Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I apologize that it's been a while since I last posted something. The powers that be seem to block certain types of blog access. But I have finally invested in a way to circumvent the system so I'm back!!!

I want to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! It's crazy to think about all the different kinds of Thanksgivings I've had recently.

• Uganda- eating chicken by head lamp
• Nigeria- 2 different Thanksgiving meals and the most ridiculously rich red velvet cake ever
• This year- I will be having turducken tonight and then another Thanksgiving dinner on Friday at my boss's

And since it is Thanksgiving, it's time to reflect on things I'm thankful for:

• My family
• Amazing friends
• Having a washer and dryer in my new apartment
• The opportunity to work at CDC- first in Nigeria and now in China
• The chance to travel
• Not dying in a car accident
• Being healthy (relatively- since I seem to be stuck with a cold at the moment)
• Peking duck (because it is delicious)
• Flushing toilets (I appreciate the small things)
• There is so much more... but that's the gist of it

I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating. And though I can't be with my family this year for Thanksgiving, I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them. Maybe next year I'll be home for the holidays (and maybe we can eat the cat rather than eating turkey... JUST KIDDING). 

Minneapolis Airport Tradition

Classic Roast Beef sandwich from Arby's during my layover

Another New Adventure!

To update those of you who don't know, my next adventure is taking me to Beijing, China, in September!! I will be doing another fellowship year but in a different capacity: I will be an epidemiology fellow, which will most likely mean more technical work. China is a country I have visited before but never lived in for an extended period of time. I'm extremely excited for this move, to work for another CDC office, to improve my sad Mandarin skills, and to eat all that delicious Chinese food! It's amazing that September is creeping up on me. Before I know it, I'll be saying good-bye to an interesting year in Nigeria and saying ni hao to China. And so my adventures continue to take me to places I never thought they would!

Vienna- Part 2

Rathaus

Kunsthistorisches Museum, statue, Naturhistorisches Museum

Awesome rainbow view behind Karlskirche

Karlskirche

Upper Belvedere

Lower Belvedere at sunset

Castle Belvedere- looks like a postcard!

Night view of  Karlskirche

Sampling the famous Sacher Torte

Wiener Staatsoper

Inside the Wiener Staatsoper

Here to see a Mozart concert in Vienna!

Schatzkammer- place to see all the bling

The Hofburg

Stephansdom

I have to say- it was an amazing trip. It was an experience of a lifetime and totally worth all the soreness I felt from walking all day long for over a week. Can't wait for the next exciting trip!!! But for now, it's back to Abuja.

Vienna- Part 1

Yummy!

Outside

Inside

Copycat

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Schonbrunn Palace

Woohoo!

Gloriette

Close up

View from on top of the Gloriette

Privy Garden

Standing guard

Eating apple strudel at the Schonbrunn

Volksgarten

Another postcard location

Triple bridge

Another castle!

Climbing up to the castle

Made it!

Rewarded with amazing views

Sunset

Bridge again. This time at night with its reflection in the river

Living in a fairy tale

Breathtaking view

Castle + Lake + Mountains = Phenomenal

A castle from fairy tales

Ta da!

View from the castle (climbing up there was quite the workout)

But the climb was totally worth it. Got to see this view!

I don't want to leave!

Living in a postcard

Zagreb!!!

Church of St. Mark after climbing up Lotrscak Tower

Yummy breakfast

Treats on the way to Dubrovnik

Sunrise

View from the city walls

Adriatic Sea

The water was so blue

YIPPEE!

Very sweaty but totally worth it

View from up high

On a boat

Cavtat