Monday, January 25, 2010

Robert Burns Supper--- The Bard

Happy Burns Night to all of my Scottish/Scottish Lovin peeps!


If you didn't know, Burns Night/Supper celebrate Robert Burns who is a hero of Scottish Lit. Jan 25th Scots and Scottish societies celebrate his life and being scottish with food, music, and his poetry.

There is a specific order to the supper. Welcome with a scottish blessing, Haggis with the famous poem to accompany it, dinner, toast to Robert Burns, toast to the lassies, reply from the lassies, songs or poetry of Burns, closing with singing of Auld Lang Syne . Entertainment is scattered throughout. 


Gerald Butler is currently making a movie of Burn's life.


Red Red Rose








Thursday, January 21, 2010

Warm and Cozy

Today is a chilly, wet day. If I didn't know better I would think that I was in the Highlands of Scotland. So I made some cozy beef veg soup and paired it with a sourdough baguette.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haiti

I have been struggling with this blog. I wanted to make some points without seeming insensitive or heartless.


Haiti is a very complicated situation. The Haiti in my mind is from the violence and corruption of the 90’s and 2000’s and also its history of human rights violations. It has been struck with multiple hurricanes ( as recent as 4 last year). I still recall images of citizens risking their lives in anything that could float to escape and make it to our southern shores. It is the poorest country in the Americas and the 4th poorest in the world. Haiti relies mostly on aid money and debt forgiveness.

As the TV coverage shows the horrible conditions in Haiti, fingers have been pointed. Is it the fault of the French who left the colony to fend for itself, American fault for not helping more, or even the Spanish who first colonized the island? I would like to see if the coverage will remind everyone that the wealth of the country has been pirated away to 1% of the country who also holds government office. The decades of dictators did nothing for the greater wealth of the country and just lined their pockets. I was appalled that they actually interviewed the leader that tried to say he felt the citizens’ pain because some of the PALACE that he lives in has been damaged. I really doubt that this is relatable. Seriously??? Stop doing interviews and open your gates for medical workers and shelter!

Also I think that this is a prime example to show how just throwing money ‘aid’ to a country does not mean it will use such funds to better the country. Will this be covered? And if it is, will aid still be carelessly thrown their way without a true rebuilding of the country? And finally, will we(Americans) even care?

I hope that within this crisis hope will emerge with Haitians trying to re-build its country for a stable future. My fear is that the aid will not get to those who need it and the wealthiest will keep lining their pockets.

My heart goes out the families that have lost and will have to rebuild. I will never truly understand the pain and loss that they are enduring. I only hope they can have the courage and adequate assistance to survive thru this tragedy. Other countries have and I believe they can also.



 Relief Agencies:
http://www.convoyofhope.org/
http://www.redcross.org/
British Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org.uk/
http://www.unicef.org/

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Plans for Utah

I should be making lists, plans and appointments but I haven't been in my 'travel mood' this week. It is odd. I leave on Sat for a Ski weekend and I really have nothing planned. So today I made a few lists. They only consists of restaurants want to eat at and shopping. LOL!!  Hopefully I will be motivated and fill in the gaps.

Just heard they are having inversion.... hope if blows away before I land. If not that will be a better excuse to stay in the mtns and play.

Have a great Wednesday!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

All I hear is the crunching of snow under me












The snow has hit us hard. We are looking at temps in the single digits and lows in the negative. So the last 2 days work has been called off. I don't know if it is due to the cold, the snow, or the wind. It might be all 3. As i was outside at the gas station I felt like I was 8 yr old. I had on my warm boots from scotland, 3 layers with winter jacket, gloves, has, and scarf. I think the only thing that was showing was my nose and eyes. LOL!! I felt like my mom dressed me to go sledding.

I don't mind the cold and snow. I like drawing inward and enjoying time inside. Books, movies, games along side a fire with a hot drink is great. That is if you have everything to keep you toasty and warm without complications. Plus I love the clothes of winter. Soft sweater, fleece, cords, layers with flannel, some warm socks.

It is soooo hard to be motivated to workout. The thought of running and then climbing into a cold car is the last thing I want to do. But I have 2 wks off from the gym and I need to do something. While in Utah it was easy, throw on some snow shoes or skis and you had an instant workout.

While outside i stood still for a bit and took in the sights and sounds. I loved the smell of the snow. The distinct sound on snow crunching. The houses and trees are dusted in white. The stillness of winter is also amazing. In the cold you can hear everything even the smallest branch moving seems amplified in winter. Smoke is even different. Fireplaces take on a warmth and glow this time of year. It hangs in the air and mixes with the snow. I loved going in the mtns and experiencing this. The one thing I realized that was missing was the pine. The pine mixed with the snow can't be captured by a candle or spray. Boy do I miss this smell.

Don't get me wrong. The cabin dream day will soon fade and I will be craving the sun. But for this moment, nothing can get me past the snow crunching underfoot.


The Last Ten Years Rambling

I had plenty of time to think will sick during New Years. I made a little list of the last 10 years. Mind you, I was under the influence of codeine cough syrup! So here are my thoughts.

In this decade:
  • My first decade as an 'adult'
  • loved and lost
  • Gained a sis-in-law, 2 nephews and a niece
  • Reconnected with old friends
  • went to and was in too many weddings to mention
  • Moved cross-country
  • Came to grips with a few realities that are out of my control
  • Found myself, lost it, and found it again
  • learned how to snowboard
  • driven the same SUV
  • Had amazing roomates that influenced who i am today
  • Backpacked with roomies across Europe and visited Thailand
  • Finished 2nd degree and started final one
  • Found a new career by accident and had amazing students
  • Saw our country fall on its knees on 9/11
  • Solo-backpacked northern England & Scotland
  • Lost 2 grandparents (father's parents)
  • opened my mouth but learned how to close it
  • lost my dream job
  • Seattle
  • Lived in 4 locations in SLC (2 houses, 1 apt, 1 townhouse)
  • Moved to Scotland
  • Volunteer and experienced Sundance Film Festival
  • NYC broadway trip
  • 2000 was a size 8/9.....ummmm not now :) 
  • moved back to the midwest
  • dream Central Park carriage ride in the snow
  • SLC Olympics
  • Skied, hiked, snow shoed, canoed, road tripped in the mts of Utah
  • Moved from CDs to Ipod to Macbook to Iphone
Not too shabby!