kitchen Angst!

I have been back from Croatia for two weeks now, And I haven’t even been able to write about my return. Zagreb was an amazing city, and the people were great! I had 16 days to “take it all in” and come home with a new perspective, and understanding of a part of the world I had never seen before, instead, I came home with a deep sadness….

I Knew going into this trip that I wanted to move overseas someday, and live the “European lifestyle”,  but two weeks in Zagreb, Croatia really brought that home for me! Outside of holding down a job in a country where I don’t speak the language, I was able too get a true sense of what my daily life would be like living there. I went out on my own, shopping, exploring, and just tooling about town. Most Croatian’s speak at least enough English for me to have a conversation, and get what I needed, and were very gracious about doing so! I found not only the City to be beautiful, but the people as well!! The food was ” off the hook” I had sausage’s, bacon, local wine, and fresh eggs, cheese, veggies, and anything else I wanted for that matter!!

As in other European cities I have visited, the ” markets ” are the best!! Every day year round they have fresh markets where you can buy fresh produce, eggs, cheese, cream ( unpasteurized),meat, poultry, WHATEVER YOU WANT!!! They are normally in the ” city center ” and very accessible!! I really need to live in a city with that kind of approach to food! Fresh today, in season, and not far from home! I love to cook, but more than cooking I love to create, and design a menu around what is available, and ” in the now”! Tomatoes in the winter don’t excite me, But Squash…. or beets!! bring-em on!!

Here is a perfect example!! I can find cherries in the states, but they are within yards of fresh fish, every day there in season!! One stop shopping at Its finest!! Not to mention It’s only a 10 minute walk from the flat ( where I was staying )!! I found this true not only in Croatia, but also Germany. I haven’t explored enough of Europe but I can say without doubt… other countries are the same! I want to live like that, and I will!!!!!

I am so sorry It’s been so long sense I’ve written, I promise to try and write more often, however I am finding the time harder and harder to find these days.  I am really trying to find a way to live in Europe, and fully enjoy my life.

All my love…

James

I have had another beautiful day in a City that is older than I can even imagine. I know I haven’t written about the food much so far… and for that I apologize. I wish I had more to write on the subject now. However I must say I find the food here not that different than at home! I’m not saying that their are no difference’s, just that they are smaller than I expected.

I will say that the fresh markets ( like in Germany ) are really special, I can get any type of fresh seafood that was caught that morning, and I’ts within walking distance of the flat!!! Tharea I’m staying in is more of an Industrial area of town, but I’ts close to the city center, and “Old town” so for me I’ts perfect!! I can (walking ) be at the market in under 15 minutes, and I’ts open daily ( except Sundays ) This may seem like a burden, even to me at times, but I’ts a way of life I have craved for a long time. A more simpler way of living, A life of beauty, Love and respect!

Until I write again, I wanted to give you some more photos.

I just returned from the oldest part of Zagerb, and have great photos to share ( as soon as my camera re-charges ) with you! I am learning more every day about the history, and culture of this very rich Country!!! I’m not going to write much for now due to the fact I need to go cook some potatoes, shower, and get ready for some night-life adventures!!!  Here are some great shots fo the local brew…

fish, and produce market….

and Me with a pet Pigeon!!!

I love this Country!!!

I promise to write more soon!!!

Loves,

James

No seriously. I have a pet pigeon flying around the room landing on my head or shoulders wanting to be loved!!!  I love this country!! Honestly Niko. and Mish are the best host’s a person could ask for… and there house of animals. is more fun than a true barrel of monkeys!! And cleaner!!!

I landed in Zagreb at 1:40 pm today and have had nothing but a great time so far!! I love this city, and I haven’t even seen It yet!!!

I’m home!!! I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now! I have always thought I should be living in Europe, but I never thought of Croatia!! I couldn’t even tell you where it was 6 months ago. Now however I have found a new love and appreciation for this Country. as well as the city itself! I have now finished my first full day here ( I started this post yesterday ) and have only begun to scratch the surface. Tomorrow ( Saturday ) is the antique market. followed by I don’t know what yet!

I will be posting photos soon I promise!!! For now I’s late and I must sleep!! I have a busy day shopping tomorrow!!!

Please stay tuned for more fun from Croatia!!!!!

James

I know it may seem a bit soon to start packing for my trip when I don’t leave until next week, but I always do it this way. I start early, so I can really take the time to go through everything and decide which items I really need, and those I just think I want. I pack as light as possible so one: my bags aren’t heavy, and two: so I have room for all my purchases. I am going to be staying with my boyfriend, who wears the same size as me in most clothes, including shoes, so I don’t have to worry about packing a lot already, Plus I will have access to a washing machine. Done deal!!!

You should always remember when your traveling, you wont be seeing the same people every day, and you have to haul your bags wherever you go most of the time, wearing an outfit more than once is not a big deal!! Taking the right clothes is more important, than taking enough!! I always look for items I can mix and match, and that are comfortable! I want to look good, but I also want to be relaxed, If my clothes are too warm, or tight, or don’t fit well, I wont want to be in them all day while sightseeing. I don’t want to think about my pants while I’m walking the streets of old town, Zagreb!

I’m going for two weeks, and all I’m planning on taking 3 pair of pants, 6-7 shirts,   6 pair of socks, 6 pair of undies, and 2 pair of shoes ( one for walking, and one dress pair). I know we will be going out to clubs, and fine-dinning restaurants, so I need to be able to dress up.  I’m packing things I can “dress up” when needed, but that also are comfortable enough to wear daily.

I will “add and Pull” from my bag several times in the next week as I continue to prepare, but this way I will feel comfortable with what I pack.

Starting so early helps me remember the other things like power cords, for my camera, cell phone, etc. Packing is one thing that if put off to the last minute really makes me panic!!

Well, let me tell you! I fell in love with a Man in Germany last year, and went to visit Him. We have sense broken up, but my trip only enhanced my desire to live for awhile in Europe! After our break-up I decided to go on line and make friends over seas, so I could have someone to visit. I never expected to meet my next boyfriend, but that is exactly what happened! I found another great man that I had a lot in common with! I was able to talk with and really bond with Him on a level rarely found here in the states! I belong in Europe, That’s the bottom line. I still love being an American, and I don’t want to give that up, however I feel I would be happier living in Europe, with a European!

My trip to Croatia is based on my my relationship with a man I met there! I can’t say now what will come about from it , but I have the highest hopes! If nothing more I will see a part of the world I have never seen before, and will have had an experience that few had had! I do feel that it will be much more than just an experience though! I expect it to be a life changing event!!

This is why I want to document it completely on not only my blog, but also other sites, like Facebook, Myspace, and Livejournal! I want to tweeter about it every day, and download photos whenever possible! I want to make My experience, Your experience!

Please stay in tune!!!!

James

That’s right! This boy is going on a vacation!!! not from the “Angst” though, from my everyday boring life!! I’m going to Croatia!! NO SHIT!! I just have to get out of the U.S. for a while, not for good yet, just for a couple of weeks!

I will travelling to Zagreb, Croatia on May 21st and I can’t wait!! I will be there ( or in that area) for 16 days!!!! I want to write about my time abroad on line in many places, “Today” being only one !! I will also post my daily experience’s on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, Tweeter, etc… I will be using each to their fullest, and for their own reason!!

Today- ( Kitchen Angst ) will be mainly for the Culinary expereinces I have. If you wish to follow the other aspects of my trip I will have links to my other sites. You can read there as well!  I am going to try to post every day while I’m gone. If I don’t achieve this goal please forgive me in advance!! I will do my best!!!! I am on Vacation after all!!!!

I’m starting this now because I feel that your vacation begins with the booking of your tickets, and I bought mine last week!!! I don’t want to hear any greif about travailing abroad in this economy, My boyfriend ( in Croatia) sent me the money for the ticket!!

Plus I want to talk about getting ready for a major trip. I have a little understanding in this area… I have not only lived all over the United States, But I have moved to the U.S.V.I. and lived on St. John, but I have Travelled to Austria, And Europe! I may not see myself as a “well traveled” Man, but I have traveled enough to understand how to do it well!!

First word of advice is to buy your ticket early!!! Get the best deal you can by planning ahead. Figure out where you want to go and do the research,..What do you want to see, Why do you want to go?,  Festivals? scenery? actitives? History(knowledge)?  I’m not saying you have to buy your ticket months in advance… just decide when you want to go based on where you want to go when you want to be there!! ( don’t let your time off determine when you plan a trip, Plan your trip and then you will know when your time off will be!). I did just this in the fact I want to see Croatia in the summer first! I love snow but If I’m thinking of moving there ( which I am ) I want to see it at It’s best first!I know what snow looks like so I want to see the green side!!

I also want to go through the “packing” side of things, remember if your coming home you don’t have to take everything!!!! Pack only what you need!!!!!!

I will continue this soon!!

James

I just was on SKYPE with my friend and walked them through fixing a meal, It turned out perfect! We got to thinking about making a business out of what just happened.

What if there was a site where you could go and get the help you needed (when you needed it) to cook a gourmet  meal ? I think that is worth something, so does my friend! So I’m asking you my loyal followers if you feel the same???? I want to know if you think it would be worth creating a web-site to promote this on line interactive cooking for private parties? I think It’s great I could instruct you on how to fix the food, step by step without being there. ou could honestly say you fixed it yourself, and everyone will be happy!!! Let me know how you feel… bad, or good, or try it out and call me for your next get together and let’s cook!!!

I had a lot more written but something happened and it got erased, so today I want to finish my outlook on the “lone wolf” aspect of my life.

I was talking about my inability to function in the “non-working” part of my life and how I am more comfortable at work… so I want to explain more.

I live for work! I  feel complete if I do something productive with my day. However, I love days without a care in the world as well! I love being social, and really enjoy having others around me, I just have to know them VERY well. This is why my “social time” is almost all done while working. I create very strong bonds with my co-workers, and consider them more like family! This is why I really hated missing bowling night!

Now, I am working on being more open to stepping outside the proverbial “box”  and “expanding my horizons”, “Living my life to the fullest” and all the other cliche’s I can’t think of right now!!

My life is great, I just wish this recession would end so I can start making some money again! I find it hard to work on my S.A.D. when I’m too broke to go out and put my theories to the test! As I have said in the past I really hate the idea of using drugs to control my social disorder, I feel they only make it worse! If you can’t deal with people sober, you can’t deal with anything. In my opinion, Hiding behind drugs is worse than staying in your room!

I don’t want to give you the wrong Impression, I love my life, and have great friends… I just need to re-learn the art of social behavior among strangers. That to me is the only way… I never want to revert to taking drugs… not for this anyway!!

Well I’ve been told that I need to write more about cooking. That my post’s that combine my past with my love of food are the best, so I am working on some for you. I hope to have some great ones for you soon!

If you have any questions or Ideas don’t be afraid to conctact me and I’ll do my best to write about it!!

James

Most of the people that know me would describe me as a funny, outspoken, and outgoing guy, However, they already know me. People that don’t, won’t see that side of me ( until I know them ). I am a reserved man by most’s standards, I have to be very comfortable with you to just hang out and cut loose. Going out and enjoying the company of other is difficult for me, even when I know them well!

My S.A.D. doesn’t allow me to “just meet up and be sociable”. Going out for coffee, Bowling, or even catching a movie is sometimes overwhelming to me.  I should be bowling with my coworkers right now as a matter of fact, instead I am writing this entry in my blog. I have many good excuses for not going… I have to be at work early tomorrow, not having a car makes getting “to and fro” difficult, I had a long, hard day today. See everyone will understand my being absent, I have several outs! The truth of it though is that I more enjoy sitting here writing, than taking the bus to the bowling ally, and trying to enjoy myself with my friends, when all I want is to be alone. Large groups honestly freak me out most of the time. I always feel I need to talk to everyone and spend time with each person individually. I can’t just enjoy the moment, It’s all or nothing with me, sit with one friend or be a social butterfly, and spend very little time with any one person. I almost always just opt out all together.

I want to explore this more, but I just lost half of this post due to some strange computer bull–t! I hit save and the last two paragraphs disappeared! I’m tired and pissed so I’ll pick up from here tomorrow!

James