Since I obviously failed to post regular blogs in 2011 (not to mention the years before) I thought it would be nice to post some highlights from the past year. 1. I've officially been in Germany for a year... so there were a lot of 'firsts' I got to experience. My boyfriend and I moved into our first apartment together, in a new city, and for me, a new country. I love Cologne, which is more than he can say. I love our little
apartment which we made our home. I love the market in front of our house, the numerous bakeries around the corner, walking to the cathedral along the Rhine and riding my bike through the city. (Although, I have to be honest, I haven't been back on my bike since my little accident.) But most of all, I love coming home to my best friend. I love our movie nights, our random weekend adventures, and our regular Sunday morning pancake breakfast.
2. Last February I began taking language classes through the Volkshochschule. It's been quite an adventure to say the least. However stressful and demanding my classes were, it was all worth it. I met so many amazing people from all over the world in these classes. We've struggled together; not just through learning a new language, but learning to live in a different country. We've cried together, we've laughed together and we grew together. And because of this, I am grateful.
3. Carnival. The Cologne carnival is a very special time of year when everyone gets dressed up and walk the streets of cologne. It begins on November 11, but is mostly celebrated in February. It is definitely a crazy time in the city. I like to think of as a colorful mixture between Halloween, Mardi Gras, and a circus.
4. In June, two of my closest friends got married (not to each other) but they managed to have their weddings a week apart so I was able to fly home and attend both. I was so blessed to be 
able to be a part of their special days. I loved every moment, even when the air condition wasn't working properly :) I love and miss you both! I hope you enjoy your first Christmas together as husband and wife. Congratulations to Aimee and Jared and Kristen and Dave!! (p.s. I'm so excited there's a little one on the way!)
5. In August, I good friend of mine came to visit me. I was so excited to show her the many places to visit in Germany. I really miss our daily gelato taste testing. Stacy, you're a wonderful person and anyone should be lucky to have you as a friend. I can't wait for our next vacation together!!!
6. I made my first turkey!!! It was my first Thanksgiving away from home but that's no excuse not to have Thanksgiving dinner with people I care about. I made sure to have everything from stuffing and turkey to pumpkin pie... all hand made.
7. I got to experience German Christmas markets. If you read my earlier post, you would know
they're amazing! The only thing that could have made the experience any better would have been snow (instead of the crap rain we had to endure). I loved finding the best gluhwein, mostly because that involved taste testing almost every stand!
8. We've been able to make a lot of miniature vacations this year. I WILL write about it later, but I loved Belgium, our Easter weekend road trip, flying home in June, Tuscany, camping in France, and discovering Cologne.
There aren't enough words to express how thankful I am to experience so much. I am so blessed to have people who love me so much and so grateful for all the experiences I've had. To say the least, 2011 was an amazing year and I'm looking forward to an even more amazing 2012!
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