April 2014 - Page 3 of 6 - My Healthy, Happier Life

Happy Easter Monday or Marathon Monday depending what your focus is today. I am so excited to read the race recaps from everyone who is crossing the starting line today, especially Jess and Bobbi whose journeys to this day I have followed through their blogs! As Europe recognizes Easter Monday as a holiday, Bo and I are spending the day relaxing, unpacking, catching up and getting our lives back on track.

While I work on the multiple travel posts recapping every city on our trap and how I packed for an 8 day road trip, I thought I’d change the topics up around here and complete the TMI Blog Survey that Theodora tagged me in the other day. I’ve loved reading this survey from Tina and other bloggers around the internet as it’s always fun to learn a little something new about people.

1. What are you wearing?

Plaid pajama pants, a Tara Stiles collection Reebok Yoga t-shirt, my favorite slippers, and an SK-II face mask.

2. Ever been in love?

I’ve been in love with this guy for 11 years but I’m finding that this journey overseas as made me fall in love with him more and more everyday.

3. Ever had a terrible breakup?

I’ve had a few the worst of which were my high school boyfriend and then when Bo and I broke up for 2 months my senior year of college.

4. How tall are you?

5’9 and a half (I always wanted to reach 5’10 but alas that never happened.)

5. How much do you weigh?

I’ve hovered between 152-158 since moving to Europe, down 5 pounds from my lowest NYC weight. Right now I’m probably on the higher end of the spectrum thanks to a week of beer and sausage – well worth it in my opinion.

6. Any tattoos?

No. Keep in mind it took me until I was 18 to get my ears pierced so I’m not exactly a needle nor pain lover.

7. Any piercings?

See above. I have my ears pierced and that’s all. I’ve never really been interested in getting any other piercings.

8. Favorite song?

It is horribly trite but I absolutely love singing Alabama’s Dixie Land Delight anytime possible now that we’re far away from our Southern roots. Side note, I just discovered that it was released in 1983 – same year as my birth.

9. Quality you look for in a partner?

This is a hard one as I am probably a bit high maintenance in this area as my parents set a pretty high bar but at the end of the day if someone isn’t supportive, faithful and trustworthy then there isn’t much else that can replace these qualities. A guy can be hilarious but if he’s going to walk away when the going gets tough or cheats than I don’t care about his humor.

10. Favorite quote? This one is tough but right now I’m living and breathing this one because for too many years of life I forgot to find a balance.

My wonderful husband works so hard each day for over 27 years he surly deserves to play hard when he wants <3 work hard play harder

11. Favorite actor?

I’ve always had a crush on Mathew McConaughey and it’s stronger than ever thanks to Dallas Buyer’s Club. He also happens to be the face of one of the P&G fragrances, The One for Men.

12. Loud music or soft?

If I’m working then soft but any other time loud with a side of my horrible singing..

13. Where do you go when you’re sad?

I hands down crave yoga or a run. If those aren’t possible then I call my parents while walking outside. I HATE being inside when I’m sad.

14. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

I have this down to an art and can be ready in about 5 minutes if I’m not showering and 10-12 minutes if I’m showering. If I’m blow drying my hair than it’s closer to 25 minutes.

15. Ever been in a physical fight?

I definitely let my temper get the best of me when I was in middle school more than once and am not proud of the person I was 7th and 8th grade. I was awkward and didn’t know how to handle these years very well but luckily I have grown and evolved since then and learned a lot from these mistakes.

16. Turn on?

A guy who can cook and lights up when he’s around children.

17. Turn off?

Unabashed laziness.

18. Fears?

Due to my injury prone husband I have an innate fear of either of us getting injured, especially when one of my races is nearing. I also have this fear that when things are going too well something bad will happen. Gee thanks Charlie Brown for this one.

19. Last thing that made you cry?

We laughed so hard we cried more than one time on our Bavarian road trip last week with Mike & Liz. We are so blessed to have friends who have known us for so many years at this point that they truly have become family. In the past month our lives have been filled with so much happiness thanks to these people.

Oh you meant sad cry? Every single Parenthood episode makes me cry. I’m such a sap. I also cry every time I say goodbye to my family and when stupid Theodora cries as we say goodbye after each New York City visit.

20. Last time you said you loved someone?

My parents said I love you to my brother and I every night of our lives when we were living under their roof because you never know what will happen next. I’ve brought this tradition into our home and therefore tell Bo “I love you” every night before going to sleep. In fact, this is one of the little things I’ve missed when we’re apart.

21. Meaning behind your YouTube name?

It’s Ashley Diamond. I also have one under A Healthy, Happier Bear but sort of forgot about that one for a while. Oh yeah, remember when I used to make videos each week? Maybe I’ll do that again soon.

22. The relationship between you and the last person you texted?

My mom. She’s pretty awesome and we text each other pictures almost daily.

23. Favorite food?

Bananas, wine, French cheeses, delicious bread, perfectly ripe strawberries, peaches, and huge salads.

24. Place you want to visit?

Right now my dream bucket list includes places like South Africa, Australia, India, and Japan. But, on the horizon we’ll be visiting France and Italy during May with friends and family.

25. Do you have a crush?

A crush? I mean there are actors and people I find attractive but at the end of the day I have an incredible husband along with a few work husbands, an American term (I think?) jokingly coined for guys I spend my time with at work who know me pretty darn well and have evolved into more than just colleagues.

26. Last time you kissed someone?

A few minutes ago.

27. Last time you were insulted?

Um, I can’t really remember. I tend to take things personally so sometimes I misinterpret things.

28. Favorite piece of jewelry?

My wedding band and engagement ring which Bo designed for me with the help of Ruth Hendelman, a jeweler who we have now recommended to all our NYC friends!

29. Who should answer these questions next? I’d love for you to answer your favorite question in the comment section!

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For years, Bo and his friends have laughed about the movie EuroTrip. It’s a completely ridiculous, National Lampoon’s style movie from 2004 that is a play on the many stereotypes that come along with an American teenager trip to Europe. At one point in the movie, the characters accidently end up in Bratislava with only $5 in their pocket.

Today, while on the road from Prague to Vienna, when we saw a sign for Bratislava we knew we had to cross the border for an afternoon adventure. Not only did it serve as a perfect lunch stop but it also allowed us to visit Slovakia, a country none of us had ever visited.

When we arrived in Bratislava we went straight to Church of St. Elisabeth, more commonly known as the Blue Church. Located in Old Town, it’s light blue color and mosaics gave it the nickname, the Blue Church. Built in 1907, it is the newest of the churches we’ve seen thus far on our adventures. Unfortunately we could only peer through the gate as the church wasn’t open for visitors, but the inside looked gorgeous and decorated with similar blue hues as the outside. After lunch we headed to Cafe Verne which was highly recommended by Yelp, Four Square and Trip Advisor for the inexpensive yet delicious hearty local cuisine. The cafe features seating both indoor and outdoor on a small terrace overlooking the square. Unfortunately it was a bit chilly to sit outside so we opted for a seat inside the cafe surrounded by locals enjoying lunch and talking across tables.

We ordered the items most often recommended on Yelp which included the goulash, gnocchi and fresh lemonade. The lemonade, was refreshing and a perfect afternoon drink, made with very little sweetener and sparkling water which gave it an extra kick. The goulash was hearty and made with pork pieces instead of the traditional beef we’ve had in the past. The gnocchi while delicious was far too rich for my taste due to the heavy cream sauce and the bacon topping. 45 minutes later we found ourselves leaving Bratislava full of delicious food and ready to continue our adventure towards Vienna. If you find yourself driving between Prague, Vienna, Budapest or any of the other nearby cities I highly recommend a stop in Bratislava as it is a perfect afternoon spot rich in history and featuring multiple restaurants and cafe in the Old Town. In fact, if we’d had more time we would have explored Devin Castle and Michael’s Gate.