If you can’t read German or have never seen a pregnancy test, the above photo might be confusing…

but to confirm,

YES, I am pregnant!

(And for some reason, at first, here in Budapest we could only find German pregnancy tests).

I announced the news yesterday on Instagram and was overwhelmed by the love and excitement E and I received from all over the world! This is one lucky little babe already.

I am just over 16 weeks pregnant–the baby is expected to arrive at the end of November, around Thanksgiving (in America, anyways). Which means we exclusively refer to it with all the fall fruits and foods we can think of, including Lil Turkey.

Anyway, that’s why it’s been so quiet around here! I can’t believe my last post was in APRIL!!

Mostly the radio silence is because the first trimester left me nearly comatose every day. The fatigue and morning sickness (or, all-day sickness, really???) really threw me for a loop. I was so nauseous all the time, that some clothes I wore during that time make me feel ill. Our spring break trip to Macedonia–two days after we found out I was pregnant–is still hard for me to think about, even though it’s a beautiful country. I just feel sick again at the memory!

Add the “morning” sickness and fatigue to teaching every day?? I practically had to crawl home and not move again once I got there.

Tomorrow is the last day of school (so many feelings!!) and while I love my job and my students, I am so grateful for a break. I do not understand how teachers teach until right before they have the baby.

^^one of my first-graders drew this picture of future me…pregnant and in London. Apparently he thinks I’m British, ha! 

Although I shared not long ago that we would be staying for another year in Hungary, after our little surprise turkey news, E and I decided that going back to the States–for the time being–would be better for us.

There are a few reasons for this:

First, family! It would be nice to be a little closer to at least ONE member of our family when our little babe arrives.

Secondly, the healthcare here is decent–dare I say better than in most of America, unfortunately?–but even at the private clinic we go to, there is quite a language barrier. We always have to furiously Google both during AND after the appointments to figure out what exactly is happening. There is also a protocol in Hungary (and perhaps in the States?? I’ll find out soon!) for prenatal care, and with the language barrier, half the time I’m not even sure why they’re taking my blood or giving me another ultrasound. Since it’s my first pregnancy, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, and I already had a small complication at the beginning of the pregnancy, I really want a doctor who can help me understand my pregnancy and baby.

Another reason we are leaving is because our visas are tied to my job here–and since I would get at least a year or so off with maternity leave, this would also impact our visas and make it harder to stay.

Another minor issue? Even if we did have the baby here, it wouldn’t have Hungarian citizenship since we are both American–a perk I did want to give my child, but doesn’t seem to be happening this time around :).

So, what’s next?

Next, my parents come to visit–they arrive TOMORROW, in fact!–and we are going to Poland! After they leave, E and I will be traveling some–Lviv in Ukraine, Amsterdam, Scotland and Iceland, to be exact!

That will take us into the middle of July, and we’ll fly back to the States then. We’ll stay with my parents for a few weeks, and then…who knows!

A big fat question mark is still in my mind about where exactly we are going to have this baby and what we’re going to do. I’m planning on teaching online for the rest of my pregnancy and then taking time off to enjoy my new baby before getting another job. E, who works for himself from home, will probably find a more full-time (but hopefully still remote!) job that will give us benefits (because healthcare, besides the English thing, is NOT A PERK OF MOVING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES).

But really, we have no idea what will come next.

And that goes for parenting!

Truthfully, my first trimester was so rough, emotionally and physically, and my pregnancy was quite a surprise–and along with the fact that we have to leave my beloved Europe–I have been so up and down about this new adventure of ours.

Now that I’m feeling a bit better, with a summer of family and travel is ahead of us, and now that I even have a little baby bump!, it feels more real and more exciting.

I am so excited to show our little one the world! We hope to live abroad again and give our child that experience, but first we will have to adjust to being parents. Whoa!

I hope you’ll join me for this next chapter in our lives, too :). Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and shared their excitement with both me and E–it means so much to us!

Do you have any questions about my pregnancy? Do you travel/live abroad with a child? Share your wisdom!  

The post Schwanger’d + A Little Life Update appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

When we first moved to Budapest, I could not stop comparing it to my beloved Prague. Even though I wrote a whole post about how Budapest is not the next Prague (and that’s a good thing!), I was doing that thing I hate: falling into the comparison trap.

As time passed, I learned it wasn’t Budapest itself I was having trouble adjusting to necessarily–it was things like my job, a flat that kept falling apart, a gray winter, visa issues. The longer I’ve lived in Budapest–and now that it’s past the one year mark, I’ve lived here longer than I lived in Prague!–the more I’ve come to love it, flaws and all.

I recently decided to renew my contract, which means that E and I will be staying in Budapest for at least one more school year! To celebrate, here are 18 photos to make you fall for Budapest, too–and hopefully get your butt over here, already!

Parliament at night = glorious goulash Ria, Ria, Hungaria! Gelato + pretty building means you’re sold now, right?   probably my favorite statue in Budapest the castle in the park by our flat. NOW I’ve got ya!  Ruin pub  The incomparable Fisherman’s Bastion  the Danube gets icy in the winteralso Christmastime here is fantastic.

Danube views Chain Bridge & castle, of course!

So, when are you buying your tickets??

Linking up with Wanderful Wednesday. 

The post 18 Photos To Make You Fall For Budapest appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Where were you born, where did you grow up and where do you currently live?

I was born in Colorado, in the USA, and grew up in Montana. I currently live in Budapest, Hungary.

What made you leave your home country?

Ahhh the eternal question. There were a lot of reasons I left–some easier to explain than others. I have always wanted the experience of living abroad, and I wanted to travel but also wanted (and needed) to work. Sometimes I think it’s as simple as the fact that I left because I could. I know not many people are lucky enough to be able to choose to have this experience like me.

What type of reactions do you get when you meet new people and tell them where you are from?

That depends a lot on where I am when said person asks this. Most people in Hungary just want to know why I chose Hungary, but if I go somewhere more off-the-beaten path, I get a much more incredulous reply. Sometimes people immediately want to practice their English. On the flip side, some people are unsure of their English, and so afraid to talk to me (although their English is always a million times better than my Hungarian/Czech/insert local language here). Nowadays, I get a lot of Trump jokes.

What was the easiest/hardest part in adjusting to your new country?

I moved to Budapest from Prague, and it was difficult to adjust to a much bigger city. I also struggled a lot with the work culture. BUT it was easy to jump into exploring the city! It’s a fun one!

Images, words or sounds that sum up the expat experience you’ve had so far.

Night lights. Fog & gray. Ruin pubs. Students.

Your favorite food or drink item in your new country?

I love their liberal use of paprika in its various forms. I’m also obsessed with these cheese biscuit/scone things call pogasca. Sometimes my students bring me little homemade ones and they always are my favorite kid that day ;).

What’s the one thing you said “yes” to in your new city that you wouldn’t say “yes” to, back home?

I say yes to extra lessons at people’s homes, and yes to lessons that are out of the city–usually too far to justify me making it up in the price of the lesson. I say yes because I want to meet Hungarians and see how they live. My schedule gets much busier but also more interesting, I think.

Are there any cultural norms/phrases in your new country which you cannot stand?

The Hungarians are very strict about seasons. You will get a lot of comments about those sandals or short sleeves if you’re wearing them before late May/June–no matter the weather. And if you ever go out without socks in March, you could be institutionalized.

What do you enjoy most doing in your new country?

I love exploring the streets and the back alleys! There are so many gems. Hungary also has an awesome cafe culture. And so much good wine. Also I really love my students. And so much more!

Do you think you will ever move home for good?

Another million dollar question! I’m sure any family members back in the States are anxious to hear the answer to this one…I love the lifestyle of my life in Europe–no car, insurance covered, easy travel, so many new cultures to explore, more minimalist, more adventurous. However, since both my husband and I are American, visa issues may become a problem. I do love the adventure of living in a different country, and I can’t see that ever changing–but I can see us moving closer to home in the future–maybe Canada, if not somewhere in the States.  I miss my family and friends, and every time I go home, it’s harder to leave.

sometimes I visit this statue of Reagan for a “taste of home.” 

EXPAT TAG QUESTIONS:

1. Where were you born, where did you grow up and where do you currently live?
2. What made you leave your home country?
3. What type of reactions do you get when you meet new people and tell them where you are from?
4. What was the easiest/hardest part in adjusting to your new country?
5. Images, words or sounds that sum up the expat experience you’ve had so far.
6. Your favorite food or drink item in your new country?
7. What’s the one thing you said “yes” to in your new city that you wouldn’t say “yes” to, back home?
8. Are there any cultural norms/phrases in your new country which you cannot stand?
9. What do you enjoy most doing in your new country?
10. Do you think you will ever move home for good?

The post Some Expat Questions appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

The eleventh month has been a whirlwind, in the best kind of way–because it’s almost Christmas!

Eleven Months in Budapest: By the Numbers

ONE NIGHT in the little town of Eger, Hungary! We had to visit their little Christmas market while we were there, of course.

FIVE (ish) glasses of wine in the cellars Eger’s Valley of Beautiful Women, aka Hungary’s wine country. The cellars are right next to each other so you just walk in-between, sampling as you go.

FOUR visits to the local Christmas markets so far, not counting the smaller ones in parks I’ve randomly stumbled upon. And it’s just the beginning!!

TWO (very light) dustings of snow. Can you see it?

SEVERAL (more than I’d care to admit) hilariously awkward interactions with co-workers this month. I’m not sure what my deal is right now, but pretty much every time I’ve spoken with a Hungarian adult lately, and it’s turned weird quickly. This one made me laugh, mostly because it was in response to a long email of mine asking about fifteen questions.

THREE HOURS celebrating Friendsgiving with some friends and a co-worker of mine. Of course I only took a picture of the flowers our friend gifted us, but it was a great night and E, the main cook of the event, did a spectacular job!

LONG DAYS working at my job. In some ways, this is the best time of year to be a teacher: fun Christmas lessons, gifts from the kids, a decorated school, happy people. In other ways, it’s also the worst: kids are insanely hyped up with excitement and sugar, the schedule is a mess, a lot of teachers/students are sick, and there is so much going on that it begins to feel stressful.

This kid has some big wishes from Santa: including laser vision. 

MANY DAYS where the temperature is getting truly cold (cold enough, I think, for snow, so let me just ask: where is it?!??) but this also means the coziness is going off the charts.

THREE Christmas-themed donuts from our new favorite donut shop, the Donut Library (please excuse my horrid phone picture…).

ONE jury-rigged Christmas tree in our flat! (Aka a bunch of branches that we shoved into a bucket, that E wrapped to look festive).

TWO HOURS at a festive trivia night, which needed holiday outfits, of course (okay, I’m not particularly festive in plaid, but it was a Scottish bar so I still earned some points).

Ten Months in Budapest // Nine Months in Budapest // Eight Months in Budapest // Seven Months in Budapest // Six Months in Budapest // Five Months in Budapest // Four Months in Budapest // Three Months in Budapest // Two Months in Budapest // One Month in Budapest // Three Months on the Road // Twelve Months in Prague

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The first six months in Budapest were very difficult for me–unexpectedly so–and I couldn’t drum up enthusiasm to come back. Living here for six months before leaving again didn’t give us a lot of time to develop that much attachment, and add in the fact that we were moving to a new neighborhood that I was unsure of AND I would be starting yet another new job…this new beginning didn’t bring the excitement of adventure I usually feel.

It was one of the few times in my life where staying somewhere (in this case, America) was sounding more appealing than going. Seeing all of our friends and family members made it even harder to leave.

A few months after returning, though, and I’m so grateful I gave Budapest another chance. I love my job, I love our place, I love the city, I love the exploring we’ve been able to do, I love that we are making new social connections, and we’re at the tail end of one of the most glorious autumns of my life.

One thing that really struck me recently is how much it’s starting to feel like home here, both the city and our flat. I never thought I would feel “at home” in a city where I don’t speak 95% of the language–but I do.

E and I apparently had an unspoken agreement when we moved in that we would really settle into this apartment–and that included buying things we haven’t had the inclination for in years. We never discussed any of it–usually any purchase that isn’t a strict necessity has been heavily debated in the past few years–we just did it. We bought it. Stuff like cozy blankets and actual kitchen supplies and candles.

I seriously cannot stop buying candles.

What’s funny about all this is that just recently I realized that we are only in this place, and I’m only in this job, until June. Of course, the chances are good that we could stay another year–or even longer–but it’s only official until the end of this school year. Either we stay, we have to find a way to squeeze in my beloved kitchen scale (…who am I?), or we leave our already furnished place more well-equipped than before.

I can’t imagine staying here, or anywhere, really–settling anywhere has always been a vague “someday” sort of thing, or a fun way to dream about living in my ultimate places…but as I light one of my many candles and eat some amazing soup E made in our functioning kitchen, I also wonder if maybe this could be home.

And maybe I’m ready for a home, more than I ever thought I could be.

Crazier things have happened.

The post Maybe This Could Be Home appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

When we moved to Budapest last January, we lived in a pretty primo location right by the river and the Parliament building. In June, I quit my old job and got a new one, which meant that we had to move to a new place and a new area of the city.

I had no love for our tiny, barely functional flat, but I was disappointed to leave the ‘hood. I mean, my commute included walking by this every day!

(Not to mention it was close to the river, great restaurants, and well-centered in the city.)

While I immediately loved our new flat, I wasn’t sure about our new neighborhood at first. However, now that I know the transit links, have explored the area more, and have gotten spoiled with my 10-minute walk to work, I’m quite happy here!

The best part about the area is that we are very close to Budapest’s City Park, or Varosliget. This park is kind of equivalent to New York’s Central Park–it has a zoo, famous baths, an ice-skating ring in winter, and…a castle!

The first time I found it was a surprise–I had no idea it was there–but now I visit it often, because it’s fall and I need frequent park walks, and it also happens to hold almost weekly festivals. This weekend was the Kürtőskalács, or chimney cake, festival (known as trdelník in CZ!).

After a walk with some friends to get us some cakes, I came home and made another cake for this week’s Bake Off Bake Along, hosted by Amanda and Ala!

That’s right–this week I finally attempted the showstopper, which is always the biggest and most elaborate of the three bake choices.

While I was technically supposed to make a three-layer cake, I could only manage two…and with just two of us, I think three would have been a bit insane.

It also seemed like a good time to incorporate some fall flavors. You know where I’m going with this…pumpkin.

I attempted to make this Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake, from Amanda herself, but used a cinnamon buttercream, loosely based off of this recipe, to pipe roses.

While I’m not sure cinnamon-colored roses are exactly the best choice, and my piping leaves a bit to be desired, this cake is AMAZING. While I’m one of those people who think cake without frosting is kind of a waste of time, even I don’t even think this cake needs any frosting–it’s that good! Not that the cinnamon buttercream was a hardship to eat.

I’m so happy I finally had a good bake–pastry week and batter week weren’t exactly successful so I’ve been feeling more anxious about baking than I ever thought possible. I even caught myself starting into the oven for way too long just like they do on the show…

I’m in good company.

Next week–desserts! And week 7 already!

The post A Castle in the Park + Bake Along Week 6 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

It’s something this always-a-traveler never thought I would say, but when we moved into our lovely new flat and I started the school year, I was so happy to stop living out of a suitcase and to have a consistent schedule (seriously, who am I?).

Of course, my new routine looks a bit different than I expected, and I’m still establishing it. My teaching schedule, which at first glance looks like a dream with almost-free afternoons, is quite grueling. I don’t have oodles of free time to bake (although I did have time to make this week’s Bake Along challenge–see below!) and write and explore the city and plan trips and keep in touch with friends and hang out with new and old ones here in the city.

Well, at least I didn’t in the first week–but the first week in any new job is an adjustment, and I think the first week of school is always hectic. I haven’t spoken much about it on the blog, but I was miserable at my last job–especially in the first few months. So much so that I really wasn’t certain I wanted to stay in Budapest–or come back, after this summer.

Long story short, even though it wasn’t an easy decision to move jobs, so far I’m feeling much more positive than I ever felt at the last one. Exhausted, yes–but that’s not a surprise. Challenged, still a little anxious, but pleased, and often enjoying myself. And, overall, really happy to still be here in Budapest. I’m glad I didn’t give up on this city!

Anyway, back to routines. As I said, my first week was way too exhausting to take part in many of the activities I listed above, but I was able to squeeze in a bake for the Bake Off Bake Along with Amanda and Ala!

This week, the options were iced biscuits (cookies in American-speak), Viennese whirls, or gingerbread structures. Remembering several incidents where my creatively designed (aka Pinterest) iced cookies were destroyed by my lack of skills, I passed on the biscuits. Since my favorite gingerbread is the soft kind–not exactly conducive to structural integrity–that meant that the technical challenge won out.

Bring on the Viennese whirls!

I used Mary Berry’s recipe, partly because they had to use hers in the episode, and also because I’ve never had a chance to make any of her recipes and it seems like a rite of passage into this whole Bake Along thing.

Spoiler alert: mine looked nothing like Mary’s.

Before I continue, let me just say–I hope I never have to make these again. No one else to seems to complaining about this though–was it just my tools? The piping was soooo difficult and they did not end up looking pretty at. all. I might just need some serious gym time (which okay, I do) but I even had E give it a try and he struggled, too. This is the first technical challenge I’ve ever done–and I have so much more respect for the bakers and their knowledge now! I can’t imagine trying to bake something like this without the full instructions.

Oh, and also, I over-baked them. Not exactly burned but much too brown.

You can even see a few of the biscuits that I just made into little balls and flattened after my piping bag exploded due to the pressure from the batter (Hungary really needs to get on the sturdy-piping-bag train). By making them like this, I learned that the piping is definitely a necessary step–the piped ones just tasted better. Can someone explain that to me?? (Although I suppose why else would we be putting ourselves through piping hell just because they look pretty? We’re not that shallow of bakers, are we? ARE WE, MARY??)

I think I would be getting last place in this technical challenge.

One thing that could maybe convince me to bake these again–after plenty of time and distance–was that they were definitely delicious.

Which is half the battle, anyway.

The post New Routine in Budapest & Bake Along Week 2! appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Safe to say, I am so happy to be here. I’ve already noticed a reduction in my stress levels since we moved into our fourth-floor walk up here on the Pest side of the Danube.

First of all, it’s only ten minutes walk to my work. Win!

Secondly, since it’s so many floors up, we are surrounded by trees. We don’t currently have a view of anything but leaves, even from our balcony, which sort of makes it feel like a treehouse. It’s so peaceful! (Please don’t break my heart and tell me that will change come winter).

Finally, the apartment itself is just lovely. We’ve upgraded from a studio to a one-bedroom, we have a bathtub (!!), we have a table and a desk so E can finally have a decent place to work, we have a dishwasher (!!!!), AND….

We have an oven!

Which means I can finally take part in the Bake Off Bake Along, hosted by the lovely ladies, Amanda and Ala.

If you aren’t in the know, the Bake Along is inspired by the Great British Bake Off, which E and I discovered–somewhat embarrassingly–on our honeymoon in Costa Rica. One rainy night, tired of watching Spanish TV, we found one channel in English–the BBC–and two episodes later, we were hooked! The show follows bakers who compete in three categories: a signature bake, a technical challenge, and a showstopper. For the Bake Along, I’ll be choosing one of their assigned bakes to make each week.

I won’t be sharing any recipes, except for my sources of course, since I’m not experienced enough (and I’m too out of practice!) to be inventing any. In addition, since I’m living in Hungary, it’s often a confusing adventure to buy the most basic ingredients. I will, however, try to use my travels to inspire my bakes!

For the first week, and my first bake ever in my new kitchen–and my first bake ever in Hungary, for that matter–I wanted to choose the simplest course, likely to be the signature bake. The showstopper was a mirror glaze, which seemed insurmountable for my first bake, or the Jaffa cake, which I have no desire to ever make. That left the signature: a classic British drizzle cake.

It took me waaaay to long to figure out what baking powder was in Hungarian, how to use vanilla sugar (they don’t really have vanilla extract here at most supermarkets), and I accidentally bought the coarsest sugar known to mankind.

This is going to be fun!

I made this Lemon Blueberry Drizzle Cake since simple was the byword. I did make a few changes: more lemon zest, more lemon juice (as I used vanilla sugar, I needed extra liquid anyway), I made extra drizzle just in case (can you ever have enough?) and I dusted the blueberries in flour before adding them. An essential step to keep them from dropping, and I did a poor job so half of mine dropped to the bottom anyway!

Would Paul and Mary want to eat this cake? Truth be told, it was over-baked and it wasn’t very pretty–but it was pretty delicious.  I might have to up my game in the following weeks!

The post Our New Flat & the Bake Off Bake Along! appeared first on Amy and the Great World.