Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving... the one day a year that a majority of my family gathers. And this year was no different. Sure, we were down a couple people, but there were still 1...2...5...8...9...16 of us!

People stand in the kitchen and visit. Mostly women, women congregate in the kitchen.
People sat in the patio and visited. There was a fire, therefore that's where the men were. (Notice Uncle Dave on the iPhone...)
And a few vegged in the living room to watch the game. By vegged I mean fully reclined and ready for a pre-turkey nap.
And sisters visited in the dining room, which is not where we dined.
But at one point, we all came together for a group photo.

Quote of the Day

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
— Jane Austen

Yeah for Spell Check!

Here's a fun little spelling test for you to take...

25 Most Commonly Misspelled Words

So... How'd you do...?

Quote of the Day

To undertake is to achieve.
— Emily Dickinson

Woo Hoo!!!

Good news people! After an absence of NOT being able to post from work... I can again! Not sure what changed, but I'm happy that I can fill time with keeping you up to date. And not feeling stressed that I have to work on them from home when I don't have time.

Quote of the Day

Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.
— Elizabeth Gaskell

Things I learned in Alaska...

1. 30 degrees is not cold.
2. There isn't much you can do in the winter.
3. 2 degrees is just a little cold.
4. The moose don't come out until you leave.
5. When you want to be snowed in, you won't be.
6. Everything is in a mall.
7. For population 350k, Anchorage doesn't seem that big.
8. No matter how often you do it, saying goodbye is still hard.
9. Cars can slip 'n slide on snowy roads.
10. -5 degrees is just a little colder.
11. Short sleeves and a jacket are the norm.
12. Dogs walk people on skis.
13. People walk reindeer.
14. Gas is more expensive where it is harvested.
15. Most foods have cabbage instead of lettuce.
16. Cheese from Modesto is sold at specialty stores.
17. Home prices are not declining, but are increasing.
18. Red eye flights sucks.
19. "The Valley" there is not like my valley, but it did have fog.
20. Seeing where and how your honey lives, priceless.
    

Missy Pissy

People, I don't know what my deal is. But right now, for the last couple hours, I have been in the most foul mood. I'm mad at the world. I'm mad at Dennis. I'm mad at my parents. I'm mad that neither of my sisters are available to chat. I'm mad at work. I'm mad that I have to make stupid brownies for someone's birthday at work for tomorrow. They're from a stinkin' box and they aren't even coming out good, even with PAM. I'm mad at airplane ticket costs. I'm mad at myself. And I don't know why.

Maybe it's hormones, but those normally kick in before that time.

All I know is that the only thing that I can really be angry at is the cost of airplane tickets, everything else is just me blowing things out of proportion. Sure, maybe it's legitimate for me to be upset or disappointed, but there is no reason for me to be mad.

All I know is this, I'm in a bad mood. I've got a bad attitude right now. And I feel like I'm being spiritually attacked. Satan knows my weaknesses, and he knows how to use them to his advantage. Please, pray for me. Pray for my spirit to be calmed and that all negativity will just leave me.

Satan I rebuke you! Leave me alone! Father fill me with your spirit.

Bucket List

Ok, so I haven't seen the movie, but I understand the general idea... To have a list of things you want to do or complete before you kick the bucket. Hence, The Bucket List.

I think everyone should have a bucket list. I've kept a mental list, but my memory is already starting to fail me, so I thought I'd better get this down in writing before it's too late...

1. Learn how to belly dance.
2. Put a message in a bottle and send it out to sea.
3. Drive historic Route 66.
4. Get free audience tickets to a TV show taping in New York.
5. Travel to Greece.
6. Attend the Olympics (winter or summer).
7. Be able to cook instinctively, without relying on recipes.
8. Rent a villa in Tuscany for a family vacation.
9. See the northern lights.
10. Spend New Year's Eve at Time Square in NYC.
11. Go to Australia.
12. Go on a cruise.
13. See a play on Broadway.
14. Visit every US state at least once.
15. Go to Disney World.

I'll continue to add to this list as I think of things. And if I do any of them, I'll make note of it.

All I Want For Christmas

You know what would be great...?

My own private jet. That would take trips between Anchorage and Sacramento, no Modesto, whenever needed.

I will settle, however, for gift certificates and/or money for traveling. Preferably with Alaska Air being as I have a mileage plan with them and they are the main airline that travels to Alaska.
So if you happen to see what I'm looking for, feel free to get it for me.

Thanks!

To Alaska, and beyond!

As you all know, from late last Friday through early, early Wednesday, I was in Alaska. Anchorage, Alaska to be exact. And boy did I have a time! So here's a run down of how my time was...

Friday:
After riding BART to the SF Airport then flying from 5:30pm to 11:40pm, I was pooped. But I was EXCITED! The plane couldn't fly fast enough and get there soon enough. Dennis, the greatest guy ever, was waiting for me just outside security. Be still my heart, I was so happy to see him again! After a quick stop by his apartment to meet the roommate, Paul, it was time to head to the hotel and turn in for the night. Don't worry folks, there were 2 beds. Dennis had to be at work early the next morning, so it wasn't a late night. Well, it was a late night only because I landed at midnight. You know what I mean!

Saturday:
Dennis went to work before 8am. Yawn! I slept in. Now, you have to realize that right now there is only about 7 hours of sunlight. Sun comes up around 9am and goes down before 4pm. So, it's kinda hard to get out of bed without the sun, cause that's what I'm used to. So slept in, until about 9:30. Slowly I got ready for the day. What did the day entail you ask, being as Dennis is at work? Paul volunteered to drive me around and see some sights. The only problem. It was cloudy and snowing. So Paul picked me up around 11:30.

We drove down Highway 1. Funny, Alaska has a Highway 1 just like California that follows the coastline. Hummm... I'll have to google it and see if my Hwy 1 is the same as there Hwy 1. Dennis had told Paul that I like to take pictures, so Paul tried to find spots that would be good to ... take pictures. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating.
But as you can see against the black tankers at "Ship Creek", the snow was coming down!
Soon enough, and early I might add, Dennis text messaged me to let me know that he was getting off early and was on his way to pick up his kids, Ashlynne and Elijah, and would be at the apartment shortly. Moment of truth folks, are his kids going to like me? This could be a make it or break it situation! But don't worry, I passed! I think... I'm pretty sure I did. Ashlynne and I were instant best friends, Elijah took a little more time to warm up to me.

So, with kids in tow, we stopped at the Wild Berry Chocolate something-a-rather place. The kids got a little bag of jelly bellys, then we were on the road. We drove down Highway 1 (ha!) down to Girdwood, where we had a late lunch at Jack Sprat near Alyeska Ski Resort. On the way back to the hotel, I had fun with the kids and the camera.
We went to the hotel to relax for a bit. The kids took relaxing as jumping from bathtub ledge, to bed, to bed and back to the bathtub ledge. Very exciting! Then it was off to dinner. We went to the Moose's Tooth where we met up with Alex, Dasha, and their son Silus, and Paul. After dinner we made a stop at Chuck E. Cheese for the kids to run off some of their energy. Then to bed we all went.

Sunday:
We work up to Ashlynne yelling "Room Service", which she really wanted to order. Instead we got dressed and went to the "upscale" continential breakfast. Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, so good!!! After really getting ready, we left and drove around some, then drove around some more. We went to the Ulu Factory where I took this picture of Dennis and his kiddos.
They are very well behaved. I must say. And boy do they love their dad. Then we drove around some more. Have you ever seen a reindeer? Especially a reindeer on a lease? Yeah, me either. But I have now!
After driving around some more we stopped for a late lunch. After lunch we took the kids back to their mom's. We made a quick stop at Best Buy so I could look at laptops and see if there were any good deals for the week. Alaska = no sales tax. Then we headed back to the hotel to relax some before going to dinner.

Dinner was at the Glacier Brewhouse. Dennis and I weren't very hungry since we ate lunch late, so we shared a meal. Mahi mahi, very tasty! After dinner we went to see Four Christmases. It was funny, I wouldn't necessarily see it in the theater again though. Wait for the DVD.

Oh, did I mention that Sunday the 30th was also Dennis' birthday...?

Monday:
After waking up and looking out the window, we learned that finally it was clear out. So we got up. Had breakfast, waffles again. And headed out. Dennis needed to run a few errands, so I was along for the ride. Then we drove around some to see the views that I couldn't see before because of the clouds. Like this one...
Down by the inlet was much colder than in town. Probably because there was a breeze blowing adding a wind chill factor.
We decided to drive to "the valley", which would be Wasilla area. Home of Sarah Palin. We made a stop on the way at a church where a friend of Dennis' is the youth pastor to say hello. Then after a stop at Target we turning around to head back to Anchorage to pick up the kids.

Paul joined us for dinner at Kobe Temppanyaki. Dinner was good. But right after dinner we were on a quest. On a quest to find the Northern Lights. So we trekked up a mountain, and when I say trekked I mean drove. We didn't find the lights. But we did find negative degree weather! -5 baby! All I wanted to do was be there when it hit 0 degrees. (look at the bottom corner to see temperature reading)
While driving back to the hotel, we called my sister Kaitlin to visit. Then we all shared jokes. Elijah was sleeping, but Ashlynne loves to tell and make up jokes. Once we were back at the hotel it was time to sleep. Ashlynne had school the next morning, Dennis was to drive her, and she wanted me to do her hair.

Tuesday:
After waking up to do Ashlynne's hair, I went right back to sleep. I was tired! Dennis got back and cuddled with Elijah, who was also still sleeping. After breakfast, we got ready for the day, checked out of the hotel, and hit the road. Guess what we did... Yep, drove around. It was still clear out and Dennis wanted to show me some of his favorite neighborhoods. We had lunch at Humpy's, halibut fish and chips, then went to pick up Ashlynne from school.
After having the kids for just a little longer that afternoon we dropped them off at their mom's then had the last bit of alone time before I had to leave. So we made rice krispies for Kaitlin, Dennis swears that his are the best. Then we went to Barnes and Noble, Target, around. Both of us weren't really hungry being as we had a late lunch.
So we went back to his place and tried to watch a movie. But we fell asleep. When we woke up it was time to go to the airport. This I was not looking forward to. I hate saying goodbye. I know it's not a goodbye forever, because I'll be seeing him again soon. But I had such a good time visiting his world and seeing Alaska that it was hard.

So what did I do...? I slept the entire way home. In fact, my flight leaving Anchorage left late, and I made it to my flight out of Seattle at final boarding call. I even slept most of the ride on BART back to Pleasanton. Then I slept some of the way home while mom was driving. I got home, showered, and slept some more. And honestly, when I wasn't sleeping I was fighting (unsuccessfully) back tears.

But not to worry, he'll be back down at the end of December! And there is a 99% chance that the kids will be coming too. I'm excited!

But Dennis... if you think -5 is cold, just wait until you feel the cold while surrounded by fog. I'm not kidding. It feels much colder. Bring a coat.

Quote of the Day

There are no miracles for those that have no faith in them.

— French proverb

Back in the Positive

I'm home! Boo...

I'll post a more detailed post that will go up tomorrow. But here's something to tide you over.

It had a great time!!! Alaska is beautiful. Dennis is doing wonderful. And his kids are sweet and well behaved.

One day it was down to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. I survived! It really wasn't that bad. The cold that we, in California, feel right now is what 20 feels like in Alaska. Totally doable.

Here's a link to my pictures. I know, I really didn't take all that much. I'm a slacker. But... I did have more of Dennis and I, then he deleted them because he didn't like how he looked. Punk!

Stay tuned. I'll be back. I have a lot of catching up to do. Especially on sleep...

Quote of the Day

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

— Joseph Campbell

Quote of the Day

Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things.

— Benjamin Franklin

HOW TO SAY "MERRY CHRISTMAS" IN OVER 33 LANGUAGES!

Afrikander - Een Plesierige Kerfees
Arabic - I'D MIILAD SAID OUA SANA SAIDA
Argentine - Felices Pasquas Y felices ano Nuevo
Armenian - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri - Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Basque - Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On
Bohemian - Vesele Vanoce
Brazilian - Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Breton - Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian - Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Chinese -
(Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
(Catonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Cornish - Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian - Sretan Bozic
Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish - Gladelig Jul
Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
English - Merry Christmas
Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian - Roomsaid Joulu Puhi
Farsi - Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish - Hyvaa joulua
French - Joyeux Noel
Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
German - Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek - Kala Christouyenna!
Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi - Shub Naya Baras
Hungarian - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic - Gledileg Jol
Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian - Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latvian - Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu
Lettish - Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu
Manx - Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori - Meri Kirihimete
Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo - Merry Keshmish
Norwegian - God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
Pennsylvania German - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese - Boas Festas
Rapa-Nui - Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rumanian - Sarbatori vesele
Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Serbian - Hristos se rodi
Slovakian - Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Samoan - La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scottish - Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Serb-Croatian - Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina
Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak - Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene - Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish - Feliz Navidad
Swedish - God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Tagalog - Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Thai - Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian - Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese - Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh - Nadolig Llawen
Yugoslavian - Cestitamo Bozic

Quote of the Day

Out of intense complexities intense simplicities emerge.

— Winston Churchill

Quote of the Day

Wine should be taken in small does; knowledge in large ones.

— Chinese proverb

Quote of the Day

The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.

— Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

— John Fitzgerald Kennedy