UPDATED! dispatch 62: carnival, german style

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Guten Tag, y’all!
Clearly, I meant to actually write something to go with these pictures. Let’s just call this one a #TatFail, shall we?

So, let’s talk about the carnival.

Now, back home in Butler County, Alabama, the fair used to come around every fall. You’d know it was time because blue and yellow posters would start to appear everywhere–light poles, bulletin boards, shop windows. And if your school bus happened to pass near the fairgrounds, you’d see rides peepeing over the tops of the surrounding fence. It was like a garden of awesomeness had sprouted. Continue reading →

travelogue: paris

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Of all the destinations on my 30 Before 30 list, Paris is the place I was most looking forward to going. How cruelly ironic, then, that after returning from dinner on the evening of our arrival Easter weekend I fell ill with a flu-induced fever. Most of my first night was spent in a fitful sleep next to my husband. Most of his night was spent putting cool towels on my forehead and generally being too worried to sleep. Continue reading →

inspiration: “I…just wanted to experience the Spanish lifestyle…”

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…in high school I took my first Spanish course and it wasn’t the best (limited public school resources) and I wanted to take an intensive course in Spain. I sent away for all of these beautiful brochures and just wanted to experience the Spanish lifestyle. I didn’t get the opportunity [then] nor did I get the chance to do so while in university. Many years later, I am finally in Spain. Not exactly what I dreamed about all of those years ago because of the many challenges that I’ve experienced among other (large or small) nuisances. Nonetheless, I can’t say I regret it. If things go as planned, I will be leaving in less than two months and I know I will miss certain aspects of my small Spanish town….

–Flux reader R

I LOVED reading this comment by R, a fellow Southern girl adventuring in Europe. I could relate to so much of this (limited public school resources, anyone?), but what I love most is her persistence in pursuing a dream, even if it didn’t happen on the timeline she wanted. The lesson here is a simple one, but also one that’s easy to forget: never give up. Period.

Read R’s entire quote here.

dispatch 61: what to do when you’ve lost your muchness

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Guten Tag, y’all!

Ever seen Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland? There’s a really cool scene where the Mad Hatter says to Alice:

The Mad Hatter: You’re not the same as you were before. You were much more… muchier. You’ve lost your muchness.
Alice: My “muchness”?
The Mad Hatter: [Points to Alice's heart] In there.

I don’t know if it’s the Endless Winter, or the fact that 30′s approaching, but my muchness has been MIA all year. I’ve just been feeling rather blah (which, I’m sure, also shows in the lack of frequent blog posts) and overdue for a reinvention. So that’s what I’ve been focusing on lately, and I’m pretty sure that it’s working! If you’re feeling stuck or stale or stagnant, here are some things you can try to get your muchness back. Continue reading →

dispatch 60: get out and see what you’re missing

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Guten Tag, y’all!

One of my favorite things to do is to get outside and go for a walk. Since we moved here, I always go in one of two directions: in a circle around the lake we live by, or meandering around the grounds of the castle. There’s a third option, though. It’s a path that goes through a little forest. Until yesterday, I never did more than walk past it. Continue reading →

i’m imported chocolate, honey!

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Hey y’all! A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to chat with Jennifer Poe, the lovely and talented woman behind  Imported-Chocolate.com. In addition to traveling the world, Jennifer advocates and inspires other black women to travel by sharing the experiences of black women travelers and expats the world over. I had way too much fun talking with her (isn’t it always like that when you meet a kindred spirit?) and you’re gonna have lots of fun exploring Imported Chocolate. Check out our conversation here, or check out my favorite Imported Chocolate post: French Staycation (seriously–I’m listening to Carla Bruni as I type this).

Head on over and say Bonjour!

dispatch 58: it’s STILL cold

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Guten Tag, y’all!

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re living in Narnia during the reign of the White Witch? No? Then clearly you don’t live in Germany right now.

It’s cold, y’all.

And the worst part is that last week, the sun was shining! And the weather was warm! Hallelujah! I was all up on Instagram basking in the rays. But like so many good things, this wasn’t meant to last. Saturday morning (or was it Sunday? I can’t remember. The days have merged into one cold, snowy blur) the Babycakes woke me up, saying, “Mommy! It’s snowing!”

I did not share his excitement. Continue reading →

dispatch 57: currently…life in germany {march 2013}

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Guten Tag, y’all!

It’s March–woo hoo! Do you know that this has been one of the cloudiest, gloomiest winters ever in Germany? I’m always happy at this time of year, but after such a dark winter, I’m extra excited that Spring is officially en route.

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On my way to the cinema two weeks ago. Goodbye, winter. Can’t say I’m sad to see you go!

Y’all know what? I’m loving this currently… format so much that I think I’ll do one every month, at the beginning of the month. It’s a nice way to talk about a little bit of everything. So, without further ado, here’s my March currently… post. Continue reading →