Sneek Peek at 2011 Season of "Where in the world is Becky Bowler?"

I believe the game of “Where in the world is Becky Bowler?” is going to take another spin but to what degree? Come on people! You know me, I’m all over the place. I once told a dear friend that I think I have a problem that I don’t feel like I fit anywhere but she turned it around on me and it made perfect sense…I fit everywhere. BUT fitting everywhere doesn’t mean I’m happy everywhere. Chicago is another stone on my path and I have sort of known and most recently strongly realized it isn’t a place I want to be much longer. The somewhat dangerous part is that my trip back to Germany reconfirmed my love for the place and now my mind is wandering and plotting a possible return. My first hope is still to get mine and Sari’s project up and running but it is the waiting stage and I don’t want to put my life on hold for something that would be just short of a marvel if it occurred. SO…..a new focus has somewhat spontaneously but easily started to bloom. After returning from Germany and having a concern about how hard it was for me to leave again and to come back to a place I couldn’t even really call home, I started brainstorming. If I could make money I would move back to Heidelberg in a heart beat so how could I do that. Well, when I was there last, I sort of discounted the idea of teaching English because you needed a certificate and it takes a couple months to get. BUT I forgot that I didn’t discount it because I didn’t want to do it, I discounted it because I didn’t have that kind of time. I needed a job IMMEDIATELY! So now, I have time and I looked into it. A piddley idea that started Wednesday morning turned into “me signed up for a class that starts on Monday” by the end of the night on Wednesday. I was pretty sad and a little depressed the first day and half of my return but there was a night and day shift in my energy and attitude the moment I made the decision. And it fell into place so easily. Again, I would still LOVE for my project with Sari to work out but if not, I am on the road to a possible return to Germany early next spring. Only God knows…….Which is it gonna be and where will the next episode of “Where in the world is Becky Bowler?” take us? Stay tuned!

Back in Chicago

After a car ride, 4 flights (the last 2 delayed), 2 trains, a bus and 24 hours of door to door travel, I am back at the apartment in Chicago after a great trip in Germany. I best get some rest for a big day of work tomorrow. No time wasted, right? Guten Nacht!

Sad trip back to Chicago

After trying unsuccessfully to get a few hours of sleep, the alarm went off and it was time to again pack up my things, leave another place I once called home and to sadly say goodbye to my closest friend once again. The trip to the airport was pretty quiet, driving through the dark and rain and we made it in plenty of time. After lots of hugs and tears streaming down my face, I did my last wave to Caro and made my way to the airport gate. It is all so familiar. It’s always so exciting to visit friends and family but it goes by way to fast and then comes the inevitable sad goodbyes. The not-so-nice lady at the ticket counter seemed very annoyed with my unorganized check-in but she toned down her inappropriate attitude a little bit after she saw that I couldn’t really talk nor hold back tears again after a couple minutes into the interaction. I should have taken advantage of the opportunity and tried to cry my way into getting bumped to first class. Dang! Why didn’t I think of that earlier? Before getting to my gate, I picked up a little german chocolate and a book to encourage me to keep up on my German learning and take a little bit of the country back with me. Eat Pray Love is one of my most favorite books and they just happened to have the German version available so I figured what a better book than this since I know the story so well and can sort of figure out what is being said while reading it in German. Just might take me a little longer :) Oh well, I’ve never been a very fast reader anyway. I wonder if they have Cliff-notes ;)
Thankfully, I slept on the first plane, not only because we were sitting on the plane on the ground for an hour and a half before taking off but I was exhausted and it also helped distract me from being so sad. On my second flight now, I have the pleasure of sitting next to Paul Bunyan who just recently finished his second tray of lunch and is now again sprawled out, sleeping with a few crumbs of food in his beard (perhaps for later), his huge legs cramped up to the seat in front of him, and a sock across his eyes held on by one of those sleeping eye covers that rubberband around your head. I’m anxious to see the marks it leaves on his face when he wakes up and takes it off. Awww…cheap entertainment.
I did sleep for an hour though and now I am reminded again that I am sadly going back across the ocean to the states and boy, do I look hot :) I just know I am gonna meet the man of my dreams in day old clothes, distorted sleep hair, swollen eyes, and no makeup. At least then he has something to look forward to, right? Oh well, I am at least able to sit here with sad and happy tears and write a review of the great time I had in Germany and look over the 300+ pictures I took. Lots of hugs, laughs, food, german learning, and memories; a little scar on my hand from my favorite crazy cat; and Sara Barielles will now be a little heart wrenching to listen to but for great reason. I still have another two flights until I reach my final destination, but 4 flights and 24 hours door to door travel back to Chicago is still absolutely worth the trip. A piece of my heart still sits in Heidelberg and always will.

(****Note to Caro**** Ich vermisse dich schon und Ich liebe dich sehr mit alle mein hertz! Danke fuer alles. Ich kann meine leben ohne dich nicht ausmalen. Tschussi aber nur vorerst. Bis drei monate!)

Back to a crazy work day tomorrow but very much looking forward to a trip back home to Scobey to spend time with my whole fam! I’m sure there will be lots of pictures and stories to come. Until next time….aufwiedersehen.

Last day in HD :( but in the moment

Post for NOVEMBER 14th:
Caro on our regular river run "I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth" :)

Awesome view of the Heidelberg Castle and Old Bridge as we run on the trail

Sunset from the Old Bridge Crossing and entering the main area of the city from the Old bridge

One of the busy downtown streets, good thing there was a Staff person there to manage the crowd ;)

From the Castle grounds at night, over looking the city

I

Heart

HD :)

Leave tossing on the castle grounds....me, nadine and caro

Caro and I on the castle night

The crew going to the castle on last night....me, nadine, michi, and caro

SchafsKaese cooking for dinner

Saturday night, We ended up staying at Suse and Christoff’s house in Karlsruhe, so had to get up and take the train back to Heidelberg. We actually dropped off in Leimen to pick up Caro’s mom’s car for our trip to the airport the next morning. When I say we dropped off, I mean we hopped off at the closest train station and made our 30 minute “walk of shame” in our (well me anyway) last night’s clothes, through the streets, a little mud, trails and drive ways to the house. At least the weather was AMAZING! The sun was shining and the climate was t-shirt and short weather. (Tight jeans, an accessory scarf, and calf-high boots wasn’t really what I planned enjoying the walk in but the company was good and the fresh air refreshing.) We made it in time for another one of my favorite most memorable German times. We sat at the table and visited with her parents over a breakfast of fruit, bread, jam, honey, egg, and tea. One tradition I love that will never die is actually sitting around the table with family and friends for meals. This time it reminded me of the many times that we did this same thing when I first moved to Heidelberg last year. After breakfast, we made our way back into Heidelberg and threw on our running clothes to enjoy the weather. We did a little run walk by the river and through the main street. I brought my camera this time so I could capture it all. If only pictures could capture ambiance, real views, and heartfelt feelings. Time in the moment……which again would not have been the same without stopping at Caro’s Gelato place for a scoop of ice cream. By the way she knows the entire staff and all there is to know of the place, you would think she knew them forever but NO, it just opened this last year and she just may have been there a few times ;) Great stuff! After our run/walk around the city, I made another batch of Caro’s fave pumpkin bars so she would have some after I left and we showered and got ready while waiting for Nadine to stop by. We had coffee and pumpkin bars before taking a night trip up to the Heidelberg castle. I hadn’t been up there on this trip yet so it had to be done. We picked up another friend, Michi, and drove up a familiar running hill to the side of the mountain where the castle stood. The International Film Festival was going on up there so we had some fun taking crazy pics in front of the lit up signs. The view of the city from up there is beautiful and it was a great time of pictures, walking around the castle grounds, and enjoying the warm fall evening. After the photo shoot, we made SchafsKaese (sheep cheese, another familiar food of mine there) and sat and visited over dinner. After dinner Caro and I spent one last moment chilling out, looking at pictures from all that we did in the last week, and visiting before we had to say goodbye in the morning. 4:30am was coming way too soon :(

Basketball and Griechin

NOVEMBER 13th:
my souvenier little matting sign that translates into Fruit Vegetables

My trip to Germany just wouldn’t be complete without another basketball game and my favorite Greek experience at a great Greek restaurant with the same company. Saturday, we rode with Suse to Karlsruhe where she lives and we stopped into see her boyfriend, Christoff, at his hair shop before walked around the square a little. This is where I picked up my one and only souvenir of sorts at one of the shops. So cute and special; I love it and can’t wait to keep it in my kitchen, when I get my own one day (whenever that may be :)) For now it will sit on my shelf as a memory. Around 6 we drove to Kircheim-Tek about an hour away for a basketball game. Since Caro’s dad played basketball in Germany and her brother does now, it is a big part of their family life. I’m glad I enjoy sports myself so it’s pretty easy to join in on the b-ball happenings. Caro’s friend, Ade, plays for Kircheim-Tek and they were playing Bayern-Muenchen who has a few of the national players on the team and is coached by the National coach. It was an awesome game; very eventful and stayed pretty close the whole time. After the game we made our way back to Karlsruhe to my fave Greek restaurant as always with Caro, Suse, Christoff, and his brother Alex. The guys are so funny and always teach me crazy German words. We always have a dinner of laughs, sillyness, and the same good food. For some reason, I am always so distracted that I never get pics. Sorry :(

Trip to France and an evening with German food and friends

Post for NOVEMBER 12th:

Coffee for the road....driver concentration

passenger enjoyment

our GPS we were on the right track

road trippin!

little french girl at the bakery

in front of Stassburg Cathedral

Pflammkuchen

At z-Marche

Caro happy in the bakery

Nadine and Suse prepping the Kartoffel Suppe

Our onion cutter with water in her mouth to help prevent crying. unfortunately it doesn't keep you from cutting your hand though.

Dampfnudeln Kochen

The girls of the night....Nadine, Me, Caro and Suse

Potato soup with creme fraisch and sprouts and dampfnudeln

Dampfnudeln with vanilla sauce

Friday morning Caro and I hopped in the car for a day trip to Strassburg, France. It is only a couple hours away and is a cute little place with shops, cafes, and beautiful architecture. My first trip to France :) Our GPS of written map quest directions and Caro’s i-phone helped us to successfully get there around noon. The signage on the autobahn isn’t really the most clearly stated. Seems as though every trip we have taken has led us to a couple “turn-arounds” in order to stay on track. It’s all good. Adam Lambert kept us entertained quite a few times as well as a few other songs that I’m surprised I can’t think of right now. ….over and over, gotta love the radio. In Strassburg, we strolled around town, through the beautiful cathedral, through a couple French Marche and were unfortunately disappointed by a pflammkuchen that the area is famous for. Apparently it is usually really good and you can get it at most restaurants there but the place we decided to stop into made a different type of sauce that neither Caro nor I really cared for so much. A little bit like creamy cheese mixed with uncooked egg…..right? sounds yummy, huh? Pflammkuchen is a very thin crust pizza with rahm (like a sour cream, or in our case creamy egg something) and then other ingredients like onion, bacon, and cheese. All in all, it was an experience worth having. After lunch we check out a few clothes shops and a couple patisseries before grabbing some sweet treats to take back to Caro’s parents. We made our way back through the drizzle and stopped in Leimen for coffee at her parents and while she ran to a quick appointment I sat and visited with Anke, brushing up on my German speaking some more. Very treasured times. Then it was time for us to get back into Heidelberg because we had plans to cook some traditional German food with friends. An originally planned group of 4 turned into a group of 12 and there we were eating Dampfnudeln, Kartoffel Suppe, and Vanilla Sousa in a kitchen I like to still pretend is mine. Gotta love a full kitchen with good food and good company. Nadine provided us with all the goods and I watched (with a small partaking) Nadine and Suse make this German delight, oh, and Caro chopped the onions. Dampfnudeln is a big ball of dough, sort of like making a soft dinner roll. Then they are cooked by placing water, butter and salt (or sugar depending on the sauce) in the bottom of the pan, then the dough ball on top of that and covering it so the bottom gets crusty and the top is steamed to cook. Then you eat it with Potato soup and/or vanilla pudding sauce. VERY yummy! A great night with great food and great friends.

Heidelberg Trip Part 2

Post for NOVEMBER 11:


Caro and Nadine walking through the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg

Coffee at Hemmingways

Koenig Stuehl (meaning King Chair) iss at the top of this mountain in Heidelberg...you can just barely see the towers on the top....I know, right?

Caro scaling the wall 1/3 of the way up to the Koenig Stuehl

We made it to the top!

Heidelberg from the top of Koenig Stuehl

A very chill week of visits, coffee drinking, cooking, running, and all around good times.
Monday Carolin had to work so after a run along the river, I spent the afternoon with her mother, Anke. I took the train out to her house and we went for a long walk around the countryside and town and finished with kaffee und kuchen at a cute little café in the middle of the town. I enjoy spending time with her very much. We have wonderful visits and she makes me speak German as much as I can so I get a little practice. It’s great :) After Caro got off work we grab some food from our favorite Thai place and went home to have a little dinner and visit. AND of course, we watched a Gilmore Girls episode because she is how I started watching it so it made since to finish it with her as well. Only a couple more episodes were left to complete all 7 seasons :(

Tuesday, I spent the day in Heidelberg on my own, walking around the grocery stores and then cooking and baking in my Heidelberg kitchen. If you know me well enough you know that this was a very enjoyable time for me; doing what I love in a place that I love. Although I mostly enjoy spending time with others, I couldn’t have had a better time on my own. Caro again had to work but when she came home, she came home to homemade Thai Lentil Curry with Basmati Reis, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, and banana almond frozen yogurt. I threw together the curry with some lentils I found in the cupboard, some extra veggies from the fridge, and a little coconut milk and curry paste. Very tasty. Baking pumpkin bars was a given since they are Caro’s favorite that I have made and the pumpkins right now are sooooo sweet and delicious. As far as the Banana frozen yogurt, that came out of no where. She had a bunch of bananas she was going to throw away so I did a little experiment that turned out pretty good (in the beginning, until it turned into a Bananen Stein). Tuesday night we sadly finished the last episode of the Gilmore Girls. Time spent with Lorelei and Rory came to an end. Great show.

Wednesday we needed to drop off Anke’s car off at the house so we threw on our running clothes and drove out to Leimen. After a little coffee and a visit, we hit the pavement on our run and stopped by to say hi to friends near by along the way, Bettina and Nadine. It is about a 45 minute run from her parents house back into the city but we had great weather. Half of it is on a trail through the vineyards on the mountainside and the other is through residential areas. We used to do this run when I lived here before so it was a great to experience a fond memory again. After running we stopped at a little café and had coffee and Caro did a little work on her computer. Then we were invited to dinner at our neighbors place. They are a very cute, nice couple and she is an awesome cook. They had just returned from Italy so she did a little Italian fare in the beginning with a little home-cooked flare. For starters as usually we had Prosecco and the appetizers were Italian Olives, Toast with Pesto/Mozzarella/tomato, and toast with prosciutto/pesto. Sehr Gut! The main dish was a potato au’gratin dish and flank steak rolled with bacon and dried peaches. We finished with a lebkuchen (gingerbread) flavor panicotta with cherry sauce. We visited for a couple of hours, or shall I say I listened most of the time. Only to my disadvantage, I sometimes struggle to speak up in social situations because my Deutsch is not so good and we only speak English half the time. Still a very enjoyable time. Thanks for talking, Caro :) Afterword we headed to a small pub near the house and visited with some of Caro’s friends before making our way back to sleep time.

Thursday…..Caro worked on her computer at home for a little bit while I went to the market and grocery stores. Again, I never get tired of going food shopping especially in another country. I picked up some odds and ends at the store and headed back to the house before Caro took me on a run of death! She said she wanted to take me up to the Koenig Stuehl which I have taken the tram up to at it is beautiful up there, BUT I figured it may be a little up hill zig zag not a death run of forever zig zags and no end in sight for 50 minutes. Before we left she neglected to give me too much info and I neglected to ask. I guess by now you know that we made it, since I am still able to blog this post right now. Very proud of us but not sure I will be doing that one again, OR maybe I will at least be more prepared next time. It was worth the view from the top. When we made it back to the house, we skyped with a dear friend of ours, Hillary, from the summer camp at which we all met. It was great to see her again and still feel a forever friendship between the three of us. We were missing our fourth of the “Fantastic Wellspring Four”, Tess, from camp but have high hopes of a reunion one day soon. After skyping we made our way out to Caro’s parents for dinner. As usual, we had a delicious meal, this time including pasta, salmon, a lemon sauce and lots of fresh herbs. They always make such great stuff. Next time Anke and I promised each other we would cook together. Love spending time at my Germany family house :) After dinner we went to a pub and met up with some of Caro’s friends for a little cocktail before heading back home.