Resolutions Come Early

Yesterday as I was driving by the gym (note, I didn't go in) I noticed an unusally high amount of cars in the lot. Gyms across the country are jam-packed in January as everyone tries to atone for the binge eating of the previous 6 weeks (speaking of bad eating habits, try bad drinking habits, the 20 worst drinks listed here). Resolutions fade as the spring progresses, and soon you have your favorite elliptical machine back. Some statistician determined that it takes 3-4 months to make something, like exercise, a habit and about 6 months until your body craves exercise after starting a workout regimen (prior to that, it seems like a punishment...."sorry, I can't get together tonight, I have to go to the gym").

Maybe I'll try to sneak in a visit before the New Year starts in force.

How Much Stuff is Enough?

Before Christmas, I had read an article by Anna Quindlen, "Stuff is Not Salvation." She ponders how American's continue to be obsessed with accumulating stuff, even to the extent of trampling a Wal-Mart employee. This year for Christmas with my mom, sister and aunt, we tried something new: 3 gifts, 1 store bought and 2 either regifted, recycled or home-made. Part of this was purely practical, when you've just moved into a new house or apartment (like mom and sis), you've gotten rid of junk already and you don't want to accumulate more. For my aunt, she is trying to downsize from a house into a townhouse...more stuff to give away. Long ago my mom said she didn't want anything she had to dust...she'd rather have something we could enjoy together.

We had a surprising amount of creativity...I baked some treats and made gifts with the help of Shutterfly. My aunt made us photo collages from some of our recent trips. And then there were the "recycled" gifts. I asked for a Pyrex measuring cup. I got 3 certified "pre-loved" cups (well, one broke in the parking lot and the other I traded for some measuring cups). Obviously I'm the only one who cooks.

Gift giving continues all year long, and while the economy continues to be challenge, maybe you can share something pre-loved with your friends and family.

White Christmas

There is no shortage of snow in Wisconsin. It hasn't stopped snowing all day. In Denver, it looks to be a green Christmas this year (different if you're in Vail....but isn't everything different in Vail?). Wherever you are, enjoy a blessed Christmas with your family and friends.

Learning to Savor

When I was 8 years old, my mom took my younger sister and I to Europe for a month. For the first 2 weeks, we stayed at a friend's house in southern England. One of the highlights, aside from chasing sheep on the downs, was tea time. We would go out for tea, naturally, but the best part of tea was the cake, cookie or torte that went with it. After we came back, we would still have tea time, but with a local treat, whether fancy chocolates or cupcakes. The goal was to savor. Enjoy the sweet, but nibble, trying to make it last as long as possible.

I wish I had the ability to savor books. I love to read, but I read quickly and have a hard time putting a good one down. This past week, two books that I had requested from the library came in at almost the same time. Heart Fate by Robin D. Owens and Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs. I really like both authors, and each may only have one book released each year. So what did I do? Read them both cover to cover over the course of the weekend. I could have stretched it out, reading a few chapters a day, but no.

I remember when a friend recommended the Harry Potter books when I was in college. A few years after graduation, I decided to read the first one. Books 2 -4 followed in short order. Then I had to wait impatiently like the rest of humanity for the remaining three books to be released over the course of 5 years. Each time I picked up a new one (and I'm not ashamed to say that I would go to the midnight release parties at Barnes and Noble), I read it immediately.

Now on to a new phenomenon: Twilight. A friend loaned me her copy telling me that I wouldn't be able to put it down once I started it. So I haven't started it...yet. It will be on my carryon for my trip to Wisconsin for Christmas. At least all 4 books in the set are out, so if I am addicted, I can feed my addiction without a problem.

Retail Therapy

I did it. I joined the herds of Coloradans who have not completed their Christmas shopping. Or the minuscule percentage who have, but couldn't resist the early bird / night owl / noon day sparrow sale at their favorite store. I'm not a mall person. It's as close to claustrophobia as I get. I like free-standing stores or "lifestyle" shopping centers that are designed like a main street where you walk outside from store to store (and at this time of the year, you may find carolers in Victorian dress as well). You know, the ones that have ice skating rinks and fire pits.

I usually get emails from my favorite stores with coupons, etc. I learned of a new website Retail Me Not that collects Internet coupons and discount codes for various stores. The message from these new breed of sites is that one should never pay full price. So now you can find discounts from that store where you only shop when looking for specialty engraved toast tongs for Great-Aunt Hilda. You wouldn't want to be on their email or mailing list. The jokes would never end.

The trend for 2009 is : pay less. Who wants to argue with that?

Non-traditional Christmas Carols - Part 2

In addition to children's classics like the "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" song, there are a few others that are newer to radio. One that always makes me tear up a bit is "The Christmas Shoes." You'd have to have a heart of stone not to love the message.

At the absolute other end of the spectrum is a new song by Toby Keith, who is not not known for his political correctness by any stretch of the imagination (see exhibit A: "The Taliban Song").

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Toby Keith Sings

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

In reality, two of my favorite Christmas songs are "Mary, Did You Know?" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Whatever your favorite is, be sure to enjoy it this Christmas.

Non-traditional Christmas Carols

Just when you think you can't stand another rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful" or "Holly Jolly Christmas"....a Christmas song from the 1950's is resurrected and may be my favorite for the season: "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas." When was the last time you were able to sing the word rhinocerouseses in any song, much less a Christmas carol?

All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan

There is something very festive about palm trees decorated for Christmas. Aside from the one Christmas we spent in Egypt, every year I'm in Wisconsin or Illinois (except for the time the blizzard kept me here in Colorado) and the weather never includes sunny, warm weather. It seems especially desirable considering it's 15 degrees outside. Who knows if I'd like a tropical Christmas? Maybe I'm destined to stay in snowy climates. But I'll never know if I don't try. Maybe next year it will be mahi mahi and pina coladas (and a real good tan).

Doggy in the Window

High end department stores traditionally have annual Christmas display windows. Growing up we would go to Chicago and see what Marshall Fields had done. Last week when we were in San Francisco, there was a big crowd at Macy's around the windows. At first glance walking by, we were thinking "Oh those windows are nice." Then we saw the SPCA collecting money, and we looked again. All the display windows have pets available for adoption. Last year they were able to place almost 300 pets through the Christmas windows promotion. It's "How Much is that Doggy in the Window?" for a very good cause.

A Trip Down University Lane

Yesterday the DJ's on one of the local radio stations played an a capella version of The 12 Days of Christmas, by Straight No Chaser, an a capella choir from Indiana University. Listening to it reminded me of going to see The Other Guys when I was at the University of Illinois. Ahh...warm fuzzy orange and blue feelings. Enjoy!

Pursuing the Perfect Sunset

When the sun sets over the ocean, all I want to do is grab my camera and try to get the most colorful shots. Obviously, having no ocean at home, the only time I get to do this is when traveling. On our vacation, stopping along the beach before the sun went down was a highlight (although picnicking on the beach and eating seafood run second and third). Lots of people stop what they're doing in town and go to the beach with their families and dogs to watch the the beauty of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Bark Like a Lion

On Thanksgiving we stopped at the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California. The supports under the boardwalk are sleeping and sunning spots for many sea lions. They've got the good life.

Swim in the ocean. Eat seafood. Bask in the sun. Repeat.

CCE

Last night, I had another CCE "Colorado Cultural Experience." This my 3rd time living in a state with a lot of ski enthusiasts (WI and NV being the others). However, this is the first place where I've heard my friends talk about Warren Miller. Every year Warren Miller Entertainment releases a new ski/ride movie. Known for great footage, scenery and music, many people consider this event the start of the winter season. I went with a group of 10 or so friends to see Children of Winter. The theater was packed, they were raffling off great prizes, and everyone who attends gets a free lift ticket or BOGO for Copper/Winter Park. If you click on the graphic, you'll see where else the movie is showing and the trailers. Not surprising that most of the showings are in the Rocky Mountains, West Coast, Upper Midwest and Northeast. There was 1 showing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and 2 in Houston, TX. If you live in Georgia, Louisiana or South Carolina....sorry, no movie for you!

Now all we need is more snow...

First Run

Yesterday I went up skiing for the first time this season. This is something new for me, as the past 3 winters in Colorado, my first trip of the year is usually in January, and my pass lies dormant for a few months. There hasn't been much snow recently, so only 2 runs were open. There is nothing better than a sunny day in the mountains, whether it's taking your first run of the day, or relaxing on the sun deck with drink in hand. This is your cue to motivate and start doing the winter sport of your choice!

What Fits in a Shoebox?

What gifts would you put in a shoebox for a child somewhere else in the world? At church we're participating in Operation Christmas Child. You pack a shoebox full of non-perishable gifts for a boy or girl in a specific age group, pray for him/her, and send the box on a trip. Unless I get a letter back, I'll never know where it went or who got it. Will it travel by rickshaw, camel, or boat?

Safe travels to my little shoe box, and may it end up in good hands.

Traveler IQ

Yet another addictive travel game for when you want to spend a few minutes pointing your mouse over a map of the world. Do you know where Burkina Faso is?

Addictive Internet Games

69

My friend Twissted Swisster had this up on his blog today. I thought I would get a higher score. I missed another 201 countries. Naturally I'll have to try again.

Nieve

Usually this happens early to mid October. This year it waited until Friday, November 14. It didn't last all that long, but reminded us that, yet again, winter is on its way.

Sticky and Sweet

Last night I had the opportunity to go to Madonna's show here in Denver. Considering she was one of the artists that I grew up listening to, I definitely enjoyed it. What I enjoyed even more was that our original seats were up in the rafters with a limited view of the stage and some of the Pepsi Center reps came up and gave everyone in our section new tickets. We moved down to seats 4 rows up from the floor with a fantastic view of the stage. She puts on quite the production with dancers, video, moving stages and more. I didn't bring my camera, thinking that I'd be too far away, and a lot of times security is after you if they see you using it. Not last night. Every other person had their camera or their cell phone up taking pictures and video, so I've taken advantage of their footage on YouTube. Prior to the concert, my friend asked what song I most wanted to hear and I said "Like a Prayer." My friend's favorite was La Isla Bonita (which, surprisingly, she sang as well).

The people watching was also entertaining, a good thing since the show started 90 minutes after the 8:00pm ticket time. There was some crazy 80s fashion going on in parts of the arena as well as some men's fashion that you don't see many other places (at least in my circles....). For a woman who is 50 years old, she has a lot of energy and was dancing, and even jump roping, the entire 2 hour show!

The videos are a glimpse of "Like a Prayer" as well as a video montage I really liked with the theme of "Your Life, Your Choice."

The Joys of Hazelnut Spread

Today at the grocery store, I made an impulse buy. Shocking, I know. Even with a list, I always end up with a few other items (such as peppermint sprinkles, raspberry yogurt and 3 green bananas). I was wandering down the aisles and came upon the Nutella. It was less than $3. Now, I like Nutella, but it's one of those things that I don't think about until I see it on a menu. Downtown, Crepes and Crepes has a Nutella and Strawberry dessert crepe. Yum!

So now the question is how many ways can I enjoy it before it gets demoted to the bottom shelf of the fridge?

Mmmmm....pretzels and Nutella, pancakes and Nutella, toast and Nutella, ice cream and Nutella...

Volunteer Vacations

When I was growing up, I don't remember the phrase volunteer vacations. We had mission trips. As junior high and high school students, we would raise money and go someplace else in the country (via long van rides listening to someone else's choice of music) to do manual labor. Ontario, Western Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, and South Dakota. Five summers in a row learning to roof, paint, build fences, and on occasion wearing a big yellow "God's Gang" button. The trips had many purposes and it was more for building friendships and seeing new places as doing the work.

In college I had the opportunity to do my first international trip, a week doing vacation Bible school in rural Costa Rica. I didn't speak much Spanish, but was able to have fun and build relationships with kids, just the same. Our church was big with stained glass windows. The Methodist congregations in C.R. met in open sided buildings decorated with hibiscus blossoms.

Fast forward one year and we worked in West Virginia with Appalachian Service Project.

Time passed and work trip opportunities didn't present themselves for a while. In 2005 the church I was attending in Indy had a partnership with a church outside of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This trip was a mix of both. A chance to relax on the beach and go out to dinner, visit Mayan ruins, and volunteer at Vacation Bible School (or E.B de V en espanol). Even after moving to Colorado, I took the opportunity to go again and continue those relationships. (You can learn about this partnership through their blog and if you look on the July 2006 link, you'll even find some of my commentary).

This year, I was able to cross one more state off my list of places to visit on a short work trip to New Orleans. Our work was coordinated through PDA. Again the balance between using a crow bar and drinking a daiquiri on Bourbon Street.

Three months from today, I'm embarking on a volunteer vacation adventure with Cross Cultural Solutions. In the past year I've been trying to determine a way to spend an extended period of time in another country while still keeping my job. I want to be more than just a tourist. Having a house, dog, etc. makes it a bit more challenging to just pick up and go. I'm going to Trang, Thailand with CCS for a 3 week program. I'm not sure yet what my project will be although it seems most likely that I will be helping in a school in some capacity. It will be my first time to Asia. I'm excited about doing it on my own. I will be living and working with other volunteers when I get to Trang, but it's different than traveling with family or friends. I know I'll be keeping a journal, blogging and taking a ridiculous amount of pictures while I'm there and who knows....maybe I'll learn something new about myself.

If you're interested in sponsoring me for this adventure, click the "sponsor me" icon to the right of my blog. For more information on organizations that do good around the world, check out this article from Budget Travel.

Voting Reward

The Postage Mystery

Last Monday I went to the post office to send in my ballot. In the detailed instructions from the county clerk, it say in bold and underlined that the postage would be $1.17. So the post office agent measures my envelope and says that the postage is $.56. I explain that I was told it would be $1.17. So he puts it on the scale and maybe gives consideration to the size of the envelope and tells me it will be $1. In a very unusual and unthrifty moment for me, I ask him to charge me the $1.17 so I can make sure it gets there. He told me that every person who brought in a ballot that day had said the same thing.....is there a $1.17 scam between the county clerks office and the post office?

In any case, if you haven't voted early, make sure you get out on Tuesday and make your voice heard. Depending on what state you live in, you may have the option to vote on paid time if your schedule at work is such that you won't have adequate time to get to the polls before or after work.

Our Boys in France Tobacco Fund

Truth in advertising wasn't an issue in the past. The Stanford School of Medicine has put together an exhibit of tobacco advertisements over the past 100 years. Aside from the occasional billboard, cigarette ads don't much of a place in American culture any more. I remember seeing the Marlboro Man on TV when I was a kid, but then tobacco ads were pulled from TV. Even NASCAR has gone the same way....the Winston Cup doesn't exist anymore.

Our Surgeon General Warnings on ads and packaging are small compared to the warnings on packages in Canada and Europe (think "Smoking Kills" in 100 point font).

Does your dentist recommend cigarettes? Maybe not, but his grandfather did. Click here to check it out.

International Etiquette

Every month Conde Nast Traveler magazine highlights a different country's etiquette. Interestingly enough, this month it highlights the US based on guidebooks marketed to those traveling here (and on the spot interviews with tourists in NYC). You can read this wisdom here.

There are training programs here in Denver that help refugees by giving them a crash course in American culture as well as preparing them for the realities of living and working in the US. Some of it is basic, like how to open a bank account or get medical treatment. But some of the cultural notes are important too, like the American slant on personal space, being on time, standards of dress, grooming and hygiene.

The next time I'm in a major airport, I'm going to have to look at a guide book marketed to international guests coming to the US. I don't think the travel section in Borders is going to have quite the same spin.

Pondering: What if we do smile too much here?

Nemesis

It's fall. You'd think the squirrels would be busing storing nuts for the winter. But no. Instead they tease my dog mercilessly. Like this one here.

Sad Study Skills

In the 8 years since graduating from college, I haven't had to study. I can't say that I miss it. I can leave work at work, and then do what I choose. This summer I took a conversational Spanish class. The good thing about conversation class? No real homework. This fall I'm taking a basic Spanish class. This is a good thing, since I'm lacking verbs and sentence structure, although I have basic hotel Spanish, including food/beverage, tables, chairs, and "sign here." So I'm doing a little homework. Starting next weekend, I'm taking a 3 Saturday intensive class to prepare for the PHR exam. Getting certified is a good thing, but I swear it's a money making machine for someone, since the preparation materials and the exam are expensive. The good news is that my company is paying for it. So I'm trying to get back in the habit of paying attention, reading text, and using the CD training materials. How I'm going to sit still and pay attention for 8 hours straight is still a mystery. I could have taken it last spring, but I didn't want to miss Saturdays during some of the best skiing. So here I am, in November, learning how to study again.

...And Carry a Big Stick

Another weekend of fantastic fall weather. The leaves have changed color and many of them are now on the ground, crunching beneath my feet. I took the opportunity to go to Wash Park. There's a lot going on there at any given moment including: joggers, bikers, dog walkers, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, paddle boat rentals, bikes that take 4 people and have a fringe on top, and today, a new lawn sport, exhibited in this picture. Since it was so strange, I took the liberty to modify the photo too. A group of guys with big golf clubs playing with a ball somewhere between the size of a grapefruit and a soccer ball. I think alcohol may have been involved too. Looks like a good time on a beautiful day.

Missing: October 19, 2007

Last year, I didn't have an October 19. We left for Australia on October 18 and landed in Melbourne on October 20. The 19th was sucked into the abyss of the International Date Line and Tylenol PM induced sleep.

Next year I will cross the IDL again. But I won't lose a day. However, I already know that March 5, 2009 will possibly be the longest day ever.

Last Summer Day?

The weather this weekend was amazing and not what you expect for mid-October. I couldn't resist getting on my bike and riding in Cherry Creek State Park. Colorado is known for it's aspen trees. So feel free to admire our scenery.

Scenic Wedding

Yesterday two of my friends got married. The reception was at this great venue in Evergreen and it definately has Colorado feeling. As we arrived from the church, the elk came down from the golf course to drink the water. Much fun was had and friends who have moved out of state came back, so we had some reunion time as well. Nothing like seeing your pastor dance to "Thriller" to make the weekend complete.

It's Called Erie for a Reason

On Friday our plans were to include some Halloween shenanigans, including a haunted house and a corn maze (funnel cakes were just an added bonus). We went to Terror in the Corn which is near Erie, CO. I went to a corn maze last year, but it's been a while since I've been to any kind of haunted attraction. You start out on a hayrack ride and then they drop you off in the middle of the corn, and the rest of the haunted "house" goes through buildings out in the field.

They don't let you take pictures in the haunted house...I assume the flash will hurt the scary actors eyes or distract you from bodies that may or may not be alive. So instead, I enjoyed these signs at the farm along with the pygmy goats. And a funnel cake.

Political Immunity

Having a cell phone as your only phone is a beautiful thing. No one calling to sell you siding. The people and companies that have your number are those you've given it to. For the most part cell phones are exempt from telemarketers. Except during the political season. Political calls are not covered under the umbrella of "telemarketers" according to the FTC. So today when I checked my voicemail I had 3 calls from 3 different area codes. Call 1: About Amendment 48 (impact on a woman's right to choose). Call 2: Letting me know all the bad things that Bob Schaffer is doing and why I should vote for Mark Udall. Call 3: So garbled that whoever paid for the message wasted their money.

On Sunday afternoon I got a call, from a real person no less, wanting me to take a survey. Am I registered to vote? Yes. Can the Obama/Biden ticket count on my vote? I haven't made my decision yet (at least not to some person giving me a survey). Are you aware of Amendment 47 and the impact it has on firefighters? Are you planning to vote no on 47? Sorry...I'm going to vote yes on 47 since it would make Colorado a Right to Work state. Thank you for your time, this survey was sponsored by ______ (labor organization) and not by any political party.

Minor political pet peeve #2: Getting mailings to support Colorado candidates or initiatives from organizations / addresses outside of Colorado. Really, the ABC building company in North Carolina is concerned about my vote? I wonder why?

Can't wait until November 5!

Lucky Old Sun

I'm no longer a teenage girl swooning over Boyz II Men or the Backstreet Boys. And with the advent of itunes, I no longer buy CD's. However, there is still one artist who I like enough that I will buy the whole album. Kenny Chesney. His new album comes out on Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to it. In college my friends made shameless fun of me for my love of country music. I got my revenge on a work trip to West Virginia in January of 2000 when the only station at our work site was country and Kenny's new song was "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." It was played so much that soon everyone could sing along "if it runs like a Deere, man, her eyes light up....."

I might not swoon, but I'll get my island-country groove on and sing along.

Scalping for Beer

As I left work today there were people on every street corner...."need tickets?" It's not the Broncos or the Avalanche, what could it be?

BEER

The Great American Beer Festival is back in town. Sold out. As I was getting on the train, the line was wrapped around the convention center. And this is for an event where you taste beer in little shot glasses.

Sorry, not tempted. Let me go home and watch the Saturday Night Live Thursday Update in peace. Really?

Trickin'

I wonder sometimes how new phrases come into the general vocabulary. One person uses it then it shows up in a song, movie or tv show, and eventually then everyone and their brother uses it (sometimes even your parents....shocking!) Recently I noticed in one song the phrase "it ain't trickin if you got it." Now as I listen to other hip hop / R&B songs, I've heard it in a few other songs. Will this phrase jump genres to country? Maybe not, since it's usually used in reference to black AMEX cards and not in regards to one's pickup truck. Check out www.urbandictionary.com where you can create a definition of your own for your favorite new word!

But every once in a while a pop music / hip hop phrase does go over to country...exhibit A, The Lost Trailers and their song, "Holler Back."

Islands Going Bankrupt

The top news story on yahoo when I looked briefly at o'dark 30 this morning was that Iceland might have to file bankruptcy. I wasn't aware that was an option for a country (even if a $700 billion bailout is). When you think of international banks on islands, Grand Cayman is more likely to come to mind. I don't read a lot of financial news, but it seems like all the recent financial crises worldwide are coming as a shock to most of the population (although a subsistence farmer in rural Africa may not care at this point in time). Why?

Think Pink

Yesterday was the annual Denver Race for the Cure. We have one of the biggest events in the country (how we were beat out by St. Louis last year is a real mystery to me). This event caters to runners and walkers and people who simply don't want to get out of bed, but would rather make a donation, sleep in and still get a t-shirt. Me, I actually got out of bed, put on some pink earrings (since I don't have other festive pink accessories like boas or cowboy hats), hopped on the train and met up with my friends and co-workers to, as we say, walk quickly for the cure.

Back to Kindergarten

I don't know the last time I was in an elementary school. You know, where the chairs are below your knees and reaching the drinking fountain involves touching your toes. Today a group of us participated in Read for the Record which attempts to break a world record with the most amount of people reading the same book on the same day. This year, the book was Corduroy, children's book about a teddy bear who wants a home. I got to read to 25 kindergarteners. I don't spend much time with kids, so when I do, I have a lot of fun. Plus I learned a new jazzy song about the 3 little pigs. What more can you ask of a morning?

It's a Dog's Life

Once a year we can bring our pets to church for the blessing of the animals. It's a day to celebrate what animals add to our lives. It was mostly a dog day in the chapel. Plus 2 cats and 1 hamster. Each song was punctuated by barking of some sort. Amazingly, my dog was very well behaved and one of the children took it upon herself to pet her throughout the service. We also sung a hymn that I hadn't heard for a long time, but really enjoy, which is "God of the Sparrow." Hopefully this blessing will mean that my dog will be on her best behavior....at least for a day or two.

Small Groups Changing the World

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead -

In spite of people worrying that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, good is still being done. Today one of the local community organizations sponsored a day of volunteering with projects all over Denver. We were at local school, where all the planting beds needed some love after a long summer. Mulch covers a multitude of sins in landscaping. So adults and kids together weeded, pruned, and spread mulch by the wheelbarrowful.

Did we change the world today? Probably not. Will parents and teachers notice the change on Monday, even if the 6th graders don't? Probably.

I'm good with that.

In other news, I've moved to Blogger from my previous blog from the past 2 years. Click here to catch up.