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.

Mid-America Oireachtas 2008

Oireachtas 08 007
Originally uploaded by elizabethw

You're looking at the 2008 Mid-America Regional Champions in the adult ceili competition! We worked hard for this, and it finally paid off :)