Back in the DK

After 6 weeks we are finally home! We hadn't anticipated being gone quite that long, but while in Dallas, Michael was asked to stay a couple more weeks for work, so we did. I hadn't realized so many people didn't know that this was actually a business trip with a little play time added in.

Our time in Texas was so much fun. We saw a ton of our friends and families and so many of them stayed up WAY past their bedtimes with work or school the next day. We got to see all of our parents, Michaels entire mom's side of the family, a large amount of Michaels dad side of the family and about half of my family in El Paso. We got to visit with an array of friends including friends from TI Dallas, college, band camp and high school, friends from Denmark, friends moving to Denmark, and even Texas friends that have lived in Denmark!!

Everyone made us feel like rock stars as many changed, and worked around their schedules to be able to see us. I've even had a handful of people (including two of my blogging buddies) tell me that their moms called to tell them we were back in Texas! We got our own personal planners in some cities! When we were in Austin, Michael's aunt Kathy arranged our entire Saturday for us, which included one of my best friends from high school. While we were in El Paso, my brother Joe arranged several little get together for us including the bowling night, a big dinner at "Carlos and Mickey's" and a couple other little things. This took a ton of extra baggage off my back where I didn't have to worry about planning anything. So thanks Kathy and Joe!

I had forgotten how drastic Texas weather is. We saw snow, hail, floods, thunderstorms, tornado watches, sleet, dust storms, strong Lubbock winds and lay out in the sun 80 degree beautiful weather. I often miss the windy Lubbock weather but being in it again, I quickly changed my mind.

We unfortunately have spent enough money on gyms in the various cities to probably hold several memberships. The gym we used in El Paso, knew us by the end and stopped making us pay for a guest pass. The gym we used in Lubbock helped us in saving a little money by giving us a clip card for the gym. The gym we used in Dallas was one of our former gyms which was cool in that we actually got to see several old gym acquaintances!

As for money, OMG! Being paid in Danish Kroner and spending it in the US is incredible right now! Due to the current exchange rate, everything was SOOOO SOOOO cheap! There were a few times we were out to dinner looking at expensive items like steaks that cost 22 dollars thinking wow, that is a little more than we want to spend, but when we realized it was only 109 Danish Kroner we were AMAZED how feakin' cheap it was. 109 Danish Kroner for a big juicy Texas steak!?!?! That's insanity!! Waiter, bring us 2! We not only stocked up on toiletries and other odds and ends, but were able to bring back a decent amount new clothes(thank you sales at the outlet mall), shoes, books, and our two favorite purchases, which were a new camera and new MP3 player. Thank you weak American economy!!!

The last stop out of Dallas naturally was to Mary's Starbucks store in Euless next to the airport. We ate lunch and drank some coffee and said our goodbyes.

Hanging out at Starbucks with our Favorite Black Apron Barista

This trip was exactly what we were needing. A healthy dose of old familiar faces, places and more Mexican food than we can handle. I think we are set to make what is left of our time in Denmark even better now that we got the fuel to push us through to the end. As everyone knows, we love it here and love being here, but not having been to the states in almost 1 year was starting to wear on us. Our next trip home is being planned for early November. Thanks a hundred times to everyone that made time to see us, got a drink with us, went out to eat with us, cooked dinner for us, threw parties for us, played guitar hero with us, gave us a place to sleep and let us do laundry. :)