A Day in Hanna's World

Early Christmas Shopping

Spent the day Christmas shopping online. I know, I know it's early but I need to really get a head start this year because we will be flying to Austria in early December and I will want to bring some gifts with me. Plus others need to be mailed out so I need to have them ready to be mailed before we leave.

We just booked our flight. Will be gone Dec. 3 through Dec. 14. Christmas markets here we come. :) I am definitely looking forward to this trip. It's always nice to be in Austria around Christmas time. Just a completely different feel than here in the US. Don't get me wrong. I do love Christmas time here in the US too. It's just completely different.

Not too much else new really. Lots and lots to do at work. Thanksgiving is coming up and then Christmas and I won't have much time to prep for Christmas since we will be gone for a good amount of time in Dec. So I really need to get moving on figuring all this out, school schedules, delivery days, who needs what and when and all that good stuff.

Mail update: Letters went are going out tomorrow to: Charles/TN, Celia/MA and Carmen/Malta. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Alex/Germany, Emilia/Finland, Tiffany/OK, Sarah/Canada and David/IN.  

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a fun Halloween. Happy Haunting. :) We were invited to a party by some friends but won't be able to make it now after all since Mike caught the flu and has been in bed since Thursday. Too bad because it sounded like a fun party. But can you do? So I guess we will just take it easy this weekend. Maybe I can catch up on some things around the house while Mike recovers.

It was great to have my parents here this past week. Managed to take a few days off as well which was nice. We did some sightseeing around New York City (the Botanical Gardens, Transit Museum, Natural History Museum, Central Park) and went out to Long Island to the North Fork wine-tasting. My parents also went to the South Fork of Long Island one day and to Mystic another day. My birthday was a lot of fun as well. My parents cooked a traditional Austrian soup (beef broth with sliced crepes ... I know it sounds weird but it's delicious) for me from scratch and my mom even brought a homemade Sachertorte (traditional Austrian chocolate cake) from Austria for me. At night we went to TK's for free birthday wings and drinks. The week flew by so fast but definitely lots of fun.

Lots of lovely birthday gifts as well. Tea, gingerbread, chocolates, a picture frame, a candle, a pink robe, a very cool teapot and a meat slicer. I know a meat slicer is a very weird birthday gift but I have wanted one for quite some time so I can buy Hungarian salami and other meats like that in bulk cheaper and slice them at home. Plus the German bread from the German deli keeps fresh longer as well if you slice it yourself.

Mail update: Letters went out on Tuesday to: Jessica/DE and Charles/TN. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Celia/MA, Emilia/Finland, Tiffany/OK, Sarah/Canada and David/IN.  

Birthday Surprise

Just a quick post before heading off to work. I honestly had the biggest surprise on Tuesday and I am still amazed at how many people were in on this and nobody let a word slip at all. My 30th birthday is this coming Saturday. On Tuesday Mike and I went out to dinner under the pretense of meeting some friends at the restaurant. As we were waiting for them to show up and I am looking over my menu, not thinking anything at all, my dad and mom walk in. I was in complete shock. Ha ha. I think it took me a good ten seconds to actually realize and register what was going on.

So yes definitely a good birthday surprise to have them here. They flew in on Tuesday from Austria and are staying until Wednesday next week. So they will be here for a full week which is nice. I managed to take the day off from work yesterday and we went to the North Fork of Long Island wine tasting, walking around the cute villages and all the way out to Orient Point State Park. A really nice day.

Today I have to be at work again but my parents will probably drive out to Long Island again and this time visit the South Fork, The Hamptons, Montauk Lighthouse, etc. I am sure they will have a good day. I will try to take one more day off while they are here, possibly Monday. And I have the weekend off too so that works out well.

Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Celia/MA, Jessica/DE, Emilia/Finland, Tiffany/OK and Charles/TN. 

Snow in October .. so very very weird

Yes it actually snowed on Thursday and Friday this week. It didn’t stick to the roads luckily but it was enough to cover the windshields of the cars and be messy and annoying. It has barely reached 40F most days lately. Not the kind of weather that is normal for mid October. Ok, enough complaining.

Not too much else new really. Had to work today but am getting out at 2pm. Need to go grocery shopping. No other plans for the rest of the weekend. It’s supposed to pour all day tomorrow so it will be a good “stay at home catch up on TV” day I think. I am looking forward to sleeping in and just being lazy in general.

Next week the weather is supposed to get a little more normal I think. I hope that’s true. I don’t want it to snow on my birthday. Can’t believe my birthday is already next week Saturday. Time flies.

Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Tiffany/OK and Charles/TN. 

Happy Autumn ... why is it so cold already?

Sorry, it seems like it's been ages since my last post. Work is still busy as usual. Been working lots of Saturdays but at least these past two weeks I had a day off during the week which was good.

Had the day off today and was able to meet up with my friend Sharon and her little daughter Leiana. Amazing how fast time flies, she will already be one year old at the end of November. It was really nice to see Sharon again and to catch up.

I finished the newest Diana Gabaldon book today. Lots and lots of loose ends and it will be hard to wait for years until the next book comes out to get it all resolved but I am not as upset as a lot of other fans. I think it's good in a way because it means there is a lot of material for the next book. Will definitely keep things interesting to say the least.  

Not too much else new really. It's been really cold, especially in the mornings, hovering around 32F (0C). Brrr. I am not sure I am used to that yet. I do love fall but not the fact that winter is following so closely. My parents just spent a lovely week in Corsica. I would love to be somewhere warm right now. :)

Mail update: A letter went out on Tues to Celia/MA. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN. 

Fall Thoughts

Fall has definitely arrived. I can't believe it's October already. Time definitely flies. Before we know it it will be Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. :) We have had some really nice fall-like days. Today it's rainy and very dreary but tomorrow it's supposed to be ok again.

Work has been busy as usual. Worked till 1:30pm today, then went grocery shopping, caught up with a few things around the house and now going to catch up with some of our recorded shows on TiVo. Tomorrow we will probably go down to NYC to eat at Cafe Steinhof (Austrian cafe in Brooklyn) Feels like we haven't been there in ages so that should be fun. I think I will bring my book along so I can read in the car and on the subway. :)

October also means that my 30th birthday is pretty much around the corner. I have a hard time believing that I will really be turning 30. I just don't feel that age at all. :) But I guess it's just a number and I suppose looking back I have accomplished quite a bit so far. Moved to a different continent, established a life for myself here with a house and a managment position. And I guess what matters most: I am happy. :)

Mail update: No letters have gone out. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN and Celia/MA.

Book Launch for "Echo" .. Diana & me

Just a quick post here from me. Had a great time in Arizona but of course the three days flew by way too quick. I spent most of Monday and Wednesday traveling. But it was still a lot of fun. It was great to meet my friend Cyndy and to see my friend Linda from Santa Barbara again.

We had a lot of fun, hanging out, chatting about everything (lots of Outlander book talk of course) and just relaxing. I couldn't believe how hot it still is in the Phoenix area at the end of Sept. Over 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Crazy. But we were able to swim in the pool which was nice, have a fun dinner at the Yardhouse and lunch at the Auld Dubliner.

And of course let's not forget the book launch event at the Arizona Biltmore. I was amazed at how many people were there. They had 2200 copies of pre-signed books and actually sold out of them. Luckily we were there about an hour before so we didn't have to wait in line that long (we still waited quite a while though) but it was worth it of course. I now have a signed and personalized copy of "Echo in the Bone" and a picture with Diana Gabaldon. Yay. :)

Well, now it's back to work and real life. I feel like I have just been going, going, going. I think it's definitely time to slow down and take it easy for a little while. Let's see how work goes today.

Mail update: Letters have gone out to: Charles/TN and Lotte/Denmark. Also have a letter for Eunice/Malta that I need to mail. Received letters from/still owe replies to: NONE.

Busy, busy, busy

Just a quick post here from me. Had a great remaining time in Halifax. Of course the days just flew by. Sunday the weather was kind of rainy so we did all indoor stuff. Went to Pier 21 - the immigration museum which was really interesting. After lunch we went to Keith Brewery for a brewery tour which was also very cool. They have costumed guides acting out the period (1862) telling you a lot about the history and brewing process along with songs & games.

Monday we went to Dartmouth across the harbor for a little walking tour. The ferry ride back to Halifax was especially neat because of the harbor and skyline views. Met up with my pal Kimber for lunch. It was great to see her in person for the first time after writing for so many years. In the afternoon we went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic which had a really neat exhibit on the Titanic. Halifax was one of the first cities to respond to the disaster and a lot of victims are buried there as well.

Tuesday we started our drive back and stopped in Kennebunkport, ME for the night. Kennebunkport is such a cute town and I am always happy when we get to be there, even if it's for one night and dinner. Had a yummy dinner at Federal Jack's. Then Wednesday morning we left Maine and headed straight back to work.

Work's been busy but I have lots of outside-of-work activities to keep me busy too. Today we are going to see "Hamlet" on Broadway, starring Jude Lawe. Probably will have dinner after the show which means we won't get home till after 2am most likely. Tomorrow we are going to see "The Time Traveler's Wife" at the movies since I have been wanting to see that for ages. Also need to pack tomorrow since I am off to Phoenix on Monday. Flying there Monday, Tuesday is the launch/release party for Echo and then flying back to the East Coast on Wednesday. So yeah, I am keeping busy. :)

Mail update: Letters went out on Monday to: Alex/Spain and Caroline/Scotland. Letters went out on Thursday to: Celia/MA and Jetta/Finland. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN, Lotte/Denmark and Eunice/Malta.

Hello from Nova Scotia

Having a really great time here in Nova Scotia so far. The drive up seemed to take forever (about 13 hrs) but we made it with no problems. Amazing how long you can drive through Maine and New Brunswick took forever too.

Nova Scotia is a very pretty state from what we have seen so far. Took a nice scenic drive along the Lighthouse Route today which hugs the coast and has some really pretty scenery. Stopped at Peggy's Cove which is a neat fishing village with a lighthouse. For lunch we stopped at a small diner where I had a super delicious lobster caesar salad and Mike a lobster roll.

After we got back from the drive we walked around the downtown area, looking at the seafront and all the different restaurants and shops. Back at the hotel now and going out for dinner in a bit to Rogues Roost Brewpub. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be a little iffy so we will probably plan some indoor stuff, museums, etc. Really enjoying our trip so far.

Mail update: Since the last update letters went out to: Charles/TN. On the way up I wrote letters to: Alex/Spain and Caroline/Scotland (just need to get stamps to mail them) Received letters from/still owe replies to: Celia/MA and Jetta/Finland. 

Labor Day Weekend ... finally

 I am so glad it's finally Labor Day weekend. This is week number three where I worked 6 days. I am definitely getting tired of it. It's been just extra crazy at work this past week and a half. Mostly because of all the schools starting back up and trying to organize everything, figuring out delivery days, who starts what day and needs deliveries when, restructuring our routes to accomdate all the new schools we have this year and so on. It's just been one thing after another. Worked till 3 today and will be at work for at least 1/2 a day on Monday.

I don't want to kid myself into thinking that it will all be easy after Labor Day but things should get better, at least in another week or so. At least all the startup deliveries for most of the schools are done, the schedules are figured out and things should improve from here on out.

The part to focus on is that we will be leaving for Halifax on Friday next week. That's less than a week. I am definitely in need of a vacation. It will be nice to get away, even if it's just for a few days. And not too long after that I will be going to Phoenix. There is still a lot to do before I can think about a vacation but at least I am closer than I was before.

Mail update: Since the last update letters went out to: Lotte/Denmark and Celia/MA. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Charles/TN, Caroline/Scotland, Alex/Germany and Jetta/Finland.