The Journey

I started this blog nearly 4 years ago after moving from the US to Denmark. Not only was it a way to document thoughts, feelings, and differences between the 2 countries, it was also a way to keep family and friends back in the US up to date on my new life in Europe. Above all, it helped me (and them) feel not so very far away.

My first challenge in my new country was learning the language, then making new friends, then finding a job, and finally getting my Masters Degree. Not to mention transition from the self-sufficient woman I was, to the other half of a couple, remembering to use the word "we" from now on. Throw some cultural differences into the mix and it has been quite a ride!

While I am still learning and experiencing new things, I no longer feel I am starting a new chapter, as the title of this blog would suggest. After all, I have practically written a book! Therefore, I am closing this chapter, and simply beginning another. It is now about "The Journey" for me which I will be documenting through images, quotes and a new post now and again on Tumblr.

If you would like to continue to follow me, you can find me here or on Twitter at @hltweet.

Vi ses for nu!

Winter Blues

Whenever I hit the 4th or 5th month of winter I begin to get cabin fever and crave the sun, sand, and beaches of pretty much anywhere warmer. When living in the Midwest if you are lucky, work travels can take you to the West Coast or somewhere down South, so you can at least get a taste of sun and warm(er) weather to rejuvenate your soul while you brace yourself for the remainder of winter. If you are very lucky you can afford a long weekend or few days away in Florida or Mexico.

Living in Denmark during the winter isn't that much different than living in the Midwest. On average, the weather is milder and not as cold in the Winter, but the lack of sun definitely sucks the life out of you. The Midwest may be cold, but at least it has sun! So when I attempted to find a quick trip or long weekend getaway to Greece or Italy or Spain or anywhere with a bit more sun this time of year, I was shocked to find how limited you are when living in Denmark. 

First of all, there is no such thing as a 4 day weekend trip in Europe (at least of the beach vacation kind). It's a one week trip minimum, which is enforced by the charter vacation offers available. You could probably do a 4 day weekend in a city in Italy or Spain, or do a ski holiday for that amount of time (which most Europeans do). However, sand and surf options are limited, most likely due to airline restrictions.

Secondly, Greece appropriate weather (my preferred destination) doesn't begin until May. This makes me wonder if it is tied to the vacation scheme in Denmark (which is on a May-May timeframe). Anyway, if you want sand and sun now, it's either Thailand, Egypt, the Canary Islands, or some other 4+ hour flight away. That's all fine and dandy because the typical European has more vacation than the average American. However, when you are an expat living in Europe and have used up all your vacation time on transatlantic flights back home, that limits the options considerably.

So, I will wait patiently for May to take my beach vacation to Greece as the chance of Summer actually hitting Denmark by then is slim to none. That's where the difference really lies between the two countries in terms of weather. In the Midwest you can count on three solid months of true Summer weather. I'm talking 80+ F or 25+ C. In Denmark you're lucky if you get a couple weeks, unfortunately.

Home is Where the Heart is

We just returned from nearly 4 weeks in the US over the Christmas and New Year holidays, which explains my blogging absence since Thanksgiving. For that, I sincerely apologize. However, rest assured I was thoroughly enjoying myself back home surrounded by family and friends and lots of love. Home. Some say it's wherever you lay your head, and others say it's where the heart is. But what if your heart is in two different places? That is most definitely the case in this instance.

I am blessed with an amazing husband and he comes with a wonderful family that is kind and caring and thoughtful. I realize how lucky I am as I have found a true partner and as far as in-laws go, I couldn't have asked for a better lot to be married into for the rest of my life. But blood is blood. There is just nothing like looking at a family member and seeing the resemblance of you in them, through your parents. Good or bad, it's what bonds you or drives you crazy. The love is often unspoken, unless of course you live thousands of miles away. Then you know better than to hold it in. You speak it when you feel it.

The choice to live in Denmark was very logical, given our emotional state at the time of our engagement. Since then I have learned a new language, made new friends, received my Master's degree, and have worked with fantastic people. So why is it so hard to leave the US after each visit? Because my heart is in two different places. The country of my birth and the country I reside in are both amazing places to live. If I could combine qualities from both I could create the ultimate utopia. Add all of the people I love in one place and it would be heaven.