Vienna

Business trip to Vienna. Arrived Monday afternoon, Left Thursday morning. Thankful I got the chance to tour the city after the last day of meetings. Thanks Johan for being my unofficial tour guide (Neither of us are from Vienna, he's just been a couple times). I still don't know all the names of the places we saw. But the biggest impression left in my mind: beautiful, grand buildings lining the streets of the old city of Vienna.

The Danube river.

Excavated Roman Ruins.

Statue to commemorate the Pest Disease.



Gelato from supposedly the best place in town. (For the record, it was really good!)

My new car

Rav4 V6 Sport. I finally, after a month of researching and looking and another month of waiting got the car I've been eyeing. Exact model/packaged car, a cool color, and the price I wanted. It drives real nice!

Snow snow go away!

I was going to finish by saying- come back some other day, like in 2 months! Having read that SF is going through some major rain storms, not sure which one is more inviting. The heavy rain or the first snow covering of the season on Saturday and possibly even inches on Monday! Snow, in October?! Even worse, it continues to be around 30deg outside. For those of you in South Africa, that would actually be super warm but I am now talking Farenheit which means it is below freezing. In October. Something is way wrong here.

(At the publication of this blog entry, I just heard that the East Coast is getting snow. In October!)

View of the backyard on Saturday.

View out of the windows at work on Monday.

I might add that all the snow on the ground is gone and it's supposed to be 50deg on Saturday!

2 months, 3 weddings

It's been 2 months since my move and I spent it in...South Africa! In between business meetings in Europe, I took a 4-day trip down to South Africa for Chris and Barry's wedding. Can't believe they are finally married. Thankful for the chance to go back to witness the big day and celebrate with them. The trip was also bitter sweet as it will most likely be a while until I see everyone again. I miss you guys!

The other 2 weddings:

My brother Jeff and Emily's August 8 Colorado Springs, CO

(A beautiful, simple, elegant wedding! I think the whole family had an awesome time.)

My cousin Florence and Eric's September 12 San Francisco, CA

London, Bath, Stonehenge

The bulk of week 2 and 3 was spent in the UK (for work and a bit of play). Spent a total of 6 days around England and loved it. A day trip north to New Castle, round trip train ride to Exeter, hanging out in the Hilton near Paddington station, running around Hyde Park, shopping at Spitalfields Market, chilling along the Thames, seeing friends Linda/Ming/Brody/Baby Tate, a day's journey to Bath and Stonehenge...


Driving into the town of Bath.

Gardens in the town.

Lots of people on a Saturday afternoon taking in the sights and sounds.

Roman baths...do you see the natural bubbles?

The water running throughout the baths is really really warm! No wonder they used it for therapeutic reasons...

Stopped by Salisbury Cathedral before Stonehenge.


I came across this cool wall/sun dial on my way to the cathedral.

I know that most people would make the argument that these are just a bunch of rocks piled on top of each other. Not worth the trip to see. But, it IS on the list of "places to see before you die" so yea! I can check this one off!

Week 1 of 3 Oui Oui

Geneve- Spent the week in Geneve. Didn't do much out of the ordinary. Walked the hilly streets, had some swiss fondue, worked. Forgot all the French I know (very little) except for how to say "yes".

London- Landed in London today for a 5 day visit. Found a boutique hotel on London St in Bayswater (I know, sounds like I really know the area. I was mostly crossing my fingers this place would work out. Afterall, it's not cheap to stay here!). Went running around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Best way to see the area! Then turns out the area I live in has a bunch of great cheap restaurants that serve Asian and Middle Eastern food- many on London Street! Plus, I'm 2 blocks from the Express Train from LHR and the tube. Looking forward to the weekend.
(sorry, no pictures yet)

Welcome back to Minnesota.

I haven't lived in Minnesota for 14 years. It's been nearly 20 years since I've been to the "great Minnesota get together": The annual State Fair. Sweet Martha's cookies, turkey drumstick for lunch, honey lemonade, key lime pie on a stick, a taste of fresh strawberries and cream, and a couple kernals of kettle corn. I also ventured into the baby animal barn- saw piglets being born!, poked our head into the cattle showing ring, saw some alpacas, perused some really good art in the fine arts building, and managed to get off the grounds once the bolus of people arrived mid-afternoon.

Good times.