Virtual Coffee

Family shout out

If we were really meeting for coffee today I'd invite you over as we just had the apartment cleaned today and it always looks so fresh after someone else has spruced it up. I am happily so spoiled.

So a week has passed and G Unit is still working. I think he's happy in the new job. It seems as if there is a lot to learn and I feel that can't be a bad thing in terms of experience. It may not be his end goal in terms of an employer or type of work but I don't think any experience is ever wasted.

I've been getting back into cooking with G Unit back at work. We're learning to share the kitchen. Or maybe it's taking turns. He's been used to doing things his way and he has become an amazing cook in the last two years, but previously before this whole grand adventure I was used to cooking my way with him asking my opinion when he cooked. Now we both have our own opinion. So far no one has died.

Work wise, this past week has been interesting for me. There is going to be some changes in the management above me. So there is a new boss on the horizon. Hopefully this will be a positive change, but change is always a little scary and uncertain.

For me personally there is a new work challenge. This is not definite yet, but I've been asked to help set up the reservation systems for a new sister property opening this summer.

Hells to the yes. I wanted to do a trip to the city of lights next month. Looks like work is going to pay for me to go for two weeks. fingers crossed. And it will be work but I'm hoping G Unit can join me for at least one weekend and the rest of the time I'll spend going to museums and pastry shops. Bye-bye weight watchers. Anyone want to hop on a plane and come see me?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am not moving. I know with Prague I went off for a few weeks and then stayed indefinitely, but they already have someone in my position at the new hotel. I'm just going to help. And gorge myself on pain au chocolat. Hopefully. I feel like I'm jinxing this by telling you all before tickets are bought.

News about this trip came when I was obsessing about my closet. I always feel so unfashionable, so blah. Yeah going to France is seriously not going to help that feeling of inadequacy. I have been saying for years want a personal shopper. I want someone to tell me what to buy and what I should be wearing with what. Ok I want a personal stylist AND a personal shopper. I've even asked my sister to send me things she thinks I should buy when she's shopping for herself. And I tried to see if I can find someone in Prague who does wardrobe consultations, like my friend Tracy. (Who I would so ask to re-haul my closet if I was back home.) I was that frustrated. Course I have this freakout at least twice a year but then when I realize how much clothing costs I back off again after buying a few things. Which I did when JCrew posted a 30% final sale. Hopefully after a few years of careful buying I might have a wardrobe I like. Nope. I still think I need help. One day. I bought these in case you were curious.

Dress of which I can use for work and play! Right?

Blazer of which I have none. Score.

If we were really meeting for coffee I would shut up now. I have a problem with babbling and I'd let you catch me up on your week while I finish the rest of my Tim Horton's coffee. Hey it's virtual coffee I can get anything I want, even if I do have to go all the way to Canada.

Finally I'd look at the clock and realize that it's getting late here in Prague and time for me to go to bed. I'm so glad to have this weekly chat and can't wait to see you all again next week!

Catch up with other Virtual Coffee posts at Amy's!

Monday Motivational

Hello everybody! I can't believe another week has started. Now that we're really settled in Prague time seems to be flying by. This week (or perhaps just indefinitely for the the immediate future) I've decided that my intention should be

Restraint

There are limits to self-indulgence, none to restraint. - Ghandi

Mostly this is in reaction to the past few weeks which has seen G Unit and I stretch our bank account. Now that G Unit is working it has made it easier to lose the self restraint and splurge. While this has been fun it could easily get out of hand. Part of the reason we moved away from California was we knew that with the lower cost of living we would be able to save more on one salary than we ever could on two in the Bay Area.

There is also the fact that I'm entering week two of getting back on track with weight watchers. Remembering that a little restraint can go a long way I hope will help me get through the week and closer to my goal.

But I also want to focus on social interaction. Sometimes things pop out of my mouth before I really think about what they mean or how they could be interpreted, especially in a multicultural environment.  I don't think I've ever really offended anyone here but starting to feel comfortable here in Prague also means that I don't think through things as much as I maybe should.

So this week I'm hoping to focus on is the goals that I have set forth for both in the short term and the future. I also want to think about how my thoughts and actions can impact others. I want to think about what is important for down the road for the bigger picture rather than on the instant gratification of buying shiny new objects, trying the latest restaurant or saying whatever pops into my head.

For more Monday Motivational, join Jade at Tasting Grace

Zero or Nuala?

Did you know? Apparently Nuala in Czech means zero. Like in the number. Or lack of number. Seriously when you count it's nula, jeden, dva, tri.....

I'm not so good at coming up with new upset/worried faces

Is there an upside to this? I mean being known as zero. Well kinda. Everyone understands my name. I say Nuala and then they look at me a little funny, like stupid English speaking person doesn't realize I asked for her name and then I go, Nuala like zero. And I get a sly smile every time. Even with people smirking over the accidental czech translation of my name at least it's not being butchered and is recognizable. Even G Unit's started using my name for reservations cause zero is easier to get than Garren.

Will the level of meanings my Irish Gaelic name has ever end? I sure as hell hope not.

Virtual Coffee

Another week, another post. I'm feeling a little uninspired today. All week I've been thinking about what I would say today when we met for coffee but I've got nothing. Okay maybe not nothing, but nothing entertaining. Not really.

The big news is that Kept Man is a officially a Kept Man no longer. G Unit has made the move back to the daily grind. Two days strong and he's going back for thirds tomorrow. This past weekend was spent getting the house and ourselves organized as we knew that no one would be around with tons of time on their hands to clean and cook. I think we've done ok so far and feel as if we are both putting the effort in to do things around the house. Mostly me really since before I did not bother at all cause well...he was home all day. {sheepish grin}

As for the drama that is the Moroccan Embassy in case any of you were wondering, G Unit got an unofficial, "Well if you can't get it, but can prove you tried, with countries like Morocco we understand..." So it's no longer dire to get this piece of paper from Morocco. Thank the gods. Hopefully this is our last interaction with Moroccan bureaucracy. fingers crossed 

Besides that I'm back on the Weight Watchers wagon. Some of my work pants are beginning to feel uncomfortably tight. Apparently eating dumplings, schnitzel and strudel to your heart's content isn't good for your waist line. Oh and let's not forget the fried cheese. Apparently that's not calorie free either. Go figure. The Farmer's Market here in Prague officially opened the location near our apartment last weekend.

View towards our Apartment from market

There's not much in the way of vegetables yet, but we should start seeing something in the next few weeks that will help us eat a bit healthier. That and G Unit not having all day to make home made tamales or lasagna. {sob} In the meantime we're making do with grocery store veggies and trying to eat better (read eat less cheese).

Ratatouille tonight!

Farmer's Market fish from last week - Healthy except for the fact that we covered it in broken beurre blanc sauce - Fail

My new resolution didn't stop me from buying this awesome smoked cheese from Slovakia called Ostiepok at the Farmer's market

Mmmm cheese

It's so yummy when you heat it up in a pan and let it get all soft and gooey and then place it on some fresh bread....num. My idea of heaven involves non stop food (read cheese and carbohydrates) with no repercussions. 

And on that note I will leave you with a memento (laugh) from St. Patrick's Day. Green teeth. And me finishing a book...in bed. A party animal I am.

Thanks for joining me for coffee today. I hope your past week has at least been as relaxing as mine if more interesting. Head over to Amy's for more virtual coffee.

Monday Motivational

Jade at Tasting Grace (who many of you may know) has been doing a weekly Monday Motivational. The idea is to set a word, image or thought as the intention for the week. I thought I'd join in.

POSITIVE

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference - Winston Churchill

It's amazing how easy it is to fall into a recurring negative loop at work. Something is always wrong, something is always frustrating, someone has always messed something up that needs to be fixed, the guests ask too many questions, every phone call is meant to interrupt you from your very important work. (wait, what?) It's a never ending cycle that just builds on itself.

This week I've decided to realize that these things are not important and maintain a positive attitude so that things that don't really matter do not affect my overall outlook. I'm going to be happy, happy, happy damn-it.

Happy Day

"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words" - Platus

I don't know if I can think of a better way to celebrate my mom's birthday. I just wish I was with her to help drink the wine! Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you know how much I love you. You're amazing. Enjoy your day.

Hugs and Kisses,
Nuala

PS A little something is on it's way in the mail, but as always I'm late with the sending (because I roll like that).

Cup o' Joe

...or maybe a cup of tea. It's about 8pm in Prague and I don't think caffeine would be the best choice at this point

If we were really meeting up for coffee, I would ask how your week was and what is new with you. I'd like to hear how your life is going before I get into what's up around here. There are a lot of changes going on in this household. As I type Kept Man is finally hanging a bar that we got from Ikea back in October for extra pot and pan storage as well as a chalkboard for the kitchen. We'll probably only doodle on the chalkboard but at least it will be something on our big white walls.

Besides cosmetic changes on our walls, Kept Man is getting a change of status. As of Monday he will no longer be a Kept Man. That's right, he's going back to the world of 9 to 5! What will I call him now? Maybe I'll go back to the old standby of G Unit.

Disregarding the fact that I have to come up with a new nickname, I'm so happy for that Kept Man has been offered this opportunity. The past two years bouncing between Morocco and Czech Republic has been a bit frustrating for him. I know the idea of having almost two years off traipsing around Europe and North Africa sounds fun but after a while I get the impression it's a bit boring. In case you're internally screaming, "What is the job Nuala!?", he'll be working for a huge company doing customer service. It's not glamours but it's steady work with interaction with others and it means we'll be able to save a lot more money while we're here in the Czech Republic. Plus he gets his own cubie. No more sitting at home twiddling his thumbs. Or making me dinner. Yep, I'm already going through withdrawals.

With all these new exciting work happenings it was inevitable that Morocco's bureaucracy would crash the party as if it wanted to give us a final parting gift. This new job wants a criminal background check from Morocco since we lived there in the past year. I think I can honestly voice the opinion that Morocco is the most frustrating and stupid bureaucracy ever.

For comparison Kept Man already got the background check for the Czech Republic. He went to the post office, presented his passport and told them what he wanted. One business day later it was available to pick up. All for the low low price of 50 CZK (approximately $2.50). In the meantime emails have been sent to the Moroccan Embassy with limited useless information given in response. Finally I called the Moroccan Embassy today to try to get some help on how we can get this stupid piece of paper that says that Kept Man has no criminal record in Morocco. I was basically told that that the Embassy could not help us and we would have to go to Morocco. I mean REALLY?! Why is it so hard to do this? Why does this become an international incident? Why is Moroccan civil service so f'd up? What is wrong with having a form to fill out a standard fee to pay and instructions on how to do it? Why is everything a huge hassle? It is unbelievable. Those of you in the States, thank your lucky stars for the DMV. It is a pantheon of order and helpfulness. Those of you in Czech Republic who think the Czech Republic is difficult, go to Morocco, then we can talk.

We're trying to go through the Moroccan Embassy in the US now. Maybe they will be more helpful. HR seems content that we are still trying to get this piece of paper and Kept Man is scheduled to start Monday even without Morocco and their "Kept Man is not a criminal" documentation. Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out.

So my week in a nutshell - Job for Kept Man (yeah!) - No more chef at home for me (boo!) - Morocco sucks! - Czech Republic is awesome! - Kept Man still starts on Monday (yeah!)

Thanks for the tea time and a sympathetic ear. I appreciate you listening to me rant and rave about things out of my control. And celebrating Kept Man's new job with me. Next week we'll learn if I can remember how to cook! I'm also hoping to get some pictures to share with you from the Farmer's Market here that is along the river and near our house. Let's hope for blue skies. And maybe I'll have a story about going to an Irish pub for St. Patty's Day. Big plans, that's my middle name. Have a great week!

I'm a Degenerate

....so says Kept Man as I hold his beer on the metro as we head home because he's too embarrassed to hold an open container of booze on public transportation. It's his Puritan American side coming out. Did I mention that it's 12:30pm and he's tipsy?

We were returning from the Farmer's Market in Galerie Fenix at the metro stop Vysocanska. Some friends invited us to join them as they know we were interested in accessing local products. And Kept Man and Karel decided that 10am would be the best time to try the local beer being sold. The label on this particular beer 'was for men' and would probably 'not be allowed in the States'. Protestant sensibilities and all. I kept my hand over the label as we rode the metro home stealing a few sips here and there. While I didn't mind holding the open container the label was a little to likely to catch someone's attention.

All and all it was a fun morning. We managed to procure some fresh trout, bacon, sausages, smoked cheese, butter, pasta, wine and of course beer.

Along the way Kept Man learned some dirty Czech words and phrases and we had some laughs. Not a bad way to start the weekend.  

Sun! Oh the joys!

Spring is around the corner.

It was down right temperate today. A high of 54 F! The sun is staying out later and later every evening. Everyone is out and even the dogs are happy. I saw at least 5 dogs playing in the park today and when I was waiting for my tram this evening I saw a little shitzu prancing along the cobblestones like he was dancing looking as happy as Larry.

It's a amazing what a little sunshine does to everyone's mood.

Coffee Coffee Coffee

Happy Tuesday. Pull up a chair. Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea? Me? (Name that movie!)

I'm in a bit of a silly mood. Maybe it's just a good day. Or maybe it's finally deciding not to take things so seriously. Or maybe it's realizing that I am good at my job and I do know more than I realize.

Any-who. If we were really meeting for coffee today I'd tell you about the Kylie Minogue concert I attended last week. I was lucky enough to score a free ticket randomly through work. Kept Man decided he was not interested in going but I didn't want to miss out on a free show so I decided to go on my own. I'm glad I did. The ticket was the kind that I would never pay for but the view might be worth it. I was about 10 feet from Ms. Minogue at all times. It was awesome. And boy does she put on a show. *begin side note* I will mention that I have never seen so many gay men in one place in Prague before. But then again, I don't get out much. *end side note* The costumes, dancers and the sets were more than enough to keep me entertained even though I didn't know too many of her songs. I'm only familiar with her very recent hits and the 80s classic (well classic to me and my sister) "Put your hand on your heart". She did not play the 80s classic but she had enough good looking male dancers (start around minute 2:00 on this video to see what I'm talking about) to make up for it. If I had the opportunity I might go see Ms. Minogue again. It was good times.

The rest of my week was quiet although Kept Man did manage to drag me out on Saturday night. We headed to Botel Admiral (which is a two minute walk from our house) for drinks which was a complete trip. Lots of dark polished wood and furniture that looks like it was in style in 1984. I'm looking forward to trying it out again during the summer when the deck is open. During drinks at one point I thought we were having an earthquake, but no that's just what happens when you're having drinks on a boat. It moves from time to time.

Kept Man managed to keep me out late and after drinks we headed to Jazz Dock (again a 10 minute walk from home) and listened to some Jazz. It's a small venue. A little pricey on the weekends but I know they have less expensive shows/times. I was glad we went. We'd been talking about it for a year. Really a year. No exaggeration. Man we need to get out more. We are old people. Scratch that. I am an old person. Kept Man actually gets out into the world more often than me.

And then after telling you all this is would shamefully admit that apart for going out Saturday and heading to a movie and the grocery store on Sunday I didn't leave our apartment even though it was sunny and clear all weekend. After a week of working all I want to do is lay around in my pajamas and veg. I need at least 4 days off if I'm expected to do more than catch up on TV. I promise to try to get out this next weekend. Kept Man and I have already discussed going for a bike ride. And if all else fails the farmer's market starts in two weeks and that is across the river from us. I cannot claim laziness to avoid it.

And that pretty much catches you up with my week. I'd be sure to leisurely finish my coffee while I listen to what's been happening with you. And when all possible topics have been exhausted I'd get up to go as Kept Man has prepared dinner and I'm holding things up. Turkey burgers tonight.

The man, the legend: my husband

mmmm Turkey burgers

I'm so spoiled. Thanks for joining me for coffee this week. See you next week!

Coffee Time

If we were really meeting for coffee today I would be bounding over to you with a huge smile on my face because I was surprised by a package in the mail today.

I got a notice in the mail yesterday letting me know that a package waiting for me at the local post office. I decided to pick it up on my way home from work today. Side note: Can I mention that with all the packages we received off and on since Christmas time the gentleman behind the counter now recognizes me and speaks in English to me because he knows I don't speak Czech. And he does it with a smile. I don't know how the post office got such a bad wrap here in Czech Republic. I was terrified of it after hearing so many horror stories. But it's downright pleasant, especially after the scariness that is the Moroccan post office. In Morocco you either never get your packages or if you do they've been rifled through. And there is no semblance of a line at the Morocco post office (or at least when I went). And they have no concept of personal space. And there is not a woman in sight. INTIMIDATING. End side note.

So when my nice Czech Post Office worker brought over the package I noticed that the name on it was my friend's last name. My first thought was, "Kristen sent me something?" And then I noticed the address was not her address but the house she grew up in, "Why would Kristen put her parents address on the package?" And then I got closer and saw that the package declaration noted that the contents of the package were cookies. And then it clicked. The package wasn't from Kristen. It was from her mom, Eydie (and I'm betting Bob too), my Girl Scout troop leader. Girl Scout. Cookies.

Aww yeah. I walked home with a skip and a smile and wondering how I would hide a box from Kept Man to hoard all to myself. Not really. Kinda. He's a cookie monster.

And speaking of Kept Man. This past week has been more eventful for him than me. All of a sudden he's had two job opportunities pop up and 4 interviews in the last week. He just had the last one today. He seems to think he didn't do so well on one of the interviews, but I think he probably did just fine. He's very competent, intelligent, has a wonderful smile and I think gives a nice first and second impression. So we'll see. Hopefully he'll hear back from one or both opportunities in the next week or so.

He may not be a Kept Man for much longer. And while I'm very excited at the idea of him getting a job as I know that he has been very frustrated not working, I am already going into withdrawals at the thought as I have gotten very used to him being available for everything, being home when I get off of work and ahem, preparing my home cooked meals. It's back to oven pizzas if he gets on some wacky work schedule. Fingers crossed for him though even if it means I'll starve. Because obviously I've forgotten how to cook in the last year and a half.

And now I will probably stop rambling and ask how your week was? Did you do anything fun and exciting? Any new adventures? Anything planned for later this week? I myself have no plans for the rest of this week, except Irish Dancing, trying to find out if the farmer's market in town is starting this weekend and managing to post on this blog twice a week instead of once a week. Let's see if I succeed shall we. I need some inspiration. Or maybe just sunshine. Where are you spring?

And now it's time for me to put down my decaf cappuccino and head to bed. It's getting late and I have to get up early. It was nice catching up with you all. See you next week!