Happy Holidays

In 2009 I’ve managed to circle the globe a few times over, but nothing feels better than being in my hometown for the holidays.  As you can see in my Christmas card below, Mother Nature cooperated and covered everything here with a lovely layer of fluffy, fresh snow. 

I hope wherever you are celebrating you are surrounded by those you love and that 2010 is an incredible year in every way.  

My favorite holiday song is  Joni Mitchell's "The River", here is a live Sarah McLachlan version which is simply gorgeous.

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Living a Life in Limbo

One of the reason (excuses) I haven't posted in a while is because my life as been in a state of limbo.  Here's how strange things have been.

• Nov 8 - Leave for Delhi, expecting to arrive on the 9th
• Nov 8 & 9 - Get stuck in Cincinnati, arrive in Delhi on the 10th, planning to stay until Dec 19
• Nov 10 - Luggage lost in transit
• Nov 13 - Luggage finally arrives
• Nov 15 - Move out of my normal apartment to a guest house
• Nov 18 - Find out I'm leaving Delhi early to work on another project
• Nov 19 - Find out I may be staying in Delhi
• Nov 21 - Move back to the apartment and find out I'm leaving Delhi (this time for sure)
• Nov 22 - Pack to leave Delhi (I hadn't even unpacked yet)
• Nov 25 - Fly home
• Nov 26 - Celebrate Thanksgiving with my family (perfect surprise!)
• Nov 29 - Back to Salt Lake expecting to leave the next day to a new project
• Nov 30 'til today - still waiting and expecting to leave any day

It's been a strange existence thinking I need to be ready to hop on a plane with a minutes notice.  While I've LOVED being at home I don't feel like I've taken advantage of the time because I don't want to get too invested in anything in case I have to leave.  On the positive side - I finally got my office cleaned and organized something I've wanted to do for months, so its not all time wasted.

The latest news?  I still could get on a plane Tuesday or things could continue to move slowly and I'll still be here at Christmas.  I am however, dying to share where I'm headed to next, so check back again soon and maybe I'll finally have some news.

If you hate twangy music, stop now.  But if you like it or have an open mind, check out the latest from Gary Allan.  I don't know what it is about his voice, but his songs break my heart, I can honestly hear the pain in his voice and in the right mood he brings me to tears.  The way he delivers the line, "But I've lost everything, I've lost everything I every wanted, today" just kills me.  I also love that the video uses a live cut of the music and not the studio cut, it makes it even more real and beautiful.

Gary Allan   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

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Thanksgiving Part 2

I can't resist adding a some photos of my favorite niece and nephew, Miss M and Tiny T.  They are growing up so quickly and make every family gathering that much more special.

Apparently Miss M has been watching a Walt Disney Cartoon with a section on gymnastics in it because I caught her practicing her dismount from the slide.  Every time she jumped she made sure she stuck the landing and the final pose, bent over at the waist with her arms held up and back.  

Tiny T isn't so tiny anymore, he grows and changes daily.  He loves to play with anything he can get his hands on and it only takes seconds for it to go in his mouth.  He's just the sweetest little guy.  We all have a tendency to call him "lil dude" and he just gets the biggest grin when we do.  So, in his honor, here's some old school, David Bowie, "All the Young Dudes."

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Thanksgiving in Aurora 2009

I got an unexpected surprise this Thanksgiving, the chance to spend it at home with my extended family.  I had planned to be in Delhi for Thanksgiving, but ended up coming home just in time to celebrate.  Mom planned a large meal for her siblings, their kids and grandkids.  It was so fun to see everyone!  Here's a few photos, can you see a family resemblance?  Thanks to my brother playing photographer there is even a photo of me in here, a first for this blog.

While I was still in Delhi thinking I was going to miss Thanksgiving I kept playing this song to enhance my pity party, one of my favorites from the Foo Fighters.


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London Calling

One last set of pictures from my Europe trip last month.  

After Copenhagen, mom and I traveled to London where we spent a glorious 5 days.  We were on the run the entire time, trying to fit in all the things we wanted to see:  London Tower, London Bridge, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the National Gallery Portrait Gallery, the changing of the guard, Kensington Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Harrod's, Westminster, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral and West End.  We also managed to score tickets to "Wicked."  What an amazing show!

London is such a fantastic city - I really think I could spend a month there and not run out of new things to see and do.  

The last several years there have been a number of female singers out of the UK that I find myself going back to time and time again - including Duffy - here is her "Stepping Stone."  Can you believe the smoky, bluesy voice that comes out of this tiny blonde?

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Overboard

This week I'm staying in a guest house rather than my normal Delhi apartment which means I usually stand in the driveway for a while waiting for the rest of the team to pick me up each morning.

Today, I plugged in my iPod while I watched a driver wash a car, a housekeeper sweep the walk and a few of the guards playing cricket. The music gave the scene a movie feel - especially this lovely song by Ingrid Michaelson.  I love it when you hear a song and immediately need to track down the lyrics.

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Out and about in Delhi

It was a rare no-work weekend in Delhi and I took full advantage.  I did a little more shopping that was actually necessary, but I also added a few photos to my colors of Delhi collection.  Check out the adorable little boy in this first set of photos!

This second photo is of a downed power line we had to get pass on our way home Sunday afternoon.  It took a while, but watching the process was fascinating.

My favorite song this week (and yes it could have something do with the fact that I won't be able to see a certain movie this week along with everyone in the US) but it is also just a beautiful song.

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Rainy Copenhagen

In early October my mom and I set off on our European adventure.  A first for her and a treat for me.  We started in Copenhagen - a truly beautiful city.  We explored beautiful old churches, the waterfront neighborhood and stately old castles.  We marveled and all the bicycles, ate at 7-11 too many times (don't ask) and tried to stay dry.  In fact, our only complaint about Copenhagen was the fact that it rained nearly every day.  

For me the highlight of the trip was celebrating with my friends from Rio as they were awarded the 2016 Olympics.  Years ago, I remember watching the announcement that Salt Lake City would be hosting the Games.  I thought then that it would be fun to be a volunteer, little did I know that I would find myself a part of the organizing committee or that someday I'd be involved in events around the world.  All these years later to be able to celebrate with Rio as they got their turn was a once in a lifetime experience.

Please excuse the blurry photos - between my jumping up and down and their jumping up and down I didn't get a single clear photo.

Because the theme of our Copenhagen trip was rain, a little Patty Griffin feels appropriate.

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Third Times the Charm - Kathmandu

Way back in September I went to Kathmandu to celebrate my birthday.  I'm finally getting around to posting a few photos of one of my favorite places on earth.

This first set of photos were taken at the Monkey Temple.  Such a fun colorful place.

The second set of photos came from the Boudhanath Stupa - so peaceful and yet in the middle of a crazy city.

The last set were taken as I wandered through the local Saturday market away from the tourist areas, one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Here's a little Frou Frou in honor of one of my favorite places to visit when I need to let go of the stress of life.

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A Makeover

My blog got a makeover thanks to the lovely Erin at Designer Blogs.  If you are like me and read your blogs through Google Reader, take a minute to click over to my regular site and so you can enjoy her lovely work.

I thought I'd use this post as an excuse to post one of my all time favorite songs, Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes."

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