Bratwurst und Bier (Bratwurst & Beer)

After almost a year and a half of living Europe, we finally manage to take a trip home to Southern California to visit some friends and family. I can’t speak for Patrick, but I’ve been wanting to go home and visit for a very long time. For all the excitement that we’ve had in Italy and Germany, there is just no place like home. Well, the eternally good weather and sunny days doesn’t hurt either…. I left three days before Patrick in early November, taking the train from Mainz to Frankfurt airport at 6:30 in the morning. The temperature gauge read 6 degrees Celsius or about 40 degrees Fahrenheit as Pat dropped me off at the Mainz station. As the plane approaching landing in early afternoon at LAX, the pilot told us it was 90 degrees outside. What a difference 12 hours and 6000 miles made! I happily exchanged my jacket & cashmere sweater for something more suitable in SoCal weather, like a tank top, before leaving the airport. :) When Patrick joined me three days later, we spent the weekend with my parents, busy eating ourselves silly and continued to enjoy the unexpected streak of hot weather.

Before leaving Germany, I had made many appointments that we had to complete while in San Diego. Trying to catch up a year and half worth of medical needs in one week is no small feat. We visited the doctor, dentist, chiropractor, and optometrist during our one week. We did squeeze in some beach time and other fun stuff in between all the doctor’s visits. We were so diligent in “catching up” on all the good food that we had been missing for the last year and a half, that we each gained four to five pounds, in one week! Oh well, diet can wait until after we leave… :)

My sister had moved out of our condo a few months before to buy herself her own pad. While we were in town, she decided to plan a housewarming party. My parents from L.A., along with my grandma & cousin who had flown all the way from Taiwan also came down from L.A. to join in the festivities. It was a huge success, with catered food for twenty-seven people in all. After the party, in her 700 plus square foot condo, we crammed seven people and two kitty cats in a two bedroom, two bath place. I had my doubts, but it did work out in the end, albeit a little cozy.

During Thanksgiving week, Patrick’s parents drove all the way from Santa Fe to SoCal to spend Thanksgiving with us and Patrick’s brother’s family, who also lived about 30 minutes away from my parents. They brought our baby, Mojo, with them so we can see him for a little while. Originally, we had planned on bringing Mojo back, but after careful consideration, we decided against taking Mojo with us. In part, because Mojo’s having such a good time with Grandma & Grandpa, we just couldn’t see him spending so much time in the kennel in Germany as we travel. Thanksgiving day was split between the Roybals for lunch, and the Huangs for dinner. It was a whole day of none-stop eating and man was it awesome.

Well, all good things must come to an end. As I’m writing this entry, Patrick’s already back in Germany and the Roybals took Mojo with them as they began their long track back to Santa Fe. As for me, I’ve got a few more sunny days ahead before leaving home back to reality again. It’s so nice to be with family during the holidays…. Like a ray of sunshine…