01 January 2010

So, it's the first day of another year. Funny thing, it feels just like any other day. Everyone is all on about resolutions, black eyed peas & corn bread and how everything is going to be super great because, get this: It's a New Year.

Wow.

Now, I'm not all cynical here, don't get the wrong idea. I'm the same chick who wants to believe wishes come true, magic exists and dreams become realities. But seriously!! At least in my fantasy world there is some catalyst to create wondrous things...not that they just happen because the date has changed.

Whew. Now that THAT is out of my system...I thought it might be nice to post an update.

Firstly, I've been hearing comments about how few I've made in recent months (and not so

recent months). And...I just uploaded photos :)

So WAY back in September Dede and I went to see Wicked at the Paramount. Def up

there on my list of musicals---costumes are amazing, story is good and the music stellar!!

September also held a brilliant

musical adventure to see Flogging Molly with James and Brenda-Boo. Yah, it was AMAZING!!!

We took along a wee picnic and saw some

interesting opening bands...and then the main event.

Yah, good times!

So then October rolled around which means Walt Disney World!!! The trip was awesome (as always). I really love EPCOT and this year they've added this AWESOME new game based upon KIM POSSIBLE!!!!

I had a great time doing a couple of the adventures in the afternoon and then Grant

joined in the fun a few days later. TOTALLY GREAT!!!

Even playing two afternoons we didn't get to do all of the adventures. Guess that leaves more fun for next time!!!

Immediately following Florida I went to California for a fun

weekend of soccer, Disneyland and seeing good friends from far

away! Ildiko and Bela were in town, all the way from Hungary! (YAY) and we met up at The Olive Garden. Sadly, Bela wasn't able to stay with us due to a tree emergency...but Ildiko and I enjoyed a meal and lots of chatting.

In November I took another trip to the Peninsula and stayed on the beach. I had a rough go being

ill through the month and the weekend was a perfect way to chill and get some rest. There was

a raging storm, brewed coffee, bacon, leftovers, lots of bubbles and avoiding tourists. I made the mistake of going over the weekend New Moon

was released, which meant silly twi-hards all around. I stayed out of town and had a blissful weekend.

And then it was December.

I love December...I live for Christmastime...I L-O-V-E Christmastime. The twinkle lights...the

carols...the food...the baking...Jesus. I always say...there would be no Easter if there wasn't Christmas. What a miracle...a choice that God made--for us. WOW

Of course the month started of with the annual

trip to Disneyland. Santa was pretty cool. Caught up with him over at the DLH--nice.

My way cool friend Tara and sis Tiffany threw a

great Christmas party the weekend following my return from SoCal.

We sang carols ate snacks and watched Harry Potter.

Seriously.

It was rad. Yah. Rad.

The following weekend was Christmas Supper

Party at my place. Oodles of fun with some good friends, good food, Christmas crackers and a white elephant exchange.

Good times!

Christmas was bliss...Boo came over on the Eve and we cooked and churched and saw lights...and

Christmas Day was full of gifts, film, friends and games :)

We even carried the celebration on to the following day! Good times!

This photo is us with Kat over at her place for a bit of an Irish Christmas Dinner...YUM!

Yah...so it's a brief look into the end of the year...but there it is.

Now it's a New Year. As you may have gathered from the intro here...I'm not into resolutions or thinking that "this year will be so much better than the last". Just like every season...I look at where I'm at and where I'm headed. I'll get my bearings and see if I'm on course.

I'll try to keep you posted.

So, what are your thoughts on this whole "New Year" business???

A little Easter Surprise...

As much as one can surprise themselves, that is :) Whilst on our little excursion to Pike's Place Market, Megan and I were rumbling about quite a few of the food shoppes (little specialty markets). This was very much at my request...and I found some real treasures. I literally gasped and pulled dear Megan over when I saw these wonderful Kinder eggs.

I first had the opportunity to indulge in these grand little eggs in Hungary at Eastertime 1998. Ever since, I have really missed them. When overseas in 2007 I was only able to find the Kinder Joy...which is quite different, yet also quite enjoyable!

Anyway...I purchased two (the fact our dollar is worth nearly nothing in the world market meant they were a little pricier than my budget had room for). Megan and I shared one on the bus ride home and I save the other for Easter.

Basically, this is a hollow egg. It has a double layer shell--one of milk chocolate the other milky white. The 'surprise' part is the toy inside! Way better than anything Cracker Jack has handed out in decades! There are themed sets of toys...usually you have a hand in putting the toy together and they are often quite silly.

This time around I had a spy themed toy. I'll have to take some photos of my Kinder Toys and post them up sometime.

Here you'll see the Bunny Mr. Potato Heads that were in my office. My spring time decor :)
They came down rather quickly since my secret pal at work gave me three of the Mr. Potato Head Parts and Pieces sets in my eater basket : Doctor, Police Man and Snowman. (THANKS SECRET PAL!!!) Here is a photo of them standing together. On a potato note...I just saw that there is a a new one!!!!! Taters of the Lost Ark--WOW! Here is a photo from the Hasbro Site:
Goodness...So many Potato Heads...so little time! My Star Wars Spuds are still lacking the company of Spudda Fett (Boba is absolutely one of my favorite villains!!!) and Darth Mash.

Well...needless to say, Easter was quite enjoyable for me in the PacNW. I was still feeling quite unwell and spent much of the day resting (doing nothing other than feel rather awful, that is).

The thing I always long to hear on Easter:
One: "He is risen!!"
Many: "He is risen indeed!!!!!!!"

Either way...He is truly risen!