Ten on Tuesday

After a long weekend with lots of fun with my guys, it's Tuesday again!

So here are this week's questions found on Roots & Rings:

1. What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day. Do you love it? Hate it?
Well, I like it.  (I mean who doesn't? There is lots of chocolate involved!)

But I am a little sad for all those people that seem to need a specific day to show their love to their significant other. It's always Valentine's Day in our house cause we have so much love to give. Every day.

2. What is your favorite romantic comedy?
Ehm.. no clue. I can't even remember a single one at the moment.
Let me ask Markus and I will check back later...

3. Meg Ryan & John Mellencamp: what’s your first reaction?
John Who? (...running off to consult my friend Google...)
Ah, THAT guy!
Ehm.. good for them?
I guess, I don't really care in this case...

4. All time favorite poem or quote?
Man, that's hard. I am a sucker for quotes.
So I'll have to list my top favorites and not just one:

"...cause it's the heart that really matters in the end."
- Rob Thomas - Little Wonders

"This, too, will pass."

- Eckhart Tolle

(I will have to update this later with more..)

5. What’s the longest amount of time you’ve gone without sleep? (like consecutive hours).
:)

6. What color ink do you prefer to use?
Black.

7. Share with us a blog that you recently found and fell in love with (and link us!)
http://www.starkravingmadmommy.com/
Just read it. She is amazing.

8. If you could be on a reality TV show which one would you choose?
"Survivor". Or "The Amazing Race" with Markus.

9. Mountains or Beach?
Beach!

10. With the Oscars around the corner, what’s your pick for best picture?
"Inception". It blew my mind.

Ten on Tuesday

After I skipped last week because I had no time to post anything, I am back with answering the Ten on Tuesday questions gathered from Roots & Rings.

This time we have summer theme going on...

1. Any vacations you are looking forward to this summer?
We don't have anything planned yet.
But I would really love to go someplace this year that is at an ocean and has beaches.
It has been a while since we did that...
We went to Dominican Republic in 2007 and Mexico in 2008, and both trips had been so much fun.

2. What is your favorite article of summer clothing (shoes are included)?
Shorter skirts and Flip-Flops.

3. What is your favorite summer drink (alcoholic or non)?
Pina Colada

4. Do you tan or burn?
Burn. I only get a real tan if I use a tanning bed unfortunately.

5. Any goals you are working toward this summer?
Not specifically toward this summer... 

I always have goals I am working toward to.
I feel that is an important thing to have in life.

6. What is your favorite summertime food?
Strawberries with vanilla yogurt

7. What song most says “summer” to you?
Hm... I usually go with the flow... There are always a few songs they are playing in the radio all the time each summer and I usually like a couple of those as well.. Those would mean "summer" to me for that year... 

Other than that I could also name "The Love Committee - United States Of Love". 

It was the hymne to the Love Parade of 2006. 

At that point we were living in Berlin and it was an amazing summer with this party as the finale before we left. Every time I hear this song, I think about the great time we had there..

8. Any home improvement goals planned for this summer?
Nope. We don't own a house..

9. What is one thing you hate to see at the beach?
Trash. It always makes me mad cause it is so inconsiderate to other people trying to enjoy their day. And of course it can be dangerous to kids running around barefoot (-> think of broken pieces of glass, etc).

10. Did you ever go to a summer camp?
Yes. When I was in elementary school the community would offer summer activities for the kids during their summer break. One of them was a daytime summer camp that lasted about 1 week. We would do all kinds of creative, sporty and fun things there.

Ten on Tuesday

I'm still amazed by how fast every week goes by.. and before you know it, it's Tuesday again!

Here are the questions Chelsea from Roots & Rings asked today:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Watching the birth of a litter of kittens.

2. What is your favorite quality about yourself?

My honesty and empathy.

3. What is your favorite thing that your child does?

I love that he is so cuddly and attached. But he also makes me laugh with his humor. I think once he starts speaking in full sentences we will have a lot of funny moments ahead of us.

4. What is your favorite thing to do to relax?

A hot bath is nice. But these days it's rarely in peace and quiet since Ace wants to climb into the tub too. 

I find reading very relaxing. Especially with a nice glass of wine.

But I guess my favorite way of relaxing is to cuddle with Markus. :)

5. What is your favorite restaurant? And what is your favorite thing on the menu?

I don't have a favorite restaurant cause I like a variety of different foods.

But to give a couple of examples: I am a big fan of the General Tao Chicken at the Imperial Buffet and I was very happy about the Spicy Vegetarian Maki I ate at New Generation Sushi while I was pregnant with Ace.

6. What is your favorite piece of jewelry (besides your wedding ring)?

The heart necklace Markus gave me as a gift last year.

7. What is your favorite night of the week M-TH? And why?

Thursday. Because it means I only have 1 more day to work before the weekend.

8. What is your favorite dessert?

Cheesecake.

9. What is your favorite item in your make-up bag?

My foundation. BareMinerals by Bare Escentuals.

10. What is your favorite smell?

That salty-fresh smell you can only experience at an ocean.

Ten on Tuesday... ehm Wednesday

Ya, I know I am a day late.. but what can you do, eh?

(I hope you at least checked Roots & Rings while you were waiting for my turn...)

So here it goes:

1. Do you decorate for Valentine’s day?

No.

2. Does your desktop have a picture or computer graphic? Is it organized?

In the past: graphic.

Now: picture. Usually one of Ace.. or Ace and Markus. Kind of predictable, eh?

And yes, it is organized. Yay me.

3. Do you use a paper planner, electric planner or no planner at all?

Both! I use Outlook, a calendar on the wall and plenty of sticky notes.

(Cause after the pregnancy brain, you get mommy brain and without notes and planners you will not be able to survive anymore..) 

4. Do you change purses or bags often or stick with a good thing?

Not very often. I don't really have the time to play around like that anymore.

5. What’s your favorite YouTube Video?

Hm.. I don't know.. but one I still like after years is the scratching lemur cause it makes me smile since it's cute. Check it out here..

6. Do you use Turbo Tax or a real person to pay your taxes?

Neither.

7. How many states have you set foot (or tire) in? Which ones?

Florida, California, Nevada, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

8. How many countries have you been in? Which ones?

9: Germany, England, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Mexico, Dominican Republic, USA, Canada.

9. How many pillows are in your house? (Sleeping or decorative)

3 in the bed, 2 as part of the couch, 2 for guests. We don't own decorative pillows.

10. How cold is too cold for flip flops?

It's never too cold for flips flops! 

Yeah, I wish... hm.. I guess I stop wearing them for sure when the temperature goes below 10 C. Which reminds me: When is winter over again? *sigh...

Ten on Tuesday

It's Tuesday again everybody, so it's time to answer some questions again.

Here are the 10 things Chelsea from Roots & Rings wants to know this week:

1. What’s your favorite color to paint your nails?

A dark red. I have a nail polish made by Revlon called "Blackberry" that I really love.

2. Do you like to sneeze?

Sure. Although sometimes I find it annoying because I always have to sneeze several times when it's very bright outside. Yes, the sun makes me sneeze..

3. How often do you fill up your car with gas?

Ehm.. once a year? To be honest, I barely drive. I am either on my way to/from work and use public transportation or I am with Markus and then he drives and fills up the car. But in the latter situation I offer my moral support. Does that count?

4. Were you named after anyone?

I know my mom liked Melissa Gilbert from Little House on the Prairie when it was time to find a name for me. But I have to confirm with her if that was really the inspiration for my name.

5. Have you made any good recipes lately?

Not really. I tried a new baking recipe at Christmas and it was a disaster.

I was attempting to make Magic Bars and it didn't turn out well at all.

This week I am planning on making Greek Chicken Kabobs again though. We had them before and they were great!

6. What’s an easy money-saving tip that you use regularly?

We buy groceries that are on sale and stock up if they are items we know we will still use in 6 months. Things like toilet paper, you know.

We use coupons where we can and frequently buy deals on TeamBuy or Wagjag to save on entertainment and food.

And of course, we have saved TONS of money by not always buying electronics or everything baby related new, but from Craigslist and Kijiji.

7. Would you rather have a sore throat or an ear ache?

Sore throat. You can kill that with coffee and Ibuprofen.

8. Do you have any scars? What are they from?

Plenty. I tend to be clumsy and scar easily. I got a bigger, heart-shaped one 2.5 years ago in the summer. I was inline skating without knee protection, fell and scraped of the skin on my left knee.

9. What are you “known for” in your circle of friends/family?

My love for coffee probably.

I am like Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager: "Neelix, is there any coffee left?"

10. How do you like to eat your pancakes?

With Nutella. Or Rübenkraut. Yum!

Ten on Tuesday

Lately I have been slacking with reading my usual blogs or even being on the lookout for a new one. Life is busy, you know?

But yesterday, I actually stumbled on a new read and found something quite intriguing: 

On Tuesdays, Chelsea from Roots & Rings asks 10 questions that you need to find an answer for.

I love the idea, so I'd like to spread the word and feature this event on here as well.
(Click on the image if you want to go to Chelsea directly to do your share of answering... otherwise you're welcome to do so here as well, of course...)

So, here are Chelsea's 10 questions for December 14, 2010 and I'll try to answer as the best as I can ;) :

1. What is your favorite kind of cheese? 

- Gouda. It needs to be young though.

2. Do you prefer fudge with or without nuts?

-  Without nuts.

3. How do you feel about cats?

- It's complicated. LOL.
As a big pet lover of course I like cats as well.
However, I am more of a dog person. I have lived with both - cats and dogs - and find that life with a cat is more of a nuisance because cats seem to be a lot more moody than dogs. I had several experiences with different cats who got quite bitchy and sneaky to get their way. Or who would would do things to "punish" you because they didn't get it. Like making a giant, stinky poop in the litter box while you are taking a bath. Or throwing up on your towel. Repeatedly. Stuff like that.

4. Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts?

- Neither, sorry.

5. Do you wear a watch?

- Sometimes. 

6. What are a few of your favorite songs from the 90′s?

- Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

- Korn - Freak on a Leash
- Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
- The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
- Madonna - Frozen
- Rammstein - Du hast
- Alanis Morissette - Ironic
- Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains
- Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
- Bush - The Chemicals Between Us

7. Do you like scented candles?

- Depends on the candle. Vanilla can be nice. Or something fruity like lemon.

8. What do you like on your hamburger?

- Lattice, tomato, onions, cheese, ketchup, mayo, mustard... I think it's rather standard... but I hate pickles on a burger!

9. How often do you cut your fingernails?

- Hm.. whenever they got so long that they bother me when typing...

10. Do you sleep in socks?

- No.