Our first Engagement Party

Its been almost two years since Brian and I got engaged and the last thing I ever expected, at this stage in the engagement and so close to the wedding, was for anyone who wasn't Brian's or my family to throw us an engagement party, but they did. I was so happy when I heard about it, you have no idea. Its not like our families could actually throw us an engagement party, we are both living in two different countries while our families live in another two different countries, so that obviously wasn't going to work.
So last so the Thursday I arrive, before the Marine Ball, Brian tells me that Debbie, a co-worker of his, is having a dinner for us. Awesome! I was really happy when I heard that. So when I arrive to Munich and Brian picks me up from the airport and on our way to the hotel he tells me "oh yeah, that dinner that I talked to you about earlier isn't really a private dinner, everyone at work was sent the email and everyone is coming!" I was surprised! These were people I a) barely knew or (b) didn't know at all, and they were all coming. I completely understand why, Brian is a very loved guy there, not to brag, and people wanted to contribute to his happiness.
We arrived at the party with a huge warm welcome from Debbie, that woman is amazing, and the other guests who had arrived before us. The house was starting to get decorated from Christmas, with that warm-kind of feeling. The food was amazing, all appetizers that you just couldn't have one (trust me!). Everyone was just so amazing. At one point in the event were were toasted by every married couple, from the most years married to the least, including Debbie's parents who were just visiting (her father gave a great speech). Every speech was amazing and funny, being that the men where the ones talking and when asked how long they have been married they turned to their wives for reassurance :) The toasting was ended by both Brian and I saying a few words, Brian more than me obviously :) I have this thing where I can talk, but talking in public in front of people I don't know I turn shy and mind you I took "Oral & Presentation" in undergrad (yes, that's how the course was called), no good it did me...ah well!
I was really touched by this kind generosity given to both Brian and I from Debbie. No words can say how thankful I am to her for throwing something this great for his.

München

(Triumphal Arch on Leopoldstraße)

Munich, the city of beer. This isn't my first time visiting this beautiful city, this is my 5th and most likely last time I'll be in Munich. DF will be leaving soon and there isn't anything or anyone left to visit here My first visit to Munich was what made me love this city. I came during the 2006 World Cup. No matches where being played in Munich, and I think no more where getting played there either, but the ambiance was unblievable. I believe the matches being played where Portugal vs England (Portugal won and I was very happy...has to be an Iberian thing), the other match was France vs Brazil (Brazil lost and I was pissed...up until that match France was playing horribly!). I went with three other friends who were also, like me, living in Vienna at the time. We took the 8am train to Munich and we decided that we would take the 3am train back instead of spending the night in Munich, trust me it was worth it...even the 3am train ride :) We walked around; ate at one of the oldest beer houses; enjoyed the ambience at the Hofbräuhaus, where we tried to get something to eat but nobody would pay attention to us, but they did only when we ordered beer...go figure; also enjoyed a bunch of Australian's singing very drunkenly...very amusing, and yes, we did the same thing; watched a match at an English Pub, not a good idea when you are a Portugal fan...oooppps, don't worry I didn't start a fight or anything...just applauded quietly when they scored :); watched another match at the Hard Rock Cafe, by this time I should've started drinking water...but nooooo :); enjoyed the clubbing scene of Munich with one to many Jägermeister's and to this day I can't be near one; finally dragging ourselves to the train station to catch our train. The train ride was another interesting, yet fun, story. In conclusion, aside from the drinking which had to be done, let me just state that i'm not an alcoholic nor do I have need to drink all the time, I love Munich. 

The other visits made me love this city so much more, aside from DF living there of course ;) I have been able to go snowboarding in Garmisch, which is located an hour from Munich; enjoyed nice strolls in the English Garden; I love to wander to "investigate" cities, so I did that. One of the fascinating things about Munich is that it has been able to combine old and new architecture and make it look magnificent. Take for instance BMW Welt, the building itself it boldly modern and sci-fi looking, but to my eye, it fits in a city like Munich in a country like Germany. 

(BMW Welt. Taken from a sightseeing bus, sorry for the glare)

To me when I think of Germany I think of, aside from all other things people can think of, modern architecture. I guess its better seen than said/explained, especially coming from me. 

This last visit is to go celebrate the DF's Marine Ball. Its good to be here and be with him....almost one month till the wedding!!! If you get the chance to visit Munich GO, its a magical city...totally worth it.

Almost, just almost.

(image credit: Say no to crack - humor for all ages) 

So my packet is in at the Consulate BUT there is a problem. I need to get some paperwork that I was told I didn't need. No problem right? WRONG! This paperwork, and sorry I'm not being specific as to what but I would like to keep some things private and confidential, is ridiculously hard to get. There hasn't stopped being a problem getting this visa since day one. DF and I did everything according to the instructions, minus one thing, and nothing has been going right. Honestly, my hopes have given up. I'm so close, but yet so far away. I've been on the phone for two hours calling long distance and nada! I don't know what to do. I want to hear the words "everything is going to be ok" and actually believing them. DF has been saying it to me for the longest time and I'm trying really hard to believe them, but I simply can't when everything is just going wrong. A couple of months back I actually did tell him to stop saying that cause I was getting annoyed at those words and because, I think, I couldn't believe them.
I want everything to be ok. I just want and need a break!