Turkey Trot

Turkey Trot
Originally uploaded by elizabethw

For someone who hated to run, I've certainly changed my mind. This is me and my friend Anita after we both completed the 2009 Turkey Trot. I was very happy with my time - 49 minutes and 18 seconds for 8k. We certainly may not look our best, but we were feeling pretty good!

Fun and Friends

This past month has been very busy for me for a variety of reasons including work and travel, but mostly because of fun and friends:

• I joined a great group of Cancan dancers and performed at a festival in Milwaukee after only three lessons,
• I competed in the North American National Champtionships with my wonderful team in Nashville and we took second place, and
• The Dayton Celtic Festival is this weekend - what a great way to celebrate my birthday!

The two most exciting bits of upcoming fun and friends events happen today and next month, respectively:

• I am getting together with one of my roommates from Prague, Alice, this afternoon before she moves to California for grad school, and
• My best friend, Amber, is coming to town next month (she lives in Minnesota - at least a 10 hour drive)!

I can't wait to see these lovely ladies! It will be so nice to catch up with them!

My first new car

0625091135.jpg
Originally uploaded by elizabethw

I feel so grown up!

Sounds of Summer

I am watching So You Think You Can Dance, listening to the chirp of crickets and the rustle of wind through the trees.

These are the reasons I love summer.

BVI

Virgin Gorda - Yacht Harbor 012
Originally uploaded by elizabethw

Last month I took a trip with 12 wonderful ladies to the British Virgin Islands. We spent a week on Virgin Gorda in a beautiful villa. It was a great trip - sun, sand, swimming, and lots of island drinks. We're already planning our return trip in two years. I can't wait!

Belated St. Patrick's Day wishes

From the Celtic Academy Adult group, here's hoping your St. Patrick's Day celebration was a good one. Ours was!

Sunset

Sunset
Originally uploaded by sashton

I've been absent from my blog for a long time. Part of it is due to getting caught up in facebook, part of it is busy-ness, and part of it is out of town-ness. I will post photos from my trip to Ireland soon - probably after the craziness that is St. Patrick's Day.

I will be taking another trip in 47 days to the British Virigin Islands. I cannot wait (as indicated by my precise countdown)! I have been browsing Flickr for photos other people have taken, and I found this gorgeous sunset. This was taken in January this year. If it was so beautiful then, I can't imagine what it will be like in April.

I'm so excited!

Ouchless Giving

As 2008 rolls to a close, I've been thinking about what I've done for myself and what I've done for others. I think this year I have donated to charities more than I have done before (which isn't saying much), but giving money isn't the only way to help out, especially if you're experience hard times economically. The Ideal Bite had a great tip on being charitable without giving money. Options include Free Rice (now with options other than vocab) among other charitable organizations. If you've got a couple of free minutes, take a look at the list and click away!

Wassail

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday. As I am the only child living close to my parents now (my sister and brother are in Uni in various cities), I will have the privilege of attending a Madrigal dinner with my parents tonight as part of his birthday gift.

I'm not really sure what a Madrigal dinner entails. (although with my minimal googling skills, I did find the website) We have to be there at 7 tonight for a Wassail Reception. I'm not quite sure what wassail is, even though I know the carol "Here we are a wassailing". I guess I'll be learning some new things tonight!

Vanoce

Though I'm happy to be home in the states a year and a half after leaving Prague, I miss living in Europe for a variety of reasons:


I miss Christmas markets with gift and food vendors and Svařak and Glühwein.


Old Town Square in Prague


Dresden Christmas Market


I miss good friends and times of celebration.




I even miss the Christmas carp (Kapri) vendors. A tiny bit.






I'm super excited to visit Prague and my good friends in February.