My Word for 2017 // Word(less) Wednesday LinkUp

It's November 30th. The final day of the NaBloPoMo. I think I did a pretty decent job posting, and I will definitely try to keep it up. No promises though, because - life happens.

Todays prompt from BlogHer is:
Have you chosen a word of the year for yourself for 2017? What is it?
If not, what words would you consider?

My word for 2017 is




I will even get it inked soon. I bet most of you know what "'ohana" means. If you don't know it, here's the definition:

"Ohana is an idea in Hawaiian culture. The word ʻohana means family in the Hawaiian language, but in a much wider sense, to include not only one's closer relatives, but also one's cousins, in-laws, friends, race, and other neighbors.
Hawaiian families understand how aloha is the essential element in every ‘ohana as loving and caring for each other is the glue that holds families together and becomes the social fabric for the islands."

What will be your word for 2017?

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Sorry, NaBloPoMo. I took the Weekend off.

Yea... I skipped two days in a row doing the NaBloPoMo. And I feel bad about it. As you could probably tell by my last post, I was not in the best mood and a little overworked. Well, I still am, but...



Saturday morning I worked a little, and then headed to Shreveport to do some Christmas shopping. When I was done and about to sit down at Starbucks over there to work on a blog post, my friend hit me up and asked me to come over. So I grabbed my coffee, went to his place and stayed for a few. After driving back home that night, I was way too tired to blog. So I didn't.

Sunday I slept in, and then I went to the gym. That was pretty much it. I took a nap. Cooked. Watched TV shows. A lazy Sunday.

Much needed. Indeed.

Today I planned on just going home, having pizza, and watching Monday Night Football. My favorite friend dropped off the pizza, so that's off my list.

... that's what friends are for. 💙

A photo posted by Anni S (@anni_s) on Nov 28, 2016 at 4:53pm PST

But then another Etsy order rolled in!!! I'm always soooooo excited when someone orders something from my little store! So I'll grab my yarn now, and crochet while watching the game.

If you want to order something before I head off to Germany mid December, just look here 

(and use the coupon code "THANKYOUGFP" for a 22% discount):

 

Sometimes I just can't People...

I worked a lot lately. At my full time job, my blog, and doing the social media management. I don't sleep much... Last week I've had two nights of only 2 hrs of sleep...

After working yesterday (Thanksgiving) as well, I decided to treat myself to something nice today, and ended up at the nail salon to get my nails done for the first time in months. I was just too cheap to do it lately. $35 is a lot of money... But today I really wanted to treat myself to something, get a little pampered and went to the salon I used to go to. 

After waiting for about 40 minutes, it was finally my turn. I picked 2 colors I liked, and then this girl started with my manicure. First of all she started off with a very very bad job cutting the cuticle and getting my nails in shape. 

Then she started putting on the shellac... And I stopped her right away. I picked a purple polish. And what ended up on my nails was Barbie pink. I showed her the sample, told her the number, she went to the shelf, started polishing again - RED!! WTF!! 

And - this happened once more with the contrast color I picked for my ring finger. I picked something black/purple-ish. She started using something green.

At this point I was already very much pissed off. I used to go to this salon twice a month and I was always happy.  But this girl pissed me off. When I told her my nails looked as bad as if I tried to do it myself at home she just said "Oh, you can do your own nails as well?"

NO!!! I can't do shellac at home, but every "paint job" I did on my own looked better and more accurate than what she did!

So I told her to just remove everything she did up to this point, and that I was just ready to leave and VERY unhappy. (Yes, I still tried to use medium nice words and didn't kill anyone. Win!) Honestly, my 15 year old niece would have done a better job.

THEN she wanted to use the this drill machine to remove the polish! At this point I really freaked. Don't you dare removing the polish AND half of my fingernails with that machine! "But with the acetone it takes 10 minutes!". Ummmmmmm sooooooo? 

When I told her I want to leave, she got a little pissed off. OBVIOUSLY started talking bad about me in Vietnamese. Then another lady came to the rescue, and did my nails all over again. 

2 hours of my precious time wasted. Plus mood ruined. Thanks... 

If I ever get my nails done again in this town, I will go to another place... They just pissed me off big time. And I didn't even get a discount.

After the salon I went to the office and got some more work done.

So this was my Friday. Hope yours was better!

 

Weird things my Cat did

If you follow me and my little blog for a while already, you know Miss Coco. My cat. I adopted her about 13 years ago, and sure brought her over to the USA with me (you can read more about it HERE).

So today’s BlogHer writing prompt is:

What’s the weirdest/grossest thing your pet has ever done?

I have to pick just one?? Nah, just kidding. Coco is pretty cool. We have beef every once in a while, but usually we get along very well.

But about 2 weeks ago, I got MAD. A little background information: I always make sure that the litter boxes (yes, the princess has two) are spotless. So I’m really not the one to blame here. But this one evening, I was sitting at my desk, working. Coco sat down next to me, started meowing. I looked at her, she got up, AND PISSED ON THE CARPET! Right in front of me. She was looking at me, pissing on the carpet. Yes.

Until today I have no idea why. She actually did it twice that day, so I assume I did something. Or she was just pissed. Or something was wrong. I don’t know.

So: What’s the weirdest/grossest thing your pet has ever done?

 

I am a Fu**ing Immigrant // NaBloPoMo

Today's prompt from BlogHer is:

What is the one thing you wish people better understood about something in your life?

Pardon the following F-bombs. But hey, this is 'Murica, right?

I have a feeling ever since election day - or even since Donald Trump started campaigning - some people started showing their real faces. Which can be good, so you can get rid of some people in your inner circles. You could almost call it "Natural Selection." Oh sorry, I forgot you don't believe in evolution... My Bad.

Walking around downtown, sitting at cafes, at the mall, heck even at work. You hear it. "Let's kick all the fucking immigrants out of the country and make America great again."

Weekend Workouts // NaBloPoMp

I really didn't do much this weekend besides a little blog-work, sleeping, Starbucks, and working out. Oh and a little surgery today, but nothing serious.

So I thought I'd share the workout I did Saturday with you today. Let me tell you: I'm sore as hell.
Here we go.

As a "warm up" I did 60 minutes on the elliptical (I only wanted to do 20 minutes, but ended up thinking about several things, kinda meditating... and bam, 60 minutes)

After that I started this set:

1. 15 pull-ups
2. 20 standing side crunches
3. 20 plank jacks on a flipped over bosu ball.

I did this twice without a break, then 1 minute break, and then repeated this 6 times!

Today I ran a 5k, and then it was leg day. I just did boring machines... But at least I finished it!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

Upsetting TV Series Finale // NaBloPoMo

Since I hosted the Wordless Wednesday (you can still link up HERE, or shoot me en e-mail if you would like to co-host), and had another post planned yesterday, I decided to use Wednesday's writing prompt today, which was:

What TV series finale are you still upset about and why?

Eat Local // The Root in Little Rock, AR

The morning after the Rocktoberfest (if you want to know about that event and see me in a Dirndl dress, click HERE) in North Little Rock, me and my friends went to one of THE breakfast spots in town: "The Root - a Local Cafe".



"The Root" is located on 
1500 South Main Street
Little Rock, AR,
72202

The hours are:
Tues - Fri 7am - 2:30pm // Saturday 8am - 3:30pm // Sunday Brunch 9am - 2pm

When we got there that Sunday around 9:15am, there was a line in front of the tiny location as usual, but after about 15-20 minutes we were inside and ready to order.

What it was like to be me in 2016 // NaBloPoMo

Today's prompt from BlogHer is a tough one again. The topic to blog about is:

What was it like to be you in 2016?

First of all: 2016 flew by in lightening speed. Heck, it's November 14th already, and Christmas is just around the corner.

This being said, 2016 in a nutshell for me was: being homesick.

There was rarely a day I wasn't crying. My first niece was born July 2015. Now she's 15 months old, and still thinks her aunt is someone who lives in a phone or iPad. I haven't met her yet. My 3rd nephew was born just a few days ago. Haven't met him yet. And man, I miss my family and friends in Germany.



On another note: A good thing was gaining I'd say at least two REAL friends, and was especially growing a friendship with someone I actually and honestly HATED last year for several reasons. Now he's my go to person for everything. He was there when I was going through the PTSD after getting attacked, he's always there when I am down, sad, and homesick. When I feel lost in this bible belt. When I don't understand the "whys".

Wordless Wednesday LinkUp // NaBloPoMo

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Redo one Moment in your Life // NaBloPoMo

If you could redo one moment in your life, what would it be and why? How would it change who you are now?

I bet many of you would come up with a whole bunch of moments. For me, there's only one. Every other moment doesn't count. But this one: The morning of the day my mom passed away.

I want to redo this moment. I want to go back to this moment. And make everything right.

Thanksgiving in Germany // NaBloPoMo

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful and one-hour-extra-long weekend? I was working around the house (carpet washing, moving furniture around, some DIY projects I'll show off later...), and went to Monroe yesterday.

Todays prompt on BlogHer would be:

What was your worst Thanksgiving food fail?

Well... I've just celebrated Thanksgiving the American way a couple of times, and so far (knock on wood) NO FAILS!
I would love to take the chance and tell you about German Thanksgiving though.

Over here you celebrate the Mayflower, Pilgrims, Turkeys etc. In Germany, Thanksgiving is "Erntedank". Which means.... SURPRISE!!! -> "Thanksgiving". It's not a huge holiday, but it is the time of the year where Christians decorate churches in a very beautiful way with everything they harvested from the fields this season. It is a Christian holiday in Germany. Some communities have some kind of a parade.

Since I'm currently not in Germany, I can only share pictures from Wikipedia. But hey, they give you an idea of what "Erntedank" looks like:

via wikipedia.de

via wikipedia.de

  

left: via wikipedia.de  /////  right: via wikipedia.de

What was your worst Thanksgiving food fail though?  Just because I haven't had any yet doesn't mean YOU don't have to share!!

 

What time is it? // NaBloPoMo

Todays prompt on The Daily Post would be: Relish. Ain't nobody got time to blog about relish!!! I rather just bore you with my SunDaze. Last night was football night and I stayed up late, so today I slept in. I still have no idea what time it is - 2:14pm? I think? We fell back. But since all the clocks in my world seemed to change the time automatically, or not, I'm confused.

Currently I'm sitting at a Starbucks in Monroe, Louisiana, sipping a VENTI Skinny Peppermint Mocha, watching a German YouTube series, while enjoying the sunshine. It feels far from fall over here. It's in the 80s again, I am most definitely not dressed right in my sweatshirt and leggings. Hot!

I just ate my own bodyweight in Indian food, mainly Butter Chicken, and would be down for a nap. But I've got some work to do, want to check Big Lots for some German groceries, and probably stop by at the lake to see if my friends the alligators enjoying the sun as well.

Overall a pretty chill Sunday!

What is/was on your schedule for today?

 

Meet the Queen of Hyperbole // NaBloPoMo

I'm still going strong in the NaBloPoMo! Today's prompt "Hyperbole" comes from "The Daily Post" - and guess what? This German immigrant had to google the meaning of the word first. Just in case you don't know what it means either, here you go:

Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting” is a figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.

You are welcome.

After reading this definition I've realized I might not have known the word, but I sure as heck am the
FREAKIN' QUEEN OF HYPERBOLE!

Here are some examples out of my daily life:
- I haven't eaten for ages.
- I'm 100 years older than you.
- I could eat 27893 wraps and chips today.
- It's -2783F outside.

Maybe I should get a "Word-a-Day" app or something. There sure are trazillions of english words I don't know yet.
Yep, you just got "hyperboled" and I am making up words...

Are you a fellow "Hyperboler"? Favorite? 

 

Talking TV // NaBloPoMo

Happy Friday, peeps! We've made it through another eventful week. Or in my case - eventful two weeks. I was unbelievably busy, and the past 14 days just seem like a blur. So on my list for this weekend is: Nothing. Nada. Nix.

I will work at the restaurant tonight (I started helping them out on Friday nights as long as it fits my busy schedule), and after that I will take a bath, put on my LSU PJ pants (#geauxtigers) and catch up on TV shows. My TiVo will be my best buddy this weekend, that's fo sho.

So todays writing prompts fits my upcoming weekend. #NaBloPoMo's topic of the day is:

Snow! // Christmas-Decoration? Check!

This morning I woke up, and it was snowing like crazy! I got out of bed, kept jumping up and down, clapping my hands, going all crazy...Ummmm... what of course woke up M as well, who was up waaaaay past midnight last night. But seeing me happy made him happy as well, I guess. Even though he´s not a "Snow Person". So he went to the kitchen to make some coffee while I stayed at the window, cheering.

M is not a "Christmas Person" as well, as he keeps mentioning. Well: You picked the wrong woman then :oD! I LOVE Christmas! So of course I started decorating right away after Thanksgiving was over. Our tree is decorated red, white, and blue. I´ve already posted a picture on Instagram a couple of days ago. I think it looks nice!

Did you guys unbox your Christmas decoration already as well? In Germany most people put up the tree very late, around the 23rd of December. That´s way to late for me! I want to spend as much time as possible surrounded by Christmas stuff.

Did it snow in your part of the woods as well? Now, as I´m having my lunch break, most of it is gone already. I just tweeted a picture... You are not following me on Twitter yet? Geez! Go ahead and change that! >>CLICK!<<

I hope I can leave the office around 6PM today. My sis made an "Eierlikörkuchen" - ummm hard to translate. It´s something like egg nog. In cake form. Pure awesomeness!
Plus my Bible class starts at 7. I´ve already missed last week, so I want to make sure to go there again today. We are in Matthew, chapter 7.

Oh - I teamed up with another awesome etsy store, so there is going to be another giveaway next! Ain´t that cool? Make sure to check back!

And don´t forget to purchase your ad for December/January! I have a 40% discount on all ad spaces right now. Since I use "Passionfruit Ads" it´s really easy and PayPal is a save payment. Just enter "GlassesUSA" as a promo code during checkout!

Have a lovely day!
xoxo
Anni

Let´s face it! // Glasses-Talk

Happy Monday, dearest readers!

I just recently went on my annual secret mission. Exciting, huh? Oh you don´t know what it is yet, that´s right! Ok.
Once a year I sneak out of the office during my lunch break, go to an optician downtown, and do a vision test. That´s it!

I have to face the fact, that so far 5 out of the 7 members of my family do need glasses. Plus: I work on a computer, staring at the screen at least 9 hours a day. Plus: I love reading, and it´s not always during bright daylight... Means: It ruins my eyes as well. Have I mentioned the hours of watching TV? Playing stupid games on my phone? Yep. It adds up.

Not bad, huh?

So last night I stayed up late, watching my Chargers play the Ravens. Remember, I´m in Germany, means that game started 10:05PM my time.
M and I were sitting in front of the TV. The NEW TV. A big flatscreen TV. And I realized: "Ummmmm, what´s the score?"
I couldn´t really see it.

That´s why I did the vision test today. Result: I still see 100% without glasses! Perfect! That´s great! But on the other hand, I started browsing through the interwebs, trying to to find a nice shop to order glasses and I found this great webiste called GlassesUSA.com, where you can virtually try on some really cool pairs of eyeglasses. I want to buy some! I sure tried their "Virtual Mirror Feature" to see some of the frames on my face. What can I say? I really liked them a lot and I think they made me look a lot smarter ;o)!

So after trying these online eyeglasses, I do not worry at all about needing some one day!

...the John Lennon style one (Lisbon) looks pretty cool as well!

Go ahead and use the "Virtual Mirror" as well! It´s so much fun!

 

And since the people over at GlassesUSA.com are pretty awesome, they offer the following discounts for you, my lovely readers:

• Take 15% off your entire order amount + FREE shipping (orders over $50). Use Code: FS15
• Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Use Code: Blog10

 

To celebrate my PERFECT eyes, I offer a 40%  discount off ALL ad spaces til the end of 2012! Just enter "GlassesUSA" during checkout!

 *FTC Disclosure:  This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions on here are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

Win a 20$ gift card! // It´s giveaway time!

Ladies!

Is there a better way to start off a week than with a nice giveaway? Today I´m teaming up with loevely Diane from "Blue Bird - Couture Jewelry & Bridal Accessories" 

You can win a 20$ gift card for her lovely etsy store!

PLUS: All readers of "Grapefruitprincess ReLoaded" get a coupon as well! 

All you have to do is to enter "FALL2012" during checkout you save 15%!

Here go some photos of Diane´s newest pieces and don´t forget to head over to her store to check out some holiday specials she is running right now (Buy 3 Get 1 Free and so on).

Enter the giveaway here (don´t forget to read the "Terms And Conditions!):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck! 

xoxo

Anni

 

#NaBloPoMo // Real Wordless Wednesday Part 13

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