Berlin in Frankfurt

Here it is. The very exciting list of “Stuff I Want to See and Do in 2019.” I’m not particularly set on accomplishing all of this in a year…viewing this more as an inspiration list! 

Places to See

It can be overwhelming to live somewhere as central as Frankfurt, so I am hoping this will help prioritize. Sidenote: if you need inspiration, just look at these pictures! The world is beautiful.

• Germany
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria
  • Partnach Gorge
  • Rakotzbrücke (Rakotz Bridge), Kromlau
  • Exploring and hiking in the Black Forest area
• France
  • Roadtrip: Strasbourg – Nancy – Dijon – Lyon
  • Roadtrip: Champagne region
  • Roadtrip: Bordeaux region
  • Paris: Because I feel like I should?
• Croatia
  • Split
  • Dubrovniik
  • Side trip: Montenegro
• Poland
  • Krakow
• Spain
  • Barcelona
  • Valencia
  • Madrid
  • Pamplona
  • Rota
• Canary Islands
• Malta

Longer-term/ big trips

• Israel
• Thailand
• Bali
• Maldives
• Scandinavia: Norway and Sweden

Stuff to Learn

• German
  • I am signed up for a month-long intensive course at the Goethe-Institut starting next month. I am both excited and intimidated. My goal is to be able to confidently order at restaurants, have basic conversations, and to generally stop annoying cashiers at grocery stores when I don’t speak German and put my credit card in the machine the wrong way or forget to give them my loyalty card…etc…
• Fitness
  • I just finished 16 weeks of BBG 1.0 on the SWEAT app which is a circuit workout program (bodyweight/small weights). I am trying to decide if I want to continue with 2.0 (same style, more challenging) or try another program on the app. I think I’d like to try something with more barbel-focused with heavier weight movements because I definitely miss that aspect of CrossFit programming. Overall, I have been really pleased with the results of 1.0 – I’m feeling strong and lean!
  • I’d like to add more frequent short runs to my weekly routine since Frankfurt is quite flat and has lots of good places to run. I’ve been dissuaded from running by the gloomy winter weather but also due to not having a race or goal in front of me. I think I got a little burned out after running 7 half marathons in a row and just got bored of running. That said, I’m considering a marathon before I turn 30 this year; possibly the Frankfurt one or maybe this one in Budapest? (one of my favorite European cities)
• Kitchen 
  • I’ve really enjoyed having the time to take my time choosing recipes, selecting ingredients, and testing out new things instead of frantically grocery shopping and throwing meals together in an exhausted state. I have also been baking a lot more recently – I have always claimed to hate baking but I  have realized what I hate is not having the time or energy to do it properly or enjoy it. Here are a few recipes I’ve enjoyed lately:
    • Crispy Sesame Beef
    • Creamy Salsa Chicken
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
    • Thai Basil Beef
    • GF/Paleo Biscotti
    • Raw Lemon-Lime Cheesecake   
    • No recipe but generally roasting whatever veggies are in season for dinner then having the leftovers with eggs in the morning! Yum.

Raw cheesecake!

Arugula cocktail. Don’t knock it till you try it.

Thai basil beef

Paleo biscotti. This means I can all of them right?

• Coding
  • I did a one week free trial of Codecademy’s Web Development Path. I loved the trial and signed up for 6 months of classes for about $100. I am excited to unlearn bad habits from working on websites at various jobs over the last five years as well as learn some new skills. I’m especially enjoying learning about CSS and looking forward to learning about writing web apps. Jeff is enjoying the new burst of geek speak in our house.

• Graphic Design
  • Sam sent me this awesome list of skills you can learn online for under $20. I have my eye on this bite-sized Graphic Design Bootcamp. I’d love to reacquaint myself with Adobe Suite suite since it’s been a decade since I took a class on these programs college (how is that even possible…).

• Miscellaneous
  • Piano:  A friend here recommended a local teacher here and I may look into weekly lessons once I finish the German course, especially since I acquired a keyboard before moving. Will it happen? We’ll see. Really all I want to do is be able to play the Pride and Prejudice score on a loop and sing Disney songs for my own enjoyment. 
  • Art: There was a time when I really enjoyed sketching and watercolor. I’d like to start carrying a small paint palette and sketchbook in my backpack when I head out for a long walk around the city. With snacks of course.
  • Is there something else out there I should learn or try? Aerial silks? French cooking class? Voice lessons? Some obscure German hobby I am missing out on?

Words to Live By

Here are some things I’ve learned over the last year that I’d like to continue to focus on in 2019:

1. Building new relationships requires significant effort and reaching out even when you don’t feel like it or feel silly/vulnerable for doing so. The whole process is humbling.
2. Nothing beats exercise during the winter doldrums for a mood booster.
3. Just because your body doesn’t look the same as it did at 22, it doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful. Focus on strength and energy and what your body can do NOW.
4. Everyone has ideas and opinions about what you should do with your life but only you can make those decisions and start taking action!
5. Pulling the trigger on a new activity or hobby is harder than I remember. Does anyone else identify?

Anemones brighten the house

The only sun I’ve seen in January!

I laughed and I cried

A rainbow on the way to church

What are you looking forward to learning or experiencing in 2019? Any big realizations from 2018? Please tell me!

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley