My Best 20 Moments of 2018
Dear Alice,
Here we are getting closer to the Christmas and to the New Year’s Holidays once again. For me it is really unbelievable how fast time is passing in the last couple of years, it is almost the end of 2018 and I am really wondering where all those 2018 months flew away. Months full of experiences and of lessons. Months full of happiness and of adventure. Months full of joy and of sorrow. Months full of laughter and of tears. I am really grateful for all of these months and today it is my turn to say again “thank you 2018 for teaching me so many new lessons, for showing me how to embrace change, for guiding me throw unknown paths, for teaching me how to see and how to appreciate the world from different perspectives, for bringing new experiences and new beginnings into my life and into our family”.
So here are my best 20 moments of 2018 (in random order):
1. Attending the “Dance of the Vampires” Musical in Vienna. Well Vienna always has its magnificent charm that you will just enjoy: either for a concert, for a shopping visit, or for a musical. I must say the “Dance of the Vampires” Musical is a great piece-of-art, so do attend it if you ever get the chance to. The soundtrack is also impressive.
2. Being Faithful to My Weekly Training Routines. Along with my weekly training routines, I must say that this year (up until autumn) I was also quite faithful to my running routines, so I am quite happy of my achievement and I must say that sport is definitely still one of my best friends and I do plan it to keep it this way.
3. Attending the “Festival of Lights and Sounds” in Graz. Yet again, another great experience: I just love how the city of Graz changes its look and its atmosphere during the “Festival of Lights and Sounds”.
4. Enjoying an Unique Experience at the “Casino” Graz. It was the first time at the “Casino” in Graz for me, and even so I was pleasantly surprised of this experience. Here are some more details, if you plan a visit to the “Casino” in Graz: http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=3484
5. Acquiring My First Traditional Dirndl Outfit. Yes, after about 11 years in Austria, I decided to acquire my own dirndl, and I must say that I am very happy with my decision. I just love my dirndl, and I am looking forward for the next occasion when I will get to wear it again. And here is an “Essential Guide on Wearing a Dirndl” if you plan to acquire a dirndl: http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=3567
6. Enjoying an Unforgettable Evening at the “Der Steirer” Restaurant in Graz. One of the best restaurants in Graz, “Der Steirer” will impress you with both its delicious food and its great service. It is also a great place to celebrate an anniversary or a celebration, just make sure to book a table in time. For more details, see http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=3488.
7. Baking my First Strawberries Pistachios Anniversary Cake. Since I do love baking, this year yet again I tried a new cake recipe, and I must say that I was very pleased with the result: my first strawberries pistachios cake was a success, plus it is just a sight for the eye.
8. Hiking the “Wipfelwanderweg” in Styria. There is nothing I love more than hiking during spring and/or summer. The “Wipfelwanderweg” is definitely not one of the most difficult hiking paths in Austria, but it is definitely one of the most interactive ones. Here more details on this magnificent hiking path: http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=3486
9. Enjoying A Series of Grilling Afternoons and Evenings on our Terrace. Grilling during summer time is definitely a time to relax and to enjoy some delicious home-made food. It definitely goes on my list of best moments of 2018.
10. Attending the “Milky Chance” Concert at the Kassematenbuehne in Graz. Great music, great atmosphere and great scenery, looking forward for my next concert at the Kassematenbuehne in Graz. See more at: http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=3603.
11. Attending the incredible performance of the “La Fabrique Royale” Group during the “La Strada” Festival in Graz. Definitely a high dose of adrenaline accompanied me during the wonderful experience of the “La Fabrique Royale” Group in Graz. Yet again, art in all its forms can only surprise you and amaze you.
12. Sailing in Vrsar, Croatia and its surroundings. One of the best activities to relax and to recharge your batteries from the busy life, and from the daily routine: sailing. Even though a beginner myself in the art of sailing, after our sailing holidays this year I am definitely more than motivated to start learning the challenging and the relaxing art of sailing.
13. Enjoying amazing sunsets during the sailing trip in Croatia. Sailing offers you definitely another perspective on seeing and on enjoying the world, and one of the best things I enjoy about sailing are definitely these breathtaking sunsets. You just take a deep breath, relax and enjoy.
14. Attending the “Aufsteirer” Styrian Folk-Cultural Festival in Graz. Aufsteirer is in Graz, the Austrian version of the “Oktoberfest” in Munich, Germany. It is definitely the place to be at least once, while in Austria. You will enjoy everything about it: the food, the music, the people, the atmosphere, and nonetheless the traditional outfits.
15. Visiting the City of Rovinj, Croatia. Yes even during our modern times, when technology and changes are happening extremely fast and when you have to make a certain kind of effort to keep up with all the changes around you, you can still find some cities that kept their original traditional character and where you can disconnect from the tumultuous rhythm and just enjoy the old traditions. And one of these cities is definitely Rovinj.
16. Having a Great Time Strolling Through the City of Trieste, Italy. After visiting Trieste for one day, I must say that this is one of those cities where I definitely do want and where I definitely do plan to come back and to explore it at its maximum. The old city has definitely its own charm and it will welcome you with its Italian cuisine, and its Italian allure.
17. Enjoying the Historical City of Piran, Slovenia. A beautiful city, located not far away from Graz, where you can enjoy great food, great atmosphere, great people, and nonetheless great sceneries.
18. Attending the “Salome” Opera from Richard Strauss at the Graz Opera. I must admit that lately I was not a very faithful visitor of the Opera House here in Graz, but this year when we decided to attend the “Salome” Opera, I could not be more happier of our decision: the Opera in Graz is definitely the place to be to enjoy a great piece of art and to live an one-of-a-kind experience. We also had extremely good seats this time, don’t forget your binoculars if you plan an evening at the opera.
19. Baking Delicious Austrian Cookies for the Christmas Holidays. Baking cookies is definitely a tradition in Austria, and it is definitely becoming a tradition in our family too. We do have some delicious cookies recipes we bake every year (stay tuned for these recipes soon on the blog). Except from being a delicious desert during the winter holidays, home-made cookies are also a great gift for your friends and for your family. Also one of my tricks is to add only one third of the sugar quantity used in the original recipes, and this way you can enjoy the cookies without making a lot of thoughts about your weight during the holidays.
20. Visiting the Christmas Market in Graz. Becoming already a tradition in our family, visiting the Christmas Market has definitely become one of my favorite activities during the year: there is nothing I love more that the smells of punch, of raclette, and of “Baumkuchen” (i.e. spit cake); there is nothing I enjoy more that the new facet the city is showing during the Christmas market season time.
Yes thank you 2018 for another great year!
Sincerely yours,
Madalina