What we've been up to

It is amazing how time flies, can you believe that it has been 4 months since we moved to Germany? I finished my level 1 German class this week, and I am now eligible to take the level 2 class. I cannot believe that it has been 4 months since I quit my job, I have interviewed for a very promising job here (fingers crossed I get it). We moved out of my house and Nathan's parents' house in Colorado Springs only 4 months ago, moved into our apartment here and now we are looking for a different house here. We had a small electrical fire a few weeks ago, followed by other electrical issues which has led us on our current search for a new house. We have gone from a dog who had no concept of stay to a dog who just last night laid down on the floor and patiently waited for her food and Nathan to let her know that it was ok to go up to her food; we still have a little more work to do on the leash but we are getting there.

The last few weeks we have filled our time by fulfilling various social obligations including the 40th ENG BN masquerade social 2 weeks ago. We have been to countless holiday parties, potlucks, end of the year gatherings, etc.

I have cooked enough in the last month to feed the entire Army and possibly some of the Air Force (jk, but seriously for the 502nd company party I cooked a ham, 2 huge casserole dishes of stuffing, a cheesecake, 2 cheese & cracker platters, homemade hot apple cider and 2 different punches, and that was only one of the events we have been to that I had to cook for). Since we got back for Portugal we have tried to go to as many Christmas markets as possible. Each town seems to have one, whether it is only a few vendors and lasts only a day or several hundred vendors and lasting the entire season of advent. The markets are all outdoor, you can find a wide variety of food, baked goods to take home, crafts, imports, etc. So far we have been to the markets in Trier, Heidelberg, St. Wendel, here in Baumholder, Saarbrucken and Spandahlem. We have plans for more, hopefully we can fit them in with our housing search.