Off Again

This year I returned to Vienna at the end of July.  I needed to get back early in order to finish preparing for our New Staff Vienna Orientation.  Leaving gave me a mixture of emotions ... excitement about going back to Vienna, sadness about leaving my family, joy for seeing my friends and students again, uneasiness about a new school year with more responsibilities ... I could keep going, but basically I was happy to go back, but not happy to leave behind those I love.  I never thought I'd be able to live with certain foods or conveniences that I used to take for granted in America, but I've learned how to.  I never thought I'd miss the convenience/inconvenience of the uBahn, but I did.  It's amazing how quickly God will chance your heart and attitude toward something.  This is just one of many reminders, from God, that I am where I'm supposed to be ... where He wants me to be.  God knows His plans for me, even when I don't.

Nothing like Girl Time!

Shortly before my return to Austria, my sisters, mother, and I went to the beach (Carpinteria) to spend some girl time together.  It was a wonderful chance to spend my last few days at home with some of my favorite people!  I'd go into details about what happened that weekend, but then I'd have to kill anyone who read this post.  Just Kidding!!!  We had a great time with lots of memories to last for a long time!

Girls' Weekend at the Beach

Dave and Busters Trip

Making time for Friends and Family

My time home this summer was spent...
1. relaxing from the school year
2. shopping for 1 year worth of "stuff"
3. spending most of my time with friends and family!!!

Four weeks in America may seem like a long time, but in reality, it's actually very short!  Thankfully I was able to spend most of my time doing what I love...being with people I hadn't seen in a long time!  There's nothing quite like coming home and spending time with those you love!!

Granddaughter Dinner

With Beautiful Baby Elise

Family Dinner

Family Night at the Musical 1776

Dinner with old College Roommate, Mary

Loving the Time with My Dad

For Father's Day I decided to take my dad out to Santa Cruz's Boardwalk for the night.  Since he was the first person to introduce me to 50 cent night (it's now 1 dollar night), I thought it would be appropriate to go there for our "Father/Daughter Date."  Because I had only been able to spend a short time with him for Christmas, it was WONDERFUL being able to have some "us" time before I went back to Vienna for a new year.  My favorite part of the night was just being with him (although beating him in the ghost shooting game was really cool too).  I'm so thankful that God gave me a father who is there when I really need him, but also a man who taught me how to handle things myself.  Even though the lessons my dad has taught me over the years haven't always been easy, I'm thankful to have a wise, godly man who I can call Daddy.

Final Score: Dad-1550, Mandy-2140!

View of the Boardwalk

Giant Dipper...Best Wooden Coaster EVER

Keeping up with the Fam

Every year my family joins the Romberger side of the family for our annual Mount Hermon Christian Conference Family Retreat.  This year marks the 28th trip since my birth!  Unfortunately I had to miss two of the years, but I've been at every other year. :)  This year was a wonderful time of catching up (I hadn't seen anyone for at least 6 months), relaxing, and enjoying time spent with family!

BBQ on the Lawn

One of our speakers-Dr. Barry Corey (DBC)

Pancake Breakfast

Train Day

The two wonderful grandparents who take us every year!

Game Night

S'mores night!!!!!

More train pics

Annual Spitting from the Train on the Bridge

"Attacking" each other in the Tunnel

Me, Mom, Dad, Joshua

The "Adult" Group

Joyous Baseball Game: Dodgers vs. Angels

One of the first things I did upon returning to California was attend a Dodgers/Angels baseball game.  It was a fun time of family bonding, American culture, and wonderful entertainment.  Being a Dodgers' fan (like my dad) I especially enjoyed the outcome of the game...a Dodger win!!!  My mom and grandpa were not quite as excited as I was being Angel fans.

The Ticket

View from our Seats

Angel Fans (Grandpa & Mom)

Dodger Fan (Dad & Me)

Final Score: Dodgers-5, Angels-0

End of Game

Fireworks Extravaganza

I Love London, but NOT the Heat

Shortly before returning to the states for the summer Amy and I took a short trip to London.  I had been twice before, but this was Amy's first experience there.  The sights were exciting as usually, but the heat was NOT!  I ended up getting a sun burn during our hop-on-hop-off bus tour. :(  Our hostel also had showers that did not allow you to determine the temperature of the water.  The shower was set at one temperature...scalding.  It was scalding even without a sun burn!  All in all, we had a great time together.

Portobello Road Market

Buckingham Palace Guard

Fun British Cars...I'd love to have a scooter like that!

View from our "napping bed" in the park

Scary experience, but loads of fun!

Changing of the Guard

British Firetruck

Memorial that Amy wanted to climb until she found out she had to pay in order to go up.

Cool museum about the War

Tower Bridge

Tower of London Tour