sunny road

Emilíana Torrini had a song a while back that I loved called 'Sunny Road' (great CD packaging, by the way).

Right now her newest single 'Jungle Drum' is really popular here in Germany. I especially love when Stefan sings it to me. We both end up in fits of laughter. I was surprised to find she's not really popular in the US (yet).

I really like her whimsical music, but I also have a slight bit of envy that she's Icelandic. Don't you also think she looks a little like Amy Sedaris?

She will be playing here in Munich at the Muffathalle on October 4th, for only 30€...but we'll be in a faraway land by that point.

Make it mine

In my ample amounts of time between working, cooking, and doing little side projects, I decided to turn on the TV. I’m really not a TV watcher, but I do like to know what’s going on in the world.

I realize it's awful to admit that on occasion I will watch MTV or Viva (German MTV) when I get tired of listening to German and dubbed voices. It’s a bit tragic to see how America is perceived and what programs they spend the time and money on dubbing out, but that's a topic unto itself.

All of the suffering paid off when I saw the new Jason Mraz ‘Make it Mine’ video.

It features many popular places in Munich including Viktualienmarkt, The surfer’s wave on the Eisbach river, Schubeck’s ice cream and the Platz’l area, the fountain outside the university, the Chinese tower, Gartnerplatz, and the Isar river banks.

It really made me happy and provided one of those moments where I sit back and think I’m so thankful to live in such a beautiful city!

As a side note, I told my mom about it and suggested she look on MTV.com for the video. It appears he has two - I don't know if it's a US version and a European / German version or what. I haven't found the Munich version online - what a bummer.

If you see the video, I hope it brings a smile to your face.

EDIT: You can watch the video here or here.

Saturday at the Park

We had the perfect autumn day - a lot of leaves, a bit of shopping, and plenty of happy dogs to make us laugh.

I'm amazed how fast the leaves are falling and drying up. Just the other day I was walking past the beautiful tree in the Autumn post below, and today it's virtually bare.

I was craving some sushi so we stopped at Sasou for lunch. I love that they display their various dishes so you have an idea of what you are going to order. Even if you don't like sushi they have a wonderful array of other Asian dishes and soups.

The rest of the day was filled with dogs and the park. Stefan stopped to get some new shoes and I fell in love with the little Westie that had gone to work with his mom. He was so content to be perched on a ledge and stare out the window. How sweet! I really wish that we could get a dog, but it's just not conducive to our traveling lifestyle.

At the park one dog ran into the drained river, laid down, and then ran out to his owner, who I am sure appreciates taking the wet dog and it's smell home.

As we were walking through the park we heard some really great music that was coming from a French instrumental group called Samenakoa.

Stefan and I sat and enjoying their music for a while and the longer we were there the bigger the crowd got. Their music was so impressive that we bought their CD.

I really love riding my bike to town and having lazy afternoons like this. The park culture is just wonderful - if we are ever to move I will definitely appreciate having a park within biking distance... then again it's so nice that everything in Munich is within biking distance.

I didn't let nature have all of the fun with color - I opted to wear one of my new skirts. I really hope the nice weather stays around for a while since next week I won't be around to enjoy it.

Dirndls + Coldplay concert

Lauren and I got a late start to Oktoberfest - suiting up in dirndls is serious business! We arrived early in the afternoon and searched out the tents.

It's interesting how different we were treated since we were two ladies. First, there was a large table of guys at the Hippodrome that yelled at us that they would find us seats. They were already packed tight on their table. Since the Hippodrome is the smallest of all the tents we decided to look elsewhere. We went across to the tent of Munich's beer - Augustiner. It was also surprisingly packed, but we managed to find a couple places to stand and even made a few friends.

One group of men was from Canada and were working with the Circus Krone doing lighting. We talked to them for quite some time about their travels. I told them I was from Ohio and then laughed when they said they would be in Dayton for two weeks in December. Lauren and I offered up tips and I probably didn't reassure them too much when I said it was a dying city except for the University.

Roger, the head lighting guy, had traveled with The Killers and other notable singers. He put us on the guest list for the Circus Krone's 'Rain - The Beatles Experience' this Sunday and even said they would take us backstage, which was really nice.

I often find it funny in situations like this how being married seems to precede me as a person. It's really a great way to filter people's agendas though.

Lauren and I also met a fellow named Dimitri, who was from Oslo. He was one of those types that told us his English wasn't good and then had an entire conversation with us. I jokingly told him I was 35. My theory is women should say they are older than they are because it would make them look great for their age. He said, 'You have such a pretty face, but I don't think you are 35', then Lauren then said she was 55. He knew we were joking. He loved that we were from America and after Lauren told him I was married he asked if she wanted to get married. She said, 'someday', and then he asked if she wanted to marry him. We laughed. Who knew there would be Oktoberfest marriage proposals?

At the other end of our table were some dirty old British men who turned out to be golf pros. They kept trying to get us to join them. We chatted with them for a few minutes and they told me they lived here, but not for long, and then said it was 17 years. One asked if Lauren wanted to stay longer and told her she could move in with him. It was a busy evening for Lauren and now I have a concert and golf lessons lined up!

At night we went to the Viva La Vida Coldplay concert. They definitely put on a good show and I was really excited to see them. Chris Martin, the lead singer and husband to Gwyneth Paltrow, was more fidgety than I expected, but he has a cool persona and seems like a nice person. The entire show was being recorded for a broadcast on Absolute Radio - a new station in the UK.

I was really impressed by the lighting and at one point they had a black light with beautiful confetti falling, which made a neat effect. Everyone was surprised when they went up into the crowd to sing.

They played a nice array of songs from all of their CDs and Stefan correctly predicted an encore - their song 'Yellow'.

Lauren is coming!

One of the most difficult aspects of living abroad is having friends constantly say they want to visit or are going to... except it never happens. Life gets in the way, people have babies, and here I sit getting my hopes up for nothing. Leave it to Lauren to actually book a flight. I am so excited!

I first met Lauren in college when we both flew to Galway, Ireland to visit our friend Mary Beth. From the moment I met her, I loved her. She's one of those people that I admire for being true and honest... both to herself and to everyone she encounters. She has a dry sense of humor, the biggest smile you ever saw, and an enormous personality to match. We lived together the summer after we met and shared many memorable events.

Our days were spent with occasional class or a few hours of work, and there were endless evenings singing the songs of Moulin Rouge and Jack Johnson while we prepared for parties and nights out. Summer was enjoyed just how it should be - with friends, sun, and a lot of fun. We even managed a rather long road trip to Charleston, South Carolina.

That summer is forever one that I'll never forget. I spent 10 days in San Francisco with my Dad, and I lived with some amazing ladies that always kept things interesting. I was living with Lauren when I met Stefan. I still remember standing in her kitchen and harassing him about not being able to stand the heat from the chicken wings he was eating. He has since built up his tolerance. 

Whenever I think about Lauren I can't help but smile. I can't wait to create more great memories with her, and take her to Austria, where she's always wanted to visit. Not only that - she's going to be here for Oktoberfest and the Coldplay concert! We wish you could be with us Mary Beth - at least you have a valid excuse not to make it... and I know you will as soon as you can.

These are a few of my favorite things: Music

2008 has been the year of Music for me...

Starting the year with a great song that was free on itunes, called Regina Spektor - My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) (a cover of a song by Peggy Lee). You can listen to it by clicking the link and 'play this' - or search for it on itunes.

It is such a beautiful song that really makes me happy, even with the background sounds of planes, sirens and fireworks /machine guns (depending on how you look at it)... this is the world we live in. I will be listening to it through the year, after all- New Years is my favorite holiday!

I'm also delighted that Jack Johnson + Coldplay will have new CDs out this year.

Other artists and songs I'm enjoying are David Gray, Massive Attack, and a bit of Jan Delay + Juli for some German influence.

German itunes and US itunes (and all other countries that have itunes) are distinctly different. Sometimes living abroad I feel like I am really out of the pop culture loop. Just the other night Brock + Manuel were talking about the TV show The Office. I've heard of it, but I've never seen one episode.

Music is no different. We get less American rap, but suddenly I know who Tokio Hotel, Sido, and Blushido are (I'm not even linking to those). Despite differences in music, other things are universal, like the two rappers not getting along. When I look at the itunes most popular list in the US, there are always new songs from people I've never heard of. I know things have gotten bad when we are now getting something called 'High School Musical' dubbed into German.

Another example is Natasha Bedingfield's song 'Soulmate'. For months we've been able to download it on German itunes, however it's just coming out in the US. Another one I really enjoy is 'Just Hold Me' by Maria Mena, which I can only get on German itunes, yet for some reason, 'Schlechtes Vorbild' by Sido is available in the US. I'll never understand it.

I guess it's nice we have both US and German itunes accounts, so we have the best of both worlds.