Thursday, March 29, 2012
6 months ago today!
6 months ago today I left the states! Can you believe it!?! If I am honest I am still in a bit of shock. I don't really know if shock can last that long or not but go with me here. I am in shock. Shock that I have moved to a different county, that I am a married woman, that I haven't done a day of work in months (well other than house work), that I still can't drive, and that I am here period. Home is still LaGrange, IL to me...while I love our new home together it seems like it is in the wrong place. It should be on Elm, or Peck, or Spring Ave. ya know? I think it is totally nuts that I am living in England! While I have done really well at adjusting to buying things in the store and understanding where you go for what...it still really hasn't settled in that I am going to be here for a while...a LONG while. It is like college in some strange way. You get use to it being a different kind of home away from home. You know what I mean? The only exception is my plane tickets home are a heck of a lot more expensive! I do enjoy it here, please don't get me wrong. I just can't say that it feels like home yet...my house does but once I walk out the front door it is like huh? And my head just can't put things right. I know I have ONLY been here 6 months and it will take years before I fully comprehend what I have done. I am positive though that I made the right choice and I guess in the long run that is what counts the most. I am so thankful that I have my best friend beside me every step of the way. Mark has been outstanding in letting me "dis" his country and patient when I say things like "this place is so weird, or what do you do things like they did in the 1950's?" He is a superstar in my book...and even though you don't read my blog hunni...thank you. I also really appreciate all the support from my good friends and family. Care packages from Cali are like winning the lotto to me along with birthday wishes on Facebook and such. I couldn't have asked for more from my family either. They have been supportive of my move from the start, although I don't think Bon Bon (mom) or Pops where ever thrilled I was moving so far away. Face time has been an amazing telephone/video feed and well...I am sure the rents will get their fill of me in a few days. Literally...in a few days they will be here and we will see how long it takes for one of us to think...mmm...how long do I have to spend under one roof with______? Ah...yes...so off to getting things ready for my rents. Happy 6 months in England to me!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Ahhh spring is in the air!
So lets go back in time for a bit. As a junior high kid I absolutely hated running. I was the chubby kid and didn't like sweating in gym class. In high school I was less chubby and enjoyed sports but still thought running was the most ridiculous thing a person could do. Fast forward to the past six months and that is all I have done. lol How times change.
So this past weekend Mark and I ran a 10K. That is 6.25 miles for those of you who think in miles like I do. I have been on a training program since New Years in order to "get ready" for the big event. To be honest I was actually starting to enjoy running. It is nice to see progress as a result of your own hard work. I was a bit nervous since all of my training has been inside on a treadmill...but it paid off. I had gotten my mile times down from when I started quite a bit. I was at a 14:30 mile pace and now can run a mile at a comfortable 11:30 pace. Not too shabby for the self proclaimed fat kid. The race went really well. I know my mom had visions of Mark and I running hand in hand...so not reality. Mark started off in a faster coral than me so I never saw him until the finish line. I was really pumped by the end tho. To run the whole thing...keep my pace throughout...and finish strong was amazing! It was wonderful to know that the effort paid off. I seriously have never run that far, for that long before in all of my life and I was quite excited to get my time of 1:09:18. While I know a lot of people can run a lot faster than I can...it was sheer bliss to me. We celebrated with a nice meal out as well. If you burn 1,000 calories you might as well put them back on with something nice ;) So that was our weekend.
The past week has gone by quickly. I have been practicing driving for my upcoming driving test. Say a little prayer on Th. for me if you think of it. I have been getting the house in order for my parents to come. And really that is about it. Mark and I had a wonderful night out in town together for my birthday. Fajita dinner all dressed up and then into town for a night out. It was nice to feel like a grown up. Still can't wrap my head around what that really means...but ya know.
This weekend we also bought a lawn mower. Now for those of you who don't know the Griffin tradition, lawn mowing is an essential part of the home. You see you have to get perfect lines in the lawn or dad will make you do it again. Well, that craziness I guess rubbed off on to me and so now I am the Griffin lawn mowing psycho...except with the Tetchner name. We couldn't afford the mower of my dreams...so I settled on the next best thing. Over here few people have gas mowers...most are electric which means you have to deal with the silly cord all the time. Whatever...different but ok...anyways... I was like a kid with my new mower. I say mine because Mark will never have the chance to use the thing. I love it. Skip the shoes and purse I got for my birthday...the lawn mower was my real present! I was like a kid in a candy store with eyes a glow and everything. As soon as we got it home I was mowing! I love it...nice pretty lines...oh how I love thee. It looks wonderful. I can't wait for it to grow so I can cut it again! I know...I'm crazy, you can thank my pops for that. In the mean time I will look out my kitchen window on to my nicely cut lawn. ahhhhh
And that is all...hope you all are enjoying the 80 degree weather in Chicago...I wish I was there for that!
So this past weekend Mark and I ran a 10K. That is 6.25 miles for those of you who think in miles like I do. I have been on a training program since New Years in order to "get ready" for the big event. To be honest I was actually starting to enjoy running. It is nice to see progress as a result of your own hard work. I was a bit nervous since all of my training has been inside on a treadmill...but it paid off. I had gotten my mile times down from when I started quite a bit. I was at a 14:30 mile pace and now can run a mile at a comfortable 11:30 pace. Not too shabby for the self proclaimed fat kid. The race went really well. I know my mom had visions of Mark and I running hand in hand...so not reality. Mark started off in a faster coral than me so I never saw him until the finish line. I was really pumped by the end tho. To run the whole thing...keep my pace throughout...and finish strong was amazing! It was wonderful to know that the effort paid off. I seriously have never run that far, for that long before in all of my life and I was quite excited to get my time of 1:09:18. While I know a lot of people can run a lot faster than I can...it was sheer bliss to me. We celebrated with a nice meal out as well. If you burn 1,000 calories you might as well put them back on with something nice ;) So that was our weekend.
The past week has gone by quickly. I have been practicing driving for my upcoming driving test. Say a little prayer on Th. for me if you think of it. I have been getting the house in order for my parents to come. And really that is about it. Mark and I had a wonderful night out in town together for my birthday. Fajita dinner all dressed up and then into town for a night out. It was nice to feel like a grown up. Still can't wrap my head around what that really means...but ya know.
This weekend we also bought a lawn mower. Now for those of you who don't know the Griffin tradition, lawn mowing is an essential part of the home. You see you have to get perfect lines in the lawn or dad will make you do it again. Well, that craziness I guess rubbed off on to me and so now I am the Griffin lawn mowing psycho...except with the Tetchner name. We couldn't afford the mower of my dreams...so I settled on the next best thing. Over here few people have gas mowers...most are electric which means you have to deal with the silly cord all the time. Whatever...different but ok...anyways... I was like a kid with my new mower. I say mine because Mark will never have the chance to use the thing. I love it. Skip the shoes and purse I got for my birthday...the lawn mower was my real present! I was like a kid in a candy store with eyes a glow and everything. As soon as we got it home I was mowing! I love it...nice pretty lines...oh how I love thee. It looks wonderful. I can't wait for it to grow so I can cut it again! I know...I'm crazy, you can thank my pops for that. In the mean time I will look out my kitchen window on to my nicely cut lawn. ahhhhh
And that is all...hope you all are enjoying the 80 degree weather in Chicago...I wish I was there for that!
Friday, March 16, 2012
I'm getting old!
Haha...so I can officially say this is my first blog as a 32 year old. tehe. It is so crazy to think I have been here for 32 years. I remember my 16th birthday like it was yesterday and that was half my life ago!?! Now I know some of you who read this are a bit older than me but I think we can all relate. I mean how does time go by so fast? I feel like I am still young on the inside but I look back at some of those pictures and think wow...no that is what young really looks like. Yesterday was a good day. (my bday) Different from the normal bday back home but good. It was so sweet for everyone to wish me happy birthday on fb. It made me feel so blessed to have so many people think of me. A bit sad too cause I miss my friends but really sweet of everyone. Mark got me a nice new pair of nude heels and a matching clutch for my birthday so we are going out on the town tonight to celebrate.
I wish I could say I have some exciting new news but I really don't lol. Last weekend we went to IKEA again to get a butchers block cart type thing for our kitchen. That was good...more ikea stuff to build...but good. I swear our house is an ikea advertisement. Literally lol. Mark has been riding his bike to work lately. Makes me a bit nervous but he absolutely loves it. It is healthier for him and the environment so I guess I can't complain. He has only fallen off a few times, and luckily in rather safe spots...no big injuries yet. It is about an 11 mile ride to work and then the same back. So he definitely gets his workout for the day in. I still go to the gym just about everyday. I am close to race day so I am putting in the miles. Tomorrow it up to 5 miles so we shall see. Next Sunday is race day!
I am looking forward to my parents coming. They will be here in about 2 1/2 weeks. I have some ideas of what I want to do with them but I need to come up with a list. Really I am getting sick of looking at these 4 walls and need to find a job. But o well. I have been looking but no luck so far. So that is our update. Hope you all are well.
I wish I could say I have some exciting new news but I really don't lol. Last weekend we went to IKEA again to get a butchers block cart type thing for our kitchen. That was good...more ikea stuff to build...but good. I swear our house is an ikea advertisement. Literally lol. Mark has been riding his bike to work lately. Makes me a bit nervous but he absolutely loves it. It is healthier for him and the environment so I guess I can't complain. He has only fallen off a few times, and luckily in rather safe spots...no big injuries yet. It is about an 11 mile ride to work and then the same back. So he definitely gets his workout for the day in. I still go to the gym just about everyday. I am close to race day so I am putting in the miles. Tomorrow it up to 5 miles so we shall see. Next Sunday is race day!
I am looking forward to my parents coming. They will be here in about 2 1/2 weeks. I have some ideas of what I want to do with them but I need to come up with a list. Really I am getting sick of looking at these 4 walls and need to find a job. But o well. I have been looking but no luck so far. So that is our update. Hope you all are well.
Monday, March 5, 2012
This is gonna be a long one...
Numero uno...
So last week...actually the week before last, Mark was on a course. This means I had my first "home alone" experience as a married woman. He was gone from Mon.-Thurs. I didn't really know what to expect. I mean I have lived on my own before so how different could this be? Was I going to freak out in the house by myself, or was I going to love a bit of me time. Well, the answer is both! While I don't like hearing all the bumps and noises that go "boo" in the night, having a whole bed to myself again was a super treat! Yes, I definitely slept diagonally and enjoyed every minute of it. I was glad to see him again though Thursday cause I was in need of talking to another human being again! lol
Safety first!....
So on the Tuesday night of Mark being gone Penny and I decided to have girls night. She put her 2 girls to bed and then the fun began. We ordered pizzas and watched the Brits. (They are the British version of the Grammys.) Because it was late at night, and I would be coming home alone, I decided to drive the car. I didn't want to walk through a pitch black field at 10:30 by myself, but I don't have my license yet either. I figured driving was my safest bet and I was right. I was so glad I got home in one piece that I rushed into the house to text Mark I had gotten in and was safe. I bolted the door and went to bed. Well at 2AM I hear a knock on the door! WHAT! You have got to be kidding me!?! I was sure I was going to die right then and there! I didn't want to be the stupid girl who goes down to see who it is and get murdered, so I laid in my bed as stiff as a board. I then saw some lights and thought this is it...I am a goner. Can you hear my heart beating!!!!???? Nothing came of it but I heard every noise the house could possible make from then until about 4 am when I finally fell back asleep. Well, Wed. morning came and I had a driving lesson. I couldn't find my keys anywhere! I knew I had them in order to get in the house but what on earth did I do with them!?! Genius me had left them in the front door. Yeah...not to safe! I know what the knocking was now too...somebody from the military patrol that drives around every night must have seen them and wanted to let us know but I was too afraid to answer the door to actually be safe. Oh the joys of being Shara. Mark got back on Thurs. and we had a nice relaxing weekend.
This past week was beautiful here. Penny and I went into town and did some shopping. It was nice to get out of the house. On Friday I ran 4 miles! I was so excited! I am still training for the Lincoln 10K that is coming up. I have never run 4 miles without stopping before and at the pace I was going. Still not super fast but for me super exciting! I am glad I got it in as well because Mark and I had a weekend of major eating ahead. Mark's parents took us to a Bed and Breakfast in Skipton to celebrate his mom's birthday. It was a really great weekend with the Tetchner's. We hung out a lot and ate like Kings and Queens. Now if you know how I feel about British food, normally this would be so so. But the food at the B&B was amazing...American tasting...good...wow...yummy...food! We saw Skipton's castle and even went on a cave tour with his rents. It was a really great time. So thankful I get along so well with the in-laws!
It was a really special weekend as well because it was also the weekend in which I met Mark 5 years ago in Vegas! It was Friday night, March 2, that my life would change in a million ways. It is so cool to see how God's plan is bigger and better than your own. I always had an idea of how I wanted to meet someone, or what that person would be like, and how my life would go. God had an even better plan, and an incredible love story that I have gotten to see first hand. 5 years ago I had almost given up on finding a guy that I thought was good for me. I was told I had too high of standards if I ever wanted to get married and so I went to Vegas to say screw boys and I will have fun as a single lady for the rest of my life. Well low and behold God had a way of saying "not so fast missy" I got plans for you. Thank you so much Lord for the past 5 years...Mark is more than I ever dreamed of and I am so thrilled at how amazingly you have written my love story. God are pretty stinking awesome! God is good!
So with that I will say adios. I hope you all are well. I am getting excited to come home for the summer and even more excited for my rents to come in a few weeks. Peace out!
So last week...actually the week before last, Mark was on a course. This means I had my first "home alone" experience as a married woman. He was gone from Mon.-Thurs. I didn't really know what to expect. I mean I have lived on my own before so how different could this be? Was I going to freak out in the house by myself, or was I going to love a bit of me time. Well, the answer is both! While I don't like hearing all the bumps and noises that go "boo" in the night, having a whole bed to myself again was a super treat! Yes, I definitely slept diagonally and enjoyed every minute of it. I was glad to see him again though Thursday cause I was in need of talking to another human being again! lol
Safety first!....
So on the Tuesday night of Mark being gone Penny and I decided to have girls night. She put her 2 girls to bed and then the fun began. We ordered pizzas and watched the Brits. (They are the British version of the Grammys.) Because it was late at night, and I would be coming home alone, I decided to drive the car. I didn't want to walk through a pitch black field at 10:30 by myself, but I don't have my license yet either. I figured driving was my safest bet and I was right. I was so glad I got home in one piece that I rushed into the house to text Mark I had gotten in and was safe. I bolted the door and went to bed. Well at 2AM I hear a knock on the door! WHAT! You have got to be kidding me!?! I was sure I was going to die right then and there! I didn't want to be the stupid girl who goes down to see who it is and get murdered, so I laid in my bed as stiff as a board. I then saw some lights and thought this is it...I am a goner. Can you hear my heart beating!!!!???? Nothing came of it but I heard every noise the house could possible make from then until about 4 am when I finally fell back asleep. Well, Wed. morning came and I had a driving lesson. I couldn't find my keys anywhere! I knew I had them in order to get in the house but what on earth did I do with them!?! Genius me had left them in the front door. Yeah...not to safe! I know what the knocking was now too...somebody from the military patrol that drives around every night must have seen them and wanted to let us know but I was too afraid to answer the door to actually be safe. Oh the joys of being Shara. Mark got back on Thurs. and we had a nice relaxing weekend.
This past week was beautiful here. Penny and I went into town and did some shopping. It was nice to get out of the house. On Friday I ran 4 miles! I was so excited! I am still training for the Lincoln 10K that is coming up. I have never run 4 miles without stopping before and at the pace I was going. Still not super fast but for me super exciting! I am glad I got it in as well because Mark and I had a weekend of major eating ahead. Mark's parents took us to a Bed and Breakfast in Skipton to celebrate his mom's birthday. It was a really great weekend with the Tetchner's. We hung out a lot and ate like Kings and Queens. Now if you know how I feel about British food, normally this would be so so. But the food at the B&B was amazing...American tasting...good...wow...yummy...food! We saw Skipton's castle and even went on a cave tour with his rents. It was a really great time. So thankful I get along so well with the in-laws!
It was a really special weekend as well because it was also the weekend in which I met Mark 5 years ago in Vegas! It was Friday night, March 2, that my life would change in a million ways. It is so cool to see how God's plan is bigger and better than your own. I always had an idea of how I wanted to meet someone, or what that person would be like, and how my life would go. God had an even better plan, and an incredible love story that I have gotten to see first hand. 5 years ago I had almost given up on finding a guy that I thought was good for me. I was told I had too high of standards if I ever wanted to get married and so I went to Vegas to say screw boys and I will have fun as a single lady for the rest of my life. Well low and behold God had a way of saying "not so fast missy" I got plans for you. Thank you so much Lord for the past 5 years...Mark is more than I ever dreamed of and I am so thrilled at how amazingly you have written my love story. God are pretty stinking awesome! God is good!
So with that I will say adios. I hope you all are well. I am getting excited to come home for the summer and even more excited for my rents to come in a few weeks. Peace out!
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