Something that is a common theme each and every summer.

We are both excited about the new adventure that lies ahead and are trying to jump in head first and leave our concerns at the door. After all, this could be our last year. Maybe.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

10 things about me...


Thanks so much to Allison for passing along this award to me! The rules are to share 10 random facts about myself so here goes:

1. I could survive on candy alone. Seriously. 2. I am way too obsessed with sleep to have a toddler (lucky for me the hubs is a morning person). 3. I was adopted from Korea when I was 6 months old. 4. I love making lists for any and everything but don't always remember to bring them with me to the store. It's more about getting the thoughts out of my head and down on paper. 5. The Notebook is one of my all time favorite movies. 6. I put my current obsession songs on repeat (who doesn't?.) 7. I rarely use a purse these days since the diaper bag has taken over. 8. I hate leftovers. A lot. 9. I have 2 wedding days but have only been married once. 10. I am the most indecisive person ever. A fork in the road could seriously screw up my day.

So, I am passing along the award to Court and TexaGermaNadian. Love both blogs!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Enjoying the off-season


Well, we're a couple weeks out and so far enjoying the off-season. Sure, it was a sad day when all the other imports were packing up to head home and we're still here, feet firmly planted on Cardiff soil for another three months.

Two things that are making that pill easier to swallow, Scott is on his spring break from school and the weather has been consistently beautiful here. Sunny skies and near 70 degree weather make it hard to complain too much.

Last weekend we enjoyed a family trip out for breakfast. It's one of our favorite weekend outings when we're back home. We went into Penarth to a little deli called Florentine's and enjoyed a delicious English breakfast. After, we strolled over to Alexandra Park to work off some of that food. Reese loved climbing up the steps and diving down the slide.

On a side note, picking out clothes has become more of a challenge now that most outings require chasing Reese around. I need something mom-friendly for sure but want to look somewhat pulled together too. Not always easy. For this outing, my mom street style consisted of my Gap Always Skinny jeans, a F21 ribbed tank top, H&M open cardigan, Urban Outitters scarf and Topshop ballet flats. For more mom style ideas, see Ain't No Mom Jeans' Mom Street Syle Linkup. Hurry over to enter their giveaway for a free pair of jeans too. I know I'm not much inspiration when it comes to style, but check out their blog, it's full of it!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Two birds with one stone


It’s no secret that I love a good workout. From running, to circuits, to classes and everything in between. I like to push myself so I don't feel like it's a waste of my time. Also, so I don’t feel as guilty for downing an entire bag of mini eggs. Which happens much too frequently because mini eggs are out from just after Christmas to Easter. A little too long for this candy addict.

So, when I strapped Reese into the carrier last week to go for a leisurely stroll through the park, I wasn’t expecting it to double as a workout. But man was that a workout in disguise. That girl is solid. I was in serious sweat mode by the time we got home. It was like doing weighted cardio if that even exists.

It was a nice walk through the park and some fresh air for Reese all while getting in a good workout for myself. Nothing like taking out two birds with one stone.

Note: We have the Belle baby carrier and we love it! I did tons of research on these while pregnant and decided on this one over the Baby Bjorn because of one major difference. When using the Bjorn, your back/shoulders bear most of the weight which makes it less than ideal for anything longer than 15 minutes or so. With the Belle, the weight is distributed to your hips so it’s more comfortable for longer baby-wearing. At least that’s what I’ve found to be true. The one downside to the Belle is the lack of head and neck support when carrying a newborn. However, they do have an attachment now you can buy to remedy that.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Year in Review

Well, we've survived another year. A feat I honestly wasn't so sure about when we started off this year. I feel a sense of accomplishment which I know probably sounds a little silly since I'm not the one getting my MBA or playing hockey. But for me, it was an accomplishment to stand on my own two feet.

Frankly, I'm used to having Scott around to help with everything and I like that sense of comfort, especially living in a new place. I don't like navigating through a new city on my own. Since we started this adventure of living abroad, I've come to depend on him for so many things, to find directions to get us to here or there, figure out how to get gas in the car, tell me about the street signs and what they mean, and so much more. This year, he just didn't have the time so I had to learn to do things on my own. And I did. And that is my accomplishment.

I asked the hubs to share his accomplishments too. Here is his year in review:

It has been a very interesting year in Wales. Things had changed dramatically already with the addition of little Reese, with less sleeping in and lounging around, but with the addition of school (The Cardiff MBA), my life couldn’t be farther from relaxing!

For the majority of the year, darkness set in as I stared out of the window of S21 or some other dusty room in the Aberconway building, wondering why exactly I accepted the offer to try to complete the MBA while playing professional hockey, being a husband and helping to raise a little princess. There were some stressful days, that’s for sure, at least until first semester exam results came in and all (most) was forgotten as I exceeded my expectations and placed within the top 2% of the class. As exam week (winter semester) commences tomorrow, I can only hope for the same clarity that I had last time. A little less studying, a little less worrying, a little more enjoying the weather might not help the grades but it sure helps everything else!

Rain drops have changed to rays of sunshine with beautiful weather into the 70’s this past week and envy of the guys starting to dust the golf clubs off for another season is setting in. It’ll be my turn soon enough. The MBA has been an incredible experience so far and I look forward to applying the knowledge somewhere in the business world, someday.

As for hockey, a slow start to the season left everyone with the feeling it might be one of those years, instead it turned into a different kind of ‘one of those years’. As in, one of those record-breaking kind of years. We won 22 games in a row during a stretch from late October until early January and were mentioned as a possible world record holder for most consecutive victories by a professional hockey team.

With 3 trophies (Challenge Cup, Regular Season, Playoff Champion) up for grabs, we were in the mix to win all 3 but unfortunately lost the regular season based on regulation wins and 5-4 in the Playoff final. It ended up being a great year with a sour tasting ending I guess. Personally, I had one of my best years statistically, accumulating 97 points in 62 games. That was good enough for 2nd in the league points race, behind only my linemate, Jon Pelle.

I faced some new challenges this year and through it all I think I’ve become a better person, husband and hopefully daddy! I know Reese hasn’t seen her daddy as much this year, but I hope one day all this hard work will be rewarded. There were some speed bumps, but I know I’ll look back on this year fondly. Thanks Cardiff!


We will both take our accomplishments and lessons learned with us as we continue on in our adventures of this crazy life. More to come on where that will take us soon!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

A little bit of sunshine


image via

It has been sunny and nearly 70 degrees all week and we are loving it. The perfect weather, if you ask me. It means we've been spending more time outside enjoying it and less inside on the computer. Will hopefully be back soon. Or hopefully not if it means this weather will stick around!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Cote d'Azur


With the close of another season upon us, I sit here feeling a little sorry for myself as I watch everyone else preparing to head home, because we are not. Well at least not now. We still have another three months here away from our friends and family. Don't get me wrong, I am glad Scott is getting his MBA and am so proud of him for juggling school, hockey and family (read: my constant nagging about this and that) and actually making it work. I know it wasn't always easy. So as much as I complain about it, which is probably a little too often, I am glad we are still here. Sort of.

However, the one bright note in being here longer than usual is taking advantage of the beautiful places to visit within arm's reach. We are heading to the Cote d'Azur for a family vacation at the end of April. The countdown has begun. I can't wait!

How can views like this not cheer me up?!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Girl Talk



We all need a little girl talk now and then. Sure, I love talking to my husband. I share everything with him. Partly because it’s just he and I so much of time, and partly because he’s my best friend and I like talking to my best friend. But it definitely doesn’t replace having a little girl talk in your life. There are just some things he could care less about or just doesn’t get. Like listening to me talk about fashion and actually showing him pictures of my latest obsessions to really drive the point home (as if he’s even looking). He hates that. My girlfriends on the other hand, well that’s right up our alley.

Even though my girlfriends back home are spread out over the country or world, we can always pick up right where we left off, talking and laughing for hours on end. It’s what I love about them. We’re just that close. There’s definitely something to be said about that kind of friendship.

As for my girlfriends here, the ones I’ve met along the way; my experiences just wouldn’t be the same without them. They’re better because of them.