Seriously?!

I probably should have posted more in the past couple weeks, but seriously guys? Only 7 people have entered my contest?! Was it too hidden... being at the end of the post and all? or maybe too much thought to put into a response? Well you have until midnight tonight (22 hours from when I am am writing this) to enter the contest. I am also going to simplify the entry (thanks to all the cool comments that were already posted!) to make things a little easier. Just leave a comment on some cool cultural thing you've noticed in your hometown or a place you've travelled.

Or really, just leave a comment at all. I was trying to gauge how many people actively read my blog, and, honestly, this has disheartened me a little. I know blogging isn't just about how many comments you get, but if no one reads this, what's the point of me putting it out there (other than being able to participate in swaps and the like). I'm sure my hiatus while I was moving back to the States and then moving again and starting a new job made me lose readers, but, sigh, anyways. Hi to all you new readers out there. Hopefully I can post frequently enough to keep you coming back!

Potpourri -- Part 1 and a Contest!

Well folks, I've had a myriad of blog post topics swirling around in my mind, so I decided to talk about them all. This will be a long post, so grab some popcorn (or other snack of choice) and hunker down for a long read (I've decided to split it into a couple posts, but it's still pretty long...).

First, in case you were wondering about the title of the post, I got to go to a taping of Jeopardy last Saturday (Potpourri is the "random" "multi topic" category on the show)! I know, exciting! We were way in the back, but still, how often do you get to see Alex Trebek (even if he does seem half an inch tall)?! Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed inside, but I have a picture of the ticket:


And I know who wins the college championship this year, but I'm not telling (you can watch May 15th and 16th :o)).

Second thing that's been muddling around in my mind is how I miss Germany. I've kind of compiled a list of the things I miss about Germany and the stuff that is good about the US (Madison to be specific). Hopefully this html coding will work... hahah...

Things I miss about Germany	Things I like the US
Paprika Pringles	A full size kitchen!
Haribo Happy Cherries	Driving to the grocery store
Markets	Large washing machines/dryers
The Old World feel	Cream of ____ soups
Being able to go on short trips to really cool places	Bisquick
Sidewalk Cafes	Being closer to family
Döner Kebap	Readily available hand-dyed yarn
Trains	Free refills on drinks!
Cheap (good!!!) beer/chocolate/Nutella	Stuff is open on Sunday! And after 3pm on Saturdays!
Hasselinos/Käse Spätzle/all the other food that would make this list really long	I'm running out of ideas ;o)
Beer Festivals	Really... ummm...
The money (different sizes and colors)	...

This list leads into my Blogoversary Contest (I bolded that so those skimming would notice :o)). A year ago I was living in Germany. It was interesting trying to live and integrate myself into a new culture, especially since I knew in the back of my mind that it was temporary. But I learned to love certain things about life there, and miss certain things about life here. So my question to you is about your travels/moving around. Is there something that you miss about where you lived before? Something you love about where you are now? Leave your response in the comments and you will be entered to win 2 skeins of yarn... one bought here in the States, and one bought in Germany! If you post about this on your blog you will get a second entry in the drawing (leave a comment say you posted about it) and one entry for anyone who comes and says they saw it on your blog! Anyone may enter... I will ship anywhere in the world :o). Here's what you could win:



(Click for larger Picture. It's a skein of Jitterbug in the Blue Parrot colorway, and some ONLine sock yarn. Both have been in a cat friendly home... we can work something out if this is an issue and you win)

I look forward to hearing about your memories! Deadline is midnight CDT Wednesday April 30th!