Mainz, Germany (in a day)

Full-tilt Throwback Thursday.

December 2010 we were headed to Malaysia from Florida and our route was through Frankfurt, Germany.


These are cracking me up! Only two children and, ahem, before Anthony started running. These were also taken before we got our "big" camera. There is no "lack" however when I look at these. That was a fun day!

When travel itineraries hand you Europe, you make long layovers out of it.

We had never been to Europe so even just a few hours around the FREEZING cold streets of the lovely city of Mainz was worth it!

Other than being woefully underlayered for the chill, the public transportation was easy enough to figure out and the cheer of authentic German Christmas markets made our day out quite lovely.

This trip was actually when Anthony upped the interest on photography and video editing. He's come a long way, but here is a video we made of our last night in Florida with family and friends, our day in Germany, and landing back in Malaysia.

Going Back from Anthony Rivers on Vimeo.

The Gang's all here!

I've always been the type to just try and treat people as if we've never been apart when I see them for the first time in a long time. I give hugs. Smile genuinely. And chat. With some people this is easier than with others....but when it comes to a blog...what'd you do?

I'm tempted to give you a rundown of everything I haven't blogged about. And/or just skip it all and start with the fun morning I had in the yard with the kids today- it's Spring Break! 

But I think somewhere in the middle is where I'll land.

So here's my big smiley hug to you after not having seen you in a couple of months. Much is the same and if we get some time, I'll tell you about some of the stuff that's happened since I saw you last.

Deal?

K.

So. We're all still here!

See?

 

So if these pictures don't convey it well enough, I've been busy taking family-selfie pics by waterfalls.  Kidding. Well. Not really, as there's actually one more from a couple days ago I didn't post. 

Oh, alright. One more.

Also since I was last here, I've started calling any "selfie"  type picture with more than one person an "Usie" {pr: "Us- EE"}   (note to self: don't be the one furthest down in the usie. Makes your face look big.)

Spread the word.

It's been a busy holiday....

But better late than never (should I say "Happy Boxing Day!" just to be thorough?)

Chinese New Year 2013 (er...Year of the Snake)

The problem with being so busy is that so many things happen which are totally bloggable, and yet, time runs right out the door and I find myself sleeping trying to sleep in my bed, leaving blogging to another day...ya know, when there's more energy to be had.

Here's proof that February and all the punch it brings each year in it's meager 28 days has brought it big time once again. The man I live with is just so ridiculously talented. He's good at everything he tries to do. Bleh. Guitar- "Oh let's give it a couple months and see how I do... Oh look it's easy and I'm incredibly good at it!" (I really AM impressed at this despite my jealousy... seeing as how I spent a decade of my life on a piano and have NOTHING to show for it. I can't even play both hands on "Chopsticks"...just the right hand part..and he is NOT braggy about his talents, so I do it for him.) ANYWAY.

His recent delving has been into the world of photography. We bought a fancy schmancy camera a few months ago and he is already doing fancy schmancy things with it like make the video below.

And while Chinese New Year started a couple of weeks ago, please be reassured that this video is still representative of the fireworks display that is occurring even now as I type at 9:16pm 12 days after this video was recorded. It is current. And just one of the many things we've been up to this month.

CNY (stay with me now, you need to know that acronym) brings it big time with the fireworks. These people invented fireworks and I can assure you they know how to use them. July 4th is left in the dust in that we ONLY shoot them off one night and the kind they set off here 25 feet in front of houses are usually sanctioned by city officials and regulated at that size in the US. Disney World and Thunder can maaaybe say they've got some kind of street cred because of the music and the sheer volume of the bang, but know this, my fellow Americans, Chinese New Year OWNS fireworks and you will go down (or rather stay up due to their loudness, for approximately 3 weeks each year) if you think you can fight them or stop them. The ones in this video are just your "common" run-of-the-mill neighborhood fireworks.

All that's left to do is to set up the tent (for a comfy spot and a minor protection from flaming debris falling on your head) and take the boys out at midnight, especially on that first night.  They won't sleep. Embrace it. Applaud this race of people and their incredible contribution to the world. Let them wow you with their completely wonderful and magical (and as it were, illegal, in this country) fireworks display.



Chinese New Year 2013 from Anthony Rivers on Vimeo.