Albania 2012!

I love my country, with all the craziness that comes with it. Recently, I have felt so blessed to have had the chance to visit Albania so often during our stay here in Europe.
Has been wonderful to see my parents, extended family, friends...to walk the streets that I have walked for so long, to be able to be at my grandma's house in 10 minutes, to eat in great restaurants, to buy delicious fresh veggies and fruits just around the corner, to hang out with my friends and just talk and laugh, to sit and play domino with babi and mami (mami kicking our butts because she always skips our turn), to play tag with my dad and see how he can actually run, to eat mami's delicious food...I absolutely love my people. I don't know if I have ever written before in our blog, but they are amazing. Loving and caring, always willing to give, even though sometimes or many times don't even have the means, expecting nothing in return. I love the generosity that comes from their hearts. I can talk non stop about albanians, especially about my family and loved ones, but this time I will share some pictures that we took during our stay.
My dear nena (grandma) Have I mentioned that I love her to death? This woman is amazing. Nena is 89 years old and so full of energy, even though these last two years she has been suffering with the restless legs syndrome. Even though she cannot sleep during the night, she still has a smile in her face, curses her legs and laughs. Oh, how I miss her. It always breaks my heart when I leave her.

 Teze Vera (Aunt Vera) She loves to take care of her self. She has to exercise after each meal, is hilarious and not typical albanian at all. Her daughter gave birth to a beautiful girl just a couple of months ago. She loves being grandma.

 We enjoyed some beautiful weather while we were there. One day, we decided to go and walk by the beach. From left to the right: Flutura (my uncle's wife), Silvi (my cousin), Vera, Soni, nona (my other grandma) and my wonderful mami.

 My mom and I. What can I say about my mom? I love her so very much. She is literally the most selfless person that I have ever met in my life. She is the perfect example of love and devotion for her family. She never thinks of herself. She is so faithful in the gospel and has never wavered in her testimony. She lives to serve all of us. Every morning she would wake up early, prepare our breakfast, serve it on our plates and would just stand up to see if we needed anything else. She is so wonderful. She just goes and goes and doesn't stop. In Albania we live in the fifth floor, I cannot even count how many times she goes up and down those stairs to get things done. I love her! She cracks me up how she gets after my dad. It's hilarious to see them. They love each other so well.

 Wonderful sisters in my home branch. Motra Kocillari and motra Agalliu. We got together one day and had a great time. They are amazing women.

 It is our tradition now. We have to go to Tirana and go up Mount Dajti. The weather was great and we enjoyed some good food and amazing view.

 My cousin Arbri.

 Playing domino with my uncles. Actually the one next to me (daja biku) was trying to help me so I could win against Mike and his brother (daja Gezimi). We did actually win. After he left, I had no chance!

 I love my friends in Albania. We went out with Bela and her fun boyfriend, Enea. Had some great lunch with a view of the beach, then Enea took us to his place where we played UNO and other card games.

 Have I mentioned it before then when we go to Albania family and everybody else want to treat us? This time, my amazing aunt (halla Dushi) took us out to dinner. She is wonderful. She lives to give and give some more. She never married so she decided to live with her mom (my cute grandma). She takes so good care of her and of all of us.

 Sonja and Marko. They were so great to come and visit us from Tirana. Sonja is a medical doctor and she is so dedicated to her profession and her husband. Marko has learned albanian and is teaching Seminary. He is loving it. We had so much fun visiting together.
Mike and Marko competing who had the biggest belly!

 We had one of our first dates in this restaurant by the beach over 4 years ago.

 Dinner with friends. Edi, Olsi just got engaged to Blerta, Enea and Bela.
After we finished dinner around 10.30 pm we decided to get some ice cream, go to my place and play greedy. It was so much fun!

 Mike's birthday was coming up but it was time for us to leave Albania. We bought this delicious cold cake filled with chocolate eclairs and mami prepared her special dinner.

 I am telling you. They understand each other. Nena is speaking albanian, Mike is listening like he knows what she is saying. It's hilarious!

Time to leave family again. Sad but grateful at the same time for the opportunity we had to visit.

Soni keeps getting older!

So, time to celebrate my birthday again!!!! I love love birthdays! I love the celebration and the meaning of it, having family and friends that love you...and the presents that you get:)!
My friend, Jessica, had asked 2 months prior to my birthday to not plan anything on the 25th and 26th of April because she had plans for us. Knowing how great she is I knew that something really special was going to happen, even though this time I had no clue! They made sure not to tell Mike this year:)!
We  get on the car and still had no idea where we were going. Let me tell you again how great she is. She had prepared lunches, snacks, drinks and everything else we needed during the trip. We get to our destination and it's...Koln...beautiful Cologne!!!
Jessica had reserved a great place for us and as we were having a conversation, she asked me if I had any idea where we were going and I said no...
This is what she tells me: Soni, I've been giving you clues during our trip but you didn't get it. For those who know me, I am pretty quick at getting the clues so I started to think as she went downstairs to get something from the car.
I couldn't think of anything she had told me during our conversations...but, we had listened to a CD of great songs....drum roll!!!!!!
She gets back to the room:
Me: NO WAY!!!!! Have you by chance bought tickets to see Michael Bublee's concert???
Jessica: (has a tricky smile in her face) How did you figured it out???

Indeed, she had bought us tickets to go and see Michael Bublee's concert in Koln, Germany.
The concert was amazing, he had a great voice. We were a bit shocked by his vocabulary but we figured out that he is probably stuck in the teenage years so we said: please don't talk, just sing!
That concert was such a treat! I have always wanted to see one of his concerts. Mike and I, at least for the first and a half year of our marriage, listened to his songs every day. We played M.B songs in our reception and we still do play his songs now.
Thank you Jess! Thank you so much for making my birthday so special, for finding the time (even though you are such a super busy person) to be together. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.