So, I've always promised myself I'd blog. Today seems a good day to start. Greetings from Copenhagen Denmark. A long way from home for a small town girl from Ohio - and not the easiest or most fun path to get here - but we're settling in all the same.
Back story is boring, and makes me a bit sad, so I'll skip it and just start from today and move forward.
DH (Chris,) DD (Lily) and I are here for a bit of an indeterminate time - though it looks more and more like 3 years is a good bet. We're excited, nervous and looking forward to this new twist of faith.
DH has be here since February. DD and I visited in the Spring for 10 days and we arrived again for REAL May 31st. Our 9th wedding anniversary. We had a fun anniversary lunch of sushi and Sticks and Sushi. Yum. Fun for the whole family!
We went out for a special anniversary dinner at Bistro Huks Fluks on our first Saturday here. What a cool place - amazing food and pork legs hanging from the ceiling. ;)
We're living in temporary housing. A 1000 sq ft concrete rectangle just south of the city. It's an odd space, compared to what we know and have called home, but in comparison to so many ... it's big, simple and doable! It's just going to take some getting used to.
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| front view |
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| living room |
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| Kitchen / Dining room |
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| Bedroom |
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| Lily's Room / Laundry |
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| Bathroom |
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| Back view |
HOPEFULLY we will officially call Copenhagen HOME by the end of the summer, but for now I'd rather not focus on those dull details. Instead, I'd like to highlight the FUN stuff.
Last weekend we visited our FIRST Castle - Rosenborg Castle, in the Copenhagen. What a beautiful place. We had our first official picinic on the grounds, DD chased pigeons, DH and I shared a bottle of wine w/ hummus and bread and I think I fell in love with CPH right then and there.
Sunday we went to mass at our new Parish (St. Anne's), went to the grocery (Irma) and started into our lazy routine.
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| Walking into Rosenborg Castle |
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| Mommy's little cuddle bug |
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| Lily's first try at portraiture |
During the weekdays we've alternated between 530AM and 1040AM wake ups (clearly I'm a bigger fan of the later.) We've been out exploring (the bus routes and the mall,) enjoyed some amazing meals (Huks Fluks, Sticks and Sushi, Cave (Indian), Toscano Pizza) working out (our apartment has a fantastic gym,) taking bike rides (oh my aching hiney) and spending lots of QT as a family.
DD has been to two Happy Hour gatherings (don't worry, we're still good parents, she's just adept at entertaining herself in a majority of adults,) two castles, lots of good meals (sushi, Indian, pizza, donuts from 7/11) and countless trip on public transportation.
We're getting accustomed to Danish TV (thank G-D for language settings!) rediculous amounts of daylight (430AM to 11PM) and truly enjoying our time as a family of three. That said, we are grateful for modern technology (where would we be without Skype, Facebook and the Internet in general?!) Talking AND seeing our parents, best friends, and updates on everyone else in our lives keeps us connected and in touch. Who would have thought??
So much to see and do and grateful for every once of it!
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| Copenhagen Skies - always crazy |
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| Love Lock |
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| Lily's favorite 7 Eleven Donuts |
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| Lily with the Lupines |
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| Tivoli |
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| Lily's first Happy Hour |
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| Lily's Masterpiece for Chris' Bday |
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| Chris' Bday Dinner |
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| McDonald the Universal Kids fav |
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| Girls RULE |
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| Fashionista |
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| Trains, Bikes, all modes of transport |
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| Salad at Cafe Vivaldi - Fredicksborg Castle |
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| Fredricksborg Castle |
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| Look kids, Big Ben. No, Not really! |
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| Posers |
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| A little quillmanship practice |
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| Fredicksborg Castle - Ta Da! |
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| Lily's the best photographer |
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| Lily's version of Flat Stanley |
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| Happy Us |
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| The castle view from the gardens |
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| The Archangel's visit to Mary |
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| Fredricksborg Chapel - WOW! |
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| Elizabeth and Mary |
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| The Grand Hall |
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| A castle lady lent Lily her fan |
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| Princess dresses |
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| Castle view from the Gardens |
Elizabeth and Chris. I am thrilled for you. As you know, Barb and I lived in Germany many years ago, and it was an experience that cannot be duplicated. Yes, there are good times and bad; easy and hard. In the winter you will grit your teeth and bear it because it is so dreary. But remember there are many other advantages that are so good. We appreciated seeing Chris in Copenhagen last week and I already wish we were back in Europe. Dan
ReplyDeleteDan. thanks so much for the sweet note. It's been a tough year, but the short amount of time we've been here - together as a family - is starting to make that pain quickly fade. Much love, E
ReplyDeleteThe great advantage that you have is that Chris has a good job and you will have American friends when you need them. Most Danes speak English, so that is also a help. When we were there 40 years ago, we were on our own among the Germans, and it wasn't all that long after the war. It was quite different. But I have confidence you'll be okay. And you will be able to come home upon occasion. That is when the real differences in your life become apparent, and it gives you a perspective on the USA as well....both the good and bad parts of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!!! Your mail was in my junk mail. I fixed that right away! I'm signing in as grandma Toni cuz that's who I am with Trisha's blog. Looks like you r settling in OK. Looks beautiful. All my Grandpas cousins live in Denmark. So if you hear of any (Nielsen's) that would be them. Lily seems happy.Hope all goes well. Hugs!
ReplyDelete